Category Archives: Friends

Is 65 The New 45??? Gee, I Hope So!!

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Happy Birthday To Me!!

I recently celebrated a BIG Birthday!

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                                            (Me with Sandy and Elle!)

And I now get to show my golden Medicare “ticket” everywhere..

But, now that I’m “mature,”  I forget to do it!!

Hubby’s already on it, so I know it’s fine…

I’ll get used to it!

We already had good insurance…

Thanks to the NJ Public Schools…

My plan after college was to get married,

Teach for two years,

Have 4 kids…

Done!

But, since my son took 14 years to arrive! 

I just kept on teaching…

And, as my sister-in-law advised,

“Stay in teaching long enough to get all the benefits you deserve!!”

So, I stayed!

After 26 years, I retired…

One kid, a pension, and my health insurance…

God is good!

Because of so many years…

Of being blessed with God’s wisdom…

My years of experience…

And my mistakes…

(Thank you for “redos,” Lord!)

I’m such a wealth of information! 

Ha!

So, what do you want to know about???

Growing up in a constantly fast-talking Italian family…

With lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins???

So much fun going to church together…

Everyone talking at the same time…

Very loudly!!

With lots and lots of food!!!

Growing up Pentecostal???

Lots of “You can’t do that!”

But, lots of faith, love, and strong trust in God, too!!

I learned to teach my son about all the things we can do in Christ!

And the joy we experience!

Growing up with an older brother???

“Stitches” in my side as he walked too fast on our way to school…

Joe always said my younger brother, John, and I had “piercing voices!”

Growing up with a younger brother???

Who, as I mentioned in another post…

https://godssceneryandpromises.wordpress.com/2013/09/07/oh-by-the-way-…have-any-gauze/

Slashed my lip with a snow shovel…

While  we were shoveling snow in NJ…

When I was in 6th grade!

But, we never wanted to be apart!

Praying for a sister???

My Mom was 38…

I had to have a sister…

Having two brothers was just too much…

I was eleven when Tina was born!

She went everywhere with me!

So special to me to this day!!

Amen!

God answers prayers!

Wanting to be a teacher since the first grade???

My cousin, Phyllis, who was three years older…

Lived next door…

And was always the teacher…

 I was the best student there ever was!

Dating????

Long term dating…

Too early, too intense…

I would not recommend it today!!

College and  Master’s  Education???

Let me just say…

The tassel is definitely worth the hassle…

Do your homework…

Get an education!!!

Then, ask God to give you a job you’re passionate about!

First Marriage???

Moved to Texas to live with my older brother and his wife…

Married two and a half years…

Divorced…

Came home to NJ!

Divorce???

Low, low point…

Feels like someone took a photo of the two of you…

Tore  it in two…

And ripped your heart out…

You’re deeply changed…

I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone!

Second Marriage

To my high school sweetheart…

Thirty-seven years…

Through the best of the best…

And the worst of the worst…

 The key is to go through it…

TOGETHER…

That’s what marriage is all about…

Even when “LOVE” is strong…

  But, “LIKE” is not!!

Amen!

Oh,Yes…

I am difficult to live with…

More than just sometimes!!

Good quote on Facebook:
“In every marriage more than a week old,
there are grounds for divorce…
the trick is to find, and continue to find,
the grounds for marriage!!” 
Thank you, Jesus!
Amen!!
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Ten years of Infertility???

Why me?

All my cousins and friends had kids…

But, God turned my attitude to…

“Why not me?”

And I received a miracle gift from God!

It was totally worth the huge cost and effort…

Of in-vitro…

To have our son!!!

Thank God for insurance!

Coming back to God???

Spent twenty years doing “my own thing!”

But could not fathom…

Raising my son without faith…

He loved Jesus…

Going to church…

Lively worship music…

And Veggie Tales…

And he led me back to Jesus!

Raising a great kid???

What a ministry…

To pour Jesus into your child!!!

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Life???

Yes, they’ll be trials…

But, always accept the Lord’s…

Joy!

Death???

So sad to lose loved ones…

But, we can celebrate their life…

Because of our Hope of Heaven…

And say, “See you soon!”

Parents???

We do our best…

So remember…

Your parents did their best, too!!

Forgive…

Don’t hold onto grudges…

Love!

