New Look

Hey all, just wanted to let you know I got a new design from Mary over at Blogrock.  It's still the same blog but with a beautiful makeover. 

 Mary did a wonderful job, there are a few computer kinks to work out, not related to Mary, but I wanted to see how ya'll liked it so far.  My new blog button will be coming in the near future when all the tid-bits are fixed but can't wait to show it off. So go and check out Mary @Blogrock, she has done some awesome and beautiful blog designs.

Have a blessed day and may God's face shine upon you today and beyond and may He give you joy so abundantly you are forced to give some away to others.

The Call

I is for...Interests

I have a lot of interests. One of them is…Reading, I devour books, I don’t just read them. Right now I am reading 3 books plus the Bible. John Grisham’s The Appeal is so far a fantastic read, though I am only 76 pages in. Also, I am reading Susan Meissner’s A Seahorse in the Thames; an awesome read…this is my second time through. The characters in the book meet in a seemingly normal way but become involved in each others lives in a strange and captivating way.

Next is Elizabeth Gilbert’s eat, pray, love…So far so good, but again I am only 76 pages in. Hmmm…seems to be a pattern going here. The Bible is something I am reading constantly, not every day, or even every week, but continually reading throughout my life. Right now I am doing a new reading plan called The Survey Bible Reading Plan…I am on day 10, and it is an interesting way to read through the Bible I must say.

Another interest in my life is Crafts. I like to make things pretty and fun, like these flower pens here, and painted rocks here . I just like to be creative when the mood hits. My mom says she does not know where I got my craftiness from, because it certainly wasn’t from her (her words, not mine), but I think she is more creative than she gives herself credit for.


Movies are also an interest for me. My favorite movie of all time is The Wizard of Oz, followed closely by It’s a wonderful life, and any movie with Danny Kaye, Frank Sinatra in it.  Another great movie is Gone with the Wind, and The North and The South; I also love all of the old Shirley Temple movies. Some of my favorite more modern ones are, The Harry Potter Series, The Bourne Movies, and A few good men. I also like Sleepless in Seattle, as well as Hope Floats.


These are a few of my favorite things….la...di…da…da...da…di…da…da. I truly hope ya’ll enjoyed my post on the letter I. Now go on over to tossing it out and check out some more blogs!

H is for...Hero's

Hero is defined as...a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal.


Jesus Christ...Died on the cross to save a wretch like me.
Soldiers...Anyone who fought or is fighting for my freedom, is a hero to me.
My Hubby...He is a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities. (According to dictionary.com) At least that is what his heroism is to me.
My Cousin...She is a single mom, works full time and is fighting cancer, that sums up courage to me.
My Mama...She has gone through a tragedy and come out the other side better off because of it.

I really wanted to talk about these hero's because they make my life worth living well.

Jesus Christ laid down his life for me, not only that but he took a beating, was spit on, and suffered enormously so that I could partake in eternal life.


Many soldiers have fought and given their lives for the very freedom I enjoy today, some are still fighting. Thank you just does not seem enough, so I try to support them at every opportunity.


My hubby has been there for me every step of the way in our marriage, but little did he know that the "in sickness" part would come after we had 4 small children to care for. He has stuck with me through it all, he worked full time and took care of the house, cooking when he had to, and of course taking care of me.


My cousin, is an inspiration to me. She is a full time single mom, works full time, and is fighting cancer...full time. She is truly a hero in my book.

My mama went through a heart wrenching divorce after almost 30 years of marriage. She was lost and fading fast in the beginning. I was the one to go in and pick up all the shattered pieces of her life and help her begin to put it together again. Her and I never were real close when I was a teenager, but this changed everything. Suddenly we were forced almost to put our differences aside and move to a different place in the relationship, she is now one of my very best friends, and one of my hero's.


Please go by tossing it out and check out all the other wonderful bloggers in the Challenge, you won't be disappointed, I promise. You never know, you might find a hero or two yourself.

