Our Choices at the Polls

Elections are the talk on all news, social media and in coffee shops. I don't know about you, but I am about sick of it all. Let's move on to what each person can do for this nation rather than what an individual will or will not do as they sit in the White House. Now let me explain to you that I do respect the office and to please hear me out before you shut me down.

I was in the sixth grade when I first heard anything about a president going to be elected. Fellow students had heard their parents talking and so much discussion was going on, the teacher decided we needed to have a classroom election. 

I really never listened to the news as a child. The only time I knew it was on was when my daddy made me get up to change the channel so he could listen to David and Chet! Then I left the room immediately because that was stuff adults needed to hear, I had more important things to do. Riding my bike and reading had to be more important, right? 

As the teacher passed out the ballots, I did not even know who was running, so I looked over to the boy sitting across from me. He wrote the name 'Kennedy,' so I did too! 

After writing that name down, I felt I should learn more about this man. I started watching the news, just enough to see what he looked like. I remember seeing his wife and thinking she was very pretty and they had sweet children. I do not remember what his slogan was or what the news said about him.  

Kennedy won and I was happy, but only because I knew I had written his name down on that little piece of paper and no other reason. 

When Kennedy was killed I was horrified. Did I really 'vote' for a man and then he was killed? What a shock and tragedy for our country as we watched the news for days as the horse drawn carriage went through the streets of Washington D.C. 

When politics get thrown at us today, I still don't like to listen, it is truth and reality vs desire and imagination. It is hard to tell the difference. Many will vote like I did as a child, because others say it is the right one. 

I am sharing all of this to give you my true feelings. We act as robots when we go to the polls. We try to vote the best, but do we really? 

We need to be praying constantly, unite together in prayer. God knows who is going to be in office in January. We need to pray for the person as well as the office. We should seek the face of God and plead our case with Him to protect our nation from the evil that is oozing out of the very homes which we live. We see marriages broken, television promoting sin, and electronics taking away our children and completely doing away with communication. No one knows how to talk anymore! 

Sometimes I just feel like exiting the polling booths, because with the choices I have, there is really not much of a choice. Is this the best America has to offer, the best to represent us in the world arena? I would really just like to get off at this exit please! Now don't get me wrong here, I will go to the polls to vote my heart, but I will go prayerfully. I just don't like all this rederick before election day. 

Ok, I will quit preaching, but listen folks, the political conventions are over, we have THREE choices, yes three. We can chose either party,  that is two choices. The third is we can decide as Christians to get off our 'duffs' and stand up for America, Israel and the unborn children! 

May God Bless American in these last days! 

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

Blessings

gs

Stay Between the Ditches

As many of you know, I learned how to drive in a hay field on our southern farm. I drove the tractor or truck, pulling the wagon along for others to throw and stack the hay. I would slowly roll along, dipping down into ruts and up on little hills. It was a big challenge for me to watch through the big side mirror on the truck to see when the wagon was beside the hay bales. I did everything I could to make it easier for the men working so hard in the Alabama summer humidity. On occasion, the hay baler would leave the bales far apart, due to the turn at the end of the field, so I would try to drive between the rows to get it closer to the wagon. It was an obstacle course for a young girl who could barely see over the steering wheel and had to practically stand to put on the brakes! 

It was always a treat for me to be included in the hard work. I always enjoyed being outside working more than inside cooking or cleaning. I learned a lot from watching men do a hard day's work and there was a lot of joking and laughter that kept them going. Even when one hay bale had a snake wrapped up in it, the laughter rippled across the field as the one young man gave a big "Yikes, it's a snake!" holler! 

But then one day, my daddy said I was going to move onto the road and drive the truck to the barn. I was scared as he told me, "Just stay between the ditches."  I drove and I can imagine my eyes were round as headlights, looking over the hood, watching those ditches! 

Then, he came to me another day and tossed me the keys and told me to drive him to the store to get gas. Now I was terrified as I climbed into the truck, but again he said to me, "Stay between the lines and the ditches." I sat straight up, really high, to be able to see and we set off. I was fine as long as daddy was there with me. 

A few months passed and we were going on a trip to Chicago to see our relatives and he said he was tired and I needed to drive for awhile, so he could take a nap in the back seat. Mother sat in the front with me as I drove down the highway. When I drove up behind a trailer truck driving very slow, she encouraged me to pass him. I drove slowly behind him a long way, before building up courage to go around. The road was straight and I could seen nothing coming, as I eased out around the truck.

