Author: Sandie D

We need to be telling the nations about what God has done. Sharing the gospel is the single most important thing you can you . Anymore it people put more importance on  a foot game or other sports.

There are times when we will walk into a restaurant and you will hear voices lifted high with excitement in their voices over what their favorite teams are doing. I can only imagine what it would be like if those same voices were sharing the gospel of Christ.

I have been wanting to have a small study here at my house or better yet at a restaurant that is all about the Bible. There would be no work books, just let the Holy Spirit lead us into the right direction. This isn’t one of those areas I am good at, but I think it is important to do.

I was reading an article that James Palmer shared on his Facebook page. It is about how come people don’t come to church. They may go once, but they don’t come back. Thankfully my church is a very loving and kind group of people. Why is it that they aren’t coming back? I have a pretty good idea at my church. But, all the things that was listed in the link I provided, doesn’t pertain to my church.

If I were to put my finger on something that can change at my church I would have to say heart conditioning. We are a very huggy squeezey type of church. But there are those and I am sure that I may also be a problem. I think when you get to many type A personalities at church, things go south.

Now, if I was a newcomer to my church, I would first notice how friendly they all are. Since I have been there a long time, I know who are in charge. 90 percent of the are very happy with the service and they can feel the Spirit of God there. Just like any other church or family, you are going to have those who like to be heard and will make it point to be head.

For instance, when you have a couple people calling all the shots and get upset when things don’t go their way, I would say that Satan was able to step in and cause division. When people let their own emotions override what the Bible has to say, then there is going to be problems.

There are times I have an awesome idea that I would like to do and when I get shot down, I may get a bit upset, but at the same time, the pastor has to decide what is right. Most times he would just ask me to do it at another time or that it isn’t appropriate.

Our newest pastor has been easy going. I realize that God brought him and his wife to our church for a reason. He isn’t the kind of pastor that is going to allow a “free for all” at church. If he tells me no or to hold off, I may grumble a bit, but then I realize that he is right. Now may not be the right time.My type A personality doesn’t need to be interfering or taking things over just because I don’t like things the way they are.

When church members bicker and fight it just shows me that they aren’t paying attention to what is important and that is Jesus Christ. All focus should be on him. Temper tantrums and getting butt hurt doesn’t help anyone. I have seen this happen to much in the past. I would say in the 20 yrs we have been at my church about 10 couples left because they couldn’t do it their way. I also left a number of years, and I was OK with it because Christ wasn’t the focus at church and neither was the Bible. We don’t have that problem now since our Pastor speaks solely from the Bible.

Every church has it’s share of problems, including growing problems and dying members. Problems of all kinds of things will popup. Not a day goes by when I realize that Satan is trying to destroy anyone and anything that can advance God’s Kingdom.

Religion has been running rampant in the world. If you can’t see it or hear about it on the news, you must live on a deserted island.

There are many false prophets, false teachers, religions, cults and so on. People are being killed left and right because they believe in Christ. Lately we hear about radical Muslims, Islam and such. Mark Twain once said that “A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on it’s shoes.” There is no doubt that truth will win out, but in the meantime, Satan seeks people to devour like a roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8). We must fight the false teachers by spreading the Gospel of Christ.

Christmas is one the most important and joyous Christian holidays there is. It is a time to remember the birth of Jesus Christ or Lord and Savior. Christmas is a time to share our blessings with one another, and to be surrounded by the people we love. It is a time for giving, and a time for forgiving. Most importantly, it is a reminder of how much God loves us.

Right around the corner is the most celebrated holiday ever. This year is a bit different for me. This year  I don’t really have the Christmas spirit. I did put up my Christmas three, but no gifts are to be found beneath it. I’m not sure why I am a bit down this year. I’m guessing it is because I’m not feeling good and some days are more of a struggle physically than others. Then all the stuff in the news is making pray for Christ to come right now.

I believe that most areas start celebrating or marketing to those who celebrate Christians all the way back to October. Stores have their isles lined with goodies and Santa is lingering around somewhere.