Survey Bible Reading Plan Day 10

Yesterday we read Ruth 1-4, the story of Naomi and Ruth.  Today our reading assignment is 1 Sam. 7-10, 12. 

In Ruth Chapter 1 we read about how Naomi's husband Elimelech dies leaving her with his two sons who married Orpha and Ruth. After 10 years both men died leaving both their mother Naomi, and their wives alone. Naomi tried to send them both back home, but only Orpha left. 

 Ruth refused to leave Naomi and here is where we find the famous quote..."Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me."

Then in Chapter 2 Ruth meets Boaz one of her kinsman-redeemers, and finds favor in his eyes.  The two eventually marry and conceive Obed, who was the father of Jesse, who was the father of David.  Little did they know who's lineage they were in.  Talk about your family line...wow!

Today's inspirational quote...

Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.

-Joshua J. Marine

Friday Follow

Hey all guess what time it is...that's right it's time for (drumroll please) Friday Follow with One to try, Hearts make families, and Midday Escapades.

So get on over to one of these blogs and link your blog to the wonderful McKlinKy thingy, and follow a few other bloggers today! There are a lot of interesting blogs out here in the Blog-o-sphere and there is a little something for everyone. 

There are crafting blogs, musical blogs, poetry blogs, book blogs, spiritual blogs, and on and on, there really is a plethora to choose from. So go and  have some fun, it's kind of like a box of chocolates, you never know what your going to find. 

Buzz...Buzz...Buzz...

Today I chose to do #5 in Mama Kat’s Writer’s workshop 4/8/2010. If you don’t know who Mama Kat is click here to check her out and hello, what planet do you live on? She’s awesome and very creative so go check out her site and have fun. Okay here goes…



#5.) Where does that fear come from? Write about something that frightens you that other people might find ridiculous. Write about it in a poem, a story, or whatever


I am extremely afraid of bees, birds, and even moths. I always have been, and I think it stems from a very traumatic experience I had as a child. My family lived in a huge house in Medford Oregon when I was very young, and we had a shed out back that was for tools and such. My brother was about a year and a half older than I, and liked to play tricks on me. We never went in the tool shed because hornets liked to make nests in there. One day my brother told me that mom and dad had cleaned the shed out and asked me if I wanted to go check it out with him, so I did.


Big mistake.


We got in there and were just hanging out when all of the sudden we heard a loud humming/buzzing noise, the next thing I know there is a huge cloud of black angry hornets coming after me. I screamed bloody murder and my brother wouldn't let me out of the shed.  I was screaming, he took off, we finally did get away but the damage was already done. I got into trouble for screaming but my brother did not get into trouble for tricking me. That memory has stayed with me my entire life and I have always been unreasonably terrified of flying insects and even birds.

G is for...Grateful

Grateful is what I am
For God’s sacrifice
Though undeserving I am
Jesus paid the ultimate price.


Grateful doesn’t seem like a big enough word for what I feel inside. God sacrificed His only Son so that I could have eternal life, and that is just one of my many blessings. I will use this word though for the sake of this challenge, after all it is my G day. I am so Grateful for the many blessings in my life given to me by my Father in heaven.


I am blessed to have such a wonderful husband who has been there with me through thick and thin, good times and bad times, and especially in sickness and health. Not only did my husband work a full time job, he took care of the house and kids when I was too sick to do it myself. Through the years he has cooked and cleaned and taken care of me when it was needed. He has sacrificed his time and energy on my behalf because of my illness and has not complained once. My husband is a blessing from God.


I am blessed to have such wonderful and healthy children. My Father in heaven bestowed upon my husband and I the honor of raising 4 children, and we have a responsibility to raise three of them in a godly fashion, and we plan to do just that. We are so very Grateful that they are healthy and whole.


