Tag: storms

Still Standing

It’s been a while since I’ve written a post.  I haven’t been motivated.  I thought and thought about what I could write about and my mind went blank.  I really couldn’t think of anything.  Then it hit me: I’m still standing.  I began to think about all the things I’ve been through since August 2013.  You can read more about my story in my first post.  I went through some storms but I’m still standing: spiritually, mentally and physically.  I could have given up on God.  I could have had a nervous breakdown.  I could have allowed myself to become so stressed out that I had a heart attack or a stroke.  But God didn’t see fit to let any of those things happen. The winds and the rain came.  I swayed, but didn’t fall.   God kept me.

tree

Here’s a short update to my story.  Ford Credit Company finally exchanged that brand new 2013 Ford that had to be towed so many times, for a brand new 2014.  I’m making a little spending money.  I work a few hours a week in a retail store making minimum wage.  I am still working on what I hope will be my last degree.  Things could be much better, but they could also be much worse.  I feel that I have grown closer to God.  There’s a saying,  “What doesn’t kill you will make you stronger.”

I like to think that I’m stronger, wiser, and better.  I’m grateful.  I’m happy.  I have peace. My current situation is not where I will stay.  I’m just passing through.  When you’re going through something remember that you have to go through to get to the other side.

I don’t know how long I will continue with this blog.  Some things are only for a season.  I may still be posting next year.  I do know that it’s been fun and a little scary stepping out of the boat and doing something that I had never done before.  I challenge you to step out of the boat.  Do something new, something different.  Have no fear.  Follow your dream(s) in 2015.

 

“Food” –Creation retold    

In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth and populated the Earth with broccoli, cauliflower and spinach, green and yellow and red vegetables of all kinds, so Man and Woman would live long and healthy lives.

Then using God’s great gifts, Satan created Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream and Krispy Creme Donuts. And Satan said, “You want chocolate with that?” And Man said, “Yes!” and Woman said, “and as long as you’re at it, add some sprinkles.” And they gained 10 pounds. And Satan smiled.

And God created the healthful yogurt that Woman might keep the figure that Man found so fair. And Satan brought forth white flour from the wheat, and sugar from the cane and combined them. And Woman went from size 6 to size 14.

So God said, “Try my fresh green salad.” And Satan presented Thousand-Island Dressing, buttery croutons and garlic toast on the side. And Man and Woman unfastened their belts following the repast.

God then said, “I have sent you heart healthy vegetables and olive oil in which to cook them.” And Satan brought forth deep fried fish and chicken-fried steak so big it needed its own platter. And Man gained more weight and his cholesterol went through the roof.

God then created a light, fluffy white cake, named it “Angel Food Cake,” and said, “It is good.” Satan then created chocolate cake and named it “Devil’s Food.”

God then brought forth running shoes so that His children might lose those extra pounds. And Satan gave cable TV with a remote control so Man would not have to toil changing the channels. And Man and Woman laughed and cried before the flickering blue light and gained pounds.

Then God brought forth the potato, naturally low in fat and brimming with nutrition. And Satan peeled off the healthful skin and sliced the starchy center into chips and deep-fried them. And Man gained pounds.

God then gave lean beef so that Man might consume fewer calories and still satisfy his appetite. And Satan created McDonald’s and its 99-cent double cheeseburger. Then said, “You want fries with that?” And Man replied, “Yes! And supersize them!” And Satan said, “It is good.” And Man went into cardiac arrest.

God sighed and created quadruple bypass surgery.

Then Satan created HMOs.

 

Thanks for stopping by.  Thanks for letting me know that you stopped by.  Thank you to those of you who chose to follow this blog.  Happy New Year!

God has been mighty, mighty good down through the years and He’ll continue to be good in 2015.

 

Refunds

Try Jesus. If you don’t like Him, the devil will gladly take you back.

 

 

 

 

http://dir.coolclips.com/Nature/Plants/Trees/Deciduous/Tropical_storm_natu0309.html

http://www.wholehealthclinic.net/whc/humor

http://www.jokesclean.com/ChristianJokes/HolyOneLiners.php

Life Happens

Do You Remember?         

Grandma and Grandpa were sitting in their porch rockers watching the beautiful sunset and reminiscing about “the good old days”. Grandma turned to Grandpa and said, “Honey, do you remember when we first started dating and you used to just casually reach over and take my hand?”
elderly coupleGrandpa looked over at her, smiled and obligingly took her aged hand in his. With a wry little smile, Grandma pressed a little farther, “Honey, do you remember how after we were engaged, you’d sometimes lean over and suddenly kiss me on the cheek?”

Grandpa leaned slowly toward Grandma and gave her a lingering kiss on her wrinkled cheek. Growing bolder still, Grandma said, “Honey, do you remember how, after we were first married, you’d kind of nibble on my ear?” Grandpa slowly got up from his rocker and headed into the house. Alarmed, Grandma said, “Honey, where are you going?”

Grandpa replied, “To get my teeth!”     laughing happy face with tongue

 

“Pain is what the world inflicts upon us. Suffering is our emotional reaction when we fail to make the difficult conscious choice to choose Joy.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Jonathan Lockwood Huie        

Life Happens

One morning I woke up, got out of bed and began to go about my day as usual.  Only this morning my mood was not so happy.  I tried to encourage myself by singing gospel songs and hymns.  That didn’t work.  Singing, I’m Happy and I Know It, didn’t work.  I tried quoting scripture.  That didn’t work.  I spoke with my sister on the phone.  She’s always encouraging, but this day, even her words weren’t encouraging.  All I could think about was my situation and how it seemed hopeless, and how tired I was in believing that trouble doesn’t last always.