My knuckles were white with fear and my eyes were huge as I watched the lines and the ditch! I passed him and remember my pounding heart in my chest. My mother smiled as she said, " You did just fine." (I have often wondered was daddy really sleeping in the back or was he sighing with relief!) 

These memories are very similar to when I was young christian starting to walk with God. I enjoyed being at church and loved to watch others work and I could see them enjoy serving Him. Then one day, God pushed me to move forward. This helped me to learn about Him and begin my growing process. He often times seems to be sleeping as I serve and I have wondered if I was going to make it. Often I am reminded, He is always watching over us. 

Sure we get stretched out of our comfort zones, but that is how we learn and grow in Him, just like driving a hay truck. We need to trust Him to get us out of the ruts, so that we can move on around the big stuff. If we keep our eyes on Him, we will stay between the lines and out of the ditches. 

God's love for us is like that of my parents, even greater. He wants us to grow in Him everyday, not just in seasons. He allows things in our lives, not to overwhelm us, but to help us trust Him more. 

Ephesians 4:14-15Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

14 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. 15 But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way

2 Peter 3:18Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.[a]Amen.[b] into Him who is the head—Christ.

Blessings,

gs

Summertime Travels

When I was a young girl, I remember the excitement building as we packed for our vacations.

We were the average family, not a lot of extra money to spend to take elaborate trips, but every trip to me was an adventure. Mother would pack a cooler of drinks and snacks for a roadside table lunch, while daddy would throw his tackle box and crab traps in the trunk and his fishing poles would be hanging out the window. Just a few clothes would be packed in a bag to leave room for Florida's oranges, souvenirs and sea shells coming back home. 

The old radio did not receive reception well as we traveled, so there were many songs to be sung by the family. One of my daddy's favorites was 'On the Jericho Road' because he knew the lead part pretty well. We always sang old hymns and then on to Christmas carols! We laughed and played games in the car and on occasion stopped at a roadside alligator farm to get a cool drink of Florida's fresh squeezed orange juice. Life was good!

The planning of a trip and the travel has always been a time of adventure and enjoyment for me, usually as much as final destination itself. Some like the excitement of putting up Christmas trees and preparing for the holidays, I like the adventure of travel. 

The unexpected and the unknown, followed by the lasting memories, is what life is all about!

Life itself is an adventure from one day until the next. We never know what tomorrow will bring, whether it will be a happy day or a sad, hard time in our lives. 

But you know, nothing happens in our lives that God doesn't already know about. Just like mother packing that cooler, because she knew her husband and girls would be hungry down the road, she prepared for us. Daddy, on the other hand, knew we would need something to do at night, so he packed crab baskets and fishing equipment to take us all to the pier to enjoy the cool evenings. 

Now I will tell you that on more than one occasion we ate a soggy sandwich because the ice melted and water got into the loaf of bread. There were many nights on the pier we did not catch anything and went home carrying empty crab baskets. But the joy of being with those who had prepared for us, even when it did not turn out perfect, is what I remember. We did not complain, we usually laughed and skipped and made the best out of a bad situation. 

Those times remind me of trials we live daily. God plans and prepares for us to have the best life we could have in Him. Then something in life happens, choices are made, things said, illnesses, death, things out of our control. We need to remember Who prepared the day for us, He is still there. He prepared for good, but evil is in this world. Evil seeps into our lives like water on soggy bread. We may have to live through the day, but we know He is still with us and loves us beyond measure. 

Now going back to the trip, I don't guess I will tell how I survived many trips sleeping in the back windshield of the car, while my sister slept in the seat! God surrounded us with His protection and just maybe it was my daddy's singing kept Him close! 

Blessings,
gs

Yellow Rose Surprise!!

This afternoon I had an unusual, pleasant, never seen before surprise! I went out to water my roses that we had transplanted to a sunny spot, since they apparently did not like where I had planted them two years ago. They had struggled to live the past 24 months and were about to give up. My husband was going to dig them up anyway, so might as well give them another chance. 

They have perked up, reaching upward as the sunrise catches them each morning, rising to the noonday sky. They cool for a bit in the shade of the trees for about an hour before the setting sun peaks through and bathes them again in it's light. 

