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Friday, July 25, 2014

MOUNT RAINIER

One of my favorite places to visit.







Next year we hope to spend a few days at the Inn. 

Friday, July 18, 2014

IDEAS






A walk on the beach is always a good thing!
Enjoy your day!!

Thursday, July 10, 2014

VISITORS



Every summer my four grandchildren come for a visit. We have a day at the Mall of America, many days at the splash park and pool, a parade and picnic on the Fourth of July with our own fireworks, many special times with grandma and a few with grandpa. This year we bought two books one for grandpa to read and one for me. How to babysit a grandma and How to babysit a grandpa. They have been a favorite for all the grand kids . I think this is a new market for a children's book author. The books are selling out in my area. I love reading these stories and it looks like others do also. The kids really relate to the stories well. We also got a Sister Like Me by Barbra Jean Hicks it was a good story for these two young ladies who have been having a little difficulty getting along. We think we want a sister just like us but really we find our differences are what makes a better relationship. My husband and I went to college with this author and we're very happy for her and the success of this book and the movie it turned into by Disney.

Sunday, June 29, 2014

GRAMMY TIME


A little outdoor time with Grammy

Ellie is using her scooter she wants a razor like her cousin the one with hello kitty on it.

Noah is still working on his peddling skills and he loves his rubber boots

He loves to smile and has a great fondness of his Grammy 

They love popcorn and a movie

Ellie loves to help in the kitchen. She is making fresh squeezed orange juice.

She also helps with the clean up. They both love to visit Grammy so it is nice we live only 3 blocks away. Soon they will be old enough to walk over on  their own.
Great to have such precious kind loving grandchildren.

Sunday, June 8, 2014

ONE INTHE BODY OF FAITH

Hebrews 3:13
Encourage one another daily
1Corinthians 12:25
Care for one another
John 13:34
Love one another
James 5:16
Pray for one another
1Thessalonians4:18
Encourage one another with your words
Romans 15:14
Admonish one another
1Thessalonians 5:11
Edify one another
Mark 9:50
Be at PEACE with one another

Clay will harden if we stop molding it and let it sit alone. If we stop being kind and encouraging one another exalting each other to rightness we let our hearts harden. We must keep our hearts mailable and our minds teachable. If left alone our hearts will harden. If we are left alone without the company of believers we open ourselves up to sin. Satan will use our circumstances to decieve and mislead us .He tries and give us a false estimation of ourselves. We must trust our promises from God who loves us always.
Don't let your be harden
Don't let satan decieve you 
Choose today to walk like Jesus walked. 
Let's choose not to be like the self righteous Pharisee.

Blessings to as you seek to follow Jesus.

Saturday, June 7, 2014

SPIRIT OF REJECTION

We all feel unloved or rejected by someone in our life. We must learn how to overcome rejection in the right way. Otherwise the feeling of rejection can change how we make decisions. It changes how we treat people around us.
Unhealthy ways we deal with rejection:
1. We avoid the risk of rejection ( we don't try anymore)
God will never use us unless we risk being hurt. We need to be wise about choosing the people we are close to but we must take the risk. Sometimes we may need to be open and honest about our opinion when it comes to the truth of our faith and this will bring rejection of others but we must be true to God not people. We must not react to rejection we must express ourselves through love and kindness.

2. We deal with rejection with anger and aggression 

3. We feel hopelessness and despair
Our hearts are broken.These people get sick more and die from diseases more because they have nothing to live for. Satan is responsible for planting the spirit of rejection not God

4. We become over sensitive to rejection and become dependent on approval of others.
We can become people pleasers to an unhealthy degree. We must stand up for what we believe and where God wants us to be even when others don't agree . This is part of real life not everyone is going to agree with you. Some May chose to reject you.
Overcoming rejection:
1. Base your life on Gods perfect love and study Gods word to learn what it says about you.
Don't be controlled by people but by Gods perfect will for you. God will never leave you or forsake you. God doesn't bring you the feeling of rejection satan does. If we base our life on human love we will be scarred and disappointed. Only God can fill that void with His perfect love. God is committed to you. Words don't define commitment, trouble does. Bad times define commitment from others not good times. People will fail you during bad times. God will be with you at both times good or bad. He is dependable. Hebrews 13 helps us understand  some of this. 

