Power, Love and Self-Discipline

Don't you love when you can't remember something so you write it down - but then forget where you write it.  I did but them I remembered that I wrote it on a tissue, which I threw it in my purse and then couldn't find it among  all my tissues. I eventually found it and  I wrote down  2 Timothy 1:17 to look up for this blog. But when I did looked up it made no sense at all because the scripture I should of wrote down was 2 Timothy 1:7 - duh.

7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 

Self-discipline, self-control - I lack it.  I am good up until lunch and then it is a down hill slide the rest of the day.  BUT the Spirit of GOD has given me this.  I really don't lack it I just don't use it.   He has given you and me the POWER!

Power is such a strong word - I was going to put the definition here but it was quite lengthy - some of them are:  1) ability to act or produce an effect   2)  legal or official authority, capacity, or right  3) a controlling group 4) physical might  - and it goes on and on.

One definition that I found very interesting  was an Order of Angels.  "Celestial Hierarchy:    a traditional hierarchy of angels ranked from lowest to highest into the following nine orders: angels, archangels, principalities, powers, virtues, dominions, thrones, cherubim, and seraphim."  Who knew.

Back to self-discipline -  I really need to pray, pull, tug on that power, love and self-discipline God has given me instead of letting snacks & chocolate take control.

So I say, Get behind me demon food!  Oh wait - that's where it all went.

In conclusion p
ray today for whatever power you need, I will  and have a great day.

Some Wisdom from Proverbs

This could possibly be one of my new favorite proverbs

Proverbs 25:  ¹⁶ If you find honey, eat just enough—
    too much of it, and you will vomit.

That truly made me smile this morning, especially since I have a problem with sugar.  I love sugar, I love candy and of course, I love chocolate.  I over indulge in these way to often and sometimes,  I  feel sick from it.  But I don't learn from it at all.  

In fact, it is addressed again later in Proverbs 25:  ²⁷ It is not good to eat too much honey,

    nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.

²⁸ Like a city whose walls are broken through
    is a person who lacks self-control.

Oh oh, I am like a city whose walls are broken through.  I have been lacking that self-control lately, and that is why I have been looking up scriptures on the same.  I know I have self-control I just need to exercise it.  It seems so much easier some days to pop those M & M's than leave them lay.  Even though I know one handful leads to three.    So for today I am going to say in my head, when I pass the M & M's the following:

Beverbs 1:1 If you find M&M's, eat just enough-too much of them, and you will vomit, feel sluggish and crappy the rest of the day.

Actually,  I will try to avoid them completely;  but it is better to learn to be satisfied with a lot less, then a lot more.  

Proverbs 25 has some good verses - some that make me just laugh out loud - like verse 24 -

Better to live on a corner of the roof
    than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

Have a great day!

I found the Beef!

So I was wondering - after my first blog where does meat come in at.  In Genesis 9 it tells me.  It takes place after the flood and this is part of the covenant that God makes with Noah.

Genesis 9:

 Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.2 The fear and dread of you will fall on all the beasts of the earth, and on all the birds in the sky, on every creature that moves along the ground, and on all the fish in the sea; they are given into your hands. 3 Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.

Whew - good thing for me since I cannot see myself as a vegetarian or vegan.  I like the occasional hamburger and eat a lot of chicken and turkey.  I love fish, but my family, not so much.  So whenever I go out for dinner I get fish. 

The benefits of eating meat are that it contains a large amount of protein, many nutrients that are rich in iron, Zinc, selenium and Vitamin A, B and D.

We all know that we need to opt for lean cuts of beef, pork, veal and lamb and choose chicken breast over the dark meat.  Don't forgot to avoid frying.  You know the same goes for veggies.  Somehow that healthy broccoli becomes a lot less healthy went it is batter dipped and fried.

Well, I feel a little better now,  I can have my meat and eat it to, moderately, of course.  

Have a great day!

Self-Control - We all got it.

Self-Control - we all got it, the scriptures say so.

