Pink!

I have been really lazy lately about posting on this blog...so for now I will post some of my Good Will finds:

I love tea things and this sugar and creamer were a lovely find!

More pink Roses...ya think I like 'em?  The Teapot I purchased from a yard sale years ago, and found the matching cups at GW!

Might as well keep "Pink" as the theme here...Depression glass candle holder  love it!

Lovely platter with a Pink Rose!

More Pink Roses, but not from GW, but from a precious neighbor who gave them to me!

Another Platter, this time ROUND!

More PINK!

Last one!  Angels watching over me! I was in a car accident last week and all involved walked away okay.  Thank you Lord!  Angels ARE watching over me!

Loneliness...the final frontier

Loneliness, the state of being alone.  Something that I believe every human being on this earth has experienced at one time or the other.  It is not a place most people want to be in and yet it happens. I was recently in a discussion on author Gayle Roper's blog "A Widow's Journey", www.widowsjourney.com about this particular subject. And even though people get lonely for many reasons, one of the worst kind is when you lose a spouse. I know many may beg to differ, but I have to put that kind of loneliness right up there at least near the top.

"I know just how you feel", "The worst kind of loneliness is when you're surrounded by people", are just a couple of comments I've heard before, when in reality folks don't know how you really feel and if you are still lonely while you're surrounded by folks, then that sounds like it's your choice.  But in all fairness, it is OUR choice whether we STAY lonely or not.  When Christ walked this earth in the flesh, He experienced every human emotion that we could ever have and He was moved by them.  He knows what we feel like when we are lonely...whether we are actually alone or surrounded by people.

How do you conquer this mountain called loneliness, that looms around us sometimes threatening to take over our minds and thoughts? When loneliness becomes a giant in your life, then you become David, a shepherd boy with a big God! Stare loneliness square in the eyes and run towards it, put it in a choke hold embrace and squeeze the devil out of it! Recognize your state and then release it to God and trust that He knows all about it and then wait for His peace and direction.  He is faithful in getting us to get our eyes off ourselves and onto others, or He may have you sit quietly and talk to Him...He likes that.

On two different occasions I spoke with women that had remarried after losing their spouses and each one said to me, "Enjoy where you are now." and "I wish I had waited, instead of rushing into a relationship thinking it would be the answer to my loneliness."  I believe that we have to learn how to be content in our alone-ness or as Bahamian author, preacher, ambassador Myles Munroe says our " ALL-ONE-NESS".  Not until we learn that God created us as social beings yes, but He also made us to be content with ourselves; because then we can find contentment in any situation we find ourselves in. Apostle Paul says it best in Philippians 4:12-13:
^" I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."

My prayer today for you who are experiencing loneliness in your life for whatever reason, that God in His grand way will give you JOY!  Proverbs says that a "Merry heart does good like medicine!" I pray that a spirit of laughter come over you and may joy bubble up inside of you!  We have so much to be thankful for!  God knows our state and we are truly never alone.  He is with us...

"Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

Goodbye Mr. Ebert...

I have always been a fan of Roger Ebert. When he had his show with Siskel, I used to love to hear their take on movies.  Since I am a movie buff, I delighted in comparing Ebert’s thoughts to mine.

Sad news, Ebert passed away this past week after a long battle with cancer.  He fought hard and never gave up.  He still wrote and did appearances even when the disease had disfigured his body. Those close to him said he had an uplifting attitude and was stoic in living life to the fullest.

 That is why it saddens me so when I read this on MSN News this morning…”Ebert wrote in 2010 that he did not fear death because he didn't believe there was anything on the other side of death to fear."

It went on to say that Ebert felt that since he neither felt nor experienced anything before he was born, it would be the same after he died.  Bottom line Mr. Ebert did not believe in (at least in 2010) eternity; that after we leave this earth we will either spend it with or without God. He believed in nothing-ness (is that a word?)

I am sad because we are eternal beings and the choices we make on this earth determine where we will spend our eternity. Mr. Ebert was a very talented and gifted man; I wonder where he thought those gifts and talents came from?  I am not here to argue what anyone believes, God has given us a free will to choose as we like. And with our choices there are consequences.

 It is just so sad that Mr. Ebert, who suffered physically for many years on this earth, would have no hope of anything to look forward to…

I hope that in the years since 2010 when he made that statement, he changed his mind…

 

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Spring IS coming!

