Tag Archives: Christian

Jul20

A Best Friend Just Gets You!

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I worked hand-in-hand with my best friend for 26 years…I retired first…and when she finally retired…I had a lot to say!

It seems like I’ve known her forever!  To this day, it has been a very cherished friendship.  When I retired, here’s what she said about working with me:

“We graduated at the same time from college, but we didn’t meet until five years later when she was hired as my maternity leave replacement.  This was the beginning of a cherished friendship. Here we are 25 years later…she’s retiring and I’m still working!  What’s wrong with this picture?

What an impression I must have made sitting at the table in the Home Economics room, with my feet up on the chair with the 12 girls in the class coming to me for help on their sewing projects. This job was a piece of cake, is
that what you thought? Those were definitely the good old days (before we had boys in our classes!  Ha!).  I had a few days to orient her with the classroom, curriculum, the up-coming fashion show that we put on in those days, and the procedure for purchasing groceries at the local A&P.  Teaching in Sussex County, on that first trip back from the grocery store we had to stop and wait for the cows to cross the road. This was a new experience for the girl from suburbia!  Bet you didn’t know that was in your job description!

Did you know that she’s is a cooking teacher, but doesn’t cook? Her husband does most of the cooking.  Thirty years ago we never dreamed that we would be teaching 25-30 students at one time in 5 tiny little kitchens. I don’t know what we were thinking!  Cook, clean, wash dirty towels, keep up with inventory, etc., all day at work, then go home and keep doing it!  But, now, we’re no longer called Home Ec. teachers, we’ve graduated to Family and
Consumer Science teachers.

Our profession and job has certainly changed a lot in a quarter of a century. It’s a good thing that we are so flexible! Because, the administration decided that we were even flexible and knowledgeable enough to teach computers without any real training. But we were thankful to have a job!  Since they were always telling us our job would be the first to go with budget cuts.

Of course, like any long-term friendship we had a few snags along the way. My over-active thyroid probably caused the first. It seems that I was pretty hard to get along with and that my normally sweet nature was replaced by unpredictable outbursts. And your many menopausal symptoms and mood swings have at times been
very trying also. Some days the room felt like the North Pole, both in temperature and atmosphere. I hope you had a heavy-duty air conditioner installed in your new Florida home.

I can’t imagine what it will be like coming back in September and not having you there!  E-mail us a few pictures of your newly built FL home completely finished, since we’ve seen a thousand black and white printer copies at every stage of construction!  By the way, does anyone know if there is an available ink cartridge in the building? Ours seems to have been used up completely by the copies of your house taped on the wall behind your desk!

I guess you won’t be needing your multitude of precious sticky note reminders anymore…Period 8 put up chairs…Do lesson plans, Get groceries…Order supplies…and Start wash to remind you of things at school.  Or, Pay the bills…Call your Mother…Pick up your son on the way home.

Here’s a list of things that I know you will not miss:

Wearing the aroma of Peanut Butter Cookies

The ‘Stop, Drop, and Roll’ safety video

Constantly repeating directions

Ordering and shopping for food

Bulletin boards and display cases

Lunch Duty

Constant interruptions from other teachers/staff…”Do you have … ?  May I borrow … ? I’ll bring it right back …

Organizing parent volunteers

The nauseating smell of someone brewing Hazelnut coffee in our classroom

I know this is your Recipe for a Happy Retirement:

Sleep late

Write stories and books

Relax by the pool

Eat out

We love you…you made a difference in all our lives!”

Does she Get Me, or what???

So, what was it like teaching with her!  Here’s my “retirement-rebuttal-roast” to her when she finally retired!!

She has always been a happy, smiling, wonderfully encouraging friend.  If she likes you, she lights up with a smile and a kind word the minute she sees you!

Then one day, out of nowhere, her thyroid decides to stop functioning and the best friend I knew and loved, LEFT for one whole year!!

In her place was a mean, arrogant, aggressive ogre!  Where had my sweet, loving friend gone?!?  We all still blame her that year for causing our other dear friend to have a heart attack!  He’s ok, but…Yikes!  All about disagreements over the Computer Curriculum.  Can you imagine?

Well, maybe we shouldn’t go there!!  Because, after a difficult year of praying for the right medicine adjustments for her, and just trying to stay out of her way, my sweet friend returned.  Yippee!

My husband asked her years ago, when she was going to retire…and, because she has two daughters, she told him she had two weddings she had to pay for before she could even think about retiring.  So he said, “Well, you should have had a plan!”  With that, coffee came pouring out of her nose, all over her desk, and she struggled to say, “This is my plan, working forever!”  So she’s retiring now, since her girls are married off!   Thank God…before she becomes one of those…you know…the ones who don’t know when it’s time to go!

