Life Can Change in an Instant

Hello Everyone, today I realized I hadn't shared this information with you all here on this blog. I blog regularly at my Home Decor/Lifestyle blog, Common Ground and have kept friends up on what I've been dealing with health wise. So this post is from just a little over a year ago, in June. God is the center of my life and I totally trust Him with the path I've been on with heart problems and autoimmune illness. I'm much better a year later, but it's been a really hard year. God moved us to a new home and it involved this last year renovating a home built in 1964; not something I would have undertaken in my own power or strength. What a year we've had, things are finally settling down a bit.

Post from June 22, 2018

"Sometimes life can change within a matter of minutes... that's what happened to me last Friday at 5:00 in the afternoon. I had just published a post here on the blog about the heart procedure that I had had earlier in the week. Things had gone pretty well and I was home and feeling better. I had a few minutes to reply to a few of you that had left a comment.  If you haven't read that post from Friday afternoon, you can find it here.

God is my Healer...but I'm still feeling bad

Hi Everyone...I know it's been a long time since I've posted, and even longer since I've posted regularly. I've had some serious health issues this last few years and I've just not been able to feel like I could do this blog justice. I have another blog, which I started first; sort of a decor/lifestyle blog. It's listed on the sidebar here. Common Ground. If you'd like to catch up with my life then come on over. I've just posted about some of what's been happening with me healthwise. God has been leading me to some important life and health changing insights.

There will be more posts coming, but for now you can at least get an update, and understand why this blog has been silent. I've missed posting here, but I think you may understand that there are times when you just have to listen to God...  www.commonground-do.com 

Should we...just because we can?

It's obvious to most of you who are reading this post that I haven't published here at this blog in over a year. The last two years have been difficult to say the least. I had severe heart issues and then we made two moves. I didn't feel that God was asking me to write here, this last year. It has set on my sidebar, and I know many have visited and asked me when I would start posting again... I wasn't sure if I would. I didn't feel the call to do that until this last week.

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Knowing the Father

I want to share some thoughts with you about something that's been on my heart lately and that is not only our relationship with Jesus, our Savior, but with The Father. Let's face it, "knowing" God can be a little intimidating and confusing. Let's look at this scripture below and hear what Jesus has to say about it.

Version: NAS

John 14:6-15

6. Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me. 7. "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him." 8. Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." 9. Jesus said to him, "Have I been so long with you, and [yet] you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how do you say, 'Show us the Father '? 10. "Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. 11. "Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me; otherwise believe on account of the works themselves. 12. "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go to the Father. 13. "And whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14. "If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do [it]. 15. "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

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Be Available...

In the middle of the night I heard a name being said. It wasn't my name, but someone else's. It was somewhat of a startling feeling, but I knew I hadn't heard it with my "physical" ears, but with my "spiritual" ones. I lay there thinking about it for a moment when I heard it again. Someone's name that I didn't know well, but as soon as I heard it, I knew exactly who this person was. Their identity was clear, but I didn't know what God was trying to say about them. That fact didn't matter, it was just the Holy Spirit's way of letting me know I needed to pray for them.

Is there anybody out there...?

Have you ever asked that question? 

Sitting by the bedside of a sick child...lying in bed awake, when sleep won't come...when you've done everything you can trying to work on a marriage...when you're down to the last dollar and you don't know how to pay the bills...when you're lonely and frustrated and feel like things will never change... Have you ever looked up into the night sky and asked, "God are you there, and if you are... do you hear me?"

I think we've all been there at one time or another. Even those of us that "know" God. Those of us that walked down the aisle of the sanctuary and made that "public profession of faith". I'm Protestant, so that's how we do it. If you grow up in the Church, then usually it's when you're young; grade school, or junior high. Oh there are a few holdouts...sometimes high school, but most of us make some kind of public decision when we're young. But then comes marriage and a family and then all the life problems and situations that come with adulthood. You've been away from "church" for awhile...being a grown up...on your own...things to do...places to go...people to meet. Life.

And then one day you find you cannot do it alone. You can't see where it's all going and you've hit rock bottom. you're alone, by yourself, and there's no one...not one person you can count on to fix the mess that you're in. 

Ben Canales via Google Images

Are you that person?

I had a strange request from the Lord today. He said to me, "Go write a post". 

Lot's of things have happened since the last post I wrote. My husband has had inner ear surgery for the Meniere's Disease, and is doing well. He's had a long hard road to walk with this, but we knew surgery would be necessary. He's improving every day. I haven't posted much because the truth of the matter is that I've been "waiting". I just needed to be quiet and let God lead in this health situation with my husband. It's been consuming to say the least. I felt that each post would be geared around this health problem and I didn't want to be a broken record. We've had faith for healing, and God has been doing that. Thank you, Lord!

But today I heard the Lord speak to me several times about writing a post, and all I knew was that someone was asking that question...

"Is there anybody out there?" 

And the answer...?

Yes, He's there and He hears you.
He hears you and loves you and wants you to know you're not alone.

Matthew 6:8 "...your Father knows what you need before you ask Him."

Jeremiah 33:3  "Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know..."

and if you need someone, I'm here too.

in Jesus' Name,

The Power of One Word...Grace

I want to share a quote with you from a book I am currently reading. But before I do, I want to make an admission. OK, maybe we can just call it a "confession". And that would be that since I started blogging my reading has been almost non existent.  I used to devour books: I'm talking Christian books. I'd spend hours in them, then looking up scripture and taking notes.