Galatians 5: ¹³ You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.
Galatians 5: ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

God created us to operate with a free will, it says so right there in verse 13.  We CAN choose what we will do and what we won't do. Inside of us we all want to do the right thing, BUT sometimes we allow our flesh to rule, and we become out of control.

So many of us say that we have no self-control  but we really are created to operate with self-control. Self-control is a freedom, not a bondage. However, we never look at it that way.   You’re free not to be pushed around by your feelings.  You’re free to do what you know is healthy and wise.


Self-control will help you feel better about yourself.  When I make it through a day without candy, I feel so much better about myself and I am not tired from the let down of the sugar high.  But yet, I am so quick to grab a piece of chocolate after lunch.  Sometimes I grab chocolate, just because I think I have to have dessert.  Sometimes I grab chocolate because I am happy, and they throw Snickers at me when I am in a bad mood. EMOTIONS

Do you let your emotions manage you?  Emotions won't go away, but you can learn to manage them - This I certainly need help with.

In the meantime I am going to think of it like this.   Self control is a fruit;  and fruits......well, they are good for you.   Have a great day!

In the Beginning - did I really want to know this?

I am a big fan of Joyce Meyer.  She says whenever you want to learn something you need to study it.  She suggests taking the Bible and a good concordance and look up the word you want to study.  And not just study it for a day or so, but dig deep.  I decided to take a break from Weight Watchers, because I have been stalled at my current weight forever.  I did loose, 30 pounds, but thanks to M & M's and way too many afternoon snacks I've been stuck.

So I decided to start this series like anything I want to study in the Bible - looking up the word that I want to study. In the case of this blog series - "food". But did I really want to know the following?

Genesis 1: 29 Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.

SO God gave us seeds, plants, fruit. Oh oh, where's the beef?

Now we all know - fruit, veggies and grains are all good for us and they should be the major part of our diet. I learned that at Weight Watchers, their new program has zero points for veggies and fruits. Let's face it people, we did not get overweight by eating too many bananas or carrots. But now I need to do some serious rethinking.

I promised myself that I was going to do some serious study and get guidance from the Bible on eating. I know there are Bible based weightloss programs out there but I wanted to do this first hand. I wanted to dig deep and learn it first hand, then maybe, just maybe it will stick with me. So what does this mean for me.

Well, today I had whole wheat toast with pb and jelly - I guess that is okay. For lunch I have a salad and lean hot pocket....with turkey....hmmm.    But I don't know if God intended for us to be vegetarians, or did He? I need to do more study on this. But in the meantime, I am upping the grains, veggies and fruit more seriously.

In the meantime, I have a more serious question, is a pop-tart considered a grain?

40 Days of Lent - Christ is Risen!

Christ is risen indeed!

Happy Easter

Today's Lenten and final thought is:

March 31 - Easter is the ultimate second chance.  Live anew!

Today, Pastor Mike's sermon started with a story about when he came to Salem.  John, the President of Consistory,  showed him the church, in the dark, without turning on the lights and then proceeded to tell him a ghost story.  The funny thing is that ghost story is mine.  A few years ago, the Monday after Easter I went into church to take care of the flowers.  When I walked in the Sanctuary I had walked to the front of the church and then turned and saw a women, dressed in green sitting in the pew in the back.  I can described to you details of what she was wearing.  I was alarmed I thought that this woman might of been confused, thought it was Sunday.  I had never seen her before.  When I quick turned back to talk to her, she was gone.  I went looking for her, even so much as to look under the pews, but she was gone.  She is now referred to as "The Lady in Green".

I don't know if she was a ghost or an angel, but I saw her and I believe.  Other people believe in her, even though they didn't see her.  We didn't see Jesus hang on the cross, nor did we see Him after the resurrection, but we believe! 

Pastor Mike says he sees God and Jesus everywhere, in people, in the congregation.  We carry on God's work and people can see that in us.