Oh, P.S.-don’t worry about the spilled, snotty coffee all over her desk, it will eventually just disappear under the debris!  You can’t find a thing in that rat trap!!

Here’s her filing system:

A.   Day 1 of school in September-Take the empty, clean, cleared off desk, move it in place, load all papers, books, mail, folders, thread, needles, cooking tools, potholders, sewing projects, cards, money, buttons, markers, scissors, videos, dishtowels, memos, pencils, pens, food supplies, and grocery lists on top.  Keep piling ‘til last day of school.

If you ever saw her desk, you’d understand.   Some teachers freaked out, if they had to cover her class…we all stayed clear of that desk!

B.   Keep everything from your entire thirty-something years of teaching in your desk drawers.  Never, ever throw out anything!

C.  Day 124 of the teacher’s school year-Take your right arm, swish it across the desk sending everything into a big, kitchen garbage can!  Wheel the huge can of debris to the dumpster!

D.  Start over in September!

You gotta love that system!!  No sticky notes in sight!  Knows where everything is!  It’s all in that brilliant mind of hers!!  Wow!

My best friend is very easy-going and laid back, and since she had her children before I had my child, she taught me to apply that attitude to nutrition, housecleaning, and child rearing.  For instance, the time I had lunch at her house and her youngest daughter was licking Kool-Aid off the dining room table.   No problem!  She taught me never to be concerned about dust in the house, says, “Don’t disturb it, it’s good for the furniture!”  And, also, that Chocolate Chip Pie was okay to have for lunch, because you might not have room for it after eating…so better to have it before, or even instead of lunch!

It’s been very easy, and such a blessing over the years to be friends with this God-fearing woman…deacon of her church, who taught me so many important, sacred, life-changing phrases, like “Sometimes life sucks!”  I don’t think I’d have made it this far without her wit and easy laugh!!  That laugh (Well, really a cackle!) that you can hear all the way down the hall!!

I’m glad we ended up in the same crazy profession, teaching the same crazy subject, and most of the time working in the same crazy room.  No wonder I don’t cook, it’s overload!!  But it was a great ride and she always made the journey fun, and sometimes downright hilarious!  I miss it all, and wouldn’t trade it for anything!

Dear friend…you made a difference in all our lives, and we are all better for knowing you.

If there’s anything I forgot to mention, it’s because I’m four years into retirement now myself, and I don’t have to tax my brain any more when I don’t feel like it!!  You’re going to love that part, too!!  I’m enjoying my “Recipe for Retirement”…thanks!I  Miss you and I’ll always call you my very special friend!

With all that constant friendship and companionship over the years, you can really see that we “Get” each other!

Now, stop and go listen to “You Get Me” by Zoegirl on their With All My Heart album.

Jesus is our Best Friend.

We must develop that constant friendship and companionship with Him also.

So we can say,

“Lord, you get me!”

Jul20

The Ultimate Altar Call

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At the end of a Holy Spirit-convicting Youth service, with the band playing in the background and leaders praying for the
Spirit to have His way, everyone is seated with their eyes opened facing the altar.

Those of you who gave your heart to the Lord at any time in your life before tonight…in Sunday School, at camp, in Kids’ Church, at a revival service, at home, by yourself, with your parents or grandparents…wherever, whenever…please walk down here to the altar and stand facing the congregation.

Praise God!! You are saved and going to Heaven because Jesus is your Savior!!

Now, out of those of you standing facing the congregation:  If you have learned that you are saved to serve the Lord, whether you knew that immediately upon giving your heart to the Lord, or at a later time God spoke to you about what He wants from you…

Praise the lord, you’re on fire for God!!

Jesus is the Lord of your life, you pray for His guidance, you read His Word, follow His commandments and ways, and He directs your path, you love Him with all your heart and are ready to be used by Him to reach lost souls. I want you to begin praising and worshiping Him, acknowledging His plan for your life, and ask Him to continue to lead you.

If you are standing facing the congregation, but after the initial time you gave your heart to the Lord, circumstances have caused you to pull away from Jesus, your first love, you’ve allowed your flesh to direct your path and you haven’t resisted the devil in your choices in life and he’s led you astray…I want you to turn, kneel down facing the altar and begin praying for a renewed mind that is set on Jesus and His plan for you, a changed heart, and new direction. He saved you to be a mighty worker in His Kingdom!  He has an awesome plan for you!!

If you are still at your seat, think about God’s love for you… it’s beyond all understanding!!  Look to Jesus for forgiveness of all your sins, feel your heavy burdens and how wonderful it will be when Jesus immediately comes to lift them and carry them away for you. Give Him your heart and He’ll give you His Joy.  If you want to be saved and have eternal life in Heaven…Jesus is the Way, ask Him to show you!

