Tuesday, December 18, 2007
One week until Christmas!
Looks like it will be a full week; so, if I don't get back online to post before the 25th, please know that I pray for everyone who visits my blog and I am praying for a wonder-filled CHRISTmas season and abundant blessings for 2008 to each of you!
Kathy
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Do you know who YOU are?
I KNOW WHO I AM
I am God's child (John 1:12)
I am Christ's friend (John 15:15 )
I am united with the Lord(1 Cor. 6:17 )
I am bought with a price(1 Cor. 6:19-20)
I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)
I am a personal witness of Christ. (Acts 1:8)
I am the salt & light of the earth ( Matt.5:13-14)
I am a member of the body of Christ(1 Cor 12:27)
I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2)
I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant ( Phil.3:20)
I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31 -34)
I am a minister of reconciliation for God(2 Cor.5:17-21)
I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)
I cannot be separated from the love of God( Rom.8:35-39)
I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor.1:21-22)
I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8: 28)
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16 )
I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12 )
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)
I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)
I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16 ). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)
I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3). I have been justified (Rms 5:1)
I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship Eph. 2:10
I'm confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected. Phil 1: 5
I've been redeemed & forgiven; Col.1:14 - I've been adopted as God's child(Eph 1:5)
I belong to God
Do you know
Who you are!?
Keep this bell ringing...pass it on 'The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you And be gracious to you; The LORD turn His face toward you And give you peace..' Numbers 6:24-26
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Twas a Fortnight until Christmas (YEP!! Only 14 days)
I don't have children at home and I only get to see my daughter and grandson about once a week as things are now, so I am looking for something interesting to do. I can afford to be picky - which is, in and of itself, a TERRIFIC place to be! If I don't like something, I don't have to take it because we have bills that need to be paid, etc. It is a great feeling.
So, if you think of me or happen to come across my blog, please pray that the Lord will direct me to exactly what HE wants for me, and that does include staying home.
Thanks - I appreciate it!
Thursday, December 6, 2007
A Different take on 'Twas The Night Before Christmas"
T’was the month before Christmas, when all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying, nor taking a stand.
Why the Politically Correct Police had taken away,
The reason for Christmas - no one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say
December 25th is just a " Holiday ".
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.
As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe's the word Christmas - was nowhere to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears
You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.
Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-is-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !
At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.
And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace.
The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded.
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.
So as you celebrate "Winter Break" under your "Dream Tree"
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday!
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Worth reading, even a second and third time!
Monday, December 3, 2007
A special gift - Volunterring
I was presented with 7 different ways to volunteer in the last few days. Our children's choir performed a wonderful musical entitled, "The Church Has Left The Buidling...an empty church can be a good thing." After their performance, there were opportunities to get involved in ministries already in action (As it was said, "Why recreate the wheel?). I signed up for helping wrap presents for a family ministry in town (the reason for my mall excursion), delivering food to shut-ins, helping out at a boy's ranch thrift store, driving Special Needs adults home after Sunday services and painting a house in a neighborhood improvement project.
I plan, Lord willing, on doing some of these things long past the holiday season. Christmas is a good time to be helpful, but people also need help all year long!
This blog is NOT intended to make anyone feel guilty because of what they are not able to do. I am in a position in which I have never been in before and that is that I do not have a job at this time and I have some time to help others (AND my husband is fully supporting my efforts!). My reason for posting this was to encourage you to look for ways, even just a small something, that will help out someone else. You will probably end up being even more blessed than the receiver!
(22 days to go!)
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Happy December! (24 days till Christmas)
"Fear Not the Compass
Pullman's trilogy poses a threat if our children read these books without any discussion about the claims made by the characters in the story, or without any parental guidance. The stories pose a threat if their parents and teachers are not reading the books too, and participating in the experience, talking about what the storyteller is doing.
On the one hand he says, "What I am against is organized religion of the sort which persecutes people who don't believe. I'm against religious intolerance." But then elsewhere he says that if there is a God, and he is as Christians describe him, then that God should be "put down."
Why is New Line Cinema conspiring against Christians?They're not. Just last year they produced "The Nativity Story' and not so long ago, brought us The Lord of the Rings films. New Line is a film studio, a business trying to make money—not a conspiracy of blasphemers. And in the wake of their extraordinary success with Tolkien's stories, they went to the obvious follow-up—another fantasy saga that has become an international bestselling sensation.
Pullman's characters come to the firm belief that Yahweh is not the creator of the universe. In fact, he's just a big liar. And later in the series, when the Almighty shows up, he's a feeble, senile joke. And they kill him.
Essentially, don't behave in ways that the Magisterium in Pullman's books would behave. You'll just make his stories more persuasive, by confirming for the culture around us that Christians only really get excited when they're condemning something.
