Honesty

I'm reading a book called "Games People Play." I can remember in College we had to read this book and some forty years later....people are still playing the same games! It's called retro. And honesty, they have no clue they are playing a game! Nor, do they have a clue that the individual receiving the "game" knows what is happening! If nothing else, it is comical. I know wives will love my take on this!

Honestly tells me that my husband will communicate who tries to win his friendship without me?

Honesty tells me there are those from even thirty-seven years ago that would love to know our daily activities.

Honestly tells me to love my enemies and keep a close watch on actions.

I encourage you to just be honest. People that play games can get into chaos! As my Mom used to teach us - the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." In Christianity we call it "Reaping what you sow." I know I will get a lot of e-mails thanking me for this post, but my honesty and heart says "Write on Sista!!!" I love each one of you and thank God we still have the privilege of communicating!!!! Have a happy mid-weeker!!!!!

Be a part of true friendship and honesty.

Nourish Yourself

I call it "come to your senses."

Taking a bubble bath.......

Provides deep relaxation and space.

A lighted candle beside the tub, soothing background music, can all help to make us feel good.

This shows love to ourself.

Go ahead.

Nourish yourself TODAY!

Exceedingly Abundantly!!!!!

I'll spell out Ephesians 3:14-21 in a nutshell. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory through Christ throughout all ages, world without end!

In the face of overwhelming pressures, remember to keep up activities that make you feel extra good. Like regular exercises, keeping our home in order, cleaning the bathrooms (ugh) and keeping up with devotionals and prayer journal! The pressure is miraculously transformed into relaxation...helps us to go into a mode that makes us fully rely on God.

Rely fully on God!

As a last resort, I finally ask God to help me overcome any obstacles I may be facing and be creative to ask Him for help to be exceedingly abundantly MORE in my decision making to keep those yucky overwhelming pressures off!!!!

Life is good when you're up on that mountain, so goes the song! Happy Friday!

Best Chef Ever!!!!

....and that would be?????

ME!!!

As I cheerfully planned the candlelight grilled steak dinner, for my hubby last night; and then comes the great moment....answering question "Is it cooked to your satisfaction, tender, and perfect for how YOU like it?" He commented that I'm top ranked chef now!!!

Okay, I'll proudly wear that title! He had the most happy look on his face as he ate that sirloin steak; grilled to perfection from his lovely wife!!! (Hey, ladies, it's okay to brag on ourselves...especially when they reek with bright shiney eyes, and all those lucious comments)....so I can only say, I was so taken by his wonderful compliments, I forgot to light the candle!

Also, the peas, mushroom, creamed with this Chef's masterpiece creamed gravy...he rant and raved over! I won all the way around! He totally loved the baked potato and cucumbers. Did I sleep well? I would say so and of course my fingers automatically went to "hurry up and blog about it!!!"

Try being the "Best Chef Ever" - I rank way up there and accepted the award most excitedly!!! Even our dog, Pixie had the most relaxed look and happiness as she saw us carrying on!!!

Does the Lord care about something as insignificant as getting the steak to perfection? He surely does and it is such a blessing to experience His love (& my hubby's love) in large and small ways. Help me, Lord, to always give you the praise and thanksgiving for gently reminding me to have a "Best Chef Ever" night for these two lovebirds!!!! : )

Keeping Spirits Up

I've found there are at least two ways to keep my spirits up and my heart cheerful, even in the face of the worst pressures of daily life. First of all, I WILL myself to thinking positively. I deliberately choose to concentrate on those things that are uplifting, and I push the negatives right out of my consciousness. Second, to reinforce my individual efforts, I try to spend a fair amount of time in the company of those who think positively, those who encourage me to stay buoyant and hopeful, no matter how gloomy things may seem. Top it off with Proverbs 17:19-24 and your spirits WILL be up as well as mine!!!!!

Forgiveness

I've had to forgive a lot of people to move forward..but what would you do if someone angrily blames you for something you didn't do ......knowingly led you on and dropped you flat on your face and always made you feel something was wrong with you??? I think I'm opening up a can of worms to a lot of couples that, I'm sure, live that way day to day.

It makes your trust in people be severely damaged and you doubt if you could ever trust again, let alone forgive. Hello...... so why don't you forgive? And what is the process of forgiveness??? Someone asks me, how do you arrive at compatibility in marriage? The key - forgiveness. (even as God in Christ as forgiven.) Eph. 5:1,2 It would take me all day to explain what I mean. Maybe in a quick summation...after forgiveness, we are ever ready to believe the best of each other. Our hopes are fadeless under all circumstances; we endure everything...our love never fails...it never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end. Just begin loving ALL over again. .....after BOTH forgive!

Bring 'em on!!!!

