:)

Oh Pleeeeeeze…..

What happened to simpler times?

There's an “exciting” new toy I’ve seen advertised for Christmas. The commercial shows a boy and a girl pleading for bedtime. (What’s wrong with this picture?) It seems this new toy will read a story aloud and display the corresponding pictures on the wall. What is wrong with this, I ask?

What happened to family time? What happened to Daddy and/or Mommy reading bedtime stories to their child/children? I looked forward to reading Andrew a bedtime story, and we enjoyed a special time together. I usually read him a Bible story before he drifted off to sleep. He enjoyed listening to the story and looking at the pictures. I wonder, however did we survive without this new contraption? Very well, thank you!

overflowing with thankfulness

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV)

Today, I am really tired. I wanted to sleep at least until 10:00 am. Callie had other intentions in mind. She irritated me in every conceivable way her little cat brain could think of. After episodes of acrobatics, she somehow accomplished activities she knew were against the household rules. Callie played piano on the window blinds, she attempted to pull the covers from over my head, and she danced on the dresser. I believed that if she couldn’t see me, she’d give up the cause. After more antics than I could handle, I lugged myself out of bed. All she wanted was her wet food. Her other bowl held a sizeable amount of dry food. When Callie eats, I can experience tranquility – what a novel idea!

The Thanksgiving holidays inevitably consists of lots of traveling packed into four short days. Actually, the total trips were approximately 430 miles, and every single mile was worth it.

The opportunity to visit with family and friends, especially among feelings of thankfulness and pumpkin pie and chocolate brownies, reminds me how important each person is within my life. Each individual touches my life in a unique way (including Princess, the kitty). My life’s experiences, attitudes, insights, and feelings wouldn’t be the same, and therefore, I wouldn’t be the person that I am. I’m thankful to be Olivia’s Nana, and for the joy she brings. My life is overflowing with love!

The person in my life, who has made the most difference, is Jesus Christ. I am thankful I asked him into my heart and to have control over my life. Thank you Lord for the blessing of family, friends, and love.

i’m thankful for…

This time of year, I more than ever remember my countless blessings from God. There are blessings that I’m very aware of, and blessing that I don’t yet recognize. Of the many gifts from God, the foremost one is my salvation in Jesus Christ. I grew up in a Christian family, and accepted Christ at the age of 6. I later realized that at age 6, my decision was based on my fear of hell. As a 17 year old teenager, I sincerely made a decision for Christ. My family is close, we love each other, and we act like it. I’m very thankful my upbringing was rooted in Jesus Christ.

Words can’t accurately describe my love for Mark. God blessed me with a devoted and compassionate husband, and my love for him has grown each moment of our 27+ years as one. Andrew has always been the son I prayed he would be. I'm very proud of him and the man he has become. God’s plan was at work when Andrew met Sheila. I began praying for her when Andrew was still a young boy. They are a delightful couple, and with the addition of Olivia, the three are a loving family, of which I am thankful for. I’m thankful for Olivia, and for being her Nana. And, yes, I’m grateful that Callie is in my life.

These are the main blessings I’m thankful for, but there are so many small blessings in my life. I feel so blessed and I’m thankful for my countless blessings from God.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving (and) His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. Psalms 100:4 (NAS)

here birdie, birdie

Yeah! I’m now ready for some cold weather. Mark installed a brand new, best ever, super-duper, strong-as-steel, new-fangled bird feeder pole. He had to drag out some man tools to attach the pole to the deck railing. I’m glad I was able to provide Mark with an enjoyable Saturday afternoon activity. He hung our two feeders – each on individual hooks, so we’re good to go. This pole will withstand howling winds, blustering gusts, and tempestuous snow storms to come. I’ll be entertained by the various species of backyard birds as they eat, socialize, and sing.

In the past, the feeders have been visited by sparrows, cardinals, tufted titmouses, chickadees, towhees, house finches, purple finches, and… I can’t think of the others. The purple finches are really adorned with red, so I’m assuming the “namer” was a color blind ornithologist. Whenever we are blessed with an accumulation of snow, red-head woodpeckers will visit. With this year’s impending snow, I’ll see more of them than usual. The mourning doves rarely eat from the feeders; they prefer to dine on seeds spilled onto the deck by their messy cousins.

