Author: terriplace89

“Right” is a prominent word in our vocabulary.  It has multiple connotations.  We use it in a myriad of ways.  Think about it…  “The socks need to be turned right side out”; “I have a right to be here.”  “That is the right answer.”  “Turn right at the next stop sign.”  “I’ll be right home.”  “You are right at the top of my list.”  Those are just a few examples.  We use the word regularly in lots of contexts.  Generally though, we think of right in three basic categories:  Right and left, right and wrong, and rights and privileges.  

Right and left basically denote bearing in relation to the right or left side of your body.  It can mean location or direction.  But all in all, I think right and left are pretty self-explanatory, so I won’t elaborate on that category. 

Rights and privileges are a hot topic in the world today.  There are moral rights, legal rights, inalienable rights, God-given rights, etc.  And it seems like everyone is arguing about the validity of all of them.  Since this is a political squabble, I’m not going to talk about that category either. 

BUT…

I do want to talk about right and wrong.  Right and wrong convey several different things to our minds. In school, the answers on the test were either right or wrong – correct or incorrect.  In conversation we might say either the right thing or the wrong thing – proper or improper.  In life we can make the right choices or the wrong ones – good or bad.    

For the most part, people want to do the right thing.  And they want to be right in the way they think.  It’s an innate heart’s desire.  However, all of us make mistakes, we get duped, or just show a lack of judgement.  But usually, we hate the times when we stray from right and endeavor to get back on the “right track” as quickly as we can.    

This brings up an important point – how do we know what is right or wrong?  There is only ONE sure standard that we can use to answer that question, and that is God’s Word.  God set up the only absolutely right way of thinking and acting.  So our thoughts and actions must be measured against that standard.  That is not to say that we have to recite Bible verses all day long.  It would be pretty hard to function in our daily lives if every word or thought had to be a scripture.  How would we do our jobs or even cook dinner?  But when we make the Bible our only rule of faith and practice, our conscience is guided by Its truth and that truth becomes our habit pattern of thought. 

I think of it like this:  Picture a compass…  North, East, South, and West, and all the degrees between.  Our moral compasses have corresponding settings:  “Right” being north, and “Wrong” being south, and all the degrees in between.  We try to keep our lives focused on Right, (north) and avoid Wrong (south).  But mostly we live our lives somewhere in the degrees between – hopefully close to north!  When we set true north on our moral compass to God’s Word, that becomes our guiding light.  And we can utilize that compass point to keep us on the “right road”. 

So, we all probably agree that we do want to do the right thing.  Our hearts generally lean toward helping one another, being of service, and giving to those in need.  We like feeling that what we are doing is helping people and making them happy.  It is rewarding to aid someone in a tough time and see them get through it.  It is very satisfying to be able to be strong for someone when they’re down.  But sometimes we get hurt.  Maybe our efforts to help are not appreciated or wanted.  Maybe we are ignored or pushed away.  Maybe we fail.  Maybe people take advantage of our generosity.  Many things can discourage us from doing what is right.  Hence, we end up in the degrees.  We may even determine that we are not going to help anyone ever again.  But then we see on our compass that we’re headed off course, and we can correct our thinking. 

It stands to reason that the further away from right we get, the closer we get to wrong.  (makes sense, right?)  But it doesn’t matter if we are as wrong as wrong can be, God always provides a way back to right, if we want it.  Again, let’s think of our compass directions.  If we are at the north pole (right as rain) and we start heading south, we will eventually get to the south pole (simply wrong).  But whatever direction we head from the south pole goes north.  And eventually, if we keep moving, we’ll reach the north pole again.  Isn’t God wonderful! 

As I stated before, the only sure measure of right or wrong is God’s Word.  Allow that Word to be your North Star.  You can always navigate by that star even in the darkest night.  Continue your quest to do the right thing regardless of any ingratitude.  And keep your thoughts on true north on your compass. 

You have the right to be right, right now, right where you are! 

Note to my readers:  You are right at the top of my list!  (I meant that!)  I will not be posting next Friday. However, I will post on the Friday following.  Have a wonderful two weeks!! 

I have been thinking about aging – getting older.  Getting older is not the same as getting old.  Everyone, even an infant, is getting older day by day.  It’s a natural growth process.  It’s the way of life on this earth.  And we accept that.  We even embrace it until we reach a certain age, then we tend to protest against it. 

Regardless of what age we are, so much about getting older is perspective and attitude. I would say it is totally about that, but I have a mirror.  There is no denying that I don’t look the same as I did when I was a kid or even as a young adult, so I know that there is definitely a physical side to aging.  Our physical bodies do show signs of age and they do wear out in time.  Things wrinkle, things sag, things no longer work the way they used to.  That is the physical side of getting older.  But getting old is definitely an attitude.

We cannot change the aging process.  But we can monitor our attitude.  People can be old at 40 if they think they’re old.  And people can be young at 80 because of their attitude.  Of course, we can help our attitude by taking care of our physical bodies, but even someone who is in good physical shape can sabotage themselves by negative thoughts.  And someone who isn’t so physically fit can be full of vim and vigor because of their positive thoughts.  

And perspective?  That’s readily identifiable.  I look at my granddaughter who is about to turn 21.  She is so incredibly young and innocent.  But when I was 21, I was very mature and wise (at least that is what I thought at the time!)  Perspective!  Neither observation is completely accurate, but we form these opinions based on our perspective.  To a younger person, someone ten years older than they are, is ancient.  To an older person, someone 10 years older is a peer. 

