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Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Grapefruit Mentoring

When did it become the norm to eat a good looking fruit, that tastes like 'nothing'?  I guess like many things, it happens over time. 

I am beginning to believe many have never had good- REALLY good tasting fruit and vegetables.  They go to the store, buy apples, grapes, grapefruit, strawberries and so on, but the produce does not have much more than 'good looks'.

They get home, eat the produce and never even think about how it tasted. They are just trying to 'fill themselves' up. I know, I almost forgot myself.

My daughter had a lovely grapefruit, and I thought since it was home grown it would be 'yummy', but she said it was flavor-LESS.  I took the picture to show you. It looked lovely. Color, nicely formed sections, full of juice, but no flavor!


I was not surprised, saddened, but not surprised, but maybe you are surprised - did you grow up with fruits and vegetables that tasted so good you wanted more?

Are you filling yourself up with good foods or 'empty foods'. Processed foods are indeed 'easy foods ', but easy doesn't mean we are getting the best nutrition.  It is hard to switch after having so much 'ease' at our finger tips, but I think we are facing the fact that we need better food. 

If the sweet flavor and nutrition are not there, WHAT are we eating?

I am partial to eating good food, but since we have depleted the lands and over taxed the plants with chemicals, there is not much flavor left. Some brands claim to help your plants grow big and strong, but the chemicals are not always 'bio active' (best used by our bodies)  and not the best thing for the plants or for us either.

You CAN find foods with flavor, but it is work. You might have a 'Farmers Market' or Community Garden near you.  You can grow your own foods, and be more careful with the chemicals than the large farmers can be, but sometimes the flavor is still lacking.

I remember my mom had a peach tree near the back porch, I remember how juicy it was and how much flavor it had. I have to hunt to find that now. I happen to live in So. Cal. so the opportunity is there to find local, fresh grown produce. I know not everyone has that opportunity.  If that's you then the 'food in pill' is the answer.

In fact even if we can get 'good nutrition' there are missing ' nutrients ' in our diet. We CAN'T find them in our food source, so our cells suffer and then 'Turn on us'. The body that is to protect us becomes our enemy. Necessary nutrition means necessary life giving answers.
 
The food supplements I take and tell others about, are FOOD. No synthetics, no fluff, or stuff.  Since I had been sick for so long, I was amazed when my symptoms got better and better, and now gone. 

Now, years later and much study done, I can see WHY the 'foods in the pills' work so well.  They work well because they are of the highest quality, and of the purest source.

The company doesn't dilute the products to stretch the profit, in their behalf. They just package the true nutrition. I know now that is why it works so well.

I wonder what we are doing with our health, are we spend money on vacations, and movies and fun, first?  Do we spend our money on our health and future well being? I prefer my health, but then I grew up with a host of ills.  My pains and aches were never found out, nor diagnosed, they were just something you 'lived with'.

Are we short sighted? Do we just live for now?  I think this 'dovetails' with financial investments. We are not moving forward in a positive direction, so the 'haves' and the 'have nots' are becoming miles and miles apart. 

  I hope some of this makes sense. You can contact me for this product at: www.mymannapages.com/laughmore.  It is the necessary part of life for mental, physical, and spiritual renewal.  God made our bodies to work, we are made in His image, so part of His plan is for better health. WE need to do our part.

Wow, all this because of a simple grapefruit.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Knowing Someone


This post is close to my heart, because learning to know someone takes time and effort and discernment. 
( Oh Lord God, please give discernment to those who read this, to help them see people as they are, not as they hope. )

You may feel you know a person after a few meetings, but in reality, you know their 'structure'/frame and what they choose to let you see.

After a while you may feel you love them, because you have seen them in this same setting and liked the way they lived their life and they made you feel special.

Discernment comes at this time of 'them making you feel special', or just as you get to know each other.  It comes by watching them, seeing them in other situations - outside their comfort zone.
( ask yourself HONESTLY:  "Am I lonely, and they are filling a void", or "are they respecting me, and my feelings?" )

We all can get used to a place, a job, an environment and then become comfortable and predictable.  Now if you really want to know them, watch them with children, with stress, under pressure.  THIS is when their true colors show.

