Why do you think I don't serve God?

I guess I just don't understand.

I don't judge your walk with God. I accept your word that you serve Him and walk with Him daily. Why do Christians feel the need to judge other Christians?

I know we are not to judge the world as they are in the darkness so why would we expect them to walk as if they are in the light. But what have I done or said to imply that I am in the darkness? I am not good at confrontation. That is the personality God knit into me when He formed me. I can be bold when I need to be bold for Christ. He does not seem to give me boldness just for my own self protection but when His Word needs to be spoken. I love the Lord my God with all of my heart, mind and soul. It wounds me when Christians truly believe I don't.

I realize that we are to lovingly confront a brother or sister in Christ when they stumble into the dark. Lovingly is a key part of this concept. Why would my brother or sister want to come back into the light if there is punishment and condemnation in return for repentance?

The Lord Jesus Christ said that in this world we will have trouble. Sometimes it is not sin on my part that trouble has come...

I accept the consequences when I have sinned. I also accept the grace afforded me. Jesus did not pay the price lightly and I do not accept it lightly but with sincere gratitude. I am also humbled by the fact that He paid this price even if just for me alone.

I am not a perfect person. I have never claimed to be perfect. I have never thought to be perfect. I have past pain and wounds just like you. I strive to be like My Lord Jesus Christ. He says to forgive those who hurt you. Why would anyone think that either A - I am blinded and need to see the light because I have forgiven others or B- I am in denial of being hurt?

God has given me peace in this time of trial and no man can take away what God has given. My God is big enough to take care of me and I certainly have learned in my life that I should not stand in the way or take over. I love the Word and desire to immerse myself all the time. (by the way just because I can't quote the book and verse does not mean I do not know the Word, I have finally accepted that this is just another way God made me when I was formed.)

I have examined myself and do so often. I have not failed the test. Can you say the same? I will not be the one to examine you or judge you. Only you can examine yourself and only God will be your final judge. I will love you no matter what because God has grown this love inside of me. Please do not misunderstand this to be prideful. I could not love and forgive others without the Spirit within me. I could not do this if I allow myself to get in the way. The pain I feel when Christians judge others and want to punish others is not for myself as much as it is for others. I am confident in my faith and walk with the Lord. I am ever concerned for my fellow brothers and sisters that they do not fall away and become lost forever.

Please do not take this personally any of my dear ones. This is something that has been simmering in my thoughts for a very long time. Nothing any one of you dear loved brothers and sisters has said or done have pushed me over the edge. I just feel led to express my thoughts regarding this issue and even though I would prefer to remain private I feel an urgency to warn and encourage. We are in the last days even still and need to be alert and ready. My heart feels a heavy burden and wants to gather you all like chicks under the HUGE bosom of God for safety and protection.

What do we hold on to?

We are selling the house. Yes we love this house but we are selling it. We have lived here for 14 years and the last daughter is moving out this weekend. So we are downsizing.

Have you ever had to go through the accumulation of 14 years of STUFF?

Actually it's more like 30 years of stuff because we just moved the stuff from one place to the next. This time is different because we always moved up but now we are moving down.

Why did we keep some of this stuff? What purpose does it really have? Did I really think my children would want to dress their children in the same clothes they wore? Did I really need to save the wrapping paper from my bridal showers and baby showers?

Why is it so hard to let go of stuff?
Why am I having such a hard time with some of it?
I don't even remember some of it so I wouldn't have known if I had it or not.

Well it has to be done. So back into the thick of it I go...


Trash is the easy part...or is it? What actually constitutes trash? Some is obviously trash, now don't laugh at me but I have been scanning stuff before I actually throw it away. How ridiculous does that sound?

I have neat receipts so anything that is a receipt or document is getting digitized.
Now that doesn't sound so bad. Does it?
Except where do I draw the line? I have scanned receipts for McDonalds from 1979! Why?
I have no idea why I can't draw the line. I don't need those and now I have digitized trash.

Do we do this in our spiritual lives?

I like to think that I can deal with the trash in my life. But do I really?

How many times do I watch trash on TV when I really should just turn it off?
Do I really believe I can handle it and sort out the bad and keep the good?
Isn't that just justifying my carnal nature because I want to watch it?
I can say that I don't gossip but then why watch "reality" shows filled with gossip?
I can say that I don't stir up trouble but then why watch shows that are nothing but trouble between people?
I can say that I don't dwell on evil but then why watch shows filled with murders and violence?

Wow! It's amazing the trash we allow into our lives and then actually have trouble throwing it away.

I think I will make an effort to deal with all the trash in my life. Thank you God for dealing with my trash.

Why Do We Hurt Each Other Like That?

Why?


I really want to know. Why?
Why does one part of the body hurt another part of the same body? Shouldn't we build each other up? Why are we the ones who bring the pain and condemnation to our brothers and sisters? I weep with sorrow over the pain all around me. Why?

I know that we live in a fallen, sinful world. I see persecution from the world on the body of Christ. But why does the body of Christ inflict pain on itself? Make it stop! Please make it stop! I am begging you to think before you speak. I beg of you to stop and think before you judge another. Are you without sin yourself? Do you really believe God told you to kick one of His little children when they are already falling down? Just STOP IT!

Christmas is Coming

The Geese are getting Fat.

What's that you say? The geese? We live in the city. There are no geese.

That's how I feel this Christmas. There are no geese! They certainly are not getting fat!

Bah Humbug and all that rot...

Well Christmas is coming anyways. It comes every year rain or shine. Geese or not.

The only decorating so far this year has been my desktop. My computer desktop. Oh, I do have 3 Christmas cards on top of the computer monitor. One doesn't really count as it is from our Congressman.

