Words to Stand On - Day One

I'm a big believer on standing on the Word.  I think there is a scripture to stand on for every situation in your life.  Please join me for the next 10 days, I'm going to be sharing the scriptures God gave me through each time of testing that I have had in my life.


My goal is to encourage you to turn to the Word anytime you need direction, guidance, or just need to know that God loves you.  I am so passionate about Christians studying the Word! I do not understand how some  never open the Bible and then complain about their church, saying "I just don't get fed there." Quit being a baby Christian and learn to feed yourself! (Forgive me, I just had to vent for a second ...)


I recommend that you commit to memory the scriptures I will be sharing with you.  I find the easiest way to do that is to copy the scripture on index cards and then post them in places you are sure to look at every day, like the refrigerator, the mirror, and on your computer monitor! Write it down, look at it, and also read it aloud to yourself. No matter whether you are a visual, kinesthetic or audio learner, this method will cover them all.


The first scripture I want to focus on is Phillipians 4:8 -


"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."


I grew up with an alcoholic father.  I was very blessed in that I had a mother who was a Christian, I was raised in church, and I knew that I was loved. Even though my father drank, he did not believe in drinking at home. He would just disappear for days at a time. Yet, I saw and heard some ugly things.  I was disappointed and let down many times. Often Daddy would promise to do things with me and then never show up.


But God gave me coping skills.  First of all, I was blessed in that my natural disposition was to be upbeat and positive.  It did not take a lot to make me happy. I could get excited about the smallest things.


I also was given the gift of imagination.  If life was terrible at the moment, I just got busy and imagined everything turning out alright. As I grew older, I realized this was really just dwelling on the positive.


When I became a Missionette (a girls' club in the Assemblies of God church), I learned their motto, which was Philippians 4:8. It encouraged me to think about good things, just like I had really been doing all along!


Years have passed now. My daddy turned his life over to the Lord and gave up drinking.  He is now in heaven.  But the lesson I learned as a child have been valuable to me.  Think about good things!  There are lots of good things around you if you just look for them. Fill your mind with uplifting thoughts.


When satan tries to get me to worry and think about all the bad things that have happened, I remember Phil. 4:8 and instead try to think of all the blessings I have had. When the enemy tries to make my future look bleak, I get busy and think of how God can work everything to my good. (See Romans 8:28) It's all in your mind, and how you think can make all the difference.


Remember, think on good things!

1. Do you find it gross to share drinks with family? Friends?
I don't mind with family because I figure we share the same germs anyway.  When my girls were little, I never got to finish my own drink. However, I discovered that they hate lemons in tea or water, so I started putting them in my drinks. Now, they don't touch mine!

2. What have you learned this year? (You didn't see a question of that weight coming, did you? At least not for #2.)
I've learned two things:  1) Change is inevitable.  2) Philippians 4:6 is the only way to live!

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

3. When do you dismantle the Christmas decorations?
The first opportunity after New Year's Day that I feel up to it. :)

4. Something you wish to accomplish before the end of 2009 is:
Finish cutting out my coupons!  I only have less than 24 hours left - what else is a reasonable goal?

5. How do you feel about winter (after Christmas)?
Well, it's not my favorite season, but I do like snow days!  (As long as my electricity doesn't go out!)

6. Have you participated in after-Christmas sales?
No!  

7. Do you have plans for New Year's Eve?
We are going out to dinner with out-of-town relatives.

8. Is there anything special awaiting you in January?
Remember when I said that change is inevitable?  That's when the change happens for me ...

9. If your life this year was a movie, what category or genre would it be? (Romance, Comedy, Drama, Thriller, Suspense, Farcical, etc.)
Drama ... definitely drama ....

10. How much time per day do you spend blogging? Please do not lie. I will know.
Usually, I spend at least an hour a day blogging (you are counting commenting on other blogs, right?).  Lately, because of the drama in my life, not so much.  But in 2010 I'm planning on blogging more than ever!

