In Time.....

It seems of late that the bottom keeps falling out. It's like that "Murphy's Law" of life stuff day after day. You remember the one, "what can go wrong, will go wrong" 


Trials...they only make you strong, right? They give us a testimony to share with others about how God has equipped us to make it through. I don't doubt at all that He is there and with each mess, with every single issue that arises, I know that He will take care of it! I try to stay focused on that truth. Does it mean that I don't get frustrated or show my irritations openly? Of course not...I am, after-all, human. I have never pretended to "have it all together". 


One of my life verses has always been and shall remain Philippians 4:12-13. I prefer it in The Message translation. 


"I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am."


It really does help to keep that perspective when dealing with troubles.  Be content...because, In time...it all works out. God always works out the details of our lives. He has that plan. We don't. I would like to think that I could muster up a master plan to make it all succeed for the best...but there is truly only one Master Planner. 


We would all do good to keep our eyes focused heavenward and continue to let Him do His job. He has far more experience than any of us anyway. I know, that I know, that I know.....In time. 


Thanks for reading

The Sigh

Read a great Max Lucado post today. I subscribe to his works, and this one really hit home. It was titled, "When God Sighed". He references Mark 7: 31-35. 

Mark 7:31-35 (New International Version)

The Healing of a Deaf and Mute Man

 ³¹Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis.^[a] 32There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged him to place his hand on the man. ³³After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man's ears. Then he spit and touched the man's tongue. ³⁴He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, "Ephphatha!" (which means, "Be opened!" ). ³⁵At this, the man's ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.


Max talked about the word, "sigh" and it's meaning. Dictionary.com says: 1. to let out one's breath audibly, as from sorrow, weariness or relief. 2. to yearn or long; pine
Now, I am sure that the #1 meaning was the sound that was made, but Max stated that when Jesus let out that deep sigh, prior to saying "Ephphatha!", that the sigh described is one of a hybrid of frustration and sadness. It lies somewhere between a fit of anger and burst of tears. 
This is where I am. These are my sighs of late and when I post my frustrations and my sighs, this is the best way to describe what they are. Sometimes I feel burdened to speak out, yet because of my "position", I need to hold tight, the reins of my mouth and attitude.  Perhaps, I feel a bit better knowing that Jesus let go of such feelings as well. After-all, he was known to turn over a table or two in the temple. (see Matthew 21) It's all about a righteous anger.  I guess I struggle with just leaving it with a deep sigh. (I tend to open my mouth) My heavy heart on many issues speaks out and my flesh wants to bite back. I need to practice looking into the heavens and do more deep sighing. 
I'd probably stay out of trouble that way. :) 
So, when you see me "sighing"....you might understand a little bit more. No, I'm not always sighing that deeply, but there is a point to them.  


Thanks for reading :)

It's Hot!

That it is!

But you will NOT hear me complain. Here in Oklahoma, our weather seems to be a bit on the Bi-polar side of life. I seriously think at times, it needs some medication. Don't quite know what that would be, but it's truly been a wild weather year for us so far. Currently we are experiencing some 92 degree weather with a heat index of 103. Now...I know that isn't extreme temps for some folks out there. But when you throw in that crazy humidity that we Okies seem to get, it's pretty sticky, miserable.

I live in a two story, brick home. Built in 1937, this home doesn't offer much on efficiency. Meaning, there are a lot of drafts, and insulation issues. It also has a pretty old a/c unit that we haven't run for the last 3 yrs now. We have window units in 4 rooms of the house. It keeps us cool enough, but probably not as efficient as should be. Times are tough and right now, that's what we do. God will provide in time for a new unit.

I think to myself about the heat and just how bearable is it? I mean...true, it's hot and I am thankful that I don't work out in it nor does my husband or children, unless you count my son-in-love being a police officer and having to wear a hot uniform in this mess...however...when you think about future and eternity and what the Bible talks of where will you go when you die...I think this is pretty darn cool, comparatively speaking.

I'm thankful that I know my future. I'm thankful that I know the answer to the question, "when I die, where will I go?" My future is secure in an eternal home with my Savior, Jesus Christ. The alternative would be a place where, if I couldn't bare the heat now.....well, don't even want to think about it.

When you die, where will you go? How's your weather forecast shaping up?

Thanks for reading,

Moving on!

Well, I think it is time for a new post....the other one was taking a turn in the wrong direction because a poster would not stay on subject! I hate that...

So, instead, I will talk about one of the things that bring great joy in my life. My grandbaby!

Her name is Madison and she is her GiGi's precious girl! Well, I know I can't lay complete claim to her, but she does bring such joy into my life. I try to spend as much time with her as I can and come October...she will become a new BIG Sister! She is so very excited about this and I for one can hardly wait either. She will welcome a baby brother into her family. :)

Her Uncle AJ also thinks she is pretty darn special as well. HE loves it when Madison gets to come over and play or we get to go there. There was a time when they didn't get along so well...but now they are the best of friends. (except when the other one has a toy they want) AJ calls her His Madison. He will often say, "Is my Madison going to come and see me?" It's just so stinking cute...can't tell ya!