With working in a retail grocery store, my thoughts about Christmas has changed. Don’t get me wrong, it is my favorite time of the year and Easter is my next favorite. I am consistently reminded how far we have come from the true meaning of Christmas. The very first Christmas involved two parents who would give birth to the most precious child of all in a manger (Luke 2:4-7). Instead of buying all the fancy toys, thinking about those who have nothing. I would think there are opportunities to show those who have nothing the true meaning of Christmas. The most important gift is God’s love (John 13:34), and love others as God first loved you. (1 John 4:19)

A few years past I decided to go try to get good deals on Black Friday. That would never happen again for me. When I see these people that are clawing their way through a limited amount of gifts, it made me sick. As I watched this act of greed, I was reminded how people have forgotten that trampling others to save a buck isn’t worth hurting others. An ambulance was called because people were fighting over “stuff”. When we love each other, we need to look past the “stuff” and do what is morally right. I would prefer to have no gift, then to have someone risk their lives over getting a good deal. I say, just call me up and visit or we can go out to dinner.

There are times that we forget what as we go about our lives, we forget to be thankful and blessed for what he have right now. We humans have the “me” mentality. We are never satisfied. We always more more. We want bigger houses, more money, power, cars and so on. All of these things that we feel we need keeps us away from what we truly need and that is the kind of Love that only can come from Jesus Christ.

Today, let us remember the true meaning of Christmas.. Instead of buying fancy toys, think of how you can give to those who would normally go without. Ask yourself how you can help out others who are not as fortunate as you. Show them the true meaning of Christmas, the gift of God’s love (John 13:34), and love others as God first loved you. (1 John 4:19).

This is a good time to dive into the Word of God. It’s an even better time to share the Gospel with others who may be hurting. Christmas can be difficult for many. Suicide rates increase around the holidays. Use this time to reflect on the blessings you have received and not on the ones you don’t have. Christmas time gives us a perfect opportunity to take a deep looking at ourselves. Then ask yourself, “What kind of blessings have I given? ” Then ask yourself “How can if cherish your relationship with God and to cherish my friends and family.”Lastly ask “how you can be a blessing to others?”

Have you ever wondered what Mary was thinking as she gave birth to Jesus Christ? I know I have. Mary was a young girl at the time of Jesus’ birth. Historians suggest she was around 14 at the time. Mary would have been a typical teenage girl. Mary’s may have been at her home in Nazareth and going about her daily chores and duties. I’m pretty sure she was cooking, laundry, cleaning and going about her day.

For a moment think about what it had to have been like for Joseph and Mary when they heard the news that Mary was pregnant. Mary was engaged to Joseph when the Holy Spirit told her via an angel that she was pregnant. I know if that was me hearing this type of news, I would check myself into a mental hospital. The phrase, “You are going to be pregnant and give birth to a son, would make me want to re-evaluate my hearing. Since she has never been with a man, this had to have been a terrible predicament that she was suddenly put in.

When Mary went to Joseph she told him about the pregnancy. Joseph thought that Mary was unfaithful to him. Just like today, if a woman becomes pregnant the Jewish Law states that she could/would be stoned to death. This still goes on today. Since there was no television or DNA testing, I would say that Joseph may have thought it was the goat milk mans child before the angel explained it all to him.

God was making sure to inform Joseph about what is going on though. Stoning Mary wasn’t in God’s plan.  I would say that is a good thing, since it would be hard to believe  what Mary was saying since she was an average teenage girl. Thankfully there was no deceptions going on. There was no need to contact the “National Enquirer” of the day. I can just image that headline, ” “Mary of Nazareth pregnant with alien man cub.” It had to have sounded off the wall, just like when Noah built the Ark. Why build an ark if there was no rain. It’s hard to conceive the notion that someone would get pregnant by the Holy Spirit.

Mary must have pondered and reflected with wonder on the words found in Isaiah 7:14 foretelling this event, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”

Every scenario would be running through my mind if I had heard God saying this to me. What would you think if one of God’s angels came to you and said “Greetings, you who are highly favored?  The Lord is with you.!”

I would have to say she was in a state of panic and disbelief. I would be requesting some strong medicines to chase away the voices in my head. We are given information on what she was feeling though. The Bible says “she was greatly troubled and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.” I’m pretty sure there was great deal of discussing when it came to how she was carrying and raising the Son of God.