I am blessed to have my mom as one of my very best friends; it hasn’t always been the case. We did not really get along when I was a teen, but when I got married and had children things did start to shift and change a little. Then God took a terrible day in our lives and turned it around for His glory; and I love my mom and cherish our friendship more and more each day.


I am blessed by so many people and things in my life, yet I hardly feel deserving. I always like to say God is good, All the time, and I truly do feel this way, in fact I like this saying so much I put it on a shirt of mine. So I will close with this simple statement; I am blessed and I am Grateful. Have a blessed day ya’ll.

Survey Bible Reading Plan Day 9

Yesterday we read Judges 1-4 and 13-16 and you can click here to read it if you missed it.  Today's reading assignment is Ruth 1-4 just click here to read it. 

In Judges 1-4 it talks about Israel fighting the remaining Canaanites, and the Israelites doing evil in the sight of the LORD after Joshua dies and the generations grew up without knowing the LORD.  We also read about Deborah, the birth of Samson, his marriage, his vengeance on the Philistines, and of course Samson and Delilah.

It is interesting how the Israelites continued to do evil in the sight of the LORD even after all He did for them, time and time again.  In Judges Chapter 2:14 it says...In his anger against Israel the LORD handed them over to raiders who plundered them. He sold them to their enemies all around, whom they were no longer able to resist  Also in vs. 20 it says...Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel and said, "Because this nation has violated the covenant that I laid down for their forefathers and has not listened to me...as well as in Chapter 3:8 it says...The anger of the LORD burned against Israel so that he sold them into the hands of Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram Naharaim, [k] to whom the Israelites were subject for eight years.  You would think that they would learn, but they were a stubborn people.  Kind of reminds me of...me! Slow to learn.

Next we read about the birth of Samson and how he had extraordinary strength because of how he was brought up.  It is amazing how 3,000 Philistines were able to bind him and how he was able to slay them with just a donkey's jawbone.  That is some strength.  We then read how he saw Deborah and fell in love with her, and how she betrayed him.  Surprisingly she was able to convince Samson to tell her how he got his strength, actually the Bible says it this way...vs. 16,With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was tired to death. In another translation it says his soul was annoyed to death.  You know what happened next, the Philistines were able to get him and they actually gouged out his eyes, but he got his revenge by killing more at his death than he did the whole time he was alive. That is pretty amazing isn't it. 

Today's Inspirational quote is...

If you do not hope, you will not find what is beyond your hopes.
St. Clement of Alexandra

Update

Hey all, just wanted to let you know why I have not been participating in the usual Meme's lately. 

Some of you have probably heard of the challenge issued by Arlee over at tossing it out, if not head on over there and take a look see.

Not sure if the challenge is still open but it couldn't hurt to look.  Anyhoodles, that is keeping me very busy.  Also I have started a 61 day Bible Study and that keeps me pretty busy too! So for the month of April I will be busy doing this challenge, although I will probably do the Friday Follow Meme every week.  

I didn't want any of you to think I don't care anymore, it is just that I have been busy writing posts for every letter of the Alphabet and reading for my Bible Study. Both are proving to be challenging, but in a good way.  

Another thing that has kept me busy is I am trying to log at least 7,000 steps a day right now, and then move up to 10,000 when I am feeling better. Now that I am in remission and regaining my strength I am trying to get healthy both nutritionally and physically.  Unfortunately they both take time out of my writing agenda. I have not forgotten all of you and I promise to try and stop by and read up on your posts, if you promise not to give up on me.

"Guard well your spare moments. They are like uncut diamonds. Discard them and their value will never be known. Improve them and they will become the brightest gems in a useful life."


~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Survey Bible Reading Plan Day 8

Today our reading assignment is out of the book of Judges Chapters 1-4, 13-16, you can click here to read it if you’d like.

Yesterday we read Joshua 1-6, 23-24 and you can read that here if you missed it.