Think about childhood.  Young children are blissfully ignorant of the aging process.  They are never worried about the future.  Each day to them is an exciting adventure.  Their responsibilities are few.  Their enjoyment level is high.  Their anticipation of the future is bright – so much so, that often they don’t want to sleep because they’re afraid they’ll miss something.

Then children get a little older and they’re ready for school.  This may begin their awareness of the aging process.  They go to kindergarten, and they’re told that next year they will go to first grade, then to second grade and so on.  They start to grasp the idea that they must have another birthday before they can get to the next grade.   So they are filled with anticipation for their birthdays (and birthday parties).  This leads to children wanting to be older.  Ask a 9 year old his age, and if his birthday was longer ago than yesterday, he will probably say, “I’m 9 ½“.  Being older is a badge to be proudly worn. 

It seems once children reach a double-digit age, the quest to be 13 begins.  This age represents a rite of passage into becoming a grown up.  Being 13 means that they are a teenager, which is not only a source of pride, but also the onset of obtaining independence which unfortunately is also the onset of a lot of struggles for the parents.  Following shortly after 13, is the almost consuming desire to be 16.  Driving is the pinnacle achievement for a teenager’s freedom.  However, this is followed quickly by wishing for the magic age of 18.  Eighteen is marked by well-deserved accolades for accomplishments like graduating from high school, going to college, or preparing for a career.  It is also the age of reveling in independence, feeling invincible and being sure that all knowledge and wisdom has now been attained. 

A few years later, another milestone is achieved, which is 21.  Children are now adults.  They have finally arrived.  The world is their oyster.  They are no longer subject to the confines of parental rule.  They call their own shots now.  They will show everyone how life is really supposed to be lived.  Thus, childhood ends.

After reaching 21, however,  something changes.  There are no more age-milestones that need to be achieved.  Adulthood has arrived.  And now the aging process starts to be reckoned by decades.  You are now in your 20’s, and you’ll soon be in your 30’s and so forth.  And as you get older, you recall your life the same terms.  “I remember when I was in my 30’s…”  Another result of this 10-year age reckoning is that you sometimes stress about that birthday that ushers in a new decade.  Forty seems so much older than 39, while 41 isn’t much older than 40 at all.  Attitude and perspective! 

Something else remarkable happens during this time – the decades begin to fly past in a blink of an eye.  Just yesterday, you were in your 20’s and now you’re in your 50’s.  How did that happen?  How did all those years pass so quickly?  Where did they go?  Just a few years ago when you were 17, the year it took to become 18 was an eternity.  And each school-year that you lived seemed to drag on forever.  But nowadays, it’s January, then it’s Christmas and then it’s January again before you know it. 

Getting older is going to happen.  It’s the way of life.  But it’s what we do in our minds that makes all the difference.  Being a Christian is the greatest aid we have for positive thinking.  Knowing that we’re saved and going to heaven takes the edge off getting older because it eliminates the fear of dying.  We also know that God is able to provide for us and heal us no matter how old we are.  So, what’s a few more decades?  Being born again fills us with life-giving spirit that can energize our bodies regardless of our age.

I think of it like this…  Age is merely a number.  I am the age that I am.  I can’t change that.  God made the law of time.  What I can change, however, is my attitude.  Even if my body feels older than dirt, I can still feel young at heart.  I can still believe that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  I can determine to hold on to those thoughts rather than listen to my body’s constant complaining.  I’m not careless to think that I haven’t aged.  I recognize my physical limitations.  (I can’t do back bends and splits like I used to; and I’m not shocked when I look in the mirror – most of the time.)  But I don’t have to let those limitations drag me down.  I can be vibrant and blessed if I choose to be so.

 Kids are always yearning for time to pass, while adults are often yearning for time to slow down.  Kids wish to be older.  Adults wish to be younger.  It’s a fairly universal condition.  However, no amount of yearning or wishing changes time’s progression.  The best thing we can do for ourselves is enjoy right where we are, today. 

Right now, exactly where I am, is where all those decades have transported me.  All the good years and all the bad years have culminated in today.  I can’t change the past and I don’t know what the future holds.  So, I might as well learn to live life to the fullest today.  Because, before I know it, today will be yesterday and I won’t be able to change it.  With God’s help, we all can grow older grace-fully.  (think about it)

I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.   Psalm 37:25

Note to my readers:  The best part about getting older is all the friends that the years have provided.  Thanks for reading!

Having just celebrated Mother’s Day, I spent some time remembering my mom.  She was a good mom, kindhearted and understanding.  She was unbiased and non-judgmental.  I was raised to never judge a book by its cover; and taught that there are always two sides to every story.

My mom was quirky, which I never really appreciated until I was grown.  And she was opinionated, which trait I inherited – come to think of it, I inherited both of those traits (just ask my husband!).  She was Christian but didn’t often go to church.  However, she did her best to be a good person and encouraged me to be the same.