Now, my wondering mind also wonders if Mary understood just how important this sweet child would be to the world. I know when my daughter was born there was that magical and miraculous moment when the sounds of a crying infant exceeded any and all experiences I have ever encountered in my life. That moment when you first meet your newborn child is hard to describe. Mary would have had Jesus delivered in the same way as other mothers during her time period. She didn’t have all the pain medications we have now days. There wasn’t a comfy hospital room or epidurals. Artists and actors have tried to give us visuals on what it would have been like when Jesus was born. I don’t think there is any book, portraits or movie that can begin to touch what it was like when Joseph and Mary first laid their eyes upon Jesus.

Mary must have gazed into the eyes of this beautiful newborn child with the kind of mother love that surpasses all other things. I would think that Jesus would have been like other babies and children for the most part. He would have nursed, cried and played like other children. He would have also needed to be diapered, swaddled and bathed like any other child. The only difference between baby Jesus and other babies I would think is that He was perfect in all ways.

I would say that Joseph and Mary counted all the toes and fingers to make sure they are accounted for also. Did they ask each other who He looked more like? I would think they went through the checklist most moms and dads do when they have a baby. I would say he must have been such a cute baby and a genuine joy to be around.
In closing I just want to say that we all needed a Savior, even Joseph and Mary. Jesus came to earth in the form of a baby and He changed the world. Thank you Jesus, for coming to earth to pay the price for the sins I have committed. You didn’t do anything wrong and yet you were crucified and buried. Because of You, I have the hope of eternal life.

This year has been a bit different for me. Not really health-wise because that is always something that I have to deal with and accept whatever it is that God has in store for me concerning if I am healed or will the healing happen as I take my last breath. This is something that I don’t really concern myself with. I have no fear of death. I figure God has it all figured out anyhow.

But, what has been on my mind and heart is spiritual warfare. I was going to write about the birth of Christ, but this subject kept coming to my mind.

Not all people understands that we are in a war like none other. How is it that we believe we are in a spiritual battle when we can’t physically see it going on? Believers and non-believers don’t want to admit or deal with the battles that are going on in our world. The blame game and finger pointing is rampant. There is this mentality that if we don’t see it or experience it, then it isn’t going on. Personally I don’t know how people can’t see that we are in a spiritual war like none other. If we don’t keep our eyes and hearts focused on the Word of God, than how are to be prepared to fight the evil around us.

A long time ago, I decided it would be awesome to play with the Ouija Board. I knew that it was wrong, but I was being drawn into playing it. It is only a game right? WRONG on so many levels. The Bible warns us to not be drawn into the deceptions and lies of the supernatural ways. Playing games like the Ouija Board may seem innocent at first and then it tries to hook you and change our perception. They are dangerous and difficult to get away from.

As I think about playing that game which is no game at all, I think it helped me realize that even Satan knows who God is. Satan wants nothing more than to take those who love and believe in God for himself. One night as I was playing this so called game, it was spelling out a certain verse in the Bible. It was spelling out Revelation 20:14-15: “Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” I have to tell you I was more than a bit freaked out over this.

• The second death is a reference to the lake of fire where those who are separated from God by their sin will dwell for eternity. This judgment was recorded in Scripture as a warning to unbelievers to seek the salvation that Jesus Christ provides. The coming judgment should also challenge believers to share their faith. There is a vast difference between the final destination of those who know Christ and those who do not.

As the little diamond was spelling out this particular verse, it rammed it into the Bible that was sitting on my table. My Grandma Grace always warned us kids about playing this game and the dangers of it. Up till that moment, I didn’t get it. But I did then. I tore that sucker into a million pieces. It was at that point that I realized that there is a spiritual battle going on. I opened doors I never should have opened.  I realized that Satan wanted nothing more than to take one of God’s children away from Him. This seemingly harmless game is not harmless. Please Stay Away from it. It is NOT a game.

Satan is very present today. You don’t have to look very far to see the destruction that is going on. As I read more of Revelations, spiritual warfare is evident. With groups such as ISIS and other radical groups of people, we can better understand how Satan is moving and becoming more powerful in the world.

