i recently saw this on a church sign...

Eternity -
Would that be
Smoking or Non-Smoking?

it smacked me upside the heart (continuation of Sept 26)

I’ve prayed, asking God for forgiveness, for help, for peace, for others, for direction, for comfort, for healing, for mercy, for courage... I’ve talked about my troubles, about things I must face, about understanding, about questions I have... I’ve thanked God for Jesus, for blessing me, for loving me, for saving me, for answered prayers...

I’ve asked God, and He has said no, He has said wait, He has said yes, I’ve asked God, and He has said... God does hear the prayers of His children. His Word teaches us how to pray. I have to spend more time with God, privately, in quietness, and listen. Sometimes I just need reminding.

Below is the poem that caught my attention. As I read it, there were verses I could have written myself (if I were a poet). I found 14 biblical references for each thing asked of God. Yes, it smacked me upside the heart.

And God Said No
by Claudia Minden Weisz

I asked God to take away my grief, and God said “No”.
He said it was not for Him to take away, but for me to work through.

I asked God to make by broken heart whole, and God said “No”.
He said my spirit is whole, and my pain is only temporary.

I asked God to take away my pride, and God said “No”.
He said it was not for Him to take away, but for me to give up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole, and God said “No”.
He said her spirit was whole, her body was only temporary. (the author’s child had Rett Syndrome)

I asked God to grant me patience, and God said “No”.
He said patience is a by-product of tribulations; it isn’t granted, it is earned.

I asked God to give me happiness, and God said “No”.
He said He gives me blessings, happiness is up to me.

I asked God to spare me pain, and God said “No”.
He said suffering draws me apart from worldly cares and brings me closer to Him.

I asked God to make my spirit grow, and God said “No”.
He said I must grow on my own, but He will prune me to make me fruitful.

I asked God if He loved me, and God said, "Yes”.
He gave His only Son who died for me, and I’ll be in Heaven someday because I believe.

I asked God to help me love others, as much as He loves me.
And God said, “Ah, finally you have the idea!”

it smacked me upside the heart

A few days ago, I looked thru some poems, articles, quotes, short stories, and the like. Over the years, my collection has multiplied several times over. I’ve glanced over these items before, pausing to read some, while others I passed over. Well, a few days ago, I was just looking for a little inspiration. I’ve done this in the past, hoping something I saw would pop a good idea in my head.

Back to the inspiration, I wanted something new – some fresh ideas, or different viewpoints, or unusual topics, or difficult questions, or profound thoughts, or unpopular opinions, or descriptive explanations, or unique situations, or important issues, or unlimited possibilities, or specific illustrations, or special considerations, or creative approaches, or significant concerns, or insightful writings, or expressive analogies, or remarkable discoveries, or observant comparisons, or interesting connections, or gracious measures, or clear definitions, or simple applications, or brilliant observations, or compassionate actions, or thoughtful traditions, or admirable principles, or distinctive outlooks, or enthralling discussions, or, or, or, or, or. Or, or, or……anything!

Whew (catching my breath)! I only wanted something, something I could expand on. Something that inspired me. Hmmmm. You could say I found that, that and much, much more.

Yep, I asked for it. I sure did. I really, really did. I found it right there where it was, right there where it had been along. It screamed for my attention. And I gave it my attention. I sure did. I really, really did.

Well, it smacked me upside the heart! How many times have I asked God for…well…something?

(tbc next post)

is this awesome or what!
Kirk Cameron stars in new film 'Fireproof' Published: Sept. 24, 2008 at 3:02 PM NEW YORK, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Former Hollywood teen idol Kirk Cameron makes a rare big-screen appearance in the new Christian-themed relationship drama, "Fireproof."

As the star of the classic family sit-com "Growing Pains," Cameron's face graced the covers of countless teen magazines in the 1980s and 1990s. Since then, the 37-year-old married father of six has devoted much of his time to spirituality-based projects such as his television program "The Way of the Master" and the "Left Behind" series of movies. "Acting kind of has to come in between everything else that's going on," Cameron told UPI in New York Tuesday. "I love to act ... when acting fits in nicely to kind of do the things that I'm trying to do with my life, like tell a great story that has a great message like 'Fireproof ...' The whole movie is about restoring marriages. I married my on-screen girlfriend from 'Growing Pains' and we've been married 17 years, so marriage is real important to us. "But, for us, our family and doing the things we love to do -- we run a camp for terminally sick children and their families, I speak and teach a lot at schools and churches and I do a kind of faith-based reality show, so all of those things have got a lot more substance to them than just, 'Hey, what's the hot new flick that you might want to do?' Which is great and fun, too. But I've been fortunate that I can be selective enough to do acting when it's really furthering what I want to do with my life, instead of just doing a job."

the flag waves, the flag of Christ waves

Last Sunday evening in church, I found myself gazing at the flags behind the pulpit. I was still listening to the sermon, but also looking at the American flag and the Christian flag. I made a mental note to look up the history of the Christian flag. (Then, I turned my full attention back to the teaching of God’s Word.)

