Be informed, uplifted, and hopefully motivated to help make a difference in our society.
Our HOPE is in You Lord!
I miss my Papa J... This verse reminds me of him.
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. James 3:13
|
Host Post #11 The Smell of Spring I love the smell of fresh cut grass and the subtle aroma of new buds in the spring. Yesterday I was walking outside and closed my eyes and tried to think what the "fresh" spring smell reminded me of. The answer: Olympic Day in elementary school. Everyone would practice and practice in anticipation of the big day. I remember praying it wouldn't rain and mess up all the chalk lines for the 100 yd. dash. I would wake up early on Olympic Day and walk to school ready to win the blue ribbon. Back in the day we always tried to win the blue. Of course not everyone could win 1st place, but we all sure tried! The competition was vicious! If I came up with the red or white ribbon, I just tried harder the next year or entered another event I thought I could win. I can't imagine winning a green/yellow/or pink ribbon and being satisfied. Too often kids today just show up, without any preparation, and are content to get the "participation" ribbon. Where has the drive to be #1 gone? We need to teach our children there ARE winner and losers in life. They won't always get the job they want, or the raise they are expecting. They might not even get into the college they've dreamed of...but they should TRY their best to achieve their dreams. Does your child try, or are they content with the green "participation" ribbon? How do they react to failure or disappointment? Next time you're talking to your children remind them to always to their best and "Go for the Blue Ribbon." As I breathe this wonderful spring air, I'm reminded how good that can feel!
Host Post #10 My heart is heavy today as I watch the deals being made in Washington for a vote tomorrow to change our liberty forever concerning our personal health care. Just get ready...immigration is next. Then on and on and on until they run out of steam in November! Pray without ceasing!
Host post #9 I miss my old energy inefficient appliances!
I have bad news for all the “homemakers” out there! I have just purchased new “energy efficient” kitchen appliances and I'm not impressed by their performance.
Let's start with the dishwasher. I can barely hear the water sputtering in the tub. It takes 90 minutes for the entire cycle to complete (which includes drying). When I get ready to put away the dishes, I spend 10 additional minutes cleaning the spots left behind. You could hear my trusty old dishwasher roaring the in the other room. It was so powerful you could hear the pots and pans actually moving around and the plastic ware flipping on the top rack.
Now to the microwave...like my old one the new and improved model has the important “auto defrost” feature. The problem is it stops and beeps every 2 minutes for you to turn the frozen food. Doesn't that defeat the purpose? You obviously forgot to thaw something out and you don't have time to stand in front of the microwave and rotate your food every 2 minutes. Which begs the question..how do you rotate food that is already turning on the glass plate! Don't get me wrong I was notorious for nuking chicken way too long in my old microwave, but it got the job done without my assistance.
Beware of the new refrigerators also...they make them just a tad bit higher than your older models. If you have a cabinet over your refrigerator this will require some quick fix construction work. When your husband isn't a “fix it” man this activity alone can turn into quite a comedy of errors!
Last but certainly not least, the new built in range. You need more than a master's degree to just set the “delay start.” Like many past Sundays, yesterday I wanted our lunch to cook while we were at church so I attempted to program my new and improved “energy efficient” range to tackle this task. Let me just share the instructions as printed in the manual. Press Bake. “350” will appear in the display, enter desired temp, press start, press delay start, enter the start time, press start, if you want the oven to shut off press start, press bake time, enter desired bake time, press start!
If the correct definition for “energy efficient” is to use your own personal energy to perform the same functions of your old appliances, then we have some real “winners.” So the next time you come to my house and your plate doesn't seem clean enough, your food hasn't been thawed properly, is over/under cooked, or you notice my cabinets over the refrigerator don't quite close properly, don't say a word... just blame it on our new standards of efficiency!
