Category Archives: Faith

Blessings, Challenge, Christian, Faith, Family, Forgiveness, God, happiness, Thankful, Uncategorized

Forgiveness Thursday – Amazing Grace

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bearing graciously with one another, and willingly forgiving each other if one has a cause for complaint against another; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so should you forgive.
‭‭COLOSSIANS‬ ‭3:13‬ ‭AMP‬‬

It’s Forgiveness Thursday.  Do you ever think “how could so much go wrong in such a short period of time?”  Have you ever wondered why people seem to be challenging you or why everyone just can’t get along?  Do you ever question yourself about why you have said something or done something that was obviously wrong?   Have you ever wished you could go back in time and redo a few moments, because maybe it would’ve made a difference?

By this time in the week I have done many things that require forgiveness.  One of my professors told me that if you have done someone wrong or if someone has done you wrong, stop everything you are doing and ask for forgiveness.  He said that if he’s driving down the road, he pulls over and takes care of whatever it is at that very moment.  At first I thought that was a little humorous.  I mean, if you are driving to work and you’re running late, are you going to pull over for five minutes and get right with God?  Trust me when I say that your boss and coworkers will thankful if you do.  It’s true.  When I’m harboring ill feelings, anger, anxiety or resentment, driving is the last thing I need to do, and if I don’t get right with God, everyone pays, because things just seem to keep going downhill from there.

On a deeper level, keeping our hearts free of these types of emotions keeps us in the anointing of the Holy Spirit.  I know when I’m not in the right place, because I don’t see signs in my life of his presence.  So, I’m constantly thinking about what I’m doing.  That doesn’t mean that I don’t say and do things that are wrong.  It happens all the time.

Jesus taught forgiveness.  When I think of all the things I’ve done in my life and how I am forgiven, I don’t have any problem forgiving others.  Grace is truly amazing!

Today, stop what you are doing and forgive yourself and others, as your Heavenly Father has forgiven you.  Then, let it go.  Have a wonderful day and God bless you!

 

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Blessings, Challenge, Christian, Faith, Family, Forgiveness, God, happiness, Thankful, Uncategorized

Use Your Gifts to Change the World Wednesday – Love Everyone

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Beloved, let us [unselfishly] love and seek the best for one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves [others] is born of God and knows God [through personal experience].
‭‭1 JOHN‬ ‭4:7‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Good morning and happy Wednesday!  One way to help you go through Wednesday with a smile on your face and a song in your heart is to love others.

Have you ever taken the time to look around and notice how many people are sad, hurting or in despair?  If you haven’t, this morning just take about five minutes and watch those around you.  Many are consumed by worry, fear, or pain.  Sometimes life can be burdensome and overwhelming,  First John 4:7 teaches us to love each other and seek the best for one another unselfishly.  Easy to say, but sometimes difficult to do.  However, when we make small efforts daily to love and unselfishly seek the best for others, we change our world drastically.  Think of what would happen if 100 people followed this advice today.  The cool thing is others will probably subconsciously duplicate your efforts without you ever knowing, and the results are exponential.  Before you know it, millions of people are loving one another.

Today, I challenge to show unselfish love and caring everywhere you go.  God bless you.

Blessings, Challenge, Christian, Faith, Family, Forgiveness, God, happiness, Thankful, Uncategorized

Try Something New Tuesday – Get Down on Your Knees and Pray!

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“[The LORD replied,] “Look among the nations! See! Be astonished! Wonder! For I am doing something in your days– You would not believe it if you were told.”
‭‭HABAKKUK‬ ‭1:5‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Happy Tuesday!  Do you ever cry out to God like Habakkuk did when he said “O LORD, how long will I call for help And You will not hear? I cry out to You, “Violence!” Yet You do not save” (‭‭HABAKKUK‬ ‭1:2‬ ‭AMP‬‬)?  Do you ever wonder how such a wonderful God could allow violence to take place?

I can relate to Habakkuk.  When I was a child I was sexually abused and the abuser took that secret to his grave, never making things right with the family.  The family despises me because they think I brought them pain. I was able to forgive him and still have hopes of one day reuniting.  A few months ago my sister, who was also abused, started going through a divorce, and what took place so many years ago was brought up again.  I grew up in a church who protected my abuser and used scare tactics to save.  They literally scared the bejebees out of me.  When I was 14 years old, I was convinced God was going to strike me down dead.  I even wrote my parents a good-bye letter.  I was waiting to die and go to hell.

