DO SOMETHING!

In developing confidence, realize you have God-given abilities that are begging to be challenged. It's called "DO SOMETHING!" In order to do this, you're going to have to leave the comfort zone and try something new. I am now playing a few hymns on the keyboard, but believe me I was definitely stuck in my comfort zone. I really amazed myself; the first Sunday I played for the offertory, some people came up to me and thought it was taped music. No, it was "live" from the shakey fingers of me! But, I did something! People who never leave their comfort zones don't grow in their confidence! I developed confidence by gritting my teeth and saying, "If I am fearfully made and if I have all of this divine potential within me, I'm going to try something new (DO SOMETHING!) and see what happens!"
Our church has Q&A usually every other Sunday; it's where we eat delicious hot dogs (usually Virginia style) and sit around a huge table and ask questions to our Pastor regarding the teaching and message given. The answer given by him definitely develops great levels of comptency. I believe it challenges all of us to take a confident stop forward and be willing to take risks for the sake of growth. I'm very thankful for the fact that one of our ladies left her comfort zone and arrives early to DO SOMETHING - the set up! It sure takes a load off as I am busy DOING SOMETHING to get ready for a great Service.

Fasting

Hey - everything's cool :) The storm knocked out the power lines in our area and the electric just now came on! Since I've been asked to place some Bible locations for "Fasting" that's what I'll list. II Samuel 12:1-25; Esther 4:16-17; Isaiah 58:3-4 and Matthew 9:15. These are the Chapter and verses that work for me. I'm sure there are more. Happy Friday!

Enjoying Life

The truth is, the more I blog, the more I enjoy life! I cannot be thankful enough! I have never enjoyed life more. Blogging has given me a new perspective on life. I remember all my essays in High School and College; Creative Writing and I love to write. In writing I've asked God to "silence my critics" and He has done just that. I've learned that when I argue for my own limitations, very seldom do I disappoint myself. It causes me to realize everything has God's fingerprints on it and that alone makes it special. The fact that we can't see the beauty in something doesn't suggest that it's not there. My admonishment to you today is just ENJOY LIFE and the great things God has given you!

Blame Game

Blaming others takes an enormous amount of mental energy. It's a drainy, mind set that creates stress. Blaming makes you feel powerless over your own life because your happiness is contingent on the actions and behavior of others, which you cannot control. What follows after the "Blame Game" is the "Lie Game." What a miserable way to live!
Life is a great deal more fun and much happier to manage when you stop blaming others. Level with being honest and admit how wrong you are! The other choice is to live a phony life and I'm quite sure you don't want that!

Soap Operas

Back to my Mamma.....she and my older sister were addicted to Soap Operas. I have automatic eyelids that fall asleep when I even try to watch between commercials. It's definitely a conviction instead of addiction!! Anyway, if you've ever watched just a tiny bit of a Soap Opera, you've seen how the3 characters will take little things so seriously as to ruin their lives over them - someone says something to offend them, looks at them wrong, or flirts with their spouse. Their response is usually, "Oh my gosh. How could this happen to me?" Then they exacerbate the problem by talking to others about "how awful it is." They turn life into an emergency - a melodrama. The next time you feel stressed out, experiment with this strategy - remind yourself that life isn't an emergency and turn your melodrama into a mellow-drama.

When I get too worked up or start taking myself too seriously (which happens more than I like to admit), I say to myself something like, "Here I go again. My soap opera is starting." Almost always, this takes the edge off my seriousness and helps me laugh at myself. This enables me to change the channel to a more peaceful station. Then and only then does it transform my melodrama to a "mellow-drama." Have a great Tuesday!

Being Thankful Brings Peace & Contentment

Oh, dear Lord, we have gotten away from being "Thankful." This simple strategy, which may take only a few seconds to complete, has long been one of the most important habits I have ever engaged in. I try to remember to start my day thinking of someone to thank. To me, gratitude and inner peace go hand in hand. The more genuinely grateful I feel for the gift of my life, the more peaceful I feel. If You're anything like me, you probably have many people in your life to feel grateful for: family members, friends, people from your past, teachers, people from work, someone who gave you a break, as well as countless others. I learned a long time go that it's easy to allow my mind to slip into various forms of negativity. When I do, the first thing that leaves me is my sense of gratitude. I begin to take the people in my life for granted,and the love that I often feel is replaced with resentment and frustration. I want to stop right now and thank 2 families for the past 2 days that I haven't even had to get in my kitchen and cook. First of all, a family in our church who had us over for a fantastic cook-out Sat. and our Son and Daughter-in-law for a fabulous birthday event for our grandson Sunday. I am very thankful. Pretty soon I'm thinking of others things to be grateful for--my health, my children, my grandchildren, my husband, my friends, my church, the readers of my blog, my freedom, and on and on it goes.
Today I'm extremely grateful for electricity. TXU put a door hanger on our mailbox to remind us that all electricity in the neighborhood will be cut off from 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. today. "Changing out a telephone pole..."
It may seem like an awfully simple suggestion, but it really works! If you wake up in the morning with gratitude on your mind, it's pretty diffficult, in fact almost impossible, to feel anything but peace!