Today, as I walked around the house lugging the hose pipe (water hose for those of you in the north, lol ) to spray them with the cool water, I almost tripped over my feet with surprise!

There among the little red rose buds and a couple of weeds, bloomed a beautiful yellow rose! Now how in the world did that yellow rose come up from those transplanted red roses? I am so excited!! For you see, the yellow rose is my very favorite rose of all!! 

The yellow rose stands tall and proud...any rose can be a red rose, but it take something special to be different and be yellow. My daddy only gave me one rose in his lifetime. I was riding around with him one day and he had to stop at Roper's Florist, because he had been doing some work for Mr. Roper. He told me to stay in his truck and he would be right back out. He came out with a tissue paper and handed it to me. As I unwrapped it, it was a long stem yellow rose, a moment I will never forget! 

As I stood there, staring at this rose today, I thought about we as Christians, living among the thorns and weeds in this world. There were other roses there, ordinary red roses, budding and blooming as they do. But then, there among them was one that was different, it stood out with it's glow and grace. The yellow rose had somehow come forth after the transplant and bloomed right among the reds! 

We should be like that rose, we should bloom right where we are planted. We are God's flowers and He gives us all we need to be nourished among the ordinary people. But we as Christians should stand out with a glow and grace as we reflect the light that shines on us. 

I just pray that one day I will have the beauty inside as much as the yellow rose does on the outside. I will never look at a rose again without thinking about my own life and am I growing for Him. 

Blessings,
gs

No Greater Love

When I hear sweet songs about the great love of God, my heart would almost stop if it wasn't leaping in the spirit! God's love is far beyond imaginable to our little earthly minds. 

When we were deployed to Louisiana once, a man came up to me and shared about his death experience. First let me explain that I do believe in these experiences because I too believe in life after death. However, I am always cautious to not let the devil take me on a trip down the wrong path when someone starts to share their stories with me. I can often tell the difference in the beginning when it is too much of 'I did this' or 'I know this' stuff. Because I believe when you die and go to heaven, the love and focus is so much on God, you forget about yourself and bask in Him. 

Now, back to this gentleman's story of heaven: He said to me, "Ginger, you just cannot put into words or imagine the love that is felt there." He continued, "I love my wife very much, but that love is nothing compared to the love of God which surrounded my very being. My soul was full of Him from the top of my head to my toes, I could feel the love. I felt like I even breathed in the love and it exhaled from my nostrils!" His eyes watered and tears slowly trickled down his cheeks as he remembered the experience. 

This past week Denny and I were watching a Christian television show and they spoke of Abraham going to the mountain to sacrifice his son, as God had commanded him to do. Now Abraham was obedient in what God had asked him to do, even when he loved his child beyond measure, he was willing. I love my children and grandchildren so much. I am thankful God does not ask us to do this act. 

Gen. 22:2 "Take your son," He said, "your only son Isaac, whom you love, go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about." 

Other gods had been given sacrifices in the past that included humans, even children, during that era. 

But, notice one difference here with Abraham, God stopped him from giving his son back to God. God gave him an animal for the sacrificial blood. 

As this was being shown on television, my mind ran off again in another direction as it often does. It dawned on me of this scenario of Abraham and what I had never seen before! (now I know you probably already know this, but I am going to share it anyway!)

God asked (already knowing He was going to tell Abraham to stop) for his son, Isaac, to be sacrificed. 

God knew He would provide the temporary sacrifice, a ram in the thicket.

But further more, I think God was thinking some things....

He knew Abraham's son was not the supreme sacrifice, it had to be, HIS SON, Jesus!

He asked for Abraham's son, but then He gave His own son for all of us to be the supreme sacrifice! 

That is how great His love is for us here on earth. I just can't imagine heaven, if it is greater there like they say!

Maybe that is why He tells us to love each other. So we can get used to the love overflowing He has for us. 

I am going to try to make a habit of loving people more and sharing His love by doing this. So you all better watch out, I have some loving to do! Hope you all will take this and do the same. 

Please respond to this in love!! :) 

Blessings,
gs

Traveling Around

For the last couple of weeks, we have been traveling the southeast and even dipping down into Florida. We have done some sightseeing, as I have been doing interviews, and meeting some wonderful people. We have been encouraged and blessed by those we have crossed paths with along the way.

We have seen times when we have been anxious to move forward to see what the next hour holds for us, but we have also longed to stay in the moment other times. 