I remember one particular Mother’s Day when I was around 12 years old.  I had saved my money and purchased a teapot for my mom’s special day.  Now, mind you, this was in the 60’s – the teapot was dark olive green with an apple on the lid for a handle, and an apple motif on the front of the pot.  I thought it was the most beautiful teapot in the world and I was excited to give it to her.  I remember this gift so vividly because, on that Mother’s Day, I woke up covered in hives from head to toe due to an allergic reaction.  My entire body was bright red.  My eyes were nearly swollen shut, my face was distorted, and my feet were so swollen, it hurt to walk.  But I hobbled down the hall to my mom’s bedroom (she was having breakfast in bed) and presented the gift to her.  She cried.  Not because of the gift, but because of me.  It hurt her heart to see me in such a state.  That demonstration of love and concern made an impression on my young mind, which I have never forgotten.  My mom had that teapot on display in her kitchen all of her days.  She passed away nearly 30 years ago, and I still miss her. 

I also had two wonderful grandmothers.  They were as different as night and day, but each was uniquely special to me.  I called them both, “Grammy”.  And they both lived in New England.  Our summer vacations were always spent visiting them, my dad’s parents first, and then my mom’s.

My dad’s mother was rather old fashioned.  She wore her hair in a bun, dressed in a style from decades before I was born, and she always wore a hat when we went out.  They lived in a big house on a tree farm.  I have fond memories of picking green beans with her in their garden – I ate as many as I put in the basket.  And I still love raw green beans!

Every year, Grammy would take my mom and me to town to go shopping.  This was always a highlight of our visit.  Each year she bought me a new dress and a new doll.  I loved these shopping trips, not just because I got presents, but because it was a lady’s day out and I was part of it.

There were always Eskimo Pies for me in their giant chest freezer in the pantry.  (The pantry was a whole room off the kitchen.  My mom’s pantry was a little closet so of course, I thought my grandmother’s pantry was extraordinary.  In addition to the treasure-chest freezer, there were shelves of food and kitchen gear, and my grandmother’s wringer washer, which she rolled out to the sink when she did laundry.  She was the only person I knew with one of those and the process of using it to wash clothes fascinated me.)  If I ate all my dinner, Grammy would tell me that I could get an Eskimo Pie, so off to the pantry I’d run!  The freezer was so big and deep that I would often have to get a stool or something to stand on to reach my treat.  But you can be assured that I found a way to get one every time.  That was probably a little test of my ingenuity, which was likely my grandfather’s idea, but I rose to the challenge.

My mom’s mother was trendier.  She wore her hair and dressed in the style of the current day.  They lived in an apartment in town.  Grammy read with me and told me stories.  I can still hear her voice.  She also listened to my music.  But I never thought she minded that because really, who didn’t love the Monkees? 

During our visits, we went out almost every day.  There were a few restaurants that were always on the agenda, an old factory that was turned into a shopping outlet, other family, and of course, the ocean!  Grammy probably needed a week to recover after our whirlwind stays! 

During our visits, my parents and grandparents often played Bridge in the evenings.  I never understood the game, but they had fun and I could watch whatever I wanted on TV (a win-win).  It was usually ladies against the men, so the competition was lively.  One night, after having been on a losing streak, my mom and grandmother wore hats to the game for good luck.  They won that night.  So the next night, my dad and grandpa came to the table wearing hats.  I actually don’t remember, but the men must have won that night, because the next night they all wore hats!  Everyone laughed a lot, including me. 

I have so many sweet memories of these 3 ladies who influenced me.  And I am thankful that they were part of my life.  From a daughter’s / granddaughter’s point of view, they were great ladies who each left something of themselves in me.  And from a mother’s / grandmother’s point of view, I aspire to do the same for my children and grandchildren.

A mother’s nature is generally nurturing, which fosters a strong connection between her and her children.  For example, little children most often want their moms when they get hurt.  Older children confide in their moms rather than their dads when they have a problem.  And grown children, after they have their own children, realize what a labor of love their moms provided. 

A mother typically is also unselfish, putting her family’s needs before her own.  She will stay up late even when she is tired to make sure that her family is well cared for.  She will give her child the last piece of cake, even though she was dreaming of having it all day.  And if money is tight, a mom will opt for that toy her child wanted rather than the bracelet she had her eye on.

A mother is many things.  But most of all, a mother is loving.  Her family is vitally important to her and her love for them is pretty much unconditional.  Oh, she can get angry and stay mad for a while, but that doesn’t change the love she has.  Even when her children are grown and live far away, she can still feel their tug on her heartstrings.   

All mothers fall short and make mistakes.  Yet our mothers still hold a special place in our hearts.  Even if your relationship with your mother is less than ideal; even if your mother doesn’t demonstrate all the qualities that you think she should, you still love her.  And whether you realize it or not, she loves you. 

We all are moving so fast these days that the niceties of life sometimes get left in the dust.  Having a day set aside to express thankfulness to our mothers is not a bad thing.  Most mothers don’t demand recognition, so it’s up to the children to slow down for a moment and say, “thank you” or “I love you”. Because even though she doesn’t demand it, a mother still needs to hear it.  If a mother never receives recognition or appreciation, her heart can grow weary; and it will eventually break.  But even a small gesture of genuine appreciation is greatly rewarding.

Being a mom, I can honestly say that an expression of appreciation doesn’t require a gift or a card or even a special day, although all those things are always welcomed.  A mother’s heart is easily melted by a kind word of gratitude.  An unsolicited phone call or even a text can make her day.  Regardless of how busy you are, take a minute to show your mom that she is loved.  And if you are blessed with having her close by, give her a hug – I guarantee you she will appreciate it.