I am not saying, ' if they aren't perfectly well mannered, then leave them to someone else '.  No, I am saying watch for 'Signs/ Red Flags/ Discernment'.

Just like in a building structure, you want to know that the building is stressed, so you know if there is a 'hairline' crack with no problems attached, or if its a structural support crack.

If you don't know how to tell, let me give a few clues.  Like I said, knowing someone is watching, discernment  and grace. ( that's not judging, it's wisdom from God ), if they 'accuse' you of judging them, this is ANOTHER clue, they are not going to change negative behavior.

A few clues: If anger/frustration is heated to a 'high point' for a small thing, like spilled soda, flat tire, things not done 'their way', jealousy, or if you are late and they are 'disjointed' -- any life stress.

At work or school: they get angry/frustrated when their things are used and not put back 'just right'', or when they are caught shoplifting from work (I hope that you would want an Honest partner ), they get angry when they are wrong- but can't shift the blame for problem, they get angry or pout when they don't get credit for minor things - like picking up trash in a classroom/ or rerouting mail in the office. These people do not grow up in this are of their life, unless they wholly surrender their lives to God. ( not normally, because Control is the way they feel 'safe' ).

The problem stems from a lack of love, so they get angry when they don't feel loved or appreciated. YET, they are in such a world of high expectations for themselves, they pass on the 'judgement' to others - that THEY feel.

I am not saying: be perfect - or you are a louse/ flake. I am saying be REAL. Ask forgiveness, if you hurt someone, make it right if you wrong someone, take major responsibility for your words, actions and attitudes. If you have to tell them, ' you never say your sorry, or ask for forgiveness', and their reply is something like, ' just tell me what I did '. They WON'T get it.  This is something called 'common sense'.

Abuse is another subject, but THIS post is pre-abuse, or pre-ventive relationship mentoring.

If you are the person, or you know the person who is constantly saying; ' I didn't do it', or 'you heard me wrong, I didn't say that', ' YOU should do better ', ' you are crazy ', ' I don't know how to do that, I CAN'T ', ' well, if you hadn't done.........I wouldn't be mad'. This is another clue, some people can't take responsibility for their actions, and blame you or 'life'.

For some this is a coping mechanism - still hurtful, for others its a lifestyle of NOT coping with stress.

So, if you fall in love at ''camp''or college or high school..., beware of 'posers, fakers, con men/women, seducers, users, manipulators, power lovers, bullies, whiners, intimidation.   The list goes on, but this is a good start.

I know, I have been a victim of this, and because I didn't respect myself, I got 'caught' in their web.
control is our part, and God doing the changes.
I think knowing someone, takes in to account: what they say, and how well their actions support those words. 

Guard your heart, God want's your BEST, He will heal you from pain, harm and fools.
Psalms 91. , Prov. 18:10.

If you find LATER, you thought you knew someone, and they were faking, cut it off. Cut the thread, chain, or grip.  The sooner you do, the less you will have to recover from. 

Control is a form of 'witchcraft', and I know you don't want to be involved with THAT. Mind control is a serious thing, and it takes some strength to leave it.  God bless you and strengthen you as you see what is happening.  God will be your ever present help in time of need.

So to recap:
Be careful that the cover of a person doesn't fool you, actions can be deceiving, so walk with Jesus so He can show you the way.

Actions can be: Truthful, deceptive, hurtful, controlling, selfish.  Watch and pray. Do not be let astray.

If you are lonely, 'take care' of that first. A hurtful person, will promise to 'protect you', then if you do not respect yourself you get caught in their ' hurtful web'. 



Friday, April 13, 2012

Dress Code 101, Mentoring in Dress

How to dress in a modest way in 2012:

The current style of wearing skirts that accentuate your curves and shape, is fashionable, but if you are asking, a virtuous woman and a woman who wants to attract a man of values, these short skirts are just the thing to attract the wrong man. 

They need to be long enough to cover your leg to your knee when sitting down, comfortable and not skin tight.