One day we met up with some friends (also Billy Graham Chaplains) and played a round of golf. The wind was blowing so hard that day, no one knew where the ball was going until it hit the ground, or sand I might add! We laughed when the men decided on the third hole that they were not going to even keep score! They acted like it was for the women's benefit. But after looking for their balls a couple of times or finding them in the sand, we knew better. It was a day of fun in the sun with good friends. 

The next day we met a new friend that showed us around the area. We found out that she now lives in FL, but her family lived only a few miles from our home in Alabama. Lisa and I will have a lasting friendship and I am looking forward to meeting her mother and dad. 

These past few weeks reminded me of life itself. We have traveled through this world, renewing our relationships, making new friends and sometimes longing to stay right in the moment. However, there comes a longing and a time to go home. 

While we were on this trip a dear friend of ours passed from this earth to his heavenly home. We have no doubt about his rejoicing in heaven, even though he enjoyed his journey here. He was always laughing and greeting people with a smile. He had lasting friendships and made new friends. But, there was a time to go to his heavenly home.

We have enjoyed our trip, here the past few weeks, but also our journey on this earth.

My prayer is that you take this journey with joy and peace He gives you, being ready to go home when He calls. 

Meet up with old friends, play in the wind. Meet new friends for a lifetime. Be ready for the final journey, our heavenly home, it will last forever. 

Blessings,
gs

Mirror of Time

This past week I rearranged the pictures on the walls in my home. Nothing new to put up, but due to the fresh paint, why not give a change to the sayings and plaques that cover them? 

It all started with replacing the large mirror over the mantle with the large clock that had previously been on the wall between the kitchen and the den. Nice, we can see what time it is without getting up to look around the wall! But the question now is where to put that large mirror. 

We have put it, temporarily I might add, over the sofa in the front room. It just has not found it's home yet, so I am continuing to struggle with it everytime I walk past it.

What is amazing is how often we get up to look around the wall to see the clock! Here it is, right before our eyes, but we look back to the old wall. There replacing the clock is a group of crosses, that our friend painstakingly made for us. It is actually a layout of the Lord's Supper, but at each place there is a cross that represents each disciple.

We have a large cross in the center, representing Jesus and even Judas is a black cross, sideways of the table. 

So now, when I cast my eyes to where time once hung, I now see the crosses. I stopped and thought about that this morning. The  crosses represent time that started the Christian walk for me. Each of the these crosses played a part in where I am today as a Christian. Wow! This made me turn to look at the clock over the mantle and how fast time was ticking in my own life. Have I, do I, make a difference? I am nowhere near where these men were and I know that I still am climbing to be acceptable to Him. 

The difference now in my life is that I can now see the cross, where time literally stood still, where my own clock once hung. This is a message to me focus not on my own time, but that of Christ.

We as Christians need to be focused on His timing, not our own, in daily life. We should look to each day as a new beginning and take it one day at a time. For no one knows what tomorrow will bring. Live each day to the fullest, seeking His face in all that we do. 

The mirror is just a reflection of what is on the other side of the room, it has no meaning, just hangs over the sofa. But we as Christians should be a reflection of Christ, shining His light across and around the world. 

"Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." James 14:4

Blessings,
gs

The Old Homestead

My husband has always loved history and visiting the battlefields, history museums, and reading every plaque and card about each display. I, on the other hand, love to be set free from the past. Not that the past was bad, I just like doing something new and making new memories. 

The travel to the locations has always been the adventure for me, not always the destination. However, the older I get, I am beginning to see the truth, not only in the future or the present, but in the past. The clear, cold fact is 'time stands still for no one.' 

We took a trip not long ago to my 'old' home place. Yes, it was old then, being built in the 1800s by Gen. John Coffey. But it was a place of grandeur in it's day, a big, white, southern home sitting upon a big hill, overlooking the Tennessee River. The bricks were painted white to match the columns and the tall ceilings were to keep it cool in the hot Alabama summers. The long, tall windows could be opened to let the night's breeze from the river come through the house. 

While we drove to Jackson County, AL, fond memories of working on the farm and in the garden with my mama and daddy flooded my mind. I grew more anxious to see the home and to walk around the big yard, where Denny and I had played croquet when we first met. 

The closer we got, the more anxious I was to see who might be living there and to meet them and share stories of the home. I was hoping to walk to the old cemetery, where the Coffey family was buried down from the house. 