Spiritual warfare becomes more intense when a person accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Satan hates it when people have chosen Gods love over him. Satan will attack us from all directions. Again, we see that with what is going on in our world right now. Christians are being murdered, children are being killed or sold into slavery. Christians are imprisoned because of their faith. It is only going to get worse. Satan will use anything to fill your hearts and minds with doubt.

As I considered spiritual warfare on a more personal level, I feel that some of the hardest battles are fought within myself. I look at the circumstances and choices I have made and I have a hard time accepting forgiveness. I realize that it is Satan who is the true enemy and all he wants to do is to destroy us. Spiritual warfare is very real. It isn’t a game. Satan is going to tempt us and he will use every tool he can to pull us away from God. There are many days where I am exhausted mentally when it comes to battling Satan.

Has there ever been a time when you were so overwhelmed that you gave into the temptations and lies of Satan?  I can honestly say that I have done that. Like when I was playing the Ouija Board, I found that I had to really look at my relationship with Christ. I needed to spend more time in prayer and in studying the Bible. Because of that game, it has done the opposite of what Satan would have wanted me to do. I had to destroy every part of that game and turn to God. I wish I would have listened to my Grandma Grace when it comes to the dangers of playing with games like the Ouija Board.

God has and will protect me and His followers from the evils of this world. I’m not saying things are going to be all rosy, because they won’t be. Thankfully Jesus is with me always.My life belongs to God and he has changed me and I am at peace knowing that I am willing to be used according to His will, not mine. My focus is on Christ only. I made a whole lot of stupid choices, but I know that the Lord is using my bad choices to advance His kingdom. The Lord is giving me the strength to fight against the sinful nature in my own life.

As I was thinking, trembling, crying and ended up emotionally drained after destroying the board, I came to realize that I deserved to die. But thankfully Jesus paid the dept that I couldn’t pay. We all deserve to burn in Hell for eternity because of our sins (Romans 5:12, 6:23). After all of this happened with playing this seemingly innocent game, I studied the Bible more. I was afraid of Revelations because there are some horrible things that is said in there. The awesome thing that I learned is that you nor me has to die the second death. If you’re born twice, you die only once; but if your born only once, then you die twice.

I want to end this post with a prayer and you all can join in if you like.

• Lord there are bad things going on in the world. Christians are being murdered because they believe in You. There are a gazillion things that I don’t understand when it comes to spiritual warfare. I want and need to understand what it is that You want me to do. Open my eyes and heart to Your truths. I ask that you equip me to become a living example of who You want me to be. I pray that you give me a discerning spirit. Lord, be with those who are in prison because they believe in You. Be with those in the world who are being persecuted and falling for the lies that Satan has put in their heart. Lord, I yearn for You to come again. Lord, help me and those who are fighting a spiritual battle to have the strength and will power to control my emotions which really get in the way and my behaviors.

In Jesus’ name… Amen

If you would like to have someone pray with you and for you, you can make a comment and we would be more than happy to pray for you and with you.

“Do more than belong: participate. Do more than care: help. Do more than believe: practice. Do more than be fair: be kind. Do more than forgive: forget. Do more than dream: work.”  ― William Arthur Ward

I have been asked many times why I invest a great deal and time into things I do at church. The answer is simple. I do it to glorify God and not for my own personal or financial  gain.

In the next couple weeks on December 5th I will be hosting the Ladies FOCUS Meeting at my church. When I do these types of things, I enjoy what I am doing. It does take a lot out of me, and I’m OK with that. It’s only once a year and for the most part the planning and gathering of items and plans are done way in advance. I actually started working out the details of this years FOCUS last December. God never fails to provide me with the physical strength, financial means and helpers.

One of the ladies at my church was telling me that it has to cost me a lot of money and a lot of time to do what I do. I can tell you this, that when I do something I do it right, I don’t cut corners. It isn’t about the money, it’s about seeing the smiles and joy on the faces of those who attend. I don’t add up the amount of money I spend since that isn’t important to me.