" HOW do you tell if a dress or skirt is modest? . "

"Well, after raising four boys, and hearing from them how hard it is on them at church, at a restaurant, or just out at the store, I decided to define 'a dress code' for my daughter when she was old enough to wear dresses with fashion in mind.

 I thought and prayed and came up with some 'guidelines'.  Now, I can't make her dress modest, but I hoped she saw it as a sign of Self Respect and desires to respect herself.  If this information seems like a fit for you, I am glad to be of help.

As a youth I was not told how to dress or what to wear or why. I don't know if you know this, but God made a man to 'see' a woman with his eyes.  Now this might seem obvious, but a woman 'see's' a man with her emotions or heart and also her eyes.


God made men and women different, and to say it as delicately as I know,
 "women are making it hard for men think pure thoughts and not become tempted".  Yes, its our department to 'respect' men.  How can a man learn to love a woman for WHO she is, if his eyes are on her 'clothing, or lack of'.  He will be distracted and he will be looking for what the TV and Magazines tell him, look for a 'sexy body'. 

I am not condemning anyone, because like I said, I was not told, I had to learn by trial and error, lots of error.  

Maybe you are just thinking about this now, so there is nothing to do but move on and do your best.  I really believe God cares how we dress, because He mentions it in His Bible."

I would suggest as your mentor that you think of these 'guidelines' for dress and seek God for His wisdom:

1. Tops/ T shirts/ Sweaters: keep the scoop or opening higher than your eye can see, if you look down, not gaping open. Layering is a wonderful fashion detail, and these days it is so easy to do.

2. Skirts: loose enough to allow your slip ( yes wear a slip ) to move freely. Also, when you sit down the hem needs to be within two inches of your knee cap. ( sit with legs together also, but its not good for your spine to cross your legs, so just cross your ankles).

3. Pants: Never show undies in the back, and keep them loose enough to move without a struggle or jumping up and down to get them on :-)

4. Dresses: Same as a Top/Skirt, just like they are sewn together. 

You may feel 'awkward' at first, but think of the men who will think BETTER, yes better of you. ( as long as your behavior is also modest ).  Men, and boys really do admire a fashionable dresser with modesty as her guide. 



Respect yourself first, no one will if you don't. 

These are general guidelines, and you can mull this over and let me know what you are feeling and thinking.  It will take some adjustment, in what you wear or maybe just a few camisoles layered up and that will put the view higher - on your face

It take  some time, but don't you think you will feel more like a lovely woman or a woman who might be attractive to the 'right' kind of man?   Be the 'flower' you want to be, who God made you to be, and you will attract the right 'bee'.  

I will give some other background information soon, this is really just a snapshot.  When you look at a photo, you don't get the 'whole picture', I will add to this very soon.  It's really some food for thought, I hope you will at least consider what I have suggested. 

Friday, April 6, 2012

Who Spilled the Beans? Can we learn from THIS?

This morning started out bright and early, ready for whatever came my way.  How I praise God for teaching me to Praise Him in ALL things. REALLY. 

You say, " Spilled Beans?!, Praise God?! ". Well in the great words of a person inspired by God, 1 Thes. 5:18 " Praise the Lord in ALL living things. "
Phil. 4:4 " Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I will say Rejoice. "

Spilled Beans, Baby Messes, Flat Tires, Late Appointments, Birth, Death, no money, lots of money, sorrow, joy, kitties on your arms so you can't type! ( Yes the cat thinks I need her comfort on my forearms as I type this! ), I can't think of one situation where God didn't mean it. ( yes, I thought of everything from Auschwitz to Cancer to Prison camp )

He has stated it over and over and over again, so the message sinks into us as we listen. 
Spilled beans at 6:30am




I woke up planning on having coffee, and got the beans out for dinner for us and friends, and my arm caught the bean container and spilled 1/2 of what was in my container. I could have saved them, but they had 'dirt, and dirty floor' in them. 

You see Friday is cleaning day. 
and at 6:30am the job hadn't been done.
last week it didn't get done, because of a busy week - ok--- I just never took time.

doing what we need to do, when we need to do it is prudent. I need more prudence in my life.

