Faith Is the Only Door

I've been wanting to blog on faith for a long time. My faith is in Him and I hope your's is also.

There is only one door into Heaven; that door is faith. There is only one ship that sails for the skies; her name is Faith. There is only one weapon with which to contend with opposition; that is faith. Faith is the first step; faith is the second step; faith the third step; faith the fourth step; faith the last step. We wenter the road by faith. We contend against adversaries by faith; we die by faith; Heaven is the reward of faith.

Faith soars above the mountains of uncertainty and utters a confidence and assurance in our Lord God. He has a precise way of tunneling though, going over and around, and finding the answers. We must give Him our unconditional trust.
F - forgetting
A - all
I - I
T - trust
H - Him!

The Bible says "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1 Bottom line: Faith in the negative comes from worry. Faith in the positive comes from unconditional trust in God. The most difficult part for me in putting faith into action for answers to come is when I must completely turn all over to God and take my hands off. I'm a doer, incredibly stubborn; I don't give up easily when I have a sense of direction from God. But what often comes is a time when I hear God say, "Hands off and let me." It is at this point where I learn to actively put my FAITH in Him for helping and actively trust Him to fight the battles as I learn to sit back and go along for the ride!

As I close this Epistle on FAITH....I do want to add; I cannot imagine a day without blogging, but as this is our daughter's fabulous birthday week -- she is definitely first on the agenda - and I make no bones about it --- she is #1 in my priorities.......so I send much love to one and all....and say Happy, happy 4th of July!!!! .....I'll be posting at a later date.......C ya!

Just for Today. . .

Good habits are purposefully formed. And that's what you want to do today....and every day...form good habits, even (and especially!) in the area of caring for your home. Why? Because what you are at home is what you are. So....

loving your home for an entire week, fussing over the people you love and the place you love for seven whole days...tending to the little touches that transform a house into a home!

...and those are my tender, loving, caring thoughts today.....c ya in W.O.W. 9 a.m. or Worship Center at 10 for the a.m. service.

Gratitude Archive

Most of you know I DO Carol's Creative Cards. I have created a "Gratitude Archive"
Whenever someone sends me a note of thanks for something I did or said, I save it - and I put it in a place where it can easily be retrieved. I collect these notes in a box and take them out and read them when my spirits need a lift. If you (or me) ever have a day when we cannot remember anything good we ever did, or anyone who ever appreciatedus, just take out of the gratitude box a card and spend a few moments absorbing it.........reminding us of our worth!

Speaking of worth, W.O.W. (Women of Worth......WOW also spells Mom upside down) is tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. Come on ladies....you can do it...9 a.m. is not too early! Also, 2nd & 10 class taught for the Men is also at 9! C ya there!!! W.O.W. Subject: "Have you ever tried to harm yourself?"

Intentions

There are many ways to "set" an intention. You could stand on a mountain top and profess your resolution to the trees and sky around you. You could write down some positive changes you want in your life. You could wash your hands in a basin to affirm your intention. Or you could light a candle to support your intention of achieving more inner peace. Intention is powerful in itself. It is a way of proclaiming to yourself and to others that you are committed to change and renewed vision. Think of an important intention now and affirm it. Make it a great day!

Energy

People ask me: Where do you get your energy? I believe energy begats energy! Over the years I've learned to focus my energy on the present, to be fully aware of what's happening in every moment and not to worry about what should have happened, what's going wrong, or what might come next. Yet because I give out so much information and absorb so many people's stories every day, if I didn't find a way to decompress, I'd be totally ineffective - and probably a little crazy, too.

Take care of yourself so you can better care for others is an idea many women I talk to still can't embrace. Keep a gratitude journal --- energy will come rolling in - be grateful. Trust your husband that he is phenomenal in all ways! That will drain your energy if you are always thinking about how to make him live his life.