2. Persue relationships with fellow believers who have a healthy walk with God. 
Christians are suppose to be different. Pursuing a Christ like life. Christians friends should be there for you when you are struggling, not run away or condemn you. Christians have a different value system. You should be able to count on these friends not to reject you. They might challenge you if your moving in a wrong way but they should be loving ,kind and faithful.

3. We should expect rejection and not take it so personally
Luke 6:22-23
We must stand up for what we believe is right through Jesus Christ even when it means rejection is possible. God is always faithful.

4. Forgive those who reject you and give them Gods love and acceptance in return
Luke 6:27-31
When Gods love is flowing on the inside you can rise above your circumstances. You can smilie when they frown you can love when they hate you can bless when they curse you. God has forgiven us from our past, present and future. We are called to do the same. When we overcome the spirit of rejection with our faith and love in Jesus Christ. Because God has forgiven us we have no chice but to forgive others no matter how they have offended us.

May God Bless you on your journey !

Friday, June 6, 2014

PERFORMANCE LOVE

Ephesians 2:1-10
There are two ways we can look at how God loves us
Uncondtional love which is the correct way or Performance love wich is the wrong way.
Performance love tells me these things:
Jesus loves me but there are conditions. His love is based on my performance
I have to earn his love by what I do. Always trying to please Him.
When I please Him I feel loved
When I don't please Him I feel rejected.
We have to understand that God loves us always in our good times as well as our bad times. When we have performance love we only feel Gods love when we are performing well and it leaves no room for failure. When we fail we feel rejected by God and He doesn't love me. This has nothing to do with what God is . It has everything to do with your feelings. God is not asking us to feel guilty. He is asking us to be thankful. Jesus paid the price when He died on the cross for everyone . We don't need to add our guilt to it. When we fail, we need to ask forgiveness and stop doing what ever it was. You can't keep on living your life in guilt.
If God who is all loving does not always love, accept and value me then how can I believe I am valuable  and loveable ? 
With performance love I don't believe I am a loveable valueable person
I don't trust others who say they love me
It is difficult to accept love from others
There is a feeling of rejection if I let them in and of course they do.
We then can start using the worlds standard to prove to others we are worthy. God loves us all the same. There are no conditions.
With performance love we need strokes and feedback from people to prove to ourself we are loveable. We become dependent on constant affirmation from others just to get through the day. The problem is only God can fill this void we are looking for. We get ourself worth from God and He never fails us.
Performance love makes me put impossible demands on people who do love me. We frustrate them. We can't be satisfied with what they give us. We don't let them be honest or confront us. If we did we would have to change and believe we can't do anything to earn Gods love. We become consumed with ourselves but we are blind to it. Our actions become more about who loves me and who I think does not. We try to please people by doing what we think is good to those we think deserve it. This gives us the feeling of " I earned it". There is nothing we can do to earn Gods love. He gives to all unconditionally by his mercy and grace. We need to stop worring how to avoid rejection and learn how to build loving, lasting relationships.

The only way to recover from addictive behavior is to know who we are in Christ. We must believe we have worth and value because Jesus died for us. We need to be rooted and grounded in Gods love. This is truly all you need. Once you accept this you can move forward knowing God has your back. People will always fail you but God never does. He loves you and He knows what is best for you. You can stop the people pleading merry go round. Hit the stop button and get off. Start trusting God today for the rest of your journey .
May God Bless and keep you as you seek to honor Him.


Thursday, June 5, 2014

BIRTHDAY

My birthdays just around the corner and I recieved and early gift. Sometimes these little surprises show how much someone really cares.



I love it!!

