Heart Attack!

Remember, not too long ago, I posted that I asked God to create in me a pure heart. To be a wife of Godly character has been my desire for sometime and I thought progress was being made.

When you confess a sin to God and He cleanses you, the burdens you've carried around for years are lifted. The big slivers are removed from your heart and you start the path of righteousness in the Light of His Love. The heart begins to look beautiful again.

Then, all of a sudden, the Holy Spirit reveals to you a shard of ice that has been left inside your heart. A great operation is needed to remove the remains so
that the heart is fully cleansed of all iniquity.

You think, but I repented and gave that fully to the Lord. Yes, you did and you're forgiven. God has no remembrance of your sin.

That's the sin that you confessed. The sin may have another aspect that you didn't realize was still within your heart.

Say, you'd like your spouse to be closer to the Lord. So, you plan and maneuver him into Christian situations and activities. What's so bad about that? It's very admirable but it's manipulating.

Manipulation of someone else is not a good idea in God's eyes. In 1 Peter 3, God says that His power will be shown through the silence of a wife. He means in actions and words.

When God shows you things like these, called 'besetting' sins, they're even more painful to have removed because it's a deep probing type of operation.

This is what it means to get close to the Lord. The closer you are, the more you are aware of your own unrighteousness. We have so far to go but He is able to bring us to completion and perfection.

These probings are in tender areas of the heart so it's wise to let the Holy Spirit have His way and be in still supplication and surrender. You'll end up being a changed person and reflect more of Jesus.

I know I'll never be the same.

YOU are on notice...RIGHT NOW...IMMEDIATELY

Sometimes friends have to tell you things you might not like to hear, but need to. If you are one of those people who like to forward every e-mail you get, please repeat the following ...

1) I will NOT get bad luck, lose my friends, or lose my mailing lists if I DON'T forward an e-mail!

2) I will NOT hear any music or see a taco dog, if I do forward an e-mail.

3) Bill Gates is NOT going to send me money. Victoria Secret doesn't know anything about a gift certificate they're supposed to send me.

4) Ford will NOT give me a 50% discount even if I forward my e-mail to more than 50 people!

5) I will NEVER receive gift certificates, coupons, or freebies from Coca Cola, Cracker Barrel, Old Navy, or anyone else if I send an e-mail to 10 people.

6) I will NEVER see a pop-up window if I forward an e-mail! (If you do, you have a virus or trojan.)

7) There is NO SUCH THING as an e-mail tracking program and I am not STUPID enough to think that someone will send me $100 for forwarding an e-mail to 10 or more people!

8) There is NO kid with cancer through the Make-a-Wish program in England collecting anything! He did when he was 7 years old. He is now cancer free and 35 years old and DOESN'T WANT ANY MORE POST CARDS, or GET-WELL CARDS!

9) The government does not have a bill in Congress called 901B (or whatever they named it this week) that, if passed, will enable them to charge us 5 cents for every e-mail we send.

10) There will be NO cool dancing, singing, waving, colorful flowers, characters, or program that I will receive immediately after I forward an e-mail. NONE, ZIP, ZERO, NADA!!

11) The American Red Cross will NOT donate 50 cents to certain individuals dying of some never-heard-of disease for every e-mail address I send this to. The American Red Cross RECEIVES donations.

12) And finally, I WILL NOT let others guilt me into forwarding at email by telling me if I don't I am not their friend or that I'm a bad person.

Now, repeat this to yourself until you have it memorized, and send it along to at least 5 of your friends before the next full moon or you will gain twenty pounds in the next three months! (No, not really! If you believe that last statement, go back and read this message again!)



Click Here

A Decade of Decisions

I just got back home after my early morning trip to the Sunday flea market. It's a long-standing routine for my husband and I.

As usual I wandered through the stands, getting more exercise than bargains, searching for a find. The misty cool day

A Little Fun

Test for Dementia



"It's that time of year - time to take our annual senior citizen test." Exercise of the brain is as important as exercise of the muscles. As we grow older, it's important that we keep mentally alert. The saying; "If you don't use it, you will lose it" also applies to the brain. Below is a very private way to gauge your loss or non-loss of intelligence.

So, take the following test presented below and determine if you are "losing it" or if you're still "with it." The spaces below are so you don't see the answers until you have made your answer - no cheating.

Okay, relax, clear your mind and . . . begin.






What do you put in a toaster?







Answer: "bread." If you said "toast," then give up now and go do something else. Try not to hurt yourself. If you said, "bread," go to question number two (2).








Say "silk" five times. Now spell "silk." What do cows drink?