I love to study the scriptures, and to "dig" in the rich and fertile soil of God's Word. Now I wouldn't just read anything, I'd pray first for God's direction in leading me to what He wanted me to read and study. Sometimes it would be a new release by a popular Christian author, then sometimes it would be a book by an author that has been in Glory for years. Prayer for direction is the key. I don't want to waste my time on reading something that isn't "Truth". Just because it's by a Christian author doesn't mean its scriptural. Does that sound harsh? Let me explain. There have been several blockbuster books written by Christian pastors and authors that the Holy Spirit would not give me permission to read. Books that sounded good on the outside, but deep down were not God's heart; they missed the mark. Literally hundreds of thousands of books sold to hungry Christians that in reality were only one man's opinion, and that opinion was limiting of who God really is. And if there's something that I've learned in the last 15 years, it is that we cannot limit God. Not in His powerful love for us or His ability to work on our behalf. When at a later time I read those books, I felt like a black cloud was hanging over me. God was minimized, and "standardized".

So that brings me to the quote from the book I'm reading. Relentless by John Bevere.

"Grace is God's empowering presence that gives us the ability 

to do what we otherwise couldn't do in our own ability."

Such a simple statement, but one that can completely change our way of thinking about living our life.

Most of us think of Grace as God's free gift of salvation. Salvation that He gives us that is not earned or merited, but that is given to every believer in Jesus Christ. That understanding will get you into heaven, but what if the word "Grace" is more than just that one "gift". What if it is a deep well of knowledge and understanding; a place that has limitless possibilities for us in our Christian walk. Who wouldn't want to go to that well each day and dip out the "Grace" needed for what is ahead. The Bible says that Jesus is our "Living Water". He is the embodiment of God the Father's grace to us.

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So today I just want to leave you with this. First of all "PRAY" for God's direction daily. Ask for what He wants to share with you, and be open to act upon those daily revelations. And then just as important, to seek Him in His "fullness", without limiting who He is and what He can accomplish. If we know Jesus Christ as our Savior, there is unlimited favor for us. There is Living Water to refresh us each day. Then, be open, be brave, be expectant.

Acts 4:33 And with great power the apostles were giving witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.

to be continued...

Don't Give Up

I'm not sure how to get started with this post other than to just jump in. The last time I posted it was July. Six months ago. I knew when I posted last time that that would be "it" for awhile. My husband was ill, and he's been my focus for this last year. I didn't want to be a broken record about how bad he was feeling, or how life was changing, so God sort of gave me a break. But I've known that once the New Year rolled around I would need to find my way back to this blog.

He has been ill for over a year with vertigo attacks that became more and more frequent until they were an everyday occurrence. I'm not going to go back through all that, if you'd like to catch up please read the post before this. We did everything we could do to combat this illness by changing our diets. Limiting salt and processed food helped tremendously, but after a while even that wasn't enough. We finally found a specialist, that is located out of town to get the help that he needed. He was diagnosed with Meniere's Disease back in October and since then has been on different treatments that are helping, and he is feeling much better; not 100%, but enough better that he has been able to feel more confident about the future; which is a big deal in our lives. Being sick and feeling like things will never improve is just about the bottom of the barrel so to speak.

Back in July I talked about not giving up. Specifically, not giving up on God. Trusting Him for His timing, wisdom, contacts, favor...the list is a mile long. Basically, don't give up on believing that God has the answers to all our needs. Key word...ALL..our needs. My husband felt so beaten down with this illness that he entertained thoughts that were defeating. Thoughts like he would always be sick, that he wouldn't be able to continue working, that he was old and washed up...feel free to insert any other pitiful thoughts that we come up with when we are struggling through some sort of lengthy situation. I would listen to all this for awhile, because I realize that some days you just need to vent; to get all of it out to whomever it is that will listen. It makes us feel better when we can just unload some of our frustration. So I would listen. I love him, so I listened. But finally I realized that this wasn't getting him anywhere fast and he had to get past all of the negativity, otherwise we were both heading for a downhill slide.

I've said so many times before how important it is to be in God's Word each day. Even if you don't feel like reading...even if you're so sick and depressed that you don't feel like picking it up or looking at it. Distancing ourselves from Our Heavenly Father is the worst thing we can do in times of trouble and upset. Even if we feel like God isn't around, I can guarantee that He is. I'd noticed that my husband wasn't reading his Bible anymore. I hadn't seen it out of his bedside drawer in weeks, maybe months. I waited and I prayed that God would speak to his heart and encourage him. Finally, I had an opportunity to ask him about it; not preachy or judgmental or condescending, I just encouraged him to get it out, open it up, and let God speak to his heart.

I've been through this so I know what I'm saying. Ignoring God because we aren't seeing things go our way is so easy. We feel hurt and alone and like He doesn't care. Why should we beat our head against the wall if God won't help us. Been there?

I believe there are answers in God's Word; inspired scripture that God shares with us. Words that He downloads into our hearts and spirit. Words that wake us up, encourage us, and give us direction. They inspire faith to manifest, that in turn gives us confidence in Him.