Today, we see violence everywhere, most recently the Las Vegas shootings.  So you may be asking “where are you God and why are you allowing this to happen?”  I understand this line of questioning.  The truth is God is not doing these evil things, and he is here with us.  He was with me when I was abused.  He was with me when I lost my family and friends. He was with me with I thought I was going to die.  He was in Las Vegas with those suffering and those helping.  Evil doesn’t come from God.  He gives us free-will, which is like a double-edged sword.  He also gave us Jesus, who forgives.  We all struggle with sin, but evil is all around us.  My family isn’t evil.  They are misguided.  The church wasn’t evil.  They had good intentions, but went too far in one direction with me.  I was probably more sensitive to what they were saying.  We will never know what was going through the abuser’s or shooter’s mind.  However, even if we did, it wouldn’t change anything.  We have to remember to talk to God.  He will help us through our struggles.

This morning, get down on your knees and pray for our world.  God bless you.

 

Challenge, Christian, Faith, Family, Forgiveness, God, happiness, Thankful

The Fall Tag

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The Fall Tag

I was nominated by T. R. Noble author of Peeking Beneath the Rock for the Fall Tag.  Peeking Beneath the Rock is one Noble’s two blogs.  Her other blog is the Inside Cup.  Noble is an amazing and inspirational writer.  Take a few minutes to enjoy her work.

As the winds draw closer to our window,

and the leaves begin to fall,

it’s a reminder we draw closer,

together is better after all.

-T. R. Noble

Maggie of   Dreaming of Guatemala created the Fall Tag to “spread joy during this crisp season of autumn.”  The goal is to draw people together to celebrate the joys fall brings us, and to remember what has it brought us in the past.

1. What’s your favorite fall outfit?

I love to wear sweaters, jeans and boots.

2. What is fall weather like where you live?

I live in Florida.  It is often warm during the majority of the autumn season.  We went swimming over the weekend because the temperatures are still in the 90s.  Tonight, there is a crisp breeze.  Usually by late October to early November we begin having some cooler weather at night.

3. Your favorite drink to have in the fall?

I enjoy warm apple cider, especially on cooler days.

4. Does your family have any fall traditions? If so, what are they?

When I was growing up my siblings and I went with my dad to chop wood for the winter.  He did the chopping, and we loaded and unloaded the wood.  The autumn season was a time for carving pumpkins and making pies.

5. What are some activities and events you enjoy going to in the fall months?

As a child, going to the County Fair was one of the most exciting events.  We enjoyed the carnival, but it was also a time to submit canning, needlework, farm animals cooking, and plants for local judging.  As a teenager it was a time for holding hands and cuddling on the Ferris Wheel. Romances budded on cool evenings at the fair.  Several years ago our County stopped having a fair.  However, the National Peanut Festival is only about 40 miles from where we live, which is an even larger national fair.

As a teenager and when my children were teenagers, we went to a marching festival, where our local school band participated with other bands.  As a teenager and adult I have enjoyed a local fall festival that features a parade, local talent, carnival foods, and homemade crafts for sale.

Many of the autumns of my life were spent at football games.  Also during the fall we decorate pumpkins for Halloween.   Children and teens enjoy hay rides, and our churches join together for a large Halloween Festival along a City street called “Trunk or Treat”.

6. What’s your favorite fall scented candle?

My favorite scent is Spiced Pumpkin during the fall.

7. Tell us about one of your favorite fall memories?

Last year my husband and I unplugged from our electronics and sat outside by a fire pit on a few different occasions.  It was nice to hold hands by the warm fire on cool evenings.

8. What are some fall movies you enjoy watching?

It’s a family tradition at our home to watch the Walton’s Homecoming after Dinner on Thanksgiving. I also enjoy watching E.T.

Usually I buy books that have an autumn setting during the season.  What better way to spend an evening than curled up by the fireplace with a good book.

9. What’s your favorite fall treat?

My favorite treat is s’mores!  I also like carmel apples, corn dogs, chili and peach cobbler.  I have a weakness for fall comfort foods.

10. If you celebrate Halloween, what is the best outfit you’ve worn?

When I was 10, the college student who lived next door was an art major.  He made the coolest paper-mache mask, scary and realistic.  He let me wear it in a Halloween parade.  I put on a ripped up sheet with ketchup for blood.  I won the scariest costume contest!  The prize was a $10 gift certificate to Radio Shack.  It might as well have been a million dollars.

