Managing our mindsh

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“Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish in the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”   Genesis 1: 26 NIV

God made us like him with the ability to think and reason. To be in control of our environment. We have been given free will to think however we want. And because we are made in his image we are able to accomplish great things. With his help who knows what we can do.

We have one problem though. We tend to live by our feelings. They are not always true. Satan has come to steal, kill, and destroy us. His best and easiest weapon is telling us how to feel to get us to act how he wants. “Oh you feel lousy and no one likes you. It is going to be a bad day.”

We believe him, but that is not the truth. God loves us and wants us to have a good day. We need to take control of our mind. If it is not something God would say then it probably isn’t true. But how do you get control. It’s so easy to feel from one moment to the next.

Someone says something you don’t like. You dwell on it and anger and bitterness ensues. You start becoming short with others. It just keeps growing. You are having a bad day.

I have learned that speaking life and positive things that are in God’s word to myself throughout the day keeps me positive. I have read the Bible every morning for many years now. It has helped me learn many verses. Promises God has given me. Keys for having a full and abundant life.

These are things he has told me to dwell on. And by dwelling on them I keep my mind positive. Satan doesn’t have a chance deceiving me. When he tries, and he will, I can respond with God’s words. Satan does not stand a chance.

When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness he overcame every temptation by speaking His father’s words. When he was tempted to turn stones into bread. He said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”

Even when Satan tried to trick Jesus by telling him to do something because God’s Words said, “…”. Jesus said, “You shall not tempt the Lord your God. He did not do or think what Satan wanted him to do or think. He knew better.

We need to have that kind of control over our minds.

Midterm Elections

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“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God,  and the authorities that exist are ordained by God.” Romans’ 13:1 NIV

As this week approaches and voting for midterm elections is here God wants us to know that he is in control.  He needs each and everyone of us to get involved. Voting is a right we need to exercise. The fate of our country is in our hands.

I will admit that I haven’t felt a need to vote since I had my stroke. Since 2005 I felt that I was out of touch and was not qualified to be voting. I was living in a nursing home and didn’t really watch news, so I didn’t know who to vote for. But God convicted me. I can get enough information to make educated decisions on voting.

My roommate likes to watch MSNBC every day. I have learned so much in the last few weeks. Our country and the world we live in is out of control. God has shown me that it is so important to vote for those people that we feel would do a good job.

President Trump is not one of my favorite people. He is our President and we need to support him, respect and pray for him.  We also need to pray for other leaders. Senators, congressmen, mayors, governors, and all those in authority over us. They deserve respect for what they do.

I know that even King David did things that I don’t agree with. He was though, a man after God’s own heart. No one is perfect, we are all imperfect. God uses us to get things done in this world. Trump has tried to remind the American people how important God and his word are to its people.

At one time we were One Nation under God and our founding fathers based our laws and amendments on Godly principles. We were a very blessed country for many years. We have taken God out of our schools and our courthouses and we wonder why we are going downhill fast.

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

These people we vote for are working for all of us and need wisdom and guidance to do their jobs well. Even if we didn’t vote for them we need to support them when they are elected. We need to pray for them. We need to pray for our country and it’s people.

No one can do much alone. But with support and working as a team we are stronger. We can be unstoppable.

God needs us

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As part of my special needs class at church we love to sing. We recently learned a song we sing each week.’ I need you’.By Hezekiah Walker.  It tells us how important we are to God and how much he needs us to be his hands and feet serving people around us.

While we know God is all sufficient and he doesn’t need anything. He is able to do anything himself and does. He has given us the opportunity as his children to act like him on his behalf. To serve and love those around us. We are in essence his hands and feet to a lost and hurting world.

That doesn’t mean just overseas missionary work but to everyone we come in contact with. God accepts everyone, everyone whether black, white, red, yellow, or green matters to him. For all of us are sinners no one is perfect but he loves each and everyone of us. No matter what we have done. In his eyes we are either his children or future children of his.

He wants everyone to know him!

The song goes-

I need you, you need me; we’re all apart of God’s body.

Stand with me, agree with me; we’re all apart of God’s body.

It is his will that every need be supplied, you are important to me; I need you to survive.

He wants everyone’s needs met and to do that he uses us, his imperfect children.