Now here the LORD commands Joshua to get the people ready to cross the Jordan into the land He promised to them. That sounds like a huge undertaking for Joshua and the officers of the people. And then of course we read about Rahab and the spies she hid and how she lied to the king of Jericho to protect them. In fact this is what she says in Chapter 2:12-13…Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and that you will save us from death." When the spies returned to Joshua look at what they say…vs. 24 They said to Joshua, "The LORD has surely given the whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear because of us." Wow.


In Chapter 3 we read about the crossing of the Jordan with the Ark of the Covenant and how it went before them and caused the waters flowing downstream to be cut off and stand up in a heap. Pretty awesome sight, don’t you think! Then there is the fall of Jericho...here is what the passage says will happen; Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in.


2 Then the LORD said to Joshua, "See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. 3 March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. 4 Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams' horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. 5 When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have all the people give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the people will go up, every man straight in." You know, that is exactly what happened, remember the song lyrics, and the walls came tumbling down. I’ll bet you that was an amazing sight.


The last thing I want to talk about is Joshua’s farewell to the leaders and the Covenant renewed at Shechem. I love how in the last few verses of Chapter 23 Joshua reminds the leaders how God has never broken His promises, this is what it says; 14 "Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed. 15 But just as every good promise of the LORD your God has come true, so the LORD will bring on you all the evil he has threatened, until he has destroyed you from this good land he has given you. 16 If you violate the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, the LORD's anger will burn against you, and you will quickly perish from the good land he has given you." Before he dies, Joshua makes sure to remind them of how faithful God is, yet how fierce He can be if you disobey what He has told you to do.

 Amazing! The last section of this passage we read yesterday talks about the renewal of the Covenant at Shechem and this part is my favorite…14 "Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." Joshua renews this Covenant and records it in the Book of the law of God. And then he dies at age 110 and is buried in the Promised Land.


Today’s inspirational quote of the day is…


"I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble. The world is moved along not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker. "
~ Helen Keller

F is for Food

Food is my friend, but not always.  Sometimes my friend gets me into trouble. Friends are supposed to be helpful and nice, but food can be the exact opposite sometimes. I love food, whether it is a hamburger and fries, or tacos and burritos, or even some of mom’s homemade lasagna. It doesn’t really matter, I just love food.



For those of you who read my blog even semi-regularly, you know that I am on a weight loss journey. I am learning how to eat the proper portion sizes, and what 1500 calories actually look like, and also how food does not have to be my enemy. Earlier I said that food doesn’t always behave like my friend, this is what I meant by that. I eat for a myriad of reasons. For example, when I’m sad I eat, when I’m mad I eat, when I’m happy, sick, and sometimes even hungry I eat. I don’t know about you but in my house with 4 kids, there is a lot of food to choose from. I have no willpower, if it is here, I will eat it. That is why food is not always my friend.


BUT…


I have learned this last month or so that I can live and even feel good on 1500 calories. Amazing, isn’t it! I don’t crave the doughnuts or pizza as much as I once did. I love salad and chicken with Paul Newman’s low fat Sesame Ginger dressing, as well as fruit and milk and cheese. Food is good; you just have to know what a serving size is and how much you should eat for your body to lose weight or to stay the same. I have had pizza night as well as Easter dinner with homemade rolls and still lost 2 lbs…this system works, you just have to know how to work it! Finally I am getting the hang of this eating to live thing and I am very happy knowing I don’t have to live in bondage to food. I want my new motto to be…I Eat to live, not live to eat. Have a blessed day ya’ll, I’m off to have me a salad.

Don't forget to go over to tossing it out and have a look around at all the others in this wonderful challenge, there are a lot of very talented writers to look through on Arlee Bird's sidebar.

Ninja, by Jesse my son

Jesse my son asked me to put this on my blog...he likes to think of himself as a Ninja! Enjoy!