My nominees are:

Cooking without Limits

Ramblings from Jewels

New England Garden and Thread

A Farm Girl’s Life

Writing to Freedom

Rules:

Put the tag badge and rules in your post.
Answer the 10 fall-related questions.
Tag at least 5 other bloggers to join in the fun!

Remember to take time to enjoy the season!

Blessings, Challenge, Christian, Faith, Family, Forgiveness, God, happiness, Thankful, Uncategorized

Tell Me Something Good Monday – Embrace New Opportunities

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Always put your hope in God.  Hosea 12:6

Happy Monday!  It’s a glorious day in Florida, and a great time to share something good.  I tried two new things this past week.  Both were awesome.  I attended a Wednesday Bible Study, which is a great time to spend lunch.  It was a relaxed opportunity to learn more about God’s word.  Then, Saturday night my husband and I enjoyed a relaxed evening with our friends on the Church vestry, our priest and our bishop.  We had so much fun.  I think part of the joy came from unplugging our electronics for a couple of hours and just enjoying sitting outdoors with friends.  We also enjoyed Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning with our grandson.  Please share your good Monday morning stories.  It’s a great way to start the day and week.

Do  you ever struggle with Monday mornings?  Do you have trouble getting out of bed and going to work?  Do you wish your weekends would never end?  Do you sometimes feel more tired after the weekend?  Me too!  The good news is Mondays are full of new opportunities to share God’s love and make a difference in the world.  Think of all the ways you can make a difference in your boss’s life today!  By the way, it’s National Bosses  Day too!  Think of all the ways you can help the people who come into your life today.  They too are struggling with Mondays.  You might be the very person, who can change their life.  Isn’t that great!  Today, shine like a radiant light and watch the world change before your eyes.

Today, give thanks to God and make your Monday great!  God bless you.

 

Blessings, Christian, Christian Living, Faith, Family, Forgiveness, God, happiness, Uncategorized

Liebster Award – 3rd and 4th Nominations

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Liebster Award

A huge thank you to Eclipsed Words and InspiresN for thinking of me while giving this award. I am truly honored.  Both sites are positive and beautiful.  Eclipsed Words is more about beautiful thoughts and words, while InspiresN is more about beautiful photography and food.  If you haven’t visited these sites, I encourage you to do so today.

THE RULES

  1.  Answer the 11 questions given to you.
  2. Share 11 facts about yourself.
  3. Nominate between 5 to 11 other bloggers.
  4. Ask your nominees 11 questions.

MY 11 QUESTIONS FROM  ECLIPSED WORDS

  1.  What are your favourite smells?  I love the smell of spring and summer rain.
  2. What do you do when you’re stressed? More often than not I eat, although I’m working on that.  I also like to pray and read a psalm.
  3. What is your favourite season and why?  Autumn.  I like the coolness, and beauty, but I find it is a good time for reflection.
  4. Is there anything you regret from your childhood?  I regret being a victim to some events, but it has made me who I am today.  I pray God will use my pain and suffering to help others.
  5. Early bird or night owl?  Early Bird
  6. What is your biggest time-wasting habit?  Daydreaming.
  7. What’s one thing you want to master?  I would like to write and have several books published.
  8. What have you never tried but want to?  I would like to go zip lining in Hawaii.
  9. What’s your biggest fear?  The safety of my children, followed by snakes.  After I studied the Book of Job, I starting giving up my fears and I’ve come a long way.  I don’t want anything to get between me and the anointing.
  10. Describe the most precious thing in your room/home.  My husband.  He is the most caring, understanding person on earth.  He isn’t afraid to correct me and is available for whatever journey I take.
  11. What do you want the old you to look back on and remember fondly?  The good times.

MY 11 QUESTIONS FROM INSPIRESN

  1.  Which is your most favorite post on your blog ?  I don’t have a favorite.  I love reading everyone’s posts, and I write with hopes of encouraging others.
  2. What is a hobby that you always wanted to learn but never got a chance ?  Jewelry Making
  3. What is one of the best books you have read and would recommend ?  The Bible.  Battlefield of the Mind, Joyce Meyers.  As a Driven Leaf, Milton Steinberg.  FYI, I’m not Jewish but read As a Driven Leaf at FSU back in the mid to late 1990s.  It didn’t change my beliefs, but gave me a better understanding of Jewish tradition, life and suffering.
  4. Your most memorable moment ?  Meeting my husband.  We met on a blind date in a ceramic shop a little over thirty-one years ago.  I can see it clearly.

