Cleaning

Around my area it is raining and as I was checking my e-mail I found a poem that was funny and right for a day such as this. This is so me. Just enjoy.

Cleaning Poem

I asked the Lord to tell me
Why my house is such a mess.
He asked if I'd been 'computering',
And I had to answer 'yes.'

He told me to get off my fanny
And tidy up the house.
And so I started cleaning up...
The smudges off my mouse.

I wiped and shined the topside.
That really did the trick...
I was just admiring my work...
I didn't mean to 'click.'

But click, I did, and oops I found
A real absorbing site
That I got SO way into...
I was into it all night. <>

Nothing's changed except my mouse
It's very, very shiny.
I guess my house will stay a mess...
While I sit here on my hiney.

Spring

When the computer works all is well, but when it does not what a mess. This Morning I had plans to post. Well, a message was waiting on the screen and it took all afternoon to remedy the problem. Yesterday was spring around here. The sun was shining and a warm breeze and Hubby and I attended a Southern Gospel concert and heard a young couple sing about The Lord and the Lord was all around the building. They will go far. I can't wait to hear them on the Christian Radio stations.

On the front page of our Church bulletin was a beautiful picture of spring wild flowers with a creek running through the area. What a picture of spring. I want to quote what is stated on the back page about spring and the Title is THE HOPE OF SPRING.
"The fist signs of spring are undoubtedly the most beautiful. Surrounded by dead remains of the past, we suddenly see signs of new life, and we rejoice. Likewise, we sometimes experience long, cold winters of the heart, times when we lose faith in the promise of spring. Then-sometimes quietly and sometimes dramatically-new life comes to our wintry spirits, and we know the joy of rebirth. If your heart feels frozen in the winter of grief or doubt or pain, find hope in the signs of spring around you. Soon you will be able to rejoice." "Lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of the singing of birds, is come (Song of Solomon 2:12)."

They Won

What a game. The Pacers won over the Nets 123 to 111. We had good seats and the people were fun to watch. I love Indianapolis because it is so easy to get around if you are lost. If all else fails you drive until you find an interstate highway to get on and start over again. It only took 1/2 hour to find Conceco Field House. We found a parking garage and it had a walk way so we did not have to wear our coats in. Last night was free t-shirt night so we have 2 Pacers shirts. I can say I did not get stopped by policemen as I was driving after the game. With all the laws I broke I could have been in jail. (ha, ha, ha) Some how I found my way to how we came into the city so I found our way out of the city.

Concerning the cell phone. It was a simple problem. Hubby had accidentally shut his phone off while talking on it. I asked about the camera and will have to go back. I did not listen close enough to instructions. Also I had her change my ring tone. I don't like it but can't find where to change it. New technology is good once I learn to us it.

A Friday This Or That

Glad to be back. Hubby had to take the computer to the Technology Doctor. I am so glad it was some thing minor, but I got a message to reactivate my Microsoft XP. I am praising the Lord for the very painless operation it took to reactivate so here I am. I am thankful to be back.

For Christmas our daughters and son-in-law gave Hubby and I tickets to see the Pacers play and tonight is the night. We get to see them play the Nicks. We were surprised and can't wait to see the game. Wil tell you about it tomorrow. I am thankful for children who can surprise parents with gifts that realy count.

New phones can be problems. One of ours will not take a charge. Will have to take it back to the person who sold it and get it taken care of. What did we do before cell phones? I am thankful for new techology toat makes my life easier.

Christian Sister

There have been issues happening in my life that I have not been able to share. I am working through waiting on the Lord for a job. Beyond a shadow I believe God has my best interest in mind, but I am only human. This poem was sent to me by a dear friend and as I was cleaning out my e-mail I ran across it and felt it speak to my heart. I pray this poem will help individuals to smile and continue to wait on the Lord. I am what the last line states; a sinner saved by the Lord's grace.

BEAUTIFUL CHRISTIAN SISTER

by Maya Angelou

'A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ
that a man should have to seek Him first to find her.'

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not shouting 'I'm clean livin''
I'm whispering 'I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven.'

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say.. 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow!

New Phone

New technology and a new cell phone for Hubby and I. I have been told this phone will be easier to use. That may happen after I learn how to use it. What is really new is a camera built in. When I learn how to e-mail pictures to myself and get them to my computer you may see pictures.