Worship Today, His Day

I note with much gratitude the privilege I have to worship today. I refuse to dwell on the negative. I'm so glad I do not have to be superficial in worship. He, alone, is worthy of our praise and worship. Worship is always open to you... just as we are....

Mamma

I'm celebrating a phenomenal lady that gave birth to me and whose birthday is TODAY! My "Mamma" -- I would be on my blog all day long describing her and you would be curled up reading all the superlatives, adjectives, and tremendous words and events that describe her ALL day and ALL night! I'll just use 8 words that truly described her: who gave of herself without counting the cost. And made me feel like I was never alone as a child or adult as her favorite statement to me was "Carol, just bloom where you are planted. You can do it!" I love you phenomenal Mamma as you look down from Heaven and know that... oh yes, I will definitely acccept her praise in all the favorable judgments and carry on the legacy of giving and blooming where I am planted! With these great thoughts, prayers, and gratitude I look forward to a super day! O Lord, my Lord, how excellent (majestic and glorious) is Your name in all the earth!

Maternal Factoid

On average, babies cry between one and six hours every day and approximately 4,000 times before the age of two. (Ref. Ladies Home Journal,03) In July we will have one more precious human in our congregation and cannot wait! Yesterday, I had the privilege of going to Target, Walmart and Burlington Baby Depot with the new Mom-to-be. We also had the energetic, amazing. didn't miss a thing, three year old brother. What amazed me was that instead of him looking for a toy for himself, he was looking for his Mom or Dad something but most of all something for "baby brother." There is a drastic change in baby things since our kids were born and she even commented since three years ago! Even the bathtubs look different! The pacifiers look like modern day technology, as if they would light up like the kiddos' shoes that are worn! To a Grandma cries are okay, but I'm sure to a new Dad and Mom, it would definitely take some getting used to. And when you stop to think about it.....4,000 times is a lot of crying!!!!! Oh, I'm quite positive the smiles and joys outweigh the crying any time!

Happy Birthday Awesome Grandson!!!

Six years ago today, I became a Grandma again to an awesome Grandson and held him. I looked into his piercing bright eyes. He returned my look with total trust. Holding those Grandkids in my arms makes me realize the miracle my husband and I began. I'm thinking of what "Maybe" means to a Grandson: A word sometimes used by both Grandparents which, through constant begging by both Grandkids, can almost always be changed to "Yes."
Yes, and the definition of "Masterpiece" - a picture stuck to Grandma's 'frig which was done by each of these precious Grandkids! Oh, and Grandma's definition of "Visit" is an educational opportunity during which a Grandkid learns what it's like to be royalty! I'm allowing myself one more brag---ABC's: What you recite for Grandma just before she declares you an unrecognized genius! And I give grateful thanks to his very cool parents for all the grand times I have enjoyed with him!

Do I love being a Grandma???

A friend of mine who has been a new Grandma asked me if I love being a Grandma? One thing for sure it was a great question to ask, especially since I knew I'd have a sad week missing my Mamma (please read previous Blog). I dearly love being a Grandma and have the most awesome Grandkids in the Universe!!! The fact is I have my very own "Grandma Room" which is devoted to pictures and adorable books of Grandma and Grandpa with the grandkids since they were born! Our granddaughter's adorable picture is one of her in her stroller that I asked an Associate in the Mall to take while "we shopped 'til I dropped!" Now that she really can shop, she literally drops and says "Grandma let's go...I've shopped 'til I dropped!" Then, on the other hand, our Grandson loves to go to CEC ! He always wins in shuffleboard (Good grief he is fast!) and I'm amazed he can play any game in there!!!!! People get amazed at my comment when they ask where I get all my energy---I will honestly say partly from being a "kid" with the Grandkids!!! It's awesome and brings so much joy to our hearts!

.....More on Love

Some people have trouble believing God could love them. We are born to love and worship. We are created for praise. And we become like that which we worship. If we worship self, we become self-centered. If we worship wealth, we become slave to greed. If we worship pleasure, we become dulled to the realities of life. But, if we worship God, we become like Him. What a wonder - to become more and more a reflection of God's love! Love without commitment is not love. I'm on a subject I love (a little play on words there)....and I do have more caring thoughts on this subject.....later

Love is Something You Do

Love...a popular word! People want to know how to get, how to keep it, and how other people live it. Soap operas keep their characters falling in and out of love as often as normal people get colds. The sad thing is that what we really hunger for is love as God intended; love that comes from the Author of life, that is lived in truth and honor. God's kind of love is a wholehearted commitment to and concern for the other person. I believe when our churches reverberate with the message, "Come, meet your Loving Creator - let us love you and let you love us," we will need no campaigns for membership. Love is described in I Corinthians, Chapter 13! I admonish you to read this awesome Chapter!