Are you going through something that has you worn out? Do you feel defeated and like things will never change? God has the Word for you. Come before Him with an open heart, open up your Bible, grab a pen and paper, then pray for wisdom and guidance. I guarantee that He will show up.
 
I promise that it won't be another 6 months before I'm back...promise.

love in Jesus,

Where's the Easy Button?

Today, I guess I'm just continuing some thoughts from my last post...

Wondering why is it that life sometimes seems so hard? I was thinking today about what my husband and I have been going through with his health, and why things seem to be such a blasted "process". Why can't things be easy? Then in my spirit I saw that "Easy Button" that was a commercial for Staples a while back.

[ You need new ink cartridges?...push the button. You need to get organized?...just push the button. How about starting a small business?...you got it...push the easy button, and everything you need magically appears]

Except this is real life, and although God does anoint certain tasks and plans, generally speaking, He's not in the habit of handing out "Easy Buttons". Believe me, there have been situations and projects that I've worried and stewed over, then finally turning it over to God, only to have Him effortlessly pull it all together without a hitch. Easy. Yes, He made it work, I trusted Him and He did it without breaking a sweat. But it seems that there are other times, times when it's me that He's working on, that it would be so much better...if it was just easy!

Out here in blog land you get to know so many people...people that you would never know if it weren't for the good ol' Internet. Funny how I can "meet" and get to know the daily ins and outs of so many wonderful women...young and old. Women with young families and struggles, who make me think back on how what I've walked through and how I've handled things. Then knowing that I could have done so much better, been a better wife and mother, friend, daughter, sister...

But I guess that's part of what we call "life". It's a learning process. Wouldn't it be great if we would have known instinctively when we were younger how to react; behave; what to say...what not to say...how to have patience. How would life have been different if we would come "pre-packaged" with perfect skills, attitudes, emotions, and belief systems? Thankfully, God doesn't leave us on our own to figure it all out. He's with us if we just ask Him to be. He can take impossible situations and make them work. He can take our sorrows and turn them back to joy, our heartaches and mend them.

As I said last time, it's been a long process with my husband's health situation. We haven't had much help from doctors or professionals. When it comes down to it, we have to put our trust in God for our health. Yes, He uses doctors and medications, but we can't put them above our faith in God's ability to heal us. Nothing my husband heard from the doctors has helped, so as I said last post, we started praying for wisdom about what to do to get a handle on this inner ear problem. It turns out that there are several "diseases or conditions" that are similar and even though he didn't have a diagnosis we decided to implement the dietary changes that are suggested for Meniere's Disease, which is a deterioration and fluid build up in the inner ear. Finding out about food allergies and then doing the diet for this which includes not only low sodium diet, but no alcohol, no caffeine, no chocolate, and a few other "no-nos". Anyway, after 3 weeks he's been without an "attack" of vertigo and is starting to now feel so much better. God has the answers to our needs and problems. It may take a little while, but He will share those answers with us.

 My point is this, do everything you can do in the natural, but then pray for God's supernatural wisdom and guidance. And then here's the biggy that I've learned...realize that He DOES have a plan to free you of what you are going through. It may not be easy , but if you keep trusting Him, He will walk you through it. Be willing to do the things He might ask you to do, even if they seem hard. I can guarantee you that He'll ask some tough things from you along the way, but honestly, in the long run it will be for our good. Just like physical growth, from babyhood to adulthood it's a process, not easy, but His plan.


Becoming closer to God, learning more about Him; walking in the Holy Spirit, and listening for His voice in our busy lives. Thank you, Lord. You're with us on the journey.

love in Jesus,

Reading Paul...

Hello all, I'm surprised and a little ashamed to say it's been almost two months since I've posted here. Life has been busy with some "good" and "not so good". First the good, and that is that last month I had a wonderful time with two wonderful gals that are blogging friends. God totally put together an opportunity to meet a dear friend that I've been talking to on the phone with for almost 3 years (since we started blogging), and another that I had met previously only briefly, but have now had a chance to get to know and love. We spent some amazing quality time together and I hope and believe we have cemented friendships that will last.

Also, I'm still on the lifestyle change "path" that I started back in March. My husband and I have had to totally rethink our eating habits and food preparation. He has for the last few years, suffered with occasional bouts of "Benign Positional Vertigo" which is an inner ear problem that causes vertigo, but has since the first of the year increased dramatically and has sort of taken over his daily life. Doctor visits, tests, etc. have labeled it, but treatment is elusive and not particularly effective. We've prayed for wisdom and guidance, and feel like God is narrowing down the triggers for these "spells" that leave him feeling sick and weak and disoriented. He's never been "sick" so this has been a real trial for him, (and me). Food allergies which have been detected such as Soy and all soy products have been eliminated (you may not know it, but soy is in almost all packaged foods, such as boxed crackers, protein bars, cake mixes, cookies, breads etc. literally everywhere!) and now we are going to a low low sodium diet, because we think salt may be a trigger. I've had to start cooking with just the basic foods, fresh produce, and lean cuts of meat. I can't complain on these food changes, since it will also benefit me with my cardiovascular issues and overall health. We're believing that God's wisdom in this will prove to be the deciding factor on how my husband feels, and we know that God has a good plan for our life and health, so we're going to stick with it.

