July 30, 2010. Verse for today.

"You are the light of my world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5, 14,16

July 28, 2010.

I am the new secretary at my church. It's part-time, about 8 to 10 hours a week. I am really enjoying it except....I am so new to working with some of the computer software that so many others know very well. Case in point today....Power Point. A lot of people know Power Point, but I have never had a need to learn it. Until now. And, boy can it be frustrating to not know what you are doing with programs like this.

So, I was trying to create a new slide for an event at church. Nothing was working, and the more I played with it the worse it got. I finally deleted the slide and decided to start over. Still had problems....I began beating up the poor keyboard. You do know...if you hit the enter key enough times it's suppose to make everything magical work....right???? I kinda felt like this picture from the movie Office Space...but, I didn't think the trustees of the church would like me very much if I did that.

So, before I broke anything that the church really can't afford to fix....I gave my hubby a call. Asked him..."where are you?". Luckily, he was only about 15 minutes away. So, he stopped in to help me fix the slide I was working on. It's all very simple for him.

He wants to help me with these Power Point slides which is fine by me. I am finding this is one program that it's best to have help with then to rather try and figure out on your own. (at least for me)

Giving your life to Christ works in a similar way. Most people go through life searching. They really don't know what they are searching for. Their lives are unfulfilled and they don't even know why. A few of these folks can figure it out on their own...but, the majority of us need help from others. Someone who comes along and introduces us to the Spirit of Christ. Or perhaps it's an event that happens that opens our eyes. Learning about Christ comes easier for some...and others it may take their whole lives to learn and understand. Some folks refuse to listen, others pretend like they are listening. Either way...we can never stop trying to reach out to those who have not found Christ.

July 26, 2010. Verse for today.

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8

July 25, 2010. Verse for today.

" And my God will satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

I thought this was a fitting verse to go along with my blog post today.

July 25, 2010.

One thing I still wrestle with is putting all my worries and concerns into the hands of the Lord. Does this ever get any easier?? The Bible verse where it says "do not worry", while easy to read is hard to adopt into your life. When you've gone through life worrying about everything, it's hard to lay aside your concerns and let the Lord handle them.

I'm getting better at it, mind you, but sometimes it's hard. We are still struggling financially. It's getting better, but right now the ratio of money coming in to money going out for bills is so close that there is very little leftover. I know over time and with determination, it will get better. This week, it was reaching the point where I was wondering if we were going to make it to the next payday. I had only about 50.00 in the checkbook and payday for either of us is not until next Friday. The cinema is closed for two weeks, so the extra cash coming in there was not happening. Luckily, my new part-time job at the church was picking up for the cinema money that wasn't coming in. This money was filling Chris gas tank. But, this morning there was no paycheck in my little cubby hole at church.

What do I do...I panic! My first thoughts was...Oh, no! What are we going to do! 50.00 was going to be hard to stretch till Friday when 40.00 of that was going to go for gas. I had prescription I needed to pick up at the pharmacy, my van needed gas..heck just buying the gallon of milk we needed was going to be hard. Instead of panicking, I should have calmly called the church treasurer and just asked her if there was a delay for my check or perhaps she forgot.

After I got home, I did calm down and Chris called her. She forgot, as simple as that. I later went to where she works and picked up my check. And to show you how God works in your life....I wasn't even aware she actually owed me two paychecks. She hadn't paid me after the first week I worked there...which for many businesses is common so I never questioned it. She handed me two checks and said she was sorry she had missed one. I thought she had made a mistake until I came home and check my previous stubs and found yes, I did have two coming.

So, now instead of wondering how we were going to make it until the next paycheck...I have a bit more money then I was expecting to have today.

Now...why can't I just let God handle all my worries????? I waste too much of life worrying and stressing over things I shouldn't.

July 24, 2010.

I've gotten lax in posting in my blog. I really want to keep this blog going, so am making a promise to myself to make sure to continue it.

Till later..............

