A Touch Of Love

When we repeat the wedding vows and accept the duties of a wife or husband, we immediately inherit a new family and whether we admit it or not, they are an actual part of our lives. Parents are always parents. (Remember that!) Parents should have tolerance for the new family even if you disagree with their way of life. Never criticize them openly or privately! The Bible gives two basic teachings on family living:
1....Leave and cleave.
2....Honor and care for Your parents!

Build your love on trust and truth! An in-law can be a really TRUE FRIEND who when you get to the end of your rope will be there to pull you up. Be sure and thank them!

LOVE - Romans 12:9 - "Let love be without dissimulations." Here love is spoken of as - let love be without hypocrisy! Romans 143:10 - "Love worketh no ill!"

TO BE CONTINUED ON TOMORROW'S BLOG.

How do you get confidence?

Your life is like a canvass. What are you going to hang or paint on it?

Where do we get confidence?

or....is it the Holy Spirit to tell us we don't need to go there? In other words to get the confidence from what the world says is what you don't need to do.

Hebrews 10:35 - Go to the Bible for confidence! Do not cast away from your confidence!!!

I believe confidence comes from a beautiful spirit! In other words, don't be frozen with fear! You can't give away something you don't have. You tend to build walls. Then you end up having no peace with people, no healing in the soul. You can have self confidence. We all deal with it. Be truthful! Listen to a mentor! Seek Godly confidence! We should trust Him with it! When you don't feel like you have confidence, you don't! But, with God you will have it! Maximize what you have!

Create and maintain an atmosphere of LOVE!

Today, we can do no greater thing than to create and maintain an atmosphere of love in our homes. We must remember that love which spoils and pampers, also weakens and hampers. Real love will strengthen and help one to be free to grow and to mature.

I made my hubby a "Love-bird" card! He went bonkers over it! Front and center..he placed it right by the coffee pot. That's where we leave cards, flower(s), or message to each other. Keeping the home fires burning, knowing another person lives here is my challenge! I see so many (what I call) "mean" wives to their husband. Don't they realize that could hurt the way they treat him? Try doing something to make for a lot of love. Are you out of ideas? Awe....come on.....get him a card or make one; straighten his bathroom towel, or shoes, or wash his car.

Have fun coming up with ideas. It will come back to your ten-fold!!! Happy pre-Easter week! Sending lots of love to all!

What Happens When The Entire Team Is Positive

Everything seems good.

Preparation seems to proceed more smoothly.

Every break seems to go your way.

The small victories seem sweet and the big onces make you feel amost invinciple.

The team enjoys the great morale!

In fact it energizes!

Try it - you will like it!

This the day the Lord hath made! Be positive by reading His Word and obeying it!

What's Your Passion?

Human beings. I love to help them get fire in their souls, and impossibilities vanish. A fire in the heart lifts everything in life and love excels.

When we find our passion, we can be assured that great things do lie ahead. What can you do to find your's? What can you do to help someone find their's?

Passion increases willpower. It is the fuel for the will. If you want anything badly enough, you can find the willpower to achieve it! Enjoy your weekend and your passion! I know I will!

Understanding Our Mate

One of the keys to a happy and successful marriage is mutual understanding. It is next to impossible to live with a person you are always trying to figure out. Understanding must not be mistaken for remodeling. No one likes to be made over - especially if it is your husband or wife trying to do it. This only tends to make the sparks fly.

Understanding means accepting a person as he is for what he is. We are able to help each other but desirable changes are made only through patience, love, understanding and never by conflict. Accept him for himself - not the man you want him to be. Trust him with your whole heart, confide in him, believe in your mate and cooperate with him! Shield him (never take sides against him), cheer him, be patient when things go wrong. Understand his ways of thinking; he is out earning money for the family and has a lot of stressful decisions to make!

Remember, sharp tongues and critical attitudes will only lead to disharmony and utter confusion for you and your mate! Happy Friday for sure!!!

Understanding Self!

Recently I had the privilege of speaking to a group of women on staff at a church and the Pastor's Wife wanted me to speak primarily on "How Do We Understanding Ourselves as a Wife" Here's what I shared:

In discussing personality, we must know or understand ourselves. How can we ever hope to understand our mate if we do not understand our own self? How well do you really know yourself? Are we able to recognize our own strength and our own weakness? It is so easy to see the mote in the other person's eye and yet not know e have a beam in our own. We may be able to deceive ourselves, but our mate has a fairly good image of us. When we fail to meet his expectations, then it is our responsibility to check ourselves and correct our faults!