Praising God in all things is a great thing to do, I practice this, but need to practice doing the things I 'don't feel like doing'.

spilled beans = spent money, but not wisely/ we are to be wise stewards of Gods resources.

Do not condemn ourselves. 

Laugh.more.   

No Anxiety

No SHAME

These are a few of the lessons I am learning  over and over in Life. My foundation is 'set', but the 'building' needs a 'redo'.

So, join with me, and sing a song, laugh a hearty laugh, because you will see Love and Grace better. God is Able! 

It keeps raining, raining, raining

How do you feel when it rains for days and days ?  I know some feel sadness, of not being able to 'get out' and play tennis, or go for a hike or star gaze.  It can be overwhelming, but if you can get out anyway, it really does lift your spirits. 

 Rain won't hurt you, not unless you are the 'wicked witch' in the 'Wizard of Oz'.  I don't think you are that, she is made up anyway.

Not: rain, sorrow, being down, difficult days, none will hurt or damage - unless we have the mind they will. 

Raining, raining, raining, how do you feel? 
Straining, straining, straining, to keep my countenance up.
Laughing, laughing, laughing at the weight on me,
I can look at others and see what 'they go through' is Harder - than me. 

It takes some practice, but you can have a great attitude in ALL things. Rain or shine.

Phil. 4:14  "Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say Rejoice"
Phil. 2:5 " Having this mind in you, which also was in Christ Jesus "

Having a 'good/positive attitude' is great, but does having a good/positive attitude create 'things'?  Does a 'positive attitude ', clean up a mess of spilled Quinoa?  NO. ( see spilled Beans post, now this was just providential!)

 We don't  often rejoice when we make a mess or others do, we mostly get 'sour'. This is human nature ( maybe you are an exception to that norm, that would be great )

Yet, having a 'Rejoicing' Spirit is from God.

If you see 'Rain' in your life, Rejoice!  Why, because after the rain comes fresh air, clean skies, watered plants - FREE, watered lawns, Green, Green, Green! 

After the 'trouble' comes the 'blessing'. Isn't this true often? 

After an 'accident' you are actually stronger from the physical training, the emotional strengthening, learning how to adjust in a 'difficult thing'.  

Rain, Rain, Rain - come on!
Rain, Rain, Rain - we need you!
Rain, Rain, Rain - I rejoice in God's provision.

How can I say this?  Because I tried the opposite : Anger, Bitterness, Hate, Rage, Revenge, Frustration, Lack of Self Control in my words, and emotions. I didn't just 'try it', I wore it, soaked myself in it, became comfortable 'wearing them' and then God started to reveal 'my heart'.

Those years caused a lot of damage to my family, but in God's grace, He is able to restore.  I do not want to be that: bitter, biting, complaining, selfish person. That is not who God made me to be.

Can people change from bitter to better? Yes, in Christ Jesus. How else do you forgive the unforgivable, and rejoice that it happened too!

God IS Able!

Eph. 3:20   Now to Him who is able to exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think. according to the power that worketh in us.

This work is Gods work. ( power = Dunimis power = like dynamite! ) we can change, no doubt, but we can't change our heart/ spirit. Only God can forgive us for harboring 'bitterness.....'.  Forgiveness is what changes us, not anything else.

Jews and Gentiles alike, need Gods Forgiveness. 



Guest Post: String of Egg Lights


To make your very own String Egg Lights you’ll need: 

a glue gun, glue sticks, 20+ hollow eggshells (in case some break), a string of 20 Christmas lights, and a metal cake tester (or a blunt needle. I tried a toothpick, but it didn't work).
   Note: When you make scrambled eggs or bake a cake, make sure you DON’T crack your eggs. Blow them out.  This is how you do that: 
  
Get your metal cake tester and poke one tiny hole on the more pointy end of your egg (unless you want the more rounded part of the egg at the bottom of the light).  
   Now you flip the egg and make another hole. This time make it a bit bigger. 
   Stick your cake tester into the big hole to break the membrane on the inside.
 Now, put your mouth over the small hole and blow the egg out. 
 Once you have your 20 eggshells, make the your bigger hole even bigger. Big enough to go over the light.
 