If we cast off all "authority" and set up "free will" as the ultimate source of guidance, where will that get us?
Has the world shown us that the human heart is a trustworthy "compass"?
Does free will lead us always to the right choice?
If the heroes accept the "truth" of the alethiometer (the compass itself), aren't they letting themselves be guided by just another source of truth—another "Authority"? But didn't the story tell us "Authority" is bad and we should only follow our own hearts?
If there are "many truths," then aren't these heroes being as self-righteous and wicked as the oppressors by demanding that their version of the truth is better than others?
What is so inspiring about the battle between the bears? Hasn't this story led us to a place where it's just "survival of the fittest" all over again? Should we really hope that the world falls into the hands of the strongest fighter, rather than into the hands of love?
© Jeffrey Overstreet 2007, subject to licensing agreement with Christianity Today International. All rights reserved.
Friday, November 30, 2007
12 Days of Christmas fun (25 to go until Christmas!)
Thrifty 12 days - Post By sara c ~ montana (Guest Post) (11/13/2004)
We do this idea every year and we are a family of 8 so money is tight but it brings cheer to those we sponsor at christmas. Here are some of our suggestions with prices
Day 1 ~ a partridge in a pear tree/ we gave 1 pear (@.25) & a dove ornament (Walmart .97)
Day 2 ~ 2 turtle doves/ we gave 2 dove candies (@2.00) and 2 turtle candies (@2.00)
Day 3 ~ 3 french hens/ we gave $ store hen beanie & we made a baret & a french flag (@3.00)
Day 4 ~ 4 calling birds/ we gave $ store calling card(1.00)day5~5 golden rings/ we gave a coupon for onion rings at burger king (1.00)
Day 6 ~ 6 geese a layin/ we gave 6 golden candy eggs or 6 easter eggs filled with treats ( @3.00)Day 7 ~ 7 swans a swimming/ we gave bubble bath and a rubber duckie with a note attached and explained "our swan was in his ugly ducking stage"(@2.00)
Day 8 ~ 8 maids a milking/ we gave 8 milk maid caramels (@.50)
Day 9 ~ 9 ladies waiting/ we gave a coupon from a maid service(@10.00 for an hour) (we have also had 9 friends of the receipient call and point out hints to hidden gift in their home or on their property all sworn to secret usually a christmas cookie basket)
Day 10 ~10 lords a leaping/ we had soup in a jar aka hoppin john soup(@2.00)
Day 11~ 11 pipers piping we did 1 cd of symphony music downloaded/ (@3.00)
Day 12~ 12 drummers drumming/ we did an ornanment of a drum
About a day later we sent a christmas card with a picture of all the special treats and our family ... this is the best gift of all because most people are so amazed by their secret 12 day of christmas fun they can't believe who did it ...
12 Days of Christmas Ideas Post by annecolorgreen (11/19/2004)
I got these ideas from various places. We do this every year and LOVE it! Here are a few ideas.
1st Day - a basket of pears with a partridge (or similar looking bird)
2nd Day - turtle candies
3rd Day - Cornish hens
4th Day - prepaid phone card
5th Day - donuts
6th Day - eggs and an omelet (or other egg) recipe
7th Day - we did swan soaps one year
8th Day - ice cream, any milk product, or something with "cow-print"
9th Day - ladyfinger cookies
10th Day - something with frogs
11th Day - maybe a CD, or some bubble pipes
12th Day - could also do a CD or I think we've done chicken - drumsticks - or aren't there ice cream treats called drumsticks?
and one more: Posted by Dawn (11/22/04
1. One box of chocolates.
2. Two bottles of bubble bath
3. Three dozen cookies
4. Four bags of snacks
5. Five types of fudge (homemade of course)
6. Six pack of her favorite soda pop
7. Activity pads for the kids
8. Eight little note pads
9. Nine pens, pencils, markers/highlighters
10. Ten bags of tea (relax and refresh type)
11. Eleven baking mixes (jiffy, or sililar)
12. Twelve Christmas ornaments
Remember the whole "Random Acts of Kindness" craze that was so popular for a while? Well, I think it would be great to have those random acts become a part of our every day lives. Here are a few ideas to start making that a reality.
So, go Bless someone!
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Two fortnights less one day (That means 27 days until Christmas!!!)
I need some help - I have these GREAT online stores and I just haven't been able to figure out how to get people to stop by and take a look at them. Would you do me a HUGE favor?!?! PLEASE?!?! Would you take a look at my stores and then tell 2 friends about them for me? I don't know how else to get the word out. I really do have some great gifts at good prices. Thanks, I really appreciate it!
http://spirit1s.fscstore.com/ and http://www.kollectiblesbykathy.com/
and for your cell phone needs, I have: http://www.tmicell.com/?aid=23990
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
28 Days to go!
Monday, November 26, 2007
Countdown until Christmas
Every year I hear people complaining about the commercialism that has become associated with the Season. I agree. However, that is NOT enough of a good reason to keep me from enjoying every day of this wonderful Season. Hope you enjoy it as much as I am!
