When was the last time you sat in a pile of leaves?
Laughed out loud?
Or thanked God?
How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 36:7
Precious Kaden
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Tag Archives: Christianity
Steve gets Froggy
Lately, Steve’s diet has taken a turn for the worse. Various kinds of food are falling off the list fast and for many different reasons. Take shrimp for instance. He loves shrimp, so I bought a bag of frozen delights and added it to his salad. He ate a quick dozen and then complained of a sore throat, so like any old couple,we went to bed.
Now I’m a great sleeper, but that night I kept waking up to a gurgling, non-normal breathing sound. And like a real trooper, I went back to sleep. After all, he was still breathing, right. By the next morning his face and throat had swelled to the size of a watermelon, and in a heavy mumbling voice, he said, “I almost had you take me to the emergency room last night, but I didn’t want any more medical bills.”
I couldn’t help myself, I started singing, “Jeremiah was a bull frog, was a good friend of mine.” My sympathy and compassion knows no bounds. Every once in a while Steve gets froggy and threatens to eat more shrimp to get even with me. I always say, “I recommend a small portion. I might not wake up the next time.”
This story is to remind you that nobody is perfect. Even a caregiver. Many families live with discontent, often blaming others. However finding fault in people, merely points toward your own sin — being judgmental. We’re all sinners and only Jesus Christ can save you and mold you into that awesome individual you need to be. So go ahead be exuberantly joyful even in the face of judgement.
When one rules justly over men, ruling in the fear of God, he dawns on them like the morning light, like the sun shining forth on a cloudless morning, like rain that makes grass to sprout from the earth. 2 Sam 23: 3 & 4
Cattle Egrets
I was praying this morning and thanking God for the photo ops He has so generously blessed me with. A few minutes later I discover 6 strange birds standing almost in my front door. I had no idea what these birds were, but Steve suggested Egrets or Cranes, so I hunted until I found a match. Cattle Egrets.
Like a swallow or a crane I chirp; I moan like a dove. My eyes are weary with looking upward. O Lord, I am oppressed; be my pledge of safety! Is. 38:14
Dear faithful friends, please pray for our area. The weather is stacking up to be severe for the next two days and they are predicting fatalities. Thank you, Pray Warriors!
Glory Halleluiah! I got a bird!
As many of you know, I’ve been trying to capture a bird pic for quite some time. I’d like to say, I waited patiently, in dark clothing, for hours around the airport puddle. But, I cannot. I drove by a pond today and there stood a flock of geese.
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek , and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Mt. 7:7
I’d lay to say, the geese cooperated and did a winged dance in front of the camera, but I cannot. Instead, they flew away!
Like birds hovering, so the Lord of hosts will protect Jerusalem; he will protect and deliver it; he will spare and rescue it. Is 31:5
I’d like to say, I was thankful for the bird shot, but it was the reprieve from my busy schedule that I Praised God for.
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! Ps 8:8
REJOICE!
Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Mt 6:26
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Mt 6:31,32,33
Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord Rejoice! 1Chr 16:10
This post is in honor of Reverend Troy Golden who was an inspiration to our community!
The Old Route 66 Bridge
I cross this old, majestic bridge on my way to church every week. It’s the most direct route and without it I would have to travel many miles to get there. This brings me to the question, Why do I go to a church so far outside of town?
It all started years ago when Steve had pneumonia and needed oxygen. A kind man delivered the necessary equipment and invited us to his church. Steve knew and respected Darrell greatly and said, “Yes.”
At the time, I was looking for a church to attend. And from the first day I set foot into the New Life Sanctuary, I felt at home. God hooked me with their music!
Recently, Darrell’s wife passed away. This dear sweat lady had been the bookkeeper for the church for many long years. Soon after, the pastor took me aside and said, “I need a secretary treasurer, and God has laid you on my heart.” Then went on to apologize because, due to illness, the books needed special attention. The pastor felt like she was dumping a load on me, but Little did she know, it was right up my alley.
It didn’t take me long to jump face first into books and get to work. I admit, I did feel a little like an awkward elephant in a china case crunching around the office until the Lord said, “Claim it.” I did and things got much better.