I see Jesus in the children and every so often something special happens that makes me believe all over again.  Today, it was a simple hug, from one of the children before he left.  It was full of love, joy and happiness.  That's the best kind of hug.  In that little unexpected moment I felt the Love of Jesus Christ and it was overwhelming.

CHRIST IS RISEN......CHRIST IS RISEN INDEED!!!!  This is not the
end, but just the beginning. 

40 days of Lent - Day 40

Today is the 40th day of Lent - since Sunday's don't count

Today's Lenten thought is a day late - I was going to put this on with yesterday but I forgot.

March 30 - Today's reading, John 18: 1-19:42, is a long one.  It is John's account of Jesus' passion.  On this Good Friday you might want to find a time to read it all through slowly. and to sit with this story.

Today is the day before Easter - I can only imagine how lost the disciples felt.  Jesus was dead, and they didn't understand that He was going to return.  This is a quiet time to pray and think about what this Lenten season meant to you.  Tomorrow will be my last entry in this...the 40 days of Lent.

Have a good evening and tomorrow we will rejoice!

40 days of Lent - Good Friday

Today's Lenten Thought -

March 29 - Jesus dies on the cross.  Think about it.  Why did it happen?  Ask yourself what you truly believe.  Now ask God.

First let me try to answer the question my bff, Cathy asked - why is it called Good Friday.

Some say it is from "God's Friday" (Gottes Freitag); others maintain that it is from the German Gute Freitag, and not specially English." (The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume VI, 1909) However, the historical origins of why Good Friday is called Good Friday remain unclear, but the theological reason is very likely the one expressed by the Baltimore Catechism: Good Friday is good because the death of Christ, as terrible as it was, led to the Resurrection on Easter Sunday, which brought new life to those who believe.  The term "Good Friday" is only used by Western Christians, and not by Eastern Orthodox Christians. The Orthodox refer to this sacred day as "Great and Holy Friday."

(Gee Cathy I hope this helps, even though there is no real answer)

I know what the Bible says about this day,  Jesus had to die for us to live.  But it is still a hard thing to really think about.   I often reflect upon the final words of Jesus, I don't think I truly understand them all.  But I do know what I truly believe and I believe that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and through Him I will have eternal life.

Have a blessed day.

40 days of Lent - If God B4 us

Well, we are winding down to the end of Lent - today is Maundy Thursday and today's Lenten thought is:

March 28 - The days before Easter are a good time to remember always that God is with you, within you, within you, behind you and before you.

Which brings us to the saying - If God be for us - who can be against us!  Which is from Romans 8:31 - What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?  And that says it all - I can't think of anything to add but have a great day!

40 Days of Lent - Eggs

Today's Lenten Thought:

March 27  - Dye Easter Eggs even if there are no kids around.  Buy the kit with the garish colors or, if you need to be more serious, use natural dyes - like beets and onions.  Search "natural Easter egg dyes" on google.

I am a PAAS girl myself.  Love solid brightly colored eggs.  But I will be doing this  Saturday when I am not working, so this lenten thought will be put on hold.

I had thought about doing eggs in more of a natural way - my family always did the onion shells, which I didn't like - if I wanted brown eggs I could just buy brown eggs and hard boil them.   But somthing about the fizz of a PAAS tablet I find exciting.

Here is the history of PAAS from there site:

The original PAAS Easter egg dye was invented by an American named William Townley.

"Mr. Townley owned a drug store in Newark, New Jersey, where he concocted recipes for home products. In the late 1800s, he came up with a recipe for Easter egg dye tablets that tinted eggs five cheerful colors.

Neighborhood families started buying Townley’s Easter Egg Dye packets in 1880 for only five cents and mixed them with water and white vinegar to create the perfect egg dye!

Soon, Mr. Townley realized that he had a wonderful product that other families would like to use to brighten their Easter tradition. He renamed his business the PAAS Dye Company. The name PAAS comes from “Passen,” the word that his Pennsylvania Dutch neighbors used for Easter.