I pray for you, you pray for me, I love you and need you to survive .

I will not hurt you with words from my mouth, I love you and need you to survive.

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”   Matthew 25: 35&36 NIV

Each person has needs we can meet. Even if it’s just a kind word and a smile. Nobody is better than anyone else. It doesn’t matter where you live, how much money you have, your religion, your color, your education or lack thereof. We ALL matter.

We need to be willing to care about the well being of others, to put our neighbor first.

Which is the second most important commandment.

What can you do for a neighbor, someone you meet when you are out running errands. Even your own family can be overlooked when you are around them often.

We live in a violent and falling world. People are getting worse all the time. All week I have been hearing about the many pipe bombs sent to high profile figures and right now they are talking about a shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue. So much bad is happening all around the world.

It’s time people start making the news for doing good humanitarian things to make this a better planet not worse. Even if they don’t make the news they will change the lives of others for the best.

No Regrets

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“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way to get the prize.”   1 Corinthians 9:24. NIV

“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.”   Revelations 22:12 NIV

Have you ever done something you were not proud of? Something that you wished you had not done. It would eat at you forever. Why did I do that? I wish I could go back again and change things. We all make mistakes. Maybe we said something that hurt someone. Done something that hurt others.

When it’s done we feel bad. That ache inside us just won’t go away. Satan loves to remind us of our past mistakes and failures. ‘You are awful, you always screw things up,’ he says. But God loves us even when we don’t love ourselves. If we come to him and ask forgiveness, he will forgive.

That bad feeling will go and be replaced by peace. We don’t need to carry it any more. His love can bring so much healing. What if you were gone tomorrow? You know tomorrow is not promised. We could have a massive heart attack, or a car accident.

What if Jesus came tonight to take his children home. We are in the end times and it could be any day. We never know what tomorrow will bring. Today may be our last day. If you knew that it was your last day on earth, what would you do differently?

When we stand before God and he shows us everything we have ever done. Good and bad we will want to be ready. What will we say? That is when I do not want any regrets. I want to stand before him with a clean slate. He makes that possible.

We can be sure that he will see us in the light of his son and all his righteousness.

Either we can be perfect, or since that probably won’t happen, we can live everyday the very best we can. Seeking God’s will in our lives first.  Ask God’s help to say good things of encouragement. Lord help me to keep quiet if I can’t say something positive.

Lord show me things I can do to help. I may be in a wheelchair and I may not speak eloquently but God has shown me I can do a lot more than I think I can. He has made me a good listener. I am very aware of the needs of others around me, and he lets me know what to do.

I am always trying to help. God has given me great awareness of others needs. If I can’t help I can find someone who can. He has given me the gift of writing. He gives me words to help others. Someone may have a problem. He can show me just what they need to hear.

It is not me it’s him helping me. The more I try to serve. The more he shows me to do.

He will do the same for you. When you are doing so much good you don’t have time for the bad.  Anger and hate just roll off me. I do not have room for them in my life.

Bitterness leaves me feeling so bad and I would rather feel good. So I just ignore comments meant to hurt . Nobody is perfect.

Every time we do something we know is wrong we need to come to him and ask forgiveness. At the end of the day we need to look back over our day. What good did I do? What bad did I do?

Keep the lines of communication open. Thank you Lord for this day. I am sorry for ….? You will sleep so much better with a clear heart.

Will you be rewarded for your actions?

Trust

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Do you haves worries, fears, anxious moments, stress, frustration and doubt? This life we live can be tough at any time. But the reason we feel out of control is just saying, “ I do not trust the one who is in control.”  God, the one who made everything just the way he designed it. All heaven and earth. He knows all. He knows all before it ever comes into existence.

That God loves you. He wants only for you to love him in return. But even still, when we are at our worst, he loves us more than we could ever imagine. He knows us better than ourselves. When we have doubts and fears He knows just what we are capable of. And what he wants for us.

He wants us to enjoy this life and wants us to be successful in our eyes. To be fulfilled and happy. He wants to lavish us with all good things. But he will also discipline us just as any lovin’ father would when we stray from what is good for us. Discipline is not done out of anger or hate but out of pure love.