     Before you glue anything, start decorating, if you’d like. I tried:
Drawing. It looks pretty cute. Especially the stars.
Kissing it. This looks fine, but the lipstick smears. If you like this look, maybe cover the kisses with clear nail polish.
Quail egg. Okay, but they’re so small and not as easy to get.
Tea stain. The eggshell looked great, but the light didn’t shine through very bright.
Pinholes. This is my favorite. I used the cake tester to make the holes. Be very careful. Sometimes the eggshell will break on you.
Plain. This looks nice and simple.  
 Lastly, you glue the eggshells to the lights.  
I started with one plop of glue and let it dry to get some security. Then I finished what needed gluing. 
To make the drying time faster, I used a handheld fan. This is not necessary though.
Finish gluing all your eggs to the lights and you're done!
Note: If one of your lights go out, all you have to do is break your eggshell, replace the bulb, and glue on another eggshell. Or, if one of your eggshells breaks/cracks, you can remove it and glue on another one.
Handle with care and keep away from cats and dogs who like to play with eggshells.
Enjoy! Now you know! The best part is this young woman is already 'mentoring' and didn't even know it.  Mentoring, is sharing your life, talents, skills, lessons and love.  Thanks for sharing with us!

Sunday, April 1, 2012

My missing my brother, Bill

Today is April l 2012. Such a day, such memories. 


One event that CAN change your life for good and to be a more compassionate person if you let it is: Suicide.

This is the day 40 years ago that my elder brother 'took his own life'.  

Let me tell you about him, from what I have gleaned over the years.  Since I was 10 and my brother after me was 7, we were young and not to 'well acquainted' with him. 

William Mertroe Stiles, we sure miss you. Genius you were, kind hearted, strong as an ox, creative, leader, loved and admired by young and old. 

My Grandmother: Ethel Boyd Hollinger said once, " it was because he got hit to many times in Football and Wrestling " that he took his life. ( more on that later, another day ).

Class President of YHS 1972, Wrestling Captain, Football Team Captain, Friend, Brother, and Boyfriend. 

I know life has it's problems, and maybe your girlfriend broke up with you, you were so in love. Was that it?
I know you had been in a tournament for Wrestling and had a tooth knocked out, Was the impact to your head to much?

We can never know, but I pray God lets us meet again.  I have a strong confidence that you left this life with Gods Grace.

17 years old, but you had accomplished so much in that time, you made your family and friends proud to know you.  

These are a few of your friends accomplishments:
One friend is now a pilot with American Airlines and has such love and care when he speaks of you. 
One friend is an Ophthalmologist, another a Superintendent of a fine NY school district. 
Another friend is the leader of a huge Insurance Company, he misses you so much. 
Another yet is a Missionary with a large origination.

You came from friends who were your equal, Super Smart Kids who did great things with their lives. 
What would have your life been?  Would you have been a great Pharmacist? A Dr.?  What would the last 40 years been like?  I can only dream and wonder, just like all of us. 

Let me tell you how we are doing now:
One sister has her own beauty salon and is married now.
One sister has raised five children and now is a Christian and follows Jesus Christ and the Bible.
Your little brother is a genius at Construction and is married. 

Mom and dad are 80 and 81, and are doing well. 
They have split up, but they are 'better' apart, it might have happened anyway, but your death was a big blow to them.  As to all of us. 

In 40 years there is still open wounds, but we 'don't go there'.  We just don't. 

The first 8 -10 years were pretty rough, but we survived. Then moved on, and then began to heal. 

The next 10 were full of new memories, grandchildren for mom and dad, and traveling adventures. 

The first grandchild, a son, was born on April 1, 1984.  He is smart like you Bill, he is a writer and loves to create with his mind.  I had to wait 3 weeks extra for him to be born, and then God arranged it to be April 1, of all days!
What a blessing, God brought Life on the day of tragedy, thank you for my son.

After those years we just all seemed to 'do life', and yet always had you in our hearts.  