Answer: Cows drink water. If you said "milk," please do not attempt the next question. Your brain is obviously over stressed and may even overheat. It may be that you need to amuse yourself by reading something more appropriate, such as Children's World. If you said "water" then proceed to question number three (3).








If a red house is made from red bricks and a blue house is m ade from blue bricks and a pink house is made from pink bricks and a black house is made from black bricks, what is a green house made from?







Answer: Greenhouses are made from glass. If you said "green bricks," what the devil are you still doing here reading these questions????? If you said "glass," then! go on to question number four (4).








It's twenty years ago, and a plane is flying at 10,000 feet over Germany (If you will recall, Germany at the time was politically divided into West Germany and East Germany.) Anyway, during the flight, TWO of the engines fail. The pilot, realizing that the last remaining engine is also failing, decides on a crash landing procedure. Unfortunately the engine fails before he has time and the plane fatally crashes smack in the middle of "no man's land" between East Germany and West Germany. Where would you bury the survivors? East Germany or West Germany or in "no man's land"?







Answer: You don't, of course, bury survivors. If you said ANYTHING else, you are a real dunce and you must NEVER try to rescue anyone from a plane crash. Your efforts would not be appreciated. If you said, "Don't bury the survivors", then proceed to the next question.








Without using a calculator - You are driving a bus from London to Milford Haven in Wales. In London, 17 people get on the bus. In Reading, six people get off the bus and nine people get on. In Swindon, two people get off and four get on. In Cardiff, 11 people get off and 16 people get on. In Swansea, three people get off and five people get on In Carmathen, six people get off and three get on. You then arrive at Milford Haven. What was the name of the bus driver?







Answer: Oh, for crying out loud! Don't you remember your own name? It was YOU!!!

Just A Closer Walk With Thee

Have you ever noticed...the more you want to know God's plans for yourself...the farther away He seems to be?

His voice quiets. He seems unreachable. Your arms find only air when you want to touch Him. He slips quietly to left when you turn to the right.

It isn't a game...to Him or you. You need Him...oh, so much. You know that He's there, right in front of you. You can almost feel His breath upon your cheek and you know it's not only the wind. There's a presence within His presence.

You see...God wants us as close as we want to be. He's always coaxing and beckoning you to come closer still. Close enough to hear His heart beat.

He's waiting for your pursuit of Him. That still, small voice is just under the surface of the noise within your mind. He wants you to notice Him. He wants you to feel for Him.

He wants you to lean into Him. The heavenly arms envy those things that take you away from Him.

He desires to be desired by you. He yearns for His creation to return the love that He is.

He is calling, calling to you. In your pain, worry, frustration, fear, questions, strangeness and void, He is calling a sweet, soft sound. Come.

Be still and know that He,
He is God. You'll be
surprised to note that His
heart beats with yours
in perfect harmony.

God bless.

Morning Has Broken

Such a beautiful Sunday! Even though it's pourin' rain, the day is beautiful.

I took pictures of a vine I started this summer. I planted it around my gazebo so that it would grow up the spindles. This week the first blooms appeared.

It's a morning glory type vine but it blooms all day. I loved the color.


We went to the local fair on Friday and passed a home that had masses of black-eyed susans planted around it. I love look of massed flowers. Such simplicity and fullness is so beautiful.

I'd like to plant that way next year. I'll need to write it down, though, so I don't forget.

How anyone could not see the hand of God within the beauty of creation is beyond me. Big Bang Theory, my eye! Nothing as beautiful as earth could be a chance happening. Get real!

This is Me

We Be Jammin' Again!

Hey guys! I finally have pics of my husband and I doin' our thing!

On Sunday, my husband's family met together in a park for our annual reunion and we entertained them with our music.


It took a little time to get some crowd participants but the lure of the microphone was irrisistable! We had a great time and everyone thought it was the best reunion we've ever had.

The tables were overloaded with entrees and desserts.

The weather held and a soft breeze blew through the pavillion. A parasailer even practiced out in the open park space.

Such a loverly day! It's been a year of God's blessings and living through tribulations. How glorious the day of His salvation! Praise God.

Helllooooooooo!

I tried to imitate the voice of Mrs. Doubtfire...

I'm still here, just working 7 to 3:30. It sure does take the day away. Life is good...yes!

Tonight's jammin' nite but no one has showed yet, so I'm taking the time to leave you all a note.

I found this in an email and thought it was cute:

"The "problem" with today's society, is that; (no one) knows how, to punctuate correctly, anymore?"

Isn't it so true! I saw a sign that was professionally printed from a lumber company.

It said "Conklin Residence" get their lumber delivered for free. (instead of 'residents'.)