A love that does not want to see us run out in front of a fast moving car or swallow a dangerous substance, something harmful for us.

In my life as I grew up my father expected certain behaviors from me. He wanted to see me have fun and enjoy myself but he also raised me to be responsible, respectful and to be of good character. I had limits. He loved to reward me for trying harder. Doing things that were good for me and helped me grow.

As I was busy living life and raising a family I never worried, “Oh God I don’t want to have a stroke.” It never even occurred to me. But as I was busy enjoying my life I had a massive stroke. It nearly took my life. Leaving me totally unable to speak or move at all.

I lay in the hospital totally helpless and unable to do anything for myself. Over the next few years I had lost everything that seemed to matter in my life. My husband, my home, my job, my favorite car and my airplane. All the things I had acquired in this life I thought I needed.

It was a very tough time and it tore me apart. I wanted them back. I know I had done things wrong in my life. Things that I was not proud of. Things  that I would do very differently if given the chance. But I had a new life I had to get adjusted to.

Thirteen years later I can say with zero doubt in my mind that it was the best thing that ever happened to me. God knew what he was doing. I love my life now. The people in my life now are wonderful. I love who I have become and enjoy the great relationship I have with Jesus. Each day is sweeter and sweeter.

I know people who worry about things everyday that could change their lives. What if this happens or that? Who is to say what really is good or what really is bad in my life.

Only he who knows the beginning from the end Knows what is best for me.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not more valuable than they.”   Matthew 6:25-26. NIV

Have you ever seen a worried crow? No, they don’t worry about their day. It just happens.

Can we really say something is bad in our lives? I love to see bad things happen just to see how God can turn it around. I get so blessed by his unusual answers to our prayers.

Over the last thirteen years I have read my Bible thru many times and seen God’s faithfulness time and time again in his word and in life. So many people I know have gone through so much but God has proved to be trustworthy. I now can pray your will be done good or bad. I can really mean it.

I do not know what tomorrow holds, but I know who holds tomorrow in the palm of his hand.

Praise

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“Give praise to the Lord, praise his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.”  1 Chronicles 16:8-10. NIV

David knew one thing was very important. Praise! He set up certain people to just be praisers. Leading the armies of David, singing in the temples and in the streets. Wherever they went the name of the Lord was to be praised. They were to tell of his excellent greatness to everyone.

We were created to praise. We are at are best and life is at its best when we are praising our creator. He is so worthy of all our praise. Sunday mornings I have a front row seat for the worship service. I sit up front next to the stage during church. I absolutely love worship time.

The worship leader and the backup singers have so much love and passion in their eyes when they sing. The songs are full of his wonderful love for us. I can’t help but get excited over all he is to me. I hear all of his greatness being proclaimed and it does so much to lift my spirit.

Our times of worship are so fulfilling . It is the best part of my week. Have you been in church lately? It is important to be among other Christians. The time we spend together is so uplifting. I never was one to complain about going to church. I will admit that I didn’t get a lot out of it in my youth, but now that I have a good relationship with God I can’t get enough.

He is my best friend so when I sing praises I am feeling such love and honor for all he does in my life. Bringing praise before the Lord should be a big deal. He has told us to do it . He also blesses us when we are doing his will. I like to be blessed by God.

I love doing something that feels good and getting blessed by doing it.

The Cross of Christ

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This week I watched a movie that was so good. I strongly recommend Pure Flix as a provider of great faith based movies and family programming. I have seen so many good movies with a message. The one I watched this week was about how different lives are just threads in the beautiful tapestry God is designing.

You never know when our life will interact with another life that may have a divine purpose with far reaching ramifications. It showed the lives of several individuals going about their everyday lives but how they all were intermeshing to bring His will and ultimately salvation to lost and hurting lives far from him.

The main thing I took from the movie is something a man walking the streets with a large wooden cross asked to a local minister. “Do you believe in the cross of Christ?”

He said well of course, I’m a preacher. But it didn’t end there. It got him thinking and it did me to.

Growing up as a Christian in a Christian home I knew all about Christ. We went to church Sundays and Wednesdays, had Bible studies at my parents house one night a week. My parents worked with the college class so we were always getting together with them to do fun things.