When we pulled up into the driveway going up the hill, we could only go so far because of the grass and weeds literally came up over the bumper of the car. We got out and started walking the path I did as a teenager after school, up the hill. Step by step, my eyes searched the skyline for the roof of the house, gleaning for some sign of life. 

When we walked into the yard, my heart almost fell out of my chest. There in front of us was nothing but ruins of a broken down house, with windows out, bricks falling off, doors hanging on by a single hinge. We walked slowly up the crumbled path of concrete that used to be the sidewalk. 

Entering the home, it was if I had stepped back into time in my mind, but my heart and eyes told me different. Time had passed and this home was no more. 

As we looked closer, there were few remnants that showed us that everything here was man made. The bricks had been made by slaves in a pit near the river. The walls were built four brick wide, but still did not endure time. The once beautiful hardwood floors, made by hand, were now rotten and falling through, the cabinets my daddy had built were falling off the walls. 

As we walked around to the back, the garden that mama and I worked so hard in, was now filled with thistles and thorn bushes so high they were above our heads. The barn was falling in and too dangerous for us to try to enter. 

Time on earth stand still for no one. Look closely in the mirror and you will see for yourself. Look around, this earth has time and that time is passing quickly. Everything we own is made by man, nothing is going to last forever. 

There is a place called heaven where there is no time! The scripture says 'I go to prepare a place for you' which makes me think about time there. There is not going to be a big grandfather clock inside, there will be no alarm clocks going off, no daylight savings time, no time zones, but it will be a place where there will be no night, which means no time.

"Night will no longer exist, and people will not need lamplight or sunlight, because the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign forever and ever." Rev 22:5 (HCS)

I look forward to going to heaven for several reasons. One of them is not having to be somewhere 'on time' because of appointments or meetings. 

We live here on earth, because we have been given life by the creator. We each have an allotted time here on earth. "From one man He has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live.' Acts 17:26 (HCS)

Let's use the time given to us to the fullest, serving and honoring Him. Let's not become like the house we found, grown up with weeds and collapsing within ourselves. Lean on Him everyday for strength, courage and inspiration. Lift up your hearts, past time, to the One Who gives us hope, knowing when we pass through time we will see HIM. 

Blessings,
gs

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Practical Friends

I grew up with practical parents. A mother, God love her, who washed aluminum foil after she cooked in it, then reused it. She was the original recycle queen, before they had a name for it. A daddy who was happier getting old shoes fixed than buying new ones.Their marriage was good, their dreams focused. Their best friends lived barely a wave away. They worked hard to make a living and, at the same time, enjoyed life. Even in the tough times, my dad had a joke to create laughter. 

I can see them now, Dad in work pants, shirt and a hat and Mom in a house dress, broom in one hand, and dish-towel in the other. It was the time for fixing things. A curtain rod, the kitchen radio, screen door, the oven door, the hem in a dress, things we kept instead of replacing. 

It was a way of life, and  sometimes it made me crazy. All that re-fixing, eating leftovers, renewing, I wanted just once to be wasteful. Waste meant affluence. Throwing things away meant you knew there'd always be more. 

Now don't get me wrong, I never knew we had needs, always felt we had plenty. But just once, I wanted to feel it was ok to get rid of something.

But then my mother died, and on that night,  I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any more. Sometimes in the darkest hour, the truth slowly reveals itself. 

Sometimes, what we care about most gets all used up and goes away...never to return.. So... while we have it..... it's best we love it.... and care for it... and fix it when it's broken......... and heal it when it's sick. 

This is true. for marriage....... and old cars..... and children with bad report cards.....and aging parents..... and grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it. 
Some things we keep forever, like a best friend that moved away or a classmate we grew up with.

There are just some things that make life important, like people we know who are special........ and so, we keep them close! Good friends are like stars.... You don't always see them, but you know they are always there.  

You are probably thinking of those friends now, let them know you care by telling them. Don't let time pass you by and then have regrets. 

Enjoy life now, do it while you are able and ready to see what else is out there! It is ok to be wasteful, but only if it can be replaced. True friends cannot be replaced! 

Love to you....all my friends!

Blessings,

gs

The Bike Ride

All of us have memories of childhood deep inside the wrinkles of our minds. We just have to think, or have a smell, or a sound, to bring the flashback of that memory. 