ELEVEN FACTS ABOUT ME

  1.  My new kitten Dominic, who is now six months old, wakes me up by biting me.  He’s always hungry. I have scratches and bite marks up and down my arms.  
  2. I love playing Batman with my grandson.  
  3. Sometimes God speaks to me through music.  🎶🎵🎶🎵
  4. I am an introvert, who has social anxiety, and God has called me into the ministry.  I have battled public speaking all my adult life and have had to give speech after speech.  It’s a little funny, but the more I go in the direction God shows me, the less anxiety I have.
  5. I despise housekeeping, but can’t stand a dirty or cluttered home.
  6. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and have some mobility issues.  However, I have found that the more I do God’s work, the better my condition becomes.
  7. I love learning.
  8. I like to help others, but I don’t like to get drawn into drama.
  9. I love teaching Sunday School and I have an amazing class.
  10. I plan to finish my PhD in Theology in 2018.

MY QUESTIONS FOR THE NOMINEES 

  1.  How did you get started blogging?
  2. Where do you find your inspiration?
  3. Have you learned any important lessons along the way?
  4. What is one thing you can share with others about blogging?
  5. Have you found blogging to be profitable?  If so, what’s the secret?
  6. How long did it take for you to develop your own unique style?
  7. Who would you like to read your blog that isn’t reading it now?
  8. How much time do you spend on your blog every week?
  9. How long have you been blogging?
  10. Where do you see your blog in the future?
  11.  What one word describes you?

My Nominees 

  1.  C.C. Brown
  2.   Inside Cup
  3. Teas and Tales
  4.  Sight Seeing at Home
  5.   Life Saving Prayers
  6. My Bible Reading,Listening and Living
  7.   Godly Chic Diaries
  8. J. David Peever, Live 4 Him
  9.   Rose’s Recovery Thoughts
  10.   http://www.leeposkey.wordpress.com
  11. New Creation Ministry

Congratulations and God bless you!

Blessings, Challenge, Christian, Christian Living, Faith, Family, Forgiveness, God, happiness, Thankful, Uncategorized

The Brotherhood of the World Award

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The Brotherhood of the World Award

I was nominated for the Brotherhood of the World Award by  Crystal’s site (Originally Country Living).  This is my first time receiving a nomination for this award and I am honored.  Thank you.  If you haven’t visited Crystal’s Site, I encourage you do so.  The recipes, stories and photography are amazing!

The rules for the Brotherhood of the World Award awards

  1.  Thank the bloggers who nominated you and link back to them.
  2. List the rules and display the badges on your blog.
  3. Answer the questions.
  4. Nominate other bloggers and notify them.
  5. Come up with questions for them to answer.

Questions for the Brotherhood of the World Award.  I am asking my nominees to answer the same questions.

1.  How do you find inspiration for your posts?

When I first started blogging, I tried to plan my blogs in advance.  That didn’t work out too well, though I didn’t realize it at first.  There were a couple of days I was running late and wrote my blog without much preparation.  Those were the days that I received the most comments and likes.  After a while I realized that those were the times I was listening to the Holy Spirit, not trying to plan everything out in advance.  So, I don’t do any preparations in advance other than my regular Bible study.  It is rare that I don’t have something I feel called to share.  On those rare occasions I pray and read my Bible.

2.  What do you like most about blogging?  I enjoy the feedback most.  There is nothing like reading a comment that a post came at the right time to someone.  I’m glad to be used by God.

3.  What is your biggest challenge as a blogger? Time.

4.  What motivates you to keep blogging?   I don’t want to miss an opportunity to help others for our sweet Lord.

5.  What do you do in your free time? I don’t have much, but I like to help others.  When I need a time out, I enjoy reading and watching movies.

6.  Who is the most important person in your life? My husband.

7.  What unexpected blessings has writing a blog brought you? New friends.

8.  Who would you want to read your blog that doesn’t?  Family and friends.

9.  What is your favorite blog post?  I don’t have a favorite.

10.  Are you currently working on a new project? What is it?  No, but I look forward to publishing my research in the future.