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Friends and family???

While you can’t pick your family…

You can love, encourage, and minister to the family that God gave you!

Friends…

Chose wisely and love deeply!

Siberian Huskies???

Only God could make such a beautiful face…

My Crazy, Precious Little Girl…

Is lots of work…

And brings, oh, so much joy!!

See her Birthday post!

https://godssceneryandpromises.wordpress.com/2014/01/03/guess-whos-turning-seven/

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Seeing through God’s eyes???

Is beautiful…

And difficult…

Be prepared to listen…

Be prepared to obey!

Religion???

Faith is better than no faith…

Our relationship with Jesus  is everything!

Being retired???

Not HAVING to work is soooo good…

Retirement with a pension is the best!

Ministering to others???

Accountability…

Teaching others keeps you on your toes!

Keep on going for God!!

Eternal Life???

1 Timothy 4:8

“For physical training is of some value,

but godliness has value for all things,

holding promise for both the present life

and the life to come.”

Amen!

 

Come with Me…To Lisa and Ariel’s House Blessing and Wedding Vows Renewal Ceremony!

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2 Samuel 7:27-29

Lord Almighty, God of Israel,

You have revealed this to Your servant, saying,

‘I will build a house for you.’

So Your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to You.

Sovereign Lord, You are God!

Your covenant is trustworthy,

and You have promised these good things to Your servant.

Now be pleased to bless the house of Your servant,

that it may continue forever in Your sight;

for You, Sovereign Lord, have spoken,

and with Your blessing

the house of Your servant will be blessed forever.”

Lisa, Ariel, Marisa, and Andre

Since you’ve moved into this new house…today we’re pronouncing blessings on your new home from the very beginning.  It would also be wonderful for you to renew this blessing year after year for as long as you reside there.  Blessing a house is simply taking the authority over it that belongs to you, and dedicating it to the Lord.

It’s inviting the Spirit of God to come, and everything else to leave.  Where God’s presence is, there is blessing and hope. When we bless our homes we make room for God to take up residence in every room and over all our possessions.

Your house blessing will be on the basis of your rightful authority over your own dwelling. When you moved in, someone put keys to the house in your hand.  Physically and Spiritually, you determine who, or what, has access to your home.

Joshua 24:15, says, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Blessing your home, says your heart is in agreement with that Scripture!!  And, that you want your house to feel safe, peaceful, and be filled with God’s Spirit, so it will be godly place to live, and raise your family.

The authority you now take over your house, determines what the atmosphere will be like in this house from now on, and it is up to you to drive out any negative forces, in Jesus’ Name, in submission to the authority that is over you, the Lord Jesus Christ.

By blessing your house, property and possessions you are consecrating them as holy unto the Lord, and with His Light, you are dispelling any darkness.  Always keep His Light burning brightly in your home!

Pray!!!  Declare that this house belongs to God, and everything ungodly has to leave. Keep yourself holy and pure.  Bringing light to your home means everything else must leave.

Therefore, it is worth your time to take inventory and to rid yourself of spiritual garbage. As you pray in each room, ask the Holy Spirit if there is anything in that room that grieves Him. Take a look at books, magazines, music, videos, DVDs etc., Look at everything. What internet sites are accessed through your home? What television programs are allowed in? What radio stations are listened to?

Is your house set in order? Are relationships healthy? Is sin being permitted in your home? What is the spiritual atmosphere that you’re allowing?

Today, we’ll be anointing your doors and windows with oil representing the Holy Spirit. We’ll walk the parameter of the property, consecrating it, and placing it under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  We can use the oil to anoint anything you wish out on the property, and on cars, garages, equipment etc.

Lisa and Ariel…

As the owners, you may want to speak out blessings, for us to agree with as we pray over each room, asking God to use this house for His glory. Thanking the Lord for providing you with a place to live, asking for His angels to be posted at all the doors and windows, keeping anything evil from entering in, by the blood of Jesus, and in the authority of His Name!

We will speak peace here in this home, the Name of Jesus. We invite you to come, Holy Spirit, and fill this place…anything ungodly will need to leave!

As you live in your house, fill it with praise and constant thanksgiving. God will be honored, you will love the atmosphere in your home, and everyone who enters will love it too.  Amen!