Today, Americans purchase more than 10 million PAAS Easter Egg Color Kits during the Easter season, and use them to decorate as many as 180 million eggs!

Now—more than 130 years later—we believe Mr. Townley would be proud of PAAS’ perfect colors. The original is still the best!"

WOW - 130 years of PAAS - I always wonder what PAAS meant - now I know! 

Have a colorful day!

40 days of Lent- Let Go

Today's Lenten Thought

March 26 - Getting ready for Easter involves learning to make room for the power of God beyond your capacity to calculate or control.

Making room for the power of God.  It kind of reminds me of the phrase let go - let God. 

Sometimes we have to let go of what we think is best for us or for someone else.  We think that "mother knows best" attitude when in reality it "The Father knows best"

Jesus prayed “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42). We need to let go and let God do what God wills. This submission will lead to peace and joy, even when the way is difficult.

So get ready to make room for the power of God in your life, I know I am trying to.

40 days of Lent - Plant a tree - but not today

Today's Lenten Thought -

March 25 - Express your faith in the future beyond your lifetime.  Make plans to plant a tree, in your yard, at church or in one of the country's forests through the Arbor Day Foundation.

Catty is on the list of Tree Cities in the United States.   You could always contact the Catasauqua Shade Tree Commission's to participate or sponsor a tree.

Through the Arbor Foundation you can also buy trees to plant - I have a friend that gets his trees from them - you can find them at

http://www.arborday.org/

You can also sponsor trees in one of  our Nation's forest at that site.

Another great site is  http://www.plantabillion.org/   Their slogan is One dollar. One Tree. One Planet. And their focus is worldwide,

A couple of years ago I planted a magnolia in our backyard and it is my favorite tree.  There is a large magnolia down the street and when it blooms it is breathtaking. 

Remember God gave us trees, it is only right that we pay it forward.

40 day of Lent - Palm Crosses

Today Lenten Thought

March 24 - Fold your palm fronds into a cross.  You can learn how to do it on YouTube.

Now this one is a little ironic, because of what happened today in Sunday School.  Tammy had instructions on how to make palm crosses.  She had done them in previous years, however, this years instructions were no so clear.  So while Cathy read today's story to the children, Becky and Tammy watched a video they googled  on Tammy's phone for the instructions, just like todays Lenten Thought!

Actually it was  a lot of fun, I have now learned a new skill and you can to!

Happy Palm Sunday

Hosanna!

40 days of Lent - taking stock

OMG - I almost forgot to write today's Lenten Thought

March 23 - Lent is a time for taking stock and taking responsibility.  What burdens and blame have you shifted onto others that really are yours to handle?

Whew, that's a tough one.  Since that would be kind of personal I really won't share my private battles.  Safe to say though, I have them. 

It's been a long day and I am so very very tired, so I will cut this short.  As you contemplate this thought also think about some burdens you have taken on that are not perhaps yours. 

Pray, take stock, Lent is definitely time to do so.

40 days of Lent - Battle the Clutter

Today's Lenten Thought

March 22 - Today is March 22 - Clear out some clutter by finding 22 things in your home to give away, throw away or recycle.

Hey! and I have a great idea - bring those 22 (or less) useable items to Salem UCC tonight after 6:00 PM and I will add it to our Flea Market & Spring Craft Fair that we are having tomorrow, Saturday, March 23 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM  at Third and Walnut Streets  in Catasauqua.  Nothing like a shameless plug!

I myself have a few items to donate - I don't think there are 22 items in the box - maybe 10, but who knows what I could find before I leave to go set up.

Clearing out clutter is always a good idea - clearing space around us also helps us to clear our minds.  Plus, something we might have and not want could be a blessing for someone else.

40 days of Lent - cook?

Today's Lenten Thought

March 21 - Attempt to cook something you've never made before, whether it's basic like scrambled eggs or fancy, like--well, pick something from Julia Child.  Say grace before eating.