We are all here. As healthy as we can be with a piece of our heart gone, no one has gone out of their mind  ( although it was a temptation ), no one has been in jail, no one has been living a life of immoral choices.  We are alive.  

My faith and Hope of a better life has sustained me, my family has not had this 'support', but they are 'supported' by love of friends and family. ( because in honesty, I would have 'wimped out' in depression if not for Gods love near me )

This year the class of '72 is having their 40th reunion, you will be there in hearts and minds.  We love you Bill, and sure do miss you. 

Yes, Life kept moving forward and here we are 40 years later.   Hurting, Healing, Hoping and Missing you.  

We all kept living to honor your name, we all kept living to share your life with others who needed hope, we all kept living to share your memories.



Gen.50:20  As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good. 

( my note: evil comes from demonic forces, God does allow it, for our good or correction ) Will you trust God again - today?






Friday, March 30, 2012

What did YOU learn today?

Who is your life mentor? 
Who is teaching you about life? 
 Is it a Grandma or a Mama or Daddy?  Did your preschool teacher teach you years ago to be patient when someone hurts you?

I know we are products of what we learned in our youth.  Like: to listen, obey, sit still when a story is being read. What about the other 'osmosis' learning, 'to not show hurt when others laugh at you', 'that you must be pretty funny looking
when you cry in public.' 'To punch someone, when they offend you'.


Oh, the lessons we learn by osmosis or beliefs.  It is the part of life we wonder, 'when did I learn THAT?!'. It shows up on the radar of our lives and it doesn't seem to go with who we 'want to be'.


My mentors were my teachers, family and friends. I learned MUCH, much, more by osmosis, than by words.  

"Where are you??!!! What are you doing??!!  I know you broke that!!  When will you EVER Learn??!!"


Shame, and condemnation.  I guess YOU might not have gotten that message, but for me it was LOUD AND CLEAR. 

So I ask you again, Who was your Mentor? What did you learn today or yesterday? What did you learn in Pre-School, Kindergarten, First grade, even Home schooling children. Has Holy Spirit been your mentor too? He has been mine for over 30 years.


If I could, I would say to you right now: "Listen and watch with eyes of love and care. Ears of trust and obedience."  
When we learn with Fear in our heart, we learn to fear, distrust, feel shame, and to be 'tough'.

How to unlearn what was damaging to us.  I believe the Bible, so I also believe God is the one who undoes the damage, if we trust Him to do so.  He is a gentleman, so He will not push us or twist our arms.


Prov. 3:5-6 bears repeating again and again and again.  'Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart, lean NOT to your own understanding, and He will direct your paths'


Step 1: Recognize 'unbelief'.  ( God began showing me how much my thoughts were NOT based in Faith, and I asked Him to show me more, so it's being aware of your mindset and asking God for help and grace to stop 'not believing')
Step 2: Pray with faith, ask God for more belief. 
Step 3: Belief is from your 'will', its a choice to believe by faith in the solid truth of God 1 Cor 15:1,2    
Step 4: It (unbelief) is a spirit- just like fear, power, alcoholism, anger, rage. There is a reason 'alcohol' has a name: 'spirits'.  A host of 'ugliness' is in that bottle. 
As God is a Spirit of Love, the other spirits have to go, go, go. Because Jesus is the name ABOVE all Names.  
Step 5: Proverbs 18:21  "Death and Life are in the power of the tongue" Be mindful of what you say, and how you say it. Start and end your day with encouragement and Life on your tongue. God help us all.

This is a few of a host of lessons God has taught me over the years.  I know God will help, if you decide to do this.  He did/ is doing it for me. : )

Monday, March 26, 2012

Mentoring the Mentor

How did we get here?  In life I mean?  I think back over the  years, however many or few there are and ask myself:

How was the journey? Did I know, and see...

The birds sang today and yesterday
The worms did their valuable work today
The sky was blue today
A song was sung today
A word of praise was said today
Language is part of our communication, today ---'I love you'.
Rivers wound their way today
Fish were found today
A kitten purred today
A puppy found its home today
A grandpa had a visitor today

When we find love in little things, we are then aware of LOVE around us at all times.  Let me find a larger Love than the limited one I see sometimes.