Based on:  http://www.hannahscupboard.com/pray-walk-house-blessing.html

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Wedding Vows Renewal Ceremony

Matthew 19:4-6

“Haven’t you read,”

he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’

and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,

and the two will become one flesh’?

So they are no longer two, but one flesh.

Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

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The day was cold for Florida…

A high of 58 degrees…

The weather felt colder and breezier at the beach…

And since we’re all Floridians…

We were freezing!

Not your typical day-at-the-beach…

But still,

I was pleased and blessed…

To officiate at my friends’

25th Wedding Anniversary/Wedding Vows Renewal Ceremony!

Lisa and Ariel…

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When you first joined hands and hearts in marriage 25 years ago, you did not know where life would take you.

You promised to love, honor, and cherish one another through all things.

Life has surely brought you both wonderful blessings, and difficult challenges over the years. 

But here you are today, having fulfilled the vows to love, honor, and cherish… that you each made on your wedding day. 

And God is smiling!  

As you celebrate here today, and as you reflect back over all the years as husband and wife, do you now wish to reaffirm the vows you took 25 years ago? 

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Answer:  “WE DO!”

Please join hands as I continue with the Vows.

Lisa, will you continue to have Ariel as your husband and continue to live in this marriage? Do you reaffirm your love for him, and will you love him, keep him, and honor him in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, being faithful to him as long as you shall live?

Ariel, will you continue to have Lisa as your wife and continue to live in this marriage? Do you reaffirm your love for her, and will you love her, keep her, and honor her in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, being faithful to her as long as you shall live?

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May I have the rings and roses?  In the words of the prophet Isaiah, where relationships create love and compassion, even “the desert shall …bloom, like the rose.”  The rose, born of the tiniest of seeds, is a symbol of the potential and beauty contained in love’s promises.  In the merging of a spirit-filled vessel, and a fragrant rose…we proclaim a new relationship, a new future…one which love has unfolded, and is unfolding, before our very eyes.  As your gifts bring beauty and purpose to each other, may your lives continue to enrich and strengthen one another.

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Lord, I pray a prayer of re-blessing of these rings, and over the givers and receivers of each of the rings.

Ariel, repeat after me:  Lisa, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, and with this ring I thee wed.

Lisa, repeat after me:  Ariel, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, and with this ring I thee wed.

Lisa and Ariel, On your wedding day you exchanged rings as a symbol of the never-ending circle that symbolizes the eternal quality of God’s unending strength, and unending love!

Rings serve as a reminder of your wedding vows to each other, and your commitment to live in unity, love, and happiness. At this time, it is appropriate to reconfirm the meaning of the rings you wear.

Please join your left hands together so that Ariel’s hand is on top. Ariel, please repeat after me:

Lisa, I wear this ring you placed on my hand 25 years ago, as a symbol of my love and commitment to you.

Now, with Lisa’s hand on top, Lisa, please repeat after me:

Ariel, I wear this ring you placed on my hand 25 years ago, as a symbol of my love and commitment to you.

God bless these rings and the two who exchanged them in love on their wedding day.  Lord, keep Lisa and Ariel safe in the circle of Your protection and love.  Bless their marriage, which is a commitment to learning to care for one another… a life-long relationship always in the making.

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Marriage deepens and enriches every facet of life.  

Happiness is fuller, memories are fresher, commitment is stronger,

even anger is felt more strongly, and passes away more quickly.

Marriage understands…

and forgives the mistakes, life is unable to avoid.

It encourages and nurtures new life, new experiences,

and new ways of expressing a love that is deeper than life.

When two people pledge their love and care for each other in marriage,

they create a spirit unique unto themselves

which binds them closer than any spoken or written words.

Marriage is a promise made in the hearts of two people who love each other

and the promise requires a lifetime to fulfill.

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1 Corinthians 13:4-8

“Love is patient,

Love is kind.

It does not envy,

It does not boast,

It is not proud.

It does not dishonor others,

It is not self-seeking,

It is not easily angered,

It keeps no record of wrongs.

 Love does not delight in evil,

 But rejoices with the truth.

It always protects,

 Always trusts,

Always hopes,

Always perseveres. 