Not the day for me on this one.  I am home today make halupkies for Saturday's Craft Fair and Flea Market at Salem UCC, in Catasauqua.

It takes usually most of the day between rolling and cooking the trays - I just started around 9 and I thought I take this break and write today's blog.  The picture you see is the hamburger and rice mixer with the leaves of cabbage, next job is to roll them up.

Another reason I won't be making something different today is I will be weighing in at Weight Watchers later today - maybe after weigh in, lol!

Variety is nice, God gave us so much to work with, so many fruits and veggies, there is always something new to try, so this is not a bad thought, the timing is a little off though for me.

Have a great day - experiment - let me know how it goes, or save me some!!!

40 days of Lent - Balance

Happy First day of Spring

Which leads us to today's Lenten Thought:

March 20:  Today is the Spring Equinox, when we have the same amount of darkness and light in the day--a perfect balance.  Think about what's out of balance for you. Pray for the wisdom to put it right.

I am a little out of balance at the moment, but with a hetic life, sometimes it just happens.

Trying to balance home, work and church can get  exhausting.  I will have to pray more on getting balance.  One good thing, I have learned to say no.  I was just actually asked yesterday to organize an event and I said no.  We can only do so much and we need to learn to relax somewhere in amoungst it all. 

Well, this is easier in theory, but like the Lenten Thought says, pray for the wisdom to put it right.

Here are a few other interesting facts about the first day of spring:

• If you were standing on the equator during either the vernal or autumnal equinox, you would see the sun pass directly overhead, the only two times in the year when that is true.
  
• The two equinoxes are also the only times during the year when the sun rises due east and sets due west.
  
• In spring, the Earth’s axis is tilted toward the sun, increasing the number of daylight hours and bringing warmer weather that causes plants to bring forth new growth

Well, Happy first day of Spring everyone.  Enjoy the day!  Spring is here! 

40 days of Lent - Compliment

First may I say, what a wise person you are for seeking out thoughts to ponder this Lenten Season, it shows me that you are a person of wisdom.  Also, may I say you are looking wonderful.

Now with that being said

March 19 - Hand out at least three heartfelt compliments today.

I only remember handing out one, so please count the above as 2 more.

Seriously, compliment people where  and when you can.  It makes the other person feel better and you also will start feeling better about yourself.  Dwell on the positives and not the negatives!!

And remember - you are looking good.

40 days of Lent - Idol worship

Today's Lenten Thought

Okay - I doubt you have a golden calf

March 18 - What do you spend so much time, energy, and money on that somebody else would think it's the God you worship?  Consider finding a symbol for it, taking it out back, and smashing it.

I don't think I do that with anything really - if you can think of something for me - let me know.  Most of my extra money and time goes into the Church, by helping out with things like the craft fair, flea market and Sunday School.  So I don't think they meant that. 

But I know people who do get obsessed with certain items and spend a lot of money on it.  Some people just worship money.     What ever causes you not to put God first could come in this category.

So if you have something that others might think you worship then try the above and start worshipping God instead.

40 day of Lent - Happy St. Patricks Day

Top of the morning to you - well afternoon

Today's Lenten Thought

March 17 - Sing "When Irish Eyes are smiling"  in the shower today.  Find it on you tube.

I admit I don't know the words to the whole song.  But here is the chorus 

When Irish eyes are smiling, 
Sure, 'tis like the morn in Spring. 
In the lilt of Irish laughter 
You can hear the angels sing. 
When Irish hearts are happy, 
All the world seems bright and gay. 
And when Irish eyes are smiling, 
Sure, they steal your heart away. 

Here is where you can hear the Irish Tenors sing it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHSV8igDiEo

Perhaps you'll want to sing along with them, if not enjoy it anyway!  Today we are all Irish. 

Years ago when I was first working in Allentown  there was a Chinese restaurant that we 

use to go to on our lunch hour, Kenny's and the one year just happen to be St. Patrick's Day 

when we went.  The little Asian man that greeted us at the door was all decked out in green

with a leprechaun  type hat.  He said to us, today we all Irish, in the most Asian accent you 

can imagine.  So I remember that today.  What the heck - a little blarney is good now and then.

