Our Daily Bread
There is a well-known joke in United States culture about how men don't like to stop and ask for directions. I don't know where that came from! ha! The only thing harder than getting a man to ask for directions is to get him to turn around and go back!
Our lives in Christ can be like that whether we are male or female. It can be difficult to ask for direction from God. It can also be very, very difficult to turn around once we get them! This is especially true when it comes to sin. We often confess our sins, but then go right back to doing our "pet" sin(s) over and over.
My pet sin is unbelief. Some would ask "is that really a sin?". I believe it is (you are welcome to your own opinion). Instead of waiting for God to direct me and follow his path, I find my own way towards my goals usually with less than favorable results! The way I want to live my life is: I will trust in the Lord. He is worthy to be praised!
I saw this saying on Facebook the other day and like it:
God's plans are soooo much better than our dreams!
Foodie Friday
My ex used to make something like this. I found this recipe on cooks.com. It is pretty simple. I plan to make it for my church dinner tomorrow night.
CHOCOLATE BOURBON PECAN PIE
Printed from COOKS.COM
1 9-inch unbaked pie shell
1 c. sugar
3 tbsp. cornstarch
3 eggs
1/2 c. sweetened condensed milk
2 tbsp. bourbon
6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate, melted
4 tbsp. butter, melted
1 1/2 c. pecans
1. Mix together sugar and cornstarch in large bowl. Add eggs, one at a time, mix. Add sweetened condensed milk, bourbon, chocolate, and butter. Mix well.
2. Pour into pie shell. Add the pecans in a circular design on top of pie. Bake for 45 minutes in 375°F oven. Serve with whipped cream, if desired.
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Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Friday, August 31, 2012
Thursday, August 30, 2012
I'd rather have Jesus...
Our Daily Bread
I like the hymn "I'd rather have Jesus". I remember hearing it sung by George Beverly Shea during a Billy Graham rally. It was so moving! I think about that hymn and what it could mean to my life.
I have a friend who feels called into the ministry after being a highly paid lawyer for the last twenty years. I pray for him and think about this hymn. I pray that the "new normal" for his life will be an easy transition as he moves out of his big house and realizes he can't live like he used to. I hope "I'd rather have Jesus" means more to him now and realize how following Jesus can affect your life.
The devotional is clear -- money is not evil. The love of money is evil when we put it before our relationship with God. Let's ask ourselves today -- would we really rather have Jesus?
Lord, thank you for being more than money can ever buy.
Technology Thursday
I found this article on the Yahoo Technology site -- Are you being monitored at work? Where do you work? Small company? Medium size? Large? The chances are that the larger your company, the more likely your online activity is being monitored. You might even be videotaped, have your badge scans tracked for entries and exits to buildings, and have your emails monitored depending on your role in the company.
Why would a company do this? The most pressing reason is regulatory requirements by the government. Other important reasons include security clearances (for companies like Battelle) and corporate secrets (like in industries with patented forumlas). Think of Coca-Cola and how secret the formula is! I have also seen company resources abused like folks streaming videos during work time or downloading gigs of music to their laptops.
So what should you do? My general rule is Biblically based: what is done in the dark will be brought to light. Hmmmm. That is sort of scary, but it is true. When at work, it is best to focus on work stuff. Only do your personal Internet research and personal business transactions at home or away from work. Always assume that you are being monitored and always follow your company's usage and access policies to be safe!
********************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
I like the hymn "I'd rather have Jesus". I remember hearing it sung by George Beverly Shea during a Billy Graham rally. It was so moving! I think about that hymn and what it could mean to my life.
I have a friend who feels called into the ministry after being a highly paid lawyer for the last twenty years. I pray for him and think about this hymn. I pray that the "new normal" for his life will be an easy transition as he moves out of his big house and realizes he can't live like he used to. I hope "I'd rather have Jesus" means more to him now and realize how following Jesus can affect your life.
The devotional is clear -- money is not evil. The love of money is evil when we put it before our relationship with God. Let's ask ourselves today -- would we really rather have Jesus?
Lord, thank you for being more than money can ever buy.
Technology Thursday
I found this article on the Yahoo Technology site -- Are you being monitored at work? Where do you work? Small company? Medium size? Large? The chances are that the larger your company, the more likely your online activity is being monitored. You might even be videotaped, have your badge scans tracked for entries and exits to buildings, and have your emails monitored depending on your role in the company.