ADDICTIVE BEHAVIOR

The word of God applied in your life brings truth and it is this truth that sets us free. God wants to heal us. If your emotions are all messed up, if you have addictive personality behavior because of  wounds in your past your life will not emulate Christ. Even more important very few other people are going to want what you have as a Christian. We need to be stable, mature, healed, whole individuals. If we are living the life that Jesus died for us to have, we will not have to beat people over the head with a Bible. They will know you are different and they will want to know why.
When your personality or God given temperament is damaged early in life a lot of negative things begin to happen. As adults we are messed up. To fix this we need to know who we are in Christ and love ourselves. I don't mean with a selfish, I'm always right , look at me kind of attitude. When we don't trust Gods love we put a great burden on others we are trying to have a relationship with to make us feel good about ourselves. They can't do it only God can. God loves us unconditionally, often people love us with conditions . Only God can really make you happy. People will eventually fail you. Isaiah 61 says in verse 1 the spirit of The Lord is upon me, The Lord has anointed me we can heal our behaviors through Christ. The whole chapter is worth reading.
We need to overcome our past in order to move forward in our future. By studing God's word we find His promises. He reveals to us what is wrong with us if we let Him. We cannot get to where we need to be if we don't face where we are at. We limit what God is able to do in us. Stop blaming everyone else and ask God to show you - YOU. Often we get so focused on what others are doing wrong we can't see what we are doing wrong. You can't change anyone only God can. We can let God change us and pray for others that they will make the same choice.
In order to change addictive personality behavior we have to admit it before God, study His Word and let God change our hearts, mind and soul. We need to submit to Him and learn self control.
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and shelf control ..
God has given us the ability to control ourselves but it takes practice. We have to choose it not make excuses . God gave us the seed of self control but we have to water it. We do this by studing Gods Word and applying it to our life. Praying everyday to help us. We cannot do it on our own we will need His help. When we studing the Word it helps to renew our mind, change our thoughts  and perspective.
Self control means we are not being controlled by others. People who are broken hearted and wounded do one of two things. They let others contro them usually out of fear in their life or they become controlling which inturn makes them so obnoxious nobody wants to be around them.
We need to choose to follow the Holy Spirit but when we do the Devil is usually right behind us using other people to keep us from following the leadership of God in our life. Often we find other people want us to do it their way, they think they know what is best. The problem arises when we don't follow them and know God has a different plan for us. They will turn against you but remember God loves you unconditionally He knows what is best for you.
When we study the  Bible we need good doctrine but also as important is life application. It seems we almost always fail when we try by ourself. We have to let God in our hearts and mind to control us and keep us where He wants us to go. We cannot rely on just us God can gives us what we need if we let Him. Self control is possible and with this we can overcome our additive behavior.

Meditate on the fruits of the spirit it will change everything if you let it.

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

GOD IS NOT MOCKED

Going through my devotions today I came across this passage . I really am amazed when God is working thru me and brings me just exactly what I need. I strive to be a REAL Christian . My goal is to really be Christlike , a real Jesus Follower .... The Bible says By your fruits you shall know them. I am trying to plant goods seeds so I can grow like God wants me to into a beautiful flower. 

Galatians 6:1-10
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 
If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.
Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 
For each one should carry their own load.
Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. 
Do not be DECIEVED: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap DESTRUCTION; whoever sows to please the SPIRIT will reap ETERNAL LIFE.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Therefore, as we have OPPORTUNITY, let US do GOOD to ALL PEOPLE, especially to those who BELONG to the family of BELIEVERS.

God is so good if we will only let Him in to our hearts. I sometimes think there are two kinds of Christians 
The ones who have head knowledge ... This type knows a lot has probably accepted Jesus as their personal savior but doesn't let God into their heart and soul
The other type has Heart knowledge.... This type truly follows Jesus and His examples. They emulate Christ and their fruits show it. They have taken the knowledge from thier head and let it soak into their heart. They let the true love of Christ flow out to all. They allow God to control all parts of their life. 
My goal is the latter. I want God to consume me until His love flows thru me.

God Bless
There is always hope with Him

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

I AM A CHRISTIAN

I am not perfect just forgiven. 

LIVING IN PERFORMANCE

If you are trying to find favor with God by doing and performing I am sorry to let you know you are never going to be able to do enough to win Gods favor. Jesus shed His blood and did it all for us.
PERFORMANCE is all about ME
OBEDIENCE is all about GOD
PERFORMANCE is about ME
GRACE is about GOD 
It isn't about you it is all about the grace of God and the grace of God is all that qualifies you to do anything.
How do you know if your walking in grace? Grace is all about God and all about Gods goodness.
Performance is all about us and how qualified we are and how well we are doing. It isn't about performance it is all about OBEDIENCE. We don't deserve anything God has. Everything we receive is a free gift from Gods grace. ALL I can do is PRAISE Him and OBEY Him. 
When we choose to show our grace and mercy to only those that we think should receive it we dishonor God and we put ourselves above God.We must OBEY God ALWAYS. 
When those times in your life start falling apart the Devil always shows up to make it about you. He tells you your not good enough, you are a failure, you failed so many times, you are defective. The Devil wants you to believe you can't be used by God. In those times the way you defeat the Devil is by the blood of the lamb and word of our testimony. We have a God of mercy and grace. When we have a performance attitude we begin to show our mercy and grace to those who we think deserve it. What makes you greater then God? God loves the whole world and has asked us to do the same. When you close your heart and mind you start down a very dangerous path. My prayer today is you get off that path and start a new one. Be obedient to God. 