Monday of This and That

First I want to wish a Happy Anniversary to Karen and Her Hubby of Karen's Korner. Please visit Her blog for a pleasant visit.

This day the sun is shining and I plan to wash sweaters and hang them on the cloths line to dry. I pray Sunday was a blessed day for all and a day with family and friends. Hubby and I spent the day with my brother and his wife in Illinois, after worshiping in our home Church. What a day it was. My sister and her husband were there. My sister has been battling cancer and had received the news that she is cancer free. Praise the Lord of answered pray. Also, my brother's son and daughter were there with their spouses. The food was very delouses and we all ate to our hearts content.

I have read a few posts where the WII was talked about. Well, I now know what the WII is and played with it all afternoon with family. I found out that I bowl just like if I had a bowling ball in my hand. We also played golf, baseball, and tennis. Between the laughter I found out how competitive certain members of my family are. We all had a great afternoon and talked and talked and talked the day away.

Unknown Day

While listening to a Christian Radio Station this morning an announcer was talking about today being an unknown day for the followers of Jesus. They had observed Jesus death on a cross and burial in a borrowed tomb. Many of the followers had forgotten or misunderstood the words Jesus spoke stating He would rise from the grave in three days. So, yes the next day would be a day of unknown for Jesus family, friends, and followers. For us today we know from the Bible what will happen on the third day. We have the privilege by reading the passages by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John to know that the third day is a day of celebration as Jesus appears to family, friends, and followers. Whereas, we know and so for us today is not an unknown day. This day is a day of anticipation of the glorious day we call Easter. A day of saying Praise the Lord He is Risen. So with great joy, I wish all a Happy Easter and Praise the Lord He is Risen!!!

Good Friday

Lately I have been thinking how did they decide that the Friday before Easter was good. Jesus had died on a cross a very cruel death. His Mother, Mary, watched the events of her Son trial, conviction of death by the crowd, and His death on a cross and could not do a thing to save His life. How can the day be called Good Friday? We know what happens after that. We have been given accounts of the events from four different men. Each one a friend and follower of Jesus. That is how I know it became a Good Friday.

Thankful Thursday

Sunday is Resurrection Sunday. Praise the Lord. Before that day Jesus was tried and convicted falsely to be crucified on a cross. About 15 years ago I realized what Jesus went through before His death on the cross from a sermon I heard about what occurred at the beating. It took a long time to realize what pain Jesus went through for me and you. I read Mark 15:16-20 to get a small picture of the event.

Today I say Thank You Jesus for taking the cat of nine tails and having a crown of thorns put on your head for me a sinner.

Today I say Thank You for walking that road to Golgotha to die for my sins on the cross.

Today I say Thank You for dieing to save me.

Today I say Thank You for rising from the tomb 3 days later having defeated Satan.

Today I say Thank You for being with me through thick and thin.

Today I say I Love You Lord and I Praise You for what you have done for me.

Real Friends

FAKE FRIENDS: Never ask for food.
REAL FRIENDS: is the reason you have no food.

FAKE FRIENDS: Call your parents Mr. / Mrs.
REAL FRIENDS: Call your parents DAD/MOM


FAKE FRIENDS: never seen you cry
REAL FRIENDS: cry with you

FAKE FRIENDS: Borrow your stuff for a few days then give it back
REAL FRIENDS: keep your stuff so long they forget it's yours

FAKE FRIENDS: know a few things about you
REAL FRIENDS: Could write a book about you with direct quotes from
you

FAKE FRIENDS: Will leave you behind if that is what the crowd is
doing
REAL FRIENDS: Will kick the whole crowds butt that left you

FAKE FRIENDS: Would knock on your front door
REAL FRIENDS: Walk right in and say 'I'M HOME!'

FAKE FRIENDS: Are for awhile
REAL FRIENDS: Are for life

FAKE FRIENDS: will talk bad to the person who talks bad about you.
REAL FRIENDS: Will knock the person out that talked bad about you

Tuesday In Other Words

Good morning and praise the Lord. Today the quot for Tuesday In Other Words is meaningful to me since essentially I am a private person.

"No matter how many good friends I had, there were aspects of my life I needed to deal with alone - heart issues and attitudes that could not be wrestled with in a Bible study...They had to be confronted by the Holy Spirit in the privacy of my own soul."

