There's a Right Time for Everything

Ecclesiastes 3 (The Message)
1
There's an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth:
2-8
A right time for birth and another for death,
A right time to plant and another to reap,
A right time to kill and another to heal,
A right time to destroy and another to construct,
A right time to cry and another to laugh,
A right time to lament and another to cheer,
A right time to make love and another to abstain,
A right time to embrace and another to part,
A right time to search and another to count your losses,
A right time to hold on and another to let go,
A right time to rip out and another to mend,
A right time to shut up and another to speak up,
A right time to love and another to hate,
A right time to wage war and another to make peace.
9-13
But in the end, does it really make a difference what anyone does? I've had a good look at what God has given us to do—busywork, mostly. True, God made everything beautiful in itself and in its time—but he's left us in the dark, so we can never know what God is up to, whether he's coming or going. I've decided that there's nothing better to do than go ahead and have a good time and get the most we can out of life. That's it—eat, drink, and make the most of your job. It's God's gift.
14
I've also concluded that whatever God does, that's the way it's going to be, always. No addition, no subtraction. God's done it and that's it. That's so we'll quit asking questions and simply worship in holy fear.
15
Whatever was, is.
Whatever will be, is.
That's how it always is with God.

What season of life are you in? Are you making the most of your time, living up to your potential, and using the gifts that He has given you? He has made EVERYTHING beautiful. Make sure your life is pleasing to Him.

I Am...

sharing my trials, my feelings, my fears
caring about your pain
daring you to speak your deepest thoughts

remembering what was between us
cherishing every moment I get to hear your voice
loving the closeness I feel with you

whispering your name
missing your presence, your smile
waiting for events to unfold

wanting to hold you
needing to feel your warmth
yearning to be with you

hoping I will not disappoint you
dreaming of the day
asking for a way

praying...

Let It Be Me

When you need a friend to trust,
Let me be that friend.
When you need a hand to hold,
Let it be my hand.
When you need an ear to hear,
Let it be my ear.
When you need a cheek to kiss,
Let it be my cheek.
When you need someone to love,
Let it be me.

I'll be right there waiting...


Patti Phillips August 2009

Selflessness

I read Phillipians 2 tonight. This is what it says to me:

If you truly are a follower of Christ, and He has made a difference in your life and heart - then be agreeable with those around you, love them, connect with them on a spiritual level. Don't be selfish, always trying to have the attention on yourself. Rather be selfless, bringing praise and attention to others. Forget about what you might gain from a situation, so that you may instead be a help to others.

In trying to be Christ-like, you have to take on His characteristics. Selflessness - having a servant's heart - rather than expecting others to cater to you because you think yourself stronger, richer, wiser. Christ gave up all of the privileges of having equal ranking with God, and became human. He gave up all of the benefits that went along with that deity, and lived his life unselfishly and obedient. His ultimate gift of selflessness was when he died in obedience, at the hands of man, a cruel, prolonged death on the cross.

God rewarded that obedience by elevating Him to the highest place of honor, to be praised and worshipped by all of creation, in order to honor God.

Continue to live your life seeking Him, responding to Him, and being obedient to Him. Work even harder at it than you ever have before. Find the joy in your life, upholding Him in quiet obedience and sensitivity. That joy comes from within, from the Spirit of God, as He works through and in you to carry out His will. This is what most delights Him.

So be cheerful and willing in all that you do, without contention. Live a life of decency, honor and wholesomeness. Be the one that brings purity and goodness to this broken and corrupt world. Let all who come your way see a glimpse of the righteousness and wholeness of God in your life, so that they may see the hope that they can have in Him too.