I guess you could say that I just refused to be comforted.  I explained in my first blog how my car was totaled and that I was laid off of my job in 2013.  Some, days are better than others.  I try to keep the faith.  I get knocked down, but God helps me to get back up.

On this particular day, I counted my little money.  I had enough to pay a bill.  I went to the bank to make a deposit.  While driving to the bank the tears began to flow.  I was thinking, “When is my change going to come?”  I have had enough.  Can’t I just get a break?  I rode up to the outside terminal at the bank. I didn’t want the teller to see the tears streaming down my face.

I got home.  I asked the question, “Why do I have to go through this?  Why even be saved (a born again believer) if things are no better for me than the unsaved?  Then it happened  – just what I needed!”  The thought came to me: Every single person in life will go through something at one time or another.  The only difference is that I can go through with Jesus.  I don’t have to suffer alone.  The bible tells us that it rains on the just and the unjust.  No one is exempt from trouble.

I believe it was God, speaking to my heart.  God is the only one who knows exactly how to get through to me when nothing or no one else can.  My tears stopped!  I was back in my right mind.  Back to my regular self.  One of my favorite sayings is, “God loves Him some Annette!”  He won’t allow more things to be put on me than I can bear.  He loves Him some YOU too.   I hope the words to this song blesses and encourages you.

 

It is not our place to know the mind of God. The Spirit knows what is best in the long run -best for each of us individually, and best for humanity as a whole. This is often very difficult to accept when we see war and disease in the world and experience physical and emotional suffering in ourselves, our family, and our friends. I consider this belief in God’s infinite power and ultimate wisdom to be the true test of faith.

– Jonathan Lockwood Huie

 

SWEET SLEEP

sleeping face with bear

Sleep is often the first thing to go when we get overworked.  We get so busy that we stay up just another hour or two or three to finish a project, get some chores done, etc. etc.  We must make sure that we are getting enough rest.  The mind’s ability to deal appropriately with stress factors can become very limited if our bodies are tired. Without adequate amounts of sleep we feel lousy and our abilities to learn, memorize and reason are sharply impaired; we are more susceptible to colds and flus or just getting sick in general.

Most medical professionals recommend 7 to 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep per night.  Many in both medical and psychological fields find benefits in taking time during the day to get alone with oneself, relax, breathe deeply and allow the mind to rest from the stress factors of the day.  Some individuals may be able to function perfectly on only four hours of sleep per night; others require as many as ten, to feel refreshed.   Some professionals suggests that you get as much sleep as you need to feel rested and able to function at your maximum the next day.  There are some tips to help you maximize the quality and quantity of your sleep:

  • Go only to bed when you are tired.  Don’t try to make sleep happen.  Instead, get up and read or do something constructive until you feel tired.
  • Don’t stockpile sleep.  Going to bed earlier than your regular time probably won’t help. You will only condition yourself not to fall asleep later.  It’s not possible to save on your sleep.
  • Avoid late meals and snacks.  Heavy meals can interfere with sleep.  If you must eat something, consider eating a light snack containing protein.
  • Cut the caffeine.  Have your caffeinated drinks in the morning or early afternoons.  Caffeine can stay in your bloodstream for up to six hours.
  • Limit your liquids after 8:00 P.M.  Frequent trips to the bathroom can keep you up all night.
  • Individuals who are physically fit and active will be better sleepers, so make exercise a part of your daily routine.
  • If napping makes you feel good the rest of the day, if it doesn’t interfere with your evening sleep and if your schedule permits, a 20 to 45 minute nap after lunch may help revitalize you.

Scientists know that the body releases it greatest concentration of growth hormone – the substance that helps our bodies repair damaged tissue – during sleep.  Most sleep specialists believe the mind benefits equally from a good night’s sleep. Sleep deprivation makes us moody and irritable.  Most individuals have trouble adequately approaching stressful situations when their bodies lack rest.  It also limits our ability to concentrate, make judgments and perform mental tasks.  As a result, it can affect our job performance or, even worse, lead to industrial or traffic fatalities.

Sleepless nights can be a sign of eating the wrong thing or a fearful, angry, or fretful attitude.

Christians are promised “sweet sleep.”  If you consistently experience sleepless nights, the devil is robbing you of something God guarantees.  Memorize Scriptures, meditate on the Word during those sleepless periods, and cast all of your care on God.  If you start reading the Bible and praying, I’ll bet it won’t be long before you get sleepy.  You know the devil doesn’t like it when we spend time reading the word and praying, sometimes he’ll send a spirit of sleepiness.  If you read and pray and don’t get sleepy, well then be happy cause that was time spent constructively.

Leave your troubles outside before you enter your bedroom.  You will never sleep well if you lie in bed obsessing over your troubles.   If I remember correctly in the movie Gone With The Wind, Scarlett O’Hara said in one scene, “I won’t think about this today, I’ll think about it tomorrow.”  Tell yourself, “I’m leaving these worries and concerns out here.  I’ll deal with them tomorrow or the next day.  I refuse to bring them into my bedroom this night.”

Proverbs 3:24 – 26 Verse 24 reads, When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.

Psalm 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace and sleep: for thou Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.

When you meditate on God’s Word, the Word will lead you, keep you, and speak to you during your waking and sleeping moments. Proverbs 6:22, When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.

The truth of the matter is that
you always know the right thing to do.
The hard part is doing it.
– Norman Schwarzkof

Bye for  now.  Thanks for visiting!

Resources

http://jokes.christiansunite.com/Old_Folks/Do_You_Remember.shtml

http://www.i-heart-god.com/images/Happy_Married_Couple.jpg

http://www.clker.com/clipart-laugh.html

http://www.joyprogram.com/hard.php