Lord Help Me Jesus May 1, 2013

Have you ever been through a crisis? I mean just a good ‘ol hard time, that you did not create? Maybe it was a hurt or sick family member or an accident that caused you some money (that you did not have). Perhaps you were dealing with an unruly child or an ex-spouse that was just so hard to deal with that you just thought you would NEVER make it out with any small part of your sanity (not that I know anything about that. Oh wait, yes I do.) Maybe you have lost a loved one, a job or maybe it was your own failed health you were dealing with. Whatever the occurrence was, it was just plain uninvited & unwanted. I know I have been through a lot of things, that I was like, “Really? This is really happening to me?” There have been a lot of times I just wanted to crawl up in a hole & not have anybody bother me, again. But, alas, there’s always been some sort of responsibility I’ve had to another breathing human, that I had to pick up & go on, anyway. Sometimes I can spend an ample amount of time saying, “Why me?” Followed by wringing of hands & feeling not worthy of the troubles that have been laid upon me. When this happens, I have to remember the writer James in the New Testament.

James 1:2  My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,

3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;

8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

What if when faced with problems, I responded with an open heart & mind by saying,

“What are you going to teach me now, Lord?”

Instead, I want to huff & puff & stomp & cry like a two year old in bad need of a nap. This may be part of my problem. You see, I think God humbles us in ways we don’t expect. I think he does it for our benefit. That’s why I have learned in my short time, on this earth, you can be stubborn to a fault. It does not pay to be so hard headed about everything. And if you are, like me, then God will do things to try to soften your heart, so that He can use you in His service. It would appear, just not being a hard head, would be the solution. However, some folks, like me, are just made up that way & it can take dynamite to make them realize,

“Hey, you ain’t got to be right about everything, Jack.” (That was my Duck Dynasty Si impression for the day.)

Always know, no matter how hard things are, this too shall pass. Things will get better. They will get worse. It’s just life but it’s all in how you handle it.
So, the next time you face a trial, remember, the Lord is trying to teach you something. He loves you so much He does not want you to remain as you are. Submit to His will, so that you may be useful for His service.
I am so glad you stopped by today for a visit. You have just made my day! I hope you have a wonderful rest of the week. As for me, I have to be going because I should be washing clothes.

Softball lessons April 15, 2013

It’s softball season again. With that comes the practices. The practices & games that you aren’t really sure what you are supposed to wear. It can be about 42 degrees, 75 degrees, windy or hot as a firecracker. You just never know what’s going to happen with spring in the South! I always do love getting to see how much the girls have grown, since the year before. There are always new girls that decide to try softball & see what it’s all about. Our girls are the 9-10 year olds. With that said, you know it is entertaining.
One of the best things I have seen so far was in a practice. The coach was getting the girls to practice hitting. Oh, did I mention this is the 1st year of kid pitch? The pitcher is an actual player. Not like years past, of coach pitch. There were several players that went up to bat. There were not many hits being made. Then, one little girl walked up to the plate. It was her first time to play softball. She gets in her batting stance, then stops & looks around at the coach. She said, “What do you want me to do when I hit it?” I was standing in the dugout. I laughed to myself. This little girl had some courage! She had already assumed the hit. It never occurred to her, that she wasn’t going to hit the ball.
This is the kind of faith the Lord wants us to have.
In Matthew 17:20 it says
And Jesus said unto them,
Because of your unbelief:
for verily I say unto you,
If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed,
ye shall say unto this mountain,
Remove hence to yonder place;
and it shall remove; and
nothing shall be impossible unto you.
We should always be willing to assume the Lord will handle our situations. However, I get impatient, don’t you? That’s when I worry, fret, walk around with a cloud over my head. Instead I should say, “What do I need to do, once I receive my blessing?” That’s the attitude this sweet first time softball player had. And you know what? She did need to know what to do when she hit the ball. Because she did.

I am so glad you stopped by for a spell.  It makes my heart happy when you come by for a visit.  I hope you are having a great week.  I have to be going for now, because I should be washing clothes.