Not so long ago, an older lady at my church was telling me how much she looks forward to the gatherings I do at church. She then went on to tell me how she gets very few visitors and on most days she doesn’t see anyone unless it is her dogs. The smile and tears on her face is enough for me. There are others like her that may spend all of their days alone. If I can offer them just a moment of joy and happiness it is worth every penny and minute spent.

There was another person some time ago that professes to be a Christian. She and I were talking last year about how much she dislikes doing for others. She will do for others, but out of duty. She doesn’t enjoy giving to others since she feels it isn’t worth her time. I don’t get that mentality. Even Jesus is more blessed to give than to receive. We are instructed to feed the hungry and reach out to those who are in need. When we give for the right reason and the gifts are given with the proper attitude, we also benefit by having a healthier and happier life overall.

• Acts 20:35, In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.

About 10 years ago, Chuck and I would put on a yearly Christmas party. For about 4 months I would put together the menus, decorations that would fit whatever theme and reserve a place big enough to host the party. I don’t know how I got it all pulled together since about 120 people showed up. My husband and I didn’t always know who many of the people were that showed up. As they entered the room that was filled with music, gifts and food, smiles came across their faces. For many this was the only true taste of Christmas and a hot meal they may have gotten. I was amazed at how many helpers came out to decorate and donate their time. For me, it was awesome.

Since my health has been far from good, I had to stop doing large gatherings like that. I guess I was more bummed about not having the ability to give to others than I was about my own health and limitations. But, God provided opportunities for me to still make a difference in other peoples lives. God has blessed me with the gift to do things for others and make a difference by putting things on my heart such as building our churches website, weekly power-points and luncheons like the FOCUS. Only because of God, can I do what needs to be done.  There is no way according to my Dr’s that I should still be here, yet alone do what I do. When the Dr’s ask me how I can do things, I just say, “It’s a God Thing.”

Since last Christmas I have been stocking up for December 5th. I have been working here and there on centerpieces and special decorations. For this Ladies FOCUS, the theme is “Windows to the Past.” I’m hoping and praying for a good turn out. I have been working hard at getting the word out.

I would like to thank my sister Joyce for helping me do a great deal of the work. I also would like to thank those who are stinging popcorn and donating time and energy to helping me get things set up. I couldn’t do it myself. God has blessed me with some pretty awesome people. My sister Joyce has a hard time seeing what it is that I am envisioning, but she is willing to help anyhow. I like to have it the way it is in my mind and that can be hard on those who help since I get picky. So, thanks to all.

There have been headlines going over news channels, the internet and newspapers on how the U.S.A. should be afraid and be aware of terror attacks that are possible. I don’t want to downplay the risks that there is to anyone. But, at the same time, I refuse to live in fear of what can or may happen. To me, that is giving them the power to control what I do.

As we hear more about terrorism, our attention is diverted to those things and we become obsessed. We are told that we should be on high alert when it comes to large crowds and crowded places. We need to be particularly caution because of the holidays approaching. These vigilante groups and Satan are out to intimidate and create fear.

In 2 Timothy 1:7 it says, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” . I refuse to live in fear of anything that this world has to offer. My faith is in Christ alone. When we start giving into the scare tactics and threats of groups like ISIS, we are giving them the power not God. I believe that we should go about our lives and I will continue to talk to others about my relationship with Christ. Satan is NOT going to win. God is the winner in this spiritual warfare that is going on around us.

The more we hear about all of this terrorism we are becoming more fearful and obsessed over protecting ourselves from every imaginable thing. I get why people are insecure, worried and afraid of what could happen, but that shows that we aren’t putting God in control over us. It’s as if we are living in the dark dungeon and evil is hanging out at every turn and corner we go into.

If I give into the fear that I see on television, the internet and on the streets, that is telling me that I’m not putting my trust in God like I should be.

• John 14:27 (NKJV) “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Since my trust is in Christ alone, I really see no other option other than guarding my heart against fear. We should all be guarding our hearts against fear.

• Proverbs 4:20-23 (NKJV) My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; 22 For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh. 23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.

