Isaiah 43:19 Awesome!!!!!!

"Behold I will do a new thing. Now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

The six most encouraging phrases from this scripture are:

I love you.

You will get what you need.

All is forgiven.

I believe in you.

You've lost weight.

Keep on serving!

This is a NEW THING and TASK I have decided to do. Make scripture work for me for what goes on in everyday life! It means so much more. Try it - you can do it also...I'd love to hear what you have found from a scripture! Wooohooo!!!!

Be Affirmed!

Be affirmed now that you are happy. I promise you - you will have so many days of non-stress when you make up your mind you are happy. No one else can force you to be happy....it's a way to live and feel affirmed. I like to read Prime Minister's background; how they built their reputation as a diplomat and social reformer. How they mastermind great purchases and how they approach people.

There's been so many Pastor's Wives who have made a tremendous reputation in and how they handle speeches to women; women conferences, etc. I know we are retired now from the ministry, but when my hubby Pastored in New England, I was a vital part of the New England Ladies Seminar where some three thousand women would attend. I was the Worship Leader and spoke at some of the Sessions. I had ladies coming up to get my autograph like I was a great celebrity. The joy exhibited on their face when I signed their Bible; I wouldn't trade that for anything in the world! There was always a lesson to learn about happiness and leadership. I had to affirm myself to win the confidence, trust, and friendship of the ladies so that their needs would be met.

It works! Believe me! Be cnfident; afirmed; happy; and real!!! It works!
I'm late today with my blog....google was down.....have a great Tuesday!

HAPPINESS CONT'D

Perhaps we realize that we have not made the most out 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 his/her performance, do you think of the years of struggle and overcoming that was necessary to produce the beautiful music? Prepare now to fulfill your fondest dream.

Happiness does not depend on outside circumstancs - real happiness is found by being true to one's self; always seeking high ideals and the perfect peace found only in the will of God. Remember obstacles are the things you see when you take your eyes off the goal. Be happy! It works! A touch of beauty. Trust me. Or do you have your own take on this? What do you think makes you happy? What does it take?

HAPPINESS CONTINUED!!!

We do not find happiness in the gaining of much wealth. Many times the gaining of material things only causes us more problems. Luke defines his in chapter 12, verse 15....we visit in every type of home and many times we find the happiest, most well-adjusted families are those who have to depend on each other completely, and on the Lord instead of what they have laid up on banks and investments.

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. In our Chrisian life, Christ is the focal point. "For me to live is Christ..." Philippians 1:21.

MORE TOMORROW : )

More on Happiness

The older we become, it seems the faster the days slip by. Science has been able to add years to life, but our greatest problem is how to add life to years. How can we make the most out of life? The joy of living is not found necessarily in many years of existence. Let us think of the man who is usually referred to as living the longest amount of years ever recorded, Methuselah (Gen. 5:27). This is all we know about him. Perhaps he never accomplished one worthwhile thing.

Just as long years do not necessary add up to happy living, even so successful living is not totally dependent on an abundance of learning. Solomon was the wisest man of all ages (except our Lord) yet he exclaimed, "For in much wisdom is much grief." (Ecc. 1:18). Knowledge is good, but when it does not include God, leads to sorrow, not happiness.

More on happiness tomorrow..... have a great Saturday!

Contentment

Paul admonishes us to be content. No matter what the situation, we are not to fret and stew but to find something to praise the Lord for, even in trying circumstances. Nothing is an accident with the Lord. We cannot look at the future and believe things are going to get better for this is not what the Bible teaches. We do know, however, that He will care for us and all we really need is to put our trust and faith in the Lord and be content to follow His leadership. He is there to care and help us.

Only through prayer and the reading of His word do we find strength and contentment to face a new day. Happy Friday!

Cleanliness

How true this is, the word cleanliness...for when Christ lives in our hearts we become new creatures and the old things pass away. II Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creaure; old things are passed away; behold al things are become new." It is really more important that we are clean on the inside than on the outside. God looks on the heart. Our Christian character and conduct reflect daily the cleanliness of our inward life.

You Shall Be The Best!

I've adopted the Proverbs 31 Homemaker as my model to take care of our home. It says I excel at my role of home manager. (vs. 29) My thinking goes something like this:
1. I have to keep the house clean.....makes me create order.
2. Three or Two meals a day.....what's the best on this?
EXCEL! Why not be the best?
Why not EXCEL?
It will bless your family so much by being the best!!!! I encourage you to excel because you are the best!

Trust!!!

Trust Vs. non-trust! It goes backward and forwards! One minute you can trust someone and the next it's hard to trust them....the same person. I personally like to trust. But, can you really trust? What causes you to trust? I would love to hear your take on Trust!!!!

(Short blog today...gotta finish some writing material re: Marriage Love)...have a happy Tuesday. Friday will be here before you know it!