I'm not real sure I answered the question where do you get your energy? I guess I can say - I don't dwell on drainy things.....always looking at the good in others and the love that comes back to me. Putting positive thoughts and happy thoughts into my mind......being able to be grateful and not carry grudges. .....some day I'll blog more on this question. Have a great Thursday and make someone's day!!!!

Ancient or Relevant?????

Obviously, you can tell I'm an avid morning person. This morning I went out on the patio with the adorable, precious dogs and we were having fun. (I'm talking about very early) When I came back in, I heard the vivacious dog barking a lot, like a cat walked by or a person....who knows. (My husband says it could have even been a leaf blowing a way by the wind!!!!)

So, as quickly as daylight approaches, I note with interest our neighbors were tp'd.........I thought that was an ancient ordeal (what else would it be called?) Well, it is kind of funny.......they did a good job and the tp is rolled out in a form of tic,tac, puzzle in neatness. It must be more relevant than I thought; because those neighbors have been tp'd at least four times this year alone! All I can hope for is that the sprinkler system doesn't come on or it would be gross trying to clean up that mess!!!

Never a dull moment in my life....life is full of fun, that's for sure!!! Make it a good day!!!

Please YOU!

How much of your life will you have to consume before you can please you?

Every day, passion speaks to us through our feelings. That's why when you allow yourself to become anesthetized by what others think, you literally block yourself from living the life you were called to live. And as you become clearer about who you really are, you'll be better able to decide what is best for you - the first time around. The people who truly love you want you to love yourself. That's your great support system! Remember - every day brings a chance for you to draw in a breath, pay attention and enjoy every moment!

Trust me, I'm around a lot of self-centered person's and I know I am not self-centered, so I can enjoy things that please me and I know you can because of that fact (not being so self absorbed).....so go ahead please YOU today and make it a positive, kind, enjoyable day!

Where have all the flowers gone????

I HAD the most gorgeous flower garden in our front yard; posies, and pansies, and mums....the mums are still there but the others just dried up and died. Oh they were beautiful! (And I kept them watered...hmmmm) I am a flower addict...and they made my day going out and picking out the weeds so they could stay so lovely.
But, I'll still just enjoy the mums; rusty brown, yellow, gold, and red. I'm sure the hot summer sun just was too much for the precious flowers. I note with interest my neighbor's pansies have died also. Oh well, back to Lowe's to see what I can plant to replace them.

added happy note: Church was amazingly incredible yesterday. We had every pew filled but one! And then we had a marvelous Q&A afterwards....oh, am I in for church growth and that we are seeing! Yea!!!!Two precious babies...2 adorable little fellows; one is 3 mo. old and just a doll! And the other a little older but they have the cutest smiles I have ever seen! The family that the two little cutie pies belong to are so encouraging! I just hope and pray all who attended have a super great week and can't wait to fill up that other pew!!!! Keep on plunkin' as we used to say when we lived in New England!!!! Okay...so I'm up early rejoicing and feeling the sadness of loosing my flowers...but I also have plenty of stuff to get caught up on...make it a good day!! C ya tomorrow! & say a prayer for me as I figure out this flower delima........

Early Baker

Okay....I feel sooooo good.....I got up at 4 and made 32 loaves of banana bread for each fam in our church!

Why?

.....because they always say they love my banana bread....

.....to make their day....

.....to make my day.....

to hear my hubby rant and rave about the smell in the house from baking such delicious bread!!!!!!

maybe if someone is kind of down....it will cheer them up!!!!

C ya at 10........we have Q&A today afterwards....great meal!!!! You will love my husband's message...I've had a sneak preview...very relevant to today's events!!!!

Disappointments

The greatest disappointments in life come from unfulfilled expectations, unrealized dreams, and the only "tree" that will sweeten the bitter waters of disappointment is the Lord Himself. Only when your expectations are focused on God can you overcome the disappointments of life. He is an expert at healing the brokenhearted. Thus, your disappointment can become God's appointment to discover that He alone must be your pleasure, your desire, the focus of your heart's affection.

Cya in Church tomorrow......10 a.m. I promise you will not be disappointed!