Watching the children in our neighborhood go out and ride their bikes brought back a sweet memory of mine. I am sure you will be able to relate to this story.

At one time we lived in a community where folks knew everyone and spent time chatting, not only on weekends, but during the week. Life seemed to go at a slower pace. 

We lived in a house that sat smack-dab in the middle of a very long block. The street in front of our house went up the hill, around the corner, back down the hill, and around the corner again, coming back up to our house. 

When I first started riding my bike, I was given utility poles as my boundaries.

"Don't go past the poles!" mother would say as I rushed out the door for the day. Then as I grew older, on occasion, with special permission she would allow me to ride to the top of the hill with my friends! We would come flying down the hill, so fast we would not be able to keep our feet on the pedals! We would just stretch out our legs and scream with delight! 

One day my cousin, who lived across the street, was brave enough to ask could we ride all the way around the block. For what seemed like an eternity for an answer, my mother slowly replied, "Yes, but come back to the house and let me know you are back.' 

Needless to say, we were excited as we road up the hill and then slowly we made the turn to go around. Our little hearts were pounding as we had never been this far, alone, without our parents. We were excited, but yet so afraid. 

After the turn we could see the hill, just like our hill on our own street, but we had never gone down this hill before. We stopped at the top and looked at each other. Neither had the courage to go, neither had the courage to turn around. What were we to do? We must complete our mission and go around the block or we would never be allowed to do it again! So go we did......pushing our bikes down the hill!! Well, we actually held them back as we walked down the hill!

At the bottom we smiled at each other, hopped back on our bikes and rode back home. We went into the house and told mother we were back, neither said a word about our new hill. We did not even go back out that day and ride our bikes, but we felt an exhilaration of accomplishment. We had been stretched and it felt good. 

God often puts us at the top of a new hill. Sometimes the climb to the top is slow and we wonder do we really want to do what He has called us to do. We are stretched, out of our comfort zones some would say. 

We only get one chance at childhood....and we only get one chance at life. God does allow us 'do overs' on occasion, but we have usually missed the ride down the hill, maybe we even pushed our way down. 

God has a job and plan for everyone of us. He has called us out, to do His Will, to give Him glory. 

Yes, we did go back around the block, several times in fact, as years past. We grew more comfortable and actually rode down the hill! But never as fast as we did on our own home street. 

God may call you to just ride your 'bike' on your own home street. But on occasion, He may call you to go around the block. He stretches us to grow us. He is with us, encouraging us to ride the best we can ride. We only have one lifetime and He wants us to ride it with Him. 

According to your faith will it be done to you. Matthew 9:29 (NIV)

Consider the following when it comes to the ways God may want to stretch you:

• God may want you to DO something.

• God may want you to STOP DOING something.

• God may want you to GIVE something.

• God may want you to SAY something.

• God may want you to STOP SAYING something.

• God may want you to SELL something.

• God may want you to BUY something. (presumably for a person or ministry in need)

• God may want you to START something.

• God may want you to END something.

• God may want you to LOVE someone.

Get out there and ride your 'bike of life' that you can enjoy the thrill of Him and His Plan for you!! Just stretch out your legs, scream with delight, as you follow Him and His blessings! 

James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. HCSB

Blessings,

gs

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Life or Death on the Ride

The other night, my husband asked me how I knew something about what was going on in our community. Being a chaplain, I don't always disclose information, even to him, so I responded, "If I told you I would have to kill you." Now we all know I would never do that, but the truth was I could not tell him my resources. He knew I was joking, but yet serious. 

When I actually started thinking about life or death, the thought came to me, which came first? 

Being a christian, I believe I will live for eternity in a place that Jesus has prepared for me. However, I also believe that life will be much better than the life here on earth!

Pause for just a minute and think along with me as we go into life, living and death:

We are conceived---beginning of life or existence as we know it as a human Jer 1:5 
We live in the womb---beginning of formation of human Psalms 139:13-16
We are born into the world---life on our own as humans Genesis 1:28
We live our life ---- own choices Joshua 24:15 Joshua 24:15
We die a fleshly death -------end of life on earth 

 Ecclesiastes 9 says this:
 9 I thought about all these things. I realized that those who are wise and do what is right are under God’s control. What they do is also under his control. But no one knows whether they will be loved or hated. 2 Everyone will die someday. Death comes to godly and sinful people alike. It comes to good and bad people alike. It comes to “clean” and “unclean” people alike. Those who offer sacrifices and those who don’t offer them also die.