A Radical Message of Love & Gratitude for My Husband

Female chauvinism, male chauvinism, racial/cultural prejudices and economic snobbery are all branches off the same tree-a tree called selfishness. This selfishness will spread its poisonous roots through the soil of a marriage and destroy its foundation. How about women who adopt a "down with men" view in an attempt to be superior to men. I have witnessed chauvinism surfacting among Christian women in a variety of ways, including: Rolling the eyes and saying, "That's just like a man." Telling jokes that put men down; dishonoring husbands by scorning their needs; treating husbands as if they were children; controlling husbands; believing women really are superior to men; criticizing husbands in front of children and friends; discrediting husbands' decisions, dreams, and masculinity; not respecting and reverencing husbands; and from little girls, "Girls rule, boys drool." Take a moment today and appreciate the ways your mate expresses his support of you. I love what Mother Teresa in 1999 said, "We must grow in love and to do this we must go on loving and loving and giving and giving until it hurts - the way Jesus did. Do ordinary things with extraordinary love." And of course the entire book of Solomon is awesome.

Q&A

I can't hardly wait....today after the a.m. Service at Church, we have Q&A. We have an awesome meal and "Questions & Answers" for attendees. I'm headed this bright and early beautifu day to Starbuck's to get me energized for this great day!!! My husband shares answers to life's issues (some tough questions) are proposed to him. Not only is the meal satisfying, but one walks away with an understanding of life's perplexities and definitely an answer! Q&A is open to everyone and so much fun! What a joy it would be to greet YOU as our honored guest(s)!

Choices

Next week will be very challenging for me. I lost my beloved "Mamma" thirty-seven years ago and thought I would be prepared, but how could I possibly be ready for something like this? It, of course, was so final. No more chances to share our feelings and retrieve the time, to do and say the things undone. My heart aches. .....March 24 is the day she was born and even though my soul grieves this great loss, the fun, loving person that she was. As I completely, unconditionally, with no reservations, place my trust in God, I choose to look forward with invigorated anticipation as to how He will guide me through this week. My choice today is to remember my beautiful Mom and realize because I no longer have her and at times feel shattered, broken, and bruised from the storms in life, my trust and confidence is in a Holy God who is there giving me those great memories, filling my days with praise and uplifting days!
P.S. Since my beloved Mom was Irish/German decent, I'm celebrating St. Patrick's Day with inevitable JOY!

Being Labeled

Years of striving for professional success have supplied me with an abundance of feedback on my behavior, both solicited and unsolicited. I have surely received my share of criticism for complying with being labeled too competitive when I volunteered to take charge of a certain project. The woman who made the remark told me I should have waited until someone nominated me. (I might still be waiting there if I'd taken her advice.) To this day, I did a phenomenal job and look back on it with great rewards. Yes, I was labeled as "Goody, Goody, Two Shoes" but as I recall, it brought much joy to the Owners of the Company that I not only gave some fantastic ideas to better the Company, and a change in attitude with some of the negativity that had been going on was gone! (Plus I received a big bonus for my great idea.) Criticism always had a tremendous impact on me. I learned I must take the power back from all those people I had given it to and begin judging my behavior myself, taking both control of and responsibility for my own actions. Does it bother us when we are labeled "God/Husband Honored?" It has become far more acceptable to me to accept things this way and at the same time being happy with the two labels: "Goody, Goody, Two Shoes" and "God/Husband Honored."

Self Acceptance

Personal growth, loving ourselves, is very much about learning to accept ourselves, as we are. The way out is, as always, the way through. A great self-acceptance affirmation is "I forgive everybody whom I mistakenly thought tried to hurt me." YOU are special, amazing and magnificent! I care about you . Are you a forgiving person? I'm happiest when......by accepting my self, forgiving and being loving to my family and others...looking to God, the author and finisher of my faith.

Just for Today...

Well, what will it be? Do we desire a life distinguished by wisdom...or the opposite, one marked and marred by foolishness? I think I know the answer..just for today what can we do to form daily habits that will help us become women of wisdom. Do I consider God's wisdom to be more valuable than silver and gold? Look to the Bible - the wisdom to do what's right. Abigail (in I Samual 25) knew when to act and did. She knew what to do and did it. She is applauded as a woman of wisdom, characterized by sound, wise actions and speech. She perceived the big picture, kept her composure, formed a plan, spoke with wisdom and effectively influenced others. I care about women having wisdom, knowledge, good marriages, obedient children and know it is not wrong to pray for our marriages, family, and finances. Lift up your voice for understanding (James 1:5) so ask, precious one! Just ask!