FF (Finally Friday!)

I've been looking forward to Friday. It seems like all the things I didn't get done on MTWTh can be wrapped up on Friday. Whoopee.....plus no cooking b/c of FNDN (Friday Night Date Night).......my girlfriend read my blog and said why don't you tell where you go and what you do on FNDN? I said, no, that's the fun of it...We're public peeps as it is....why should our private life be so public??? Nay, nay, nay!

I will say, this might sound corny but I celebrate him and he celebrates me. And the first thing that pops into my head when I say that is the theme song that Julie sang in Sound of Music.... "Love Makes World Go Round," love makes the love go round, etc. I've been singing the lyrics of that song for the past couple of years. We all ask a similar question is the comfort of that song true? Can I truly get in the Love feeling that the song says and make "love go 'round?" As I continue to have conversations with women from all walks of life and the many common hurts we all share, perhaps we all need to spread a little love around. Love comes from God first and we find verse after verse in the Bible to call upon God and thank him for the love He has given us well!

Priorities/fun, fun, fun.....random thoughts

My hubby and I had so much fun last night. After our 3rd Wednesday Service, we had fun on a date.....so went to bed late, hence I'm up now, just now doing my blog. Our priorities are Home first, then Church next. We take a "Creative Dating" approach; something might be my idea and the next his. That's what makes marriage exciting. Who wants to have a life of dull-drum? Definitely not us.

Looks like storms are coming.....I hope the people who have been without electricity from the last storm have their electric on....and I hope this storm doesn't knock the power out! (We just filled up our freezer!) Have a happy Thursday!

When Is Competition Appropriate?

In my "coaching" with ladies, I see a lot of competition they exhibit and would you believe with even their own husband. Is competition good or bad? I always refer to the Bible for the answer. I Corinthians 9:24 - Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You almost must run in such a way that you will win. That sounds "pushy" to me in a marriage. Competition can drive us to improve ouselves or sharpen our skills. Why it is not favored in a marriage is because: God looks upon us as having equal worth. Also, men and women are different. So, when the woman begins to fulfill the man's role...trouble starts. Competition becomes inappropriate anytime it causes us to think we are more important than others.

How can you learn to lighten up? Colossians 3:23 - Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. I think we should work hard, focus, do our best, not to beat others. Our best honors the God who created us. And......last but not least, we should be happy when ANYONE has created or accomplished something that makes them feel good about themselves. When there are eight people in a room and seven comment with enthusiasm what a great job you did and the one person did not......the one who made no comment stands out like a sore thumb.....jealous, bitter, sad looking....hey ladies that's negative and it will show up in your health! Everyone is important.....everyone works hard....everyone is happily supporting that person who has tried so very hard to accomplish and finish a project!

Make it a great Wednesday! Think of a way you can spread joy, encouragement, love, kindness!!!! Be happy someone else is great at what they do!!! ...and those are my very caring thoughts.

Daylight

I personally wonder how people still can sleep when it is daylight outside. My feet hit the floor just before daylight and then when I see it (daylight) it's gorgeous!!! At the same time, when it become very dark night....my sweet eyelids close into such a peaceful sleep!

What's on my mind this early in the morning? Being very grateful for health, happiness and amazed at how God is so fabulous and supplying just every need! He says in Philippians 4 He will supply....why should I even wonder? I'm just so thankful! How about you? Do you take for granted all the needs He supplies for you, or do you just plod along........... and I wonder if we all forget to give Him honor and praise? Each day, I say a prayer and cannot thank Him for all His provisions and I hope this is encouragement to pass on!

Initiative

......is the child of necessity. Can people be taught to take the initiative? ...Maybe because they figure the extra work will go unrecognized? When was the last time you undertook an initiative at work without being asked? Did it matter to you whether it was recognized or not? Organizations, churches are full of intelligent, motivated, and experienced people who LACK initiative. To me, it's a fire that burns with an individual. It isn't waiting to be told what to do........an innate drive! Both of our kids have super great initiative!

