Celebrate Growing Older by Regina Brett

I received this in an email and wanted to share it.  It is by Regina Brett 

To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me.

It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolls over to 50 this week, so here's an update:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.

17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.

18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

36. Growing old beats the alternative - dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.

                  

38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

45. The best is yet to come.

46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

48. If you don't ask, you don't get.

49. Yield.

50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift..

Snopes

Believe in God - Don't Believe in God??

Why Do People That Don’t Believe In God …..

……….hate Him; feel like they have to bash those that do believe; need to feel superior; and the list goes on……….

In my opinion and this is just my opinion

………..they are angry about something that has happened in their lives; they are hurt and deep inside there is fear, they may not even recognize the fear yet. Maybe they have gotten themselves so deep into a relationship/lifestyle that they do not know how to get out, their pride gets in the way.

I’m sure there are other reasons.

What I don’t understand is they want us to listen to them BUT they don’t want to listen to us – what are they afraid of? Maybe their spirit is crying out and they don’t like that feeling…..I really don’t know on that one.

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Now for those of us that call ourselves  ‘Christians’ – do you really put Christ first, do you have a relationship or a religion?

I can tell you in today’s world it’s very easy to have a religion, especially when you are first learning about God. Too much of the world has come into the churches – my daughters tried to tell me this early on in our walk but I thought they just wanted out of the ‘Sunday School’ program. Most children are only going to Sunday School (which I do not believe is in the Bible, it’s something the world started with schools, separating ages) because they want the treats and play time. Some people go to church for the ‘fellowship’ only, not to hear what God is saying through the Pastor; not to make the changes they need to make in their lives; they want it to be about them or they go to church so they feel better about themselves kind of ease their conscience from a wild week. From my past experiences with church it’s a Sunday religion – you only need to fill up on Sundays then go back and live like you were. This is not what God teaches us in His Word.

He tells us there will be tests and trials.

I have had to let one of our daughters go and trust God with the situation, it was a decision she and her husband made after the birth of their first baby. This baby was born with health problems, we do not know anymore as the day after she was born is when they made a demand we could not accept. That was almost 3 years ago. They told us to not contact them and we have honored that request, there have been many times I wanted to knock on their door but at that would just cause more anger in them – is this painful – you bet cha!!  But through this God has shown me who He really is. I trust Him to protect our daughter and her family. And we pray for them daily. I post on my Facebook – Happy Birthday’s, Anniversary, etc. Because I hope they will see there is no animosity only love.

I say all that to let you know we’ve been through our fair share of pain and still have our faith in God. We are still seeing Him move in our lives. I had to take my eyes off what the world says and what my flesh wants and really learn who God is and take Him at His Word (faith). That is another testimony in itself and I hope to get the opportunity to share it soon, just waiting on Kenneth and Gloria Copeland or Joyce Meyer, etc to send me an invite  ;-)   dream big – you bet I am because I know there are others that need to hear what I’ve been through and how God has always been there even when I looked down instead of up – that pit was awfully dark.

Ok off topic…..sort of…..but that’s me ;-)  I begin to write and my brain goes down other avenues, then comes back and takes off again….there’s just so much to share.

So if we are to be the light in this world, we as ‘Christians’ need to watch what we say and how we treat other people. Are we really different from non-believers? Do they see a difference in our work ethic, in the way we treat others, in the way we treat animals, in the way we treat our spouse or our children? Do you really do things for Christ to be glorified or for your own fleshly desires? If they put us in a room with a non-believer would they see and hear a difference?

I use to be a ‘fleshly desire’ Christian and it got me nowhere except into a pit of depression and lies. I was a fake……trying to find truth…..in churches that did not teach all of God’s Word. Then one day I heard the Lord ask me – if they looked at you, watched you; would they want to know Me?  Ouch, at that time I had to say – no, they would not want to know You. My life did not show victory, it did not show joy or patience or faith in the One I said I believe in.

I believe this is why some hatred is out there among ‘unbelievers’ because a lot of us don’t know God therefore we can’t live the life He has for us – a life which will show others just how much He loves us, that shows He is still a God of miracles

 Do you think one of the reasons people do not want anything to do with God is because so much of the world has entered the church and people do not see a difference – there’s child molestation, un-forgiveness, pride, divorce, adultery…..and the list goes on. If we live no differently than the world how can we expect people to want to come to church and get to know God? Why would they want to give up their Saturday night out or have to get up early on Sunday morning, that’s their only day to sleep…?