Happy St. Patrick's Day. 

40 day of Lent - Putting God first

They shouldn't throw the deep thought ones at me on the weekends...... 

Today's Lenten Thought

March 16 - When you give God priority everything else falls into place.  You'll become hopeful when before you were anxious.

It's all about putting God first.  In our thoughts, hearts and prayers. 

Proverbs says:

In everything you do, put God first, and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success." - Proverbs 3:6 

 

I know I am guilty of not always putting God first because I become anxious and try to fix the problems on my own and then I remember to lean on Him more than myself.    I try to think  "God, I want to do this, but I can't do it without You."    He understands when we  make mistakes. So if you mess up, don't give in to discouragement and let it hold you back; confess it and keep going. He will give you grace to do what you need to do. One day at a time you and God together can do anything!

40 days of Lent - HELP!

Today's Lenten Thought

March 15 - Ask others for help.  Consider paying for help you need if possible.  Clear out guilt and martyrdom.

Yeah I am a martyr.  I sometime refuse to ask for help  and then I like to whine about it.  There, I admit it.

But I did breakdown and asked my mom for help with the laundry this week.  It's been a busy week having someone in the hospital for most of it.  I will get her a lottery ticket tonight for helping.  She did a lot this week for me, watched the dog, laundry and dishes.  Maybe I will get her 2 tickets.

Sometimes it is hard to ask for help, pride gets in the way.  We also get the "do it my way" syndrome.  No one can do it right but us.  Sometimes we have to let others do things, even if it makes us squeamish at the way they do it.  I get over it eventually so can you.

It worked for Daniel - 

Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. Daniel 6:11

So sometimes we can ask others for help and sometime we can ask God for help, but either way, it can't hurt.

40 days of Lent - At the car wash

Today's Lenten thought -

March 14 - Wash your car.  Thank God you have a car.  Find out if there's someone who needs a ride to church on Sunday. Or anywhere else, on any day.

Wash my car?  I only do it once a year and it isn't time yet, LOL!!!  I really think they should have posted this one a little later in the month and on the weekend.  But it is not a bad idea to thank God for your car and to be helpful to others.

I will be giving Parke a ride home today from the hospital YEAH!  He has been in the hospital since Saturday. 

But seriously, sometimes we do need to take time to thank God for what we have.  Sometimes we get hung up on what we don't have instead.

40 days of Lent - Faith a memory

Today's Lenten Message

March 13 -  Faith is memory before it's hope.

Remember how you've made it through hard times.  You can trust that you'll make it through again.

That was actually a very deep thought - faith is memory before it's hope.   I had to ponder it a bit.  But what we are saying here is we made it before, through prayer and belief that God is listening and we use that memory to help us make it through again.

How true that is for me.  When I need to do something scary or something that makes me nervous, whether it's singing or talking in front of a crowd in church or a test in the hospital I usually pray something like -  God you helped before can you please help me again. 

From the scriptures - Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

I would like to memorize "faith is memory before it's hope"  but I know my memory - so I think I need to write this one down and keep.  I think it's a special thought.

40 days of Lent - It's raining

hmmmm

Today's Thought -

March 12 - Delight in the weather, whatever it is.

It's raining, it's pouring, the old man is snoring.  I guess I can delight in it - it's not snow.  That makes me happy.

Then I will give you your rains in their season, and the land shall yield its increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.  - Leviticus 26:4

So rain is a good thing, spring is coming, I see the crocus's blooming, I see the robin in the yard.  All signs that winter is coming to an end and spring is just around the corner.

So okay, I will delight in the rain today, hope you do to.

40 days of Lent - Clear the clutter

Today's Lenten thought -

March 11 - Clear out come of life's clutter.  Make a plan or take a first step toward quitting a bad habit.