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Happy Thanksgiving Day!
We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing; He chastens and hastens His will to make known; The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing, Sing praises to His name: He forgets not his own. Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine So from the beginning the fight we were winning; Thou, Lord, wast at our side, All glory be thine! We all do extol thee, thou leader triumphant, And pray that thou still our defender wilt be. Let thy congregation escape tribulation; Thy name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!
http://wilstar.com/holidays/wegather.htm
AMEN!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
What are YOU thankful for?!
Monday, November 19, 2007
FALL - gorgeous FALL!!!
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Take a BIG breath...
Deep breathing can help you relax by lowering your blood pressure, slowing your heart rate and respiration rates and easing muscle tension. Even as little as five minutes a day of deep breathing can calm and refresh you and leave you more alert.
The January issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource offers instructions to achieve relaxation by breathing.
* Sit in a comfortable chair, feet flat on the floor.
* Close your eyes, or visually focus on something in the room.
* Paying attention to your breathing, inhale slowly through your nose. Visualize your diaphragm moving down to create more space for your lungs to expand.
* Let your lower abdomen relax and expand as it fills with air.
* When your lungs and abdomen are full, slowly let air out through your mouth and allow your diaphragm to collapse.
* Repeat. If your mind wanders, return your attention to your breathing.
* When you are ready to end the session, don't jump out of your chair. Slowly start to regain a sense of your surroundings. When you're ready, allow your attention to return fully.
Practice breathing deeply to reduce anxiety, conserve energy, improve sleep, improve concentration and relieve muscle tension. The long-term goal is to reduce the effects of stress on your life.
Friday, November 16, 2007
My Child's Child
I have our grandson, Jonathan (15 months) over for the weekend to allow his parents some much-needed time alone together. I found this poem, and although, the miracle didn't just happen to us, we have 3 grandchildren now and two more due in 2008 and every day I thank God for this most precious gift!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
My Child's Child
by Sherrie Collins
I watch the years fly, where is my little boy?
The pictures that tell a story how you grew so fast.
Once a little boy with trucks and slides to fill your day.
A grown man now who changed his name.
A precious little flower, a kiss from heaven was born today.
She'll call him Daddy, looking in her eyes, his Reflection he will see.
Finally, he will understand the love I feel for him.
In an instant, his world will change forever.
His journey in life on a new path, one filled with Crayons finger-paint and giggles.
Finding pleasure in everyday things, the world Will look brand new.
I never thought I could love my little boy more
But on this day when he placed my grandchild in My arms I swear I do.
I realize what a gift we received.
My child's child amazed as I kiss her soft cheek.
I will reach for my son's hand, to offer encouragement and support.
Yesterday's memories tucked away in my heart.
Looking forward to what tomorrow will bring.
Amazed by the love I have for both of them.
A part of my soul he now passes to her.
The best father he wants to be.
A secret I whisper to him
A life filled with honesty and unconditional love
That my son is the key.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
For Christians - EVERY day should be Thanksgiving Day
Problems will come your way. God will see to it personally that you grow as a Christian. He will allow the storms, to send your roots deep into the soil of His Word. We pray more in the midst of problems, but it's been well said that you will see more from your knees, than you will on your tip toes.
A man once watched a butterfly struggling to get out of its cocoon. In an effort to help it, he took a razor blade, and carefully slit the edge of the cocoon. The butterfly escaped from its problem ... and immediately died. It is God's way to have the butterfly struggle. It is the struggle that causes its tiny heart to beat fast, and send the life's blood into its wings.
Trials have their purpose. They make us struggle — they bring us to our knees. They are the cocoon in which we often find ourselves. It is there that the life's blood of faith in God helps us spread our wings.
Faith and thanksgiving are close friends. If you have faith in God, you will be thankful because you know His loving hand is upon you, even though you are in a lion's den. That will give you a deep sense of joy, and joy is the barometer of the depth of faith you have in God. Let me give you an example.
Imagine if I said I would give you one million dollars if you ripped out the last page of today's newspaper, and mailed it to me. Of course, you don't believe that I would do that. But imagine if you did. Imagine if you had knowledge of more than 1,000 people who had sent in the page, and every one received their million dollars — no strings attached. More than that. You had actually called me, and I had assured you personally that I would keep my word. If you believed me, wouldn't you have joy? If you didn't believe me — no joy.
The amount of joy you have would be a barometer as to how much you believed my promise.
We have so much to be thankful for. God has given us "exceeding great and precious promises" that are "more to be desired than gold." Do yourself a big favor — believe those promises, thank God continually for them, and "let your joy be full."