Just thought I’d share my joy to come. See, as enjoyable are the birds, watching Callie watch the birds is ever better! I’ll be so full of joy I’ll barely be able to stand it!

love

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)

This is a favorite verse of mine. As a Christian, it’s a comfort to know that God’s love is within me for eternity. I am secure in the knowledge of His wondrous, mighty, and unconditional love. I do not, and can not, envision my life separated from God. I pray that others would accept and believe in Jesus Christ, and experience the eternal love of God.

The light of God surrounds us;
The love of God enfolds us;
The power of God protects us;
The presence of God watches over us;
Wherever we are, God is.

thankfulness

Outside the kitchen window, I see the season’s last rose. Wilted by frost, it’s just a tiny bud hanging on the trellis. Its hues of fuchsia and yellow are stunning in the afternoon sun. What a beautiful sight! I’ve really enjoyed my climbing Joseph’s Coat Roses – thorns and all.

Have I thanked God for the thorns in my life? I’ve thanked Him many times for the roses, but not for the thorns. It’s easy to give thanks for the blooms and the blessings. The pain from the thorns must have a reason, but I don’t always understand. I haven’t thanked God for the thorns, although the Bible instructs me to be thankful in all things.

Lord, help me remember to be thankful for the roses and for the thorns, for the good and for the bad, for the joy and for the pain, for the laughter and for the tears – for all things in my life.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV)

amazing love

He who does not love does not know God; for God is love. (1 John 4:8 RSV)

Since becoming a Christian, I’ve often read and studied about Christian love. I’ve learned that God loves us because He is love. God’s love is unconditional, eternal, changeless, and infinite. It’s true, it’s strong, and it’s wondrous. It’s mighty and it’s amazing. I can rest in the love of God; I’m forever safe and forever blessed. That's awesome!

There’s a song by Chris Tomlin named “Amazing Love/You Are My King”. It’s a worship and praise song that touches my heart. The lyrics are a reminder of His love. http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/christomlin/youaremyking.html

God created us to have a loving relationship with Him. There is no such thing as love without God. Many years ago, I made a sermon note in my Bible – “Love is not a feeling, it is a decision”. I love God, my family, and my friends – but have I made a decision to love others? That’s a commandment of God and without the love of God in me, I could never practice it.

Another sermon note in my Bible is “The world must see the love of Jesus in all we do”. Wow! It’s essential that I always remember God’s love is in me and I’m commanded to live like it!

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (John 13:34 NIV)

callie cat

Everything I Need To Know In Life, I Learned From My Cat

1) Life is hard, and then you nap.
2) Curiosity never killed anything, except maybe a few hours.
3) When in doubt, cop an attitude.
4) Variety is the spice of life: one day ignore people, the next day annoy them. 5) Climb your way to the top - that's why drapes are there.
6) Find your place in the sun - especially if it happens to be on that nice pile of warm, clean laundry.
7) When you go out into the world, remember: being placed on a pedestal is a right, not a privilege.




Our character is what God and cats know of us.
Author: Thomas Paine

There is something about the presence of a cat...that seems to take the bite out of being alone.
Author: Dr Louis Camuti

(Photo taken by my niece, Kat)

the gift of time

Sometimes I think about upcoming events or changes pertaining to me, my loved ones, to others, or to the world. I may be anxious about some things, such as a dentist appointment, or the results of my cholesterol test. Others, I eagerly look forward to experiencing or witnessing, like a vacation, a visit from family, or watching a baseball game.

Time can slip thru my fingers if I pay too much attention to tomorrow instead of embracing today. Whether it’s nice or dreadful, joyful or miserable, it is today. Today is a gift, given to me from the Lord. I ought to be thankful for the opportunities and experiences I receive today.

When I was online recently, I came across this:
“Amidst fear, we have peace beyond understanding; amidst sorrow, we have joy unspeakable; amidst trouble, we have every comfort and consolation; amidst uncertainty, we have the blessed hope.”
I don’t know the origin or author, but these words take negative emotions and give the positive responses offered in Christ. No matter what happens, today or tomorrow, God is in control of my life. I gladly embrace my gift of time today!

We often spend too much of the present anxious to reach the future, and when we get there, what do we do? We wonder where the time went.
Author: Unknown

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NASB)