I wonder what they mean.  I probably have a lot of bad habits that I don't think are bad habits.  Okay I am a chocoholic - but is it bad?

I am all for clearing out clutter though, too much clutter and I can't think straight. 

I read this on another site -  http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-5171/3-Tips-to-Clear-Clutter-Transform-Your-Life.html

"If you are ready for a break-through in your life, I highly recommend you set aside some time to begin clearing away the clutter in your life. Once you have cleared your clutter, you will feel amazing; happier, lighter and free!

This is because as you clear up the physical clutter in your life, you are literally healing yourself from the inside. This creates space and possibility for the “new” to enter your life."

 

Well - that sounds absolutely lenten doesn't it! 

40 days of Lent - better late I guess

A note to the people who wrote the UCC Spring Cleaning Lenten calendar -  this should of been yesterday's lenten thought.

March 10 - Daylight Savings Time begins today.  Don't be late for church!  Go to bed an hour earlier tonight.

Tonight?  on Sunday

Anyway - I did try to go to bed earlier last night - but that did not work.  Until I got settled, did my Sunday School Lesson and took the dog out I ended up going to bed around 12 - which was now 1 thanks to Daylight Savings Time.  Then I had one of those bad night sleeps that I thought I wasn't sleeping but I guess I was - but I know I was awake at 2:22 AM, 5 AM, 6 AM and then got up at 7:30AM
\
After a long day of two trips back and forth to the hospital to see Parke I think I will take their advice and go to bed an hour early tonight. 

Good night - sleep tight (what does that mean anyway?)

40 days of Lent - Goodbye

Today's Lenten thought took some pondering

March 9 - Say goodbye to someone you need to say goodbye to.  Whatever the circumstances, good or bad, remember that "goodbye" comes from "God be with you".

I read this first thing this morning but wasn't sure where to take this.  At this moment in time I don't think I have someone I need to say goodbye to, but over the years, there have been some.  Today I find some memories haunting.  I need to say goodbye to the people that still get under my skin even though they are long gone.

So that's why I resolve to do - say a final goodbye to those people and try not to let them in my thoughts anymore. 

I guess that's why we are to forgive and forget.   There is a song from South Pacific that goes "Gonna wash that man right out of my hair."  Well I have a few men and woman I need to wash out of mine. 

So I got to you go now and wash my hair.

PS - Sorry this is so late,  It has been a long day, Parke is in the hospital, he is doing fine, but please say a prayer for him. Thank you

40 days of Lent - Taking risks

Maybe this is just a coincidence - but today is International Woman's Day

International Women's Day has been observed since in the early 1900's, a time of great expansion and turbulence in the industrialized world that saw booming population growth and the rise of radical ideologies.  Which brings me to today's Lenten Thought -

March 8 - Take a risk, confront something controversial.  Following Jesus requires more than just enjoying the blessings of faith.

Some inspiring women who have done this where listed on MSN this morning -

Malala Yousafzai -On October 19, 2012, 15-year-old Pakistani Malala Yousafzai was shot in the head and neck by the Taliban while riding on a school bus in the Swat valley. She had been advocating for girls’ education and rights, which have been obstructed and violated by the Taliban.

 

Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords - Gabrielle Giffords was hosting a constituent event in Tucson, AZ when she was shot in the head at close range. The massacre left six dead and 12 others injured. After two years of rehabilitation, former congresswoman Giffords  gives testimony at the Senate Judiciary hearing on gun violence on January 30, 2013, in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook school shootings.

Rosa Parks is set to become the first African-American woman to be enshrined in Capitol Hill’s gallery of honor later this year - On December 1, 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama, Parks refused to obey bus driver James F. Blake's order that she give up her seat in the colored section to a white passenger, after the white section was filled.

 

These are only 3 people who took a risks - there are so many more people over the course of history who have take risks, some have changed the world.

 

I don't know what risks I could take, I try not to be controversial, I even try to watch what I post on Facebook so as not to offend anyone.  But, playing it safe is not what God has called us to do. 