Host Post #7 Dr. J: Yesterday I went for my annual well-woman check up. For most of us this is a necessary yet dreaded experience, but I actually look forward to seeing my doctor. We have a unique relationship and I’ve even been awarded the title of her “favorite patient.” Four years ago I had to undergo surgery and trusted her with my life. When it was all said and done, I think my life had an impact on her as well. The day after my surgery while my doctor was sitting beside my bed checking the charts, my husband came into the room with a very troubled look on his face. My first thought was he had hit a car in the parking lot. As he gazed out the large window in my room he said, “My dad just died in a car accident.” We all just froze in disbelief. It was a horrible, yet familiar feeling…I had lost my mother in a car accident 9 years earlier. My doctor made some quick plans for my departure and checked on much anticipated results from my surgery while Joel left to make funeral arrangements. Later that night when Joel returned to the hospital, my doctor came back just to check on us. You see, this was my doctor’s first time to experience such a tragedy with a patient. She saw the love and support Joel and I had for each other during that time as well as support from our family and friends. It was a testament to our faith that no matter what happens in life…our hope and strength comes from God. She saw us lean on God for our strength. I truly think it "touched" her life. During my follow-up visits we discussed losing a parent and how precious and uncertain our time on earth really is. Since that time, she has lost her own father. I know God gave her hope and strength during that difficult time. If you have a special doctor, send them a note of encouragement and appreciation today. No wonder we are happy in the Lord! For we are trusting him. We trust his holy name. Yes, Lord, let your constant love surround us, for our HOPES are in you alone. Psalm 33:21-22 NIV Host Post #6 I have a sign in my hallway that reads....”Cherish Your Family.” This Christmas season, enjoy the time you have with your family. Some of you will be celebrating Christ's birth with family and friends in your home, while others will be calling your loved ones on the phone just to hear their voice on Christmas morning. Don't take this precious time for granted. Today we are celebrating the season with my husband's family, yet his dad won't be there wearing his silly Santa hat. My mom isn't planning her “festive” Christmas morning breakfast and won't be there waiting in anticipation for her beloved grandchildren to arrive. My aunt won't be decorating her house with all her animated Santas or planning her Christmas Eve celebration either. Like us, many of you have lost loved ones who won't be at your gatherings this year and some of you may be experiencing the last Christmas you will have with some of your loved ones. Enjoy those who are with you this Christmas season and remember those who are with you in spirit only. My wish for each of you is to have a very Merry CHRISTmas while cherishing your family and friends! Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. 2 Corinthians 9:15 KJV Host Post #5 Webster's definition of change: to make different in some particular way, to make radically different, to give a different position, course or direction to. Regardless of which definition you prefer, most of us don't enjoy change. Some campaign for change, others protest against it. Some push for change because they can while others cherish tried and true traditions. Consider the most controversial issue facing our country today. Studies show that a majority of Americans are happy with their insurance and don't want the government to control the system. But, because they can, many politicians are pushing for a takeover of the health care system in America. Isn't it strange that depending on your values and beliefs, this example of "change" is either considered to be: a different position or to make radically different. Some politicians don't want the government to control such personal issues as our health, while others have waited for decades for the opportunity to control it. If things are changing in ways you are not in favor of, remember we live in a wonderful country where we can still oppose change that doesn't line up with our values and beliefs. A simple phrase I heard on the radio today sums up my thoughts lately.....You can keep the change! Host post #4 Just park anywhere! I recently bought a new car. Each time I pulled into a parking lot, I would park in the remote areas trying to avoid that first dreaded “door ding.” I did this for two months with great success. The other day, my daughter came running in the back door crying and said, “Mom! I just hit your…(pause).... new car!" (I was just relieved she didn’t say my beloved dog Maxx) I consoled her and told her it was o.k. As I thought about it later I had to laugh at my fail-proof plan to keep my car “ding free.” While I was trying to protect my car in remote parking lots, it received major body damage while parked in my own driveway. The motto of this story is…”While you’re worrying about the world’s dings, major damage can happen at home”. ….But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15 Host Post #3 As I sit and listen to the slow, steady rain I’m reminded that it’s so easy to be lazy. I’m also reminded that being lazy in life has become commonplace for so many people. A lot of people expect others to “get things done” or “do the right thing.” Working on this website has made me realize how important it is to continue to pray for God’s guidance daily. I believe that God wants his people to defend his principles and share his word. In addition to praying and sharing his word, you can also become informed on issues affecting and changing our society today. Some issues will easily line up with your convictions, while others may require you to search for more information or voice your concerns. My goal with this website is to encourage you to search for God’s plan in your life and to not be “lazy” to things happening around you. Praying for a friend going through a tough time, sending someone a card of encouragement or contacting your elected officials with your concerns are all ways you can stay active. We are living in trying times and God’s people need to be active and diligent – not lazy. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. Psalm 33:12 NIV Host Post # 2 A New Season... The start of each school year brings a host of emotions. Do you remember the thrill of buying cool new clothes or the 64 box of Crayola® crayons with the sharpener in the back? Did you know some people actually lose sleep in anxious anticipation of a new fall football season? Others experience sadness as they drop their kids off at pre-K, high school, or college. The start of school has always been my husband’s favorite time of the year. Although he can’t wait for football season to start each year, he would tell you it’s the "school routine" he looks forward to the most. When our kids were young that meant early suppers and bedtime. As teenagers it meant playing the game "high/low" at the supper table, early weekday curfews, and Friday night football. This new school year is a little different for him though. Next week we will officially be "empty nesters" for the first time. I don’t think either one of us is really ready for both our kids to be away at college, but we’re excited about the new season we’re about to begin. During this school year, enjoy time spent with your kids. Cherish the family time you have together. Try not to complain about your busy "routines." You see, just like us, soon you will wake up and be moving them to college and wondering where the time went!
Host Post #1
My Dear Friend .. Everyone I know is so busy with their day-to-day lives that they're often unaware of events taking place that are actually reshaping our future. Take for instance my busy husband. I will read or hear something troubling on TV or on the internet and when he comes home I will share my concerns with him and he often replies, "Oh honey, do you really think they'll let that happen?" Well after the government takeover of many of our banks, car companies, and the sudden If I can help one person become more informed by providing access to information, then my goal will be fulfilled. I challenge each of you to search for sources of information you can trust. Hopefully you find many of those on this site. Become active and contact your elected officials. They should represent your values and beliefs. I must not be too far off base; you see my friend is 90 years old and having lived through the Great Depression, WWII, the 60's, Vietnam, the fall of Communism, and 9-11 she fears we could soon be facing some of the worst of times and is praying diligently for our future. I encourage you to do the same.
|