Also, I am down 18 lbs. since March, not an enormous amount, but since I'm not trying to break records here; just lifestyle change, I feel good about it, and continue to feel better physically AND mentally. (Eating low carb, low fat) One of the best things is that I'm down 2 to 3 dress sizes and don't feel self conscious about my appearance. (I'm a small boned 5 foot nothing, so really 18 pounds on me is alot.) So if you think you can't lose weight like I did, ask God for His plan for you, and His anointing to do it, and things will start to change.

My husband and I have both questioned God about why we've had to go through these health issues that have caused us so much grief and upset. Things that can suck the joy out of daily life. I know that many of you have health concerns and issues, and other situations in our families, work, etc. that seem to press us down and make life harder than we think it should be.

I've been reading Paul's books of the New Testament, and I'm now in 2 Corinthians. I can't help but believe that by getting to know him, we can all gain a fresh perspective on our own trials and life in general. God doesn't promise us that our lives will be easy, but we can know that He is always with us, leading and guiding us. And yes, He allows us to walk through these tough times. What we learn from them is up to us. Do we give up and wallow in self pity or turn into an unhappy, unproductive person? I hope not. Sometimes I have to make a daily verbal statement that I know that God is here, and that He has a good plan. That I believe that things WILL get better, and that I'm not going to allow circumstances to dictate my Joy in life. I guess that's called Trust and Faith. Believing God is at work in our lives and He is Faithful.

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2 Corinthians 4:7-10

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body."


Whatever you may be going through, just know that you're not alone, God is there with you, and He sees the outcome. AND He will guide you through the hard times, to bring you to the other side.

much love in Jesus,

Empowered for Living

Well, it's been about 3 weeks since my last post, and it's time for an update.

I don't want this to be about "dieting" or "weight loss" or any of those things, because in my heart I know that each of us can use this as a "fill in the blank" sort of post. It works for "not raising your voice to the kids", "not nagging your husband", and "not spending as much money" just as well as it does "take control of your health". Hmmmm....I guess it's safe to say that all of those aforementioned subjects are things that God has asked me to deal with.

I can happily and gratefully say that what I'm doing is not a "diet" but a lifestyle change and overhaul. And since what I'm dealing with right now is in the "food and what you eat" category, let's just call it what it is, but you feel free to insert your own particular "subject matter". If it was a "diet" I think that I may have fallen by the wayside by now, but it's not. It's a bonafide slapped upside the head sort of "epiphany".

I'm a believer that God's timing can be the make it or break it part of the story. He has His own timing, that I for one, always have trouble with. Call me stubborn, thick headed...whatever...I usually cannot see that His timing is "perfect" until it's in my rear view mirror. Good grief, I've been struggling with my weight for the last 10 years; ever since those pesky heart attacks. Up and down, happy and encouraged; then defeated by medication and a box of Russell Stover chocolates. I'm sure God became a little annoyed at my daily prayer of "please help me lose this weight".

It's often said that "God helps those that help themselves" is a quote from the Bible, but actually it's not. Benjamin Franklin penned that phrase in Poor Richard's Almanac in 1757. Even though it's not a scripture verse, it does have some truth to it. Not in the sense of our salvation, but in our everyday life. God does expect us to work with Him in most areas. I would have liked to wake up some morning after praying my socks off and find that I'd miraculously shed 25 pounds, but in reality I didn't really think that would happen. Guess what...it didn't. God expected me to get myself into the place where I was willing to work with Him. That's when He turns on the "anointing". That "only God can do it" power that He puts on us to accomplish something. In my case I needed His anointing to commit to this change...and stick to it. To just say no to those french fries, chips, and trips to Braum's as an after dinner treat with my husband. All it takes is one "treat" a day to completely mess up the best of intentions. This is not to say that I've been a saint, actually I had a few french fries the other day, but in the middle of my "happy place" I realized that I didn't want to fall off the proverbial wagon. It's just not worth it to me. To look in the mirror and see myself in a positive frame of mind instead of feeling unhappy and defeated...I'll take that over a french fry or chocolate truffle any old day.

I had to make a life decision that I was going to do everything that I could to be healthy, and then trust God that he will do the rest. God sort of gave me the analogy of someone having diabetes and asking God to make them well while the whole time they were eating 3 candy bars a day. He doesn't work that way. God wants to help us, but He asks us to do our own part.

So, what am I doing you ask. Nothing earth shattering. I know there are a lot of great programs out there. Many ask that you order their food, or eat a restricted regimen, but I knew that for me to do this it had to be somewhat flexible and not a bunch of "rules". I'm doing a "shake" meal replacement twice a day and then for dinner eating only a small portion of meat, veggies, or a salad. Basically it's "The Zone" diet but with two shakes a day that are low carbs and high protein, and a snack or two that are also low carbohydrate. (no sugar, no boxed or packaged or processed food except kosher crackers, no starches, just a little fresh or frozen fruit)

It's working, I'm feeling better, mentally and physically and one of the best things is that my chest pain is much better. I know that I might not be able to turn the clock back 10 years with my heart problems, but I DO believe that I can minimize any further issues with heart disease and stop what might have been diabetes that has been crawling around on my family tree. I'm a work in progress and if it takes me the rest of the year to get to my goal weight, well then that's how long it takes. But I know one thing...I'm not going back.