Love never fails…”

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Lisa & Ariel, as the two of you both now reaffirm you love for each other and the vows you made to each other many years ago, I ask that you each remember to continue to cherish each other as special and unique individuals, and that you each respect the thoughts and ideas of one another. And most of all, be able to forgive each other, and not hold grudges against one another. Live each day in love with each other, always being there to give love, comfort, and support to each other, in good times, and bad.  Amen!

Lisa and Ariel, today you have renewed the promises and vows you made to each other on your wedding day.  You have symbolized the renewal of the marriage union by the joining of hands, the taking of vows, and by the wearing of your wedding rings.

It is with pleasure that I conclude the ceremony of renewing the vows of marriage that joined you, and binds you as husband and wife. Please celebrate this renewal of vows with a kiss!

Since Lisa & Ariel have now exchanged vows and rings, and pledged their love and faithfulness to each other, it is my pleasure and honor to repronounce you Man & Wife. You may kiss the bride!

Based on:  http://www.themarriageman.com/renewal.htm

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1 John 3:16

“We know what love is

because Jesus gave His life for us.

That’s why we must give our lives for each other.”

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John 17:23

“I in them and You in Me—

so that they may be brought to complete unity.

Then the world will know that You sent Me

and have loved them even as You have loved Me.”

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1 John 3:18

“Dear children,

let us not love with words or speech

but with actions and in truth.”

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Ephesians 4:32

“Be kind and compassionate to one another,

forgiving each other,

just as in Christ,

God forgave you.”

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Ephesians 5:25-33

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her

to make her holy, cleansingher by the washing with water through the Word,

and to present her to Himself as a radiant Church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish,

but holy and blameless.

In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies.

He who loves his wife loves himself.

After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body,

just as Christ does the Church—

for we are members of His Body.

‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,

and the two will become one flesh.’

This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the Church.

However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself,

and the wife must respect her husband.”

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Love & Laughter!!!

Thank you, Jesus, for all Your blessings!!

We’re Italians!!! We Don’t Know Any Different…Or Any Better Way, To Live!

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I received this e-mail recently, I love it! 

(author unknown…)

Here’s The Difference Between Us…

AMERICAN KIDS:  Move out when they’re 18 with the full support of their parents.

ITALIAN KIDS:  Move out when they’re 28, having saved enough money for a house,and are two weeks away from getting married….. unless there’s room in the basement for the newlyweds.

AMERICAN KIDS:  When their Mom visits them, she brings a Bundt cake, you have coffee, and chat.
ITALIAN KIDS:  When their Mom visits them, she brings 3 days worth of food, begins to tidy up, dust, do the laundry, and rearrange the furniture.

AMERICAN KIDS:  Their dads always call before they come over to visit them, and it’s usually only on special occasions.

ITALIAN KIDS:  Are not at all fazed when their dads show up, unannounced, on a Saturday morning at 8:00 am, and start pruning the fruit trees. If there are no fruit trees, he’ll plant some.

AMERICAN KIDS:  Always pay retail, and look in the Yellow Pages when they need to have something done.

ITALIAN KIDS:  Call their dad or uncle, and ask for another dad’s, or uncle’s, phone number to get it done.

AMERICAN KIDS:  Will come over for cake and coffee, and get only cake and coffee. No more.
ITALIAN KIDS:  Will come over for cake and coffee, and get antipasto, a pasta dish, a choice of two meats, salad, bread, a cannoli, fruit, and espresso.

AMERICAN KIDS:  Will greet you with “Hello” or “Hi.”
ITALIAN KIDS:  Will give you a big hug, a kiss on your cheek, and a pat on your back.

AMERICAN KIDS:  Have never seen you cry.
ITALIAN KIDS:  Cry with you.

AMERICAN KIDS:  Eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on soft mushy white bread.
ITALIAN KIDS:  Eat Genoa Salami and Provolone sandwiches on crusty Italian bread (for breakfast).

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 Ya Gotta Love Us!!!

Don’t miss out…

Go visit an Italian today!!

Once we meet…

You’ll never  be a stranger…

You’re part of our family now, and…

Forever!!

God Bless!

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“A family is a place where principles are hammered and honed

on the anvil of everyday living.”  ~ Chuck Swindoll

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Ephesians 1:5

“God decided in advance

to adopt us into His own family

by bringing us to Himself

through Jesus Christ.