Note to my readers:  I singled out moms for this post because of the recent holiday.  I know that dads are important too.  They’ll get their recognition in June.  God bless you. Thanks for reading,

I chose this title because years ago, I worked for a chiropractor.  And one of our favorite patients referred to us who worked in the office as, “womens”.  It has been an endearing idiom ever since. 

We ‘womens’ are sometimes our own worst enemies when it comes to our opinions of ourselves. We often think the worst of ourselves when no one else is thinking anything remotely like that.  We tend to criticize our own appearance, or performance; and even question our worth.  In our own minds, we magnify our failures; and we have a hard time forgiving ourselves.     

Have you ever had those kinds of thoughts?  Well, you are not alone!  We are all susceptible to this kind of thinking because we live in a world that promotes it.  BUT those thoughts are lies.  Worldly thoughts that tear us down are at cross-purposes with the Bible’s truth.  Therefore, they are lies.

The Bible instructs us to align our thinking with what It says.  And God says that women are precious, beautiful, industrious, trustworthy, strong, generous, kind, honorable, wise, praiseworthy, blessed, and virtuous. (Proverbs 31:10-31)   To think less of ourselves than that, is denying our rightful state that God credits us as having.

We always have two ways of thinking – our own critical negative opinions; or God’s view of who we truly can be and are.  (Pretty much polar opposites!)  And it all boils down to which way we choose to think.  We determine what thoughts we adhere to.  We can make up our minds to cling to the positives instead of hanging on to the negatives.  It’s our choice, and it takes consistent work to maintain. 

It is easy for our minds to fall into negative habit patterns because that thinking gets the world’s endorsement.  We are pummeled with information designed to bring us down so that we think we need to have whatever is being marketed to make us feel better.  For example, images of super-models can demean our opinion of our own appearance.  So we think we need all the make-up, clothes, accessories, exercise equipment, and diets that are being advertised.  And after we have purchased all of it, we might feel better for a moment – until we see the next super-model.  Then we need new and better things, which the merchants are all too happy to provide.  And the cycle repeats.  There is nothing wrong with buying any of the things listed above if you want or need them.  It is the motivation for getting them that can be problematic.  There is no question that a beautiful new dress can make you feel like a million bucks.  But what happens when you take it off?  Are you less than enthralled by what you see?  That is how the scheme works to keep you needy and willing to buy.

The truth is that the outside will never change unless the inside changes first.  I have seen absolutely beautiful women who have a poor opinion of themselves, be miserable and defeated.  And I have seen women with modest looks shine as lovely stars because they feel good about themselves.  The difference is inside, not out.

Appearance is just one example of how the worldly schemes can keep us downhearted.  Similar tactics are employed in many other categories as well.  And these tactics usually involve comparing ourselves to someone else.  Maybe we’re not as successful as our friend, or as talented, or as popular.  The worldly scheme talks us into feeling poorly about our own accomplishments instead of being happy for our friend’s success. We may find ourselves feeling jealous or resentful, which can work against our positive attitude as well. 

There are myriads of schemes that may trip us up if we don’t guard our minds.  Perhaps a callous comment, or thoughtless remark can resonate in our minds until we accept its consequences.  Harsh criticism or hurtful words can wound us to the point of doubting our own self-worth.  And painful experiences can send us into the darkened depths of our souls.

When we face any circumstances that cause us to feel badly about ourselves, we must stop, grab our minds, and remember who we truly are.  Each one of us is unique and has something unique to offer. There is not another person on earth who is exactly like you.  So if you don’t give it your best shot, there will be a gap that no one else can fill.  And we can’t give it our best shot if we’re tied up in knots feeling poorly about ourselves.

The Bible is clear about the importance of each and every one of us who believe.  The benefits of being born again and the promises in God’s Word enable us to be the absolute best we can be.  And they give us all the ammunition we need to fight against the schemes of the world that are designed to tear us down.  The virtuous woman is in the heart.  And when she lives in us, we certainly will be able to overcome the worldly negatives that do their darnedest to discourage us. And we will shine as lights in the world and in our own eyes! 

Our contributions may not change the world – but if we don’t make them, we’ll never know.

Here is a quote from my favorite Bible teacher:

“If believers ever again catch a glimpse of how dear, beautiful and important they are to the Father, it will transform their very lives.”   Dr. VP Wierwille

Note to my readers:  YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL! 

People like to be together.  We like to congregate.  We are a gregarious bunch.  There is comfort in being together.  There is excitement in being together.  We need each other – we learn from each other, we help each other.

In the book of Genesis, after God made Adam, He said that it was not good that man should be alone.  So He made Eve.  And Adam and Eve were together, and they were together with God.  This was the foundation of togetherness.

Then Adam and Eve started having children and they were together as a family.  Then their children had children who had children and so on, so the earth’s population exploded, but they still were together.  However, as the number of people multiplied, they became separate families.  This was the natural progression as they became further removed from the original family. 

Ancient societies were developed by families being together and then banding together with other families to form groups.  This was not only what they wanted to do; it was necessary for their survival.  People traveled in caravans, they lived together in walled cities, they worked together in the fields. They were together because everyone’s help was needed to get the work done; and because there was safety in numbers.   

