Choosing this bright sunny color font to warm myself. This January has seemed to drag on forever! Here in Missouri we have had a colder winter and more snow than in many years. They say it is the coldest since 1999. I surely believe it! It is almost 4:00 a.m. and I have been awake since 2:00 a.m. due to the cat wanting outside for awhile. I couldn't shut my mind off so I decided to get up and get my devotions done extra early and then do some blogging. I have had a couple ideas running through my mind the past few days but have not had time to post.
In this day and age, with all the instant everything and easy access to nearly anything and everything, we have become a society that only lives in the here and now. ...Though I'm sure it even went on in Bible days in their thoughts and minds, too. It just seems more prevalent today, maybe because this is when I live. Anyhow, most all of us do not live beyond the current day or even moment we are in right then. Oh, don't get me wrong, I know that many people have a vision and set goals but too often those visions and goals are left far behind when life gets busy or challenging or when trials come. When bad times or trials come, we want nothing more than for them to be over. Understandable from the human perspective. We can't look beyond the moment of temporary pain, grief, or trial and realize that God is teaching and molding us for His purpose. Even furthermore, we don't LIKE that God is teaching and molding us! We want to do what we want to do and not have God interfere ...that is until we decide to take him off the back shelf and then we want Him to be our genie from the bottle and wave His magic wand upon demand and fix all our problems or grant us desires. Even dedicated Christians can become bogged down in this type attitude. We must fight against this attitude.
In today's world, even the good times are moment by moment. "If it feels good, then do it". "Live for the moment". The problem with this attitude is that there are usually no moral boundaries. There are always consequences to actions and sometimes those actions can cause heartache for us or others. Sexual misconduct can lead to pregnancy or diseases. Drinking and drug use leads to many problems. At the very least many times a person has a hangover (which makes them feel awful). If driving afterwards, it can lead to accidents where they are hurt or hurt others. It also causes people to say and act in ways they would not normally. Their mind is not clear. Sometimes, permanent physical damage is done to the body...ex. liver damage, brain damage, hepatitis C, aids, etc. Overspending money on foolish purchases causes financial problems. You have trouble paying the bills or taking care of break downs when they happen. Financial problems can lead to marriage problems. We have all been guilty at some time or another of "I want to do this now no matter what" attitudes. Maybe not as destructive as some I mentioned above but somewhere we have been guilty.
We must think, look and live beyond the current moment. Selfishness is often what causes us not to look beyond the moment. The feeling of misery and despair also makes us stuck in the moment. In those moments of despair acceptance goes a long way to helping us. Processing out in our minds and looking for what lesson is to be learned can help to move us past it. During good times we must still look down the road at what consequences we may be creating. Remember that children learn what they live. You are their example. If you don't want them to be foolish with money then you make better choices. If you don't want them to drink or do drugs then don't let them see you doing it. If you don't want sexual promiscuity then teach them how not to be. Ladies don't dress immodestly and don't let them see you be flirtatious. Teach them to save themselves for marriage, don't just try to teach them "safe" sex to prevent pregnancy and disease. Actions always have consequences ... good or bad ones. Keep that in mind.
Just some ponderings about the world and their attitudes.
January 30, 2014
January 8, 2014
Who Knows What?
Just some random thoughts I have had flowing lately and a movie I watched recently got me thinking of things to post about. I don't know, maybe it is being stuck in the house from Saturday until Wednesday that is causing my writer side to flow.
Anyhoo, I reckon I have always been someone who is a people watcher, someone who tries to figure out what makes a person tick, and why they do or act the way they do. In my family growing up, there was a lot of double talk...people not saying what they really meant or making digs that mean something or to get someone's attention without coming out and saying it. This was hard for me to overcome and not constantly be trying to figure out what someone is getting at. In adulthood, and as I have grown in the Lord in grace and matured, I try to be more straight forward but I do try to have tact (not always successfully however). Being in the ministry forces you to learn to deal with people and all their quirkiness and weird ways. One thing I have learned over the past 11 years, after being in the ministry in three different states is that people are people no matter where you are. While there are geographical, social and cultural differences from state to state, people are all prone to sin. Ever since the fall of Adam and Eve this has been the case. By this I mean, they will hurt you, disappoint you, surprise you, accept you or not, help you, be compassionate, be vengeful, be apathetic, be on fire sometimes and run cold sometimes and the list goes on. I think you get my point.