I knew a lady I used to work with that processed medical claims; this lady would take home manuals nd Health guidelines...hour after hour, evening after evening, reading more to find the answer to a quicker and better way. That's initiative! I'm sure the bonus she received was just the frosting on the cake!

I have to brag on an eleven year old girl at church yesterday that had initiative to straighten the basket with drawing paper and the pens that did not work! That, ladies and gentlemen is pure initiative!!! Give us more people who will JUST DO it AS Niki proclaims!!!! Happy Monday!

Happy Father's Day!!!!!

The world lost a life -
A face you can't see
A voice you can't hear
A hand you can't hold.
Memories
Some fade

Some stay
As clear and bright
As a beautiful summer sun.
They visit us...comfort us
Until the day we are reunited.
Sheer joy.
What a day that will be.......

We lost a super great person when my father-in-law passed on to glory. He always treated me like a queen! My own Dad is passed away several years ago.....but we still have the phenomenal memories and fun being around my own husband who is a fabulous Dad and our Son who is a totally awesome Dad.....and we had so much fun already celebrating Father's Day last night with them.....It is my sincere hope that all Fathers get what they truly deserve......a marvelous day!!!!!

See ya in church 10:00 a.m. There will be a gift given to each Dad. Happy Father's Day each one of you beloved Dads!!!!!

My Question: Why So Much Criticism?

Yesterday for our Date Day we chose Olive Garden. They have a scrumptuous Soup/Salad for $5.99 (all you can eat) for lunch only. When you walk in the Restaurant right outside by the main entrance is a sign with the Manager's full name and of course also reading General Manager. As we were finishing our lunch, she came over and as I looked up saw her name embroided on the Chef jacket outfit she had on.....she proceeded to say we were chosen on our bill to be the customers that get $10 off if we go on line to this site and give our criticism of Olive Garden and how we were treated. My husband and I thanked her, but told her we don't have any criticism; all service, food, etc. has been fantastic! So, as she stood and talked to us, she said that is how she surveys and manages her skills at the restaurant to improve customer service. Hmmmm.......of course I filled out the servey, but on a scale from 1-5, 5 being the best; that was our rating.

On the other hand, I can see why she wants to hear the negative because it gives her higher goals to reach. And the truth is we go in to have a date with each other and bond together after a very busy week. Also to enjoy a nice lunch....the answer to my own question - why so much criticism would make me not want to go back in that restaurant if it's that bad.....looks like it is defeating its own purpose. Oh, well, I will joyfully use my $10 coupon word....and this time devour the breadsticks which are so delicious to take home and reheat....so that's my take on restaurant surveys and gratitude for just being able to give my opinion! Whoopee!!!!!

See ya in church tomorrow. My husband has a fabulous Father's Day message...come on Dads.....you will also receive a neat gift for ccoming as we celebrate Father's Day 2008!!!

Keep on Keepin' On

Don't give up on any victory you want to live in your life! Just do some "cheerleading self talk" and say: "Keep on Keepin' On!!!!"

YOU CAN DO IT! Keep your goals and achieve victory!

Love Stays

You wake up in the morning and your whole world changes. Nothing will ever be as you have known it to be.

You realize the Lord is such a gentle shepherd....a caring and dependable guide.

He will not leave us broken; He will not leave us......the only thing in life that I have learned never changes....is the love of God. I've been trying to memorize I Cor. 13 love chapter....so remember love stays. What a terrific promise because His love is constant! my heart is so grateful, knowing He cares and loves and I can only hope you have experienced this same love! If not, contact me....I can tell you how.

Great Quote!

"To succeed you have to believe in something with such a passion that it becomes a reality."

Anita Roddick

I truly love this quote! We have to get real! Achieve your goal!!!! Don't give up! Your passion will become a reality!

I'm excited about reaching the goal of "filling the pews" and having more attend Lighthouse Church! That's what it's all about....that is definitely a passion with me! Have a great Wednesday!!!