One aspect and maybe the biggest battle fought in my life with the Lord and with my family. I was getting caught up in working out of the home and making a pay check and thinking of me and no one else. About six months into the job, the Holy Spirit began working in my life since I was really wondering who I was. Was I a mother? Was I a wife? Was I an individual who should be identified as just Joyce? Wrestling defiantly had to be fought in privacy since I did not want any one to know I did not know who I was. From the beginning of the battle I knew it was a heart issue. I was feeling lost in my walk with the Lord because I was feeling guilty for working out of the home. With the help of the Holy Spirit and a personal Bible study of my own I realized first I was a child of God, then I was a wife, and then a mother to two beautiful daughters. When that realisation occurred then I could be a true person who loved the Lord with my whole heart and I could love my husband, children, and myself and not feel guilty I some days I could switch those loves around and know it did not matter to the scheme of things as long as God was and is the center of my life. My life verse is Philippians 4:13 and in my words it says: I can do all things in the strength of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I can praise the Lord, because I am all these individuals and sometimes I am one over the others and I know beyond a shadow of doubt that it does not matter in the scheme of life.

Monday of This and That

Good morning all. What a weekend I had. Friday, I received a frantic call to Sub for a Freshman English class. All I had to do was give 3 vocabulary tests and two test on Romeo and Juliet. Then I flew home to get into another vehicle to leave for the camp my oldest darghter works in. Hubby and I took 2 girls up for camp and I helped in the kitchen. As always, I met some wonderful teenagers who are working for a life with Our Lord. The kids ate good, played hard, and listened to the Word of God.

Sunday, my youngest daughter and son-in-law came down for the day. Hubby and I with the two attended Church where the two of them were married. They surprised the minister who married them. Then Hubby and I took our girls, son-in-law, and the two kid out for a late lunch and had a great visit. Hubby and I surprised our youngest one and her husband with 2 tickets to see Mark Lowery at the Blue Gate Restaurant and Theater in Shipshewana, Indiana. These tickets are their birthday and aniversery gifts for the year. I loved the look of complete surprise when the two of them realized what the gift was. This will happen in September and I can not wait for that weekend to come. After saying good by to the two girls and son-in-law we started home and 4 tired individuals arrived back in Indiana and home around 7:15 PM.

Hello All

Friday morning I had plans to post, but got a call to Sub for Freshmen English. Instead of posting I made a dash for the shower, dressed, and flew out the door for the day. As soon as I arrived home Hubby was ready to travel to Youth Haven so I could spend the weekend helping my oldest daughter in the kitchen. We arrived home at 7:30 PM tonight. I just want to say HELLO and tomorrow I will post about the wonders of the weekend.

A Thursday to be Thankful For Our Children

There are no amount of words to be said how thankful all children are to me. Yesterday I had the previous to assist 3 beautiful women in teaching 7th & 8th grade children who have special needs. I saw beautiful children who by no choice of theirs have brains that are different than mine. I saw these children laugh, smile, learn, dribble and throw basketballs to each other, make baskets, not be afraid to have a big ball thrown to them, and the great joy when they caught the ball.

I have another child I am thankful for and pray for Him as I do my daughters. You have read about James before. He is now in a group home with people He is learning to trust. His education is improving with one on one help when He needs it. The following pray is from Interceding for our Children. This young man fights everyday to understand the anger He has and many other issues.
I pray that JAMES will develop a strong self-esteem that is rooted in the righteousness of Jesus and the realization that they are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus. And I say AMEN.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

What Is A Christian

I have worked to clean out my e-mail and I found this poem. As I was reading it I realized it is who I am. For years I have wanted to shout who I am, now I can. Flawed, unclean, weak, and a sinner is who I am.

Christians - By Maya Angelou

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'."
I'm whispering "I was lost,
Now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
And need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And need His strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
Who received God's good grace, somehow!

Tuesday

So today is Tuesday and Tuesday In Other Words. The quot for this day is:
""We leave something incomplete everyday, whether it's an area of housework, school, work, friendship, ministry ~ because we are finite.""
~ from The Hidden Art of Homemaking by Edith Schaeffer~

Is there anyone who completes everything on their list each and every day? I would love to meet them and get their thoughts on how they do it. I will confess I am not one of these individuals who has a list and if I did I would not finish it. According to The Merrim-Webster Dictionary finite is defined as: "having definite or definalbe limits: also: haaving a limited nature or existence"

God with His knowledge knew what I would do and not do each and every day of my life. So what if I leave housework friendship, work, and ministry incomplete, God knows and He forgives and forgets. We all know that tommorow is a new day and I will try my best and know that God is with me and that is what matters to me.