Encouragement! Where does encouragement come from? Definitely the Word! And in real life, the e-mails I get from alive, marvelous "friends" who really are friends and more friends! Bring 'em on! Our son gave me so many encouraging words that I wanted and needed to hear regarding communication with people. I am definitely a people person and it feels great to hear there are those out there that would be a definite encouragement....after all, who encouragers the encourager? Now I'm hoping God will bring 'em on! And I pray and hope I hear from quite a few who mean so very much to me. Yea for encouraging kids and grandkids....couldn't do without them! They bring a joyful smile to my face that will not fade for a l--o---n--g time!

There are sooo many things I passionately long to do in my life and with my life and for the others in my life. I pray your week will be encouraged by the gratefulness I have for you being a part of my life! Thanks!

The Think Tank...............random thoughts

While I was getting over the (ugh) bug...24/hr., that is.....I developed in my mind a Think Tank. You know, the wonders of what if's????? I would advise not to stay too long on that, but at the same time, it was fun thinking this and thinking that...so while it lasted, it feels good to be back to normal, as I call it, and instead of thinking something is....knowing that it really isn't...but I can honestly say it was encouraging to say the least. I'm a person who has to spend some time thinking. Unfortunately I'm one of those people who can get over things quickly. In other words, I don't carry a grudge. I do know people that purposely withhold their friendship and just wait to see how long it is before I contact them. And I will contact them. It makes me feel like I'm tackling the BIGGER picture and why spend time on something so minor.

One friend contacted me yesterday that I haven't had contact with for quite a while (not because of me...I promise) so I will answer her e-mail. People - you are missed when you don't keep in touch. With all the tremendous decisions we have to make regarding our retirement, it is amazing to hear from friends we know and have. So, thanks for the fact that as I spent time on "thinking" about you, how you are really doing, and how your family is...I will just let go, bring you before the throne of prayer and get on with my daily Bible reading which today is Titus 2:3-5. I'll think about embracing the 10 principles I have found in this great scripture as my priorities. Then, I will plan them into all my tomorrows! Yea!!!!

Becoming Women of Wisdom

How do you and I become women of wisdom? One day at a time. By practicing God's timeless principles of wisdom one day at a time you and I cultivate a life marked by wisdom. So, let the application of what you've learned from this blog regarding God's priorities for your life begin today...and extend for a lifetime!

(Prov. 31:10-31). Follow your priority plan! ....and stick to it!

My Blog Dream Was Born of the Spirit!

When I asked our son to put me in a blog three years ago; it was perfect timing. It has brought more joy and happiness in my life. I am grateful for the prayers given for me as I daily think of encouragement posts to all who have subscribed.

We don't encounter God in fantasy; we encounter God in real life.

Let go of the soulish fantasies in your heart so there is room for the dreams of God.

God's dreams for you are birthed in the realm of the Spirit of God. They are planted in your heart by the Holy Spirit, and they are nourished by His ministry in your life! wooohoo!!!

Self-Acceptance

I find that women need self-acceptance, not self-esteem. When their self-esteem comes into focus they act "high and mighty" and arrogant. Our culture calls to us that what we need is self-esteem, that all would be well if we just felt better about ourselves.That is a lie. We live on a broken panet. It is a disappointing place. Things wre never supposed to be like this. Marriage was meant to heal wounds, not deepen them. Since Eden we have been disappointed with ourselves. Life on this earth is hard. What do we do with our disappointment?

I encourage you to bring whatever it is about yourself that disappoints you to our loving God and let Him love you as you are right now. When God extends grace to you, you are ready to extend joy to ohers. God's love teaches us how to forgive. Let's turn our hearts now to those who have wounded us, accept yourself, and ask God for the grace to extend forgiveness. It's always a joy to help women on this subject, self-acceptance. And one in which their husband will thank me endlessly for the help given!

Healthy Relationships Part II

Cut unhealthy relaionships out of your life!

Trust God to help you recognize when a relationship is becoming detrimental to your business, your ministry, or the health of your family life. Trust God to give you courage to end the relationship, and then trust Him to give you broad enough shoulders and thick enough skin to take the criticism that you may face for ending the relationship.

It takes emotional energy to end a relationship, and if you cut every healthy relationship out of your life at one time, you are likely to be overwhelmed by the loss.

Look for real character in a relationship. If you have to d----r----a----w a compliment out of someone, trust me, they are not interested in you; in my situtation I feel it's just to get closer to my husband and that has been a blessing being married to a Pastor, and, trust me, he notices it also, so it does not make for a healthy situation.