Some of the ways we are to guard our hearts is in the way we think. When we are fearful and afraid, we are choosing to be that way. We don’t have to live in a state of fear. We don’t have to be prisoners of fear. Nobody is forcing us into living in a constant state of fear. When we know that God is the winner and He is there, we don’t have to fear all the things we hear about. Just now, the news is covering how Turkey has shot down a Russian jet. People are reacting and scrambling for some kind of protection against what is going to happen next. Without a doubt in my mind, I can say that, “God knows the future”. Nothing that is happening right now is going to surprise God and God has it covered. It may not be to our liking. But God is Who I put all my trust and hope in, not in a world that is going to hell in a hand-basket.

We belong to God and because of that, I will NOT fear things of this world.

• Isaiah 43:1 “But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.”

God has told his people, “Fear not.” There shouldn’t be nothing that should cause God’s people to fear. For some reason people thinks that if we are believer in God, that doesn’t mean that we are immune to suffering. Our lives aren’t going to be picture perfect. I don’t expect my life to be perfect. If it were perfect, we wouldn’t need God.

When we go through difficult times, we are tempted to think that “God has left us and has forsaken us.” There are times I feel like I am drowning in the depths of the ocean. There have been times I felt like I couldn’t handle anything more coming my way. But! I did make it through and I can count on troubles coming my way and to those in the world. God will going to be there and I know that I won’t be going through it alone.

Everyone has problems they are dealing with. Jesus said, “The rain falls on the just and the unjust” (Matthew 5:45). We all experience tragedy at some time in life. But remember: God brings difficult situations into our lives to remind us how much we need Him. Every trial and struggles, we have the opportunity to trust and glorify Him. .

We can’t understand why He isn’t rescuing us and protecting us from the kind harm ISIS and the evils around us. We will suffer loss and pain. They can take our life here on earth. But they can’t take our eternal life with Christ. Our eternal life, our salvation, our hope, is “stored up for us in heaven” (Colossians 1:5). No matter what happens, no one can separate us from Christ and His love.  So, there is no need to fear terrorists and the evil of this world.

Thanksgiving Day Shopping

If you have ever been to a grocery store to get your food, which I would think everyone has been at some point. As you reach the cashier you may notice that the cashier may be in a bad mood and a bit snippy.

For the cashier or for the person working in a retail setting or restaurant, you get to see first-hand just how bitter people can be. I feel bad for the cashiers when they have to deal with some of the people they have to deal with.I refuse to shop or go anywhere since the people working should get to enjoy the day also.

Here are some of my very own thoughts and comments. Since I have had more than my share of cashiering jobs, I would like to give you some from a real cashier and most of these will relate to all cashiers. If they don’t, then something is wrong with them.

Some customers have the mindset that the customer is always right. Let me tell you, they aren’t always right. There is nothing right about verbally abusing the cashiers or other employees. It happens all the time and re-consider their actions and words.

Since it is almost Thanksgiving I wanted to share my biggest cashiering pet peeve. The other day I was at the  grocery store and the cashier and I were talking about the hours they will be open on Thanksgiving. I did cashiering at a local grocery store for years and it always amazed me at what customers would say and do.I have a very long list of pet peeves that I hated when I did cashiering.

1. Apologize: Of course you probably know my top one. It is that people don’t buy their stuff until the day of. If you are going to apologize since I have to work, then stop shopping or there would be no need to go to the store. It’s called thinking ahead.
2. Express Lanes: OK, nobody can tell me that they can’t see a very large lighted up sign that says, ” 15 Items or Less.” If people can’t see the signs they may need glasses.  It never fails that a customer will come to the line with a grocery basket full. I would tell them this is express. We were told that we have to ring them up anyhow.
3. WIC Vouchers– Ticks me off so much when mothers or fathers use all of the vouchers at one time. I’m not saying I have a problem with people who use them, I have a problem when people have no consideration for the cashier or the customers behind them. They will also use them on express. They say since each voucher and they have to be separate orders, I would have to take them. But it is inconsiderate to those who are needed to be rung up.
4. Cell Phones: Customers talking on their cell phones while I am trying to ring up their items.I had one customer who was having a very colorful conversation and yelling at the person. When things happened like this I would get to where I would suspend their orders and told them the basket will be at customer service. They can go get it after they talk to whoever. I think it is incredibly rude to be on your phones while you are in stores or restaurants.
5. Bra Money: It would be awesome if customers wouldn’t put money in the bras, socks, mouth and so on. I wouldn’t think customers would like to handle nasty bills that are placed in other places. If you can’t use a purse or you have no place to keep your money, I would suggest going out and purchasing a wallet or pocketbook.