Into the Word Wednesday-Friendship reminder April 3, 2013

Is it Wednesday already?  I am so glad to be Into the Word with Falen & Laura at Upward Not Inward.  Those gals have a great link up every Wednesday where we tell what the Word has been saying to us during the week.

This week I read a scripture that really hit home for me.  I have learned so much, the past few years, about friendship.  I have learned about what kinds of people I want to be friends with.  And what kind of friend I want to be.  This verse really spoke to me in a powerful way.  It confirmed everything I already knew:

Psalms 22:24-25

Make no friendship with an angry man.

And with a furious man, do not go.

Lest you learn his ways,

And set a snare for your soul.

You see, I have been so fortunate to be surrounded by good friends.  These are people who are happy, loving, & genuinely concerned for me.  And I likewise, love & care about them, too.  It’s so easy to get caught up in judgmental, dramatic, angry, people.  This verse reminds me, it is poison for the soul.  Thank you, Lord, for this sweet reminder.

How to approach a mountain lion April 1, 2013

Sometimes you may come across individuals in life that are angry.  I don’t mean, someone you have said or done something to & anger was their reaction.  I am talking about someone who has an angry spirit. This person wakes up mad & goes to bed mad.  And all through the day, they continue to be mad. 

Smiling at them & asking them how they are, – that makes them mad. 

Minding your own business, that makes them mad. 

Acting like you care, that makes them mad. 

Not acting like you care, that makes them mad. 

The sight of you & you breathing in & out, that makes them mad. 

See my pattern here.  This post is about what to do if you encounter a mountain lion (an angry person).  By the end of this, you will know how to effectively handle a mountain lion.   I have done some research on mountain lions.  Arizona Game & Fish Department had this to say:

What to do if you encounter a mountain lion-

Do not hike, jog or ride your bicycle alone in mountain lion country: Go in groups, with adults supervising children. – Keep children close to you: Observations of captured wild mountain lions reveal that the animals seem especially drawn to children. Keep children in your sight at all times. -

Do not approach a mountain lion: Most mountain lions will try to avoid a confrontation. Give them a way to escape. –

Do not run from a mountain lion: Running may stimulate a mountain lion’s instinct to chase. Instead, stand and face the animal. Make eye contact. If there are small children there, pick them up if possible so they don’t panic and run. Although it may be awkward, pick them up without bending over or turning away from the mountain lion. –

Do not crouch or bend over: A person squatting or bending over looks a lot like a four-legged prey animal. When in mountain lion country, avoid squatting, crouching or bending over, even when picking up children. –

Appear larger: Raise your arms. Open your jacket if you are wearing one. Again, pick up small children. Throw stones, branches, or whatever you can reach without crouching or turning your back. Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly in a loud voice. The idea is to convince the mountain lion that you are not prey and that you may be a danger to it. –

Fight back if attacked: Many potential victims have fought back successfully with rocks, sticks, caps, jackets, garden tools and their bare hands. Since a mountain lion usually tries to bite the head or neck, try to remain standing and face the attacking animal.

One suggestion, about encountering a mountain lion, was to go in groups with adults, supervising small children.  If you have to be around an angry person, have other people around & keep small children close to you.  Like mountain lions, angry people, a lot of times, may not be encouraged if there are several people around. They may just go on their way.  Mountain lions don’t really like confrontation.  They do run away if given the chance. If you encounter an angry person, do your best to be with other people & keep your kids away from them, too.

What if you have done everything in your power to stay away from an angry person, but somehow you end up face to face with them?  Like encountering a mountain lion, make eye contact, smile, & slowly walk away.  Do not rush by or run.  This might agitate the angry person even more.  And ain’t nobody got time for a bunch of foolishness. 

Notice one of the tips are- Do NOT approach a mountain lion.  If you know a person is angry, don’t go around them.  There is no reason, I can think of, for you to put yourself through what they have going on. So, to the best of your ability- JUST STAY AWAY FROM THEM!

I used to wonder why Jesus talked about in the sermon on the mount, Matthew 5:3-7:27 being meek, being a peacemaker, etc.,.  Why would you want to be meek & a peacemaker with someone being so rude & mean?  That’s hard. However, as I have gotten older, I understand, it’s a good diffuser to anger.  Also, if we are in conflict with someone else, arguing, fussing, fighting, then we are taking away from our service to the Lord.  Our main goal is to serve God .  If we are wasting our time & energy being at odds with an angry person, we are robbing God of our time to serve Him.  And that, my friend, is sin.