Well, that's my thoughts about Madison. My joy and one of the lights in my life that keeps me sane! Her momma is the other claim to my sanity! Seeing as how I live and swim in a sea of testosterone on a daily basis....including the male dogs that I have.....sheesh! Oh well.....COUNT IT ALL AS JOY! And one part of that joy is a little girl named Madison! :)

Thanks for reading

Taking a Break

Well,

After a lot of prayer and some Godly guidance, I have decided to take a break from the social network scene for awhile. It's a place I spend a lot of time...wait, let me reiterate that....A LOT OF TIME! LOL, yeah, I do spend quite of bit of my time on the social page of places such as Facebook. Well, that is pretty much the only place I spend it. It has become a leach of sorts in my life. Now don't get me wrong...it can be a good place, and I have been there for a great amount of time. First signed on back in 2007.

I mainly have used FB as a ministry tool, however that is not the only reason I am there. But it has always remained the main reason.

I am an encourager. It's one of my spiritual gifts. Of late, my tank has become pretty dry. When you are gifted spiritually as I am...giving, exhortation and mercy...you give a lot of yourself, but it often goes that you don't get much of that back. This has been happening to me. I'm not being refueled. It's very necessary to refuel. When the tank is low, things suffer in ones life. Oppression sets in. This is what has come to my attention, which is the reason I am taking the break.

So, if you don't see me, you will know why. Of course, I have been off (with the exception of wishing folks happy b-days) for a couple days shy of a week now and nobody seems to have noticed yet, but that's okay. I pretty much expected that one too. :) I'm not going to deactivate like I have done before, just not going to spend hours a day sitting in front of my computer at the beck and call of Facebook. I can't. I have far too many other things that God needs me to do right now. But don't worry...in the famous words of the ever popular Tom Bodett (Motel 6 fame) I'll keep the light on for ya!

I'm always shining for Jesus....it's what I'm called to do.

Thanks, as always, for reading.

Val

Can't Sleep

Have you ever wondered why you can't sleep?

Do you ever just sit and tilt your head to one side and think...I'm so stinking tired, but yet I can't sleep...why?

What is keeping me up? What has me troubled? Why will my brain not shut down so I can drift off into that land of slumber like a normal person...that stuff of babies?

It's after 2:00 in the morning and I sit at my computer, awaiting my dogs to come back inside so I can shut the back door. Naturally, I go and check my Facebook. Not much going on there speak of. Normal chatter. So I thought...I'll write a blog. I mean, why not? Nobody will read it anyway, so I might as well just sit here and type away about my thoughts on my lack of sleep. :) But, there isn't much else you can say, other than...I CAN'T SLEEP!

So with that said, I guess I will just close this post with a prayer.

Dear Lord,

Please allow my brain to shut off! Please allow me to be able to go back to my bed, close my eyes and drift off into a peaceful and wonderful sleep. Help me to wake rested and ready to meet the new day with a renewed spirit. I await whatever you have for me next.

I love you Jesus.....Amen

Let Your Light Shine

Matthew 5:16 says: "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (NIV) The Message translation says it this way beginning in verse 14:

"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven"

Did you catch that last part? You will prompt people to open up with God. By you shining your light...you can show a lost world a ray of hope. But you can't do it by going out and living a life full of garbage.

This post has been prompted by me seeing a lot of friends or acquaintances who continually post things out on the internet about the happenings in their life. What their doing, watching, listening to. Have you heard the statement, garbage in, garbage out? Well, it's true. What you choose to fill yourself full of is what eventually comes out. It works very much the same as what you are is what you eat. The stuff we put into our bodies is in direct correlation to our overall health and well-being. You put nothing but junk in your body...your body is going to be junk. It will emit junk. If we insist on placing lemonade in our engine, instead of oil, we will destroy it. We need to take care of our bodies. Just the same, what we put into our mind and our heart via music, movies etc should be closely monitored.

God is not an evil God. He is not vengeful, but He has given us a mechanic's manual for our well being. He very plainly tells us things to avoid. How many Christians are avoiding those very things? Are we being drawn into these poisons that seem to be cleverly disguised as mere fiction, love stories or here is a good one, "it's just a good movie!" Poison is poison. A little recreational poison can be as lethal as a lot of poison from the hand of an assassin. I for one am tired of seeing my fellow brother's and sister's being drawn away into an obsession with things that are not of God. As cliche' as it may have sounded...what ever happened to "What Would Jesus Do?" When did we, as Christians, stop checking ourselves on that? As parents, why aren't we watching more closely to the things that our children are listening to or watching? I too am at fault here...I need to be reprimanded. Take this post from a movie review...just one section on language content. I won't name the movie, but it is a very popular movie out there than many Christian kids have been watching and adults too.

"Over 70 f-words, including a handful used in sexual contexts and several combined with "mother." About two dozen s-words. And close to a dozen combined misuses of God’s and Jesus’ names. (God’s name is coupled with "d‑‑n.") After that leadoff, it hardly seems worth mentioning that there are plenty of milder profanities, numerous references to male and female anatomy, and an obscene gesture. "

That's just the language content part of the review. Doesn't even touch the sexual content or other parts of the review. Would you even want to know? So....is this really what you want your kids watching, and moreover, would you feel good about watching it?

I think we really need to take a second look at the WWJD.

As Christians...our lights are growing very dim.