'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."  Isaiah 43:19

There is something about springtime that makes me feel refreshed and new. After a long cold winter, it is really something to look forward to. Some of us have been through some hard trials and perhaps still going through. I pray that you will be encouraged that a change WILL come...hold on my friends. I know sometimes it feels like it will never end, no relief will ever come, but God is faithful and is walking with you even now.  Just as the seasons change, your situation will change also. Take heart and be of good courage, He hears your prayers and your heart's cry.



To celebrate the spring season, I love to pull out my spring decorations.  Here are a few pictures of last year:

Breakfast Table

 

The Foyer

 

Front porch

 

Welcome Wreath

 

My Bruno saying "Happy Spring!"

 

 

Back Porch

 

 

Happy Spring everyone!

February = Love

“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Love never fails…”  I Corinthians 13:4-8a

I have always been a hearts and flowers kind of girl.  I love all the mushy stuff, you name it I love it. And of course February brings that lovey-dovey stuff in every store, every movie on the Hallmark Channel and love seems to just be in the air!

It is also the month of my wedding anniversary.  My husband and I picked February 14^th to get married because, well because what better day to declare your love for each other before God and man?  In our case we were so very young, and though everyone in our families did not totally agree with us, we made the decision to get married anyway.

It was a cold, blustery day outside as we held hands in the Pastor’s office and said our vows to each other.  I wore an apple green knit dress and he wore a really cool sports coat, tie and slacks and we were so in love.  After our “wedding” we stopped at a street vendor and my new husband bought me a humongous faux flower, and took me to dinner at a small center city steak house.  We were so happy!

Our marriage was not a fairy tale as most starry eyed newlyweds think it will be, but it was a journey of learning and experiencing what real love is as stated in the scripture above.  And when we finally accepted Jesus Christ as the Lord of our lives and the center of our home, then we really began to experience what the real joy of marriage is.  My husband and I made some great memories. Memories that I treasure especially in February.

Though I feel that my husband passed from this earth too soon, we had opportunity to experience I Corinthians 13 in our marriage, perhaps that is why my husband always signed his cards and notes to me “Love Never Fails…”

 

“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” I Corinthians 13:13

2013 Restore joy!

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit." Psalms 51:10-12

Many years ago at the age of 26, I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior. Oh what a change came over me!  The blinders came off my eyes and for the first time I experienced what real joy is.  Over the years I have been involved in ministries in church as well as living this Christan life each day no matter where I went.  God has blessed me in so many ways, kept me through the pain and storms of life, been my True friend and confidant; and my healer when I've been sick.

He was there when I had emergency brain surgery to repair an aneurysm that had leaked while I was singing at a Philadelphia Church back in 1994. He was there when less than 2 years later I had another major surgery. He was there when my dear brother passed after many years of  sickness.  He was there when my sweet Dad left this earth.  He was there when my sweet daughter-in-law's parents passed.  He was there when my sweet Mama died.  And He was there when my precious husband went to his heavenly home.  I can name many other times, because he is ALWAYS with me. All these years I have never felt forsaken or forgotten by Him.  He is so faithful.  Sometimes the pain can be great, but underneath is His everlasting arms to hold me tight.  When I have wanted to fall apart, He held me together, promising me unconditional love and hope.

Has it been perfect? No way!  In spite of all His faithfulness, I have failed Him many times. I have had many pity parties, temper tantrums and anxious fits...but He patiently waits until I can see clearly again and realize that I am NEVER alone.

Everytime I "rehearse" how good God has been to me, the verses above come to mind.  "Create in me a CLEAN heart O God..." "Restore to me the joy of Your salvation!"  I need you Lord, I need You to keep me on point, because you know that deep inside I want to please You.  And while you are keeping me, Restore the joy in me...Life can sometimes take the edge off joy, the hard times can try to neutralize all the positives...so I need You to rekindle the joy of knowing that I have a wonderful Friend in You and You want the very best for me.

This year 2013 Restore the joy dear Lord...I need You!