Smiles!!!!!

How long has it been since you really smiled? It gives you peace of mind.

Let's not forget to smile - smiles can leave impressions that stay with us always!

We won't regret giving a smile and sharing it...especially with others in their need. It could be the only boost they get today and if you haven't smiled for a long time; try it; you'll find yourself looking on the brighter side instead of looking so gloomy.

You and I may be the only ones that care to brighten a perplexed soul. Begin the week to be happy for others and put your beautiful smile out there. Even family members need a smile! I encourage you to see how much your smile will shine and others will be smiling also! A smile to me is super empowerment and gives out quite a bit energy!!!

Early Bird!!!

I'm ALWAYS up early on special days...especially like Father's Day. All of the story falls into place, especially knowing our fabulous kids will call their Dad and I get so excited, I can't hardly stand it! So, what do I do...I get up early to make sure I have his card on the counter so that as he awakens he gets so excited for HIS DAY! I was teasing him and said if we still had the church service he would get the "Eldest Father" gift!!!

If you are a Father reading this...enjoy your day in all it's magnitude for you!!! You deserve the greatest day ever because you are SO DEDICATED, LOVING, and GENUINE!!!

Change Blog??????

I know it's Saturday and one of my fav days!

I'm thinking of changing my blog where I have more community.

What do you think?

I've been asked to give my take on various subjects which younger women want to hear.

My whole blog would mean my opinion and then you give your's.

Transparency which is my dream come true when I work with ladies.

Lately I haven't been getting any comments.....and maybe it's because I give my encouragement and you don't know what to add to it. In this new blog, you would get a chance to comment and oh what joy that would be for me.

I welcome your comments on this. Happy pre-Father's Day guys!!!!!

Dads

My hubby is a remarkable Dad and so is our Son! They always give so much patience when wee hands tug at them with their small demands!
And give such gentle and smiling eyes....
even though weariness, or noise obscures their vision.
No bad memories of these two Dads and I hope all Dads have an awesome "Father's Day!"
I'm already celebrating with my creative cards and love sent!!!! And I hope you do the same. They deserve, deserve, deserve it. As a Dad there is nothing my hubby wouldn't do! He is amazing!!! And to top it all off, he has played the role of Dad to a lot of Fatherless peeps!!!! Oh, may God bless him immensely for that because I've seen him spending hours on that one! You Dads deserve tons of recognition in approximately two days! Begin now to celebrate!!!

Happy The Home

Where love is found...
Loyalty, truth, and kindness.....
Is God loved above all others?
And do children honor their fathers and mothers?
Is the Home spacious, great or small?
And do you honor God?
Is it where lifting burdens others bear?
It's the only hope for the nation.
FAITH WILL CONQUER FEAR AND DESPAIR!
But, ladies...make sure homes reflect God's love
and tender care!!! : )
Come on, you can do it! I know you can!!!!

Just Because He Lives!!!!

As the song goes, "And life is worth the living.....JUST BECAUSE HE LIVES!!!!"

Yes, life is worth living.

If you have lived around women who did not think that, your heart would be oh so sad most of the time. But it's worth the living....He liveth in me....the Lord and what energy, enthusiasm, and worthwhile things I put into this life ARE WORTH IT!!!

It's not time to give up! I talked to a lady Monday who said she didn't know why her husband goes to work every day and is so dedicated to his job. Have you ever had to explain .... so that you two and your kids can live!!! Hello....that's a simple answer. No work, no pay (unless you are drawing SS) Where is her mind?

Life is worth living, because He lives...He proves it to us daily, second by second, days, weeks, months, years...let Him reward you and have a most happy Wednesday!

Decision Making

Not a second goes by that you and I aren't making decisions.

As you listen to someone speak, you have to carefully decide how to answer...and with what words.

When there is a crisis, options have to be clicked through mentally on the spot....and a decision on a course of action must be made quickly.

Decision making does not include laziness, self-indulgence, or secondary choices.

Remember your ability to making wise decisions is directly proportional to your degree of maturity. God will guide you...take time to listen to His beckoning call.

Community

An interesting word!!! If wanting to live a happy life with others - you will definitely want "Community." People who care, who communicate, who contact you and don't make any bones about it...you mean the world to them! ......hearing each other voices!! FB or Blog could never replace what it means to hear a friend or family member's voice. I hear from our two awesome kids; my heart is so overjoyed!

People we need community. The world doesn't revolve on selfishness. Let's put in community and change what society believes. The love of God will compel us to live this way!!! I rejoice that I hear from quite a few who know my cell phone number and I burst with joy! Over the weekend I heard from those who really believe in community. I'm getting with the program now and my heart is overjoyed to begin the week! I hope you hear from family and friends with a beautiful live voice! This lives out God's plan and purpose!!!