Monday, June 2, 2014

MAKING A CHOICE

Watch your THOUGHTS for they become  WORDS
Watch your WORDS for they become ACTIONS
Watch your ACTIONS for they become HABITS
Watch your HABITS for they become CHARACTER 
Watch your CHARACTER it becomes your DESTINY

You may choose to continue as you are or you may make a choice today to follow the path God has laid out in the Bible.

Proverbs 11:17
The merciful man ( or woman) does himself GOOD, But the cruel man ( or woman) does himself HARM.

Proverbs 31:26
She opens her mouth in WISDOM, And the teaching of KINDNESS is on her TONGUE.

Galatians 6:10
So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to ALL, and especially to those who are of the household of the FAITH.

1 Peter 3:8-9
To sum up, let ALL be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted , and HUMBLE in SPIRIT; 
Not returning evil for evil, or insult for insult, but giving BLESSING instead; for YOU were called for the very purpose that YOU might inherit a BLESSING.

Ephesians 4:32
Luke 6:35
Colossians 3:2
1Corinthians 13:4-7
1John 3:18
Philippians 2:1-30
Ephesians 4:29
Romans 15:22
Galatians 5:22
Zechariah 7:9
James 4:17

Please take time to read the rest of the verses. There are many more. If you don't own a bible you can go online and get them there.

When we harden our heart to Gods plan we become cold hearted, unloving, unkind and unmerciful to others. Granted to those we think deserve our kindness may still receive it. God gave it to you even though you don't deserve it. We all need to be more like God. When we offend others we offend God more. We need to have an attitude of kindness to everyone not just the ones we think deserve it. I am thankful God doesn't work that way. He gives grace and mercy to all of us even though we don't deserve it. When we choose to be selective of our love and kindness to others we put our selves above God. Remember what happened to Satan when he took on these attitudes. The more our hearts are harden the more difficult it will be to be kind and forgiving to others. As believers we have  the responsibility to love, be kind, show grace, show mercy and be humble to all people not just the ones we think have earned it. We actually have an even greater responsibility to show it to those we think don't deserve it. God does.... Do you put yourself higher than God?
Every hurt is followed by a choice. We can get bent out of shape or we can let our response be shaped by grace.
May God Bless You and help you on your journey to become more Christlike.

Thursday, May 22, 2014

WEEDS FROM DAUGHTER's

I had to pick up the kids from daycare today. Their mother was at a job interview. When my daughter arrived she let the kids play for a bit. Miss H went on her bike down the sidewalk . We have one empty lot where eventually a house will be on our block . The kids ride to that spot then turn around and come back. 
No sidewalk yet. That comes when they build the house. She did not come back in the alloyed time and this is what we found.

Collecting a bouquet of dandelion's she was do happy about the bright yellow flowers . She took a bouquet home.

Friday, May 16, 2014

BLESSINGS

I have regularly been amazed at how God chooses to bless us. He knows what is best for me but there are times when it is difficult to see my way through, kind of like a fog. This week is one of those times. The fog was quite thick and I was having trouble seeing my way clear. Just as I was thinking of giving up I had several blessings that gave me the hope and encouragement I needed. I would like to thank the women who are responsible First was my niece Autumn. A single mother trying to raise 4 children with many challenges of her own. Thank you for making me feel loved it was so appreciated . It was so unexpected . You are amazing. 
Next my sister in laws Cheryl and Jo. You are always so welcoming, kind and giving of yourselves to help others. You always find time to build me up and help me accept the woman I have become.
 The last person I would like to thank is my sister in law Kathryn who probably doesn't even know just sharing some information about her family made me feel less like the black sheep and more like a member of the flock. 
I know I am still grieving the loss of my parents and this has influenced my situation. God has been faithful even when I think he has stepped away. He continues to bless us here on the Prairie. I am so thankful He doesn't give up on me. He has been so faithful when I have wanted to give up. He keeps putting the most unexpected people in my life to keep me hopeful. God is good!
My challenge is remember the smallest things we do can be used by God for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. 
Genesis 50:20 
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.....
God Bless You!!!