Think On These Things

My friend in Christ, Johnny, reminded me today that no matter how difficult, hopeless, or overwhelming things may seem, I still need to fix my mind on God, and think on the things that He has promised me.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.Philippians 4:8-9 (New International Version)
Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.Philippians 4:8-9 (The Message)
For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of [a]untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you.Philippians 4:8-9 (Amplified Bible)


I've always believed that circumstances will not get you down unless you allow them to. I've been up against some difficult circumstances, and it's been very difficult for me to not allow them to overwhelm me. I cannot change things, but I can change how I react to them. Some of the promises that I am going to fill my heart with are these:

He knows me by name, and He knows my circumstances. When the future seems dark and perplexing, and I am feeling helpless and alone, He is at my right hand, supporting me, upholding me, and cheering me.I am never alone. He there with me wherever I go, whatever I do. There is not a sigh breathed or a pain felt that does not reach my Father's heart.If I lay claim to the promises that I have in Him, I will never know failure.I will not allow anyone or anything to steal my joy.He will answer my prayers in His time, in His way. I will hold fast to my faith and never give up or distrust, maintaining my confidence in Him - and the blessing will fall upon me like a shower of rain.
It has been said that "those who have borne the greatest sorrows are frequently the ones who carry the greatest comfort to others, bringing sunshine wherever they go. Such ones have been chastened and sweetened by their afflictions; they did not lose confidence in God when trouble assailed them, but clung closer to His protecting love. Such ones are a living proof of the tender care of God."
I want to be that living proof.

The Curse Of An Aching Heart

You made me think you cared for me,
And I believed in you.
You told me things you never meant,
And made me think them true,
I gambled in the game of love,
I played my heart and lost.
I'm now a wreck, upon life's sea,
Alone, I pay the cost.

You made me what I am today,
I hope you're satisfied.
You dragged and dragged me down until
My soul within me died.
You shattered each and every dream,
You fooled me from the start.
And though you're not true,
May God bless you,
That's the curse of an aching heart.

The dreams I dreamed of future joys,
You smiled on, though you knew,
Deep down within your faithless heart,
They never would come true.
Still further on you led me,
till my paradise I saw,
Then with one word you banished
all my hopes for ever more.

You made me what I am today,
I hope you're satisfied.
You dragged and dragged me down until
My soul within me died.
You shattered each and every dream,
You fooled me from the start.
And though you're not true,
May God bless you,
That's the curse of an aching heart.

(Lyrics from a song by Al. Piantadosi and words by Henry Fink, published in 1913)

It's In the Valleys I Grow

Sometimes life seems hard to bear,
Full of sorrow, trouble and woe
It’s then I have to remember
That it’s in the valleys I grow.

If I always stayed on the mountain top
And never experienced pain,
I would never appreciate God’s love
And would be living in vain.

I have so much to learn
And my growth is very slow,
Sometimes I need the mountain tops,
But it’s in the valleys I grow.

I do not always understand
Why things happen as they do,
But I am very sure of one thing.
My Lord will see me through.

My little valleys are nothing
When I picture Christ on the cross
He went through the valley of death;
His victory was Satan’s loss.

Forgive me Lord, for complaining
When I’m feeling so very low.
Just give me a gentle reminder
That it’s in the valleys I grow.

Continue to strengthen me, Lord
And use my life each day
To share your love with others
And help them find their way.

Thank you for valleys, Lord
For this one thing I know
The mountain tops are glorious
But it’s in the valleys I grow!

© Jane Eggleston

Contemplating...

I'm sitting outside today, thinking about things that happen in our lives that we have no control over. Things that other people do that affect us in a dramatic way, and how frustrating it is to not be able to do anything to stop or prevent it. Several things have happened lately that are weighing heavily on my mind and my heart.

It's difficult to not question why, why me. Why am I chosen to carry such burdens, when everyone else around me seems so carefree? I know that we don't see into the lives of others as we do our own. I know that there are many people around me that are carrying more heartbreaking burdens than I am. But my pain is what is real to me. My fears are real to me. My daily struggle is to not allow my circumstances to get me down - to send me into a downward spiral of depression and self-pity. I refuse to let that happen.

I know that my God is a loving God, and I know that He will see me through. There will be lessons learned, wisdom gained, and new paths to take. It's just a slow, slow process. But I will learn. I will grow. I will rise above it.