Why would a company do this? The most pressing reason is regulatory requirements by the government. Other important reasons include security clearances (for companies like Battelle) and corporate secrets (like in industries with patented forumlas). Think of Coca-Cola and how secret the formula is! I have also seen company resources abused like folks streaming videos during work time or downloading gigs of music to their laptops.
So what should you do? My general rule is Biblically based: what is done in the dark will be brought to light. Hmmmm. That is sort of scary, but it is true. When at work, it is best to focus on work stuff. Only do your personal Internet research and personal business transactions at home or away from work. Always assume that you are being monitored and always follow your company's usage and access policies to be safe!
********************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
The Bread of Life
Our Daily Bread
Food is a big deal in my family. We sort of use it to express our love for each other at times. Nothing says loving like a great meal or your favorite treat! We all learned this from my grandmother who worked her fingers to the bone just to put food on the table for her six children while her husband, my grandfather, was in the Navy. It was not an easy life. Love was food. Food was love.
Jesus is another example of how food is love -- the bread of life. While there are many metaphors used to describe Jesus and what he means to humanity, this one really spoke to most people. Hunger was common. People were poor. It wasn't like our lives where we had lots of grocery stores where we can buy what we want or need with our adequate salaries. One days pay for a poor person could barely buy food for their families. And McDonalds? Fah-get-about-it! ha!
Jesus said whoever eats of earthly bread will hunger again. Those who eat of heavenly bread will never hunger again. The bread of life. The bread of heaven.
Lord, thank you for giving us the bread of life when we hunger for God
Workout Wednesday
Keeping it...new
Just keeping it real! I hear that saying a lot. For me, I want to keep things...new. I think this will be the last I write about my workouts. I am running out of things to say, so I will change it up again. If you followed my blog for a while you might remember how I do this periodically. I will decide what to write about next and surprise you next week!
I will use the "keeping it new" theme for this entry. How do you keep your workouts new? They lose their luster after a while as you fall into a workout routine. How do you keep motivated? How do I keep this up the rest of my life? Yikes! As I tease my friends "once you get a body like this, you don't want to lose it!" ha!
Here are a few tips off the top of my head:
I hope this helps. You can do this. If I can do it, then anyone can!
*********************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Food is a big deal in my family. We sort of use it to express our love for each other at times. Nothing says loving like a great meal or your favorite treat! We all learned this from my grandmother who worked her fingers to the bone just to put food on the table for her six children while her husband, my grandfather, was in the Navy. It was not an easy life. Love was food. Food was love.
Jesus is another example of how food is love -- the bread of life. While there are many metaphors used to describe Jesus and what he means to humanity, this one really spoke to most people. Hunger was common. People were poor. It wasn't like our lives where we had lots of grocery stores where we can buy what we want or need with our adequate salaries. One days pay for a poor person could barely buy food for their families. And McDonalds? Fah-get-about-it! ha!
Jesus said whoever eats of earthly bread will hunger again. Those who eat of heavenly bread will never hunger again. The bread of life. The bread of heaven.
Lord, thank you for giving us the bread of life when we hunger for God
Workout Wednesday
Keeping it...new
Just keeping it real! I hear that saying a lot. For me, I want to keep things...new. I think this will be the last I write about my workouts. I am running out of things to say, so I will change it up again. If you followed my blog for a while you might remember how I do this periodically. I will decide what to write about next and surprise you next week!
I will use the "keeping it new" theme for this entry. How do you keep your workouts new? They lose their luster after a while as you fall into a workout routine. How do you keep motivated? How do I keep this up the rest of my life? Yikes! As I tease my friends "once you get a body like this, you don't want to lose it!" ha!
Here are a few tips off the top of my head:
- Try different exercises, a different schedule, a new sport, an old sport, etc. Do different stuff. I find doing the same old workouts make it difficult to get up at 4:50 am each morning. That is the biggest reason I liked doing cross fit routines -- it had variety!
- Find what works for you for the long term. Yes, you can use one approach to lose weight. That may not work for your long-term for maintenance. I have to find balance because I don't want to workout two or three times per day to keep my weight off! Don't have time. Don't want to be a slave to the gym.
- Find a workout partner or some friends to share your workout interest. I am fortunate to have some folks that help motivate and encourage me. I am the motivator and encourager at times. If that doesn't work for you, consider a personal trainer or a group training environment. Find what works for you!
- Appreciate what you have done so far. Every time I put on a shirt or pair of pants that used to be tight on me or not fit at all, it makes me appreciate the hard work I have done. It encourages me to continue on.