Ninja

The silent night
It has been flying away for an eternity
It was the sight that caught me
The tone of the crows “caw”
Set me in a state of awe

Why is it on a silent night?
You see the lone wolf staring at me
Why is it on a silent night?
You find the homeless looking in the shadows

Why is it on a silent night you hear?
The sound of young martial arts
It is because the ancient is becoming revitalized
The sound is carrying away
Can I catch it before it turns grey?

Can I?
Only time can tell
Only time can tell
The ninja can

He bursts out of shadows
Themselves writhing out of shame
Trying to not displace the dark matter
The ninja caught it
The ninja kept it

Next time you’re alone
Next time
Don’t forget the ninja or the tone

The tone is a signal
The ninja is its receiver
Together they make a circuit
If you are not a believer

Then next time you’re alone
Don’t listen to the tone
Just go home
But be warned
The ninja is scorned.

~Jesse age 13~

Is there a hole in your sidewalk?

I found this and thought to share it with you, my friends.  Enjoy!


CHAPTER ONE
I walk down a street and there's a big hole. I don't see it and fall into it. It's dark and hopeless and it takes me a long time to find my way out. It's not my fault !


CHAPTER TWO
I walk down the same street. There's a big hole and I can see it, but I still fall in. It's dark and hopeless and it takes me a long time to get out. It's still not my fault.


CHAPTER THREE
I walk down a street. There's a big hole. I can see it, but I still fall in. It's become a habit. But I keep my eyes open and get out immediately. It is my fault.


CHAPTER FOUR
I walk down a street. There's a big hole. And I walk around it.


CHAPTER FIVE
I walk down a different street.

-- Portia Nelson

Survey Bible Reading Plan Day 7

Today’s reading assignment is Joshua 1-6 and 23-24 you can click here to read it. Now yesterday we read Deuteronomy 5-8, 28-31, and 34 and you can click here to read it if you missed it.



This was an interesting read, we got to read about The Ten Commandments, the driving out of the nations, Not to forget the LORD your God, Blessings for obedience, Curses for disobedience, Renewal of the covenant, Prosperity after turning to the LORD, and on and on until we get to the death of Moses.


I have to say I did enjoy reading about The Ten Commandments. It is always nice to refresh your memory once in awhile, isn’t it! I like how in chapter 6 Moses reiterated that they were to love the LORD their God and to fear Him so that they would live long. 4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. I just love this passage; it leaves no room for confusion.


The next part is about driving out the nations. Here is what the passage says; The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath he swore to your forefathers that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.


I want to go directly to this last part about Moses dying. Here is what it says in the last verse; Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, 11 who did all those miraculous signs and wonders the LORD sent him to do in Egypt—to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. 12 For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel. Wow, to have that said about him, must have been wonderful for Moses. He saw the LORD face to face and lived to tell about it! Notice how it says; yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone. Moses was still relatively healthy; it was just his time to go be with God. How awesome is that! I hope you are enjoying our journey through the highlights of the books of the Bible, I certainly am.


Today’s inspirational quote is...


"If you judge people, you have not time to love them."
- Mother Teresa

Let me just say this is a lot to read every day so if you are wanting to take it a bit slower that is okay with me, I decided last week to only do this Monday-Friday, giving us the weekend to either get caught up or just take a break.  I will still be posting everyday but don't feel you have to do this on a time schedule, do it in your own time, the important thing is to take it all in and if it takes you 122 days to do it, that is okay.  Blessings to you all on this fine day, don't forget to leave me a comment or two as I love to hear what you all have to say.

E is for Eternity

Eternity is how long I’ll live
Even death cannot keep me
Eternity is God’s to give
In Heaven is where I’ll be


Eternity is defined theologically as, the timeless state into which the soul passes at a person's death. I don’t know about you but I am so excited to be counted with the saints who will live for eternity. A saint is classified in the Christian community as one who has been saved, or one who has accepted Christ as their Savior for those of you who have not heard the term saved.