If this makes sense to you and is the desire of your heart, I want you to stand. He’s knocking at the door of your heart…just simply ask Him to come in and live in your heart, to take away your sins, cleanse you, and be your Lord and Savior!

If you are still seated, please remain seated with your eyes closed and tell God about your doubts in believing what He has planned for you.  Ask Him to show you how you can be close to Him and receive His Peace.  He won’t force Himself on you,  you may feel the gentle nudging of His Holy Spirit, but still it must be your decision.

Now, those of you kneeling, facing the altar…if you’ve received from God what you asked for…His power, His strength, His Joy to serve Him…then, stand and face the congregation with the others.  If you still need more time to pray, continue kneeling.

For those of you that are now standing, facing the congregation, it’s time for you to be used by God…YOU’RE READY!!!  God can and does use teenagers in His service!!  There is a ministry waiting for you. You are not too young!!  You will grow and mature as you serve! Start now to gain confidence in your place in the Kingdom of God to help others find the Lord!!

So now begin praying with someone who is kneeling by you, or go to someone standing at their seat who is ready to become a new child of God.

GO!

Along with our leaders, begin praying with others and for others!  Pray also for those who are still seated, that the Lord’s Holy Spirit will answer all their questions and satisfy all their doubts…that they will desire to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Then come stand in a circle at the altar, so we can pray for the Holy Spirit to empower teens with boldness and joy to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ everywhere they go!

This is the vision God gave me for our youth!

Jul20

Children’s Christian Fiction, “The Little Star That Couldn’t Shine”

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In the Beginning was The Maker, The Light, and The Spirit.  Right away, they decided to make a vast and beautiful universe where everyone would love them, shine for them, and serve them. From nothing, they created their awesome Kingdom of The Light.  Nothing evolved, it was lovingly and purposefully crafted by their own hands according to The Shining Plan of The Maker.

This is the story of how the littlest star in the universe, found The Light and received the gift of The Spirit!

Little Star was playing, because that’s what little stars love to do!  He was flying across the midnight sky twinkling, shining, and racing with his best friend, Little Radiant Star.  Everyone enjoyed the innocence and happiness of the littlest star.

Soon though, Little Star began to think he owned the whole universe.  His pride made him very unkind to others.  He began to lie to his teachers about his homework, and to cheat on tests at school.

This kind of behavior continued until one day, Little Star realized he was not as radiant as the other stars, and he became very sad.

He asked his best friend, “What’s wrong with me, Little Radiant Star?  I don’t shine as brightly as you do.”

Little Radiant Star was just a little star, too. “I don’t know Little Star, but I don’t think worrying will help,” he answered.

“Well, I am worried and you’re not helping!”   Little Star barked.  He was suddenly very jealous of his best friend.  How he wished he could be as dazzling as the other stars.

All this worrying made his light even dimmer.

Little Star didn’t want to tell anyone, but he felt something was missing in his life.  He pretended it was okay to be less sparkling than the other stars.  After all, the other stars, his parents, grandparents, friends, and other family members loved him.  Didn’t they?

What could be the trouble?

Then he wondered, “What if even my faint light goes out?  What if I suddenly can’t shine at all?   What if even the little brightness I have as a star completely goes out?”

Then Little Star started crying, “What purpose is there for a star that can’t shine?”

Little Star felt a deep need in his heart to be a bright shining star, so he began his journey to find out why he couldn’t shine.

Little star approached the wisest star in the sky.

“Wisdom Star,” Little Star cried, “I can’t shine.”

Everyone knows Wisdom Star could illuminate the entire midnight sky with his bright light.   So, full of love and understanding, he asked Little Star, “Do you know the purpose of a star?”

“Yes,” Little Star answered. “We are put in the sky to shine brightly!”

“That’s right, Little Star.  Do you know who made us and why He set us in the sky to shine so brightly?” Wisdom Star
asked.

“No, I don’t,” said Little Star sadly.

“Go see Learning Star who can teach you The Truth from the Word of The Maker,” Wisdom Star directed.

Little Star was confused, “I’m just a little star,” he said, “How will I be able to learn so many new lessons? All I know how to do is play, no one will take me seriously.”

“Oh, Learning Star will take you seriously when he sees your sincere wish to know about The Word of The Maker,” said Wisdom Star.

Learning Star was pleased to see how eager Little Star was to learn.  The lessons began right away.

Learning Star explained, “Without the Word of The Maker to lead you to The Light, your light will be lost, Little Star. You must have The Spirit to light your path.”

The Little Star was amazed at what he learned from Learning Star about The Maker, and why He set the stars in the sky to shine so brightly.  He met many wonderful and friendly stars to lead him, help him, teach him, and love him, so he was very happy.  Little Star learned that growing towards The Light will allow your light to grow.  Doing things that keep you in darkness dulls your light.