- Lastly, I do stuff during my workouts to make good use of the time. I read or pray when I ride my recumbent bike. I often say short sentence prayers during my short breaks in between sets on my Bowflex. I listen to dance mixes of Contemporary Christian music to lift my spirits and keep me revved up during my workouts. Find what works for you!
I hope this helps. You can do this. If I can do it, then anyone can!
*********************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Serve the Lord with gladness
Our Daily Bread
I love it when a plan comes together! When you read the Teaching Tuesday entry below, you will notice the common theme today -- being positive and joyful. It is had to be one without the other! The coolest part is that the two topics came together on God's schedule, not mine! I think we all need to hear this message at times!
I have to admit -- I am not always the upbeat Duane that is reflected on my Facebook page. I usually am, but not always. A close friend reminded me that my upbeat comments and funny remarks mean a lot to him because he knows it is not always easy for me to be upbeat and positive. God speaks to me (and to us all if we listen) through many different avenues. There is his Word. I love Psalm 100. I sang a setting of that in choir last year. He speaks to me through circumstances, like the timing of this devotional and the 100 Secrets book. He speaks to me through nature and other folks. Even when other folks, especially my Christian brothers and sisters, aren't treating me nicely, I will remain positive because it is an opportunity to pray for them and to show them God's love no matter what.
No, it is not always easy. It is not meant to be. Serving the Lord with gladness is a privilege and a joy no matter what the circumstances and what comes my way!
How is God speaking to you? Are you listening?
Lord, thank you for the honor and privilege of serving you. Please help me always do it with joy!
Teaching Tuesday
Secret number15 from the 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People is:
If you're not sure, guess positively.
This is like the "glass half empty" or "glass half full" approach to life in general. When in doubt about a situation, look at the positive side. It is so much healthier and adds to your happiness! I understand that some folks want to be sad and bitter about life after being beaten down. I have felt that way at times. Try looking on the bright side just a little bit a day and keep it going. You can do this!
**************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
I love it when a plan comes together! When you read the Teaching Tuesday entry below, you will notice the common theme today -- being positive and joyful. It is had to be one without the other! The coolest part is that the two topics came together on God's schedule, not mine! I think we all need to hear this message at times!
I have to admit -- I am not always the upbeat Duane that is reflected on my Facebook page. I usually am, but not always. A close friend reminded me that my upbeat comments and funny remarks mean a lot to him because he knows it is not always easy for me to be upbeat and positive. God speaks to me (and to us all if we listen) through many different avenues. There is his Word. I love Psalm 100. I sang a setting of that in choir last year. He speaks to me through circumstances, like the timing of this devotional and the 100 Secrets book. He speaks to me through nature and other folks. Even when other folks, especially my Christian brothers and sisters, aren't treating me nicely, I will remain positive because it is an opportunity to pray for them and to show them God's love no matter what.
No, it is not always easy. It is not meant to be. Serving the Lord with gladness is a privilege and a joy no matter what the circumstances and what comes my way!
How is God speaking to you? Are you listening?
Lord, thank you for the honor and privilege of serving you. Please help me always do it with joy!
Teaching Tuesday
Secret number15 from the 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People is:
If you're not sure, guess positively.
This is like the "glass half empty" or "glass half full" approach to life in general. When in doubt about a situation, look at the positive side. It is so much healthier and adds to your happiness! I understand that some folks want to be sad and bitter about life after being beaten down. I have felt that way at times. Try looking on the bright side just a little bit a day and keep it going. You can do this!
**************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Monday, August 27, 2012
He's got your back
Our Daily Bread
I like all kinds of movies, but one of my favorite types is when one character says to another "I got your back". They usually do a quick man hug and walk into the face of danger!
While we probably don't face a lot of danger in our daily lives, Jesus "has our backs". He lived a mortal life. He understands what its like to be tempted. He understands how hard it is to do our Father's will even when it will be devastating to us. He is also our intercessor to God on our behalves. Thank you, Jesus!
Are you going through some changes in your life? What does your new normal look like? Ask God to help you find it today.
Jesus, thank you for being there for us. We know we can always rely on your.
Movie Monday
I am enjoying my last weeks of summer by seeing more movies! I saw three this week: two at the theater and on one Bluray in my home theater. Two of them happened to be about the trials and tribulations of young girls. I didn't think about that until I wrote this posting.
Winter's Bone
This was not exactly the feel good movie of the year, but it was very good. The story line was interesting even though it was very harsh. Just when you thought things couldn't get any worse, they did. In short, a 17 year old girl who is taking care of her two siblings and a sick mother faces almost insurmountable odds of finding her father before his court date. He put the family house up for bail money. If he didn't show up for court, the family would lose the house. You will be surprised and shocked and inspired by the story.
