pause ‘n ponder

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It is often wise to think before speaking, literally...  

T – Is it Truthful?
H – Is it Helpful?
I – Is it Inspiring?
N – Is it Necessary?
K – Is it Kind?

two years ago, on this date....

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In August of 2008, I visited with my kids and granddaughter for a couple of wonderful days.  We only had one car at the time, since hubs vehicle was in the shop replacing a stolen catalytic converter.  On the 19^th of August, hubs went to work, and left straight from there to come get me.  We enjoyed a dinner with the little lady and her Mom.

On our way home, hubby gave me a pretty box with a nice bow.  The pretty box with the nice bow had a lovely pair of earrings (he has a knack for picking out birthday gifts).  And, as it turned out, the stunning gift was a timely gift - especially since my jewelry had been reduced to three pairs of earrings (counting the new ones), one necklace, one bracelet, and the three rings on my fingers.

After getting home, we went in and put some things on the kitchen table, and hubby went back outside for the rest of my stuff.  I looked to see if we had any phone messages, grabbed the phone, then noticed something was very different, and ran back outside.

I was upset, I was crying, I was in shock, I was frightened, I was infuriated, I was traumatized, I was scared, I was distressed, I was …well, you get the picture.  I dialed 911 somewhere between frightened and infuriated because someone had broken into our home… by forcible entry…we had been burglarized…

Where the pc had once rested, was an outline of dust.  The dresser had a dust free rectangle, where there had been a jewelry box.  After looking around carefully, we noticed several more things that were stolen.  I actually was amused to see our dirty clothes strewn around the missing hamper.  The police told us hampers were a popular item to carry the stolen items.

The things that were taken were things, only just things.  Some could be replaced fairly easily – the pc etc.  But, there were many items that could never be replaced.

For the rest of that week, I was on the phone for approximately 12 hours (I'm not exaggerating).  This mess caused a lot of hard work, and I had no inkling just how much of a mess and overwhelming work with police reports, forms for the insurance, the bank stuff, credit bureaus …ugh…

None of this matters, it isn’t even important.

I have blessings in abundance, I have blessings I’m not aware of, I have blessings I don’t deserve, I have blessings, blessings, blessings…  And, God is the giver of blessings.

Don’t forget the blessings, don’t ever forget the blessings…

what is this kind of love?

Agápe (αγάπη agápē) is defined as “love". But, it’s unlike any other love. It’s an unconditional love that’s always giving and never taking. This kind of love is totally selfless and doesn’t change even if the love given is or isn’t returned. This is the original and only true form of love.

• Agape love is seeing the answer and sharing that with whoever is seeing   or experiencing the problem.
• Agape love is never judgmental and is eternally patient with any thing that must be learned. 
• Agape love is totally without demands or requirements. 
• Agape love is total truth in that it doesn’t change, no matter what changes around it. 
• Agape love doesn’t know about time, since time doesn’t exist in heaven. 
• Agape love is unconditional forgiveness for anything, because agape love goes beyond the idea of needing forgiveness.

God is Agápe Love! And, frankly, His love overwhelms my heart. Now, that’s a secure Love!

"The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.'
Matthew 22:39 NAS

"This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.
John 15:12 NAS

The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
1 John 4:8 NAS

God is Here

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I came across this a few weeks ago, and I’ve read it over and over.  It seems God is reminding me how much He loves me and that He’s always with me.  These are promises of God, and I cherish them and hold them close to my heart.  It doesn’t matter what my circumstances are, God is with me!  I am His child, and He will never leave me.  It’s amazing how God provided these words at a time I really needed to hear them!  

When I fall, He lifts me up.

When I fail, He forgives me.

When I am weak, He is strong.

When I am lost, He is The Way.

When I am afraid, He is my courage.

When I stumble, He steadies me.

When I am hurt, He heals me.

When I am broken, He mends me.

When I am blind, He leads me.

When I am hungry, He feeds me.

When I face trials, He is with me.

When I face persecution, He stills me.

When I face problems, He comforts me.

When I face loss, He provides for me.

When I face Death, He carries me Home!

~unknown

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39 NAS

foto favs

God works in many ways..............

Yesterday, I did something that totally surprised me. It’s something that I rarely do. For some reason, I found myself handing a bill to a man who was standing at a busy intersection. His appearance looked like the life he was living. I don’t know how he’ll spend the money. Maybe liquor, maybe drugs, maybe food. I’ll never know. But, I strongly felt led to hand it over.