I am so delighted, and even hysterical about living for eternity. People talk all the time about how they want to live forever, and I say, you can! Accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and your name can and will be written down in the Lambs Book of Life, and you will be counted among those who will live forever. You don’t have to clean up your life or get your finances in order, Jesus takes you as you are, because there is nothing you can do to deserve this gift, and there is no price you could offer to buy it either. It is the free gift of Salvation and requires only that you confess you are a sinner, acknowledge that Jesus Christ is God’s only son, came to this earth, died on the cross, and rose three days later. That is it! Confess, and believe then ask Jesus to be your Savior.


Oh how easy it is, yet the blessings that come with this eternal life are abundant indeed. I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you that with this gift of eternal life there are responsibilities that go along. For example, the gospels tell us of the great commission, go into all the world and preach the gospel (good news) even to the ends of the earth. If you find something wonderful and eternal and free, don’t you want to share it with your loved ones? I do, and that is why I chose this word for my E day. I don’t know all of you but I choose to love others as Christ loves me and I want everyone to know about this wonderful eternity I get to participate in.


Although there are some who don’t want to live for eternity, because they are afraid it would get boring, I have to say I don’t believe for one second it will be boring. Our minds will be able to learn continually, we will be made perfect, imagine all there will be to learn when this earth we live on becomes the new heaven? The possibilities are going to be endless, our minds will no longer be finite, and they will be able to learn infinitely for eternity! I so hope you enjoyed this post, May God’s face shine upon you all today and beyond, and may he give you joy so abundantly that you are forced to give some away to others.

Trees That Wood

Once there were three trees in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, "Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty."



Then the second tree said, "Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull."


Finally the third tree said, "I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me."


After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, "This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter" ... and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.


At the second tree a woodsman said, "This looks like a strong tree, I should be able to sell it to the shipyard." The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.


When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. One of the woodsmen said, "I don't need anything special from my tree so I'll take this one", and he cut it down.


When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for. The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end. The third tree was cut into large pieces and left alone in the dark. The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.


Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.

Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and he stood and said "Peace" and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.


Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.


The moral of this story is that when things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him, He will give you great gifts. Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined. We don't always know what God's plans are for us. We just know that His ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best.

Author Unknown, Source Unknown

Monday Minute

It's time once again for Monday Minute with Ian over at the daily dose of reality.

What's wrong with fake breasts? Nothing at all!



List your latest run-in with the Carnival of Idiocy. Haven't had one yet!


Name one thing you'd like to tell your ten year ago self. Learn how to eat the proper portion sizes.  Also, raising kids will get harder before it gets easier.


What's your favorite word that's not in the dictionary?  Shmoly.


Why do fools fall in love? Fools are just like the rest of us humans, in that everyone needs love.

Survey Bible Reading Plan Day 6

Friday we read Numbers 3-4, 6, 11-14. Here we read about the Levites, the Kohathites, the Gershonites, the Merarites, the numbering of the Levite clans, etc. Also Fire and Quail from the LORD, Miriam and Aaron oppose Moses, the exploring of Canaan and the report, and finally the people rebelling.  Today's reading is Here if you'd like to read that.



The first part of this passage is about the different Levite clans and then the numbering of said clans. Wow there sure were a lot of them, is about all I can think to say about this part of the scripture. Next we see the vow of separation as a Nazirite and the requirements to do this. I love the priestly blessing that comes next, where the LORD tells Aaron and his sons how they are to bless the Israelites. If any of you read my blog even somewhat regularly you will know that part of this blessing is very dear to me, and I use it often when commenting or closing a post.


The fire and quail from the LORD is awesome and frightening to say the least. You would think the people of that time would not want to arouse the anger of the LORD, but apparently they were a stubborn people. The fire of the LORD burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. Wow! I am pretty sure if I saw that, I would tow the mark, real quick. Also notice how they were not happy with the food they were getting day after day, so the LORD gave them manna every day for every meal. I am sure after that they learned, right? No, they were a very stubborn people indeed.


