Train of Life

Life On the Train   (click on red link)


   .    .    .   will truly touch your heart!  We are all on this train with its many stops and starts. 

Watch and listen to this and may God bless you and touch your heart each and every day of you life.

Important Things

I love the mess to clean up after a get-together
   because it means I have been surrounded by friends.
I love the lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning,
   gutters that need fixing because it means I have a home.
I love the taxes I pay because it means I have a job,
I love the clothes that fit a little too snug
   because it means I have enough to eat.
I love the spot I find at the far end of the parking lot
   because it means I am capable of walking.
I love my huge AC bill in the summer
   because it means I have stayed cool.
I love the lady behind me in church who sings off key
   because it means that I can hear.
I love the piles of laundry
   because it means my loved ones are near by.
I love weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day
   because it means I have been productive.
I love another huge heating bill
   because it means I am warm.
I love the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours
   because it means I am alive!
                 ~Author Unknown~

When I read this I couldn't help but think of all of my nagging, complaining and fussing about "things" that happen.  Sometimes not even realizing what I am complaining about! Things in my life that really are just "things"!  Things that I could live without, things that I really don't need and that someone else could better use, things that take up my time and really don't accomplish much, things that are of no real benefit to me or those around me, things that at the moment seem so important but later when looking back I realize were nothing! Things tend to clutter up my life and keep my focus off of the most important things in life many times. I'm trying to downsize, reorganize, refocus, and de-clutter not only my home but more importantly my life.  This means I must look at everything in my life in a totally different way! With God's help and "His" eyes, learn to "love" these "things" because of the deeper meaning of them.  Learn to look beyond the surface to the real things - the real-deal.  Learn to "love" those things I so quickly complain about! And learn to be truly "thankful" for all that comprises my "little" world!  I can choose to look beyond and see that there really are important "things" to be thankful for in the midst of my circumstance, situations, trials, and blessings! 

Am I really thankful for that early morning alarm that goes off at the break of dawn - when I could be snuggled under the warm covers and hit the snooze for the fourth time!  Let me see, am I really???!!!

 .  .  .  Yes, I am because I AM ALIVE!   Thank you, Lord!

(A thanksgiving psalm)  On your feet now--applaud GOD! Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into his presence. Know this: GOD is God, and God, GOD. He made us; we didn't make him. We're his people, his well-tended sheep. Enter with the password: "Thank you!" Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank him. Worship him. For GOD is sheer beauty, all-generous in love, loyal always and ever.                       ~Psalm 100:1-5 (Message)

Friends - Trials

Embracing Life

Embracing Life

Some roads are rough to travel,

And through dusty trails, we’ve run.

We’ve watched as dark clouds covered skies

Abandoned by the sun.

But, anywhere we chance to be,

We know we are secure,

All surely part of God’s great plan

With courage to endure.

For He has made things beautiful,

His gift is in each day.

The worth is ours for spending here,

Look up! He’ll show the way.

And if we follow, God will give

A time to laugh and heal –

To make each moment meaningful,

Embracing all that’s real.

We have a treasure in our lives

Worth more than any gold;

With arms outstretched, He gives His hands

For each of us to hold.

~Helen M. Motti~



Whom Shall I Fear

Change

"An abuser will do everything to keep you but nothing to take care of you"  - Unknown

Everything you now do is something you have chosen to do. Some people don't want to believe that. But if you're over age twenty-one, your life is what you're making of it. To change your life, you need to change your priorities.             -John C. Maxwell

"Do not ask the Lord to Guide Your Footsteps if you are not willing to move your Feet!"    - Unknown

"God is so big He can cover the whole world with his Love . . . and so small He can curl up inside your  heart"      -Unknown

Farmer Milking His Cow

A farmer went out to the barn to milk his cow.  He sat down and began milking when he noticed a bumble bee flew into the barn.  He kept on milking but carefully watched the bee.  To his surprise it flew right into the cow's ear.  Thinking it was going to sting the cow, he prepared for action!  But nothing happened - the cow just stood there chewing her cud, so he continued milking. Then, much to his surprise the bee came out as he milked and landed in the milk bucket . . . .

. . . which I guess is where the phrase "in one ear and out the udder" came from!!!

God's Creation & Wonder

A pastor friend sent this email to me and I found it so interesting.  Things I had never really thought much about. I grew up on a farm and never thought about the process of how a cow gets up and how a horse rises, etc.  These are very interesting facts that show what an awesome and orderly God we have!

For example:

The eggs of the potato bug hatch in 7 days; those of the canary in 14 days; those of the barnyard hen in 21 days; the eggs of ducks & geese hatch in 28 days; those of the mallard in 35 days; the eggs of the parrot and the ostrich hatch in 42 days; Human pregnancy: 280 days divided by 7 equals 40 weeks.  Does that remind you of the 40's in the Bible? (Notice, they are all divisible by seven, the number of days in a week!)

God's wisdom is seen in the making of an elephant. The four legs of this great beast all bend forward in the same direction. No other quadruped is so made. God planned that this animal would have a huge body, too large to live on two legs. For this reason He gave it four fulcrums so that it can rise from the ground easily.

The horse rises from the ground on its two front legs first. A cow rises from the ground with its two hind legs first. How wise the Lord is in all His works of creation!

God's wisdom is revealed in His arrangement of sections and segments, as well as in the number of grains.

Each watermelon has an even number of stripes on the rind, each orange has an even number of segments, each ear of corn has an even number of rows, each stalk of wheat has an even number of grains, every bunch of bananas has on its lowest row an even number of bananas, and each row decreases by one, so that one row has an even number and the next row an odd number. All grains are found in even numbers on the stalks, and the Lord specified thirty fold, sixty fold, and a hundred fold - all even numbers.

The waves of the sea roll in on shore twenty-six to the minute in all kinds of weather. God has caused the flowers to blossom at certain specified times during the day, so that Linnaeus, the great botanist, once said that if he had a conservatory containing the right kind of soil, moisture, and temperature, he could tell the time of day or night by the flowers that were open and those that were closed!