It is good to ask ourselves periodically:
Do you try to make your home interesting, attractive, cheerful, a place of rest and relaxation? Do you devote time, thought, and study to making it what your husband desires? Do you serve meals that are nutritious, appetizing to the taste, attractive and what your family enjoys eating? Do you handle household finances in a business like way? Are you extravagant? (It has been said a woman can throw more money with a teaspoon out the back door than a man can bring in the front door with a shovel.)
How about your personal appearance at home, or in public? Are you a good sport? Are you punctual, cheerful, uncomplaining. Do you insist on always having your own way? Do you show as much courtesty and consideration for his relatives as you do for your own? Are you willing for him to be the head of your home? Are you willing to follow his leadership?

After we have tried to become better acquainted with our own personality, and understand our attitudes more clearly, then tomorrow I want to discuss "Understanding Our Mate." I know you will enjoy tomorrow's blog. I can't wait!

What Can We Do?

That's an interesting question. When things are well out of order and there's no fire in us?

Do what we can do to change it!

If we do what we can do....

God will do what we can't do!

Genesis 32:22

It's time we can do it!

Magnify the good stuff!!!!! Happy Wednesday!

Reverence

Reverence to your husband is more than an outward form, for it is an inner attitude. We reverence him because we love him. (Titus 2:4) Both husband and wife are commanded to love each other. But we should be aware that while she is commanded to love her husband, the husband is commanded three times to love his wife. (Eph. 5:24-33). The bible tells us that LOVE is of God. So, we realize that only a great love given of God will bind the hearts of husband and wife in the highest concept of true love. A marriage that is built on true biblical love will never fail. Practice love!
(& Reference!! : )

There's That Word Again: LOVE!

Today, we can do no greater thing than to create and maintain an atmospehere of love in our homes. We must remember that love which spoils and pampers, also weakens and hampers. Real love will strengthten and help one to be free to grow and to mature.

One little corner for love is all we need.....
A shoulder to cry on, a Bible to read....
A chair by the window with sun coming through....
Perhaps some love and pretty spring flowers still covered with dew....
Who'll warm this home with love each and every day.......
I've decided to be the one and know lots of love will not stray!!

Don't be the one who forgets the benefits and loving care you can give in your adulthood. God will give you help to spread that love and you will definitely know He will give you more love to extend to those family members that need the love you have straight from God! Enjoy your Monday!

Sympathy & Prayers

My prayers go out today to Terry and Robin Storch who just recently lost their thirteen old precious neice, Taylor Storch in the ski accident in Vail, Co. My sympathy, love, and prayers to them during this oh so sad time. And for the rest of the family. Our deep sympathy. Please take time out to pray for this family. The funeral is Tuesday in Coppell.

Healthy Self-Image

Looked in the mirror lately?

Don't like what you see?

Change it! Do you have a healthy self-image?

Dare to be a Proverbs 31 lady.....read, read, read it. It's so amazing. In fact, you are amazing! I always felt I wasn't desirable enough, no valuable to be loved. I faced those same fears and doubts that you do. I believe they were reinforced in your life because of the actions of someone expecting to dispell them! You are valuable!

You have a great healthy self-image and DO NOT let anyone tear it down! Your beauty astounds God!! Hold your head up high and be so happy in knowing your self-worth is beyond comprehension! I believe in you! Have a super great Saturday!

Remember - Everyone Wants To Be Somebody

I want to be a difference-maker in someone's day, week, or even life, sending tha person down the path of a better existence. What encourages you? It's difficult to encourage people if you don't know what encourages them. Sometimes I go to the Mall just to "study people." And I always want to know what lifts them up.