11. Who runs your household?
My hubby says that he runs the household:  he runs the sweeper, he runs the washer, he runs the dishwasher!  (Yeah, I know, lame joke.)  I think we run it together.

12. Share one hope/dream for 2010.
I'm still hoping and dreaming of getting something published.


If you'd like to read other random people's thoughts, visit Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee.

The Simple Woman's Daybook, December 28, 2009

FOR TODAY... from Jerri's Daybook

Outside my window... a cold sunny day


I am thinking... about a series of blog posts that I am going to start on New Year's Day. I'm not sure of the title yet, but it's about scriptures that I have stood on during my life.

I am thankful for... family and friends.


I am wearing... brown pants and brown tee with mossy green suede jacket.


I am remembering... all the times that reading the Word encouraged me when I was down.


I am going... to visit my daughter's church tonight for a special service. I am believing for a move of God!


I am currently reading... "The Christmas Bowl" by Susan May Warren.


I am hoping... to move closer to my goal in 2010.


On my mind... what does God have for me to do in the coming months?


Noticing that... I can find inspiration in the most unlikely things!


Pondering these words... "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6

From the kitchen... homemade turkey pot pie and salad


Around the house... Christmas clutter


One of my favorite things~ new magazines!


From my picture journal...

Table set for the Holidays!

To read other daybooks, visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Thankful Thursday - The Gift

Today's Thankful Thursday Theme is being thankful for the gift that the God has given me.

Ps. 85:12 "The Lord will indeed give what is good."

There is just so much that the Lord has given me through the years - it would be impossible to list all the gifts!  Here's a few:

• gift of health
• gift of loving parents
• gift of being born in a free country - the United States of America!
• gift of being raised in church
• gift of the Holy Spirit drawing me and giving me the knowledge of salvation
• gift of being accepted into His kingdom and adopted as heir of salvation
• gift of the Word - I can read the Bible and find out how much God loves me and how I can serve Him
• gift of my husband
• gift of my children
• gift of a job that I like - work that is challenging and fulfilling
• gift of promising to supply my needs

When I look at all God has blessed me with, how can I worry about tomorrow? He has always taken care of me and I can trust Him with my every concern!

Visit Laurie at Women Taking A Stand and share what you are thankful for this Holiday Season.

Friday's Fave Five - December 11, 2009

Yeah!  It's Friday!  Time to hook up with all my friends at Friday's Fave Five.  I have not been able to participate the last few weeks, so I'm glad to get back into the groove.  FFF is totally at the top of my favorite memes!

1.  Recently, I celebrated 5 years as secretary of the church where I work full-time. Here are a couple pictures of the beautiful flowers I received.

2.  My second favorite is now I am eligible for 3 weeks paid vacation.  Gotta love those benefits!

3.  So, I promptly took a week off!  My plan was to do my Christmas letter, put up the tree and buy all the Christmas presents ... well ... the Christmas letter is done ... SOME of the presents are bought ... the tree is supposed to go up today ...

4.  The area where I live has been getting some of that cold Arctic air that's been tormenting parts of the midwest.  When I'm cold, I like to snuggle up with my favorite fleece throw.  It is blue and has bears on it.  Best of all, my sister-in-law made it for me.

5.  Another thing I love to do when it's cold is to light tons of candles.  You can actually raise the temperature of a room if you light several.  Right now, I'm loving a cinnamon pillar candle I got from Hobby Lobby.

What are some of YOUR recent favorites?  Why not link up at Susanne's Living to Tell the Story and tell us all about it?

The Simple Woman's Daybook - December 7, 2009

FOR TODAY... from Jerri's Daybook

Outside my window... it's 37 degrees outside and it's looking dreary

I am thinking... of all the things I would like to accomplish this week.  I have the week's vacation I am taking to get ready for Christmas!

I am thankful for... the benefits I receive at my job.

I am wearing... my favorite jeans and a burgundy wrap top.