Now, someone at the lumber company printed it wrong and then the sign company just copied what was written. Doesn't anyone check word usage anymore?

Proper spelling was a definite course in my day. What's up with this?

Howdy All!

Sorry I haven't posted in a couple, but they've put me on full time for now. Maybe it'll be for a couple of months, I don't know. I'll do what God says.

This has been on my mind lately and I noticed it on a few other blogs, but worship should be expressive, don't you think? I mean, it can be calm and peaceful..just soaking in His presence but why can't we just be uninhibited and let ourselves be the creature He created us to be?
There must be more than just raising our hands, singing His praises or tapping our feet. Someone must have some suggestions, so let's share.

What does worship look like? I've found a few examples:

Or maybe something like this?

I think this one is my favorite:

It's pure, unadulterated, from the heart desire for the only One that can fill the hole in your soul.

Oh God, teach me now!

Monday Faith

The start of the new week is to believe in the promises received yesterday.

God speaks to us through the Word and through his ministers. His Truth and blessings are for us Today.

He has said that He will accomplish His Will in our lives and we live to see it more and more each day.

Monday is the starting point after a Sabbath day of rest. We go forward certain and fully persuaded of His help and support.
He is all He says He is, He can do all He says He can do. But He won't do until we believe in Him. He won't act until He sees OUR faith in action.

We don't go forward blindly, but we go forward in the clear focus on Him and not on our situation. God is a God of completion. He will not let us down.

Faith is always building and going forward. Faith never shrinks back and hides.
Faith is knowing that the lighted open door leads to something better than the darkness around us.

Go forward today with the full knowledge that He is in control of tomorrow. He got you to today didn't He?

Boo Hoo!

My hard drive crashed!

I took it to the 'doctor's' yesterday, so I lacked any communication with the world. It was very hard to walk past my office and not turn in to see if I had any mail.

They installed a new one today and I've still to discover what is gone.

Had a great day at work! Got a .30/hr raise, joined the retirement system and got a free lunch. How cool is that?

Looks like I have about a month's work. Even if they don't hire me full time, I have more experience to add to my resume. God is great!

May the God of peace add to your life - blessings, peace, love, joy, hope and above all - SALVATION.

Things You'll Probably Never Hear A Woman Say

1. What do you mean, today's our anniversary?
2. Can we not talk to each other tonight? I'd rather just watch TV.
3. Oh, this diamond ring is way too big!!
4. And for our honeymoon we're going fishing in Alaska!
5. Aww, don't stop for directions, I'm sure you'll be able to figure out how to get there.
6. Is that phone for me? Tell 'em I'm not here.
7. I don't care if it is on sale, 300 dollars is too much for a designer dress.

Wit and Wisdom

Can you believe it?

July has gone. Traditional summer has been overwhelmed with the flood and after-effects.

Our town fairs have been cancelled, the parks unusable because of the mud.

But still,life goes on. This isn't the end but a new season.

In the agricultural days, floods were expected. As the rivers receded, they left silt and new fertilizer for the growing fields. A cleansing of the earth that was a preparation of a new time of growth and then harvest.

It's that way with trials and tribulations. We can just sit and wait for the ending or we can ask God, what am I suppose to learn from this? Let me know now so that I can get out of this situation quicker.

Things and circumstances are taken out of our lives. The old ground in our hearts is fertilized by contrition, plowed by brokenness and Spirit planted seeds begin to grow and flourish.

We wait for Your new hope to spring up within these stony hearts. Thanks Lord.


Ooooh and I just learned something new, thankfully.

Remember in the garden, when satan lured Adam and Eve into eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil?

Did you ever realize that the Tree of Life was there too? Satan did not want them to eat of that fruit, which would have left them in a perfect state for eternity, before they tasted the tree of knowledge. God, in His perfect wisdom, did not want us to eat of the Tree of Life after we had eaten of the tree of knowledge, which would have left us in a state of sin for eternity. Hence, the banishment from the garden!

How amazing is that?

NOW!

I don't know who this verse is for, but it certainly spoke to me today. It's full of God's love, peace and hope. It's a hug from God for someone today. I'll take it myself but I hope that everyone who reads this will feel the embrace of God Himself.


God only acts when we have faith. If our faith is sure and steady, we will see Him move any mountain in our lives.

A favorite quote of mine is "Without God, man can do nothing; without man, God will do nothing."

Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. -- Hebrews 11:1

God is the God of Now! Don't wait for another day, it may never come. Faith is now! Freedom is now! Love is now! The opportunity is NOW! It may never come again. Lost opportunities are so sad and grievous.