Then, this morning, I was in my car listening to K-Love radio. The DJs were talking with a seven-year-old boy. Okay, I admit it...I began to cry, and did so thru-out the phone call, and a few minutes afterwards. This link tells the inspiring and uplifting story of a little boy and a one dollar bill.


http://www.klove.com/blog/(A Little Boy and a Dollar Making a Big Difference, August 6, 2010)

quick quotes

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Our valleys may be filled with foes and tears; but we can lift our eyes to the hills to see God and the angels, heaven's spectators, who support us according to God's infinite wisdom as they prepare our welcome home.

Billy Graham

-->Faith is believing in advance what can only be understood in reverse.

Chuck Swindoll

 

-->Don't be afraid for tomorrow. God is already there.

Ethel Lofgren

quick quotes

I don't see the big picture. I don't have a clue. But I know God does. I'm going to declare that, even if I don't feel it right now.

~Steven Curtis Chapman 

Trials are not enemies of faith but are opportunities to prove God's faithfulness.

~Author Unknown

God never promises to remove us from our struggles. He does promise, however, to change the way we look at them.

~Max Lucado

rocks & rocks & more rocks, (part 2)

(continuation of the rocks in my yard) In my garden, I have some very special rocks. But................................

I have one exceptional, amazing, and awesome Rock. It’s the most magnificent and majestic and glorious and wondrous Rock ever. Its foundation is immoveable, it’s mighty and strong, it can support anything, it can’t be broken or chiseled or cracked.


This Rock is Jesus Christ! It’s a place of refuge, it’s a place of protection, it’s a place of salvation. He is the Rock of ages!

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;
Psalm 18:2 NAS

From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
Psalm 61:2 NAS

He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be shaken
Psalm 62:6 NAS

On God my salvation and my glory rest; the rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.
Psalm 62:7 NAS


Trust in the LORD forever, For in GOD the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock.
Isaiah 26:4 NAS

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Yes, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the everlasting Rock!

rocks and rocks and rocks (part 1)

If you look around my backyard, you’ll find lots of rocks. Some form borders around flower beds, while others outline the dry river bed. There are many flat ones surrounding my garden pond. Yep, I just plain and simple like rocks.


Numerous and oodles and heaps of rocks came from a creek where my grandparents lived in Tennessee. I believe the rest are from North Carolina. There are a few from the Rocky River and the Deep River, some were randomly found on the ground, some were given to me, and others came from here or there or somewhere. Over the years, the Watauga River has provided the largest number. The Valle Crucis, Blowing Rock, and Boone areas are near and dear to my heart. And, my Watauga rocks remind me of a special, beloved place.

*(I have a reasonable explanation for the rocks in my yard. They weren’t ‘taken’, they were merely ‘relocated’. I’ve only removed rocks from places that wouldn’t damage or harm the natural flow of the physical surrounding area.)


So, I have a large collection of rocks, all kinds and all shapes and all sizes and all colors. Some have bright specks, some are perfectly smooth, some are fossils, some rough and sharp, some are very heavy and some not so much and some...


Why do I like rocks? I’m not sure. I must have received the ‘rock gene’ from my Dad. He started all this by gathering as many creek rocks that could fit in the car trunk. Then, they traveled from Tennessee to North Carolina. (Another ‘relocation’!)


to be continued

i’m so grateful!

Sweeping and scrubbing and mopping and vacuuming do not appeal to me.  And no, I've never 'enjoyed' housework of any kind.  However, since my back and knees hurt and ache, and my arms and hands hurt and ache, and my hands don’t have much strength - I need help!  I've found three products that make cleaning (almost) bearable.

I’m grateful!  I’m thankful!  I’m appreciative!  I’m delighted.  I’m thrilled...I'm......  

1 – Shark Quick-N-Quiet Cordless Floor and Carpet Sweeper (Model V1725), 10" Motor Brush, 30 Minute Rechargeable Battery, Swivel Head, Easy Empty Dirt Cup. 

Cost around $45.  It’s magnificent!

2 – Black & Decker ScumBuster Cordless Power Scrubber (Model S600), For Kitchen, Bathroom, and Outdoor Cleaning.  Storage Caddy Holds Tool and All Nine Accessories.