For the most part, customers are awesome. I haven’t really had much of a problem with customers unless they think they are better than the person ringing up their food or items they have purchased.

My top and most subject that  gets me going is about working on Thanksgiving like I said earlier. Each year I would hear this comment over and over again, “I’m sorry you have to work on Thanksgiving Day.” Hello! I wouldn’t have to work on Thanksgiving if people would shop before Thanksgiving Day. It is because of customers who refuse to get what they need to get before the day. I always seen that as a slap in the face when they would make that comment.

If people would buy what they needed before then, then I could enjoy my day with my family. So instead, all those cashiers standing in front of said customer would be home if that customer wasn’t standing in front of them making these comments.

When I worked for Lins, and I’m not sure if they still do it, they would be open on Thanksgiving. The management would let people sign up if they would like to work. If they didn’t want to, then they didn’t have to. Which I guess is fine. It wasn’t as much the stores that I get upset with, since obviously there is a need since customers like to wait till the very last minute.

In closing, I just want to say that being courteous and appreciative can go a long ways. If you are standing in front of a cashier on Thanksgiving or Christmas, then you aren’t really sorry. So, you might just want to keep that comment to yourself. Because I can guarantee you that all cashiers have heard it a thousand times and we don’t believe it. Also, please be considerate because they are there to take care of you, not hear about how bad of a job they are doing.

My mom passed away on August 21, 2015 and her birthday is tomorrow (November 13). Mom would have been 73 yrs old tomorrow. Happy Birthday Mom- I love you and miss you. I can’t wait to see you again and to hear your voice.

My mom and dad didn’t have a lot of things. When I was small, my parents and grandparents did their best to shield us from the effects of growing up in hard times. While we knew things weren’t easy, mom always found a way to put food on the table and clothed us.

For me, growing up in that little one room house in Grovertown, Indiana was the highlight of my childhood. It was then that I felt I could be who I was. We lived with my grandparents off and on and we never got the idea that we were missing out on things. I can still picture walking up to the house where there was a pile of coal to the left of the house. There was no power and there was no running water. By all accounts the house was a shack. As I walked into the house there was a table with a couple chairs, with my grandma sitting there. She had her combat boots on, overalls and a cigar hanging from her mouth. The most important thing I remember about her is that she also had her Bible opened to whatever it was that she was studying.

She had a little room with a dirt floor that sat behind a curtain. It’s funny when I think about what I remember most. Since we had no power, running water and so on, we also never had indoor plumbing. If we had to go to the bathroom, we had to walk to the back of the property, which was 5 acres and we had to be sure to not get to close to where the chickens and geese were. If you have never had chickens, roosters and geese, let me tell you, they can be mean. My grandparents would let us kids take turns picking out the chickens we would have for dinner. I always made sure to choose the meanest ones and the ones that would chase me down. I loved loved loved being the next one to choose who will have their heads chopped off. I know it sounds barbaric, but I looked forward to cooking that rooster or chicken.

I don’t know if many will remember what commodities are, but when times were hard and there was nothing to eat, my mom and grandma would get their monthly box of commodities. In the box there was corn meal, cheese, powdered milk, canned meat and not sure what else there was. Once in a while I would go with my mom and grandma to get food assistance and it was something we looked forward to each month and was thankful for. There were very long lines and it would take hours to get to the front of the line. My grandma and mom would always tell us how lucky and blessed we were because not everyone had the luxury of having food on the table or clothes on their backs.

With Thanksgiving coming up and thinking about what would have been my moms 73rd birthday tomorrow, I have been thinking about how much we did have. Maybe not in the same way many had, but we had what we needed, even if it was soup made out of rice and cabbage. There was one Christmas when my mom knew she wasn’t going to have money for us to even get a coat for the winter. She and grandma arranged with the Salvation Army to get us signed up to get new coats. If you have ever lived in Indiana or experienced blizzards, you would know that you need to have a coat. Even when we didn’t, we wouldn’t make a big deal. I wonder if that is to save face or something else.