I think Zig Ziglar said it best about hard to get along with people. 

“Life is too short to spend your precious time trying to convince a person who wants to live in gloom and doom otherwise. Give lifting that person your best shot, but don’t hang around long enough for his or her bad attitude to pull you down. Instead, surround yourself with optimistic people.”

My first knee jerk reaction, to people, is to be nice.  But once you have been nice, move on.  Let them wallow in whatever it is they have going on.  Don’t hang around & get marred down in it yourself.

And of course I love Dolly Parton’s quote,

“Get down off the cross, honey, because somebody needs the wood.” 

 Which to me means get over whatever it is, quit with the self pity.  The world doesn’t revolve around you.  Take care of your problems & stop looking for someone to feel sorry for you.  You are wasting your time when you are wallowing in self pity.  Take responsibilities for your angry behavior & get better.  And if you can’t get better, go get help.  Don’t make everyone else’s world full of misery, just because yours is.

It is mentally exhausting being around someone that is angry, all the time, about everything.  Everyone has problems.  Everyone has things they wish they did not have to face.  However, being thankful is a good place to start changing your life.  There is always, always, always, something to thank God for.  Humble yourself.  Count your blessings.  Make right what you can.  Then, move on.

I have heard mountain lions are solitary creatures, ready to pounce. Don’t be a mountain lion.  If you have wronged someone, make it right.  If everything & everyone is wrong, it might be time to start considering a change of heart.  Once you make a change in your attitude, things will begin to get better all around you.  God doesn’t want us to be angry & bitter.  However, it doesn’t take long for the devil to take a hold of our thoughts & motives. Before long, everyone is against us.  Or so Satan wants us to think. You can justify your reasons of being angry six ways to Sunday.  It still is sinful. 

James 1:19-20 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. v. 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

It still takes a mental & physical toll on you, as a person to stay so upset all the time.  If for nothing else, give up the anger for your well being.  

“A good way to have the last word, is to apologize.” .

I have enjoyed you coming by today.  I love having you stop in.  I thank God for you & that you gave me a little piece of your time today.  I know I was on my soap box a bit.  But that’s why I have this blog.  To have an outlet to just get stuff out there.  I hope you don’t mind.  I do think it very necessary to pray for angry people.  They need prayer the most.   I wish you a wonderful week.  As for me, I have to go now, because I should be washing clothes.

Being offended March 26, 2013

Have you ever been offended?  I know I have.  Sometimes it might be how I felt that day, that made it so easy, to have gotten under my skin.  It might be that someone makes light of something, I think is important.  Or it just might be the wrong time for a comment to be made.  Sometimes things hurt my feelings!  But you know what?  I am the only one that can control my being offended.  People are people.  They are going to say stuff that they don’t think about, before they say it.  They are going to let their lips run rampant.  They are not going to consider how you feel or what their shallow words do to you.  So, how do you rid yourself of being offended?  Well, Lord knows most of the time, you may not be able to do anything about the people around you.  Then, what’s left?  You simply must determine in your heart, that you will not let those unkind, untrue things said out of ignorance, bother you.  Yes, it will take practice, but it’s not unachieveable.

I read a remarkable post this week, by Christy Jordan @ the Southern Plate blog.  It was so good, that I wanted to share it with you all.  Since I am the president & CEO of I should be washing clothes.wordpress.com, I am making the executive decision to to hereby declare her post part of my post.  I love being boss.  So, for those of you, who may have already seen this on Christy’s blog, I am so sorry, ya’ll.  It’s just too wonderful not to pass on.  Just click here.

I needed so badly to hear what Christy had to say on this subject.  Thank you for stopping by to visit with me today.  I have enjoyed having you here.  I have to be going now, because I should be washing clothes.