I was chomping on a delicious carrot last night and one of the fillings came out of my tooth. I just hope our Dentist isn't on spring break and is in his office today. We've been going to him forever. But he does love to play golf, so I covet your prayers. Oh dear God, help me through this one! I appreciate any and all encouragement! And oh, do those prayers feel so good! : = )

"Jolly" Peeps

This morning I am late writing my blog. I had tea with a charming lady....oooops a jolly lady who was so delightful! Her hubs was having their income tax done and we were so I enjoyed talking to her while we waited!!! She has had humpteen (OK lango)surgeries; hip replacement, bone in her foot, back re-replacement (twice) and had gorgeous hair, nails and personality! She kept asking me what I wanted out of life now that we are retired........she had such an avid interest in me; I feel spoiled! Sometime in April we are going to a genuine lady "tea party." Wish I could take my daughter and granddaughter because when they were about 3-ish years of age I had tea parties on their play sets at least three or four times a week. We would put hats on and jewelry to look real grown up! I know I will have to dress up for this event, but I'm thrilled to be asked to go!!!!

I hope this encourages you like it did me. Someone sought me out to invite. I was always the one that invited ooodles and bunches to Outreach at church and NOW IT'S ME!!! Oh, do I ever feel important! Have a happy Thursday and enjoy this sunshine today!

Encouragement is a Miracle!

More friends have been made by the miracle of encouragement!

Happy St. Pat's Day! Gotta get that in!

It just means taking the spotlight off self and giving someone else a high-five and saying "You can do it!"

Yesterday I was "tested" on my positive attitude! Oh, how I love it! That means I am doing the right thing. There is greater effort under a spirit of encouragement than under a spirit of criticism. I believe in my teammates and what you value; it makes us all better when we check our attitude - it takes me to a whole new level! If your day always seems to go bad all the time; there's something you can do about it! #1 pick up the Bible and read it! It has answers to life's delimas. Instead of dwelling on the horrific, look for answers! Attempt the impossibilities and make them possibilities! You say, "How?" Turn it into something possible that will work!!!

Happy Wednesday!!!!

There are things you can do to make it better!!!!

I have a family member who refuses to make things better. She dwells on the bad stuff, thinks she knows all the answers, and thinks she is right. I do not want this to be a negative blog....I promise....but pretty soon she will find herself with no one around. Today's unthinkables are tomorrow's victories!!!

Life is too short to harbor ill fate to family members. Think of what she is missing out on because we grow through tough times. (Rom. 5:3, 4, 5) Hope is anchored in Grace which produces character and perserverance.

Now you get to see God do the amazing things....You have what it takes to make it better! Go for it!!!

Change Your Thinking!

I'm celebrating my ONE THOUSAND BLOG written!!!! Ooooo I love it. That's a lot of writing and encouraging; to God be the glory; great things He has done!!!

The thinking needs to be changed. Can't dwell on the negative! It makes me realize there really are great people in the world! It's the first time I've ever realized that there is something i CAN DO TO MAKE THINGS DIFFERENT FOR MYSELF; NOT JUST ME, BUT ANYONE. In this moment, I have changed my life and my thinking to ENCOURAGE!

Thank you for taking the trip with me. It's been worth it!

Change Your Clocks "Spring Forward" an Hour!

Well, I'm up and at 'em. But no one gets up early any more, but then after my wonderful day has ended, I'm off to bed early; at least all the late to bed peeps will say "way too early" for me!

This reminds me as to be so grateful that our Lord can CHANGE US .... if only we will let Him! I look forward to change and don't have a problem if He has to get our attention and then begin the process. While being sick last week, I kept grabbing my Bible and reading various Scriptures that would encouragement me to change; especially knowing that change will take place with the the TIME CHANGE!

"Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, just as we hope in you." Psalm 33:22 - I want His mercy. I've had plenty of His grace this week; now pour it on...m-e-r-c-y!!! Ask Him for it; He will give it! And that will cause change because it changes your attitude! Lately on TV news I have seen so disgruntled people! That's too bad, because with the Lord's mercy hope is there and we don't have to worry!

Be blessed this His day!!!!

My Prayers

My prayers are that you don't get what I had all week. I still have a cough, but oh, do I ever feel better. It seems the older one gets, the more is felt that REST & PRAYERS are the definite answer!!! A "Stay Homer" - a "Shut-in" - a "Don't want to Give It To ANYONE!" It has been agonizing, but the longest week in history! I ate every kind of soup imaginable! And all kleenex are empty!!!

My prayers are for you to enjoy your weekend and do not get this crud!!!!! And, of course, thank you from the depths of my heart for your prayers! God is great, good, and so there when we call upon Him and even before we call upon Him!