This is what He wanted to do,

and it gave Him great pleasure.”

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Deuteronomy 6:6-7, 18 

“These commandments that I give you today

are to be on your hearts.

Impress them on your children.

Talk about them when you sit at home

and when you walk along the road,

when you lie down

and when you get up.

Do what is right and good in the Lord’s sight,

so that it may go well with you

and you may go in

and take over the good land

the Lord promised on oath to your ancestors,

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Jesus, You’re My BFF! My Best Friend…Forever!!

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James 2:23

“And the scripture was fulfilled that says,

‘Abraham believed God,

and it was credited to him as righteousness,

and he was called God’s friend.”

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John 15:14

“You are my friends

if you do what I command.”

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John 15:15

“I no longer call you servants,

because a servant does not know his master’s business.

Instead, I have called you friends,

for everything that I learned from My Father

I have made known to you.”

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This song is a Kids Church favorite!!!!!

Have you heard of the one called Savior?

Have you heard of His perfect love?

Have you heard of the One in Heaven?

Have you heard how He gave His Son?

‘Cause I found this Love!

I believe in the Son!

Show me Your way!

I believe in the One called Savior!

I believe He’s the Risen One!

I believe I’ll live forever!

I believe that my King will come!

‘Cause I found this Love!

I believe in the Son!

Show me Your way!

Jesus!

You are my best friend!

And you will always be!

And nothing will ever change that!

Nothing will ever change that!!

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Proverbs 18:24

“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,   

but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

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John 15:13

“Greater love has no one than this:

to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

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Hebrews 13:5

“…God has said,

‘Never will I leave you;   

never will I forsake you.’”

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Have you heard???

Have you found???

Do you believe???

Have you met my best friend???

Jesus!

Forever!

Nothing will ever change that!

Amen!

Friendship Is A Beautiful Thing!!

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My dear friend, her family, and their dog traveled this summer to…

Door County, Wisconsin…

Let’s take a look at her beautiful photos!!

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Ahhhh…peace and quiet!!

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I see their dog feel’s right at home!!

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She snapped this photo for me…

The Italian!!

So I’d feel welcome, too!

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I love this beautiful 4th of July floral arrangement!!

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Vibrant colors in a background of lush green!!

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Deep purple…

The color of royalty!!

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Lilac-colored lollipop flowers???

Can we blow on these???

Or run with them in the wind???

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Cotton Candy, anyone???

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Pick me a big bouquet!!!

Genesis 1:31

“God saw all that He had made,

and it was very good…”

2 Corinthians 13:11

 “Finally, brothers and sisters,

rejoice!

Strive for full restoration,

encourage one another,

be of one mind,

live in peace.

And the God of love and peace will be with you.”

Amen!

Relationships Are Hard! Dear Lord, Forgive Me!

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“Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it,

and whoever loses their life will preserve it.”

Luke 17:33

Do you know what…

She said?

He did?

It’s wrong for them to treat us like this…

It’s wearing out our hearts…

It’s messing up our minds…

The way they disregard our feelings!

It’s Love or Hate…

We have to make a choice!!

Father forgive us!

“And call upon Me in the day of trouble:

I will deliver thee,

and thou shalt glorify Me.”

Psalm 50:15

What are we doing?

We need Your grace to forgive them…

When we feel we’re the ones losin’

“Let us then with confidence

draw near to the throne of grace,

that we may receive mercy

and find grace to help in time of need.”

Hebrews 4:16

We’re dead…

But, alive in Christ!

“And He said to all,

‘If anyone would come after Me,

let him deny himself

and take up his cross daily

and follow Me.”

Luke 9:23

Help us wrestle with this…

And lose the pain that’s ours!

And learn to forgive, seventy times seven times…

“In Him we have redemption through His blood,

the forgiveness of sins,

in accordance with the riches of God’s grace

that He lavished on us.

With all wisdom and understanding…”

Ephesians 1: 7, 8

But, Lord, it doesn’t feel right…

To turn a blind eye…

But, it’s not that much…

When we think of what You’ve done!!

That was Love! 

We always have a choice to make…

Will we…

Imitate Christ?

Or breed more hate?

Our hate isn’t going to break a hard heart!