This brings up an interesting point.  From the beginning, it was God’s design that people be together, and be together with Him.  But all along the way, there was also an opposing force endeavoring to separate people from each other and from God.  The serpent beguiled Eve and as a result, Adam and Eve’s relationship with God was broken.  Then their family relationship was decidedly harmed by their son killing his brother.  And that was just in the beginning.  Evil has always opposed the ways of God and is still at work today.   

Now, after that brief history lesson, we move on to talk about what I really want to discuss, which is being together with each other. 

Usually, we learn about being together in our families.  Families provide a loving environment and a nurturing haven for children to learn and grow.  There is comfort and security in the family setting.  Families take care of each other and protect one another.   Surrounded by this kind of family atmosphere, children can thrive.  Then, when they’re grown, they can do the same for their family. 

Families offer a cornucopia of opportunities for learning about being together.  Think about it.  Our parents show us about love, care and concern, and giving by their example.  Often, we first learn about sharing with our siblings. (that can be a tough one!)  We learn to be considerate of others, we learn to be dependable, we learn to trust and to be trustworthy, and much more.  Of course, all these things can be learned outside the family unit, but how much better it is to learn in an environment of love with people who genuinely care about your well-being!

The best part about families is that they are dynamic.  People are constantly learning and growing.  And families manage to adapt to the changes and remain together.  When parents learn new things, they teach their children.  And children teach their parents as well.  As time passes family relationships change.  Children grow up, move out, and start their own families.  But they are all still a family.

BUT, as I mentioned before, there is an opposing force that would like nothing better than to destroy the family unit.  Ever since the time of Adam and Eve, the family has been a target for destruction.  Because of that, many families are torn apart nowadays.  People fall prey to circumstances that cause broken homes, overwhelming life pressures, fighting and resentment, and more.  All of which muddy the comfortable and secure family environment.  Consequently, the togetherness of the family becomes damaged or non-existent.  The good news is that God had a plan for that eventuality.  He is able to bring people into our lives to fill the gap if the family is missing.  Friends, teachers, counselors, etc., can provide care and direction that otherwise might be absent.

Even when we have a great family, togetherness doesn’t stop there.  Think of all the people you know outside your family who have influenced your life.  Friends come to mind.  We meet people and tend to bond with those with whom we have common interests or similar ideals.  And they become our friends. Friends expose us to new perspectives, ideas, and experiences beyond our family circle.  They broaden our horizons.  Friendships can become as close as family and sometimes can help us in ways our family can’t.  And the great thing about friends is that we can have as many of them as we want.  My mom always said that if you want a friend, be a friend.  So if you want a lot of friends, be really friendly!  And don’t we just love to hang out with a bunch of our friends?  We love being together and it’s even more fun if we can throw some family in the mix! 

We can have a million friends, but there will always be those whose souls connect with ours.  Those are our best friends.  They are a valuable and beautiful find.  I am privileged to have a few of them in my life and each one has an incredibly special place in my heart.  I think of them as sisters.  I love them as much (almost) as my own sister.  And I cherish our times together.   

Of course there are many other people who affect our lives.  Life provides situations for us to be together with students, coworkers, neighbors, teammates and hobby enthusiasts to name a few.  In addition to that, all kinds of people can touch our lives, maybe by a simple smile in the grocery store.  People might stop to lend a hand; or brighten our day with a kind word.  These brief encounters can leave their marks on our memories.   And the one thing that all these examples have in common, is being together. People like to be together. 

But having a loving family, great friends and all those other people, was not God’s grand plan for being together.  He wanted even more for us.  His plan from the beginning of time, was for us to be together with Him in His family.  God provided a family for anyone (and everyone!) who believes.  He opened the doors wide to His living room and invited all of us in.  He provided a family to those whose didn’t have one.  He gave us brothers and sisters who were not only family, but also friends.  He gave us a group that is stronger than any opposition.  And He is our heavenly Father now and for all eternity.  Together forever!

So, although we are guaranteed to be together with God in His family forever, we still need human companionship now.  We need our physical families, our friends, acquaintances, and especially our family of God.  We need to see each other’s smile and feel each other’s touch.  We need to hear each other’s voice.  We need to be together. 

Together is the best place to be! 

Note to my readers:  In our fast-paced society that has no time to be together, stop and find a minute of togetherness, even if it’s just a smile in the grocery store. 

I have lots of stuff.  I have essential stuff.  I have special stuff. I have sentimental stuff.  I have inspirational stuff.  I like my stuff.  Does this sound like you?  Maybe, maybe not, but everyone has stuff – just in varying amounts, and in varying degrees of importance. 

George Carlin did a terrific routine about stuff.  (You can find it on YouTube if you’re interested.)  In that routine, he says that your house is just a place for your stuff.  I can relate.  When we moved about a year and a half ago, one of my considerations in looking for a new house was how it would accommodate my stuff.  I mean really, storage space a viable consideration in choosing a house, right?  Why?  Because of all our stuff!  In addition, moving meant that I had to make lots of choices about what stuff would move and what stuff wouldn’t; about what stuff I needed and what stuff could I live without.  When you think about it, the physical side of moving is all about your stuff.

Now, some stuff is essential in life, there is no way around it.  Even in the most austere living situations, stuff is needed for survival.  Stuff for protection (like clothing), for shelter, for food consumption are all necessary to live.  But most of us prefer to have a little more comfortable lifestyle than living in a survival hut in the Alaskan wilderness.  So we have incorporated non-essential stuff into our surroundings.  How much non-essential stuff we should have, then becomes the question.  And the answer is as individual as we are. 