Build your hope in God for He will never let you down.

To Cyberspace....

Live in such a way that those who know you but don't know God, will come to know God because they know you.

Live, Love, and Laugh.

Hurray!

Looks like I have a temp job for a few weeks (maybe longer). Our town highway garage flooded out and they need help separating the paper files to be copied.

God provides. He has something in mind for me (and everyone) and it would do us well just to be patient and wait upon Him. I had an opportunity to go to a clambake today where a lot of potential employers were hanging out.

I prayed befor I left was that an opportunity would arise and He would direct my steps. The only employer that talked to me was the one I have right now and told me that he may need me longer than 3 weeks. Hallelujah!

It may not be the job of my dreams (He knows about that) but it'll do for the time being until the other job is ready for me.

"Be still and know that I am God". I need that verse. He comes through.

We Was Jammin'!

Finally got our group back together and jammed last night.

I've sooo missed the sounds of a lead guitar and harmonica. I think we played about 30 or 40 songs.

Of course, we had a 'killer' bass player (me)! If only I had my new strings so that I could reach the 'cellar'. (We play in my basement but the bass 'b' string is so low that they call it the 'cellar')

All of our fingers were cramped when we got done four hours later. Good thing I had the coffee and brownies ready.

I'm off to work today. I'm helping dry papers at the town highway office.

Got to go get my tetnus shot at 9, though. Not looking forward to that.

Have a blessed day, everyone!

Decisions...decisions...

In Joshua 3:15, he says "Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest." Jericho was taken at harvest time.

The flood is all that distracts us from our deliverance and the harvest of souls.

We need to cross over the Jordan, keeping focused on Jesus (Priest in the middle of the river on dry ground).

Do we let the 'Jordan's flood waters' keep us from pursuing God's vision for His church? Or do we take Jericho?

Interrupted Lives

For the last two days I've helped the flood victims.

My pastor preached on the Good Samaritan yesterday. His sermon was titled "Who Cares". He motivated 61 people to show up at a rescue center to help devastated families after church. We interrupted our schedules to help those who we couldn't recognize. There were no smiling faces or laughter...just despair and grief.

We made a difference. We hauled, moved, loaded, cleaned, sorted and comforted. Our efforts seemed like ants moving a monumental mountain.

Today, the volunteers were less. There are less supplies. Gloves and bug spray are running low. Masks are in short supply.

But God provides. There's that word...but. But, God. He has made all the difference. He is present in every hug, handshake, surprised hope...everything.

As my hauling partner and I were going back to the headquarters, we came across an automobile accident. On the ground sat a young woman, just crying and shaking. I ran to her and just hugged her.

She'd lost everything, borrowed a car and headed to the church for more clorox to clean with. Along came an elderly driver and t-boned their borrowed car.

Her shaking voice just kept saying "I want my life back". It's a nightmare that the people want to wake from. I just wanted to hold her and make it all go away for her.

I don't know her name but she was ok. She calmed a bit and talked to me. Finally, I asked if I could pray with her and she just shuddered and grabbed onto me and nodded. I hope my words were led by the Spirit and were encouraging to her. It sounded like jibberish to me. Thankfully we have the Holy Spirit who shows the Father what our heart is really saying. He's the Great Interceder.

"Can I pray with you?" are words that make the stoniest heart bleed. A fresh round of tears were torn from her soul. It was her darkest hour but also the most hopeful. Pray for her salvation.

Hug someone today. It doesn't matter what color their skin is or if they're American or Iranian. It all comes down to this one fact: we're all people with needs.

There is no defense against love.

Show and Tell...

My favorite shrub...flowering dogwood. It's dark red bark stays through the winter. I trimmed it back to make room for the flagstone walkway and now it's re-blooming!

This is what the birds left for me from their spring feeding. The bumblebee is reaping a harvest and after it goes to seed the birds will finish it off. Amazing cycle of life.

My pointelle (?sp). I just planted it this morning. It blooms all summer.

The world that God created for us is so full of color. The cycles of life correspond to His cycle of creation...growth, bloom, death. But death doesn't have a hold on those who believe in His Son, Jesus. As the flower dies, it's seed falls to the ground where it is fed by the water and nutrients, then is reborn into a new plant that grows and blooms.

As we realize that Jesus is the only way to real Life, we die to our self and walk in the ways of God. We are buried, nurtured with the water of the Spirit and the Word of the Bible, then bloom again in the knowledge of eternal life with Him in heaven.

Well Spring of Life

Wash me from my sins, O God.

Create in me a pure heart.

We've had tons of water in this area of land. The river looks as if it's dead, there is so much mud.