Neither one of us would loose our identity to be a "Dad" or "Mom" to those when we were in the Pastorate - the fact is I heard someone say that once and I cringed because neither one of us liked it, believe you me! We were their Pastor and Pastor's Wife and now we have retired together (I have deep respect for his decision) and it's so easy to notice those who have other motives. Do those who think that not realize we have a son and daughter, and trust me, we both fulfill that role extremely nicely!

Happy Birthday, daughter-in-law! This is YOUR day and have a blast! Celebrate your super day!!!! yea!!!! Live it up!

Healthy Relationships Part I

Never loose your identity for another person's sake.

A healthy relationship is one in which there is balance. There is give and take and there is much mutual appreciation.....

and a building up of each other.

It is one in which honest words of appreciation are exchanged without hint of manipulation.

I have a devout friend and we always write "Humongous Hugs" on e-mails. She truly watches out for "her favorite Pastor" (which is my hubby, of course) and me! It gives me goosebumps to think of how caring she is! And I'm sure, in fact, she stands alone! I cannot find enough words of appreciation!

Meet A Need

Strive to associate yourself with people who are troubled by the troubles of others and who move to help them. The day will come when you need a friend who will show mercy and compassion toward you. Strive to be a person of mercy and compassion. Meet the needs of others, I feel, will put you in a position to receive what God has for you.

If a person is standing in the rain, give her your umbrella. Two days ago, I had the joy of helping a lady who truthfully had come to the end of her rope. All chemotherapy was done on her and the doctors said, "That's all we can do." Even though hospice was called in, she has now opted to cancel them and go back to work! All she needed was someone to believe what she was saying, but she made the decision. It seems helping people never ends. She changed right before my eyes!

I am in much appreciation for the many many have literally gone out of their way to be there for us and I truly beleive it equals out in the fact that we helped them. God keeps the record, we keep a grateful heart, and joy makes us feel proud!

Pour It On!

I'm wired for love which is the most encouraging word in our vocabulary. I've seen where women "withhold" their love from their hubby and miss out on the BEST love! Bring it on, I say!!! My hubby and I are on the same page on that issue!!!! I am so grateful and appreciative!

Be real.

We both LOVE retirement; great decisions, powerful communication, remarkable talent, super top notch chef(s) when we both head for the kitchen to cook at EXACTLY the same time! Teens have nothing on us....we are cool with this retirement!

Let Me Remember. . . .

People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.

Closure begins by telling the truth about what I feel.

I am entitled to honor what I feel.

When one door closes, another door opens.

Whatever you repress will become stress.

Yesterday I was able to bring CLOSURE on a person who called just to find out information that I was not ready to share; perhaps maybe because of trust. So,
she found out from someone else who readily shares things with no thought or respect of us!

I'm enjoying retirement. I'm really seeing how loving people really are!

You Are Awesome!

You are not a product of what has happened to you or what other people have said about you.

You are the sum total of what is in you and Who is in you.

"Doing My Blog"

Since day one when our Son put in my blog which has been three years ago, the qwestion "Are you still doing your blog?"comes my way. Absolutely! Since my gift is encouragement, I get encouragement from so many who read it! No, I'm not bragging on myself, I just want to say I appreciate your remarkable encouragement. Who encourages the encourager? In a true sense of the word, God does, but ladies or guys who send me e-mails (& don't have the courage to broadcast a comment..and that's okay) send me raving e-mails of which I am so grateful. So, if you "do a blog" please don't give up. Keep your mind healthy, happy, trustworthy, and kind to others!

Enjoyable! Take On Garage Sales

Labor Day was enjoyable! Had a great garage sale...neighbors and friends came out of the woodwork! All 28 years we've lived here...wow! Hadn't seen some of them for what I call humpteen years! Getting rid of stuff actually ended up fun! Met a couple who are what I call the most wonderful family! They had two small kids and 2 miniature chihuahuas and I told our daughter I'd love to join a chihuahua club...it seems to me that people who own those breed of dogs are so loving and kind. Would you believe one of the dogs came to me! Most usually they shy away from me...I couldn't get over it! I've never seen such a dog that does his/her thing and gets by with it. But the family was so tremendously helpful....they purchased the last minute stuff and even carried the tables in. My hubby couldn't get over it! We had a great day and trust me it was hot! One more thing...I'm not sure people really realize that people who are 86 or thereabout are very lonely people. They all came out just to sit in the chair by me and yack! Oh well, some day I'll be that age twenty years from now, so I didn't mind them coming back a few times to get attention. What got to me was the perfume they put on and stood in front of the fan. I am highly allergic to perfume, so I had to politely say, please don't stand in front of the fam with your strong perfume, I can't breathe. They didn't get offended, so that was good.

Have you ever had a garage sale? I don't really think I'll feel the results of it until tomorrow! (Soreness.) : ( And did you know, there are more men that come to garage sales than women? That was interesting! Looking for retro stuff and of course we had plenty of it! Hey, enjoy your Tuesday as everyone gets back in the swing of things! And....just thought I'd share some personal stuff this morning how enjoyable my Labor Day was!