I think there are 3 basic factors that determine the amount of stuff we collect – our environment, our lifestyle, and our personalities. 

Our environment.  This is the practical influence on accruing stuff.  Big house – more stuff.  Small house – less stuff.  Northern house – more coats.   Southern house – less coats.  Big family – LOTS of stuff.  Small family – not quite as much stuff.  Our environment logically governs the amount of stuff we have.

Add in our lifestyle.   Our lifestyle affects the amount of stuff we have and the kind of stuff we have.  Are you working every day?  You need to have the stuff necessary to do your job.  Are you raising a family?  That requires lots of stuff.  And our lifestyle not only includes the work side of life, but also our pastime.  Maybe you pursue a sport.  Then you need the specific stuff to do that sport.  Maybe camping is your pastime of choice.  Think of all the stuff you need for that!   Whatever recreation you choose, it usually requires some particular kind of stuff. 

Now, our personalities come into play.  This is probably the biggest contributing factor in determining how much and what kind of stuff we have.  Personalities can override the logic of environment and embellish the requirements of lifestyle.  That is not to say that our personalities aren’t logical or that we over-embellish.  It is just to say that our personalities are not limited by those things.

Different personalities make different choices and have different priorities.  As individuals, we have unique tastes, unique opinions, and unique lifestyles.  So even though we may logically choose an item, our personalities will decide its specifics.  For example, I like fresh ground pepper.  Logically then, I need a pepper grinder. My personality picked out a beautiful purple one.  I have seen pepper grinders in others’ kitchens, but not purple ones.  And I really like my purple one.  It looks really cool sitting next to the stove.  Plus, it was a gift.  So it is not only practical, but also special. 

Which brings me to another personality trait.  Some people are sentimental, some people are not so much.  There are also varying degrees of sentiment.  My mom saved every greeting card she ever received.  And I know others who throw cards away as soon as they are read.  I am somewhere between – I save some particularly special cards, and eventually throw others away.  Sentiment, however, is a big factor in the stuff I have.  Stuff that was a gift, stuff that was handed down from my parents or grandparents, stuff that brings back sweet memories, is all special stuff to me, and I enjoy surrounding myself with it.

In addition to being sentimental, I am also very visual.  So, I also like to see all my stuff.  My house is merely a canvas that I use to paint with all my favorite stuff.  And part of that stuff, is my inspirational stuff.  I have Bible verses and other inspirational sayings sprinkled around the house.  These edify me and remind me not to forget that God is always with me.  They encourage me through hard times and help me rejoice in good times. 

I can’t really talk about stuff without mentioning photographs.  Photos are my weakness when it comes to having too much stuff.  How could I get rid of pictures of my family or my dream vacation?  I can’t.  But I’ve learned that those pictures can be in albums and not hanging on the walls.  Although I do enjoy viewing a wall collage of photos, sitting down with a photo album offers pleasant relaxation.

Now, I know that not everyone is like me and having lots of stuff does not interest everyone.  And that is certainly okay.  Our home should reflect our personality.  And our stuff offers a good portrait of us. If you are a practical person, your home should be practical.  If you are an artistic person, your home should be artistic.  Whatever your forte, let it shine in your home in the way you want it to shine. 

Our homes are also our refuge.  We want to feel content and at ease when we are there.  Surround yourself with the stuff that blesses you in the amount that blesses you.  Make your home not only your refuge but also a welcoming solace to all who enter.  If you are blessed, others will be too.

Note to my readers:  Thanks for being you.  And enjoy your stuff! 

This week, I’d like to talk about family.  Family is an integral part of our lives.  It is a precious part of our lives.  It is an unavoidable part of our lives.  And we are all those things to our families as well.  Each member of each family fills a unique position and brings a unique flavor to that family.  And without each member, that family just wouldn’t be same. 

I think of family like this…

I have three families:  the family that raised me, the family that I raised, and my spiritual family.  Each one is vitally important in my life.  However, I know that not everyone has 3 families.  And that’s ok.  We actually only need one.  And no matter what our family situations are in the physical realm, it’s always available to be in God’s spiritual family (more on that later).  But if you do have two or three families, you have added blessings in your life – and added responsibilities. 

The family that raised me… 

We would not be the people we are today without the family that raised us.  Whether you had a wonderful up-bringing or a horrible one, it laid the foundation for who you are.  Think about it, in order to be here today, we must have been born.  And we must have been cared for and trained in some fashion or we wouldn’t be functioning adults.  Our parents did that for us because they loved us.  Maybe we don’t agree with everything they taught us or the way they raised us, but that doesn’t mean that they were bad parents.  Whether we like the way our parents raised us or not, they did at least one great thing for us – they taught us to think for ourselves. 

In addition, the family that raised us often included siblings.  Siblings are special individuals who hold a distinct place in our lives.  In our youth, they could be our opponents or our biggest supporters. They could be our nemeses or our rescuers.  But as adults, they are usually our trusted friends.  They can be our confidants and our secret-keepers.  We may have had friends in our lives that we have lost track of, but our siblings are seldom forgotten. 

I know that there are many different kinds of families and many kinds of family problems.  But all in all, no matter what our family situation was, it was a necessary part of our growing up.  And honestly, we must admit that our lives are full of memories, habits, traits, thoughts, and opinions that came from the family that raised us. 

