Dinner

Having 20 children, ranging in age from 3 to 14, and 5 adults, ranging in age from I don't tell to I don't care, at your house for dinner can be a real test of faith. I had a ball. Getting ready for the upcoming event was not as chaotic as I thought it would be. Making the choice to have hamburgers and hot dogs and setting up tables in the backyard was nothing but a stroke of genius. I thank my husband for cooking all those burgers and hot dogs and doing it without groaning or simply yelling at our welcomed guests. I was absolutely amazed at the chaperones and their relaxed manner. It reassured me that I made the right decision to have them for dinner (I was the main course in a progressive dinner) and not escort them to dinner. I seem to be too demanding when I am "in charge" of a group of youngsters. I believe I was referred to as Hitler by someone I know who loves me. Don't get me wrong, I truly love kids. Last week when I had the nursery at church, it was said to me "Christie you really enjoy those kids don't you?". And I really do. I seriously could eat them up. I enjoyed watching them eat and run and play. They were all wonderful. I look forward to our next gathering.

Where there's smoke, there's fire!

What are you all looking at?

I want this one next!

I'm so pretty, oh so pretty....

What?

Weekly Bible Verse

"Beloved, pray for us." (1 Thessalonians 5:25)

The request "pray for us" is one that proclaims the faith in and power of prayer. If I ever wonder what I can do to help others or situations, I know I can always pray.

I become still and focus on the holy presence of God that is within each person and every circumstance. My prayer is sincere, open, and affirmative. I respect and honor those I am praying for and know that God's resources are limitless.

My faith is strong, and I pray in faith--knowing that God is the answer to every prayer.

To Blog or Not to Blog

Now that is the question! At first I thought writing down my thoughts so the world could see, okay not the world just the chosen few I have shared my blogsite with, would be refreshing and fun. I have enjoyed the few times I have done this, but am discouraged by the lack of comments I receive from my "world" out there. There is a comment section, did you know that? By leaving comments, good or bad, okay just good, let's me know someone is reading. I thank the one person that did ask me where had I been when I was MIA for several weeks. That encouraged me to write two more. I know it is selfish of me and egotistical and just plain wrong to want the acceptance of others, but I CAN'T DO WITHOUT IT! So if I have appealed to your sensitive side and you care about me, please leave a comment. It is right there below this line, see it. CLICK ON IT!

Daily Bible Verse

"Then he said to them, 'Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's." (Matthew 22:21)

A coin held tightly in my closed hand won't buy me anything. It's only when I release the coin that I can invest it or spend it.

Sometimes I may hold a challenging situation in mind as if I were clutching it in my closed hand, refusing to release it. I realize that by not letting it go, I'm not giving it a chance to be anything other than a challenge.

In prayer, however, I release the situation into God's care. I let go of any attachment to outcome or eventuality, and I invest my trust in God.

As I let go and let God be active in my life, I open my heart to the potential blessings of every circumstance. As my prayer life builds, I become proficient at releasing to God the things better left to God, which in turn lets me focus on what is mine to do.

www.unityonline.org

Daily Bible Verse

Matthew 6:8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Open House or Open Mouth

Yesterday I attended my niece's guitar class, chili supper, book fair and open house at school. Oh and I worked (ok, not all day, but a good portion of it). It dawned on me why I don't have kids. God in his infamous wisdom realized I don't have the energy. I was "plumb wore out". It did not help that as I was about to meet her PE teacher, the last teacher of the night, rudeness showed its ugly head. We, Katie, her Mom and myself, had made the long journey around the school, twice, and stood behind a very talkative couple to meet the amazing PE teacher. This couple went on and on and on, then as we thought they had wrapped it up, they went on and on some more. Not to the rude part yet! As they began to wrap it up, another child entered into the invisible barrier and encroached upon our space. She began talking before the other couple even left, this approach seemed to work, because her mother joined her immediately. We, being the polite people we are, stood in awe. I, of course, have my hand on my hip and am wondering do people have manners anymore. Just as my thoughts were forming, this lady, and I use the term lightly, came barreling past me, running into my extended elbow and begins talking to the PE teacher as if we are not even there. Evidently the PE teacher had recently married (over the summer) and noone could believe it and this particular women had to have all the details. Now this woman was at least in her early 60's and should know better. We again stood listening to their conversation, which I surely thought would only last a couple of minutes, until we had enough. I turned and began to leave and the others followed. Katie wanted to know didn't I want to meet the PE teacher, I said of course I would love to, because she seems to be very popular and has a very interesting life, so much so that everyone wants to talk to her. Did these people forget this is an open house. Meet the teacher, talk about the class activities, get out of the way for the poor teacher to repeat the same thing over and over again. I am sure that most people that were in my path as I was exiting the building, saw my red face and determined walk, because noone seemed to encroach on my space again. I don't like being rude and am always appalled at those who are. I did, however, keep my mouth shut and was thankful that Terry had stayed in the first classroom waiting for us. He would not have been so polite!