A Question Of Fairness

Let's face it, something can be absolutely unfair and true at the same time. We don't determine what is true based on whether or not it is fair. What it is true that little Sally received a C, it was certainly not fair. And while the umpire's call may have been unfair, it sure enough happened.

Obvious as that may be, I have talked to many people who flippantly cast aside the claims of Christ because they deemed unfair. Essentially what they are saying is "Christianity is unfair; therefore I don't believe it is true." Life is not fair. Life will never be fair. Life can't be fair. I am a person who believes fairness is the most important a human being should be treated! However, we rarely expend more emotion demanding fairness when we get more than we deserve. I don't know how you explain the evil and unfairness in the world. But I know one thing, it makes me angry when one person is treated one way and the other is another when they are going by the same rules. For instance, in all the years my husband and I have been married, I constantly see people treat him completely different than me and they think I don't see it. I would be a moran if I didn't! I don't know how you account for bad things happening to good people. I find it in my heart to forgive that person that treats us differently and would to me a question of unfairness.

I believe Christianity offers both an explanation and a solution. The explanation is that when Adam and Eve sinned, life became irreversibly unfair. The solution is......well, putting faith in God and believing that which is fair so that we are forgiven people for all our unfairness to assure us that at the end of life, we trusted the God who makes everything fair for us. Placing faith in Christ makes it fair for all of us to become Christians and prepare us for eternity! I know I have done this, (accepted Christ's fairness and believing that HE is the one that died on the cross for our unfairness) and I hope you have. Have a peaceful, restful Sunday!

Strength!!!!

Our strength comes from God - it's not something we work up in ourselves.

We can do ALL things through Christ.

It is God's strength poured into us and working through us that enables us to overcome, to persevere, and to be STRONG.

We come to STRENGTH by resting in Him! Just give it to Him!!!

Pursue the Dream God has Put In Your Life

Instead of accepting the limits that have been placed on you (including the limits you have placed on yourself) challenge the system and pursue your passion!

Happy Labor Day....enjoy your day off!

People Who Lie

My encouragement is just tell the truth. I don't usually have negative writings on my blog, but I've had so many lies thrown at me lately, I want to share my thoughts. I don't mean to be on a soapbox, but even a small white lie is aggravating.

On the other hand, why do people lie?

The truth sets you free.

I agree Society dictates that it's better to lie than tell the truth. In the world of women that I work with, most of them tell me the reason they lie is that their husband wouldn't believe them if they told the truth. You can't change his mind. You can only tell the truth. It could become a vicious circle because what if both are not telling the truth?

If you don't keep a promise with someone, is that a lie?

What about the person who said they'd call or get in touch with you and they don't; is that a lie?

What constitutes a lie?

I would go so far as to say if a person doesn't look at you in the straight eyeball to eyeball, that's a lie to me. I would a lot rather someone just tell me the truth. If they say they will call me back and don't; I begin to lose faith in them and their word doesn't count. It's tough to work with ladies whom I know are telling me a lie. Am I judging? No, because I kept my word and to give as an example, they didn't keep their word. No excuse will do. That's tough, but I believe that eventually you would just not have any contact whatsoever with the person who lies. What about you? Does it irritate you as much as it does me? I know I will get e-mail responses....bring 'em on. I value your comments!

Remember to Pray

Several times I have been invited to share in an unusual form of prayer groups. Group membes commit to pray for a particular time for a specific things. What binds us together is the commitment to pray as one voice, at that time. Knowing someone is praying for me, even when that person is far away, means I am not alone. I truly believe Jesus felt the prayers of people and admonished them not to stop praying. (Mark 14:38).

When we commit to pray for someone or about something, we make an important promise. Following through on our commitment gives others gentle, flowing support that is "powerful and effective."

Help us to tell others when we are praying for them and keep our commitment.

Praying with others is a reminder that none of us is ever alone! I'm praying for you today, for your welfare and needs to be supplied. I request prayer for myself and am appreciative that you will remember to pray for our needs to be met.

Awesome Roses!!!

A devout friend of mine just recently gave me four stunning roses for my birthday. Have you ever stood still, looked into the head of a rose, and marveled at its beauty? Days before, such beautiful rose was small tight bud. Who could imagine that within a few days this would become a beauty so large it seemed impossible that it ever fit into that bud? What's more the rose can overwhelm with the pleasure of its exquisite fragrance.

Becoming a Christian is like this. Without Christ, we are limited and small, but once we have been united with Christ, we unfold and expand like that rose. In Christ, we can become full and rich in compassion, spreading the fragrance of love.