I give this three bear paws for the acting and strength of the story. Only available on DVD or Bluray now.
Beasts of the Southern Wild
This is another movie with a young girl, six years old, at the center of the story. She has my vote for an Academy Award at this tender age. She was amazing. The story is about the area outside the levees in New Orleans called the Bathtub. There is a whole subculture there that I never heard about on the news. The girl has some unique qualities and an indomitable spirit. You might be a little bored because it moves a little slow at times. It is eye opening and inspiring and scary all at the same time seeing things through the eyes of this little girl.
I give this one two bear paws. It is leaving the theaters soon. It will be available on DVD shortly afterwards.
Premium Rush
Wow! I really liked this movie. It was very smartly done. Good story line. Amazing camera work. The bike tricks were amazing. The story is about a bicycle messenger in NYC that gets a "premium rush" order to deliver an envelope. He gets caught up in the wicked web of a corrupt police officer who makes his life miserable until the envelope is delivered safely. My only complaint is that the way the movie "shifts time periods" throughout to give you all the parts of the story leading up to the finale.
I give this one three bear paws for the action, acting, story and camera work. See it at the movies or wait for the video.
*******************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
I like all kinds of movies, but one of my favorite types is when one character says to another "I got your back". They usually do a quick man hug and walk into the face of danger!
While we probably don't face a lot of danger in our daily lives, Jesus "has our backs". He lived a mortal life. He understands what its like to be tempted. He understands how hard it is to do our Father's will even when it will be devastating to us. He is also our intercessor to God on our behalves. Thank you, Jesus!
Are you going through some changes in your life? What does your new normal look like? Ask God to help you find it today.
Jesus, thank you for being there for us. We know we can always rely on your.
Movie Monday
I am enjoying my last weeks of summer by seeing more movies! I saw three this week: two at the theater and on one Bluray in my home theater. Two of them happened to be about the trials and tribulations of young girls. I didn't think about that until I wrote this posting.
Winter's Bone
This was not exactly the feel good movie of the year, but it was very good. The story line was interesting even though it was very harsh. Just when you thought things couldn't get any worse, they did. In short, a 17 year old girl who is taking care of her two siblings and a sick mother faces almost insurmountable odds of finding her father before his court date. He put the family house up for bail money. If he didn't show up for court, the family would lose the house. You will be surprised and shocked and inspired by the story.
I give this three bear paws for the acting and strength of the story. Only available on DVD or Bluray now.
Beasts of the Southern Wild
This is another movie with a young girl, six years old, at the center of the story. She has my vote for an Academy Award at this tender age. She was amazing. The story is about the area outside the levees in New Orleans called the Bathtub. There is a whole subculture there that I never heard about on the news. The girl has some unique qualities and an indomitable spirit. You might be a little bored because it moves a little slow at times. It is eye opening and inspiring and scary all at the same time seeing things through the eyes of this little girl.
I give this one two bear paws. It is leaving the theaters soon. It will be available on DVD shortly afterwards.
Premium Rush
Wow! I really liked this movie. It was very smartly done. Good story line. Amazing camera work. The bike tricks were amazing. The story is about a bicycle messenger in NYC that gets a "premium rush" order to deliver an envelope. He gets caught up in the wicked web of a corrupt police officer who makes his life miserable until the envelope is delivered safely. My only complaint is that the way the movie "shifts time periods" throughout to give you all the parts of the story leading up to the finale.
I give this one three bear paws for the action, acting, story and camera work. See it at the movies or wait for the video.
*******************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Sunday, August 26, 2012
RSVP
Our Daily Bread
I am not sure I should tell this story because it is sort of embarrassing. I don't remember the patient's name, so that won't be a confidentiality issue. After college, I worked as an orderly in a nursing home for a year or two while saving up money to attend seminary. I had to take care of male and female patients, which was not always comfortable. The nursing home had a rule that incontinent patients can't wear underwear to bed. One of our nightly "tucking in" rituals was to make sure the underwear was off. One night, as I gently asked a stately lady to remove her underwear, she looked at me and said very sincerely: "That is by invitation only!". ha!
Seriously, God sent us an invitation to restore communion with him through the life, death and resurrection of his Son, Jesus Christ. Praise God! Have you accepted him? Why not pray to him now? RSVP today!
Lord, thank you for your heavenly invitation!