“I just didn’t know my light could fade so quickly,” Little Star said. “Now, I will always follow The Light so I can shine brightly!”

But, suddenly, one day, out of nowhere, came The Destroyer of The Light to taunt and trick Little Star.  Though Little Star’s Mother had warned him never to play with The Destroyer, he couldn’t help it. The Destroyer didn’t look scary, bad, or evil, but he glittered with a fake light that was blinding, and hiding The Truth from Little Star.  With the fake light in his eyes, he couldn’t see how dark The Destroyer really was.

Little Radiant Star shouted, “Little Star, stop!”

Little Star wouldn’t listen.

Little Star who loved to play forgot that his purpose was to shine for The Light.  He rushed to play in the false blinding light of The Destroyer.  It was so much fun that Little Star never realized he was getting less and less shiny, until one day he felt his light going out.

Horrified, Little Star looked at himself and saw how shadowy his light had become.

He sincerely cried out to The Maker, “Please forgive me for playing The Destroyer’s games. I’ve learned his false light means darkness for me.  Polish me until I shine brightly for You, lead me to The Light and The Spirit, I need Your Light to shine in me!  I know the purpose of my life is to shine brightly with Your love and to serve You.

Only You can save me from The Destroyer’s tricks and his blinding flash.  Help me receive the glowing gift of The Spirit!  Amen!”

Suddenly, the tiny, faint light of Little Star began to glow brightly.  He exploded like fire into the most beautiful, most awesome, most glorious, most far-reaching beacon of light anyone had ever seen in the starry midnight sky!

At once, Little Star heard The Maker’s voice. “You will now be called Shining Bright Star, because you have found out for yourself your purpose.

To shine with The Light!

You will always receive your brightness from The Light. When you are filled with The Spirit, light will overflow from you
to help light the way for others.”

Soon, other stars were coming to Shining Bright Star to learn to shine more brightly.  Shining Bright Star guided them with his brightness to seek The Maker, The Light, and The Spirit.

“You, too, can be a shining star for The Light,” Shining Bright Star taught. “Let Jesus The Light shine through you to others. Be a bright, shining star so God The Maker’s story will be spread to the whole universe, and light the lives of others. You’re not too little to be a shining star for Jesus The Light. Just ask God The Maker to lead you to Jesus The Light and receive The Spirit like I did!  Then your light can lead others to find their bright purpose in life.”

Suddenly, off in the distance, Shining Bright Star saw a shimmering, gleaming light show of shooting stars from Heaven, and knew that God The Maker was well-pleased with the Kingdom of The Light He had created.

At last, Shining Bright Star realized that The Maker has an awesome plan for each of us, and that made him glow very
brightly!

Will you let your light shine?

The End

Jul20

“Ode To My Last Year Of Camp!!”

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To all you nature-lovers…WHAT I LEARNED BY TAKING 6TH GRADERS TO CAMP!!

1.  The kid with the screechiest voice is always in YOUR cabin!

2.  The bed-wetter will always choose the upper bunk!

3.  The kid who picks his/her nose is always at YOUR table!

4.  The sleepwalker wants the bunk by the door!

5.  Never let any kid set an alarm clock, just so they can wake up early to do their exercises!

6.  One kid will always fall in the stream, creek, swamp, mud, etc.!

7.  You can over pack and still not have your hat or gloves!

8.  Kids need to go to the BR as soon as you get far enough away from the dining hall!

9.  Even when there’s a relatively mild winter in NJ, it will always come the 3rd week in March in time for camp!

10.  The “Swamp Walk” is not fun in the pouring-rain!

11.  You can only assist with the  “Cider Press” station once, and then it’s bo-o-o-ring.

12.  There’s not enough privacy unless you wake up an hour before the kids and shower very quietly!

13.  The snow is beautiful unless you’re doing “Orienteering”, “Survival”, “Wetlands Ecology”, etc., and your head and feet are soaking wet!

14.  The mountains are gorgeous unless you’re climbing one…and feel a heart attack coming on…and you’re too embarrassed to tell anyone!

15.  If you are cold, wet, hungry, and tired you won’t care whether you can read a compass or not, even if you’re the
teacher!

16.  By the end of camp, you will thank GOD you Survived!

17.  Only the camp director can hike without his gloves and not get frostbite!

18.  When the weather’s bad every day is one too many!

19.  When the weather’s bad and all the kids and teachers are whining…the director will run out of  “Whiner Cards!”

20.  Kids cannot carry the luggage their parents pack for them!

21.  And it’s always wet and muddy where they drop their pillows!

22.  Your stuff never packs the same when it’s time to go home!

23.  My son was at camp on this last trip, so I know that even if your mother is at camp, you will still not dress with the proper cold weather gear!