My Nominees

  1.  http://www.transformingwaters.wordpress.com

2.  http://www.pureglory.net

3. http://www.eternamenta.wordpress.com

4.  http://www.lynzrealcooking.com

5.  http://www.ordinarilyextraordinarymom.com

Congratulations and God bless you.

Blessings, Challenge, Christian, Faith, Family, Forgiveness, God, happiness, Thankful, Uncategorized

Most Active Blog Award

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The Most A Time Blog Award

I am deeply honored to have been nominated for the Most Active  Blog Award by Vandana at Love Yourself.  If you have never visited her site, Vandana is a young, but very good writer.  The site promotes self-love and care.  As we all know, it is impossible to truly love others until you first love yourself,  if you haven’t visited Love Yourself, I hope you will do so today.  Thank you Vandana.

The Rules :

1. Thank the person who nominated you and provide a link to their blog.

2. Nominate other bloggers and let the cycle continue.

My nominees for this award are:

1. When Women Inspire

2.  Elihu’s Corner

3.  Girly Christian

4.  Christian Sperka Photography

5.  Beckie Lindsey

Congratulations and God Bless You!

Blessings, Challenge, Christian, Faith, Family, Forgiveness, God, happiness, Thankful, Uncategorized

Live and Teach with Christian Enthusiasm and Calmness

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All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.   2 Timothy 3:16

I hope your Saturday finds you well and full of God’s perfect peace and joy.

Have you ever encountered people who ridicule you because of your Christian beliefs?  Do you feel like you are persecuted when you witness to others?  Have you ever felt like your rights are infringed upon because of all the political correctness around you?  Do you feel pressured by other Christians?  As Christians we often want to share our experiences and teach others.    That is wonderful and what God wants!  I compare it to a football fan wanting to talk about sports.  Whatever you love just spews out of your mouth and life.  Just remember that we are not in a competition and we need to keep calm regardless of what we encounter.  I am the “chief passionate hothead”, so I have to work on being calm probably more than anybody.  If someone starts yelling, don’t get into a yelling match.  Think of how calm Jesus was in his life on earth.  Some people are interested, some are not, and for others, it may not be the right time.  You never know where another person’s life has taken them, or what has taken place before you speak to them.

In my own life I accepted Christ as my personal savior many years before I was baptized.  When we are children, our choices are often made by others, who may or may not understand.  Before I was baptized I had a huge amount of pressure on me at church, but I didn’t feel like I was free to discuss the situation and baptism was not an option the adults in my life were willing to allow.   God is good, and in time he helped me to work through this.  The same people who held me back have now turned some of their thoughts around.  It’s great to be enthusiastic, but also be calm, loving, and understanding.  God has a bigger plan than we can possibly understand.  He allows us to use our experiences to help others.

Today, live with God’s enthusiastic calmness.  God bless you.

Blessings, Challenge, Christian, Faith, Family, Forgiveness, God, happiness, Thankful, Uncategorized

Spread the Love Friday – Show Kindness

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See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:15‬ ‭

Happy Friday!  What does Friday mean to you?  For me Friday is a time for wrapping up unfinished business and looking forward to relaxation and fun.  Remember, when we can incorporate giving into our day, everything is enhanced.

Have you ever had someone mistreat you repeatedly?  Did you find it hard to turn the other cheek?  Were you tempted to just “show them”? The Apostle Paul teaches in 1 Thessalonians 5:15 that we should avoid doing evil when we are treated with evil.  Instead, we are to treat all people good.  So, if you have a tendency to lash out, what can you do?  Here are a few suggestions to carry around with you for those special moments.

  1.  Take a deep breath and slowly count to fifty, while smiling.
  2. Walk away.
  3. Don’t engage in bad behavior. Instead, imagine how good you will feel standing next to God on judgement day.
  4. Think of something you can do to help someone and get your mind off what’s happening at that moment.
  5. Take a walk outside and enjoy God’s work.
  6. Be nice to the person, but break the habit of approaching this person in the same places or circumstances where you have been hurt previously.
  7. Do something nice for the person. You never know what’s going on in their life.

There are so many things you can say and do that I couldn’t possibly list them all.  Advanced planning helps with forming new behaviors.  The good news is you will be a better person.  The best news is others will learn from your behavior, like your children, staff, coworkers, friends, and acquaintances.  So, you can change the world one conflict at a time!  Isn’t that great!

I challenge you to change the world by showing kindness to everyone.  God bless you.