If I can do it, you can do it. Just ask God to lead the way.

What's Your "Response"?

If you remember the title of my last post it was "Can We Talk?" If you haven't read that post then please take a minute to scroll down to the next post. This is a continuance of that previous post. 


As a wife and mother it's mind boggling to think of how many times I've asked a question directed at one of my girls or my husband.

"What sounds good for dinner?...
When do I need to pick you up from practice?...
Do you have your homework finished?...
Have you taken time to make the dinner reservations?"...


OK, these are just a few minor examples from everyday life. A conversation with another person almost always includes a few questions being asked. Unless we are control freaks or dictators we all know that questions are important and then the value of a "response".

The Oxford Dictionary gives the definition as " a reply or answer...reaction or comeback..feeling, movement or change... accountability, liability...effect, result, consequence."


I want to take a closer look at this word "response". There are a lot of words that are derived from this one word... respond, responsible, irresponsible, responsibly...you get my drift. When we ask a question we are always looking for a timely "response". Yes, we want an answer from the one to whom we a asking the question. If we don't get the answer, we may feel compelled to ask again...and again... But what if the question goes unanswered...do we continue upon deaf ears or do we walk away?

I told you last post that God had been seriously asking me to make some changes in my life. He would bring up the subject and ask...politely. He continued asking...proding...reminding...but my "response"? I had been giving Him excuses.

Sometimes God gives me a date; a day in the future to put on my calender. Like a date that you circle, put a star next to, or outline in red. There have been lots of them, and for almost every "date" I have been given, something always takes place of importance. Well, He gave me a date in March, and I was excited. What would happen on that day? I was of course thinking along lines other than what was coming. I'd been praying about getting in better physical health, (that's always on my mind) but I was hoping some kind of miraculous thing would happen to me to all the sudden start this change. Yep, I wanted some kind of miracle, because I didn't think I could do it myself. It was easier to hope for a miracle than to take the "responsibility" to do something myself. I didn't want to make a change...be accountable..or face any consequences.

We all probably have favorite scripture that has really spoken to us over the years. "Life Verses" I've called them. Ones that can speak to you over and over, and often result in those amazing "Aha" moments. Romans 12:1-2 are those verses for me.

Living Sacrifices
Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- His good, pleasing and perfect will.


Did you read the scripture? think of "spiritual act of worship" as our response that God is looking for. 


Just so happened that my daily Bible study time has been in Romans. I don't read to read. I know there are lots of good program schedules that tell you how to read the entire Bible in one year. Those have a purpose I'm sure...like maybe just getting you acquainted with what actually the Bible is all about. But if that's how you "read" and study the Bible then let me tell you that you may be missing what God is trying to share with you. "Volume of scripture" should never be our reason for opening the Bible. Let God lead you on where to focus. That is one of the ways He speaks to us.


So that date?...it came and went...swoosh...nothing...nada...sound of crickets chirping.

The next day I asked God what had happened to my "red letter day". That's when I heard Him tell me about the decision that I was going to have to make. a big one. a life changing one. one that my future depended upon. And I knew that this time I would have to give a "response"...not an excuse...to God.


to be continued...
love in Jesus,

I always love to hear from you in the comment section...so does everyone else. Has God been asking you something? What was YOUR response?

Can we talk?...

I'm still here, just in case you thought I was "backslidden" or some other dreadful thing. I have to laugh, cause, wow, I really hate that word. I've heard it my whole life bandied about by regular churchgoers who describe some poor unfortunate that maybe isn't living up to everyone else's standards. Nope, not backslidden, I've just felt like keeping my mouth shut for awhile while I try to sort out my life. Of course I'm not sure that's very easy for any of us. Cause just when you think things are figured out you can have something hit you from out of the blue and there you are again facing those big ?s.

Actually what I really want to talk about is taking God seriously in the matters of our daily life and then the issue of God's timing. That can be a sore spot for a lot of us, because sometimes His timing feels really OFF. (can I get an AMEN to that?) I just want to share a "case-in-point" in my own life.

So, most of you know I have some heart and cardiovascular problems that are hereditary, but still MY problem no matter where they came from or how I got stuck with them. AND for the last three years I've had to take some (sometimes more, sometimes less) medications that yes, can save your life, but at the same time cause all kinds of other side effects.

I'll be honest here, I'm talking about weight gain and generally having low energy and yada yada yada. Throw in post menopause and I'm not a happy camper in the "look at yourself in the mirror" department. Plus the fact that I'm short so that just compounds the problem. Now, I want to make myself perfectly clear, this isn't just about appearance, but about my overall general health. I'm all for the idea of being happy with ourselves, but I have the added concern (and responsibility) of health. Actually we ALL have that issue. Taking care of our bodies by what we eat goes WAAAAAAY beyond how we view ourselves outwardly, but how we should be answering to God's plan to be and stay healthy.

I've whined to God for the last few years about getting in better shape, but exercise for me is tricky. I have to be careful to not overdo it. A day of physical activity can put me in bed for a day. I have to keep in mind that I need to "strenghen" myself slowly, not wind up in the hospital because my heart has been overtaxed.