I am someone who tries to know people on a deeper level. I try to understand them and now that I'm older, accept them for who they are even if they drive me batty in their ways or attitudes. My hopes and prayers for them is that they would always walk daily as best they can with the Lord and not make huge mistakes that can mess up their lives. My desire to know people in this way means I often have to open myself up on a deeper level also. This means I open myself up for hurt and heartache. My mom always told me I revealed too much of myself to others. I have learned to be more guarded since entering the ministry but haven't completely accomplished the goal. I also, know that people (even strangers) seem to open up to me and tell me things that they wouldn't tell to others. That has always been my whole life. I don't know why. This tendency is probably why I like to blog also.
The thing I'm taking so long to get to is this....people only let someone know what they want them to know. This is true even of the "open book" kind of person. It is hard to allow others to know everything about us; especially our innermost thoughts, desires and dreams. (And this is where the real us exists) We definitely always want others to see our best side (not that we always pull that off) and never want our bad thoughts and actions known. We do our best to hide these. At least this is true of most people. Even mean spirited or obnoxious or "speak their minds" kind of people have a side they hide that has made them this way. There are things in every person's childhood, teen years, adult past that they try to keep hidden or only allow a few select people to know. The closer and deeper you allow someone to know you, the easier it is for that person to hurt you. This is probably why we guard ourselves so much.
Maybe this post will help us to realize that we can only know what someone allows us to know. Now, there are some like psychologists and other smart, intuitive people who can see through and read others and figure them out. I am someone who works at trying to figure people out. Some cases are harder to read than others but I will continue to work at it as long as I have them in my life.
Anyhoo, I reckon I have always been someone who is a people watcher, someone who tries to figure out what makes a person tick, and why they do or act the way they do. In my family growing up, there was a lot of double talk...people not saying what they really meant or making digs that mean something or to get someone's attention without coming out and saying it. This was hard for me to overcome and not constantly be trying to figure out what someone is getting at. In adulthood, and as I have grown in the Lord in grace and matured, I try to be more straight forward but I do try to have tact (not always successfully however). Being in the ministry forces you to learn to deal with people and all their quirkiness and weird ways. One thing I have learned over the past 11 years, after being in the ministry in three different states is that people are people no matter where you are. While there are geographical, social and cultural differences from state to state, people are all prone to sin. Ever since the fall of Adam and Eve this has been the case. By this I mean, they will hurt you, disappoint you, surprise you, accept you or not, help you, be compassionate, be vengeful, be apathetic, be on fire sometimes and run cold sometimes and the list goes on. I think you get my point.
I am someone who tries to know people on a deeper level. I try to understand them and now that I'm older, accept them for who they are even if they drive me batty in their ways or attitudes. My hopes and prayers for them is that they would always walk daily as best they can with the Lord and not make huge mistakes that can mess up their lives. My desire to know people in this way means I often have to open myself up on a deeper level also. This means I open myself up for hurt and heartache. My mom always told me I revealed too much of myself to others. I have learned to be more guarded since entering the ministry but haven't completely accomplished the goal. I also, know that people (even strangers) seem to open up to me and tell me things that they wouldn't tell to others. That has always been my whole life. I don't know why. This tendency is probably why I like to blog also.
The thing I'm taking so long to get to is this....people only let someone know what they want them to know. This is true even of the "open book" kind of person. It is hard to allow others to know everything about us; especially our innermost thoughts, desires and dreams. (And this is where the real us exists) We definitely always want others to see our best side (not that we always pull that off) and never want our bad thoughts and actions known. We do our best to hide these. At least this is true of most people. Even mean spirited or obnoxious or "speak their minds" kind of people have a side they hide that has made them this way. There are things in every person's childhood, teen years, adult past that they try to keep hidden or only allow a few select people to know. The closer and deeper you allow someone to know you, the easier it is for that person to hurt you. This is probably why we guard ourselves so much.
Maybe this post will help us to realize that we can only know what someone allows us to know. Now, there are some like psychologists and other smart, intuitive people who can see through and read others and figure them out. I am someone who works at trying to figure people out. Some cases are harder to read than others but I will continue to work at it as long as I have them in my life.
January 7, 2014
Crock-Pot Tortellini Soup
Ingredients:
1 lb Italian bulk sausage
6 c. beef broth
1 -15 oz can diced or stewed tomatoes
2 - 8 oz cans tomato sauce
2 c. sliced zucchini
1 large onion - chopped
1 c. carrots - sliced
1/2 c. frozen corn
1 med. green pepper - seeded and chopped
1 t. sugar
1 t. oregano
1 t. basil
1 T. minced garlic
1 pkg. frozen or dried tortellini (cheap at Aldi's)
Grated Parmesan cheese for topping - optional
In skillet brown sausage over medium heat. Drain well. Transfer to crock-pot. Add remaining ingredients except tortellini. Cover and cook on high for 3 1/2 to 4 hours or until the veggies are tender.