A More Excellent Way

Almost daily, I admire my husband's hobby which is ship modeling. He has master minded some of the most famous ships and they are breathtaking in that he has every thread and small part, including designing his own sails. Looking at the ship he is working on for the past two years, reminded me we can become so preoccupied with who is supposed to do what in a marriage that we can miss the point. Instead of a husband and wife sailing the seas of life in the same boat, rowing together, trimming the sails together, and making sure the whole operation runs smoothly together, many spouses are actually in two different boats! Yet the two won't truly become one until they do get into the same boat.

Developing a Conscience

Developing the mind is important, but developing a conscience is the most precious gift parents can give their children. Children will find favor, good understanding and high esteem because it makes them aware of right/wrong; fairness; have the appetite of the diligent and they are abundantly supplied with quick thought-provoking resources, and their thoughts are those tending only to achievement. They already stand rooted and grounded in the love their parents give them. Teaching them to be sharp with their conscience, alert, red flags go off when they are making wrong choices, paying attention to authority, builds strong character traits. Dwell in peace today and have patience with these "priceless treasures." Feelings of worth and teaching a clear and sharp conscience can flourish only in an atmostphere where individual child differences are appreciated, mistakes are tolerated, communication is open and rules are flexible - the kind of atmosphere that is found in a nurturing family. I believe I would have been swept away with every negative behavior and no thought of consequence (conscience) if it had not been for one thing; the remembrance of the time when my Sainted Mother used to make me kneel by her side, taking my little hands in hers, and caused me to repeat the Lord's prayer.

Getting Focused to Spring Time Change

Plan, paying attention to this sacred day, staying focused on worship makes this day a great one! Why get grouchy and grumpy about the Spring Time Change; it's a fact and we must accept it. Somehow God in His infinite time will give me an extra hour of sleep. He brings every thought, every imagination, and every dream into captivity and obedience. Let love rule!

A Great Day for Victory!

After many years of fighting to break out of the mold designed for me by others, I came to know the Creator as my Heavenly Father. I felt it would require much studying, praying, and emotional healing before I quit fighting to be the "me" God created. I could not make this happen - I was not able to change me - there seemed to be no escape from my prisons of guilt, shame, fear and intimidation. God provided a way of escape by my girlfriend who began driving and picked me up to attend a church not too far from where I lived. My escape was in the Person of jesus Christ. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. In the presence of God I learned to care and that I am free to make choices. My "today" is result of choices I made yesterday. The Bible is my guide for spiritual growth and emotional wholeness has always allowed me to assume responsibility for my choices. I am free to care and love. I know there have been sixteen (16) people who care and have immediately responded via e-mail to my new blog. Only one response has gone through, as you can see and I am so glad. I will check details on why you cannot get into Google. In the meantime, I am grateful for your replies.

This is a great day to care about ourselves, check our attitude and I know that no matter what comes my way, old thought patterns are replaced with new and victor becomes a reality. Learning to live victoriously is a process that takes time. We have to train our senses to know right from wrong. You will overcome personal fears - fear of failure, of being alone, or having to prove yourself to others. We can look in the mirror and approve of the "you" God created. I'm looking forward to a great day today, especially looking for victories!

Carol's Caring Thoughts

I'm sure it will take a while before my blog is out and once that happens I will be hearing from someone. That's okay because it will give me time to get the blog all set up with a logo, etc. I hope everyone likes Fridays. Today I'll be caring about getting things totally done (i.e., cleaning, laundry, hair, etc.) I love Friday night "date night." We'll go somewhere nice to eat. I care that we have a great Server. It seems that Servers hang around to talk too much and I enjoy having eye to eye contact and connection with my husband. I care about not being rude to them, but I believe if I "keep a meek and quiet spirit" as I Peter 3 in Bible says, they will only talk to my husband and he handles our meal order quite well. By the way, please be a "cheerleader" type to your husband and praise him for being such a great man! I'll leave that to marinate and soak in. He needs encouragement instead of nagging at. Gotta get the day started. Let me hear where you go on your "date night." Happy Friday.....

Caring

Does anyone really care? I know I do. We must show compassion and care to others. I do believe the Bible. II Corinthians 8:9 says "Though He was very rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by His poverty He could make you rich." Our response should be to throw out out pride and show care and compassion to those around us, even when doing so takes us out of our comfort zone. How about wives - do you really care about your husband? Do you even care about yourself or your family? I would like to express my gratitude for all who care, especially a caring person who set up this blog. I've always wanted a blog site - now I can care 24/7 and I do. Let me encourage you to care. It brings such joy and happiness.

I am going to bed. I had a great time with my grandchildren!

My First Blog

This is my first blog entry. I hope you like it.