“…who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,  but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.  Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:6-7

Christ stripped Himself of His deity when he came to earth as a little baby. He was the King of Kings and yet was born in a stable, one of the lowliest places. And yet in many churches today people create title after title to attach to their names. Christ was constantly humble never looking to draw people to Himself, but to God the Father; and yet many folks have created “personalities” in our churches that must drive the most expensive cars and live in the most expensive homes, all the while spreading a message that we DESERVE the best.  What we DESERVE for our sins we could not pay the penalty for…it was so bad that Jesus had to come to pay the price for us. I wonder if the heart of God is not hurt by this. WE have gotten so very far from the example that Christ set for us while He was here on earth. ..God help us…

With all the pain and suffering in the world, how have we gotten so far off in some of our churches that only a "Bless Me" message is being preached?  Don't get me wrong, I don't believe that God wants us to be destitute and penniless, but we have taken greed  to a whole new level.

I know that I must not point my finger because the remaining four will be directed to me.  But I must call it for what I see. May God help me not to turn away from my first love, Him.  And then God help us to walk closer to the example that Jesus set for us on this earth.

 

Tis' the season...

"He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name."  Psalms 23:3


The Holidays can be so full of excitement and joy, but for some it is a season of depression and sadness.  I am very cognizance of hurting people this time of year. Mainly because this will be the 11th Christmas since my beloved husband passed away.

I so sympathize with others that have lost loved ones and must experience the Holidays without them.  With all the hustle and bustle of celebration, when you are missing your loved ones, it can feel like you are sitting in the bleachers of a really exciting basketball game and not having a clue why everyone is so excited.
It is so easy to then detach yourself from everything and everyone just to "survive".  And what is a very wonderful time of the year, to you, becomes a time of dread and anxiety to want it all to just be over.

But here is one thing that I have learned...God loves us.  He has not forgotten us and He will give us the strength to make it through not only the Holidays, but through each and every day.  He will give us strength not only to endure what ever sadness may come but His Strength will help us to once again began to be thankful that we are alive to celebrate.  He will help us to enjoy our "new normal". 



So the Christmas dishes come out!

My dog Bruno gets to hear his favorite Christmas Story!

And my precious Grandchildren get a grandma visit!



This season, my prayer is that you will allow God to give you renewed strength to enjoy the Holidays, and to experience the true meaing of what the celebration is really all about...





The Unknown Soldier

“Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him.  And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.” But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to Him, “We are able.”

So He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.”
"And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your servant just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:20-23,27-28

The tomb of the Unknown Soldier is one of the most famous monuments in the United States.  It is guarded 24/7 with great ceremony and honor and yet…it represents people with no names.  Soldiers that gave their lives defending this country whose bodies were never found or identified.  It’s like an oxymoron…the FAMOUS Tomb of the UNKNOWN.

What a wonderful example of how you don’t have to make a name for yourself to be honored.  And yet most of us waste so much time trying to impress people that may not even care about us.  Call it “brown nosing”, “kissing up” or “fighting our way up the ladder”, it still amounts to just that…trying to make ourselves famous.  Grant it, we must have initiative, especially in the job market of today, but we have seen it when it goes to the outer limits and it can be very ugly.

In the scriptures above this mother was the biblical version of what we would call today a “stage mother”.  She wanted her boys to be famous.  She saw that Jesus was pretty well known and she wanted her boys to have a piece of the action or a piece of the throne in this case.  But Jesus astonished her I’m sure when He asked them were they willing to pay the price.

I am convinced that the most famous people are those that we will never know their names, but only their deeds. A good example would be: Do you know the name of the person that first told Billy Graham about Christ?  And yet because this person was faithful in sharing the good news to a young man, God used Billy Graham to reach millions over the years for Christ.  So who’s REALLY famous?

Today is Veteran’s day and I would like to say “Thank you” to all the men and women that gave and are giving their lives to defend this great country. And I also would like to salute the soldiers that we will never know their names…Unknown to us, but Known to God…”Thank you!”  You maybe Unknown , but you allowed yourselves to be Servants so your deeds are known and you are famous in the eyes and hearts of us.

Dear Lord, help us not to try to impress others, but let us be Your servants…

Collector or Hoarder?

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;   but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. " Matthew 6: 18-19

I love Teapots!  I always have!  Ever since I can remember I have loved the pictures in books and magazines of people sitting at a table and having tea.  Even Alice in Wonderland having tea with the Mad Hatter appealed to my childhood dreams. My collection started out very slow, but in the past few years it has really blossomed!