Thus the Lord in His wonderful grace can arrange the life that is entrusted to His care in such a way that it will carry out His purposes and plans, and will be fragrant with His presence.

The lives of each of you may be ordered by the Lord in a beautiful way for His glory, if you will only entrust Him with your life. If you try to regulate your own life, it will only be a mess and a failure. Only the "One" Who made the "brain" and the "heart" can successfully guide them to a profitable end.

Only the "God-planned" - "safe-life" is successful. Only the life given over to the care of the Lord is fulfilled.

I hope you find this as fascinating as I did!  We are fearfully and wonderfully made by God himself. He knows us better than we know ourselves! It only stands to reason that the God of creation who created all of this with such order and such wisdom is the only One that can bring out the best in each of us . . . God in His grace bringing our heart and brain together to live the fulfilled, fragrant life He planned for each of us.  Isn't that awesome!!

Peace

Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, satan shudders and says, ??? Oh, no . . . She's awake!!???

Higher Ground

I’m pressing on the upward way,

New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I’m onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where those abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.

I want to live above the world,
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.

I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till heav’n I’ve found,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

(Chorus) Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven’s tableland,
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

I am always totally amazed when I am traveling and catch that very first glimpse of the mountains ahead of me.  The excitement grows with each passing mile as I get closer and closer to the majestic peaks looming up in the distance.  The upward climb into the mountains bring with it sights almost more beautify than the human eye can fathom.  Pressing on to new upward heights almost makes me feel as though I have left the world behind far, far below - it is almost like I catch a glimpse of glory as I see God's breath-taking creation from the top of the mountain!  What a sense of awe and wonder overwhelm me with each new height . . . Lord, plant my feet on higher ground! 

I press on toward the goal to win the prize
for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14 (NIV)

I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back!
Philippians 3;14 (Message)

Are you "off and running" and "not turning back" as the Message translates this verse?  Or are you "pressing toward the goal" gonna "win the prize"?  Are you heading "heavenward in Christ Jesus"?  Whichever verse you prefer - they both tell us to move forward and upward in Christ - to a higher plane.  A higher plane - above the stress and turmoil of the world. A place above the things that will pull us down and discourage and defeat us.  As the verse of the song says, so well,  "Lord, lift me up and let me stand, By faith, on Heaven’s tableland, A higher plane than I have found; Lord, plant my feet on higher ground".  This is my prayer and my song today!

Mouse Story

There is so much truth in this little story . . .

A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife open a package. "What food might this contain?" The mouse wondered - he was devastated to discover it was a mousetrap.

Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed the warning. "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!" The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, "Mr. Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you but it is of no consequence to me. I cannot be bothered by it."

The mouse turned to the pig and told him, "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!" The pig sympathized, but said, "I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse, but there is nothing I can do about it but pray. Be assured you are in my prayers." The mouse turned to the cow and said, "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!" The cow said, "Wow, Mr. Mouse. I'm sorry for you, but it's no skin off my nose." So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected, to face the farmer's mousetrap-- alone.

That very night a sound was heard throughout the house -- like the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey. The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she did not see it was a venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught.

The snake bit the farmer's wife. The farmer rushed her to the hospital and she returned home with a fever. Everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup's main ingredient. But his wife's sickness continued, so friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig.

The farmer's wife did not get well; she died. So many people came for her funeral the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide enough meat for all of them. The mouse looked upon it all from his crack in the wall with great sadness!

So, the next time you hear someone is facing a problem and think it doesn't concern you, remember -- when one of us is threatened, we are all at risk. We are all involved in this journey called life. We must keep an eye out for one another and make an extra effort to encourage one another.

REMEMBER: EACH OF US IS A VITAL THREAD IN ANOTHER PERSON'S TAPESTRY;
OUR LIVES ARE WOVEN TOGETHER FOR A REASON.

Low-Fat Farmers Market

The Blaming Game

Have you ever heard someone say to you, "if you hadn't made me so mad I would not have done that!" or "you just made me so mad, I totally lost it"?

If you have experienced this or are experiencing this repeatedly in your life or your relationship, stop and take note. To blame someone else for our problems, our anger, our actions, our past . . . is wrong! It is easy to blame someone else and never take responsibility for our own actions. Blaming is unhealthy. Yes, it is harder to look at ourselves, our words, our actions, our responses, our abuse, our inner motives and realize that it was really all about me - what I wanted or demanded or even how I thought it should be - sometimes even at the expense of others, at the expense of those we love that are closest to us. Maybe it is a spouse. Maybe it is the children. All in all, it is an unhealthy trait that unless dealt with, will put down, belittle, eat away and destroy those around you.

To blame is:  "to charge, condemn, denounce, disparage."  This type of behavior when experienced day in and day out, year after year, everytime something doesn't go the way a person thinks it should go can tear down any and all self-esteem in a child and often in an adult. When everything that happens is someone elses fault - beware - especially if you are always the one being blamed!

The blame game takes the guilt, the act of anger, the actions involved off of the blamer and puts them on the other person, whether they are to blame or not. The blamer relinquishes his/her responsibility for the outcome of the situation. The blamer passes off any part of the cause or outcome and blames someone else, many times injustly. The blamer usually will not listen and hear the defense of the person being blamed and you will no doubt find that you cannot even reason with the blamer. You cannot "reason" with the "unreasonable"! You will usually hear them say things like this, "if you hadn't or if you would have, it is because of you and what you said or what you did - that is why I yelled at you, that is why I hit you, that is why I threw that, that is why I got rid of it, that is why I broke it . . . because YOU made me so mad!!! I would not have said or done that if YOU hadn't gotten me so upset - it's your fault we are in this mess! If you hadn't . . . !