And then the next idea is e.a.t.i.n.g. Good grief, I wish it could be more simple. OK, maybe it IS simple and I just hadn't grasped the concept. So, I'm praying and whining and praying and whining, the whole time I know that I need to get some pounds off cause my blood pressure is too high and I have some joints that scream at me any time I try to shop the mall. Not to mention the fact that I've had plenty of conviction to eat more healthily. The only thing I can say is that I was full of excuses. I won't even go there, because there are just too many.

A few weeks ago God woke me up in the morning and said very clearly to me. "Soon you are going to have to make a decision and this time it better be the right one. Your future depends on it." GULP... Can I tell you that that statement put the proverbial "fear of God" into me? My mind started racing as to what the decision actually was and of course my thoughts were not about my eating habits...but more earth shattering possibilities.

I'm going to finish this post in a few days, because I think that God can use just this much to speak to some of you today too. Anybody out there in the same boat with me? It doesn't have to be about "eating". Chances are God has been gently nudging some of us to do His will and we've casually been either ignoring Him or just not taking Him too seriously. Are you feeling it?

If so, you can take this opportunity to be open to what God's about to say...get ready...He might say something you're really needing to hear.


p.s. just want to let you know that you can sign up to receive this blog's current posts in your email. (on the right sidebar) I'm pretty sporadic so it might be an easier way to keep track. 

love in Jesus,

5 Things to Grow On

I just did a post on my "other" blog, Common Ground, on things that I think are critical in seeing our blog grow and take shape. But as I've read it again, I think it pertains to more than just blogging. As you read it, just substitute "life", for the blogging part. If you'd like to click here, you can read how God has led me in all aspects of my life, blogging being just one part of it.
I haven't forgotten this blog, God actually has let this last post sit for awhile. I've had many personal emails about it and how God spoke to more than just a few people. I always love hearing from you in comments or emails. Thank you for taking time to interact and let us know how God is speaking to you.

Be blessed.

love in Jesus,

Why are you crying?

I've said this before, and I will say it again today, I'm not a Bible Scholar. I don't have any degrees in theology or Biblical Studies. I have a poor memory and cannot quote scripture. And the truth be told, I'm not even good at remembering where verses are located. But I DO love the Bible and God's Word to us. I'm basically a blank slate. 


The Lord says to me frequently, "Be available", and that's what I try to do; to
be available in my life, time, and finances, but mostly be available so that He 
might speak. This morning as I sat here at the computer, knowing He had
something to say, He spoke a verse to me. John 20:14. 
No, He didn't quote it to me. He just gave me chapter and verse. When I 
opened my NIV Bible this is what I saw.

"At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus."

google images

Here it is in context of the surrounding verses:

John 20:10-18

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

¹⁰ So the disciples went away again to their own homes.

 ¹¹ But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept,

 she stooped and looked into the tomb; ¹² and she *saw two angels in white

 sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had 

 been  lying. ¹³ And they *said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”

 She *said to  them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not 

 know where they  have laid Him.” ¹⁴ When she had said this, she turned

 around and *saw Jesus  standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus.

 ¹⁵ Jesus *said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”

 Supposing Him to be  the gardener, she *said to Him, “Sir, if you have carried

 Him away, tell me  where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” ¹⁶ 

 Jesus *said to her,  “Mary!” She turned and *said to Him in ^[a]Hebrew,

 “Rabboni!” (which means,  Teacher). ¹⁷ Jesus *said to her, “Stop clinging to

  Me, for I have not yet  ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and 

 say to them, ‘I ascend to  My Father and your Father, and My God and your

 God.’” ¹⁸ Mary Magdalene *came, announcing to the disciples, “I have seen 

 the Lord,” and that He had said these things to her.

My first question was why this particular scripture, and He said it

was because someone was crying and needed to know that He was 

there with them.

I've read this so many times and the thing that I realize is that sometimes we are

so distressed  in the circumstances that we do not realize or feel that God is with us. 

Mary Magdalene had  just seen Jesus crucified and put in the tomb. Yes, the

circumstances looked the worst; Jesus was gone from them, brutally murdered, and

the plan that they had all hoped for seemed destroyed. Her future and that of all the

others in Jesus' circle was in dire jeopardy. The future  seemed hopeless and bleak.

How did they move forward when their leader, their king and friend was gone...?

Have we all not felt like this at times. We are in the middle of horrible circumstances

that cause us to lose sight of the fact that even though we do not see how things can 

work out Jesus is there with us, He is in control, and He has a plan. And His plans are 

always "good". Lately God has been reminding me to not let what is happening in the

"circumstances" blind me from the fact that He is there with me. 

I know Mary was distraught, overwhelmed with grief and sadness, and fearful and 

uncertain as how to proceed. But a voice from behind her called her name and when 

she heard that voice her attention turned from "herself" to realizing that Jesus was 

right there with her.

No matter what you are going through at this moment, Jesus is there with you. He

will listen to you and comfort you, and give you direction and peace. Sometimes He 

is speaking to us but we don't know that it is God. Get quiet and let Him speak to you. 

He is there with you, and loves you...and He does have the answers.

love in Jesus,

Verse for the New Year

This post may be a little late for the "contemplating the New Year" kind, but I haven't had the opportunity to sit down and put these thoughts into writing until now, so today it is.