July 22, 2010. Verse for today.

Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. James 4:7

Just another random verse found opening up my Bible.

July 20, 2010. Verse for today.

Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good, pleasure. Philippians 2 12-13.

I found this verse by just opening up my Bible at random this morning. It is up to us to live a Christian life...with God inside of us.

July 19, 2010.

I haven't posted here in a couple of days. No particular reason, just haven't taken the time. We went to the local county fair Saturday evening and had a nice time. It was fairly crowded, hot and we enjoyed a bit of fair food. Had to look at the pigs in the swine barn since I do work for a swine vet! I was never involved in 4-H when I was a kid, but kind of wished I had been.

On a different topic, I'm a bit concerned about my hubby. So much has changed in our life since the beginning of the year. Lost our business, he started a new job, our finances and the bankruptcy. He changed a bit after his accident in 2002, but since we left The Doghouse his mood swings have gotten a bit worse. I never quite know what to expect each day...as to if he will be having a good mood day or a bad mood day. It doesn't help that I am a moody person...two moody people under the same house...well that can be bad news.

He is also having some physical issues. He's tired all the time, constant headaches, he complains his stomach is often upset/diarrhea. The other day he told me he aches all over all the time. I don't know if he's got something physical wrong...or if it's stress and depression.

I'm going to kind of take it day to day and see how things go with him. Our finances really make it hard for him to go to the doctor to have a lot of tests done. Pray, pray, pray....it's my best support right now for things happening here at home.

July 18, 2010. Verse for today.

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him, and he with Me." Revelation 3:20

July 15, 2010. Verse for today.

"Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." Psalm 27:14

July 14, 2010.

We have two yellow labs, Rudy and Charlotte. I've mentioned them in previous postings here. Rudy we have had since he was a puppy. Charlotte, we rescued from the Humane Society. It was actually 3 years ago yesterday that we brought her home. In terms of animal rescue, since you don't know their real birthday...the day you bring them home is called their "Gotcha Day". Yesterday was Charlotte's Gotcha Day. She was a stinker the first year after we brought her home...had very few manners, the only command she knew was sit.

But, one thing the vet who saw her in the beginning told us was that she is a very smart dog. And that she is. Along with the smarts, though came orneriness. One minute you love her cause she is so darn cute..then next minute I just want to drive her back to the pound because she is so frustrating.

Over the last couple of years, though, she has settled down a lot. She and Rudy get along, though that did take some time. Rudy was not to happy with the newcomer. Now,, when we take them to the vet (we usually take both at the same time) if Charlotte gets taken away from Rudy while at the vet he gets very upset.....so he has clearly become attached to the little stinker.

She, in turn, follows Rudy around all the time. If she cannot see him...she will go looking for him. It's very cute.

I'll talk more about Charlotte later....just wanted to say Happy Gotcha Day to her. How we came to have Charlotte deserves a post all by itself.

July 13, 2010.

Sometimes it's hard to allow God to lead you through life. To allow God to help you through difficult times. To allow God to listen when you have things that are bothering you or confusing you.

Lately I have been forgetting that, and not listening to God. And because of that, I've found myself uptight, depressed, very melancholy. And for no reason....no reason at all.

When you try to handle things yourself, and not let the word of God guide you...it really gets you nowhere. And only results in more frustrations then is necessary.

What is the saying I've heard before...Let God, and let go. Seems a small bit of advice everyone can use.

July 13, 2010. Verse for today.

Jesus answered, "It is written, Man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." Matthew 4:4

July 9, 2010.

The Bible. How many people actually read it everyday? How many people even know where the Bible in their home is? How many homes do not even have a Bible in it?

This morning at church where I now work part-time as the church secretary, I was getting the slides ready for services on Sunday. Our pastor was helping me as I hadn't gotten the Bible verses up on the screen. The job was taught to me rather quickly when I started and a few things were missed. One was the Bible verses in the computer program that the church uses. Last Sunday during service the verses were not on the screen because I didn't know I was suppose to put them there.