Help us not to start wars that don’t need to be fought…

Forget our pride…

“Humble yourselves before the Lord,

and He will exalt you.”

James 4:10

Lay our weapons on the ground…

Don’t burn our bridges…

Our pain isn’t owed apologies…

It’s Okay…

Even if they never say they’re sorry!!

Ahhhh…Freedom…

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth,

where moth and rust destroy

and where thieves break in and steal,”

Matthew 6:19

Comes when we surrender….

To Your mercy and Your grace!

Send Your angels down, Lord…

Especially when we feel like we’ve been losing!

“Whoever finds their life will lose it,

and whoever loses their life for My sake will find it.”

Matthew 10:39

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Who God Says You Are…

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In Christ…

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“…fearfully and wonderfully made.”  Psalm 139:14

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“…the apple of His eye.”  Psalm 17:8

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 “…His treasured possession.”  Deuteronomy 7:6

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“…a child of God.” John 1:12

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“…a friend of Jesus.”  John 15:15

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“…justified and redeemed.”  Romans 3:24

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“…no longer a slave to sin.”  Romans 6:6

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“…fellow heir with Christ.”  Romans 8:17

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“…accepted by Christ.”  Romans 15:7

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“…a new creature in Christ.”  2 Corinthians 5:17

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“…redeemed and forgiven by the grace of Christ.”  Ephesians 1:7

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“…set free in Christ.”  Galatians 5:1

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 “…holy and dearly loved.”  Colossians 3:12

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 “…chosen.”  Thessalonians 1:4

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“…a branch of the true vine…”  John 15:1.5

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“…called to be a saint.”  1 Corinthians 1:2

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“…a citizen of Heaven.”  Philippians 3:20

This is your identity in Christ!!

Now…

Align your self-image…

With God’s image of you!

And be fully assured…

That if they don’t line up…

You must be the one in error!!

Because He’s never wrong!

One Terrific Sister Act!

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Sister Act

Photo Courtesy of:  www.broadwayinchicago.com

First row: Hollis Resnik, Ta’Rea Campbell;
Second row: Florrie Bagel, Diane J. Findlay, Lael Van Keuren

In December, we went to Tampa to see Sister Act…

In this touring company, my dear friend’s daughter, Lael Van Keuren played the part of Sister Mary Robert…

She came directly from the original cast of Sister Act on Broadway!

In the Ensemble, Understudy for Sister Mary Robert, and Understudy for Tina/Michelle…

At the Broadway Theater…

Jerry Zaks, director…

Her favorite credits include:

Dirt Rotten Scoundrels (North Shore Music Theater);

Hello Dolly! and Cinderella (both at Paper Mill  Playhouse).

We thoroughly enjoyed Sister Act…

So did everyone around us!

We laughed sooo much!!  It was delightful!!

This show has such a positive, uplifting effect on audiences, and it was so much fun to be a part of it!

Especially since we knew Lael was in it!!

Lael was amazing!!  The lady next to me agreed!!

Her voice is so powerful!

The acting, dancing, and singing…

Everything my friend did for Lael, and with her, over all the years has definitely paid off!!

We’re so very proud of her!!

We’re so glad we got to see her after the show!!  We haven’t seen her since moving to FL

She’s grown up…but still with that same adorable face and smile we love!!

She’s so cute and sincere and lovable and bubbly!!

I know my friend (who I taught with in NJ) misses her dearly, now that she’s touring with the company.

We wanted to hang around a little longer and chat more with her, but our car broke down on the way to the show…

There’s always something!  Amen?

So we were at the mercy of our repair man…

Who was nice enough to drive us to the theater on time…

Hallelujah!!

And pick us up before he closed!!

God is good!!

And though our day in Tampa actually cost us $1200 in car repairs…

We want to give a shout out to Doug and John…

At Firestone Complete Auto Care…

900 E. Kennedy Blvd.

Tampa, FL

God love you guys!!

Thanks!

You helped us get our car back on the road…

And got us to the show on time, too!!

I did have one favorite song in the play…

The song, “Sister Act,”  in the Broadway Musical “Sister Act” was sung by the lead character,

Deloris Van Cartier, played at our show by Rashidra Scott

Here are the lyrics:

“I don’t need a spotlight,
I don’t need a crowd,
I don’t need the great wide world
to shout my name out loud.
Don’t need fame or fortune,
nice as those things are,
I’ve got all I need
to feel like I’m a star.