I've read and enjoyed so many of your New Year's posts sharing your intentions and resolutions, plans and goals, and just plain old hopes and dreams. Especially you younger gals with big things happening in your lives. Blogging has given many of you some amazing opportunities this year;  from recognition in magazines, photography, television, and the book world, to actually "living your dreams". Honestly, I couldn't be happier for you...really...truly! 


I have to warn you though, as you get older the concept of making resolutions fades a bit and the turning of the calender page takes on a little less significance. Life experience and circumstances have a bad habit of wearing a person down a little. I know what it's like to have "resolutions" wind up in the ditch by the end of January, or to have something thrown in my path unexpectedly like a family crisis or health setback. "Life" has a way of derailing the best of intentions.  I guess the blessings of youth are optimism and the promise of the future. I'm not on a "downer" here, just contemplating life a little, I guess. And how we view what is ahead of us. 


Many of you have talked about how you have a "word" for the New Year. A word that some of you will use as a roadmap for the journey into 2012. To other's it's a definition of what you desire the atmosphere around you to be; a goal, an attitude, and a viewpoint. Hopefully our words are God given and spoken. I know that God likes using dates, times, and seasons to express Himself in our hearts. When we're prayerfully contemplating our lives and the prospect for change, He's is more than happy to speak to our open hearts and minds. He's an "encourager", and He desires to bring us into a place of possibilities and optimism. He's been working on me in that area...


OK, back to the "word" idea for the New Year. So I asked God if there was a specific word for me to contemplate and keep in my spirit for this year. It didn't come immediately, but as I was doing a short post for New Year's Day, a scripture verse came to mind. It had nothing whatsoever to do with the adorable vintage postcard with kittens, but it had to be included. 


Proverbs 16:9 "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps."

It seemed a little out of place and incongruous with that postcard post, but I've learned to go with it, if it's something from the Lord.  This verse has been rattling around in my head for a few days and the more I've thought about it the more I've realized God has been speaking to me concerning this thought for quite a while now.

Let me share just a little of what I think He may be trying to say. 


First of all for this verse to be truly accurate we need to be a child of God. Believers can have a firm faith that if we really love the Lord and seek Him that He will ultimately be in charge of our lives and destinations. If we never seek Him for help and guidance then it's easy to get off track in our thinking and plans. This in turn can send us down the wrong path. Staying in touch with the Father on a daily basis and letting the Holy Spirit lead us may not mean that our lives will be easy or perfect, but they will be "determined". The Oxford dictionary says this about the word "determine, -ed" fixed, precise, distinct, settled, persistent, unwavering.


Another word that stands out for me in this verse is "course". Here is the definition: onward movement or progression, path, way, route, or track, a lesson, a part of a meal, a series of hurdles, a horizontal layer of bricks" a length of water.


And then this word, which really means a lot to me at this time. "Step". a unit of movement, a manner of walking, a degree in the scale of promotion or advancement, making progress, pace, stride, taking action, being in agreement.

At this stage in my life I'm more "contemplative" about the future. I've learned the hard way not to run off on my own and in my own thinking to do a certain thing. I don't want to get into something that's just not part of God's plan for me. There have been a few things that I've been "measuring" in my mind and considering so I've turned them over to God for timing and specifics. He's determining them for me and I'm allowing Him to plot the course, not only of this New Year, but of my future. He can do all that for me, but if I don't lift up my foot one day at a time and exert some effort to take the "step" nothing will happen. 


I had a sprained ankle last week, and now that I think of it, it may have been a little teaching tool that the Lord allowed. The thought of not being able to walk for a few days had me reeling. The concept of taking a "step" has a little more significance than it did before.


I'd love to hear in the comments if God has spoken a "word" or verse to you for the year. 


Love you all, thanks for listening, and sharing my life. You're a huge blessing to me!


In Jesus,

Some random thoughts this Christmas week...

Just wanted to "touch base" with all of you out there and wish you a wonderful Christmas.

Last time I posted I was headed to the doctor having had some blood tests. After being off medications for about a month, and trying to get to the cause of my ridiculous skin rash it seems like a sulfa based drug has been wreaking havoc with me. I'm off of that, and the rash is gone. Yay, but all this and a monster cold during the whole month of November, has left me feeling not too "Merry" in the Merry Christmas department.

I've received some wonderful comments and emails lately, thanks so much everyone. There are so many of us in the same religious "boat". Just today, someone who reads both my blogs, sent me a note about her life experiences. Church and family life shape us, and unfortunately negative experiences are so lasting. Even though we love and forgive those that have hurt us, it's still difficult to not let those hard things continue to effect our outlook on life.

I haven't been very good at returning emails and comments so please forgive me. It's not that I'm not interested or care, sometimes I just listen and process. I pray for each of you that comment, and for all of you who come by this blog. God directs so many of you here. Please know I appreciate you!

I'm not a big fan of television, but yesterday morning I had on NBC and was watching Hoda and Kathie Lee. (what a pair!) Poor Kathie has had a rough time of late too. She's had a couple of minor injuries, but the sad moment in her conversation came when music came up of her singing Christmas carols from a past album. She has a lovely voice, and I know loves the Lord. She listened for a moment and then said in a sad, "I'm over it" sort of voice. "Oh that was me when I could sing." Maybe not those exact words but that was the thought. Her words of passing on the "busy-ness" and self imposed expectations of Christmas were so telling. "Let's keep Christmas in our hearts each day, but just do Thanksgiving...twice." The older we get the more our hearts can hold the past. Sometimes we find ourselves in a place where "Christmas" isn't the same as in the past.