Is It Worth It?

This was written by a friend named Chris. You can find his original posting here

Sun 8:04pm
On December 3, 2007 too many lives to mention were shattered. One was forever lost, the rest were emotionally spent. Why does such foolishness take place? Selfishness and pride.

I usually don't use my notes as a platform to "preach", today I have no choice. What is in my head must be put down. Learn from this.

We are all selfish and proud. You, you, you, and even you. I am selfish and proud. To many that may not seem like a bad thing. Right? I have reasons to be proud. Proud of my family, proud of my accomplishments, proud of my kids, proud of my parents, proud, proud, proud. Yet the Bible is clear that "pride goes before the fall." You probably don't think of yourself as selfish, but you are. You want, you need, you deserve, you, you, you. I am the same way. I want to play golf, I want to sleep late, I desire this, I deserve that, me, me, me, I, I, I.

So let me be bold. You deserve Hell. I deserve Hell. Thank you Jesus for not giving me what I deserve, BUT for giving me mercy instead.

This past week, I've lost control of my emotions twice. I don't like doing that. I wish I hadn't, but since I can't change the past, let me just apologize to all who saw me "freak out".

What could possibly cause such emotional demonstrations from me? My brother. My little brother who is going to teach you all a lesson.

On Friday, May 15, 2009 my brother was sentenced to serve 20 years in the state penitentiary for intoxicated manslaughter. I cried harder than I ever remember crying. I wailed so loud that I shook. There was a pain in the pit of my stomach that stayed for a long time. It still tries to show up. You know what? I wasn't even the person who hurt the worst. Two teenage boys and 3 siblings, of a man who lost his life surely hurt worse. I'll see my brother again. They never will.

The district attorney painted a vivid picture of how evil and horrible my brother was for this horrific act. The families of the deceased will probably only see him that way as well. But Mat is not vile and terrible. On one night in December he simply let his pride and his selfishness have their way in his life and now...was it worth it?

I've been a minister for over nearly 20 years now, and I've had a war inside of me for many of those years concerning, what many in the older generation call, "the demon alcohol". Let's be frank the Bible never tells us to not drink. It's not in there. In fact Jesus drank wine and Paul tells Timothy to have wine for his stomach. Whether or not it is fermented wine or not, I'll let the Greek and Hebrew scholars debate. The bible does say two very important things concerning alcohol though:
1) "Wine is a mocker and beer is a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise." Prov. 20:1
2) "Do not get drunk on wine which leads to debauchery. Instead be filled with the Spirit." Eph. 5:18

When I was in my young teens I got drunk. It sounded like fun, but let's be real. It's not. Puking is not fun. Having no memory or hazy memories...not fun. Headaches all the next day, fun-less. If you are deceiving yourself with your pompous arrogant attitude saying something ignorant like, "Hell, yea it's fun." You're a liar and you know it. Being intoxicated and inebriated is no fun. So now at 36 I don't get drunk. I don't drink at all. Not because, "Christians don't drink", but simply because I don't need it. I don't need a beer to help me wind down. I don't need a mixed drink to help me have fun. And I don't need the grief that drinking in excess brings.

Wait a minute there, Chris. I can handle my alcohol. You're probably right. This time you can. But alcohol causes you to lose your inhibitions. If you've had a really great day or a really rotten day, you think you deserve just one more drink. And then your friends show up so you have to have one more drink with them. Then they feel bad for you or celebrate with you and you need one more drink. And then because you're arrogant enough to think that you can "handle your alcohol" you drive off and kill a man dismembering his body into three pieces.

Everybody thinks, "That will never happen to me." I'm just being hard because of what my family's been through, right? That is exactly right. No one. NO ONE, should have to feel what those boys, what my mom, I have felt this week. No one thinks it could happen to them...until it does. Do you "deserve" a drink? No you deserve hell. Do you "need" a drink to relax? Then you're co-dependent and need psychiatric help. You want...I repeat...you want a drink. You want TO drink.