 If you have been into religion and lived like the world know this -  God is a restorer, He can take all I did wrong and make it right. All we have to do is drop our pride and tell Him we are sorry, we sinned, please forgive us and He will.

 I know God is real, no one else could have given me the peace, the healing, the forgiveness and the joy He has in these times of testing’s and trials. Learning who God is and having a relationship with Him will draw others to Him as they see the difference in your life.

We need to get back to the Word. To know it for ourselves so we are not deceived. When we, as individuals and families, know the Word of God and go into a church where the Pastor is preaching Truth and still seeking God to learn more, gain wisdom (which we all should be doing until the day we die) we have genuine ‘fellowship’ with the Father and each other. You leave the gossip, the complaining, the fear, the jealousy, etc out and truly come together as a body where we pray for each other, encourage each other, correct each other, love each other and grow up in Christ together, having testimonies of His goodness. God does require change and obedience, for some of us that is where we back off and say no way. But I can tell you He does this to improve our lives here on earth and ready us for heaven. It may be difficult and even hurt in the beginning to make some changes ….but God…..is there with you and gives you everything you need to make it to the end results which brings a joy unspeakable.

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:5

Consider Abraham: "He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."  Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham.  The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed through you."  So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. Galatians 3:6-9

 "I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God.  But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God.  And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. Luke 12:8-10

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' Mark 12:30

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.  Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,  now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.  As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him--  you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. I Peter 2:1-5

If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.  Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.  I Peter 4:11-12

Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey--whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? Romans 6:16

The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him. Exodus 15:2

Do You Pick and Choose?

When I say to a wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. But if you do warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his evil ways, he will die for his sin; but you will have saved yourself.

“Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and does evil, and I put a stumbling block before him, he will die. Since you did not warn him, he will die for his sin. The righteous things he did will not be remembered and I will hold you accountable for his blood. But if you do warn the righteous man not to sin and he does not sin, he will surely live because he took warning, and you will have saved yourself.”

Ezekiel 3:18-21

Have you ever left out part of God’s Word or sugar-coated it so the person you were talking to would not feel bad?                                                      

I know I have and then the Lord began to work on me. If I believe God, then I must know His Word and if I know His Word I must speak it as Truth – all of it!

He does not say, oh it is okay if you add to my word here and say don’t worry about it God will forgive you. God may forgive them but you are commanded to tell them what His Word says. Then it is their decision to continue in the sin or follow His Word.

I don’t know about you but I don’t to be held accountable for the blood of someone I did not tell the Truth to. I believe that is why so many churches are asleep today, why we are not seeing the power God says we have.

This is not an easy step to take but with God’s help we don’t have to worry or fret because He will give us His Words at the right time and He will protect us.

““I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. “I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” Luke 12:4-12

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. II Thessalonians 3:3

I can profess to know God, to have faith in His Word but am I walking my talk?

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. James 2:18-19

Demons believe but they do not fear the one True God so they keep sinning, ignoring the Word of God. We as believers, walking in faith, are called to know God’s Word, when we know God’s Word and have a relationship with him (making the changes we need to make during our lifetime) we are able to help others grow in their faith and show it by their deeds.

Satan is pretty slick, he will come in and say ‘everyone is doing it, even those in the church, so why should you lose out on the fun?’

The Bible is pretty clear on what God hates, this is just one passage of many.

When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures,  idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division,  envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21 

Now I don’t know about you but I have had to repent of several of these things and more than once! That is why I believe we are to tell the Truth in love. We are not to beat them over the head and neither are we to tell them  it’s okay because their circumstance is different (if  it’s in the Bible it’s not okay!).

Too many believers want people to feel sorry for them so their ‘sin’ is lost in the emotional.

They talk bad about another person, telling things they should not be telling and usually leaving out the part they played in it. They have the poor me syndrome and that is not from God! We are anything but poor once we have accepted the Lord as our Savior, repented of our sins and started on our faith journey.

But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 15:17

I know this will seem harsh to some of you, but if you are believers you can’t pick and choose what you want from God’s Word.

 I want to speak the Truth in love, and then it is up to them to make the choice according to what God says. Neither I nor you can make that choice for anyone, not our husbands, our parents, our children, our friends….but we can search God’s Word and ask Him for wisdom on how we are to act and speak so they will be drawn to God.