If you are living with this kind treatment, stop and take a look around you. This really is a form of abuse - whether you want to face up to it or not.  It is emotional / mental abuse and it will tear you apart!  It will tear your children apart!  Anytime you are put down, blamed, belittled, and made to believe that YOU are the cause of everything wrong or bad that happens, take a look at that "red flag" and beware!  YOU are not to blame for everything around you. Decide what is your fault, take responsibility for that, ask forgiveness, apologize, make the restitution needed and when you have done all you know to do to make things right - put it in God's hands. Determine to leave it there and seek His guidance and direction. Be strong, set your boundaries and hold to them - don't be afraid to stand up for "you".  If you are not guilty of what "the blamer" has accused you of - stand up and tell them - even if it is tough to do.  See this blame/mind game for what it really is and search your heart and soul and find out who you really are. 

"Whatever you think, be sure it is what YOU think; whatever you want, be sure it is what YOU want; whatever you feel, be sure that is is what YOU feel." -T.S. Eliot.

Don't let  someone else in their anger tell you what you think or want or feel. Trust your own heart and trust God to strengthen you to take a stand against emotional abuse like this.

We have all been mad or angry at some time. But it is how we handle that anger that counts. It is how we take responsiblity for our own actions and our own words that makes all the difference in the world. Being able to admit and be responsible and not blame those closest to us for the situation we are in is the first step toward the healing process.  One must first admit there is a problem before it can be fully dealt with. If you are "the blamer" or if you are the one being "blamed", stop and take responsibility for your own actions, your own thoughts, your own feelings. Confide in someone, get help if necessary, but most of all - stop the cycle!

Paul Hegstrom says this, "EMOTIONAL ABUSE:  Any communication, admonition, reprimand or reproof that does not uplift, edify, or bring conflict resolution. Are you aware that there are 19 forms of abuse. Abuse is not just physical. All forms of abuse are devastating and destroy the individuals and the relationships. Some forms of abuse are so subtle that people accept them as a part of their every day life."

What is going on in your life or in the life of someone you know?  Are there subtle "little things" that you just accept as a part of life?  Are there some "red flags" flying in your life or in someone close to you?  See these "red flags" for what they are and help stop this cycle of verbal and emotional abuse! Pray unceasingly, stand beside, encourage, uplift, and listen to both the abuser and the abused. Help direct them to a God who understands what triggers these outburst, a God who can give understanding, a God who can send wise counsel to address this and begin the healing process . . . and a God who can stop this cycle of verbal and emotional abuse.

Important Words

Keys to Human Relationships  (Anonymous)

The six most important words:  I admit that I was wrong.

The five most important words:  You did a great job.

The four most important words:  What do you think?

The three most important words:  Could you please. . .

The two most important words:  Thank you.

The most important word:  We.

The least important word:  I.

~     ~     ~     ~     ~    

Try these words out - put them to the test and see if you notice anything different in your day-to-day walk.  Does your walk - talk? My dad used to always tell us kids . . .  "make sure your walk - talks louder than your talk - talks"!  Don't be all talk, take time to listen, and speak from your heart with honesty. Look around and notice who is walking with you and practice the above formula for good human relations whether it is with those you work with, your family, or your friends.  These words are the recipe for the best alphabet soup you could add to your vocabulary!!

Look at these important words and use them frequently.  They show that you care about those around you. That you aren't afraid to face up to your mistakes and admit you were wrong. Admitting you were wrong does not make you any less of a person - most think more of you for being honest.  These words show that you have noticed those around you and are ready to compliment and encourage them. This is just what some people need to boost their self-esteem and you could be the one to "make their day". When you ask, you seek wisdom, imput and knowledge from other's opinions.  We can learn so much from the advice of others if we will just ask and listen. And this also makes them feel good - like they are of value.  It is always polite to use "please and thank you"!  We don't really hear these words much any more, do we??  The little word "we" is inclusive - it brings together. In our busy, frazzelled, unevenly balanced life, we need a little "togetherness", don't you think?   And last but not least is the "big I".  Life is not always about me . .  me . . . me!  I am NOT the "Queen Bee" in my world and neither are you in yours!! 

Let's make a special effort to use these important words every day!  Starting TODAY!!

Words of HOPE

But there's one other thing I remember,

and remembering,

I keep a grip on HOPE:

GOD's loyal love couldn't have run out,

his merciful love couldn't have dried up.

They're created new every morning.

 How great your faithfulness!

I'm sticking with GOD  (I say it over and over).

He's all I've got left.

GOD proves to be good to the man who passionately waits,

to the woman who diligently seeks.

It's a good thing to quietly HOPE,

quietly HOPE for help from GOD.

-Lam 3:21-25 (Message)-

Swimming Laps

Just for Today ...

.. smile at a stranger
.. listen to someone's heart
.. drop a coin where a child can find it
.. learn something new, then teach it to someone
.. tell someone you're thinking of them
.. hug a loved one
.. don't hold a grudge
.. don't be afraid to say "I'm sorry"
.. look a child in the eye and tell them how great they are
.. don't kill that spider in your house, he's just lost so show him the way out (this one I might struggle with!!)
.. look beyond the face of a person into their heart
.. make a promise, and keep it
.. call someone, for no other reason than to just say "Hi"
.. show kindness to an animal
.. stand up for what you believe in
.. smell the rain, feel the breeze, listen to the wind
.. use all your senses to their fullest
.. cherish all your TODAYS

~ Author Unknown

Co-Pilot

Almond Chicken & Rice

I like this - it is Quick & Easy!!

4 small boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (1 lb)
1/4 C Kraft Tuscan House Italian Dressing & Marinade, divided
1 1/4 C fat-free reduced-sodium chicken broth
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
2 C broccoli florets
1 C instant white rice, uncooked
1/4 C Planters sliced almonds, toasted, divided

Cook chicken in 2 Tbs dressing in lg skillet about 4 min. or until evenly browned.
Stir in broth, garlic powder & remaining dressing; bring to boil. Cover; simmer 5 min or until chicken is done. Remove chicken; cover to keep warm.
Add broccoli to skillet; cook, uncovered, 3 min. Stir in rice & 3 Tbs almonds. Remove from heat; cover. Let stand 7 min.  Serve chicken over rice; top with remaining almonds.

Enjoy!

Anxiety vs. Rest

(Church Secretary - Guardian of the Universe -  Not hardly!!!  LOL!!)

This morning the pastor brought his sermon in for me to print. He put it on my desk, laughed and said, “here it is!! I didn’t sleep all night worrying about it” !!! Needless to say, his sermon was on anxiety!!!  . . . and by the way, he was exaggerating and being funny!

But, truth of the matter is - we do lose sleep. We do fret and worry. We do carry on with life,  but in the back of our minds – there is anxiety! Sometimes just a little but other times much more - lots of stress. Have you been there? Do you know how it feels to be preoccupied with the things that are stretching you - home, job, family, friends, finances, etc.?

Luke 12:22 says, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on" . . . Of course Pastor was laughing and carrying on about the lack of sleep, worrying, etc., but it really is easy to let the anxieties of life get to us, weighing heavy on us physically, emotional, and spiritually.

Have you been to the place where you just wanted to “rest”?  I mean take a nice long, uninterrupted rest and not have to think about the pressures you are experiencing.  A rest – not have to make the hard decisions.  A rest – not waking up in the middle of the night “thinking”.  A rest – not have to look the world in the face.  A rest – just sit in the back yard with a glass of ice tea and watch the fish in the backyard pond - ALL day!!!  Wouldn’t that be nice?  I think we should designate at least one day a month to do just that!!!! Are you with me??

"Rest" means:  to be free from anxiety or disturbance.

How can we be free from anxiety?  I woke up early this morning and was thinking, "why am I awake so early when I could be sleeping?" Is that a hint of anxiety??!!  Then I realized, I am still in my early morning walking routine-mode but now that summer is winding down so are my daylight hours!  It isn't even daylight at my normal walking time so I'm awake - it's still too dark to walk - so I got up and was reading.  Wasn't it nice that God provided this special time just for my devotions???  I came to today's devotional by Charles Spurgeon entitled "Rest for God's People" - how fitting was that??!!!  The scripture was from Hebrews 4:9-11 and says, "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest."

As I read this devotional this morning, I was reminded of this "rest" that God talks about.  Charles Spurgeon stated, "It is then a spiritual rest altogether independent of circumstances. It is the spirit within that gives the rest; that rest has little to do with anything without. The spirit is the spring of rest; as for the outward surroundings, they are a small account. Let your mind be like the mind of Christ, and you shall find rest unto your souls; a deep rest, a growing rest, a rest found out more and more, an abiding rest, not only which you have found, but which you shall go on to find." 

"It is strange we go on living our everyday lives so carelessly stumbling, we plod our commonplace paths, and forget that we walk everyday, every hour, in the presence of God!"   

 -Martha Snell Nicholson

That rest is there for us as we seek God's presence and are obedient to Him, as we turn our frustrations, our anxieties, and our lives over to the Him. The Message version says, "this is a live promise". It wasn't canceled at the time of Joshua: otherwise, God wouldn't keep renewing the appoint for "today." The promise of "arrival" and "rest" is still there for God's people - even "TODAY".  He is the great Comforter waiting with outstretched arms as we enter into His "REST" - that deep, growing, and abiding rest!  

Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life . . .

Today

There are two days in every week that we shouldn't worry about.

One is yesterday, with its mistakes and cares, its aches and pains. Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control. We can't bring it back even if we tried!

The other day is tomorrow, with its possible adversities, blunders, blessings, and happiness. Until its sun rises, we have no stake in tomorrow, for it is yet unborn. It simply "hasn't been" . . . yet!

That leaves only one day - today!  Anyone can fight the battle of just one day. It is only when we add the burden of those two eternities - yesterday and tomorrow - that contentment will escape us. Don't let the "yesterdays and the tomorrows" get you down.  The sun has risen "today" - let's make the most of this day!

One day at a time . . .

Cardboard Testimonies

Destiny

Destiny: "Predetermined course of events considered as something beyond human power or control".

Today's destiny - A walk in the "rain"!

I left the house with the sun shining across some clouds early this morning. Thirteen blocks into my 3-mile walk, I felt a few steady raindrops, heard some thunder and saw flashes of lightening. With the early sunshine now gone and only dark clouds in sight, I decided to cut my walk short and head back home as quickly as possible!  So I turned up the next block to head home before the down pour started. But shortly up that block the drops began pelting down and "damp" very quickly became "wet" - long before I reached my thirteen blocks back home!! I must admit, I haven't walked in a cold, rain like that for years! I decided I would have to finish by 3-mile walk at the Mall today!!

It was really quite interesting as I hurriedly walked through this rain. A few times I stopped and stood under a tree for shelter but thought it best to move on when the thunder and lightening started and there really didn't seemed to be any sign of this rain letting up. So on I trudged through puddles and rain. I walked along hearing the slapping of windshield wipers and watched people as they drove by. A couple of people offered a ride . . . some just looked and smiled . . . a few laughed (with me, of course - it was kind of funny!) . . . others were preoccupied with driving and whatever else was on their mind . . . one person even offered me an umbrella! I thought that was pretty thoughtful - considering they would probably need it when they reached their own destination. People are funny. I guess it really does take all kinds to make this world go round, doesn't it?

The rain was cold as it hit my face, arms, and drenched my clothes. In the middle of one intersection, the child in me, was tempted to look up in the sky, stick my tongue out and catch the rain in my mouth like we did when we were kids as we twirlled around in circles, dancing in the rain!!!  But with my age - I have gained a "little" maturity!  And, I felt this probably would not be a very wise choice on my part!!  Especially, since just last week, while not paying attention, I tripped on an uneven sidewalk and took a little fall!  No, I thought it best that I not encourage any catastrophe on my part!!!  So, I restrained myself and just walked on!!!  LOL!

When I left my house this morning, I came upon a house that was all decorated for the big TJ / AL High School game tonight. This house had crepe paper streamers everywhere and they had been "chalked" - chalk writing on the sidewalks and driveway saying - "Get it DONE!" to the football player (I'm assuming) and cheering him on to victory at tonight's game. Another sidewalk I passed said something entirely different. This driveway said someone was "NOT Welcome Here". What a contrast in words.

On my "walk in the rain" back home I couldn't help but notice that both of these chalk writings had been totally washed away in this short amount of time. That may have been a "blessing" for the one who was told "you are NOT welcome here". Maybe destiny would not want that person to know that this was written in big "warning" letters on the driveway. But the rain also washed away the well-wishers "Go-Team Get it DONE!" message. The wet crepe paper was drooping to the ground and there were no signs of the words of encouragement on the sidewalk or driveway. All washed away with the morning rain! Each of these destinies unknown - each message unknown to the person it was meant for. Would these messages have changed anything if the person they were intended for had seen them?? Who knows - maybe or maybe not! Funny little "chalk" messages but what was behind those little messages? Fun, excitement, encouragement for one but what about the other? Hurt, resentment, anger, and hate - so much so, that "You Are NOT Welcome Here" was chalked in big letters so the other person could see it. Words, spoken, chalked or just displayed, like the people driving by me in the pouring rain this morning, speak ever so loudly.

"We should seize every opportunity to give encouragement. Encouragement is oxygen to

the soul. Kind words can be short and easy to speak, even a nod or smile, but their

echoes are truly endless".     (authur unknown) 

"A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth and a word spoken in due season, how good is it"! 

- Prov. 15:23

As I walked in the rain this morning, I was soaking wet from head to toe, raindrops on my glasses, my watch, and my shoes were sqeaky-wet as I sloshed through the puddles and continued my "walk in the rain" to my destiny - home sweet home! I hadn't planned on this "walk in the rain" destiny today. I thought I would be back home before the rain started! 

Destiny means: "A predetermined course of events considered as something beyond human power or control". Guess what? That morning rain and my shortened walk back home was indeed a predetermined course of events beyond human power or control!  Totally out of my control - I only knew I had better hurry and get home the quickest way possible. Thirteen blocks later, wet and a little chilly, I stepped up on the porch, sat down in the lawn chair and watched the rain and thanked the Lord for watering the dry grass and flowers.  But more than that, for all of those people that offered a ride, an umbrella, a smile, a wave, a simple nod, and some encouragement to me as I walked in God's special "showers of blessings" this morning!

Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; Sing praises on the harp to our God, Who covers the heavens with clouds, Who prepares rain for the earth, Who makes grass to grow on the mountains...   - Psalm 148:7-8

What does your day hold - what is in your destiny for this very day? Whatever is in your destiny, even if it is "a predetermined course of events considered as something beyond human power or control"  be assured that God will help you look beyond that event or situation to see something more than the things that we cannot humanly control. Let God prepare us for the rain showers that come our way. Let God prepare us for the detours in life that we need to take. Let God use others to encourage us and let God also use us to encourage those around us that may be "walking in the rain"! 

And the next time you are caught in the rain, take a moment to stop and enjoy and experience God's "showers of blessings"!

Attitude

There once was a woman who woke up one morning,
Looked in the mirror,
And noticed she had only three hairs on her head.
'Well,' she said, 'I think I'll braid my hair today.'
So she did and she had a wonderful day.

The next day she woke up,
Looked in the mirror
And saw that she had only two hairs on her head.
'H-M-M,' she said,
'I think I'll part my hair down the middle today.'
So she did and she had a grand day.

The next day she woke up,
Looked in the mirror and noticed
That she had only one hair on her head.
'Well,' she said, 'today I'm going
To wear my hair in a pony tail.'
So she did, and she had a fun, fun day.

The next day she woke up,
Looked in the mirror and noticed
That there wasn't a single hair on her head.
'YAY!' she exclaimed.
'I don't have to fix my hair today!'
Attitude is everything.

Be kinder than necessary,
For everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Live simply,
Love generously,
Care deeply,
Speak kindly.......

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...

It's about learning to dance in the rain.

Counseling Session

God is Like . . .

God is like... BAYER ASPIRIN
He works miracles.

God is like... a FORD
He's got a better idea.

God is like... COKE
He's the  real thing.

God is like... HALLMARK CARDS
He cares enough to send His very best.

God is like... TIDE
He gets the stains out that others leave behind.

God is like... GENERAL ELECTRIC
He  brings good things to life.

God is like... SEARS
He has everything.

God is like... ALKA-SELTZER
Try Him, you'll like Him.

God is like... SCOTCH TAPE
You can't see Him, but you know He's there.
God is like... DELTA
He's ready when you are.

God is like... ALLSTATE
You're in  good hands with Him.   

God is like... VO-5 Hair Spray  
He holds through all kinds of weather.

God is like... DIAL SOAP
Aren't you glad you have Him?  Don't you wish everybody did?

God is like... the U.S. POST OFFICE
Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet nor ice will keep Him from His appointed destination.   
 
God is like... Chevrolet
the heart beat of America.      
 
God is like... Maxwell house
Good to the very last drop.     

 God is like... B o u n t y
 He is the quicker picker upper. . can handle the tough jobs. . .and He won't fall apart on you.

God is all of these and more . . . He is all we will ever need . . . He is my all in all!

Magnify

The Spider Web

This morning on my morning walk I was amazed at the number of huge and I mean big spider webs!  It was almost creepy and I absolutely hate walking into them!!!!  :~(   There were even patches of cob webs on the hedges I passed.  But it was amazing as I would look up at the sun coming up and catch a glimpse of a spider web fanning out in it's intricate web design reaching all the way up to the power lines from the ground.  The first one that caught my eye came down from the power line by the pole and expanded to about four feet wide midway down and then it looked like one tiny thread of web attaching it to the ground.  It was totally awesome! I wanted to get a picture of THAT - but how in the world do you capture all of that on a cell phone camera??!!  And as I was trying, I am sure the people driving by me were thinking . . . what is she doing - there is nothing there . . . what is she taking a picture of . . . the heat and humidity have already gotten to her!!!!  LOL!!  Needless to say - no photo of that one. 