I found a smile today, it was frozen in a bag of sorrow.  I found it hiding, I found it cold and unmoving. So I warmed it in the sun and it melted, slowly, like a pat of butter on a plate. Smiles are real, when they are felt, not just seen. WE all can be faking our smiles.  I used to live a life of 'fake smiles'.  NO MORE ! 



Mentoring is a way of finding things you didn't see before. Looking at others with the 'hope and love' you maybe never had in your own life.   I mentor on this site for me as much as you. 

I learn and grow as I write and observe, and contemplate.   Life is full of good and full of LOVE.

Sure, we can look at the negative, but why not look FOR the good?  We don't have to serve God, but He is a God of LOVE, so why not find out where and why His love is shown. 

At an 'Orphanage', at a 'Homeless shelter', at a 'Beaten Mom's safe house'. Any place there is love, kindness, and hope given.  The origin of love is God.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16.

Did you ever stop to think who was saying that?  Peter? Paul? God? Jesus?  That's right it is Jesus saying that about God HIS father and Himself.  He was saying how it is, and how it will be if we just trust Him.

Amazing! He found me, and He is looking for you, are you listening for His Loving call to you?

So go on, REALLY love today.  Really LOVE.  Do you know God is a God of forgiveness, the adulterous woman  in the Bible- Jesus didn't stone, he Loved her. John 7:53--8:11

That's what changes us, Love. 

Agape Love. Unconditional Love, ask God to help you accept His love. He WILL answer that prayer!

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Making our mark in Life

Don't we all want to leave a mark, a sign, a message that says 'WE were here.?'
 Back in the 70's we would draw a picture at the bottom of our letters " Kilroy was here ". I heard the 'line' came from the war in the 60's, and then we used it in the 70's.  ( I just Googled it and it said it was from WWII ).

Now we have people 'tagging', 'vandalizing', drawing on bathroom walls, making messes on buildings, rocks, brick walls, anywhere there is a place to 'mark'.  I think there are many reasons, as many as there are people.  Yet I feel many want an expression of 'self', or maybe want to say, " This is MY area, stay away " ~ so intimidation.

 We all want to matter.

Do I matter? Will anyone remember me when I am gone? This, is a 'Universal Question'.

My favorite place to go is a nearby stream, I have been going there for over 40 years. THIS year is the first time I have ever seen 'tagging' on the rocks.  I was so very, very sad.

 WHY? Why did someone have to mark on the rocks, yes many, many rocks and rock walls.


I can go get a 'sand blaster ' and get it off, but why do I need to? Where are the parents, friends who will say, " Hey, don't do that !! ".  Are we afraid to speak up, so the bad gets worse and the good is hidden?

I want to be the one who picks up the person, after they had a lie drilled into them, " You just don't matter to me ", or " Won't you ever get it right? ".   These are words of damage, not love and hope. Is this why some 'tag', to hope Someone notices them in a positive way...

James 3:1-12 ... So too the tongue is a small part of the body, yet it has great pretensions, Think how small a flame sets a huge forest ablaze.  And the tongue is a fire! ...

Proverbs 18:21 Death and Life are in the power of the tongue.
 

I am first to admit, my words have been damaging.  Oh, how I am grieved at this, but it's true. I pray and ask Jesus to help me, because it is so easy to do this crime.  Maybe I am alone, maybe I am with a crowd that says, " Can't you do better? ".  

So, I know; the intimidation, fear, loneliness, not caring, not being taught~ comes together to bring a result ~ results of internal damage with external expression. What is in a person, comes out by way of ' actions '.

If we are not trained well, we will do what comes 'naturally'. God called us so we can live SUPER Naturally !.  It is only done in Him.  Ask Him to show you yourself, your tongue, then ask HIM to change you. Then DO IT, obey ~ when He reminds you.

I hear myself , and then the Holy Spirit reminds me to 're phrase that'. I have a lot to learn, but God has gotten my attention. 