24.  And even if your mother is at camp with you, you still need to clean up after yourself!

25.  When it’s snowing, you can never have on enough layers!

26.  When it’s raining, it doesn’t matter if your poncho looks dumb or not!

27.  At camp, you never get to see the end of a movie!

28.  The “Snake Man’s” Show is still great after all these years. The snakes are still awesome and the big bugs are just
plain “creepy”!

29.  Adults, during camp week, you can only “go to the bathroom” if someone brings their famous BRAN muffins!

30.  At camp, there’s enough food to last a normal person an entire week, but don’t make the mistake of bringing any of it to your cabin, or you’ll invite the very large carpenter ants to sleep with you!!

31.  When you get home from camp, vow to go on a “Starvation Diet”!

32.  Never plan to do anything the night you come home from camp, and if there’s school the next day, forget it!!

33.  Kids are wonderful at camp!!

34.  Teachers are fun at camp!!

35.  I will never forget the “Camp” experience!

36. Teachers, next year plan ahead, take your VACATION the 3rd week in March, and come visit me in sunny FLORIDA!!

37.  ‘Til then, good thing I have all these GREAT memories!!

Jul20

Words From My Heart

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I’m going to write to you from my heart…

As if you’re my best friend…

Life isn’t perfect.

Kids aren’t perfect.

Families can be dysfunctional.

Even a happy marriage can have arguments brewing.

But I have found the One who is perfect.

He controls my heart and my life.

With Him, I have peace, joy, love…which the world could never give me.

And can never take away!

He blesses me because He’s looking to bless those who believe in Him.

Not just that He existed, but that He exists today, & wants to dwell in our hearts.

I can write to you from my heart because He fills my heart to overflowing with His love…

Then, I can share His love with you.

It’s  really very simple…this Gospel…

We love God…because He first loved us.

He gave his Only Begotten Son for us…

That we may have abundant life…

Why make it complicated?

It’s not!

He says, “Come to Me…my yoke is easy.”

I can’t tell anyone how to solve all problems…

But I know the One who can…

Call out to Jesus…

You’ll find Him ready, willing, and able to meet all your needs…

“Help me, Jesus,” is a strong prayer that touches His heart…

It connects your heart to His…

Then, obey His voice…

Follow His direction…

Listen for His answer…

His Holy Spirit will direct you.

If we looked to each other, we would ultimately fail and disappoint.

Humans are frail…

He is MIGHTY!

Believe!

Trust!

He will never leave us or forsake us.

Nothing is about us, or our credentials.

It is always about Jesus.

What He has already done for us at the Cross.

What He wants to do for us today, if we’ll let Him.

He knocks, but we must open the door.

It’s that easy!

Accept His help today!

He’s knocking…

You must answer…by opening the door to your heart…

“Yes, Lord Jesus”…is the answer to all your problems…forever…here on earth and through eternity…

I’ll be praying for you…

Jul20

“Mr. Fix-it,” “Mr. Foodtown,” Mr. Fill Up”

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I’m a very blessed lady!!

My husband is “Mr. Fix-it”.

He uses superglue, scotch tape, duct tape, or whatever it takes to fix a broken item. He’s a “morning person” (while I most definitely am not!) and if I leave a note attached to the item on the kitchen counter, by the time I get up, it’s fixed as good as new!!

He really spoils me.

He’s also “Mr. FoodTown.”

Even though I’m a retired Home Economics Teacher, and I’ve taught kids all about where our food comes from…I believe food comes from the pantry.  Because while I’m sleeping, my husband (the early
riser!) does the grocery shopping. All it takes is a note on the grocery list for food to materialize in the pantry.

In addition, he can turn the groceries into delicious meals.

Oh, how he spoils me.

Plus “Mr. Fill-Up” keeps my car filled up with gas. Before I even realize I need gas, my tank is filled, what a delightful experience…it’s like a miracle!!

I depend on my husband in his areas of expertise.  He deserves a lot of praise!

And I depend on my Lord for my spiritual needs, because He is the expert with my life.

I come to Him with thanksgiving for who He is and what He means in my life.

For His mercy and compassion.

I have found that God can fix all my problems.

He can provide for all my needs.

He can fill me with His Spirit.  And He deserves all my praise.

He never seems too busy to care for me.  He gets up early and he stays up late.

He will never leave me or forsake me.

He’s the One to depend on.

Jesus is trustworthy and faithful.

We can depend on it.

God gave me my husband who spoils me.

And His Son who spoils me even more.

With You, Lord, the broken pieces of my life are mended and restored.

My food pantry is always full.

You prepared a banquet table for me.

I never hunger or thirst.

All my needs are met, and my Spirit is filled to overflowing.