Life is just too short and too precious to be wasted on anything that does not help you live our God's plan and purpose in .... what's that word????
C-o-m-m-u-n-i-t-y!!! Woooohooo

Always Prayer!!!!

As FB says, "What's On Your Mind?" Prayer is today on my mind.
Wow! We received eight prayer requests this week. So many people are having surgeries or events in their fam. that need prayers now. Love, love, love to be asked to pray for some issue!!!! Prayer is the answer! It is the shelter in the time of storms! Whether it be illness, issues, families, work stuff, the list goes on and on.

Take your troubles to the Lord and leave them there. Don't pick them up, just leave them. He is there to heal, protect, give you peace, joy and contentment. How about starting TODAY, the Lord's Day. He will give you blessing beyond blessing! Prayer is real and soothing. It's always great to see the outcome and oh so wonderful!

Everybody Wants To Be Somebody!

Every person wants to be loved. Every person wants to be well considered. Everybody wants to be somebody. This is true from the smallest of children to the oldest adults.

How can you help other people to feel like they are somebody? By seeing them with some awesome good in them. I would rate that person a 10!!!! I believe that yu get out of people exactly what you expect from them. If you treat people like 10's, they respond like 10's. It's a deep human desire and we can help people become great simply by showing them how we believe in them! Happy weekend!

Helping Somebody Influences!

Yesterday I ENCOURAGED three people. I give honor and glory to God. These three adults have the late stages of cancer. Pouring my effort into helping them to NOT GIVE UP, continue to eat, look at funny movies!!! The greater the positive impact you make on another person, the more likely that person is to turn around and influence others positively. Helping someone has a ripple effect. Just step out. My hubby and I are not beyond being helped. We are grateful to the core, believe you me.

I hope your weekend is phenomenal! You mean soooo much to me! Happy Friday!!!

Thoughtfulness!

Are you thoughtful?

So you thank those who have been a blessing to you?

What directs you to get beyond yourself and be thoughtful of something that means a lot to you?

Are you completely self-centereed all the time?

Thoughtful means remembering to be encouraging to those who need it. We all need it! No one is exempt from it.

My hubby knows I dearly love to find my eye glasses in the morning as I walk into the kitchen to get my cup of coffee. I lay them down in the den and just before he goes to bed, he places them on the kitchen counter. Yep! Can't miss them and there they are every day! He is so THOUGHTFUL and believe you me I thank him. I have to have my glasses and he knows that...of course I can't see well to find them either.

At the same time I am thoughtful to remember to put sugar in his cup of coffee every single day for 42 + years. He compliments me that I put "just enough." He has to watch his sugar intake, so I put just exactly the right amount.

The list could go on and on for thoughtfulness between the two of us. How about you? Are you a thoughtful person or do you wait for everyone else to be that way???? Have a happy Thursday and do something thoughtful! It'll come back to you +++++!!!!

Home Blessings!

Homes do not become a reality just because we wish it, but they must be built with much prayer and guidance from our Lord.

The home is made up of many persons which we refer to as "Our Family." Father, the head of the house; A adjustments, M Mom the heart of the home; I image or impact of the home on members of the home as well as neighbors and friends. Influence on others.
L stands for love; the strongest bond to secure and establish family ties. Family love is based on God's love. and Y represents YOUTH - the children who come to bless the home! Prov. 22:6 - Train up a child in the way he should go.

Home blessings mean HOME SWEET HOME. So much love and care! We feel so safe and secure!!! That's home blessings....walking in the door and feel such happiness!!

Today is Pixie Day!

Pixie is our only dog now. Chloe passed on last week...we had her seventeen years. Is she missed? Definitely! Today is declared Pixie Day...at her last grooming which was last week, she has come down with fleas. Our friend, Clint told us about the right flea stuff, so we will just walk right into Petsmart and get the kind he mentioned with the "rid of them" ingredient that works! I cannot do fleas....I can remember my friend took care of her sister's dog and we actually sat and saw fleas jump. She had to fog her house after the dog was gone. That's my flea story! Everyone knows I will not report negativity on my blog....it's only because I cannot wait until I can say "No more fleas!" She is still a very loving dog and right now is vying for attention from both of us and it's been fun seeing her fit right in...I'm a morning person and my husband is night time; so Pixie gets the best of both worlds. She is so happy and jumps for joy because she deserves our love to give her. She is something else. Look on FB to see a pic of her. How about you? How many precious dogs do you have? God sure made Pixie beautiful; she is so full of love to me, and is no problem whatsoever!

It's Up!!!

Google has been down all morning. I am definitely a "creature of habit" person. Not being able to write my blog in the morning has really thrown me off for the day! Yea!!! It's up!!! Never thought I'd be blogging in the afternoon, so this will be pretty brief. Here's a great comment of encouragement:

Those who believe in our ability do more than stimulate us. They create for us an atmosphere in which it becomes easier to succeed! Let that motivate you today! See ya bright and early tomorrow morning!!!! Thanks for your patience!