Cost around $45.  It’s  fantastic!

3 – Swiffer Wetjet Multi-Purpose Floor Cleaner.  Power Mop, Disposable Cleaning Pads, Bottle of Multi-Purpose Cleaning Solution, Scrubbing Strip (Starter Kit).   
Cost around $25.  It’s superb!

*I’m not receiving compensation for reviews of above products. :D

‘attitude of gratitude’

One of my Facebook friends is a gracious, kind, and wise Christian woman.  She often ends a post with ‘attitude of gratitude’.  I like that phrase, and it got me to thinking.  It’s one more example of thanking God for the brutal times and the bad times and the better times and the best times.

When I focus on what I’m grateful for, it’s hard to focus on what I think is awful and terrible.  Being positive feels a lot better than being angry or miserable, and I’ve been both.  The more grateful I become, the more my happiness quotient soars.

When I find myself in a bad situation, I hope I’m reminded of my FB friend’s words - ‘attitude of gratitude’.

Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,

Hebrews 12:28 ESV

worthy words

And this is His name by which He will be called, 'The LORD our righteousness.' Jeremiah 23:6 (NASB)

Hallelujah to my King!

Psalm 118 focuses on thankfulness and praise for the Lord’s goodness and for His grace. In verses 1 – 4, and verse 29, there’s a recurring statement about the great love of our Lord. Various versions of the Bible word it differently, but each one says the same thing.

"His love endures forever." (New International Version)

"His steadfast love endures forever." (English Standard Version)

"His lovingkindness is everlasting." (New American Standard Bible)

His mercy endureth for ever. (King James Version)

His lovingkindness endureth for ever (American Standard Version)

"His faithful love endures forever." (Holman Christian Standard Version)
(Psalm 118)

The theme here is His undying love and His endless care and His eternal devotion and His unwavering mercy and His unchanging faithfulness and His gift of salvation and His majestic grace...

No, I can never ever love Him enough.

He is exalted...

here's to Dads...and Granddads...

hi little bird...

While in my garden this afternoon, I saw and heard a baby bird. She (or he) was trying to fly, but the poor little thing just couldn’t make it more than a few inches off the ground. I leaned against the picnic table to watch and listen.

The mother bird was just a few feet away, and she was rapidly talking ‘bird speak’ to her little one, and demonstrating (with apparent patience) how to take flight. I declare it sounded like the baby was crying for help, and the mommy was encouraging her to keep trying. After a tense few minutes, the baby made it up to a low branch. Yeah!

The mother bird built an intricate nest and became protective of her new home. She laid the eggs, keep them warm, cleaned the babies when they hatched, maintained a clean nest, brought food for them to grow strong, gave flying lessions when it was time to go out into the big world. And, all of this is accomplished by God-given instinct. He is a mighty and incredible God!

Of course, this reminded me of a Bible verse spoken by Jesus…

Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? Matthew 6:26 NAS

I can’t comprehend how such a great God created everything that is. All of His creation is vast, complex, complete, astonishing, infinite, and perfect. From the tiny little things we can’t see, to the vast universe we can only see a speck of, my God is awesome and amazing!

Wow!!! In all of His creation, He cares about me? After I accepted Jesus into my heart, He lives within me as my Lord and Savior! Yes, He cares about you, too!!!!! If you’re living all alone in this great big world, please don’t try it all by yourself. Ask Jesus into your heart. He will be your personal Lord and Savior. He will be there to love you, to comfort you, to guide you, to help you, to direct you, to carry you, to understand you, to support you, to listen to you, to give you peace, to give you hope, and to give you eternal life.

pause 'n ponder

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Love is like standing in wet cement,

the longer you stay,

the harder to leave,

and you can never leave

without leaving your mark behind.

my prayer has been answered

I asked for strength
and God gave me difficulties to make me strong
I asked for wisdom
and God gave me problems to solve
I asked for prosperity
and God gave me brawn and brain to work
I asked for courage
and God gave me dangers to overcome
I asked for patience
and God placed me in situations where I was forced to wait
I asked for love
and God gave me troubled people to help
I asked for favors
and God gave me opportunities
I received nothing I wanted
I received everything I needed
My prayer has been answered
- Author Unknown

remember our fallen

The dead soldier's silence sings our national anthem.
- Aaron Kilbourn