Resolutions for a New Year

 

 

 

 

 

"That was deliberate!That was deliberate!" 
~Gimli  from Lord of the Rings

 

Doing things on purpose is what we try to do as humans. As we know, we all get caught up in the distractions. Things that take our mind away from what we are trying to do to succeed. Trying to do things to get results, we must on

 Purpose to do the right thing. Making relationships work, paying bills on time, eating right for health, saving that $20 bucks out the pay every time is what makes the difference. If we sit and wait for it to happen, it never will on its own.

Being Spiritual is the same. We must work at this to become more aware of how God is trying to help us.

Our motto should be: "Be a Christ centered person, becoming like a disciple who will sacrifice, love and serve to help my community in any way I can."

What does Christ centered person mean, you might ask me? I define Christ centered person as a kind, humane believer in a higher source that bringing health and healing sought by faith, with-out medical treatment  : )

 

Be stubborn about doing the right thing, even if it’s just making sure your empty Tim's cup makes it to the right recycling bin.

How to do this-

1- Focus daily on what you want- 1 Corinthians 3:6-9

2-Get rid of distractions-Philippians 1-11

3-Trust-a act of faith, that as you lose your old self, a new one will develop! Luke 17:20

 

So the mural to 'Resolutions for a New Year' are, Give up the un-needed, take up what you need to change and Journey on!

What does God do for You?

"Our greatest fear should not be of failure, but of succeeding at things in life that don't really matter."

After going over last Sunday's lesson at the service, I decided to feature this question for my fellow blogger's...How do we find what God is doing in our life." Myself, I am always looking for sign's that God has tried to talk to me, a pebble I find, response from people I met and maybe the color of the rising /setting Sun. 
In my opinion, here's what to look for daily-

~New Stories- A tale over coffee, a gossip at the store or a thought that intrudes your prayer/meditation.-Luke 10:29-"But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

 ~New Songs- Looking for life rhythms that sooth your moods. It can be a obvious music, humming a nameless tune or the ticking of your clock that brings harmony to life. -Psalms 40:3-"He put a new song in my mouth, praise to our God! Many will watch and be in awe."

note-Read 1 Samuel 3:1 -21 : )

How do we find the "Word" this in our daily life?

1. Seek the lord! -Jeremiah 29:11-13-"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. "

2.Obey! -1 Samuel 3:10- God came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”
Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

3. Take new territory! Hosea 10:12 " Sow righteousness for yourselves,
    reap the fruit of unfailing love,
and break up your unplowed ground;
    for it is time to seek the Lord,
until he comes
    and showers his righteousness on you."

Holiday Over

After some controversies at the beginning of the Holiday season, I did manage to spend a Sunday,December 23, afternoon at the Son, Chris's home with my daught-in-law,Samantha, two daughters, two grand daughters and him-self...we had a lovely turkey cooked to perfection with all the trimmings. On Christmas eve, I attended the service at my church with music, old friends and new ones : )

Christmas day was quiet. I did go to the local Christmas Dinner hosted my the Lion's club in Yarmouth. My old friend, Alex Giggeroff recited "A Night before Christmas, sang and kept me entertained for a hour or so with his humor. I also had a chat with members of the local Liberal party who were attending there.The food was good, the choir excellent and they even gave me some fruit to take home. After me and my friend spent most of the afternoon & evening planning what we will do in 2013. I want to thank all my friend's who contributed to my holidays with gift's food, rides and entertainment! blessings to All of you Angels! I've been working on my book a bit this week plus a few writer's contests that have come to my attention, getting my soap box warned up and waiting patiently for the next step in my

"fight for freedom"... Here's a picture of my gift's from Santa for ya's ♥

Apple Pie Friday

Another Friday rolls in...I decided this morning to make a apple pie...for my personal consumption this week-end : )
Making pie has never been one of my strong points. I remember as a young married mother, trying to perfect the crust. I tried everything from lard to oil, eggs to baking powder and home-made to store bought. Finally, after much heartache, children that wouldn't eat crust and thrown out pie, I found that the recipe on my shortening container provided a edible tart that everyone loved! The best pies are ones filled to the brim with fresh fruit. Apples, blue berries or cherries, mixed with a little sugar, cinnamon, a tablespoon or two of flour topped with a wallop of butter adds up to a dessert that makes any meal complete : )
Enjoy and have a wonderful winter weekend!

Original recipe makes 2 pie crusts

Makes servings USMetricAdjust Recipe (Help)

2 cupsall-purpose flour

1 teaspoonsalt

 

1 cupshortening

1/2 cupwater

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in water until mixture forms a ball. Divide dough in half, and shape into balls. Wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.
2. Roll out dough on a floured counter. Don't over work it. Use as directed in pie recipe.

Halos, Pillars,Sun Dogs and Weather

     (Sun Dog Photo)
I've been watching the sky most of my life, looking at the clouds, stars and changing seasons. One thing I've learned is that most weather can be perdicted my watching the Sun and Moon when physically visible. A halo around the moon can mean a storm with-in hours or days, depending on how large it is. My Great Grand Mother always told me that is a star was in the halo around the moon, that a storm would develop in a day, two stars then two days, ect. Sun Dogs are probably the most beautiful phenomenon, appearing at sun set and lasting only a few minutes. They tell of cold weather approaching, usually by morning. Pillars are storms in 12 hours. Many times I've seen these in the morning glow at the horizion. They sometimes have a 'peak' at the top, creating a illusion of a dove. Next time your outside, take time to look up and learn from nature what humans have know all along...our planet works with us!

        (Sun Pillar with dove)

Sun Dogs and Halos and Pillars

Hope...again? !

"Light of the World ,you stepped down into darkness: opened my eyes let me see."~ Tim Hugh

 

 

Another Sunday talk on Hope...I wondered why Jesus never had any obvious parable on this subject??? Most of us have been told as children in Sunday school that Jesus knew he was born to be the great Sacrifice for man-kind, giving his life so we could have eternal life. But what does this mean? He died so our Sin could be forgiven. All we have to do is realize we HAVE sinned. How do we do this? "Sin is not doing what you know you must to be good."~ James 4:17

 

 

A Dark Spot(sin)-What to Do

 

 

                                                                ~ Embrace it-Luke 15:11-32

                                                               ~Don't put it off-Amos 6:3-7

                                                               ~Be Humble -Peter 5:5

                                                               ~Finish the work-    James 1:4 

 

 

Answer is simple. Realize the sin, be it against yourself or another, ask yourself why this happened and try your best to change the situation ♥

    



Hope- How to Find It

 

 

Hope in our times...how many occasions are there in a day where we don't know the answer to a problem? The secret? To look with in and find our answers . Jesus said-"For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."-Romans 8:24-25 

Sounds easy...be patient and wait...

 

What to Do to Get Hope Back

1-How to get Hope in "I didn't plan this" situations (answer-Isaiah 9:2- look with-in.The answer is always just a reflection of what has happened)

2-Let God change your perspective.Romans 8:26-28(answer- everything works for through Spirit. Listen to your heart)

3-Trust and Obey(answer-Job 2:9-10- everything happens for a reason)

4- Sin gets back at us by trying to 'get back' at people we don't like.(answer-John 3:27- we accept others as we do ourself)



 

"When a train goes thru a tunnel and darkness surrounds you, don't jump off. Sit quiet and trust the engineer."

 

 

AND, the mean-time, don't hope for anything you wouldn't give a friend... : )