I collect teapots sometimes by theme, like "Roses"

or "Apples"

I have lost count now, some jokingly say I am boarderline "hoarder". But I think I just enjoy the hunt for that one teapot that I may not have, at a cheap price of course! :-)  My eyes are trained now to scope out teapots as soon as I enter a Thrift shop or yard sale. So how can I be a hoarder if I keep them organized and only display a few at a time? Silly me, I'm just a collector.   I realize that I cannot take these things with me when I leave this earth; these "things" are not important in light of eternity, but God has given me a gift to enjoy while I'm here. I believe He loves to see His children happy doing things they enjoy as long as it does not cause harm, bring shame to Him or others, or takes the focus off of His purpose for our lives...not allowing it to become "god".  As I keep Him the focus of my worship, heart and life, I believe I'm okay. I'm not a hoarder, but just someone that enjoys the blessings God has so liberally placed on me!
Oh! I also have seasonal teapots, teapots by color...Next time I'll share more of my "Lovelies."

God is Love

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  John 3:16

The words of this song are constantly in my head:   Listen :   Lord I'm amazed by You

"Lord I'm amazed by You, Lord I'm amazed by You,
Lord I'm amazed by You, and how you love me."
How wide, how deep, how great is your love for me."

Such a simple love song to the Lord and yet it capivates the heart and helps you to ponder on the depth and magnitude of God's love for us.

I don't think that we will ever be able to understand in our finite minds just how much He loves us, but rest assured He does.

I don't believe that we can truly love someone else until we know how we are loved.  God's love is not only sacrificial, but itis unconditional.  He gave His utmost best to pay the penalty for our sins and the sins of the world and He loves us regardless if we partake of that gift of sacrifice or not. 
But His desire for us is to recieve that gift of sacrifice so that we can experience all that He has for us.

I guess, this post is all about how I am feeling so overwhelmed right now with the love of God.  To think that He would love someone like me blows my mind.

Thank You Lord for your Love!

Are you connected?

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.  “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”   John 15: 4-5

While doing my weekly maintenance to my houseplants, I noticed that some of the leaves were beginning to turn brown on one of my favorite Philodendron vines. After close inspection I also noticed that though there were no sign of mites or any other pest; at the area where the vines met the soil they seem to be shriveling away.  This plant was given to me as part of a dish garden many, many years ago and I had taken excellent care, or at least I thought, to this plant.  So it surprised me when I took it over to the sink to spray it down with water and as I lifted the vines, the whole plant lifted up and came away from the soil as easy as lifting one’s hat from their head!

I then remembered that the week before, I had vigorously given this plant a good spraying as I lifted its heavy vines. And in so doing my “good” maintenance, I must have separated the vines from its main root!  And though it still looked nice and green just sitting there on the stand, I soon found out that it was in the process of slowly dying from being separated from its root.

Some of us may look alright on the outside but are we really connected to God? Lots of churches had their little promo’s going a few years back to get folks to stay in church and get involved. Many had lapel pins and banners displayed with sayings like “Are you connected?” and “I’m Hooked”. All with the noble intention I’m sure of encouraging members to be connected to their church organization.  But in the scripture above John writes about hearing Jesus speak of us being connected with Him.

Now before you get into a speech about …forsaking not the assembling of ourselves together…” let me say that I believe in the Church, it was God’s idea remember?  But the “church” that we see today is not what was described in the Bible’s book of Acts. Many good things have come out of these organizations and we should be committed and loyal when we give our word to be a blessing to that organization.  But first and foremost we must be “connected” to Christ and Christ alone.  He is the only one that can sustain us.

The church organization and its members can be a blessing to each other in times of need; to agree with you in prayer, to be by your side in times of trouble, even to bring meals over during a rough time; and I have experienced all of these selfless acts by wonderful fellow church members.  But I have also seen church members that appear on the outside as if everything was just fine when they really had lost their true connection and were slowly dying and withering away; because their connection was with the organization and not God Himself.

Paul wrote “…that I might know HIM…”, shouldn’t that be the cry of our hearts?  He is the vine and we are just branches. He is our true source.  My prayer: “Lord, I want to stay connected to You, because You are my Life source.” Amen