I continued my walk and saw more cob webs on the fences and the trees, flowers, and bushes I passed.  I could feel the ones that I couldn't see on my arms and face as I walked through them.  YUCK!!  I decided it was better to walk in the street this morning to avoid the crazy cob webs!  But just before I changed my course, I came upon another web which again stretched all the way from the ground to the top of the power pole.  I stopped to watch as this one had a spider busily working at spinning this web.  The spider and web seemed to glisten, almost sparkle, as the sun was shining down on them.  This time I thought . . .  just maybe I can get a picture the way the sun was illuminating it.  I couldn't get the whole expanse of the web but did catch part of it along with Mr. Spider at work!  Well, the picture actually didn't turn out too bad, did it??!! 

"Mr. Spider"

Once again, I am sure the people driving by were wondering . . . what is she doing just standing there staring into space . . . she better drink the rest of that Gatorade . . . she's lost it!!!!  But they couldn't see what I could see.  And I must say this moment in time was worth my whole walk this morning.  It was so beautiful seeing that huge sparkling web and then as the sun illuminated the busy spider working so hard. You talk about "web design"  - that spider has his groove on!! I wonder how long it took Mr. Spider to form that masterpiece and I wonder how long it will stay intact before the wind or the rain (glad I went walking early - I just looked out and it is sprinkling!) or before an object dislocates the web. Do you ever get bored doing the same old job or routine day after day?  I know sometimes I do, but what about this poor old spider.  Does his job of web design ever end or stay in place?  Must be kinda like cleaning the house!!  LOL!  

Anyway, today I saw something that most  people could not see as they passed by. I saw a part of God's creation. Part of His master design. He designed that spider in such a way so it could spin that web and crawl from the ground to the top of that power pole on its very own tight-rope!!!  God just thought of everything, didn't He?? 

Life isn't always what we think we see as we look out over our days, weeks, and years.  Sometimes there are things that we cannot see or maybe things that we see that no one else sees - like Mr. Spider and his web this morning.  But God sees - God knows - God brings to our attention the little things like this cob web or even the bigger things that we need to see as we go through life.

What do you see today? What is God bringing to your attention?  Take time to stop and see something that those around you cannot see - it just might be God!   

"Come and see the works of God; He is awesome"  
Psalms 66:5

The Apple Tree

I sat in the back yard at mom and dad's and was taking in all of the surroundings.  The tall corn swaying back and forth with the soft blowing breeze across the corn field, the birds sweetly singing their nature melodies, the fruit trees in the orchard, the grapevines clinging to the guide wires in two neat little rows - the sights and sounds too many to mention.  But as I sat there scanning the back yard and orchard, my gaze stopped short at one of the apple trees.  Several of the original fruit trees have already been cut down for one reason or another and cut into logs. Probably already burnt in the fire place or in a bon-fire.  But I couldn't help but notice this one tree over in the corner of the orchard.  It stood out. It was different. It probably had a story all it's own to tell - if only trees could talk!!!  There wasn't much left of the tree, just a few main branches here and there.  It was obvious that this tree had been more than "pruned". It had some major branches cut from the main trunk of the tree.  I had to take a picture of it so you could see for yourself! 

I told mom that there wasn't much left of that tree.  She said, "no, too many storms had hit it and broken limbs out of it".  I sat there looking at what was left of the tree, thinking of the many, many storms and the bolts of lightning that had passed by that tree down through the years. Some lashing out at it's very limbs - bending and breaking them, leaving some of them hanging from the tree and some falling to the ground with a thud.  I've seen dad go out to the trees many a time with his trusty saw in hand, climb up his ladder, and finish cutting out the bent and broken limbs.

The storms of life can take a toll not only on trees but on you and me as well. Sometimes the storms hit us with great force bending and breaking us, sometimes the lightning strikes, sometimes the wind just blows us to pieces but we have a great God that will see us through the storms of this life.  Sometimes we may need a little pruning and some dead branches cut away so that we can bear fruit.  John 15:1 says, "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit."  Just as dad cut away the rough, torn, ragged dead branches so does God take away the rough, torn, ragged dead branches of our life that will only drain the good from us and hinder us from bearing fruit. 

As mom and I sat looking and talking about the sad looking apple tree in the corner of the orchard, she made a very positive encouraging statement - she simply said, "we can't cut it down - - - it's still bearing fruit"!!!  WOW!  It's still bearing fruit! I like that.  It doesn't have a pretty picture-perfect shape - but it is still bearing fruit! It is not very tall since so many branches have been cut off - but it is still bearing fruit!  It doesn't yield bushels of apples - but it is still bearing fruit!  It doesn't offer much shade to sit under - but it is still bearing fruit!  It doesn't even offer many branches for the birds to sit on - but it is still bearing fruit!  Mom was right, we can't cut it down because it is still bearing fruit!  And you can bet that mom will be picking those apples off of that somewhat wounded-looking, battered up apple tree and making dad some mouth watering home-made apple pie!  And it will be one of the best apple pies you ever tasted!! 

Yes, it is still bearing fruit and so can you and I - no matter what or where we have been.  God will prune us so we can still bear fruit just like the tree in the corner of the orchard that is "still bearing fruit"!!

Dieting

Old Barns & Peoples

I have a great love of old barns like these in this video.  I guess because I spent so much of my childhood days climbing around in our old barn. Crawling through tunnels we made in the stacked hay. It is a wonder that the whole huge mound of neatly stacked hay did not fall in on us kids and smother us as we removed bale after bale and continued tunneling up, around, over, and through the huge stack of hay until we reached the top of the mound clear up in the rafters of the old barn. Many chores centered around the barn.  Milking old "Spot" and the other cows each morning and evening, feeding the cats the fresh warm milk, slopping the pigs, putting hay out for the cows and horses, etc. There was  so much activity in and around the barn. What joys, what memories, what storms, what blessings we have all weathered down through the years - just like the old barn!