Strength, Honor & Praise!!!

Thank God for Proverbs!!!!! Never give up on your strength, honor and praise you precious ladies~~~~ Proverbs 31:25 "Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come."

God has blessed the world with special ladies likes you and me!!!!!

We have exceptional skills. Yes, you know I have fought illness this week; bad cough, fever, extremely sore nose, chills. Thanks to family and friends that care soooo very much, I'm on the mend! Because of your admonishing and encouraging me with praise....cheering me on to get well....I can honestly say....I AM SO BETTER!

Thank you so much for your prayers and concern. I can guarantee you I have strength and honor and am rejoicing! Carie, your texting was so refreshing and loving; Daren your encouragement to get well sooner, and all my friends who not only sent e-mails; Angie R.,Geneva, and Pamela for blog comments; I am rising up today, with strength, honor and praise!!! (The ones on FB...I am extremely grateful for your cheering me on!!) Keep on encouraging; we all need it and I promise we will all be so honored by a loving, kind, comforting Lord who soothes our aches and pains and gives us wellness!!!!

Beauty!!!

My hubby says I have tons of beauty when I am ill. Here's what he says:

I don't complain.

I get up and don't get confined to the bed completely.

I don't get grouchy.

He loves to do the laundry, kitchen stuff, and running errands for OTC meds, etc...

And he takes care of the dogs religiously!!!!! Aweeee shucks!!!

He loves to kiss me on anywhere on the head...even when my fever broke last night.

Confesses I got it from him. : ( (That's the truth!)

He has tons of empathy when I don't feel good, and I deny I feel bad because of that reason.

God has definitely given me the best husband in the entire world!!! And then he says "Well, you help me tooth and nail when I am ill!!!!" Isn't God good? Thank all of you for praying for me. It has been annoying and I pray my cough is gone TODAY.....so I'll keep knowing and believing, I still have beauty even with yucky cold and flu!!!!! Thanks to a complimenting hubby and friends who pray!!! Please!!

Fresh Perspective!!!

Okay....I confess...I've been in bed ill since Monday. I mentioned it on FB and lo and behold Pamela caught it...God bless her because she prayed and I actually was up some yesterday. I formed a great habit of drinking hot tea. I guess I caught what my hubby had last week....we both went through a trillion kleenex. Thank you Pamela. I have a fresh perpective; externalizing truth was that I didn't want to give in and say I was bed sick, but finally did. Chills and fever ...I couldn't get warm, but today I feel so much better, but I will still take it easy! Isaiah 52:1 "Awake, awake, O Zion, clothe yourself with STRENGTH!" Amen on that! Happy Wednesday!

Remembering??????

I can remember when a teacher's words changed my life!

By the time I entered the third grade, I didn't have a natural love for learning. But then when I got in the fourth grade, we moved and I, of course, had a new teacher and I will never forget her. If there is such a thing as human beings who act as angels in our lives, Miss Rozwell did! What was great that they had her teach the fifth and sixth grade. My class was in a country school where there were unbelievable fewer students, so with having her as a teacher for the next two years, I accepted her praise she would constantly give and now that I look back, I tucked in my back pocket for the rest of my life, what this teacher did for me! She made me think GOOD of myself!

Do you have anyone that has made you feel good about who you are? Doesn't it keep you warm and fuzzy thinking about it? Do you constantly remember the good and not the bad? Try it, you'll like it. There is success just around the corner and you are so good for who you are now! All I can say is whoopee!!! Thanks God for Mis Rozwell!!!! I'm going to try to look her up and see if I can send her a thank you. Can you just imagine! It's worth trying! We never know who we are leaving warm, fuzzy feelings to someone! Thank you Lord; I want to remember the great!!!!

Truth!!!!

Lately I've been exposed to untruth and I want to shout out "That's not true!!!" But, then when the person believes her own untruths, they think they are perfectly right! It's sad for sure. The Bible says "The truth shall set you free." Nothing is gained by not sharing the truth. When you attack the character that someone has by telling the truth and then you share untruth (lies) about them......do a triple check and realize the consequences of that! I want to encourage you to tell the truth because it leaves bad consequences. I'd love to hear your take on this subject. Have you been lied to lately? It can cause a lot of hurt!!!! That is one thing for sure!!!