Awesome Friends!!!

My hubby and I had a visit by our awesome friends, the Clarks, yesterday. Needless to say I am up early reminencing over the phenomenal time. I can't even begin to blog how great it was to our spirits. I don't keep iced tea in the frig. and of course, offered her coffee (she's my Starbuck's friend forever) and she didn't want any, so all we had was water and friendship! What a combination!

It brought so much happiness and joy to have them at our home. The older we become, it seems the faster the days slip by. Science has been able to add years to life, but our greatest problem is how to add life to years. How can we make the most of our life? The joy of living is not found necessarily in many years of existence. The man who is usually referred to as living the longest amount of years ever recorded was Methuselah....... (Gen. 5:27). It's been said he never accomplished one worthwhile thing. I said that to say this.....To hear what friends are doing is so worthwhile!!!! We hope they are very blessed and blessed greatly!!! Cool people!

Home Lovers!!!!

I like "home lovers" because I believe that if you love your home, you'll do all the rest. You'll work at building your home and your homemaking. You'll work at keeping your home! ...and being a good manager of your household!

I know that love is the world's most powerful motivator. So if we love our home, love being there and love managing it, building it, watching over it, and keeping it, then love will conquer all. That's my goal, is it your's? Go for it!!! Begin now!!!

Keepers at Home!

I'm up early enjoying the comments re: my FB pics!!! Makes my day...wow! thanks everyone!

Titus 2:5 says women are to be "keepers at home." translates...workers at home, homekeepers, good housekeepers, good managers of the houshold and home lovers! Whoa! I love all the titles and wear them seriously/respectfully!!

In the long run, you'll work at being a GOOD MANAGER of your household! Both you and I know that love is the world's most powerful motivator. If we love our home, love being there and love managing it, watching over it, keeping it, then LOVE will conquer all! No task too difficult and no job menial (meaningless!!!). Go for it; empower yourself to tackle it, master it and EXCEL at it! Prov. 31:29.

Do You Love Your Home?

I like "home lovers" because I believe that if you love your home, you'll do all the rest. You will work at building your home and your homemaking. You'll work at keeping your home. You'll work at being a good housekeeper. You'll work at being a good manager of your household.

You and I know that love is the world's most powerful motivator. So if we love our home, love being there and love managing it, building it, watching over it, and keeping it, then love will conquer all! Be dedicated to making your home a spirit of love, respect, and more love and respect. Relax because you know you can do....just do it!!!!! May you be blessed this Thursday by having LOVE in your home! (my favorite subject....all you need is love!!!....you go girl!!!)

The Love of Blogging

I cannot even begin how much I love to blog. When our son put in my blog three and one-half years ago, I was in ectasy and still am!!! The comments I get are amazingly incredible. I'm trying not to concentrate on what I do not know about blogging. All I know is my passion is to post encouragement! However, on Memorial Day I went in to make a comment back to one of my favorite readers and close friend and would you believe I deleted the entire blog for that day! I cannot even begin to write about how I tried to find it again...to no avail. All I can say is God knows all about it; gone forever! Sorry about that!

So far the subjects have been on "Love in the Making" a series I have written to help a wife help her in her role. It works! My heart goes out to ladies who give up on being a wife; no love shown at all to the hubby and it leaves my heart so sad for them. My hubby THRIVES on my love. He's told me countless hundreds of times that without my love and admiration for him, he would have slipped off into eternity way long before now! There's always a note from him or raving comments or a cell phone call.....he admires, adores, his eternal happiness to have my love. I give it too! I'm always extravagent to the max when it comes to our love, closeness, and utmost living a life about "real love" to this man!!!! Does God help me? Minute by minute!!! So, that's why I love blogging and thank you for reading it and giving me feedback which is what I love the most! It's my passion!!!! I'm an early riser and I will share, share, share and thank you for your wise, loving, so complimentary comments! Let the compliments begin!!!! Happy Wednesday to all!!!!

Build Your Home

Wisdom will help to build your home!

This may not sound very lovely or seem too appealing. Plans are made, care has been taken, effort has been expended, and the end results are attractive and beneficial. It's a home.....a home where the surroundings comfort the soul and the food sustains, nourishes, and energizes the body!

Proverbs 14:1 "EVery wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands." Instead of tearing it down, you should devote to building (literally) to your home. How do you spend your energy? If you are wise, you'll spend it building and bettering your home! Time is never wasted and it creates an enhanced environment with your family.

To me to build connotes faithfulness (like showing up for work on the job every day!) And don't forget attitude! Roll up your sleeves and get moving! Willingly take on the challenge....with passion and purpose!