Even then, I occasionally want to throw the books on the ground and stomp some sense into them, but before I can even have a tizzy, the Lord says, “Move along.” Of course, He’s right. I couldn’t possibly fix a missing trail, so why hang myself on the inconsequential things.
It’s amazing how God intervenes and sets you on a path or, in my case, crossing an ancient bridge for His purpose. Not to mention, it’s a glorious link to a church full of wonderful people who have taught me the beauty of Jesus Christ.
Catch the Train
Are you standing on the platform watching the train to Heaven race past you? Here is your boarding pass: Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Yes, it’s that easy.
Now, once on board, it’s important that you stay in the railroad car, while seeking a personal relationship with God. I can assure you the rewards will far outweigh any hindrances you might feel. Now the requirements for a successful ride will vary greatly on which of the three compartments you choose.
The Coasters: These are the people that are lounging in, on, or around the caboose. Some are downright dangling from the windows and others are grasping tightly to the end of the train flapping in the wind. The coasters do not want to do anything outside of the basic requirements. In the end, they just want to coast through the Heavenly gates.
The Carriers: These are the good people, riding in the middle compartments, who are willing to roll up their sleeves: pray to God, go to church, tend functions, comfort the sick, and help the needy. The carriers don’t want to get muddled up with the gifts of God or stand around the spiritual fire for fear of getting hot. They want a safe, well traveled train ride to Heaven.
The Steam Seekers: These are the people who hunger to be in the engine room where the spiritual temps are way up. Occasionally, they’re called the “The Jesus Freaks” because they no longer fit into the world as we know it. The steam seekers want the Fire, the Holy Ghost, the Power, the Gifts, and the final Crown. When the seekers reach the gates of Heaven, they want to hear God say, “Well done, my child.”
And Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6
“Unbelievable”
With publisher’s rejections also comes, “Your characters are too unbelievable.”
I’m sure in the face of current fiction that’s true. My Christian characters are nothing like today’s themes where super-duper beetle-bug, adorned in red laced tights and bright orange wings, saves the world from people like Auntie May; the little old lady who stuffs conservative tracts in her girdle.
Or the vampire that falls in love with Countess Hostility because her scathing tongue scolds him for drinking too many bloody margaritas. Or the Lollipop Troll, who dangles his gold wares before Princess Empty-Head; she in turn licks his sticky pink claws for a bit of a reefer.
And romance! Do you clutch novels to your bosom, pant heavily, and faint? Do you believe your soul mate is two doors down waiting for you to deliver wine and pizza? If so, romance really stands for: Roll Over My Apex, Neighbor, Combat Emesis.
In reality, romance appears to be one drink shy of passing out. I once heard a man say, “Hey, my tents down on the end, if you want to take a tumble,” while holding a baby in his arms.
If the bible portrayed Jesus as wearing purple leather, gold chains, and wild hair, who spoke in a honey-laced voice saying, “Come unto my tent, baby. I will give you S A L V A T I O N if you will but follow me!” would he somehow be more believable in today’s world.
For those of you who need clarity, LIFE is unbelievable – fiction is NUTS! And Jesus Christ is REAL!
Jesus said unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet believed. John 20:29
The Crapper
“I fell and hurt my back,” Steve groaned, “and I broke the toilet.”
I tugged on my ear, “What?” and leaned closer to him. “What did you say?” I knew I hadn’t heard him correctly.
He moaned. “My foot slipped, and there’s water everywhere.” He was serious.
I took off running at the midnight hour intent on damage control. Maybe I should have been more concerned for his back, but with disbelief in the picture, it didn’t occur to me. Once I reached the bathroom, I sloshed through toilet water, barefoot, to stare at the mishap. Not only did I thank God for the tile flooring, but for the clean water I was wading through.
How the bottom of the tank broke smooth off the toilet is beyond me. I’m not even sure how a tumble could cause such a break. I could only envision Steve, the pilot, tail spinning into the crapper and somehow surviving the crash.
Many of us are broken in odd ways. While some wounds are obvious, others are hidden deep in the bottom of our “tanks” and it takes a freak accident to expose it. The only thing I know to do when that moment occurs is to call on Jesus!
He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3
(In the picture above, the bottom of the tank is laying on top!)