Psalm Sunday
We are looking at Psalm 59 this week. A question: who are our enemies? The question was asked of Jesus: Who are our neighbors? This psalm is another "deliver me, I know you are powerful enough to overcome the wicked" one. Be sure to read it out loud!
Psalm 59
For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam. When Saul had sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him.
1 Deliver me from my enemies, O God;
be my fortress against those who are attacking me.
2 Deliver me from evildoers
and save me from those who are after my blood.
3 See how they lie in wait for me!
Fierce men conspire against me
for no offense or sin of mine, Lord.
4 I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me.
Arise to help me; look on my plight!
5 You, Lord God Almighty,
you who are the God of Israel,
rouse yourself to punish all the nations;
show no mercy to wicked traitors.
6 They return at evening,
snarling like dogs,
and prowl about the city.
7 See what they spew from their mouths —
the words from their lips are sharp as swords,
and they think, “Who can hear us?”
8 But you laugh at them, Lord;
you scoff at all those nations.
9 You are my strength, I watch for you;
you, God, are my fortress,
10 my God on whom I can rely.
God will go before me
and will let me gloat over those who slander me.
11 But do not kill them, Lord our shield,
or my people will forget.
In your might uproot them
and bring them down.
12 For the sins of their mouths,
for the words of their lips,
let them be caught in their pride.
For the curses and lies they utter,
13 consume them in your wrath,
consume them till they are no more.
Then it will be known to the ends of the earth
that God rules over Jacob.
14 They return at evening,
snarling like dogs,
and prowl about the city.
15 They wander about for food
and howl if not satisfied.
16 But I will sing of your strength,
in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress,
my refuge in times of trouble.
17 You are my strength, I sing praise to you;
you, God, are my fortress,
my God on whom I can rely.
I am not sure I should tell this story because it is sort of embarrassing. I don't remember the patient's name, so that won't be a confidentiality issue. After college, I worked as an orderly in a nursing home for a year or two while saving up money to attend seminary. I had to take care of male and female patients, which was not always comfortable. The nursing home had a rule that incontinent patients can't wear underwear to bed. One of our nightly "tucking in" rituals was to make sure the underwear was off. One night, as I gently asked a stately lady to remove her underwear, she looked at me and said very sincerely: "That is by invitation only!". ha!
Seriously, God sent us an invitation to restore communion with him through the life, death and resurrection of his Son, Jesus Christ. Praise God! Have you accepted him? Why not pray to him now? RSVP today!
Lord, thank you for your heavenly invitation!
Psalm Sunday
We are looking at Psalm 59 this week. A question: who are our enemies? The question was asked of Jesus: Who are our neighbors? This psalm is another "deliver me, I know you are powerful enough to overcome the wicked" one. Be sure to read it out loud!
Psalm 59
For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam. When Saul had sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him.
1 Deliver me from my enemies, O God;
be my fortress against those who are attacking me.
2 Deliver me from evildoers
and save me from those who are after my blood.
3 See how they lie in wait for me!
Fierce men conspire against me
for no offense or sin of mine, Lord.
4 I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me.
Arise to help me; look on my plight!
5 You, Lord God Almighty,
you who are the God of Israel,
rouse yourself to punish all the nations;
show no mercy to wicked traitors.
6 They return at evening,
snarling like dogs,
and prowl about the city.
7 See what they spew from their mouths —
the words from their lips are sharp as swords,
and they think, “Who can hear us?”
8 But you laugh at them, Lord;
you scoff at all those nations.
9 You are my strength, I watch for you;
you, God, are my fortress,
10 my God on whom I can rely.
God will go before me
and will let me gloat over those who slander me.
11 But do not kill them, Lord our shield,
or my people will forget.
In your might uproot them
and bring them down.
12 For the sins of their mouths,
for the words of their lips,
let them be caught in their pride.
For the curses and lies they utter,
13 consume them in your wrath,
consume them till they are no more.
Then it will be known to the ends of the earth
that God rules over Jacob.
14 They return at evening,
snarling like dogs,
and prowl about the city.
15 They wander about for food
and howl if not satisfied.
16 But I will sing of your strength,
in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress,
my refuge in times of trouble.
17 You are my strength, I sing praise to you;
you, God, are my fortress,
my God on whom I can rely.