Look, I'm not over the edge. I'm not saying ban alcohol. In fact if you drink one or two drinks in your home and you don't leave. There is nothing...NOT one single thing wrong with it. In fact I could have a glass of wine with my steak at home and I'm not breaking the law or sinning. But, and this is a big but, my kids see that, and whose to say if they can "handle" their alcohol. Or if their grandchildren can handle theirs.

If you believe you can handle it and you have no problems with a drink here and there, kudos to you. I hope you never experience what we have. I simply know this one thing for certain. If you never drink, you'll never drive drunk, and you'll never be convicted of intoxicated manslaughter.

One last footnote note. On the day my brother was sentenced, an aunt called with sympathies...she was already drunk.

Sophia's Heart

Many of you are familiar with Danny Gokey, one of this year's American Idol contestants. He created this website it honor of his wife Sophia's work. She passed away shortly before he auditioned for American Idol. Now that his Idol participation is over, he will be blogging on the website again. I wanted to share his Feb 11, 2009 posting with you. He shares a very important message that we all need to consider. It's the posting titled "Letting Go."

Here's the link:
Sophia's Heart

Yikes!

Early this morning, around 2:00 a.m. I went to the kitchen for a drink. I reached out to turn the faucet on, and this is what I saw:



It was about 3 inches long. I'm sure you can well imagine the disturbance that commenced. I screamed and ran down the hall yelling to my husband to Get up, get up, there's a poisonous creature in the kitchen! Hurry up before it gets away! He staggered down the hallway in a haze of confusion and alarm, trying to figure out what I was going on about.

Somehow the whole house didn't get woke up. He took one look and said, That's just a centipede. It's not even poisonous. I'm still hollering Hurry up and get it outside! Kill it! He slid it onto the flyswatter, walked outside and dropped it in the grass.

Now I'm watching everywhere for the creepy crawly thing to show up inside the house again. Why couldn't he have just killed it? There'll be no rest for me.

Do You Like To Blog?

It seems that everyone is blogging these days, including myself. You can find mine at http://stillwaters1965.blogspot.com/ Though some people blog as a form of revenue, I just do it because I like to write my thoughts on things, or share specific interests or links with others. I like it when other people read my blog and leave comments letting me know they enjoyed what they read. It would be nice to gain more exposure to my blog.

Attracting readers is important to build a blog following - a readership. One of the ways you can do that is by submitting your blog to various blog directories - a search engine specifically for blogs. You can find many interesting blogs to read, and subscribe to. Often when you provide a link to someone's blog on yours, they will in turn link to your blog on theirs. Over time, you can develop quite a list of followers.


Among the most popular blog directories, these are some of my favorites with the largest listings.

Best of the Web Blog Search http://blogs.botw.org/
Bloggeries http://www.bloggeries.com/
Blog Hub http://www.bloghub.com/
Blogged http://www.blogged.com/
Blog Catalog http://www.blogcatalog.com/
Globe of Blogs http://www.globeofblogs.com/
Blog Universe http://www.bloguniverse.com/
Boggernity http://www.bloggernity.com/
Bloggapedia http://www.bloggapedia.com/
Blogging Fusion http://www.bloggingfusion.com/
Blog Flux http://www.blogflux.com/
Blog Listing http://www.bloglisting.net/
Blog Explosion http://www.blogexplosion.com/

Electric Cars

Yesterday, one of these showed up in my neighbor's driveway:

A limited number of them are to be available this year, for lease - $850 month. Then they would become available for purchase in 2010.
This is said to be a fun but quirky little car. One example is that the battery takes up the entire rear end of the car, so it definitely won't seat more than 2 up front. I'm sure there will be alot of pros and cons pointed out about this car. I just think it's cute. It would be very practical for me to have one to toodle around town in. Only I want mine to look like this:

Laurie Heath Studio

I wanted to share this website with you. Laurie is an awesome photographer. Her pictures are beautifully amazing. Click on the following link: Laurie Heath Studio