But, God regenerates everything He's made. The particles and debris will be filtered out. In a week's time, it will be running sparkling clear.

The mud soaked grass will be springing back up to touch the sun. The short rainfalls will cleanse the bushes and highways. Flowers have bloomed through muddied buds, creating a blooming mass of flowered browned leaves.

Birds of all kinds are questioning the homeowners, wondering why the bird feeders are empty. They'll be refilled soon.

What has been lost to the enemy will be taken back. He cannot hold onto what is good because it comes back to the Father.

In a month's time, cleanup will still continue but what we've gone through won't seem so bad. The stories will remain burned in our memories, but life goes on.

Next year, it'll be the talk of the Flood of 2006. We've named the disaster. History is past, the future yet to come.

We mustn't hold onto despair but release it to fly away to the next level of living.

All things work together for good, for those who are in Christ Jesus. Even the bad, tough, rough and awful.

Soul Reunion

It's taken me 53 years to discover my identity. It's in Christ. Only through Him have I been able to accept me.

I went to my 35th high school reunion over the weekend. Only a small turnout but we had time to talk to each other and remember the 'good' old days.

Those days were full of pursuing acceptance from each other. With clothing, hair styles, pierced ears we tried to 'fit' into the societal hierarchy within our class. How much of a jock you were, dictated the number of females chasing you. Cheerleaders always seemed to win out.

After graduation, things started getting more difficult. Fitting into the world that has already grown up, challenged the most astute high school graduate. All of a sudden, we were at the bottom again.

Talking with someone at the reunion, she remarked how fortunate my husband and I were with our 35 year marriage. She asked "What do you regret?"

"Nothing." It just slipped out.

"Not even one? I always wanted another child so I have that regret?"

"Nope. Everthing that has happened to me, even the bad things or the wrong road chosen, have made me who I am today." And I'm pretty happy with me at the moment, even with all my faults. My character has been transformed. I know that when I discover something about me that I don't like, it will change.

Think back on that conversation, I realized how true that statement was. I did sinful and wrong things that I'm sorry about, but don't regret them. I would never have know how perfect Jesus is without them. I'm still short, still a little bottom heavy, but that isn't the 'me' that I see today. I am what I feel, think, say and believe. My faith has sharpened and honed my character, transforming my thinking of eternal, not external treasures.

God is so awesome. His praise should always be in my heart, if not on my lips. The Great Potter knows His plans and He has shaped me for today. Tomorrow I may look, see, feel, be different than today, but I have learned that it is for my benefit and His Glory.

Yes, I am today much closer to the Kingdom of God, especially since I've left my desires of yesterday behind.

It's All About Hope

Hope deferred makes the heart sick.

Yes, it's Biblical. When you hope and hope and hope and hope for something that doesn't come, you have the tendency to give up. Despair and unbelief take the place of a joyful expectation of a desire fulfilled.
The Founding Fathers of the United States of America had a dream. The hope started with a desire to worship God in a biblical way that wasn't allowed at their time. Persecution led to inspiration, the inspiration of freedom.

It wasn't freedom to do anything you please, it was freedom to make choices.

As Americans, we are free to choose a lot of things, some good, some bad. If we choose the right things the results will show. If we choose unwisely, we suffer the consequences. We have a lot of freedoms. Where they take us only God knows. We have chosen God in the past, let's choose God for the future. He is the only hope we have. He has made it plain with His Word.
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. II Chronicles 7:14-15

Yes, God Bless America, my home sweet home.

Sunday Sunday

This is a new day. A fresh opportunity to start over.

May it be friendships, jobs, loved ones or a new life, we've been given mercy to go forward without remorse or regret about the past.

In the northeast, we seem to be able to pick up ourselves faster than those who don't have the resources living within a large city, such as New Orleans.
People in the flooded areas are already cleaning out their basements and houses, seeing what is salvageable and what isn't. Backhoes and plows are removing the mud that had swamped homes, cars and businesses. Huge water tankers are washing down roads and parking lots.


Even Burger King and McDonalds have re-opened with bottled water and port-a-johns. The resilience of the human nature is astounding.

Whatever material loss there is, can be replaced; other than personal momentoes. But even those cannot be wiped out of your mind. Maybe that's why God gave us memories. Everything else can be destroyed by moth and mold.

But the Lord has given us promises. If we hold true to His Son, Jesus, He will see us through everything. We have a bright future, eternity with Him, where there will be no more tears or pain. One day at a time, Sweet Jesus, that's all we're asking from You.

Here is what the sunset looked like last night.
Don't you think it holds the promise of a brighter day today?