 

So who knows, maybe you or I will be the next person to change the world.

40 days of Lent - Meet me half-way

Today's Lenten thought -

March 7 -  This is the 20th day of Lent, the half-way mark in the 40 days.  Instead of waiting for someone to meet you halfway on something, go all the way to them.  Initiate a call or send a note.

I am not sure I am waiting for anyone at this time, but I have seen this kind of circumstance before.  People or family members not willing to talk to each other waiting for the other to make the first move.  I saw this alot when I was a kid growing up.  My grandmother would be mad at someone in the family and not talk to them.  Heck, as I think about it - she was mad at me many times and wouldn't talk to me.  

My favorite example of this is her cookbook which she left to me.  When she would be mad at me, she would erase my name and insert someone elses where it said, after my death this book goes to......  After she forgave me for whatever I did, she would erase the other name and insert mine back.  I have the book, eraser marks and all. 

Life is way to short to hold a grudge, besides, it gets heavy after a while.

On the bright side - I am half way through this blog!

40 days of Lent - don't delay

Oh my, I think God is trying to tell me something.

Today's Lenten Thought:

March 6 - Make medical appointments you've been putting off. Thank God if you have insurance. Pray for those who don't.  Educate yourself with facts, not opinions, about health care reform.

Yesterday, Annette, my co-worker and bff, emailed me with a colonoscopy reminder, which I have put off and off and off.   But kudos to Annette, she called and made an appointment for the initial office visit.

I did go to the doctor on Monday for my knee, something else I was putting off and I will be getting a MRI on this coming Monday. 

Getting older is not easy, with each year there seems to be more tests and more issues to deal with.  I thank God for my health.  This past Sunday one of our members at church passed me in the hallway and I know he has had some health issues, but he gave me a smile anyway.  I said it was good to see him, and he said yes, he was trying.  My response, any day upright is a good one.  How true.

So if you been putting off the "exam" "doctor visit" or "test"  now is the time to stop making excuses and make that appointment.  I promise to get a colonoscopy this year, you can join me if you want, maybe they give group rates. 

40 days of Lent - I am beautiful!

You look MAHVELOUS DARLING!

Yup - today's Lenten Thought

March 5 - Look in the mirror and compliment yourself.  Yes, you'll feel silly. Do it anyway.

We got to love ourselves before we can love others, and this is a good way to start.  A compliment a day, keeps the blues away.

Here are some you can use:

You look wonderful today.
Love your hair
What a great smile
You are beautiful inside and out!
Aren't you looking chipper today!
My your are gorgeous
or my favorite
Hey you're awake

It may sound too simple to work, but the reality is that the more you think positive thoughts about yourself, the more you push out negative ones. And, the better you feel about yourself, the more resistant you are to self-doubt and also to the criticisms of others. 

It doesn’t matter what the compliment is. It’s the act itself that matters. When you give yourself a compliment, you are actively examining your strengths, which can increase both your self-esteem and self-confidence. Remember God didn't make junk, He made you, and you are perfect in His eyes! 

So come on - compliment yourself - you are beautiful and don't forget it!

40 Days of Lent - Overbooked?

Today's Lenten thought is a good one -

March 4 - Clear your calendar if you're over-scheduled, find one thing to cut out so you can have saner days.

Isn't this true for a lot of us.  I thought this weekend I would be relatively free, but as it worked out I didn't seem to have a free moment to myself all weekend long, except in the evenings to watch TV.  I can always tell when I don't spend enough time at home.  Petey T. Dog will sit on me and not budged.  This is a definite sign that I have been running in and out of the house too much for his liking.  Why are there so many errands to run?

This week, I am afraid, is a busy week - not as busy as some weeks but I have a few commitments booked already.  I will try to weed something out just to spend a little time at home, relaxing, praying or reading. 

Let's face it - even God rested on the 7th day, so why shouldn't we.