I know it's so easy to get worn out this time of year. (physically and mentally) I have it pretty easy. I've pared down. I guess what I'm trying to say is this. I know God loves our joy and adoration of the Christmas Season, and children in the house give us a chance to "present" Christmas in a special and magical way. Cooking and baking, attending parties, having a house full of friends and loved ones are all part of the enjoyment of Christmas. I'm trying to let God reveal Himself to me, and how to celebrate the birth of the Savior, individually.

This Christmas has been more low-key for me, and I'm focusing on the fact that the birth of Jesus, was in a "trying time" for the sweet young family. Tired and worn out, away from home, and stressed with the impending delivery, Mary and Joseph were out of their comfort zone, but let God direct them forward. Not really understanding all that they were about to be a part of or witness... The birth of the Savior, and God's Grand Plan in action.

Whatever you may be going through in life, may God's peace, comfort, joy, and strength surround you this Blessed Christmas.

love, in our precious Son of God,
Debra

Just "Do it"!

I remember many years ago when we were in a large church, our girls were young, still at home. We loved this church and it was the center of our lives; family, friends, and social activities included. We loved our pastor and the church; things were great. Then his sermons started becoming "weird". Each week they were judgmental and "fingerpointing". Full of condemnation and talk of God's punishment. Sunday morning in the sanctuary took on a dark, depressive and ominous vibe. It felt like the same sermon over and over, just in a new black package. "What's going on?" we all wondered, and in the meantime he started crumbling...

Fast forward 15 years...

Our older daughter started smoking when she went away to college. I know so many kids do. She started a habit she wasn't happy with, but enjoyed smoking. She knew God wanted her to stop but never actively pursued  the "doing it" part. She spoke to me about it several times and of course I encouraged her to stop. This was before my heart attacks and all of us knowing what kind of hereditary problems lay ahead. Week after week she'd mention it in her phone calls home. "What are you doing to stop?" I asked. "Nothing" she would say. Then one day she called me and said that each time she tried to pray or read her Bible that this stop smoking thing would come up again and she was tired of it. She wanted to speak to God about other matters, but there was a wall there in her prayer time, and she couldn't get past it.

God has been speaking to me for awhile about some of the vast number of medications that I've been taking. When you have cardiovascular disease then the doctors want to throw the whole medicine cabinet at you. Know what I'm saying? this and this, and oh yeah, better take this too. During the summer if you remember, I had to go on a lot more meds because of some sort of something that happened. Anyway, I found myself taking huge amounts of all kinds of stuff...hated it.

I've been better the last month or so and God has told me over and over, "Stop taking this". Then the fear factor set in. I wouldn't do it. I trusted God for my health, but still was hanging on. (These aren't the regular medications for my situation, but above and beyond with dosages that were scary.) Oh yeah, and have I mentioned that I have had some kind of full body rash going on that isn't contact dermatitis. yep, it was getting worse and worse.

OK, so then back in October we went to St. Louis for a long weekend. Well, guess what happened. I accidently left my medications at home. I made it fine, but then when I got home, started back on all the extras despite my knowing God was saying, "You don't need these anymore. Stop taking them." This is all that I was hearing. Each and every time I started to pray or read my Bible it was about these extra medications. I tried to dismiss it...didn't happen.

So then about 3 weeks ago I caught a cold and the rash stepped up into high gear. I got off  the extra medications because I knew I better start listening to what God was saying to me. Sometimes we forget that He sees the "big picture". He may be saying something needs to change because He sees down the road to what's coming. He wants what's best for us. He wants us to avoid something that might be coming if we don't listen. He gives us opportunity to let Him help us change. It's called "conviction". 

Why am I sharing all this? Because God has been insistent that I be transparent here in this blog. He wants me to share what's happening so that it might help someone else.

Is God speaking to you about something that needs to happen or change, and you've been dragging your feet? Has it gotten to the point that you feel the pressure of that decision constantly and either are afraid or reluctant? I'm telling you now that you will have to deal with it. Open up your heart and spirit and let God speak to you about what He's asking you to do. It may be a small thing, like giving up dessert, or maybe it's bigger, but whatever it is, let Him lead you into the change. He can do it, give Him control. He will walk you through whatever it is. He knows the future and the things He calls us to do are for a purpose.

The pastor in the first part of this post...? He was having an affair and God was asking him to stop and ask forgiveness. He didn't, and within a few horrible months the church was torn apart and He lost his ministry. His life went down in flames. We were not there to witness it, God had pulled us out.

My daughter finally gave God permission to help her stop smoking and she did. She and her husband no longer smoke. It wasn't particularly easy, but God gave them the grace and help they needed, to do it.

And  me? I had some blood tests taken last week, we'll see what's going on. I know that God knows. I'll keep you informed.


Ephesians 5:17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.


James 1:22-25New American Standard Bible (NASB)

²² But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.²³ For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his^[a]natural face in a mirror; ²⁴ for once he has looked at himself and gone away, ^[b]he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. ²⁵ But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but^[c]an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in ^[d]what he does.

       Love in Jesus,