Cook tortellini according to package. (recommend reducing cook time about 3 minutes) Drain pasta and add to crock-pot. Cook 30 more minutes on low. Enjoy!
1 lb Italian bulk sausage
6 c. beef broth
1 -15 oz can diced or stewed tomatoes
2 - 8 oz cans tomato sauce
2 c. sliced zucchini
1 large onion - chopped
1 c. carrots - sliced
1/2 c. frozen corn
1 med. green pepper - seeded and chopped
1 t. sugar
1 t. oregano
1 t. basil
1 T. minced garlic
1 pkg. frozen or dried tortellini (cheap at Aldi's)
Grated Parmesan cheese for topping - optional
In skillet brown sausage over medium heat. Drain well. Transfer to crock-pot. Add remaining ingredients except tortellini. Cover and cook on high for 3 1/2 to 4 hours or until the veggies are tender.
Cook tortellini according to package. (recommend reducing cook time about 3 minutes) Drain pasta and add to crock-pot. Cook 30 more minutes on low. Enjoy!
January 1, 2014
The Year in Review - 2013
In 2013 a lot happened. It was an extremely busy year! My son got married in March and we drove to Texas to be there for it. My daughter got married in June and of course there was a lot of planning and doing for that. Because of Bob being allowed the chance to go to the east coast to work the hurricane Sandy clean up as a lineman at the end of 2012, we were able to take care of our daughter's wedding and go to Texas for my son's and also become debt free except for mortgage.
Bob had a second knee surgery on August 1st. He also had a back injury at work right before that (which is still causing some problems but we are working on it) and because of those two medical issues, he made a big decision and made a job change. He began driving the school bus for Cuba schools again. This is a big pay cut for us but so far God is supplying. It gives him more time to study for his preaching.
We gained two new dogs in our household. They are brother/sister siblings and half Mountain Fiest and half Jack Russell. They are squirrel dogs but have made great pets also.
I held my first Ladies Mini Retreat at the church in July with only a handful of ladies showing up but I enjoyed it and hope to have another in the future.
I stayed busy babysitting my niece several times a month. Her parents are in the medical field and so my time is usually 24 hour shifts. She is 17 months old and quite a character. I enjoy her bunches.
Our church celebrated 6 years in ministry in May. We had a spring revival and a Revelation revival in October.
At Thanksgiving we got to go to Texas to spend the holiday with our son, Johnny and his new wife, Kourtney. We got to be there for 5 days. It was a good time.
There were many more activities at the church but I will not try to mention all of them. We stay very busy especially considering what a small church we are! Here are a few of them ...monthly ladies meetings, men's prayer breakfasts, revivals, ladies outings, men's fish fries and clay bird shoots, dinners, and couple's retreats.
It is amazing how fast each year goes by. Sometimes we need to take the time to look back over the year and reflect. Reflection helps us to make changes, work toward goals and be thankful!
Bob had a second knee surgery on August 1st. He also had a back injury at work right before that (which is still causing some problems but we are working on it) and because of those two medical issues, he made a big decision and made a job change. He began driving the school bus for Cuba schools again. This is a big pay cut for us but so far God is supplying. It gives him more time to study for his preaching.
We gained two new dogs in our household. They are brother/sister siblings and half Mountain Fiest and half Jack Russell. They are squirrel dogs but have made great pets also.
I held my first Ladies Mini Retreat at the church in July with only a handful of ladies showing up but I enjoyed it and hope to have another in the future.
I stayed busy babysitting my niece several times a month. Her parents are in the medical field and so my time is usually 24 hour shifts. She is 17 months old and quite a character. I enjoy her bunches.
Our church celebrated 6 years in ministry in May. We had a spring revival and a Revelation revival in October.
At Thanksgiving we got to go to Texas to spend the holiday with our son, Johnny and his new wife, Kourtney. We got to be there for 5 days. It was a good time.
There were many more activities at the church but I will not try to mention all of them. We stay very busy especially considering what a small church we are! Here are a few of them ...monthly ladies meetings, men's prayer breakfasts, revivals, ladies outings, men's fish fries and clay bird shoots, dinners, and couple's retreats.
It is amazing how fast each year goes by. Sometimes we need to take the time to look back over the year and reflect. Reflection helps us to make changes, work toward goals and be thankful!
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