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

GROWING GODS WAY

God is working in my life. There are times when I find it overwhelming. There seems to be many areas that either need change or tweaking. One area is relationships. During this process I have learned so much about me, about others and how my past has influenced so much of who I am ( good and bad) trust was one of the things I was struggling with. I found that it has to be developed  over time with consistent behavior on the part of the person you want a relationship with. Trust has to be earned it takes action not just words. It has been an interesting journey for me. When people don't take responsibility for their behavior when they are wrong it builds distrust . This applies to all relationships. There are a few relationships in my life where I was struggling with this. I found that we can only be responsible for our part. We can't change others only God can. We must forgive and move on. Don't stop praying for them but it is ok to move on. Communication is so important with all relationships. My experience was one where this just wasn't possible no matter how much I wanted it. Eph. 4:15 was a verse I hold on to. Jesus is full of grace and love. " Truth without Grace is Mean!!"
"Grace without Truth is Meaningless!!"  What kind of relationship can you have if you can't speak truth in love? In our world of mistruth, gossip and miscommunication I hope you will speak directly with the people in your relationships not behind their back or listen to what others say about them. Gods way is the right way. We must learn to speak truth in love .

Saturday, May 3, 2014

WISHFUL THINKING

Here are a few of my garden ideas for our backyard 
Our yard is very small one side I hope will be a simple garden
I would like to incorporate this for the GRANDKIDS 
In a couple more weeks we will begin staining the fence. I hope the weather cooperates and it doesn't take the whole week. We will have to take one day off for medical tests because I have to have a driver after they are done. Hope to be back on my feet soon.
HAPPY SPRING!!

Monday, April 28, 2014

PAINTING is FINISHED ( for now)


We finished painting the living room. I wanted to try red and this is the one I like but some how I am not sure if it works. The other color was called potting soil and I may change it to that in a few months...after all it's only paint and those tiny little samples are not enoughtomake such a bold choice. The color is January Garnet
The color behind the sofa is cream but turned out more white than I wanted
More cream here and we still have a few pictures to hang
Because of the light from the window it looks darker than it really is.
This color was called caramel but turned out a little more gold than what I wanted once I hang the picture it will look better
With all the light in the living room the colors change through out the day
For those of you who saw the before photos you might be wondering what happened to those new cabinets she bought.. Here is one. I just didn't like the way they looked and am very happy with it here between the living room and kitchen. It will store some kitchen/dinning room linens. This picture will be hung higher and the three on the left will go on that small wall. We bought some blue paint for this wall but it needs a bit more thought before moving forward with another bold color... I am a little scared to try it and will think on it for awhile. The other curio was put in the guest room and we will see that later.
Thank You for visiting and have a Great Day!

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

GRANDKIDS

Ellie had a school concert and fundraiser we attended 
Noah was in a mood but Grammy got him to smile
Easter Dinner was spent at my daughters
These two were having trouble eating after to much candy
Play date at the park after the snow melted
Scooters were the popular toy that day
We are working on the back yard now and finished painting the living room

Monday, April 14, 2014

A VISIT TO THE BUNNY

We were at the mall with a couple of our grandchildren and found this Bunny
The Bunny doesn't talk so he was a little disappointed 
He knows the true meaning of Easter but this was a fun moment and they gave away Bunny ears

Friday, April 11, 2014

LIVING ROOM CHANGES

My cabinets arrived today. We needed more storage in the living room sooo..
Here is what we decided on after looking for months. The doors slide right and left.
DVD'S will be stored on the bottom where they won't show. They are called curio's. I call them closed bookshelves . We are considering getting rid of TV. There is very little that we watch and the price to have service is more than what we want to pay. We are buying DVDS and we have Netflix. We are downsizing many things so that we can retire in comfort. Hubby can purchase his sports for a much smaller fee. 
I wanted to store some books but I don't have many that look pretty. So I am not sure yet about those.
We hope to do some painting this week. Wait until you see the unexpected color. I am going bold.
I like things to match but am trying to step out  of the box with a couple of other choices. Our furniture is neutral so I will choose color for two of the walls. I still need to find something for above but will wait until the painting is finished. We will also hang the mirror at that time.