Into the Word Wednesday-My aha! moment March 20, 2013

Few things take me by surprise, anymore.  However, this week, as I was into the Word, I had an “Aha!” moment.  I had been studying in the Old Testament about Moses, Aaron, & the Levites.  During my study, I was curious to what Moses & the children of Israel were learning.  They had plague, after plague, then fussing & griping & in the end poor Moses still did not even get to see the promised land.  I got to thinking why in the world would God treat his children like this?  Shouldn’t they live a life with no worries or heartaches?  No pain & sorrow.  No problems to be burdened with?  After all, they were God’s chosen people.  God chose those people.  Then all of a sudden it hit me:

Moses killed a man.

Noah got drunk after he left the ark.

David commited adultery.

Paul persecuted Christians.

Peter denied he even knew who Jesus Christ was.

I have been divorced, my Mama died at an early age (after years of needless suffering), my relationships have been strained with some of my family, I have been through my share of trials.  But God is still good.  Even though He lets tragedies happen to the best of us.  He could be doing this to mold us into the people He needs us to be so that He can use us.  Otherwise, we may get so full of life & pride that He can’t use us for His will.

I read in Hebrews 12 starting with verse 6

For whom the Lord loves, He chastens….(0r corrects)- so then the Lord must love me, more that your average bear ALOT.

verse 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful:nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

How many times do we say, “Thank you Lord for all these problems, because I know this is going to help me be more like you want me to be?”  Uh, yeah, not me.  But that’s what He says is going on (Heb 12:11) My deal is I need to submit more to His will in the 1st place, then, maybe I won’t have to endure such correction from the Lord (in the form of troubles).  My “Aha!” moment made me realize I need to thank God for thinking enough of me, to not let me remain as I am.  That I am worth His time, effort, & energy to be disciplined by trials to make me into what He wants me to be.  For that I am truly humbled.

I will be linking up with Falen & Laura at Upward Not Inward’s Into the Word Wednesday.  Come on over & see what’s going on.  We always have a good time sharing what the Word of God is saying to us.  Thanks for stopping by to visit!  I have to be going now, because I should be washing clothes.

All access pass March 19, 2013

Sometimes I am in awe of God. I mean, I have been so fortunate to have been brought up in church & in His service all my life. I think, as a human, one gets to going through the motions, & we take for granted or just plain forget all that God is & does. Mostly, how much He loves us. When I think of how much he loves me, little ol’ me, that just takes up about 5’6” of this ol’ world, I get teary eyed. It just tugs at my heart that I am significant to this Spirit, so indescribably powerful & in control of everything. In the same sense, I know to have an all access pass; I have to do my part as well.
In Chronicles 28:5-10 King David was advising his son Solomon about what he could have if he followed God. Here is how King David set all of this up:
5 And of all my sons (for the LORD has given me many sons) He has chosen my son Solomon to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel. 6 Now He said to me, ‘It is your son Solomon who shall build My house and My courts; for I have chosen him to be My son, and I will be his Father. 7 Moreover I will establish his kingdom forever, if he is steadfast to observe My commandments and My judgments, as it is this day.’ 8 Now therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God, be careful to seek out all the commandments of the LORD your God, that you may possess this good land, and leave it as an inheritance for your children after you forever.
Here is the “rest of the story” as Paul Harvey used to say. For Solomon to receive the blessing he had a few stipulations to meet.
9 “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever. 10 Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong, and do it.”
Doesn’t this sound like God’s grace for us? We have all these blessings, if we are willing to follow God’s plan, whether we deserve it or not. And like my Daddy always tells me, “You better hope you don’t ever get everything you deserve!” God is not playing hard to know. For those who seek Him & do his will, He is all in. However, just like Solomon, we have a responsibility to God. After that, if we are faithful, we have an all access pass to God’s love & blessings. But watch out, because God knows our hearts & the intents of our thoughts. We have to learn to love without regard. All the hate, deceit, & grudges our heart can hold, ain’t nobody got time for that! Especially God. So, just go ahead & get rid of ‘em!
What a wonderful life to live! All we have to do is submit to Christ. That’s all. I just pray that I will always be in awe of what a BIG God we serve, so that I can have my all access pass. I am so glad you stopped by today & visited with me for a bit. I hope you have a great week. As for me, I have to be going, because I should be washing clothes….