I’ve got my sisters by my side.
I’ve got my sisters’ love and pride.
And in my sisters’ eyes
I recognize the star I want to be.

And with my sisters standing strong,
I’m on the stage where I belong.
And nothing’s ever gonna change that fact.
I’m part of one terrific sister act.

And yes, I love that spotlight!
Yes I crave acclaim!
I’ll admit I love the sound
when strangers scream my name.
All that glitz and glamor,
they’re all right no doubt.
But what are you left with
when the lights go out?

I’ll have my sisters with me still,
I’ll have my sisters, always will.
And with my sisters’ love,
no star above will shine as
bright as me.

And as a sister and a friend,
I’ll be a sister ‘til the end,
and no one on this earth can
change that fact –
I’m part of one terrific sister act.”

Thank you to all my “sisters!”

I love you all!

We got a photo with Lael after the show!

Go see it…you’ll love it!!

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Is This Asking Too Much!?!?

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Photos by JC

We had a great, calm, fun-filled Thanksgiving Dinner at our friend’s house this year…

But I’m remembering other Holidays, Vacations, and Special Occasions of ours in the past…

So, in anticipation of the upcoming Merry Christmas get-togethers…

I feel the need to vent!!

I like “NICE” on Holidays,  Vacations, and Special Occasions!!!

I want EVERYONE to be NICE…

Talk NICE!

And to be on their BEST Behavior!!

Why get together if everyone is going to “air their dirty laundry…”

Be grouchy…

Judgmental…

Snotty…

Impatient…

Intolerant of others’ routines…

Negative…

Condescending…

Arrive late…

Or leave early…

Mope around…

Be moody…

Create tension…

For goodness sake…

Don’t make me thank God every day..

That I don’t have to live with you…

And, if I do live with you…

Don’t make me thank God every day…

That I have you to go to places with…

But, that I can go by myself,  if I want to…

Please everyone…

Make me want to spend time with you…

Make me happy to see you!

To BE with you!

“Put yourself under…”

As one of my family members used to say…

When I was a young adult…

Meaning…

THINK OF OTHERS FIRST!!!!

Above yourself!!

Before yourself!

This equals:

JOY!

Jesus…Others…You!

In that order!

A Holiday, Vacation, or Special Occasion…

Is supposed to be NICE…

FUN!!!

HAPPY!

LOVING!

LIVELY!

FESTIVE!

It’s not a time for “BLAH” as usual…

Mundane…

Boring…

Or, your opportunity to bark at people…

 And, not the time for ranting about your least favorite things…

But, it IS about being with your most favorite people!!

In this special way…

At this special time…

To enjoy this special moment…

Together!

Laughing, loving, and sharing…

Talk about controversial issues over coffee on a normal day…

Rehash heated family issues with a trusted counselor…

Not at the dinner table!

It makes me nauseous…

Or makes me have “agita” as we Italians say!  Ha!

Interesting fact from “The Word Detective”…

thehttp://www.word-detective.com/121800.html

“‘Agita’ is not a standard Italian word, and linguists are not certain where came it from.  One possible source is the Italian word “agitare’ (‘to agitate’ or “‘to trouble”‘, which in turn came from the Latin ‘agitare,’ which meant ‘to stir up.’  To be ‘agitato’ in Italy is to be very excited, and a musical score marked ‘agitato’ is intended to be played at a frenzied pace.  But it’s also possible that the source is ‘acido’ (pronounced ‘AH-chee-do’), Italian for ‘stomach acid,’ which then possibly became ‘agita’ (‘AH-jih-ta’) over time. Whatever the source, ‘agita’ seems to have arrived in New York with Italian immigrants around the turn of the century, and has been in constant use, especially in places like New York City, ever since.”

See what I mean??

Be NICE while driving to see family and friends…

Or, while spending time with others…

Compromise!

Relax!

Enjoy the quality time together….

Life is so short!!

Too short to be hostile…

Let it go!!

BE Nice!

I don’t want “AGITA!!”

With my Holidays!

Is This Asking Too Much??