Down In The Valley

Psalm 23
Please read it! David says, a table is prepareth before me in the valley...in the middle of frustration, pain....before me in the presence of my enemy. (Ps. 23:5)
He prepares a way out before me. God prepared a blessing in His face while he was down in the valley!!!!!

I could remember my Mamma cooking in the kitchen and we would wait until she cooked; but we could smell the aroma. Before we got to the meal, we would wait for the blessing of that delicious food for a bunch of us! (I'm from a huge family!).

When we come out of this valley, you will come out protected on every side! "Goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life......." We come out rejoicing!!! Goodness, mercy!!!!

I pray you are reading your Bible today and let Psalm 23 permeate your soul!!! All things are possible for you with God!

Friendship

What is a friend to you?

A friend is what I call when everyone walks out, they walk in. This has gotten to be very controversial....is a friend still a friend even if you don't hear from them? How about they care, then they don't care? A friend to me is please don't second guess me. Keep in touch, care, pray, but I truly believe the keeping in touch keeps a "touch of beauty" in the friendship. Things and events change on a second by second anymore. I have a lot of friends that I can meet with and we pick up where we left off. My hubby has spoiled me. He is a friend! And I expect my devout friends to be like him. I also think a friendship goes stale if you don't keep it up. Someone else gets in the open space.

The Bible says "A friend loveth at all times." Proverbs. My hubby says they are not a friend if they don't keep in touch. We're having a great time discussing this at our coffee time. I want a trustworthy friend. A friend who doesn't dissect all the flaws and wants it perfect. But, oh the understnding, to have a friend is phenomenal! Thank you for being a great friend! I appreciate it!!!! Have a joyous Saturday. : )

Who have you encouraged?

Take some time to contact someone who has encouraged you. Let the person know what his or her work has meant to you. Come on. Just do it! You will feel so good. It's the work of God in your life! Psalma 126 - Please take time out to read this chapter. Awesome!

A Super Point of Interest!!!

A happy life must have a center or a point of reference. No matter how far we travel, there must be a home port, a place to return where we know love is waiting to greet us. Perhaps we realize that we have not made the most out of life. It is never too late to begin. Nothing comes by only wishing. When you hear the musician and note the ease and grace of the performance, do you think of the years of struggle and overcoming that was necessary to produce the beautiful music? It leads to preparation now to fulfill your fondest dream!

Yesterday I had the blessing of a devout friend taking me to breakfast. What tremendous fellowshp and understanding! A super point of interest would be the respect, admiration and encouragement she has given our family for not just a few years, but several years!!! I have awakened this early morning thanking God for her and asking God is bless her life in a very special way as a super point of interest! My fondest dream has always been to have a friend who is loyal, loving, and caring! I can rest assured, I have that!!!! How about you? Do you have a friend you can trust and leave them knowing you have a super point of interest? I'd love to hear about him/or/her!

Strength & Honor!!!!!

Proverbs 31:25 "...she shall rejoice in time to come."

That's us, ladies!!!

God has blessed the world with special women like you!

Take a look @ your strengths!!! To name One:

We are life-enhancers; ladies who reach out and enrich the lives of others, to lift them up and inspire them! We need to be life-enhancers and we need to surround ourselves with life-enhancers. When another lady does something good, applaud!!! You will make two people happy!!!! Cheer each other on. We need it!

Are We Valuable?

Whatever your values are - they hold the key to a joyous, exciting, giving life - that to me is the heart fire of your special purpose! You are excitement spread to others. I believe this will keep you moving along a path of hope, new possibilities and rewarding achievements.

Are you valuable? More than you ever know! Of course you are! And I am also! So bond together and keep encouraging those of us who care! I know you care!

May God bless you in a great way today, this Tuesday. Hopefully the weather will be great today!

Longsuffering

That's a word unless one has experienced it will not understand it! Some people do suffer long until an answer arrives! Many people have longsuffering from meds they have to take or a diagnose that will need tons of healing. I would call that suffering l000nnnngggg!

If you suffer a long time from something; please don't give up. An answer will come. Keep lots of love going and sit back and watch the Lord work; all you can do is LOVE.

In the meatime, give lots of hope! It works!