As a child, I attended Vacation Bible School (VBS), for one week each summer (at my church). I fondly recall the games “Red Rover” and “Kick Ball”. At snack time, we always had the little Nabisco butter cookies, which were round cookies with scalloped edges and a hole in the middle which you could stick your finger in. It was fun wearing the “rings” on our fingers. Oh, and for drink, we had a choice between grape and strawberry Kool-Aid. Also, we would march into the sanctuary, say the pledge to the American flag and to the Christian flag. I vaguely remember singing songs. Oops, I digressed, back to the flag.

So, I did a little research, and learned that the idea of a Christian flag was conceived in Coney Island, New York, on Sunday, September 26, 1897. It was Charles C Overton who had the inspiration, and on that day, the Christian flag was born.

The white on the flag represents purity and peace. The blue stands for faithfulness, truth, and sincerity. Red is the color of sacrifice, the blood shed by Christ on Calvary, and represented by the cross. In addition to the symbolism of the Christian flag, I also found its pledge:
“I pledge allegiance to the Christian Flag, and to the Savior for whose Kingdom it stands; One Savior, crucified, risen, and coming again with life and liberty to all who believe.”

The song, “"The Christian Flag", was written in 1903 by Fanny Crosby. The words for this song may be found at:http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/c/h/chriflag.htm

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

showers of blessings

A month since my last post? Where have I been? Somewhere between here and there. But where?

a few highlights…

the “kids” (son, wife, and the little lady) came for an overnight visit (I wonder if the “kids” mind that nickname?)

I had a blood cholesterol test

someone stole the catalytic converter from hubby’s truck
it took only 3 minutes
the idiots were on candid camera
the license plate smiled

I desperately wanted to go to my sis’s (a couple hours away), but we were down to one vehicle

the kids graciously invited me to their home
it was a nice, relaxing visit
I enjoyed playing with and tending to the little lady while her mama hopefully got some rest
my precious grandchild colored me a pretty birthday picture (it’s on the fridge)
we all went to my sis’s to see my family, especially a nephew, his wife, and son (before they moved away to Kansas)
the evening coincided with my birthday (I'm not sure which one, but who's counting)

I called my doc and he put me on Zetia for my high cholesterol

hubby came to get me the next evening, we went out for dinner with the little lady and her mama (dada had a class)

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 jewelry)
as it turned out, the stunning gift was a timely gift especially since my jewelry consisted of three pairs of earrings (counting the new ones), one necklace, one bracelet, and the three rings on my fingers

when we got home, we were greeted by our lonely kitty who tried to tell us something, but we couldn’t tell exactly what (when she’s upset it’s difficult to understand her)

we 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, noticed something was very different, and ran back outside

then I knew what my lonely kitty had said
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
someone had broken into our home… by forcible entry…we had been burglarized…
where the pc had once rested, was dust (lots of dust)
the dresser had a dust free rectangle
one stolen item became the transporter for other stolen items (there was a pile of dirty clothes where the hamper had been)

the things that were taken were things, only just things

hubby ordered us a new pc

the kids came for an overnight visit (I always treasure our time together)

hubby set up our new pc

for the rest of that week, I was on the phone for approximately 12 hours (I'm not exaggerating)
this mess has caused a lot of hard work
I had no inkling just how much of a mess
it’s 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…

God is the giver of blessings

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

thankful for blessings

When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.

Helen Keller ~ American Blind & Deaf Educator (1880-1968)

cobwebs and dust
by mrs liz (condensed version)

i am liz
i am liz
liz i am

that liz-i-am!
that liz-i-am!
i do not like
that liz-i-am!

do you like
cobwebs and dust?

i do not like them,
Liz-i-am.
i do not like
cobwebs and dust.

would you like them
here or there?

i would not like them
here or there.
i would not like them
anywhere.
i do not like
cobwebs and dust.
I do not like them,
liz-i-am.

would you like them
in a house?
would you like them
with a mouse?

i do not like them
in a house.
i do not like them
with a mouse.
i do not like them
here or there.
i do not like them
anywhere.
i do not like cobwebs and dust.
i do not like them, liz-i-am

The Holy Scriptures tell us what we could never learn any other way:
they tell us what we are,
who we are,
how we got here,
why we are here,
and what we are required to do while we remain here.

A W Tozer

tagged

I'm it!

One Word Meme

Answer the questions using only one word.

Tag four others. (I tag tammy)

Where is your cell phone? table

Your significant other? love

Your hair? wet

Your mother? talkative

Your father? missed

Your favorite thing? outside

Your dream last night? didn’t

Your favorite drink? tea

Your dream/goal? peace

The room you’re in? den

Your hobby? gardening

Your fear? failure

Where do you want to be in 6 years? here

What you’re not? energetic

Muffins? blueberry

One of your wish list items? music

Where you grew up? henderson

Last thing you did? shopped

Favorite gadget? pc

Your pets? cat

Your computer? fast

Your mood? pensive

Missing someone? yes

Your car? new-ish

Favorite store? target

Like someone? yes

Your favorite color? pink

Last time you laughed? yesterday

Last time you cried? past

do more

Do more than belong: participate.
Do more than care: help.
Do more than believe: practice.
Do more than be fair: be kind.
Do more than forgive: forget.
Do more than dream: work.
William Arthur Ward

"If you were going to die soon and had only one phone call you could make, who would you call and what would you say? And why are you waiting?"

~Stephen Levine

love...

I really, really want my adorable grandchildren to have this awesome stroller… They can! (If you pick me!)

don’t waste it

It had been there for awhile, but I can’t say for just how long. It was hidden from my view, and I didn’t know where to look. I found it covered under leaves, but by then it was too late. I couldn’t use it anymore, and had to throw it in the waste.

I didn’t see the cucumber until it was too large and very bitter. Maybe if I hadn’t been tired, I could have looked longer. Maybe if I looked harder, I could have found it in time. Maybe if I looked sooner, it wouldn’t have been wasted. I didn’t want to throw it out, but I had waited too long.

Sometimes I’d rather hide than do what God expects of me. And, sometimes it may be too late and I would waste an opportunity God had set before me. And, I may never get another chance if I don’t do what God wants me to do, when God wants me to do, how God wants me to do, and where God wants me to do.

I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13 The Holman Christian Standard Bible

So we must not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don't give up.

Galatians 6:9 The Holman Christian Standard Bible

wait...

trust in His timing
rely on His promises
wait for His answers
believe in His miracles
rejoice in His goodness
relax in His presence

I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait, And in His word do I hope. Psalm 130:5 NAS

Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD. Psalm 27:14 NAS

here & there

Last week, we took a trip to the Tidewater area of Virginia. Mark’s Mom went with us, and we had a relaxing visit with family. It had been two years since we were there, and that was for a funeral. This time, I’m thankful the trip was just a “visiting” trip.

Along the way, my dear, sweet husband turned into a sneaky, wily nily driver. He somehow managed for me to be fast asleep before reaching the Monitor-Merrimack bridge-tunnel. Did I mention that it was 4.6 miles of white-knuckle action? The bridge became a four-lane tunnel descending 4,800 feet into the dark waters of the Hampton Roads harbor. Did I mention that the speed limit was 60 mph? Maybe my dear, sweet husband knew how I felt about the thing and wanted to spare me the misery. But still, …..

We enjoyed seeing everyone and catching up. Our sweet granddaughter met us there. Oh, she did bring her parents along as well. Being around “strangers”, eating at “strange” places, and sleeping in “strange” beds - the little one took it all in stride. She was a joy to be around and she brightened every room. Did I mention that she is a delightful granddaughter? Well, she is.

The way home didn’t take us to a bridge-tunnel. However, we did have to cross a little bridge. The aforementioned bridge was the four-lane James River Bridge, stretching 4.5 (very long) miles, and I didn’t care what the speed limit was. It wouldn’t have mattered anyway.

The visit was very enjoyable, but it’s always nice to be back home. Tomorrow, I’m off again. This time, for a few days with my Sis…

We may not always realize
That every thing we do,
Affects not only our lives
But touches others, too!

For a little bit of thoughtfulness
That shows someone you care,
Creates a ray of sunshine
For both of you to share.

Yes, every time you offer
Someone a helping hand ...
Every time you show a friend
You care and understand ...

Every time you have
A kind and gentle word to give ...
You help someone find beauty
In this precious life we live.

For happiness brings happiness
And loving ways bring love;
And Giving is the treasure
That contentment is made of.

...Amanda Bradley