We do this out of courtesy for the congregation, but only for the last service. I asked the Pastor if I am suppose to do that for the traditional service and he said no. He doesn't put the verses on the screen for that service....he hopes people will open a Bible. He would prefer they open their own, but very few folks bring their own Bible to church. He said if it were up to him, the pew Bibles would be removed. I'm assuming that by having them there it makes it to easy for everyone to forget that your are supposed to bring your own Bible to church.

I've never actually sat outside any church and watched to see how many folks carry in a Bible with them. I would guess it is not very many.

A few Sundays ago we had a young man visit our church for the first time and he carried in his own Bible. To understand how rare this is, it stuck out to me and few others. Wow, he brought in his own Bible..and he's a young person!

My husbands God-daughter has a birthday coming up and she is 11. I am going to ask her parents if she has her own Bible yet. If not, I think I will get her one and present it to her on her birthday. While her parents have been regular church goers in the past, they have not been in a long, long time.

As I stated in the first paragraph here...how many households even have a Bible in their home...or know where it is if they do have one?

July 9, 2010. Verse for today.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Ephesians 6:10-11

Excellent verse everyone should read.

July 7, 2010. Verse for today.

As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him." - Psalm 18:30

July 7, 2010.

Life goes on....just when you think you are getting ahead financially, you hit a set back. I broke a tooth yesterday. For one thing, I am a very stressed dental patient. So dealing with that was exhausting enough..but, it did hit the pocketbook a tad hard. But, not as hard as it could have. At least not yet. The dentist rebuilt the tooth and said he think it should last a couple years. At some point I will have to deal with either extraction or a crown. It's a molar way in the back, so you won't see it if it's pulled. Crowns are expensive..but, I've had several done and know what to expect with them. Since my wisdom teeth I've never had one pulled and for some reason that scares me.

Hopefully, the work I had done yesterday will give me time to make the decision...and save up the money for whatever needs to be done when this repair gives out.

What was most frustrating, I had a check written to pay of a bill I've been working down for several years. Had the bill down to 60.00 and was going to pay it off. I'm just glad I was out of stamps and didn't get it mailed. Guess that bill will take a little more time.

July 5, 2010. Verse for today.

"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people." Proverbs 14:34


Swiped this verse from the C28 Facebook page.

July 3, 2010. Verse for today.

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. Revelation 1:8

July 3, 2010

Tomorrow is Independence Day. Being that it falls on Sunday, both of us have the day off on Monday. Yeah!!! That is going to be nice. We have no plans and are probably going to stay home on Monday. I learned a new phrase the other day at one of my jobs. The daughter-in-law of my boss calls days at home when you are off work a Staycation. A vacation at home. I think I will adopt that phrase, it's cute. Tomorrow after church we may run out of town to do a little bit of shopping. Nothing exciting, Chris needs undershirts and I would like to go to Super Target or Super Meier because their groceries are much better and cheaper then the store here in town. Guess I better check to make sure these stores are open tomorrow, but these kinds of stores usually are. Anymore, most retailers are open most all holidays...which is kind of sad for the folks who work there.

I've been posting recently on some changes in my life since I accepted Christ as my Savior. One way is I've become more eager to talk about it with people..and to just let everyone know what has happened to me. One way I have done this is buy wearing Christian based T-shirts. I have owned a couple for awhile, but have always been hesitant to wear them. But, not anymore...I have even worn them in front of my mom! *gasp* She has made comments before about people who wear Christian t-shirts...saying they were religious nuts, so I've never worn one around her until recently. I'm eager to buy more as my budget will allow. I found a great Christian clothing company called C28. I love their t-shirts. Very hip and artsy. You can check their site here.

By wearing a t-shirt I can shout it to the world in my own way!

July 2, 2010. Verse for today.

"In my distress I cried to the Lord and He heard me." Psalms 120:1