MEME Monday

Message In A Bottle


Here are the rules:
You are about to send a virtual Message In a Bottle across the Blog Ocean. Leave a message in the sand or on the bottle. Write anything you wish. Be a pirate or a poet. Serious or silly. Anonymous or not. What message would you like to send out to the universe? I received this from Chuck

Message In A Bottle Meme
1. Compose a message to place in your virtual bottle.
2. Right click and SAVE the blank graphic below.
3. Use a graphics program of your choice to place the message on the picture.
4. Post the Message In a Bottle meme and your creation on your blog along with these rules.
5. Tag a minimum of 5 bloggers - or your entire blogroll - to do the same. Notify them of the tag. Your virtual bottle will remain afloat in the blogosphere ocean for all blogernity (That's a Mimism for blog + eternity).
My first five bloggers who stop by my participate if they choose

I want the job of my dreams and will wait on the Lord for that answer

This MEME was passed on from Greatful Livin
1. List five kind things you do for yourself.
I sleep in when ever possible
I I will buy a steak and make it for my self if Hubby is out of town.
I read in a Christian novel every day
I will go for a good hair cut
I will a friend and take them out to lunch

2. List five kind things you do for your closest friend, partner or child.
I call my two daughters every week to encourage them in what they are doing
I am on call for my best friend when ever needed
I will make Hubby's favorite meal at least once a week
I will work on my Hubby's Love language every day.
I pray for my friend, Hubby, and daughters every day

3. List five kind things you have done for a stranger.
Gave a hug
Stoped to help change a tire
Said I would pray for them
I try to be a good listener

2. Tag five people.
I will tag the first five individuals who stop by and want to join in

Repentance

Early today I had my post planned and had most of it in my head. Then God spoke through a visiting Minister this morning on Romans 8:31-39.

"What shall we then say to theses things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation or distress, or persecution, or famine, o nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written. For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. for I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angles, nor principalities, nor power, nor things present, not things to come. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

The minister began his sermon with I want to tell you about the person who taught Him what repentance means. He began when He was 11 and learning how to us a gun in the 1940's and shot that gun between His fathers legs. All His father said was it was time to go to the house. Then He told about running over a small pig and His father said to bury the pig in the back 40. The stories continued with things He had done and the words His father said after each and every problem. Then He told us of the love of His father for Him. Unconditional love. As the father aged the two would have conversations about what the Minister had done and the father would say I don't remember anything about this or that, but only that the father was proud of Him. The father lived to be 90 years old and never remembered the bad things that his son had done.

Then the Minister said that is what God does for us, who are sinners. We are forgiven as the father forgave his son. God forgets and remembers no more. That is what Repentance is. Wow, I sin, God forgives and forgets. How can we then not forgive and forget. So hard for us. I pray you have a good week.

It's Saturday

What a fantastic Friday I had. I spent the day Subbing with High School kids in World History and Sociology. World History is a love of mine. The two classes I taught liked the fact of having a Substitute teacher. I provided a review before they took a pop quiz. As they were leaving the classroom I heard words like: You were amazing. Can you come a teaches again. I liked the way you taught us. The Sociology class was smaller and those students participated in the lesson. I was able to give examples for the word vocabulary they worked on. In this class they took a test on vocabulary and I hope they did well. A sad end to the day came when one of the students in the Sociology class was called out of the classroom and given some bad news. I knew I could not hug Her, but I did tell her I would be praying for her and she did not have to take the test. This upset the rest of the class, but no one went to her to give comfort. If I was 10 years younger I would go back to school and get a degree in Secondary Teaching. That is not possible so I will continue to be a Substitute Teacher.

I received this from a friend and I want to share it with my blog friends and anyone who visits.

What would you do if every time you wanted someone
they would never be there?

What would you do if for every moment you were truly
happy there would be 10 moments of sadness?

What would you do if your best friend died tomorrow
and you never got to tell them how you felt?

So, I just wanted to say, even if I never talk to you
again in my life, you are special to me and you have
made a difference in my life.

I look up to you, respect you, and truly cherish you.