Did the 'tagger' know his/her actions would be something to make me sad? Do they care? Maybe not, but we can make a mark in life and it can be words of love, affirmation, caring, and encouragement.  

 We all matter !    Imago Dei.

Like a GREAT coach, God shows us how by the leading and guidance of Holy Spirit. 

Thank you God for your forgiveness, kindness and Godly Mentoring. 

Monday, March 12, 2012

What is going on? US Military firing on Civilians?

This is one of those days that the news is sad, sad, sad.  I like to think in my little world, caring makes a difference. The US Military is being accused of some serious atrocities and killing civilians.  I know this is something that people need to NOT ignore. 


Caring is the first defense to holding off ' crimes ', but we are not talking about some thugs from the 'south side'. We are talking about US Military soldiers.

War is a terrible and yet sometimes a necessary thing in life.  This news from my view here, seems "unthinkable". But what if:

The Civilians were secretly plotting to kill the Americans?  or
The Civilians were secretly planning to attack USA.  
Just because someone is a civilian does not mean they are 'innocent'.  I could tell you stories on THAT subject. 

All I know is we have to have the strength of character to know when killing is 'acceptable' morally.  We will individually give an account for what we do in this life.  God will not invite a few 'spectators' to join in His review of our lives.  

So, were the civilians being prevented from other crimes, or were they shot wrongly? ( do not think I am saying  'vigilante activities of some US Military' is acceptable, I am saying its pretty probable we do not know the whole truth, and can't say if it is right or wrong. )

When our children become adults, and they go into the military or college or work for a time.  The things they take into adulthood is their character. As a parent THAT is our job to help them learn about conflict resolution, caring, sharing, loving, building a strong foundation from good morals. 

I get my morals from the Bible, I believe the strength of the morals come from the strength of Gods ability to be trusted.  It does not mean I 'read it correctly'.  What If I think Gods Word says, " do not kill ", and I teach my children this moral.  They will have to decide as adults if that is a moral they believe or there are caveats to that 'moral'.  

I believe there are many of faith, who believe Life is valuable, but feel it is their obligation to 'protect and serve' in the military.  US Soldiers didn't just learn what their TI said in 'Basic Training', and at military school, they also learned in life, from parents, friends and TV or any other media. 

I hope the US soldiers are 'judged' well. I hope they did not do something they will regret for the rest of their days on earth.  I can't say if they were right or wrong, but I know its sad news from the front lines.  


Judge not lest you be judged with the same rod  .Matt. 7:1,2

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Resting these days








































What have you been doing with your time?
 I have been busy, not to busy to write, but to busy to get to the computer, follow through and get'er done. 

I can say, " I have been resting in Gods grace ", and learning how to rest when my family, flesh and society says, " Get going, do WORK, be busy. " They think its easy to 'rest easy and focus on resting'.  This makes me laugh, hahahahahahahahaha, I laugh because I know they say this from a place of 'not knowing'. 

It is fine to say, " be busy ", or " Work ", or " Get a job ".  Well what do you tell the man who is trying to get a job but can't.  Or what do you tell the mom who has been a caregiver for years, and now is forced to make changes. What do you tell them ? What would you want people to say to you? 

" What do you need? "
" How can I help YOU?"
" Do you need anything?"

Please respect them, where they are, and give the Grace you would hope for.

I am old fashioned, I actually BELIEVE that God meant for moms to be home for their children, raise them to a High Standard and then let them go for others to enjoy.  ( I know that sounds like they are in prison, but the truth is - its more like a 'safe haven' ) 

How do we learn to resist Temptation? By:
#1 not being around it, for a long time.  
#2 By not hearing others say, 'It's OK, I tried it".
#3 By knowing the Truth about temptation, its a TRICK to keep us off the Godly path.

Resting, has been hard on me.  I know it is meant for REST, but the emotional games were hard.  NOW, that I have been resting for months and months I can say with honesty, I am 'Resting easy'.

I choose to be home. I had a desire to be home, raising my children. God provided a way - no not money, but Grace.

So I have been " Resting in Grace ".

I hope you are too!






Resting in Grace