Daily Bible Verse

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Revelation 21:4)

Daily Bible Verse

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Daily Bible Verse

"And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8)

Friends

I don’t understand why people don’t take the time to see when they have hurt someone. Especially someone they have cared about for a long time. I recently comforted a friend that has been and continues to be hurt by people who are supposed to love her. Are we so caught up in our lives that we are ignoring those around us that have helped us to become the people we are? Are we so oblivious that we can not even see that they are hurting? Well I say stop it! Shame on you! Shame on me! I am thankful for all the friends I have, those in the past, present and future. I know that relationships change over the years. Some grow apart, some get stronger, but every one of those friends have contributed to your life to make you who you are. Even the friends I do not see or talk to very often are still dear to me and have helped to shape me over the years. I do not ever want to miss that I have hurt them in any way. I ask that we take the time to ponder over all the friends we have had in our life, thank God that they have come across our path, and if in remembering we find that one may be hurting, remember to BE a friend!


Friends
A friend is someone we turn to when our spirits need a lift,
A friends is someone we treasure for our friendship is a gift.
A friend is someone who fills our lives with beauty, joy, and grace
And makes the whole world we live in a better and happier place.
-Jean Kyler McManus


"A friend loves at all times..." Proverbs 17:17

Daily Bible Verse

"Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7)

The love of God inspires me to give in a spirit of generosity. In the same way, my loving thoughts and actions reach out to those who live on the other side of town, another part of the country, or another part of the world. God's love has been so freely given to me, and, in return, my gratitude infuses me with a spirit of generosity toward all.
God's love is reflected in the abundance of life's blessings. I honor this love by sharing God's unlimited good, giving to others freely and generously.

Time....

Where have I been? Now that it is the question. Have you ever just got in a funk that wouldn’t let you go? Well that wasn’t it! Have you ever felt like there is nothing left to say? Well that wasn’t it! Have you ever just had too much on your plate and the luxury of finding an hour to yourself seemed impossible? THAT WAS IT! I know there are those out there saying…. “Oh you should make time for yourself”…. Okay, sure that is what I’ll do.

I did take off time last weekend to visit my sister. It was a short trip, but at least I got to go. I did the same this weekend to visit my brother, short trip, but I did get to go. I enjoyed myself at both households. It did occur to me this weekend as I was sitting on his patio overlooking the lake with all the kids jetskiing, boating and swimming, when did I get old? I am not taking enough time to just have fun. I mean the kind that makes you feel 12. Laughing, giggling, and screaming with excitement. The kids were all doing just that and I was sitting back watching. I did decide that I don’t want to be a spectator anymore I want to be a participant. There are a few things I will need to do to reach that goal, but I am on my way. So next time I visit the lake, you won’t be seeing everyone else through the lens of my camera, you will be seeing me through the lens of someone sitting on the sidelines!

New this year for Christmas!

Okay, I’m not all about the liberal stands on individual rights. I have my opinions, which most of the time I keep to myself. I know the reasons I vote the way I do, I know the reasons I worship the way I do and I try not to “force” these opinions on anyone that doesn’t want to listen. But on a visit to an elderly ladys' newly acquired retirement apartment, I noticed a strange sight…….

I immediately conferred with a friend that was there, just to make sure I was seeing what I thought I was seeing. Yes, it was and is a gay nutcracker. I know we are supposed to be polite and not mention such weird occurrences, just roll with the punches, but this one tops them all. As you may notice it is adorned with the red hat ladies attire. This I’m sure is how it made it into this nice ladys' living room. Even with all the marketing going on with the red hat ladies, this takes the cake. If a nutcracker is gay and I’m sure they’re out there, I’m sure they would need to keep the pants and the very tall hats, otherwise how would they crack the nut! I’ve tried to do several things in a dress, short of the boa, and have a very difficult time accomplishing the task. My point is that just because the nutcracker is gay, does this mean you must dress it up like a girl. There is one point I didn’t consider, what if the nutcracker is a transvestite? No, there would be much more makeup.

Smile!

I have decided that from this day forward, I am going to look for something that makes me smile or laugh and share it with someone else. I think I will ask my family to do the same, so that we can share that at dinner. It’s not that every day doesn’t bring me some sort of laughter, it’s just that I don’t always share it and then I forget it. I was telling my ex-sister-in-law something my niece did that made me burst out in laughter and as I was about to tell her, I forgot what it was. What a shame. A moment of pure enjoyment just lost due to my feeble mind. I guess I just need to take my labtop with me so I can immediately write these things down. Oh yeah, there is such a thing as a notebook and pen. Remember those days. Or I could carry around a tape recorder and talk into it all the time. Can you see that…wait a minute let me turn on my tape recorder so I can record this moment! I am fortunate that I know a friend that writes wonderful funny blogs and I always get a laugh from them. So if all else fails, I’ll just refer to her blog site. I hope today brings you great joy and cherish the laughter.