Use me to show others that they can be spoiled, also, by a Father who loves us, and wants to bless us abundantly.

Jul19

Give Me A Sign

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I love being a Christian.

I love serving the Lord.

I love to fellowship with other Christians.

I love treating all people the way Christ would, with compassion, love, and understanding.

I love meeting other Christians…wherever I go.  I want to know if everyone I meet is a Christian.  Not to judge anyone, or guess.

I just want a universal symbol, a sign, a word that we can all agree on.  I don’t want to know what denomination  they belong to,
whether they haven’t been in a church for a while, or whether their grandmother was a believer.

I just want to know point blank…are they a follower of Christ.

Do they know Jesus personally?

Is He Savior of their soul, and Lord of their life?

Are they ready for eternity?  For Heaven?

Wouldn’t it be an awesome sight to see millions of symbols, and automatically know those people know what Jesus did for them when He died on the Cross.

No sign?  Then love them, and pray for Holy Spirit to draw them, and change their hearts.

When their free will prevents them from believing in Jesus Christ, and going to Heaven, respect their free choice.

Only God can know a heart.

But, just let me tell you this…it’s great to be a Christian!

It doesn’t stop me from doing what I want, because what I want is for the Lord to do His will in my life.  My desires are His desires.  I want my thoughts to be His thoughts.  I want His Plan for my life.   I’m not deprive, I’m lifted from my burdens.

Those who don’t know Jesus, have chosen to carry their own burdens, and I’m sorry, because I remember how heavy they were
for me.

I’m saved from sins that weigh me down. They’ve chosen not to seek forgiveness, so they feel guilty, and the Bible tells us they are guilty.  So was I before I was reborn with God’s Holy Spirit.

I trust Almighty God…the God of the impossible.

Who do they trust?

I follow Jesus, my Physician, my Shepherd, my Redeemer.

Who do they follow?

I believe in the Holy Spirit, my Comforter, my Counselor.

Who do they believe in?

Why be empty, lonely, forgotten, and beaten-down?

He is the lifter of our head, and the lover of our soul.

Why not be forgiven, loved, and cherished?

Why would I want them to carry all those heavy burdens, when I know how they can lay them down?

Why should I let them perish, when I know Jesus can rescue them?

It’s about a change…a change of heart, a change of mind, a change of
attitude, a change of direction.

Allowing  Him to change the direction of our life.

Look up to Jesus, and into eternity.  Humans were made to serve God.

Choose to serve other things and we’ll never feel satisfied.

Choose Jesus!

It’s our choice,  our free will.

Choose to serve Jesus, then give me a sign.

The sign is love.

Jul19

First Love

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My husband and I love Siberian Huskies!

We’re melted by their distinctive faces, their jovial dispositions, their fluffy, up-right, wagging tails, and their regal walk.  They’re always happy to see you, and they’ll show you their friendliness by licking your face  all over.

When our third Siberian Husky was born, we carried photos, we showed a video of him romping with the other puppies, we invited people over to see him, we brought him with us to our friends’ houses, we told everyone about his every move, trick, bark, howl, and eating habits.

We moved to Florida, and after awhile, our dear Siberian died.  There was a time of mourning, we had our memories, and our new friends were sympathetic, but they didn’t know how close we were to our dog.  We got distracted by our move and hadn’t shared with them all the stories, photos, or videos of his birth and his growing-up years, as we had back in NJ.

In our walk with the Lord, do we still think constantly of Him, love Him, talk about Him, share stories about His goodness, share our testimonies of His faithfulness?

Is He still our first love?

Do we invite our friends to know Him as we do?

When we move to a new situation do we bring Him with us?

Do our friends and family know how close we are to our Lord?

Or are we distracted?

When we got our puppy, we weren’t satisfied for friends and family to simply know we had a dog, we wanted them to see, feel, sense, touch, hear everything for themselves, so they would love our dog as much as we did.  We felt it wasn’t enough to just know about him, but we wanted everyone to know him personally.

That’s how it is with Jesus.  It’s good that you know who He is, but I want you to know Him like I know Him…personally.

When our beloved dog died we replayed every fond memory of his life, and also every heart-wrenching moment of his death.

Jesus lived and died to prepare a place for you in Heaven, because you have no other way to get there yourself.

We as Christians should be able to make you see, and feel, the joy and peace we have because of Jesus.

We should share with you the memories of His life.

You should feel the piercing nails in his hands and the anguish of His death.

We should explain that He did that for you. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”

Have I introduced you to my first love…Jesus?

Jul19

Empty

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I don’t know who you are, where you are, where you’ve been, or what you’re doing, but I do know we all have an empty hole only Jesus can fill.

You may be a professional who’s desperate, a teacher who’s overwhelmed, or a parent who’s exhausted.

