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

Carrying an Offense?

The Bait of Satan

By

John Bevere

I’m doing a study using this book and even though I’m only on Chapter 3, I highly recommend your prayerfully get and go through this book with your spouse or get a group together at your church.

One of the first things that stood out was in the ‘Preface’:

…..”it was not these miracles that pushed them to the brink of doubt. No, that challenge would come later toward the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Jesus had instructed His disciples, “If your brother sins against you…..seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.’ Their immediate response to Him was. ‘INCREASE OUR FAITH’ (Luke 17:3-5)”.

Then Mr. Bevere continues:

Jesus said, “It is impossible that no offenses should come” (Luke 17:1)

“It is not a question of opportunity to be offended, but what your response will be.”

How many marriages fall apart because one or both hold an offense? How many children walk away from the parents or siblings that love them as only family can – because of an offense? How many times will it take for a person to say they are sorry and ask for your forgiveness before you will quit playing God and allow Him to work through you? You are not just hurting the person you are holding an offense for, you are hurting yourself which will cause you to react in certain ways or hide yourself behind alcohol (getting drunk) or drugs (you just want to feel ‘happy’) or ….well you name it.

One of the testimonies in this book should bring encouragement to many married couples, whether you are married to a believer or non-believer.

“….He was unsaved and wanted nothing to do with the church. Someone put a copy of ‘The Bait of Satan’ in my hands. I read it and, within a short time, was completely set free from offense and bitterness. WHEN MY HUSBAND SAW THE CHANGES in my life, he surrendered his life to the lordship of Jesus Christ and stopped the divorce proceedings.”

Another testimony:

“….I hated my mother for abandoning me…..I realized I had to go to her and forgive…….Now the wall that separated me from God’s presence is gone!”

Now that’s just part of the Preface, can you imagine what the rest of the book is going to be like? Are you ready to take a chance and open yourself up to Truth? To allow God to show you where you are holding on to an offense?

Can you truly say you have never offended anyone? Have you complained about someone behind their back instead of going to them? Then you probably offended them and I’m sure you want them to forgive you and not carry that offense out.

I guess what I’m asking – what makes you greater than someone else that you don’t have to forgive? What makes you special enough that you can carry an offense and discredit them to your friends and family?

Is that placing yourself above God? Is that really where you want to be?

I know I don’t want to place myself above God, if you know anything about what He says in His Word then you know that’s not a good place to be.

I’m actually thankful I’ve let go of many offenses before reading this book. I believe there are a few hidden ones and that is why God has placed this in my hands to study. It may ‘feel’ and be uncomfortable but I want God’s blessings and I want to be a blessing so I’m willing to spend time in prayer, this book and check it against God’s Word – then do what the Lord instructs.

I just may continue sharing as I go through the chapters and what He is showing me – what do you think? Would you like to follow along?

There is nothing to fear, God wants us set free to live the abundant life He has promised, all we have to do is admit our sin, listen to how He wants us to make it right and then move forward in His strength, giving Him all the glory, honor and praise.

You can purchase this book at amazon.com  or check it out from your local library. 

You can also sign up to trade your paperback books here - 

Challenge - What do You Speak?

I put this on my Facebook status today and felt the nudge to put it here too. I am not pointing fingers at anyone, besides the old saying, 'when you point a finger at someone, there are 3 pointing back at you"!

But stop and think about what you have been speaking to your children, your spouse, your neighbors, your 'Christian' brother and sisters......and compare it to what God says we are to speak and how we are to treat the people He created, the people that He does not want to perish.

I sure don't want my tongue (words) to look like this!

Facebook status (please add me as a friend if you're on facebook)

‎"The tongue weighs practically nothing, but so few people 


can hold it." I put this challenge out to you (and myself) think


 before you speak, do you speak mean things to others 


about your spouse (disrespect), do you speak lies about 


other people or expand on their prayer requests (gossip), do 


you say hateful things about or to people that are different 


from you......I could go on and on. Speak life, it could 


improve your marriage, your friendship, your workplace,


 the persons life you just met today.......it will change your 


life, your attitude and your walk with your Father God! 


Speak life!

and as I was looking for images I found this next one and as a cat lover I just had to add it  :-)

Looks like my Scruffy and his 'tongue' when he is hungry or mad at me for ignoring him. 


Have an awesome day!!

Blessed When Insulted?

Blessed when I'm insulted, persecuted and falsely accused? Now that's something to think about.

Love A Lesson Learned

I was going to work on the second class of our 'The Power of Praying for Your Adult Children' by Stormie Omartian but the Lord put it on my heart to share this first.

I really struggled with love until I did a search in the Bible and spent time with God. I'm so glad he challenged me and has kept me growing. Do I have it perfectly yet? Nope, but I'm not where I use to be either!

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Forgive Them?! Really?!

This is a video I did awhile back on forgiveness. This has been one of my biggest struggles but I'm gaining victory!




“There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without love.” Bryant H. McGill