So make sure when the Lord has you speak to someone, write about something, whatever He tells you to do – make sure you are doing it with God’s love, with a true concern for them to know what God has to say.

Whatever God says to do or not to do something, He will always give you the strength and the way, we are never alone.

How many times have I not spoken Truth to someone, or shared my faith. Now to listen to God and see how to do this in love, not in fear, not in Bible beating, but in genuine love because you want to see them blessed by their Father. Because you have your Father’s heart to see them saved and not suffer the consequences for a bad decision – a sin.

If you get attacked, let it go and trust God, love them and pray for them.  It could be the Holy Spirit working on them, making them uncomfortable and you are just an easy target. Again, love them and pray for them.

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up      Luke 18:1

I’m grateful for the people that spoke truth to me and never gave up praying.

It’s never too late to repent  -  Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death 2 Corinthians 7:10
 Let Jesus release you from those chains!

Oh The Memories!!

I was going through my stack of VHS tapes and putting the ones of my daughters on DVD's.

It has been a heartwarming experience as I see and remember just how close my girls were.

Anyway I wanted to share some of the songs the church we attended at the time, sang during youth worship. Our daughters, Lena and Amanda Hammes (now married so Lena Stephenson and Amanda Tucker aka Moonda) would be part of the worship team.

Enjoy and worship the Lord!






What are some of your favorites?

My husband and his friend Benjamin Mosier have a CD out now - maybe one of those will be your new favorite??

FAITH HAS A VOICE

blessings

I Like To Watch Movies and Listen to Music Right Here at Home

Just a few reasons to get your Roku box today !! We have saved a bundle switching from satellite or cable to watching Netflix on Roku. Click the link below and take advantage of the FREE shipping offer today!

Our Children and Purpose

Understanding God’s Purpose

We are studying "The Power of Praying for Your Adult Children"

 by Stormie Omartian

Our children are in confusion over what their purpose is.  To me this is understandable as they have way to much worldly influence and not enough God influence.

Our God is not a God of confusion, just reading His word and giving Him thanks will bring in His perfect peace, but God’s voice is being drowned out.

The definition of ‘purpose’ – the object toward which one strives or for which something exists; an aim or a goal. Determination; resolution. (from The Free Dictionary – online)

Using that definition let’s say your child knows they want to attend a school that will help them become a mechanic. They have a sense of purpose. It’s not all lined out from beginning to end but they have a starting point.  Now let’s add God, he will lead them and give them the strength to move forward, even when fear tries to tell them they can’t do it.

Without a leading from God, fear can come in and look for something else to pursue that may cause them to waste years of their lives.

I have seen children with great purpose and direction get to school, walk away from their time with God and things fall apart, their purpose and direction are left at the way side.

Let’s begin to pray and here is what Stormie suggests.

 “…take a day every month to fast and pray about that adult child. Ask God to break down any barriers keeping him (her) from receiving a vision for his (her) life a sense of God’s purpose and calling.”

If you child doesn’t seem to have a sense of purpose, lay it at the feet of Jesus and TRUST Him to give them one. Never give up, keep praying and thanking God that He has heard your prayer, your request and even though you don’t see it you know He is moving and working in their hearts, in their lives.

Another important point Stormie makes. 

“Don’t beat yourself up if you see your adult child struggling to find his (her) place in the world. And don’t berate him (her) verbally, because it will only alienate him (her) from you and won’t accomplish anything. You can pray, strongly encourage, and get him (her) to talk about himself(herself) and the dreams, hopes, ideas, likes and dislikes he (she) has. Tell him (her) how much you love and admire him (her). Tell him (her) of the good traits and gifts you see in him (her).”

As you pray, ask God to show you what you need to say, what you need to see-why they are unmotivated and then find Scripture to pray over this situation.

And remember, Jeremiah had to wait for an answer to prayer, don’t you think you just might have to wait too?  Jeremiah 42:7  

Again I stress the importance of not allowing the lies of satan to come in, don’t give up, keep praying and believing for those precious gifts the Lord has bless you with.

Now for those of you whose child has purpose, praise God! You can give thanks and ask Him to keep that purpose alive in them. Pray and thank Him for directing their steps and helping them not to lose their purpose.

Begin to pray Ephesians 1:18 today!

‘I pray that the eyes of (enter your child’s) names here.) may be enlightened, so that they will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints….”