You may be homeless and in despair, you may be wealthy, but life is futile.

It doesn’t matter, without Jesus, you’re a person running on empty.

Why would God fill the empty hole in me and others, but not in you?

Are we better than you, more educated, more perfect?

No. The Bible says, “All have sinned…”

It has nothing to do with us, it has everything to do with Him.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son…”

Jesus died to save us from the empty hole within us, and the empty hole of an eternity in Hell separated from Him.

Let Him fill you with His Holy Spirit.

Nothing else can fill the spot that’s reserved for Him.

Sin tries to fill it up, but you’re still left empty.

Empty and guilty.

Only you can ask for the empty hole to be filled with what will truly satisfies.

You can try other things: Money, love relationships, fast cars, parties, drugs, alcohol, etc.

You’re just wasting time, and losing time that could be spent in JOY, PEACE, and LOVE.

Better than what you now feel: despair, overwhelmed, desperate, and discouraged.

How do I know?  I’ve been there.

Even with all you desire from this world, you can feel unsatisfied.  We all need Jesus.

Here’s what to do: Bow down to Jesus. Call out to Him.  Look up to God.

He’ll hear your sincere cry for help, even if you simply breathe a whisper “Help me!”

Jesus wants to live in your heart and fill you with His Holy Spirit.

To dwell in you.  For you to abide in Him.

It’s a gift.  It’s yours for the asking.  You don’t need to beg.

God’s listening.

Read His Word…the Bible.

Talk to any Christian…a strong believer in the full Gospel…a follower of Christ.  I know you know who they are.

I dare you!  Go find one.  Question them.  Ask them the important questions you really want to know about God.

I’m praying for every non-believer to have a Christian believer near them. Share your doubts.

Discuss God’s word with the ones you know have God’s Joy in their lives.  In every circumstance, even when the circumstance is a difficult one.

Don’t let anyone, or anything, stand in your way, or cause you to think God’s not real.  He is!

Or, that what Jesus did for others..He can’t do for you.  He can!

No matter who you are, where you are, where you’ve been, or what you’ve done, Jesus wants to be your Savior and the Lord of your life.

Be sincere.  Be sorry.  Be free.

Ask the Lord to help you allow His Holy Spirit to lead you into all Truth.  Not the world’s truth, but God’s Truth..

Ask that Christian friend of yours more questians. Dive into your Bible.

A good place to start is the Book of John in the New Testament, “In the beginning was the Word…and the Word became flesh.”  Pray for understanding while reading.

Find a Bible -believing church, go there, fellowship with other Christians, feed on the Word.

Allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you, and show you a ministry you can do to glorify His Name.

Keep praying.  Ask the Holy Spirit to fill the empty hole, and constantly keep it filled to overflowing.  To be able to help others, and lead them to Christ.

So they will no longer be running on empty either!

You may think you’re really ok, you’re not on drugs, you’re not suicidal, you’re not planning on killing anyone.

And in the eyes of the world you may be ok.

But in God’s eyes “…all are as filthy rags…”

If you don’t know Jesus personally (which means you alone, not what your family or friends believe, just
you), you’re not ok.

It’s not enough. Jesus said, “No one comes to the Father but through Me…”

Only complete trust in Jesus and what He’s already done for us at the Cross will give us eternal life in Heaven.  With equal satisfaction and fullfillment for us here on earth.

Let Him take you from wherever you are to wherever He wants you to be.

He’ll change you, fill the empty hole inside you.

And you’ll be whole.

Jul19

Thanks For The Memories, Charley!!

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I WONDER IF IN A YEAR FROM NOW I WILL REMEMBER •••

…How inadequate we felt the day before the hurricane hit.

…What do New Jerseyeans know about preparing for a major tropical hurricane? ..

…Floridians told us not to worry, we’ll be “fine.”  We were alive, Thank God, but we were not fine!

…That storm preparation is such hard work and continues until the last minute.

…If you’re going evacuate, you need to make that decision BEFORE the last minute.

…My annoyance that all this “preparation” was messing up my brand new beautiful house.

…How my priorities have changed since then.

…Your “treasures” just become stuff you have to move.

…My husband in “crisis mode.”

…Me in “melt-down mode.”

…The shock when Charley picked up speed with winds of 145 mph, becoming a category 4 hurricane and heading right for us.

…Thinking we should have gotten hurricane shutters.

…Feeling scared when the power went out.

…Hailing the newscasters who kept us informed day by day on our little transistor radio.

…Praying the roof would not fall in on us.

…My son, praying, “Dear Jesus, please forgive us for all our sins, so we will be ready to go to Heaven with you.”

…Feeling God’s ASSURANCE of protection from the storm.

…Experiencing how hot it is when you’re under a mattress with no air-conditioning.