I enjoyed being around my church friends. That was a big part of my life and who I was. But at other times it was business as usual. God didn’t affect much of my life. Oh I always tried to be good and knew God was important but it didn’t really change the way I lived.

As many of you know a severe stroke got my attention when I was only 45. Up till then I did what I wanted and when I wanted in regards to my life. That stroke was a wake up call from God. I almost died. Was I ready to meet God?

It was all different for me and tragedy often brings questions into our lives. What is life all about? What lies ahead? Our we ready? How have we run the race? I had to do a lot of seeking and I came up lacking greatly. I was not who I should be but God who is faithful, knows us, loves us, and gives us a do over.

The question that preacher heard hit him so hard that he asked it to his congregation.

“ Do you believe in the cross of Christ?”

Jesus, God’s son who had been with him since time began made a plan with his father. Thousands of years ago before we were ever born, although God for knew each one of us and loved us. They had to make a way for us to be together apart from sin. Yet we are all sinners, everyone.

Jesus would give up his right to be equal to God and come to earth as a helpless new born baby. He would be 100% man with all the failings we have, yet not sin, not even once. He would live a perfect life, with God’s help. Submitting to all authorities even to being hung on that cross to die as a hated criminal.

His perfect sacrifice, pure and blameless, would be just what we would need to be redeemed. By faith, only, we have been bought with a very high price. We don’t deserve it. We could never earn it. Still he did it for everyone who will believe.

How do I thank him for that gift properly? Everything I have ever done wrong in my life is washed away as if it never happened. I am far from perfect even though I try to do good. Do I really try to do his will for my life? Do I serve him and those around me?

Everyone I come in contact with is loved greatly by God. Who knows if I may divinely impact their lives, whether good or bad. Might I be the last Christian to leave an example of my fathers love in their lives. We are all the hands, feet, finances, and love of God in this world.

Do we draw others to him with our lives? He has promised to help us. To make our lives extra impactful for him. Not just an ordinary life, but one that truly matters to others. I always try to do his will. But do I pay that much attention to my every interaction with others.

I will now. It makes so much difference to those around me. I talk with difficulty, and my words may be few, but they need to be intentional. “God help me to always stay in control with my emotions by trusting that you are in control of what happens to me, good or bad.”

Creation.

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I had the opportunity to go to the Odysea Aquarium in Scottsdale Friday. My daughter and her son took me for the day. I greatly recommend it for those who haven’t been. I was so in awe of all the creatures living in oceans and streams. I can not look at the great diversity and see how it just happened.

Everything in that place just cried out God is awesome. So very many fish and water animals of all colors and shapes. I saw tiny little seahorses about 2-3 inches long swimming among the plants in their tanks. They would hold on to the plants with their tails while they slept or ate. So perfect in detail.

I watched otters frolicking around and found out that they are very excited by anything with wheels. They would get so excited at a stroller or even my wheelchair. The are so cute. They drew a large crowd. There behavior is so fun to watch.

So many different size and shapes of fish and such funny names. It looked as if they were making odd faces at me. Most very grumpy looking. I really enjoyed just watching them. One tank had sea turtles and my grandson spoke up. “Hey these are special needs turtles.” Most of the turtles were missing limbs.

Later in the day we heard that many turtles are hurt by boaters and debris in the water. They can no longer survive in the wild so this kind of home is perfect for their rehabilitation. Being in a wheelchair myself I can relate to what it takes to adapt. But God helps all creatures whether man or beast relearn the way they do things.

The way they learn to survive in their environment by coloring and the way they were designed. It is all so well thought out. How could something that perfect just happen. My mind just can not see anything about evolution as being plausible. I just got a magazine from the NCI. National Creation Institute in Dallas Texas.

This Institute is doing great things about building creation museums and educating people on true research that shows real facts of Creation. These aren’t just theories but actual researched facts that support the Bible’s history and timelines. Their magazine is called ‘Facts and Acts’. Great name.

There are so many scientists and researchers that are strong Christian authorities. They are striving to show truth. For so many years we have been programmed to think one way, evolution. But more and more wholes are being found in those theories.

I noticed this morning so much more than I normally do. So much beautiful landscaping. A beautiful golf course with so many different trees. Every shape and color. Man has done a great job of taming and designing around nature but give God the credit for all he has given us to work with.