This video brings back a lot of memories as I look at the weathered old barns which are getting to be a thing of the past these days.

But to me, these barns represent a lot of hard work and time spent, usually by a hard-working family that worked together and played together. A family that was brought together to get the jobs as hand done and enjoyed working together and reaping the benefits and the blessings or the "harvests", you might say, of  "Good 'Ol Country Living".

Rhubarb Cake

Well, I mentioned the other day about the rhubarb my dad picked for me. I was going to try this "yummy-sounding" recipe for Rhubarb Coffee Cake. Well, I tried it and there was really nothing special about it. There was no “pour me another cup of coffee and pass the coffee cake” response at all!!!! So needless to say that recipe was NOT a “keeper” in my book! So I will make my mother’s Rhubarb Cake with my frozen rhubarb because it is a tried and tested "thumbs-up" recipe that the whole family enjoys – especially my dad!! Here is mom’s recipe:

Rhubarb Cake

Prepare 8x8” pan:

1/3 C butter - melt in the pan & add 2 C rhubarb
Spread in pan and sprinkle ½ C sugar plus 2 Tbs of flour over rhubarb

Batter:

1 1/3 C flour
1 C sugar
2 Tbs Baking Powder
½ tsp salt
Add 1/3 C butter
2/3 C milk
1 tsp vanilla
Beat for about 2 minutes
Add 1 egg and beat another 2 minutes
Spread this batter over the rhubarb

Bank for 40 minutes at 350 degrees

So, get this cake in the oven, make some coffee and when it’s done – “pour yourself and a friend a cup of coffee and pass the cake”!!! Enjoy!

Can't Recover . . .

Four things you cannot recover:

The stone.........after the throw.
The word.........after it's said..
The occasion........after it's missed.
The time..........after it's gone.
 
Stop, think, listen, learn, live each day one day at a time!
 

Trust

We lived out by the river for a while and one of the most awesome things about that was each year the majestic bald eagles would gather and roost in the trees across the river.  Sometimes 30-50 of them!! I was so facinated by them that I went out and bought some binoculars so I could watch them up close!  They were amazing as they sat in those trees so "stately" with keen eyes watching everything around them.  Then all at once one would take flight and soar high above the trees, then just as quickly, would dive down to the river and in a split second snatch up it's prey soaring once again up into the heavens and back to it's stataely perch in the tree.

The eagle's keen eye sees all around him from his vantage point and then acts at the specific, appropriate time. His timing is perfect as he sees it. One thing I noticed with the eagles as I watched them was that they really did not seem to fly.  They would soar!  There was not much flapping of the wings like you see other birds doing to take flight.  The eagle in one slow, delicate move mastered the air, took flight - up, up, and away with very little movement of the large outstretched wings.  They seemed to float higher and higher with just a tilt of the wing. 

The dictionary says to soar is: "to sail, fly or hover in the air at a great height; without loss of altitude; to move upward; to ascend to a higher more exalted level; to rise to a majestic stature".   That is exactly what I saw as I watched those eagles across the river as they took flight and would "soar to the heavens" and back to their perch high in the tops of the trees.  Very seldom were they "on the ground".

To soar with eagle's wings . . . I can't imagine the sights, the sounds, the view from above!  But I do know that I can put my trust in the Lord and know that His keen eye sees all, hears all, understands all, and knows all. I can trust Him to take me to (& through) great heights - without loss of altitude!!  He can and will help me move upward to a new level.  My feet may not get off of the ground but my heart and soul can rise to the heavens above where I can soar like the eagles in God's great grace, love and mercy.  Trust in the Lord and we shall soar . . .

Fruits of the Harvest

I went to the farm a week or so ago to see mom and dad and help them get their air conditioners in so they could keep cool. It was Saturday and my timing was perfect – just in time for “Saturday morning pancakes” - a family tradition! I knew if I went early I would be just in time for breakfast! Must be the “kid” in me – I still love to go “home” for Saturday morning pancakes!! We ate breakfast and visited over coffee, catching up on all that they were doing out on the farm and all that was going on with me in town.

It was an enjoyable day talking and sharing our thoughts, picking each others brain, laughing, sharing recipes, planning, etc. I think we covered it all over a several cups of coffee!! Anyway, it is always good to hear their stories, their advice, their outlook, their wisdom, their knowledge, their love and support in whatever is going on in my world. I have learned through the years that I can learn so much by just “listening”. Someone once accused me of “not” listening just because I didn’t do what they said! One thing about listening is that when you’ve listened to all the options - you then have the choice of what to do with what you have heard. But just because I choose to do something other than what you tell me does not mean that I have not listened and heard you! So, please don’t ever be offended by my choices!!! LOL!!

Anyway, as we were talking mom shared her latest Rhubarb Cake recipe and I must say it was very tasty. Before I left that day to head back to town, we headed out to the garden. All of this rain has been good for the garden. Dad pulled me some rhubarb. Fresh rhubarb is the best. I went home and froze some since I didn’t have time to make up anything right then. But I took a bag of it from the freezer today. I’m going to go home tonight and try this Rhubarb Coffee Cake recipe that looked and sounded really good! If it’s a “keeper” I’ll post the recipe for you all. That same day, we left the garden area and headed out to the orchard. Yes, the apricots were nearly ready. We ate a couple but decided they were not quite ready to pick yet but would be in about a week. Guess what? You guessed it – the next week when I went out to the farm I came home with two ice cream buckets of sweet, juicy, ripe apricots. Mom has been making apricot pie and preserves and has also put some in the freezer. Busy, busy, busy with dad picking the fruit, mom putting it up, and all of us enjoying the blessings of the fruits of the harvest. I am looking forward to the apples. I think I only have two jars of apple butter left so its time to make some more this year! It tastes so good on warm oatmeal bread!!!

