WEATHER REPORT

"Any day I'm vertical
 is a good day"
...that's what I always say.

If you ask me,
"How are you?"

I'll answer, "GREAT!"
because in saying so,
I make it so.

When Life gives me dark clouds and rain,
I appreciate the moisture
that brings a soft curl to my hair.

When Life gives me sunshine,
I gratefully turn my face up
to feel its warmth on my cheeks.

When Life brings fog,
I hug my sweater around me
and give thanks for the cool shroud of mystery
that makes the familiar seem different and intriguing.

When Life brings snow,
I dash outside to catch the first flakes on my tongue,
relishing the icy miracle that is a snowflake.

Life's events and experiences
are like the weather -
they come and go,
no matter what my preference.

So, what the heck?!
I might as well decide to enjoy them.

For indeed,
there IS a time for every purpose
under Heaven.

And each season brings its own unique blessings.

- By BJ Gallagher

Be Friendly...

Proverbs 18:24 says, "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."

This verse came to mind because I had the pleasure of spending yesterday evening with a group of ladies that I hold near and dear to my heart.  One thing is for sure; when you find a true friend - hold on tight.  The word is so true!  Think about the characteristics that you'd like to see in a real friend.  Think about the values that you'd like for them to hold.  Now - do you embody those characteristics and values? 

An excerpt from a card a friend gave me said, "You listen, you laugh, you keep it real with me the way no one else can."  That made my heart smile. 

Be friendly.  Be to others what you want a real friend to be to you.

Happy Birthday To Me...

Another year to thank and praise God for His bountiful blessings...

God is Here, Part II

As I dressed for work this morning, I listened to a preacher speak on the wilderness experience and it helped my thought process for today’s blog.

Yet again, I received a phone call yesterday from a dear friend, who received less than desirable news and I did my best to keep her encouraged of God’s word in the midst of it all.  One thing that I took from the message this morning is that God doesn't have to tell you how He's gonna do it - as long as He does it.

Isaiah 55:8…For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

Sometimes God has to remind us of what He did before so that we'll know that He can do it now.  We are where we are as a place of proving!

If we possess a blessing without being proven – we might try to take credit for it.  So in order for Him to get the glory He has to make the situation so until us and everyone else around us knows that it was NOBODY but God!!  When God does a thing - He doesn't want anyone to be able to take credit for any of it.

A few examples to keep in mind of how God can and will…

Children of Israel walked around 40 years and their clothes didn't wear out!!!

Read Judges chapters 6 and 7 on how God used Gideon and 300 men to defeat the Midianites.  There had to be several hundreds of thousands of them and God brought them down with only 300 men.

WHAT DO YOU THINK HE CAN DO IN YOUR LIFE???

God is Here...

One thing that I can say for sure is that many of the people that I love dearly are going through some extremely tough times in life right now.  With that said, the Holy Spirit dropped some scriptures of encouragement to me...

Isaiah 59:1...Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear.

Isaiah 59:19...So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him

I Peter 4:12-13...Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Romans 8:18...For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

II Corinthians 12:9...And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Be encouraged and know that God is here...

Time Out, II

WOW!  An entire month has gone by and not a single posting.  That's because I haven't been taking "time out" like I should've.  Back in January, me and a couple of friends took a trip out of town and it was SO needed.  I rested, but not completely.  So in a few weeks, I plan to take another trip, but this one is for the soul purpose of resting my mind and body.  There are many times when we take a day off and just lay around, but guess what???  Our minds are still running! 

If you're anything like me, you feel guilty when you sit and do absolutely nothing.  BUT - there is nothing wrong with that.  We have to stop every now and then or we'll go so fast that we pass life by (and not life passing us by).

So, stop - close your eyes - take a deep breath...Now just relax...

Are You a Virtuous Woman?

When I hear about the Proverbs 31 woman, it often makes me reflect on my traits and characteristics.  The other day I came across an article that I thought was very good and brought the Proverbs 31 woman alive in the 21st century.  Here is what is said:

"What we find is a strong, dignified, multitalented, caring woman who is an individual in her own right. This woman has money to invest, servants to look after and real estate to manage. She is her husband’s partner, and she is completely trusted with the responsibility for their lands, property and goods.

She has the business skills to buy and sell in the market, along with the heartfelt sensitivity and compassion to care for and fulfill the needs of people who are less fortunate. Cheerfully and energetically she tackles the challenges each day brings. Her husband and children love and respect her for her kind, generous and caring nature.

But with all her responsibilities, first and foremost, she looks to God. Her primary concern is God’s will in her life. She is a woman after God’s own heart. Let’s examine the characteristics of this remarkable woman — a role model for Christian women today."
(http://www.gci.org/bible/poetry/prov31)

How awesome is this?!?!?!