Why Indiana

Good day to all. Life has been busy and this morning I had time to read some of my e-mails and came across a poem. A friend had sent it and with what has been happening with the weather lately I just has to pass it on. The author is unknown, but he or she must be from Indiana to relay in words what I feel right now. If you have not figured it out, I want Spring and I want it now.

INDIANA POEM
It's winter in Indiana
And the gentle breezes blow
Seventy miles an hour
At twenty-five below.

Oh, how I love Indiana
When the snow's up to your butt
You take a breath of winter
And your nose gets frozen shut.

Yes, the weather here is wonderful
So I guess I'll hang around
I could never leave Indiana
'Cause I'm frozen to the ground!

Can I See

"The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision."

~ Hellen Keller ~

I saw this quote on Monday and planned to post about it, but plans changed and though today is Wednesday I want to make a few comments concerning these words. With my whole heart today I know this quote by Hellen Keller is so true. About fifteen years ago I was seeing with blinders on. I was working and making a product I really believed in. My supervisor and I did not get along and since I loved my job I just looked beyond and did the best I could making and packaging the product. I was seeing but had no vision what God wanted me to do or how to handle the situation. God wanted me to witness to my supervisor, but my heart was blind to her and her reasons for being the person she was. Today I just realized I had a part in the problem, but I had always felt the wronged party. That is what I feel the quote says to me. My heart eyes have just been opened to the vision God had for the person who was my boss at the time. It has not been to often I have had to make apologizes to someone, but I am going to see this person 15 years later and say how sorry I am for a situation that could have been taken care of years ago. This is what I believe this quote means to me and my life. What these words mean to you may be completely different.

Now for the reason I did not post these words yesterday. Hubby and I were to attend a meeting yesterday and we decided to drive down on Monday night since the weather forecast said we could get rain, ice, and snow later Monday evening. The meeting was held at The Beef House in Covington, Indiana, which is about two hours from our town. WILL 580 a radio station on the University of Illinoi campus has a great Ag group that brodcasts through out the day. This meeting was an Outreach meeting to update farmers on the whens, hows, and whys of contracting their crop to receieve the best price at harvest time. The meeting was good, very educational, and the meals excelent. (If any of you travel on Interstate 74 through Indiana and want a good steak stop by. They have a grand menu to selecte from.) The trip down was snowy, but better that expected. Tuesday's drive home was a made with God as our co-piolt. I-74 was getting ice plets and rain and the speed was 50. The major part of the trip hom was on Highway 231. Speed at 35-40 with rain, ice, and blowing snow. To get to Lafayette took only 2 1/2 hours. ( which in good weather takes 45 min.) Because of the bad weather it took us 1 hour to go 7 miles because of traffic coming on and off Interstate 65, road construction on Indiana 43, and a stop light at the Indiana State Police Post. During the 3 1/2 hours Hubby had to stop and clean off the front window so He could see about every 10 miles. A trip which takes 50 minuties from the stop light to drive to our house, last night took 2 hours. Blowing snow on a snow covered highway was the reason for the length of time.

A Monday of Awards

A good Monday to all. As I was visiting friends last Monday a theme was emerging and that is to do all tags and put up awards on Monday of each week. I am going to continue with the theme so today I want to thank Karen of Karen's Kornor for three wonderful award. Thank you so much friend for these awards. I will honor them always.

A Thankful Sunday Seven

Seven some things that I am thankful for this first Sunday of March.

1. I am thankful for a large extended family. My Mother was the middle child of 13. As of today there are 2 left of the 13. I have over 100 cousins and most of them have an average of 4 children.
2. I am thankful for the sun that is shining today. The temperature here in my part of Indiana is 47. Feels like Spring.
3. I am thankful for a Christian Husband.
4. I am thankful for good health. In fact, right now is the best I have felt in 12 years.
5. I am thankful for 2 Christian daughters and a Christian son-in-law who are doing what they want to do with their lives.
6. I am thankful God loves me and forgives me when I make mistakes.
7. I am thankful I have met the most amazing women who make comments to what I have to say and I have the permission to add them to the list of individuals I visit on a regular basis.

This is Saturday

A good Saturday to you. Here the sun is shining and smiling and just laughing is in order. Please join me in a good laugh for the first day of March. Most mornings I feel like this and look like this, with a few more pounds on my body. I received this from a friend and each time I see it I can not help but laugh.