What do you do when you just aren't in the Christmas spirit? This has never happened to me. I am Mrs. Claus! We are the first up with our lights and the last out. Where are those lights anyway? I know...I'll blame it on the rats that keep taking up residence in our garage. Of course if the lights were put away last year they wouldn't be in the garage; they would be in the attic with the other decorations.

I am trying. I'm watching White Christmas and later I am going out to see the other houses with lights. My daughter and son-in-love are even bringing the sushi and coffee, and of course the grandchildren. Two of  my other daughters are at work.

Hmm White Christmas seems to be helping. I'll let you know how the rest of the evening goes later...

30 Days of Thankfulness

 I was challenged by a few friends on facebook to post a thanksgiving each day for the 30 days in November. I did it and am so glad I did! I thought I would share them with all of you and also archive them so I can look back and remember. Isn't that what God had the Isrealites do to remind them of His blessings? The Jewish Holidays are all in remembrance of something God did. I remember always that everything I have is from God.

 

30 days of Thankful - 
Day 1 - I am thankful I have a house to live in.
Day 2 - I am thankful for my children who are walking with the Lord even today.
Day 3 - I am thankful for the bi-polar weather we have in SoCal. High of 101 low of 57...humidity 11% yet rain by the weekend. Love variety then... this is where you want to live.    

Day 4 - I am thankful for the pot of tea my hubby makes for me almost every morning since our wedding, and he always makes sure I have supplies for tea when he is gone.

Day 5 - I am thankful my college daughter still comes home for the weekend sometimes and that she is not embarrassed to take me to the fortuna bowl at her school.

Day 6 of 30 days of Thankful - I am thankful I have the privilege of singing on worship team at KACC. This weekend I get to be an alto again. (note to the real altos, you probably should not listen too carefully because Chuck is my tenor and he lets me sing whatever I can find and he fits in) whatever I find is usually Tenor.

Day 7 - I am thankful I have freedom to worship openly in my country.

Day 8 - I am very thankful for 30 years today married to the same guy. ;)

Day 9 - I am thankful for friends who share wisdom just when I need it...
"Stuck between a rock and a hard place....the Cleft of the Rock."

Day 10 - I am thankful for the grown up relationships I have with my grown up daughters. I am so blessed to have daughters who love and care about mom and make me feel special. :)

Day 11 - I am thankful for all the veterans and current service members who put their lives on the line for us.

Day 12 - I am thankful my hubby is home for a while at least.

Day 13 - I am thankful for chili cook offs even/especially when I don't have to cook. ;0

Day 14 - I am thankful for my warm comfy bed and pillows and fluffy blankets.

Day 15 - Thankful for homemade yogurt, kefir, bread...whole foods...yummy and fun to make (and eat).

Day 16 - I am so thankful for my grandchildren. They are so sweet. I love being Mimi!

Day 17 - I am thankful for total strangers who share their garden babies with me freely. Today I got 30 Aloe plants from one generous freecycler. They are huge too!

Day 18 - I am thankful I have in-laws who love me for me.

Day 19 of Thankfulness - I am thankful God knows better what is good for me and sends me on the right path for my own good.

Day 20 - I am thankful for AAA especially when the car catches on fire...on the 91...

Day 21 - I am thankful for Holiday Starbucks Coffee!!! and Cranberry Bliss Bars...and the daughters who buy them for me!

Day 22 & Day 23 - A double blessing - I am thankful for the rain! I am thankful for the sun!

Day 24 - I am thankful for friendships.

Day 25 - Happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful we have this day set aside to be thankful.

Day 26 - I am thankful to see my brother become the man of God I always knew he could be...Love you Van.

Day 27 - I am thankful for the little pleasures in life ie funnel cake, baby feet, loved ones screaming on silly rides.

Day 28 - I am so thankful for the Grace of God. I don't deserve it but He gives it to me just the same.

Day 29 - I am thankful my parents love me and have wisdom from their years that they are willing to give out when asked.

 

Final Day of 30 Days of Thankfulness - Committing to share blessings for 30 days has been a blessing to me and lifted me out of the blahs. I am thankful for all of you in my life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                

 

 

I am Blessed

I realize that I am blessed.
I am blessed by a family who loves me.
I am blessed by a larger family of God who love me.
I am blessed with a home.
I am blessed with a car.
I am blessed with a sound mind.
I am blessed with good health.
I am blessed by God Himself.

I have done nothing to deserve these blessings.
I am not more special than anyone who is not blessed with or by these things.
I cannot expect to be blessed by all these things always.

Hmmm
This is a difficult concept. I do not deserve anything that I have received.
I cannot do anything to earn what I have been given.
I am no more special than you!

Yet I am special.
I am blessed.
You are special.
You are blessed.

Remember Grandma singing Showers of Blessings? She knew what she was singing. She was blessed. She did not have a husband for many many years. She raised her children on her own. She worked to provide. She knew hard times.
Yet...she understood that she was blessed.

I am overwhelmed

with the Lord's provision.

I know it seems small but Beatriz, who is away at CBU, broke her glasses...6 months ago. She has been repairing them over and over. They are crooked on her face. She needs them to read and even to just walk around without crashing into door frames.

I got in on www.coastalcontacts.com free giveaway on Friday. I was so excited. Then the site crashed and I called customer service. They said they would send an email with a special one time code just for me. It never came. I called again yesterday. It still didn't come. I called today. They took the order over the phone but I needed to pay with paypal because that is the only money I have today (shipping and special coatings). They had me go to the site and order and then email my order number back to the exact customer service rep I spoke to and she will adjust it today.

Her glasses will arrive by Nov. 23 and I only had to pay about $14!
The cool part is that even without the promotion they would have been less than $100.
I am so excited for her. She so deserves new glasses. She hasn't complained even once.