******************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Hello? Did I wake you?
Our Daily Bread
I have a silly quirk (some might say "Just one?") -- I can wake up very quickly. A coworker called me in the middle of the night once to ask for help on a change he was making to a server. Even at 3:00 am, I answered the phone with a very perky, awake voice "Hey, Jerry, how are you? Everything going OK?" He said "Did I wake you?" I said "Yes, but no problem. What can I do for you?" ha! He commented on that at work on Monday. I also learned very quickly in my only long term relationship that I was not allowed to wake my partner up by touching nose to nose and saying "Good morning, honey!" He really hated that! ha!
Well, while I am perky when awakened, God is not! That is because God doesn't slumber nor sleep. He is always there for us no matter what the time of day or night. Who can we call on for 24 hour service at no extra charge? Our God! Praise God! Always remember that we can call on him for our fears, our doubts, our joys and our praise at any time!
Lord, thank you for always being there for us! Always!
Simply Saturday
Learning stuff from God no matter where you are...
It never ceases to amaze how God can speak to us through the ordinary things we do each day if we are just open to him. I went to a movie on Monday. During the previews, I heard this saying from the teenage character in an upcoming movie. He was asked "Why do you let people treat you that way?". He answered "We accept the way we are treated because we don't think we deserve better" WOW! Did I say WOW?!? How deep is that? I have been thinking about it all week as I prayed to understand how this applies to my life.
For me, it mainly applied in the area of my attempted romantic relationships. I sometimes get mixed up with how Christians are supposed to forgive and forgive and forgive and not stand up for myself when feeling mistreated. Granted, the word "mistreated" is very, very subjective. Think about what that word means to you. God told me that I need to pray about this subjectivity and talk to him about it. I may not be perceiving things correctly or have unrealistic expectations. I might also be mistreated and need to do something about it. Let's keep saying to ourselves "I deserve better!"
It also applies to other relationships with my family and friends. If I feel that I am being mistreated, then I need to act the way I act most of the rest of the time in my life (and personality): do something about it! Push back in a gentle and loving way. The push back in a gentle and loving way is what I really suck at. I usually let things build up, get angry and then say stuff I regret long afterwards. ;-( That is not a good thing. Letting things build up causes too much inner heat (as traditional Eastern medicine describes it). It is not good for the body! Let's keep saying to ourselves "I deserve better!"
Think about this. Pray about this.
**********************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
U r a BCOG U r FAWM
I have a silly quirk (some might say "Just one?") -- I can wake up very quickly. A coworker called me in the middle of the night once to ask for help on a change he was making to a server. Even at 3:00 am, I answered the phone with a very perky, awake voice "Hey, Jerry, how are you? Everything going OK?" He said "Did I wake you?" I said "Yes, but no problem. What can I do for you?" ha! He commented on that at work on Monday. I also learned very quickly in my only long term relationship that I was not allowed to wake my partner up by touching nose to nose and saying "Good morning, honey!" He really hated that! ha!
Well, while I am perky when awakened, God is not! That is because God doesn't slumber nor sleep. He is always there for us no matter what the time of day or night. Who can we call on for 24 hour service at no extra charge? Our God! Praise God! Always remember that we can call on him for our fears, our doubts, our joys and our praise at any time!
Lord, thank you for always being there for us! Always!
Simply Saturday
Learning stuff from God no matter where you are...
It never ceases to amaze how God can speak to us through the ordinary things we do each day if we are just open to him. I went to a movie on Monday. During the previews, I heard this saying from the teenage character in an upcoming movie. He was asked "Why do you let people treat you that way?". He answered "We accept the way we are treated because we don't think we deserve better" WOW! Did I say WOW?!? How deep is that? I have been thinking about it all week as I prayed to understand how this applies to my life.
For me, it mainly applied in the area of my attempted romantic relationships. I sometimes get mixed up with how Christians are supposed to forgive and forgive and forgive and not stand up for myself when feeling mistreated. Granted, the word "mistreated" is very, very subjective. Think about what that word means to you. God told me that I need to pray about this subjectivity and talk to him about it. I may not be perceiving things correctly or have unrealistic expectations. I might also be mistreated and need to do something about it. Let's keep saying to ourselves "I deserve better!"
It also applies to other relationships with my family and friends. If I feel that I am being mistreated, then I need to act the way I act most of the rest of the time in my life (and personality): do something about it! Push back in a gentle and loving way. The push back in a gentle and loving way is what I really suck at. I usually let things build up, get angry and then say stuff I regret long afterwards. ;-( That is not a good thing. Letting things build up causes too much inner heat (as traditional Eastern medicine describes it). It is not good for the body! Let's keep saying to ourselves "I deserve better!"
Think about this. Pray about this.
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Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
U r a BCOG U r FAWM
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