I know of a new exhibit near my daughters home that has a life size recreated example of what Noah’s arc would have looked like. They got to go there this summer on their vacation . I guess it was massive. They really enjoyed it. I have no idea how all those animals got along for so many days. It must haves smelled too.

I am so glad there are places like that for my grandkids to explore. Things that finally give credit where credit is long overdue.

Chosen

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“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a special possession, that you may declare the praises of him that called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9 NIV

“You will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” Exodus 19:6 NIV

We have been chosen by God before time began. Before we were ever formed we were called out to be his chosen people. Not everyone is chosen. We are called to be the sons and daughters of Christ. We are called to serve our king.

We are to be the image of Christ. To be Jesus hands and feet to our communities.

We must accept this gift he has given us. It was given freely by Christ as he suffered and died on the cross to give us the chance to be made right with God. We have been given free will to choose for ourselves who we will serve.

Once we have chosen to serve the Lord we need to begin every day with that commitment. We live every day in this world but this is not our true home. It is with Christ in heaven. Each day we need to choose him. To follow his ways and serve him with our whole being.

As part of the special needs community it is very important to be chosen and accepted and loved. I had the privilege to go to camp all last week up in Williams, Arizona. Along with sixty or so other handicapped individuals we got to spend the week with Special Touch Ministries..

It is a wonderful environment for all ages. All different physical and emotional needs. We are loved on and accepted for who we are. We learn who we can be in Christ.

We are called to be priests. Jesus no longer lives on this earth. The only way people can see Jesus is through his children, his priests. We are very special to him. He is with us the whole way and will help us.

For me personally I learned that God has called me to be an encourager. The words I speak are not mine but God’s words spoken through me. This is one reason why I started this blog. I always had a desire to help people. I am a fixer. I like telling people how to fix themselves.

I had many opportunities to speak to people at camp and show his will for them. It was great but it was him not me talking. I am just willing to be used by God. He is not physically walking on earth but we are. The only way for others to see God is through us as we serve as his priests.

He has brought us out of our past of darkness and sin and given us light a future, eternal life with him. We have so much to be thankful for. His Glory and Mercy and his greatness is so manifest in our lives. The more we give the more he gives.

Peace wonderful peace.

Many people accept the gift of eternal life. And then go about life on their own doing whatever they want. Theirs is a wasted life and they don’t know all they are missing. I was one of those people for forty some years before I really got to know Jesus Christ and make him my personal friend and King.

My life has changed drastically and I never want to go back. Life is not about me but about Jesus Christ in me the hope of glory. He has made my life complete. Come join me.

Child of God

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“ Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12 NIV

“…so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life.” John 3:14 NIV

The great and mighty God. Creator of heaven and earth, everything that ever was or will be wants to be our father. The most perfect dad that ever was has given us the opportunity to be his child. He is a perfect father who will never let us down.

Some people may not have had an earthly father or one that was very dependable. But this father is not limited by Earth. Nothing is impossible for God. His will will be done in your life and you can take that to the bank.

All we have to do is believe that he is. The one who died to set us free and rose from the grave to ascend into heaven to prepare a place for us. Eternal life with him. This is ours and it is free. Nothing we will ever do will make him love us any less or any more.

We can do great things for him and bring others to him. Feed the sick and hungry. Be almost perfect or we can be bad doing all kinds of awful things. He still loves us.

With him he makes the impossible possible to us in our lives.

We need to come to him just like any father. Love him and respect him. Obey him. Share our lives with him. Get to know him personally. He is not just the ‘Man upstairs ‘, he is Daddy. He wants to be there for you, and with you always. Holding your hand.

It wasn’t till I was actually almost fifty that I realized that. I lived my whole life knowing of God. I knew he was there but was doing life pretty much on my own. My way and didn’t think much about him except Sunday’s. What a waste of time.

I can now say I know him intimately and it has made such a difference in my life. I have more joy, I rarely get mad or upset. I have eternal hope. I am full of peace. No fear.

I could not have said that years ago. I still have trials and hard things to deal with in my life but I have someone to always lean on. Someone to help me through them.

I didn’t have to do a thing to get him to love me. I do lots of things now for him just because I love him and love being close to my him, my dad.