I am remembering... my time at youth camp when I was a teenager has been on my mind recently.  Youth camp is where I first became passionate about serving the Lord.

I am going... to run some errands but tomorrow I am staying home all day!

I am reading... I'm between books right now but have been reading my copy of Home Life, a magazine produced by the Southern Baptist Convention.  It's a great magazine for Christian women.

I am hoping... to find the mp3 player my daughter wants on sale!

On my mind... what to write in my annual Christmas letter.  (Yes, I'm one of those annoying people who send Christmas letters, but I try to make it positive without bragging!)

Noticing that... people will always let you down, but Christ never will!

Pondering these words... "You can't have victory by osmosis." Joyce Meyer

From the kitchen... meatloaf.  (It's one of my favorite Monday meals.)

Around the house... decorating needs to be done!

One of my favorite things~ saving grocery money with coupons. Last Friday, I bought $109 worth of groceries for $63!

From my picture journal...

Covered bridge in Bollinger County, MO.

To read other daybooks, visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook

Random Dozen #14

1. Which Wizard of Oz character are you most like?

I'm like Dorothy because I believe "there's no place like home."

2. When you're deciding what you're going to wear each morning, which item do you select first? Why?

I always choose what shirt I'm wearing first because I'm addicted to cute shirts.  I own 3 or 4 times as many shirts as I do pants. (Ok, maybe it's 5 times as many ...)

3. What kind of animal do you think the world could live without?

Mice.  I know it would upset the food chain, but as far as I'm concerned, I'd be happy if I never saw another mouse.

4. How many Christmas trees are in your home?

One. It's all I can do to keep enough working lights for one, I sure don't need anymore!  Also, I only have room for one.

5. Would you prefer to be emotionless if it mean you didn't have to feel a heartbreak?

No, I think life would be meaningless if you couldn't love or feel joy.


6. Do you ever experience holiday let-down or depression?

I don't often feel depression after holidays or special events because I am such a routine person that I'm always ready to get back in the groove of normalcy.

7. Do you like Michael Jackson's music?

No

8. Why is it that we never judge people who have their teeth fixed for cosmetic reasons, but every other cosmetic procedure has a stigma?

I never really thought about it before ... but you're right, we do judge people for having cosmetic surgery but not dental cosmetic procedures. I think it may have something to do with our perception of people trying to hang onto their youth through plastic surgery, but everyone wants nice teeth, regardless of how many face lifts you may have had!


9. Enjoy horseback riding?

No, I'm afraid of heights, and on the back of a horse, I feel like I'm very very tall.  Plus I can barely make my kids mind me, how am I going to control a huge animal?


10. Shoes--practical or stylish?

Definitely stylish, although I'm hoping to find a style that is both at the same time.


11. What was the name of your first pet? Feel free to post a pic.

My first pet was a parakeet named Butchie.  I can remember as a child cleaning his cage every Saturday and cutting newspaper into a circular shape to line the cage. I would then promptly spill his water onto the newspaper when putting the cage back together.  Butchie resided in the dining room. One day, my dad decided to paint the dining room.  Once the room was painted, everything was moved back into the room, including Butchie's cage.  The paint fumes overcame him and Butchie was no more.

My first dog, was a mutt that was mostly cocker spaniel, named Gypsy.  Gypsy later became a mother to one lone puppy, named Squeaky for the sounds he kept making.  (Perhaps he was crying since he was an only puppy.) Not long after Squeaky's birth, my dad decided to relocate the family to Florida.  However, he did not want to travel with Gypsy and Squeaky in tow, so my granny became their new owner. Being curious dogs, they did not live long because they kept running onto the busy road where granny lived.

I have many other stories of pets and their unfortunate demises ...


I am now petless.  It's safer that way, really.

12. What percentage of your Christmas shopping is done?

I have one gift bought, so that's probably less than 10%.


If you'd like to read other's answers to these questions, visit Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee.