Morals?

Do people ever talk about morals anymore?

I'm not sure, but after some articles that I read, I don't think we talk about them enough for sure.

The first story was about a man on a subway that was shot on a relatively full subway car, but no one saw the shooter because they were too busy on their phones or computers.

Really?

I just thought that was sad.

Then I read an article about telling a "little white lie".  Now this wasn't one of those little white lies about how you look or anything like that.

No this was one of those white lies that you tell to someone to cover something up.

I wonder at what point a "little white lie", becomes a bold face lie.  

Is it when someone does it to you?

What happened to just being honest with people and telling them what you think?  I would much rather someone say something to me that might hurt my feelings than lie to my face.

We seem to be so wrapped up in trying to conform with what's happening in the world, that we don't remember what is right and wrong?  

Are we to the point that nothing is wrong anymore?  Or are we just not bold enough to say anything about it.  

I don't know, but I think it's sad.

Things that make you go hmmmm

It's Friday, so that is just praiseworthy in itself, but I thought I would share some of the 
posts that I have read this week that really make you think.


This ONE really hit home after all the food documentaries I've been watching.

But frankly I love everything that she says on her blog.  

She's a wise woman.

And just because this has been the headlines in the news this week.

Is anyone else worried about North Korea?
You can get the latest on that at CNN.

On the lighter side, here are just a few of my favorite pins this week.

source

Don't they look awesome?

Source

Baby girl just started working at a place that makes these,

and I have been craving them.

Thanks to Pinterest, I can make them

myself.

Source

For our church Easter egg hunt I tried this method for making

some eggs for our kids to dye and it worked,

but I did have one that cracked.  It may

have been my fault who knows.  But I will

do it again.

Source

And I was looking at this because I have a project where 

this knowledge will definitely come in handy.

More to come.

Tuesday Thoughts

I can't believe it has been so long since my last post, so I just thought I would let you know what I've been up to.

First, this past weekend I started another paint project, still not finished so you'll have to wait for that one.

Also, the basement is getting a serious cleaning out, already made one trip to Goodwill and have some things I am taking to Hospice also.

Since I sold all of my frame equipment I have been trying to sort through all of the prints that I have left and decide if I am going to use them or scrap them.  

I love that Fall is here, it hasn't turned completely cool yet but it's getting closer.

Fall is one of my favorite times of the year, everything seems so crisp and new.

Life seems to be getting busier instead of slowing down, Baby Girl is a senior this year, so while I am enjoying her last year in high school, I am busy, busy, busy with stuff seniors do.  And, going broke in the process.

So, I think I will just slow down, and take the time to enjoy what is.

Ramblings

Well, I know I haven't blogged much lately, but I just couldn't think of anything interesting that anyone might want to hear.


This weekend I did start a small project that I will be showing you later.  Just a little painting but I can't wait to show you how it looks finished.  


You might like it.


Mr. Wonderful has been striper fishing again.  This time was a bust.  Absolutely NO fish.  But on the up side, he really did catch enough last time he went so we aren't hurting for fish.


This weekend we watched this.

What's your number?


Not appropriate for kids, but so funny!   I mean really funny!


I have been looking at pinterest  at stenciled walls.


Really liking that look.


Might try it.

In remembrance

Random Thoughts

OK, first of all I keep thinking today is Friday and it's only Thursday.


Second, I got a new chair at work, and I am seriously relaxing in it.  


Third, I can't figure people out.


Can you?


I am blessed with a great family!  


God is Good, 
All the Time!!!!!


I can tell a difference in my attitude if I don't make time for Jesus everyday.


Find the happiness where you can, if you can't find it, make your own!

Being sifted

"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to test all of you as a farmer sifts his wheat.  I have prayed that you will not lose your faith?  Help your brothers be stronger when you come back to me."

Luke 22:31 New Century Version

Last night at bible study this was just one of the things that we talked about, but I kept coming back to it over and over.

Probably because in the last month. . . 

My mom's health/memory has deteriorated,

My AC has broken, twice,

2 out of 3 cars have needed repair,

not working as much because of reason #1, so I don't have as much income to help with all the following reasons.

I guess sometimes it's how you look at things that can change your outlook, most of the time I am a glass 1/2 full kind of girl.  But lately, not so much.

But I have learned that I don't have to have a good situation, to have a good situation.

That's a little saying my pastor always says, and it took difficult circumstances to help me really get it.

I have learned that while what may seem like a trying, lonely, life altering situation can change things in my life, it won't change my attitude or my faith, if I don't let it. 

I can look at all of this going on and say Why me?

Or I can say, Why not me?  

God could be allowing these things to happen in my life to "sift" me, to make me stronger, to help me to rely on him more.  It has made my relationship with God stronger in so many ways.

God has been so much more to me, he has been a shoulder to cry on, a lot!!  He gives me strength, shows me that I can't control situations so I must learn ways to adapt and give the stress to him, and I have.  Well, most of the time, sometimes, the human in me wants to think I can take care of things myself but more and more I am giving him complete control.

Maybe we should look at the obstacles in our lives differently.  Maybe these things will be resolved quickly for some, or maybe they are life changes that will not end until God allows them to end.  But we should check our attitudes, and our faith.  Give everything fully to him, and let him take care of it.  He can definitely do it better than we ever could.

Just something to think about.

Everything I learned. . . .

The Lord is my Shepard, I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures,
He leadeth me beside still waters.
He restoreth my soul.
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for thou art with me,
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;

Thou annointest my head with oil
My cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and Merci shall follow me all the days of my life
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord, forever.
Psalm 23


The other day, I was listening to something on the radio that was pertaining to what our kids were learning in school.

I thought about all the things kids learn about now in school, and some of the things they don't learn.

For instance, every morning in Elementary school, we would recite the 23rd Psalm. EVERY DAY!

We would also say the Lords prayer and the pledge of allegiance.

Now I know that after 9/11, a lot of schools began doing the pledge of allegiance again, but I don't know that they still do. I am talking about public schools here, I feel sure private or Christian schools do this.

What are we teaching our kids now? I have to say that I have two teenagers and I can tell you what they don't learn.

What has happened to learning how to write? The schools spend very little time teaching kids to write. When I was in school, fourth grade to be exact. We had specific times designated to help us learn to write our letters correctly. If there was something we had trouble with, we got extra help.

How about spelling? We did spelling all through middle school. I am not sure that kids are really getting the basics, reading, writing, and arithmetic. I think because of all the new testing, and No kid left behind stuff, that kids aren't getting the basics that they need.

Kids need to be taught how to balance a check book. How to write checks. How to write letters. How to be respectful.

Maybe if they were still able to recite the 23rd Psalm things would be different. Maybe.

Reaching Out

At church for the last two weeks we have started a new Study called "Just Walk Across the Room", I don't know if you are familiar with it but basically it's all about moving outside of your comfort zone to reach people who may not be in church. One of the ways we can do this is by meeting people who may have one of the same interests that you do like, fishing (men), sports, hiking, just whatever you may like to do, more than likely there is someone you come in contact with who you could get to know better.

I have to tell you that it is a really good class/study/whatever you want to call it, but it can really open your eyes to exactly how well we know people, even our families. One of the exercises was to write down who your neighbors are, what they do, where they attend church, that kind of thing. I think I was pretty lucky because most of my neighbors go to my church and I have known them my whole life. But there were a few that I couldn't say that about. One was a lady that lives on my street, who I have talked too many times. But I didn't know where she went to church. Hmmm, not doing to well am I? Then I have another neighbor, I haven't even really talked to him at all. The Mr has, but not really in the "get to know you" kind of way. Just casual hello, what's up kind of stuff.

This week one of the things we were asked to think about was making a list of people we would like to see come to Christ. There were several names on my list, some of them are Christians, but I think they just need some growing time. Some are very far from being Christians. But I care about each of them so I would really like to see them turn to God.

One man in the video took 8 years to make his commitment to Christ. 8 YEARS!!! That seems like such a long time doesn't it. I mean all the man (Bill Hybels) did was be his friend, be there for him, and talk to him about God, when he wanted to talk. But EIGHT years. What commitment and genuine caring. He truly cared about his friend. So much so that he didn't want to spend eternity without him.

Do you have someone in your life like that? Someone who may be a great person, fun to be around, but they just won't make that step? Maybe they have some kind of addiction, or fault that they feel unworthy? I think we probably all know someone who we can put in this category. This week we should challenge ourselves to try to be an example before that person and to pray for them nonstop until they do make that commitment.

How hard can it be to pray for someone? Let's do it, pick someone and pray for them. Maybe when we are around them we will try to listen a little more than talk, ask about their week? Something to show them that we genuinely care about them. Surely, we can do that. After all God has done for us, we can do that for him can't we?

Now that's something to think about!

Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

Good Friday morning everyone! It's Good Friday! Get it.
Any way, I had another post all ready for today, but instead I decided to tell you about our Maundy Thursday service at church. Some may think it was nothing special, I mean we took communion, sang, read scripture. All regarding the Last Supper, and Jesus telling the disciples about what would happen to him, he would be betrayed, and he would be denied three times.
But the interesting part, at least to me anyway, was at the end of the service the Altar was stripped, to signify Christ being stripped and beaten. I personally had not seen this done and I was fascinated with it.
It was very moving, when a piece was taken off the altar and related to Christ's experience.
This may not have been a big deal to some, but I liked it.
Easter is a great time of year. It's a good time to remember what life is all about and what we have to be thankful for.
For a lot of people this isn't a great time, they may have lost their jobs, or they are alone. Maybe they simply have lost their faith, in themselves and others. But I bet if we try really hard there will be something, even if it is something small, that we can be thankful for. Jesus is a good place to start.
If he could endure what he did, then surely we can find some hope in our own circumstances.
Just something to think about.

Why is it?

Why is it that on the day you are getting your hair cut, you get a compliment on how good it looks?

Why is it when you don't need something to write on, papers are everywhere? When you do need them they are nowhere to be found.

Why do men never stop to ask for directions? And if we use the GPS system, he questions the machine.

Why do some women never change their hairstyles? I always wondered that one, is it so bad to just try something new?

Why do kids always say "Huh" when you ask them something? That, or "That's not fair, I have to do everything, You don't do anything. Well, you get the point.

Why is it when someone says something that really ticks you off, you can't think of a comeback until they walk away? At least me anyway.

Why is it OK for guys to use the bathroom in the woods, and not girls?

Why do guys think farting is so funny, I mean all ages of guys too.

Why is it when kids are little like 3 or 4, they will tell you anything you want to know and then some but as they get older, it's hard to get them to say anything.

OK, anyone who can figure any of that out, just let me know.

Some of My Favorites

John 14:13
"And if you ask for anything in my name, I will do it for you so that my Father's Glory will be shown through the Son."

What it means to me:
I am able to ask God for anything, no matter how trivial it may seem.

Philippians 2:14
"Do everything without complaining or arguing."

What it means to me:
Quit complaining and just do it.

Ephesians 1:7,8
"In Christ we are set free by the blood of his death, and so we have forgiveness of sins. How rich is God's grace, which he has given to us so fully and freely."

What it means to me:
By his shed blood, I am forgiven. Grace is amazing!

2 Corinthians 9:7-8
" God loves the person who gives happily. And God can give you more blessings than you need."

What it means to me:
If I am obedient, I will be blessed. That too is grace.

I suppose you can tell that I like Paul. It started with a bible study and grew from there. I was and still am amazed at Paul's life. He began as a persecutor of Christians and grew into one of the most courageous and persecuted believers himself. Fascinating really. Just something to think about

Commitments

I have mentioned before that I am going to a bible study on The purpose Driven Life. This week we were discussing how we grow in relationships. Regardless of what the relationship is, it will either grow or diminish. And saying that, we talked about how all of these involve commitment. One thing the book said that really stuck out in my mind is this. "Your commitments can develop you or they can destroy you, but either way, they will define you." How true is that?
Anything we do involves commitment, our jobs, our families, everything. Friendships, marriage, and most importantly our relationship with Christ. If we want any relationship to work, we have to be committed to making it work, with time, and love, and even patience. We are an instant society, we want it now, and we want it our way. We need to slow down and rethink things, it is NOT about us. We are here to bring glory to God. And please keep in mind, my life is SOOOO not perfect, nor am I. If you have read any of these posts you can certainly see that. But, everyday is an opportunity to make a conscience choice to do the right thing. That sounds like a Spike Lee thing, huh? Any way, I just wanted to challenge you to make a choice that might not seem like the easy choice, or even the best choice, but maybe it is the right choice.
Just something to think about.

Trust

Let's talk about trust. What does it take for someone to earn your trust? What does it take for them to lose it? Recently, I was involved in a group discussion about trust and opening up to people. Sharing, so to speak. You know, you are really putting yourself out there when you tell someone what you consider is a "secret". Maybe it's a girlfriend, or even a co-worker, but whoever it is, you trusted them with a part of you that you may or may not want the world to know.
Sometimes it is hard to know who you can trust. You have people that you know you can trust, and then there are people that unfortunately you aren't so sure about. When you are pouring your heart out and basically wanting encouragement, or validation, or whatever. The last thing you need is to feel betrayed. Hopefully, you have someone that you can trust and tell your problems, or secrets, or whatever to, because we all need to feel a sense of belonging, or maybe better, unconditional acceptance. Unfortunately, in today's world, things aren't perfect. Not even close, that's why it's so important to have trustworthy people in your lives. When you really think about, all we have is each other.
There are people in my life that I love and can't trust. What do you do then? I guess you just keep loving them. There are more people in my life that I can trust. I guess that means there is more good than bad. I like the sound of that! So I guess the moral of the story is "Stay Positive."
If there is a moral. Sharing, is risky, but so is anything that is worth having.
Just something to think about.