An old farmer once had an ungodly relative visit him. After the farmer had bowed his head and thanked God for the food they were about to eat, the relative rudely said, "What did you do that for? There's no God. We live in an age of enlightenment." The old farmer smiled and said, "There is one on the farm who doesn't thank God before he eats." The relative sat up and said, "Who is this enlightened one?" To which the farmer quietly replied, "My pig."
Copied from: http://www.christiananswers.net/q-comfort/growing-thanksgiving.html
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Inspirational Thanksgiving Story "The Nails in Your Fence"
The first day the girl had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as she learned to control her anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. She discovered it was easier to hold her temper than to drive those nails into the fence.
Finally the day came when the girl didn't lose her temper at all. She told her mother about it and the mother suggested that the girl now pull out one nail for each day that she was able to hold her temper. The days passed and the young girl was finally able to tell her mother that all the nails were gone. The mother took her daughter by the hand and led her to the fence.
She said, "You have done well, my daughter, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one." You can put a knife in a person and draw it out. It won't matter how many times you say "I'm sorry", the wound is still there. A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Personalized CDs for those little ones in your life!
Monday, November 12, 2007
MASSAGE - a wonderfully, delightful word!
A soothing massage can help you unwind, but that's not all. Explore the health benefits and risks, then find out what to expect.
You might think of a massage as a luxury found in exotic spas and upscale health clubs. But did you know that massage, when combined with traditional medical treatments, can reduce stress and promote healing in people with certain health conditions?
During a massage, a therapist manipulates your body's soft tissues — your muscles, skin and tendons — using his or her fingertips, hands and fists. Several versions of massage exist, and they're performed in a variety of settings.
A massage may make you feel relaxed, but it isn't likely to cure everything that ails you. Learning about massage before you try one can help ensure that the experience is safe and enjoyable.
** Health benefits of massage
Massage can relieve tension in your muscles, and most people use it for relaxation, relief of stress and anxiety, or to reduce muscle soreness. Massage can also cause your body to release natural painkillers, and it boosts your immune system.
While more research is needed to confirm the benefits of massage, some studies have found it helpful for:
Anxiety: Massage reduced anxiety in depressed children and anorexic women. It also reduced anxiety and withdrawal symptoms in adults trying to quit smoking.
Pain: Pain was decreased in studies of people with fibromyalgia, migraines and recent surgeries. Back pain also might be relieved by massage.
Immune system: People with HIV who participated in massage studies showed an increased number of natural killer cells, which are thought to defend the body from viral and cancer cells.
Cancer treatment: People with cancer who received regularly-scheduled massage therapy during treatment reported less anxiety, pain and fatigue.
Self-esteem: Because massage involves direct contact with another person through touch, it can make you feel cared for. That special attention can improve self-image in people with physical disabilities and terminal illnesses. And using touch to convey caring can help children with severe physical disabilities."
Saturday, November 10, 2007
STOP THE WORLD I WANNA GET OFF!
Mini-vacations
The trend in today’s fast-paced world
By Katherine Van Liew
The word “vacation” can conjure up as many different mental pictures as there are people. More and more, however, the idea of a one- or two-week getaway that we might have taken as children with our families is increasingly hard to pull off in today’s fast-paced world.
With conflicting schedules between spouse’s jobs and deadlines, your daughter’s cheerleading camps and your son’s football practice, not even taking into account the planning and costs for a full-blown trip you just might not be able to accomplish it all that often.
Maybe you need to discover “mini-vacations.” Small, short, stolen moments or timeslots where you re-energize, relax and refresh yourself.
I discovered mini-vacations while my husband and I both worked full-time outside of the home, were incredibly involved at our church and had two very busy teenagers. My first mini-vacation came quite by accident. I was sitting out back at our home. No one else was there. I didn’t have to rush off to take someone somewhere or pick someone else up for a few minutes. I got up on our trampoline and just laid there. I took a big breath and just listened and watched. I saw a lizard hurry past on the fence, I looked at clouds and in them I imagined different shapes of animals and people, I listened to the chatter of a number of different birds going about their routine, and I smelled steaks being grilled by some neighbors. I’ll bet I didn’t spend more than 5 or 10 minutes and yet when I went back into the house, I felt revived. It was amazing!
Some other things that I like to do for these special times include:
1. Take a stroll in my neighborhood & note how many different varieties of flowers I can see
2. Sit outside in a comfortable chair and write a poem
3. Make a cup of tea (or coffee) and read the funnies from the newspaper
4. Write an encouraging note to a friend going through a hard time
5. Call your local radio station and request “your special song”
6. Read a chapter in a favorite book
7. Take a bath with scented candles lighting the room
8. Stop while driving to admire a pretty scene or some favorite animals (two of my favorites are: barns and watching some turtles who gather on a log in a nearby river)
9. Give yourself a facial
10. Simply practice some relaxation techniques