…It’s true…it SOUNDS LIKE A FREIGHT TRAIN.

…Praying for the safety of our family, friends, and neighbors.

…Hearing our house being pelted by projectiles.

…Feeling our house shaking and hearing our garage door rumbling.

…Crying when my husband sees our lanai screen rip off our house.

…The sound of glass breaking, knowing the storm was in our house and our stuff was getting wet and damaged.

…When we ventured out, a police officer told us to go inside, there could be tornadoes.

…Hearing on the radio that one tornado may have touched down near-by.  Right where our church is.

…The shocking, heart-wrenching sight outside our house the next day.

…Finding it hard to believe, but many others were far worse off than we were.

…FEELING THANKFUL TO BE ALIVE!!

…Grateful to God for the safety of family, friends, and neighbors.

…The joy of helpful neighbors with a grill.

…I thought we’d just go on as usual the next day, but seeing that it looks like a bomb hit here.

…Seeing the destruction everywhere, like a war zone.

…Wondering where to start cleaning up this mess and rebuilding.

…Learning that “replacement of landscaping” is not covered in our insurance policies.

…All mature trees in the neighbor fell, thankful that we didn’t have any.

…Palms trees were bent, but not broken.

…Believing God’s gift to Florida is air conditioning and missing it!.

…The days and days of debris pick-up were exhausting, it’s so hot, and no relief in sight.

…I had no idea we could be so needy, and I’m so thankful for those from everywhere who met our needs so fast.

…Piles of dirty, stinky laundry are just in the way, when you have no way to wash them.

…Frustrated to have no way to communicate with loved ones, we felt cut off from the world.

…Frantic family and friends who couldn’t reach us by phone, while watching the photos of the devastation on TV, and sending us money.

…Food spoils in the refrigerator and freezer with no power to keep it cold…there must be a better time to clean them out than after a hurricane.

…Realize that food doesn’t mean as much as a refreshing shower, even one just a little trickle of water.

…Letting friends use our shower, in exchange for a trip to a working laundromat for clean clothes.

…It’s 95 degrees, all the windows in the house are open, and the neighbor’s generator is so loud, but it’s too hot to get a good night’s sleep anyway.

…Finally found some battery operated fans, Amen!!

…Noticing that pickuping up debris in the hot sun, day after day, gave me the best tan I’ve ever had, but lots of bug bites, too.

…Driving is dangerous when six-lane highways have no traffic lights.

…It’s hard to find anyone when there are no street signs.

…Seeing blue tarps on every roof, and huge mounds of debris everywhere is very depressing.

…Our pool looks like a septic tank filled with all our lanai screen debris in it.

…Garbage will smell after it’s been outside along the roadside for days when there’s no garbage pick-up.

…You’ll want to kiss the feet of the garbage man, and the guys who pick up all the aluminum from the lanai screens, when they finally come.

…You’ll rejoice when Publix opens, even when you need to bring your flashlight.

…Ice is a precious commodity.

…But, ice in a cooler is a messy replacement for your refrigerator/freezer.

…I really appreciate a clean house, and I can’t remember anymore when I had one.

…The threat of mold can make you crazy.

…Interesting to know what’s in a Red Cross “disaster kit,” and so appreciative.

…The concern and love from family and friends, Thank God they know how to pray.

…Sensing after seven days of this, it was time to get out of town.

…My sister was an angel who carne to our rescue with the offer of her condo.

…We’ve corne to think of it fondly as “The Land of Plenty.”

…Found a church to get spiritually refueled.

…The kindness of a friend who provided pampering at a beauty salon, and rest and relaxation at the beach

…We returned home when power was restored, because my husband was too exhausted to cook dinner and was eating SPAM.

…Fooled into thinking the hurricane season was over.

…Bolting everything down again, and again, and again.

…Moving furniture back and forth, inside and outside many times is frustrating and exhausting.

…My plants out on the lanai seemed to get pretty heavy after moving them in and out of the garage
so many times.

…Strong winds blowing.  Chance of flooding.  Tarps flying.  Cabin fever.

…Worried the debris that’s still in huge piles by the curb, will blow around and create more damage.

…Shell-shocked.  Got to get out of here.  Another hurricane is coming.

…Thank God for another angel who let us visit in California to hide from this next storm.

…Teens do not dwell on hurricanes, “Yeah, we had a hurricane, what game are you playing on GameCube?”

…Still finding roof tiles in my landscaping two months after all the storms.

…Will we be decorating the debris this Christmas?  Putting tinsel on the trash?

…I know I won’t be thinking about costly gifts this Christmas, but only of the gift of God’s love and protection for us!  Amen!

I WONDER IF IN A YEAR FROM NOW I WILL REMEMBER CHARLEY…

I PRAY I NEVER FORGET…