The family that I raised…

As special as the family that raised me, is to me; the family that I raised is even more so.  Seeing the family from the parent’s perspective, changes everything.  It’s no longer about the care I receive, but about the care I give.  It’s no longer about whether I am loved or not, but about how much I love. 

Child-rearing is a parent’s most important responsibility.  It is a daunting task when you consider that you are leaving an imprint on a future adult.  But it is also the most gratifying adventure when you see your children flourishing.  As parents, we want the best for our families.  We are willing to make sacrifices to see our children succeed and our families prosper.  We appreciate the value of the family unit.  And if we are really fortunate, all our hard work will pay off with the ultimate prize – grandchildren!  (All of you grandparents know just what I mean!  😊)

I know that in the world, any number of things can prevent us from having a happy family life.  We’re all simply people subject to frailties and failures.  We make mistakes, we get hurt, we hurt one another, we give in to selfishness.  Any of these things can come between even the closest family members.  But when families work out their differences and stick together, there is strength.  Families support and protect each other. 

But even though families can fall apart, and for some they may never have been together; God has provided a family for all of us by calling us to salvation.

My spiritual family…

Anyone who gets born again becomes a son of God and therefore part of His family.  He is the loving Father, and we are His children.  When you think of the best family situation you can picture, God’s family is better.  God is LOVE.  His actions are always motivated by love.  He is the most loving, most kind, and most generous Father we can imagine.  And, like we carry the genes of our physical father, we carry the nature of our Heavenly Father as well.  So, not only are we loved, but we also can love without fear.  God is a perfect Father.  There is no frailty or failure in Him.  He will never leave.  He will never quit.  He will always protect us.  And if that isn’t enough – we also have a perfect big brother!  Christ Jesus who is sitting at God’s right hand, is always speaking to God on our behalf.  He is always, always our biggest supporter and our rescuer! 

In God’s family are many children, all of which, by definition, are our brothers and sisters.  If you were the only child in your physical family, you’re not anymore!  You now have more siblings that you can count!  And when we all are likeminded on the instructions that our Father has given us, we will be the happiest and most blessed family ever!  With God as our Father directing our steps, we will shine as lights in this world.    

So, whether you have 3 families, two, or just one – as long as one of them is God’s family; you will always have all that you could ever need.

Note to my readers:  I hope you have as much joy in your families as I have in mine.  God bless you!

This week, I thought that I would include another poem in my blog.  I wrote this a couple years ago, but it is very applicable to what I have been thinking much about lately. 

It seems like bad tidings have been engulfing us for more than a year.  We may feel like the world is topsy-turvy and ‘normal’ life is eluding us. We may have been affected by sickness, loss of income, or other anxieties.  We may be confused, angry, or even depressed by what we see around us.  We might be filled with worry or fear for our future.  All these concerns seem to be commonplace in many people’s lives today, and perhaps for good reasons.  But we cannot give-in to the negatives surrounding us.  We cannot allow ourselves to be dragged down by circumstances that are designed for that purpose.  We must fight for our peace of mind; and not give up on our positive expectations. 

The Daily Decision

 Every day we face a choice
 To be unhappy or to rejoice
 Every moment we must decide
 What thoughts stay out or dwell inside
 In our minds, the battles rage
 Will good or evil take center stage?
  
 Negatives thrive in the world today
 Always seeking a place to stay
 If in our minds, we let them come
 They’ll do their best to make us glum                  
 But when our minds, we closely guard
 Evil influences can be barred                               
  
 God’s Word comes as a brilliant light
 Piercing through the darkest night
 If to that Word, our minds will cling
 God’s truth will make our hearts to sing
 And when God’s Word is tightly held
 Our fears and worries will be dispelled.
  
 The choice is ours, our will is free
 It’s up to us which thoughts we keep
 Will God’s Word supremely reign?
 Or worldly hardships consume our brain?
 Determine now with God you’ll stay
 And hurl those worldly thoughts away 

God’s Word is the only thing I know that provides the knowledge necessary for us to live a more than abundant life.  We can be genuinely helped, healed, and delivered from anything that the world throws at us by seeking God’s answers and applying His solutions in our lives.  But in order to do this, we must not only put God’s Word into our minds, we must hold tightly to It. The Bible must be our only rule of faith and practice; and the benchmark to which all information is measured. 

Here is a simple illustration of how to utilize the Bible in your daily thinking.

Let’s say you need a job.  You go to the Bible and find a passage that addresses your need.  In this case, we’ll use:

3 John 2

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

Read that verse.  Repeat it to yourself.  Memorize it, write it down, leave your Bible open to that chapter.  Do whatever it takes to get that information in your mind. 

Now, let’s say that you see the news and they announce that the unemployment rate is rising.  Rather than dwelling on that information, remind yourself of 3 John 2.  Maybe your neighbor tells you a story about someone not being able to find a job.  Immediately repeat your Bible verse in your mind.  You might even have a job interview and not get the job.  Rather than getting discouraged, remember that God said it is His wish for us to prosper and be in health. 

Have you ever dieted?  We do this same process in our minds when we diet.  For instance, when your tastebuds cry out for a donut but you’re avoiding sweets, don’t you have a wrestling match in your brain about eating the donut or not?  And isn’t it very satisfying when you beat the craving?  How much more satisfying it is when God’s Word beats the world’s negatives in our minds! 