A good person dies,
    and so does a sinner.
Those who make promises die.
    So do those who are afraid to make them.

3 Here’s what is so bad about everything that happens on this earth. Death catches up with all of us. Also, the hearts of people are full of evil. They live in foolish pleasure. After that, they join those who have already died. 4 Anyone who is still living has hope. Even a live dog is better off than a dead lion!

5 People who are still alive know they’ll die.
    But those who have died don’t know anything.
They don’t receive any more rewards.
    And even their name is forgotten.
6 Their love, hate and jealousy disappear.
    They will never share again
    in anything that happens on earth"

After reading this, do you understand about 'life and death?' I am thinking that this is like a merry go round, literally called earth. We get on as a baby, we ride the up and downs of life, and yes, some of the riders horses are prettier than the others, but that is the ride! We do make our own choices. 

Then, as the music slows, the ride slows down, slowly, so slow. Some get off by themselves, others are helped off. 

But one thing I have noticed about this ride of 'life or death,' some get off the ride excited and smiling to go into the arms of those waiting to take them home. Others cry, not wanting to leave the ride yet, because home is not as much fun as the ride had been. 

Life, death, life.....round and round, then it is over. I have realized, during my ride, that it doesn't seem as long for some as others. You never know when it is going to be your stop, when the music will quit. 

The joy of getting on the ride at all, should be one that we know is exciting! John 10:10 He gives us life....ABUNDANT life! (often we don't choose the best horse!)

But, the joy of getting off and going home will be even greater!

 "In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. " John 14:2-3

Watch for me on the ride, I may wave at you! If not, I hope to see you 'at home!' 

Blessings,

gs

Life Can Be Messy

As most other families, we had children and grandchildren here during the holidays. We enjoy family so much, setting the time aside to enjoy and laugh together. Some say we have an unusual family, because all the daughters-in-law and son-in-law get along so well with everyone. The three brothers and their sister chatter well into the night. They all just pick and joke and laugh together, setting an example for the little cousins playing together and sharing their new toys. 

Yes, there were toys, shoes, socks and a total disarray in my home, but oh the joy! Once the parents started packing up, the barbie dolls were packed and racetracks put into boxes for the return trip to home, the floors appeared once again. 

We received text messages as they were getting close to home, or had arrived, after a long day of travel with children. We woke up to a quiet house in the morning, no snugglers coming sleepy eyed out of they beds. No chocolate chip muffins were to be made and our cups of coffee were drank with silence around us. 

In the middle of the morning, we received word that a dear cousin had passed away in the night. She has arrived in heaven after her journey here on earth. 

It seemed that life paralleled the week we had just spent with family. I am certain she is in heaven rejoicing with family. 

Heaven will be a great experience, it will be eternal, no one has to leave! But, the experiences we miss here on earth can and should be like appetizers to heaven. 

Some people carry grudges and 'cool' feelings toward others and cannot enjoy being around family. Some actually refuse to go to family affairs, especially if 'in-laws' are going to be there. 

Folks, you are missing life and what blessings God has in store for you. He has put people in your lives to enjoy the benefits each one can bring to the table. It is true we are not going to get along with everyone we meet, we are not going to have the same likes and dislikes, but can't we find something nice to say and begin to figure out why God put them in your life? I am sure God did not do this to make you miserable, but maybe to learn something? Maybe we should ask the Lord to change us instead of them! 

Let's just step back and think about when the next meeting, with a person you don't like to be around, will be. Plan ahead, think positive thoughts and pray for this person. Ask God to allow you to see the good in them. Ask God to tenderized your own heart, so you may be open to hearing His voice in each situation. 

God cares so much for us, He sometimes stretches us out of our comfort zone to help us grow in Him, learning to love and forgive. 

Relax, it is going to be alright if toys are spread out among the guests, it is alright if the glass of milk is spilled. It will only take moments to clean up the physical mess, while it will take a lifetime of cleaning up hurt feelings in the family. 

You will enjoy the times coming up if you begin praying and preparing now. Learn to pray for others as well as yourself. Who knows you may even find a new friend in your very own family! 

Oh yes, get ready! Easter is coming soon!! :) 

1 Timothy 5:8 Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 

1 Cor. 13:7

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things

Blessings,

gs