You know, when I read of Moses complaining to the LORD about how heavy his burden was, I am thinking to myself, what are you thinking Moses? Hello, do you not remember the fire of the LORD earlier in this very passage and also the burning and consuming of Aarons two sons earlier in Leviticus? Why would someone complain to the LORD back then especially? I certainly would not, would I?


Miriam and Aaron oppose Moses next and look at what happens to Miriam. She became leprous and was put outside the camp for seven days until she was healed. Now we see the passage about the exploring of Canaan and the report back, and finally the people rebelling. Once again they are complaining to Moses and Aaron that they should have been allowed to die in Egypt…blah, blah, blah. Why are these people never satisfied? It boggles ones mind, doesn’t it! You would think after all they were rescued from they would be thankful, but no, they are the opposite. It unfortunately reminds me of…well, me to be honest. I am blessed beyond measure and yet I find ways to complain. Like not having the money to pay all my bills on time all the time, or not being able to go shopping for food, and even not being able to buy clothes, shoes, purses, makeup…etc, whenever I want to. Bleeding hearts of the world unite! How much stuff does one person really need? Apparently just a little more.


Today's inspirational quote is..

Don't wait. The time will never be just right.

- Napoleon Hill





Thanks so much for reading and hope you leave me a comment or two letting me know what you gleaned from this passage. May God bless you and may His face shine upon you today and beyond!

D is for Dum, da, dum, dum, dummmmmm…Drama

What is it about teens and drama? I have 3 teens and there is always some drama with at least one of them. And…They…Are…Boys. Yes, you heard me right, boys, all of them. I only have one daughter, she is 9, and her drama has already started, but that is another story for another time.


Drama is defined as…any situation or series of events having vivid, emotional, conflicting, or striking interest or results, as well as the quality of being dramatic. Well yes that about sums it up doesn’t it!


My boys can be involved in any number of dramas at any given time. For instance, one of my boys is friends with mostly girls…shocker huh, and he will come home and share the drama of the day from school. So and so said this, and then so and so did this, mom it was so frustrating, I just wanted to do this….etc, etc, etc. This one likes to think he is a ninja and will often say things like this. If I was so and so, I would jump up and do a blah, blah, blah type move on them that would totally take them out!


Then we have another type of drama, it is usually centered around L, who happens to be a girl and a member of our family. My oldest son is best friends to his 1st cousin L, they were born 6 weeks apart, and are like 2 peas in a pod, and L will call and tell my son all about some guy she likes this week. This will inevitably lead to a barrage of questions, like, who is he, where does he go to school, is he involved in church…etc. Then about a week later another phone call ensues to tell my son that this boy did something to make L mad and now L doesn’t like him anymore. Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah!


The other type of drama we have around here is Laundry, Dishes, and Dog duty, this is usually because the boys have not done their jobs well. Yes my boys do the dishes, laundry and dog duty; it has been a requirement since mom got sick 9 years ago. I do help out with other chores, especially now that I am in remission and getting my energy back.


This type of drama is extremely frustrating to me as a mother. Here are some of the things they will say to me. Dish son will say, Mom do I have to do the dishes right after dinner? My thoughts on this are, yes or it will be harder to get them clean. Then we have this statement…No, I did not do any laundry this last week. Essentially laundry son is telling me that we don’t have any clean clothes to wear for the week. And then there is this one from dog duty son…Do I have to take care of the dogs, I’m so tired, make someone else do it. This one will usually bring out the “You wanted to get the dogs, they come with responsibilities” speech.


When any of them say these lovely tid-bits it is usually followed by “Do it, or deal with Dad.” Needless to say the dishes, laundry and dog duty get done when I pull out the Dad card. When my daughter gets a little bit older, as in 3 yrs, I will have a whole new drama to deal with…eek, I’m not sure I can do it…I’m so scared...I see dead people. Mmmmkay, I’m done ranting, blessings to ya’ll on this fine April day.