The battle in our minds is a continual process.  The Bible calls it renewing your mind.  It is replacing the old dusty thoughts of the world with brand new shiny thoughts from God’s Word.  And it’s RE-newing because it isn’t a one-time deal.  It takes a concerted effort and repetition.  But the benefits far outweigh any effort that we exert!

So today, let your decisions be in favor of God’s Word and against the world’s negatives.  Seize the truth.  Claim the promises.  Refute the lies.  And live victoriously! 

Note to my readers:  I want you to know that I appreciate each and every one you.  Thank you for sticking with me.  I get super-blessed every week sharing my life with you and I hope you are as blessed as I am! 

In last week’s post, I talked about the sunrise.  Given the upcoming holiday, I would be remiss if I didn’t talk about the most important event in history, the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

HE IS RISEN  are among the most significant words that were ever spoken.  They changed history forever.  These words paved the way for our salvation and sealed the devil’s fate forever.

The resurrection and ascension completed Jesus’ work on earth and made salvation possible to whomever desires to receive it.  The Bible says that when Jesus ascended into heaven, he sat down at the right hand of God.  Biblically, sitting is an indication of rest following the completion of work. (like God rested on the 7^th day in Genesis – the work was done).  Jesus Christ’s work to accomplish our salvation and everything that it entails was finished, so he sat. 

We can rejoice this Sunday (and every other day) because our Savior arose from the dead. He completed the work necessary for us to be born again with a more than abundant life now, and everlasting life to come.  We’re going to heaven and all hell can’t stop us, because HE IS RISEN! 

Philippians 4:4

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

Happy Resurrection Sunday!!

Note to my readers:  I am reminded of the song, Victory in Jesus, by Eugene M. Barlett

I love watching the sunrise.  Seeing the night sky slip away into the gentle pink and yellow shades of morning is not only enjoyable, but also rejuvenating.  The chill of the night air gives way to the warmth of the sun as its glorious rays dispel the darkened shadows.  The dawn’s unfolding stimulates our hearts.  And we can be thankful because each sunrise offers us something we’ve never had before – today. 

Every today is a new beginning full of opportunity.  A task you couldn’t accomplish yesterday, can be completed today.  A problem hampering you yesterday, can be solved today.   An ailment facing you yesterday, can be healed today.  That prayer you prayed yesterday, can be answered today.

Each sunrise ushers in new possibilities for success.  When we approach today with that attitude, we open the doors for victory in our lives.  With God’s help, today can be the day of our triumph.  Why not?  Today is a perfect day for it! 

Now, I’m not so naive as to think that today is always idyllic.  Perhaps some challenges face us today that we didn’t have yesterday.  Regardless, we can still maintain our positive expectations.  Here is some advice I heard in a Bible teaching a few years ago:  When something goes wrong, don’t ask “why?”.  Instead ask, “What amazing thing is God going to do for me now?”.

There is one thing that does hinder us today, however.  And that is our minds being stuck in yesterday.  For various reasons, sometimes we just can’t seem to let go of yesterday.  Perhaps, we perceive yesterday as safe and today as scary because of the unknown.  Maybe we screwed up yesterday and we can’t get past that.  Whatever the reason is, it most likely stems from being afraid.  But it is not God’s plan that we live in yesterday.  He intends for us to live in today.  And He assigned yesterday the role of bringing us unto today, (which is an important role because we could not get to today without yesterday).  But no matter what yesterday was, we are not supposed to live there. 

So, here we are living today. The sun has risen, we are seizing our opportunities with positive expectations.  The hours pass, and the sun becomes low in the sky.  We take a break to watch the sunset.

Sunsets can be dazzling demonstrations of light and color.  The gentle shades of sunrise are now vivid displays of yellows, pinks, reds, and oranges.  The entire sky seems to burst into flaming brilliance as the sun slips closer the horizon, leaving a trail of remarkable color as the light begins to dissipate.  The sunset gives us quiet peace.  We can reflect on our day’s activities and be thankful for what worked or come up with ideas for what didn’t. We can thank God for His help and cast our remaining cares on Him. Today is winding down, but it isn’t over yet! 

God’s handiwork continues by His filling the night sky with sparkling gems of light.  I love the stars.  There is never a time that I see them that doesn’t thrill my heart.  My family even gave me a star as a gift.  Somewhere out there is a star with my name on it.  How exciting is that! 

God’s very deliberate sprinkling of these beautiful dots of light in the night sky (that are so bright that we can see them from lightyears away) is a marvelous thing to behold.  And of course – add in the glorious moon.  The moon captures our dreamy attention whether it’s full and bright or just a sliver in the darkness.  There is something romantic about moonlight.  

The night sky gives us a restful calmness that helps us relax so we can lay down to sleep, knowing that this day will soon become yesterday, and our waking moments will bring a new today.  And whether our waking moments are before or after sunrise, today is a new day filled with promise and possibilities.  Today we can soar.  Today we can win.  Today we can rejoice.  Today we can be thankful to God for all that He has given us.

1 Timothy 6:17b

…but (trust) in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.

You may have heard the term, “carpe diem”.  It’s Latin and is commonly translated, “seize the day”.  It’s good advice.  We cannot change yesterday, and we cannot reach into tomorrow.  We only have today.  Let’s make today the best today ever!

Note to my readers:  There is no limit to what God can do for you today!  Thanks for reading!