Some years the fruit just doesn’t produce like it does other years. That is why dad always says, “make the most of the good harvest – next year’s may not be so good”. So that’s why we pick, peel, can, freeze, etc. all that we can while the getting’ is good. Next year there may not be enough rain. Or there may be too much. Or the worms or birds might get the fruit before we get it picked. But if we keep a close eye on the fruit and veggies like my mom and dad do, they usually get a good harvest! When there is "much fruit" we can and freeze it for later - apple pies, apple crisp, apple sauce (like Cracker Barrel's!), apple butter, apricot pie and jam, frozen corn, rhubarb, squash, etc. – believe me it all tastes good!

I enjoy eating the fresh fruit and vegetables from mom and dad’s garden. It always tastes so much better than what is in the store. Maybe it is because of all of the time and effort they put into it! I know they spend a lot of time tilling, planting, weeding, watering, checking it, & picking it. They stay close to the "vine" keeping watch over every aspect of the garden and orchard. This reminds me of John 15:5 - "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing". As we stay close to the vine (God), we too can spread our branches and bear much fruit. But it takes that constant faith, trust, dependence, and direction from "the vine" to bless and use our fruits. Remember, no vine - no fruit!

The fruits of the harvest are exciting as mom and dad watch the vines grow in their garden, as the fruit trees blossom and the fruit appears, as the kids pick it, and as we experience it on our taste buds with new recipes. What a blessing! How is YOUR fruit tree? Are you seeing some blossoms - some fruit? If not, just draw a little closer to the "vine" and let God work in and through your life . . . and wait for the blessing of the fruit!

Mom and dad enjoy the fruits of their harvest. And best of all – mom and dad love to share the “fruits of their harvest”!!!! And for that, I am truly thankful!

Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole

5 to 6 potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/2 c. milk
8-oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
8-oz. container sour cream
2 t. dried parsley
1 t. garlic salt
1/4 t. nutmeg
3/4 c. shredded Cheddar cheese
12 slices bacon, crisply cooked and crumbled

Cover potatoes with water in a large saucepan; bring to boil over medium heat. Reduce heat; simmer for 20 to 25 minutes. Drain well. Mash until light and fluffy. In a large bowl, beat together all ingredients except Cheddar cheese and bacon until smooth and creamy. Spoon into a lightly greased 13"x9" baking pan; sprinkle with cheese and bacon. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, or until heated through. Serves 10 to 12.

(And don't forget to carefully take out all of the extra calories before serving!!!! Yeah, right!! Enjoy!)

Stop Laying Eggs!!!

And that my friends is why the chicken crossed the road . . . now you know!!!!!!                                          

Walking by FAITH not by SIGHT

A poem by Ruth A. Morgan . . .

Sometimes I'm sad. I know not why
My heart is sore distressed;
It seems the burdens of this world
Have settled on my heart.
And yet I know...I know that God
Who doeth all things right
Will lead me thus to understand
To walk by FAITH...not SIGHT.
And though I may not see the way
He's planned for me to go...
That way seems dark to me just now
But oh, I'm sure He knows!
Today He guides my feeble step
Tomorrow's in His right...
He has asked me to never fear...
But walk by FAITH...not SIGHT.
Someday the mists will roll away,
The sun will shine again.
I'll see the beauty in the flowers.
I'll hear the bird's refrain.
And then I'll know my Father's hand
Has led the way to light
Because I placed my hand in His
And walked by FAITH...not SIGHT.
                   -Ruth A. Morgan

Do you ever catch yourself walking by sight and not by faith? These past two weeks have been very stressful for me and in these difficult moments I find it easy to look around and "see", with these "human eyes" of mine, all of the circumstances surrounding me - forgetting to look through my "eyes of faith". I watch the struggle, the rebellion, and the hurt of those close to me and it is easy to get caught up in the crisis/moment - trying to help, to ease the pain, to give support and guidance and seeing beyond the outer image to the heart and soul of what is really going on beneath the surface. At these times, when I am frustrated, when I receive an alarming telephone call at 2:30 in the morning like last week, or when I feel the blunt edge of total rebellion - at these disheartening times, I am reminded that faith is daring the soul to go beyond what the eyes can see. "For we walk by faith, not by sight." -2 Corinthians 5:7. It is this that keeps me going, that gives me strength to carry on, to reach out and trust that God is at work in each of our hearts and lives - even when we seem to see no progress, no relief, and satan would like us to feel total defeat. It's then that I realize once again that God gives the strength to "press on". He gives us the understanding and the love to put our circumstances into His perspective.

I was sharing with someone this past week and they made a statement that hit me full force. They said that "God loves my children far more than I do" - I know that in my heart but do I really comprehend the extent of God’s love for them in my head? Or do I look at them through my "sight" and not my "faith"? These past two weeks have brought one major incident after another to my attention - definitely putting my faith to the test.


There have been times I have felt like the person standing on the highway flagging people down to tell them, STOP! - the bridge is out ahead. And as I stand there some cars slow down and take heed but some speed on by only to drive off of the road into the ravine that was once spanned by the bridge. Unwilling to stop and find out what danger lies ahead, they continue on their own to the destination they are embarking upon. Unwilling to listen and take heed of the danger signs, the warnings, the futile attempts of those standing on the highway frantically trying to stop them. Only to realize, many times after it is too late to stop, that their destination will be cut short or altered by the ever present danger ahead of them. Why don’t they stop and take heed? I don’t know . . . but God see’s the whole picture – I see only what my physical eyes can see! And sometimes it scares me. It’s at this time that those words echo in my head and deeper into my heart . . . “Diana, God loves your children far more than you do”!!!  Oh, that I would never forget that.

2 Corinthians 5:7, is my prayer today – “to walk by faith . . . not by sight”. The Message version says, “It’s what we trust in but don’t yet see that keeps us going.”  To truly trust God and His "fathomless love"  (fathomless means . . . too deep to fathom or understand!)  WOW!  So, to walk by FAITH and not by SIGHT is to truly trust God and His “fathomless love” to reach out and touch, give guidance, influence, direction, and “love” in ways I, as a mere mother, cannot!

So today, I’m placing my hand in His and going to walk by FAITH...and not by SIGHT. God's love is fathomless!