Daily Bible Verse

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26)

As a child of God, I have a world of opportunities and possibilities from which to choose. As I claim my divine heritage, I realize that I am capable of achieving my dreams and fulfilling the promise that being a creation of God offers me.
One with the power of God, I am strong. I am healthy and whole in mind and body, sure and positive in the way I think and feel.
Knowing that I am a child of God inspires me to live up to the potential that is within me. I am open to innovative ideas and ways of thinking, to untried goals and accomplishments. Willing to let the sacred into every aspect of my life, I am ready for God to work miracles in and through me.
I am a child of God.

Daily Bible Verse

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV)


Wow! Does this not tell us that everything we do we must do for the Lord! It becomes so much easier on daily chores and mundane tasks to put it in perspective. I wash dishes and think, “Lord, I do this for you”. We should realize that everything we do is a reflection on the Lord. We must never give up this work. You think that by doing something as simple as saying “Good Morning” is not doing the Lord’s work. WRONG! Everything we do and say reflects on the Lord. Have I said that enough? I fail so many times to understand this and am ashamed at how many people I may have influenced negatively because of my ignorance. Let’s try and remember that we must put the Lord first in our lives and everything else will not be in vain.

Honesty is always the best policy

A precious 5 year old little girl from my church started school this year and in order for her to get off on the right foot she decided the best thing would be to introduce herself to her teacher. Most of us have forgotten this common courtesy and I am impressed that she felt it very important. If we took the time to introduce ourselves to other individuals, how much more would our world open up? More friends, more opportunities to witness, more laughter, so much more is possible by one small sentence, “Hi , my name is Christie”. We have become a society that creates little bubbles of just close friends and family. We are afraid by opening up to other people we may be taking on their “problems”. Instead we could be embracing the experiences and wisdom that they have acquired along the way and sharing our own.

Brianna gets this and is willing to share herself to others. This was her introduction to her teacher, “Hi, my name is Brianna and I talk too much”. Just that simple and true. Can we be this honest about ourselves and more importantly are we willing to share that with others. I pray she always keeps this honesty and continues to be so outgoing.

Daily Bible Verse

"My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing."(James 1:2-4 )

How many times have I said, oh Lord why this, why now? Here is the answer. I need this trial to become complete and mature. With every trial, I have grown closer with the Lord and have come to trust Him more willingly and quickly than I ever have before. It is hard for us to ask for “lessons”, but without them we are unable to grow. Do we believe that by asking the Lord to teach us endurance that all He will provide is trials. There are lessons to be learned even in joy. Just remember that whether it be joy or trial, the Lord’s hand is on it and we will be blessed because of it. We should take joy in knowing our Lord never leaves us and is always there with us, teaching us, growing us, loving us.

Daily Bible Verse

"While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, 'Peace be with you.'" (Luke 24:36 )

I came across this explanation of inner peace and thought I would share it with you.

Regardless of where I am or what is taking place in my life right now, there is a place where I can go and be at peace.

In the silence of prayer, in the quietness of my soul, I let go of worries and fears and connect with the divine within me. Here is where I commune with God. With an unquestionable knowing, I understand that peace is mine, and I gratefully accept it.

The peace of God calms me and lets me know that the worries in my mind and heart are temporary. My divine heritage is a peace-filled, joyous existence.

In the quiet of my soul, I experience an inner peace, a peace that sees me through every experience of my life. In this quiet place, I commune with God and know true peace of mind and heart.

Back Up!

Imagine, if you will, that you have taken over 200 photos of your vacation. They were wonderful, they will invoke memories of a time gone by. Now imagine the only picture you have is the one in your mind..... they are all lost and with an nasty little message that says "All data has been lost".... WHY? It was a major mistake. I did not download my digital camera every day while on vacation. I know better. I know that having my pictures on one system is never safe. I went to the maker of the memory card and they offered me a demo of their recovery software to see if I could recover my data. Guess what? Even the recovery software said "Are you crazy for not downloading the pictures". Ok, not exactly, but it too was unable to recover my pictures. Oh did I tell you that this was not just one of my vacations, it was two of them. I should be beaten for procrastinating and not downloading after the first vacation. It should be punishable by death, that I didn't do it after the second! I had a friend tell me today that this is the reason she doesn't own a digital camera. I told her that it is no different than accidentally exposing your film or losing the film canister. It happens! I don't like it and am sick at my stomach. I watch these organizing shows that like to tell you that your memories are in your head and you don't need "stuff" or pictures to remember. Obviously they don't have a mind like mine. It gets overexposed all the time. I need the pictures, just like air. I love looking back and seeing the amazing changes over the years. My house is filled with pictures of family and friends. My computer is overloaded with way too many pictures. I love it! I like scrapbooking. I like creating slideshows of vacations and events. I like sharing my photos with family and friends. I like boring friends when they come over by showing them what I have created. I leave you with one photo that was saved. Can you believe this was it! Remember memory cards do go bad. Storing and deleting constantly will eventually "wear" them out. So back up often. I figure my card lasted through about 2000 pictures and no more!