Since my grandparents had no heat and there was only the wood/coal burning stove to heat up the place, it sure was nice having a coat in addition to down feather mattresses that we could keep warm by the stove. My grandma Grace would have given the shirt off her back and done without if she knew that any of us kids were going to suffer. As I remember her prayers as she layed in her bed and sat at her table, I began to see how much she gave. Maybe not money since she had nothing. She gave us everything she had. I should add that whoever was the last person in bed was the one who had to go outside to get coal. If the fire went out, we would have literally frozen to death. Since there was only so much room on the bed that was more like sleeping bags in front of the stove, she would let one of us sleep with her. There was no heat by her bed. She literally had about 5 heavy blankets on her bed, just to keep us warm.

My Grandma Grace is the one person I can say that really opened my eyes up to how important it is to have faith in God and to really get to know Jesus Christ. She would sit at her table with the peanut butter can and a slice of bread while sharing the stories in the Bible. Without a doubt, I have my grandma to thank and so many others along the way for where I am today. Grandma would tell me that when I trust in God, He will take care of everything. He will put the right people in our lives when we need them the most. My grandma knew my mom was not a person of faith. In the last 6 months of her life, that changed though. Grandma was right though. God put people like Pastor Harry Myers, Christian friends, family and strangers along the way in my life.

I think about a few verses when I remember my grandma and about being thankful. Here are a couple of them:

• Colossians 3:15-17. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

As I think about my moms passing and her first birthday in heaven, I can honestly say that it is never easy loosing someone that you love. Just a couple weeks ago, I lost another friend to cancer that has been a life time friend of our families. My mom told me a couple years ago while I was visiting her that there were times she would have to beg her employer for food so she could feed us. Many times all we had was mush for all of our meals since that was all she could afford. She held my hand that day and apologized profusely because she couldn’t do more. She was trying to make amends the best she could. The look on her face was on filled with guilt and pain. She knew she wasn’t the best mom, but I told her that she did the best she could given the situation and that I loved her and so did God.

I want to just add that while we may not have had the best or the most. I can say that I work very hard at being thankful for all things. Even when I can’t see the positive, I think of my mom and my grandma. Some people have asked me how I can be positive when it comes to my health problems, diagnosis and prognosis. I say that it is pretty easy when I put my life and faith in God. I have chosen to adopt an “attitude of gratitude: as a lifelong permanent state of mind. Even as my grandma was fighting diabetes and had her legs amputated and died, she always put her faith in God and she rejoiced in knowing that this life is temporary.

My life experiences, my mom and grandma has taught me that my attitude plays a larger role when it comes to determining if I am going to be grateful or am I going to spend my time complaining about things I can’t change. The last year of my moms life was a roller-coaster ride. She did profess to believe in Jesus Christ and she was baptized before she passed away. But I can’t help but wonder how joyful her life would have been if she would have had the hope and joy of the Lord in her life a long time ago. I personally feel that I can be grateful in spite of all the problems that life on earth gives us. I have chosen to perceive things in a way that helps build my faith in God and to help others. It doesn’t do me or anyone else any good to grumble all the time. I do have my moments, but I try to refrain from them. My moms life taught me that I need to see the positive sides life’s hassles. Instead of getting down and letting things get the best of me, I give it to God and I redirect my thoughts.

As I have been flipping through Facebook pictures from when I was younger and of my mom, I am reminded of how my grandma and mom were instrumental in my life. Things weren’t always rosy. But, in those hard times God reminded me that He is there for me. God gave me the opportunity to talk to my mom about what He has done in my life and that God loves my mom. I was blessed because I was able to pass on the message that my Grandma Grace gave me so many years ago as she sat at her table with her Bible opened to pages that were thin and falling apart. All of these things I am grateful for. These life lessons have stuck with me in all things I do. People will be sharing what they are thankful for in the next coming weeks and we should be thankful in all things. My greatest moments in my life are those times when I have been rewarded by the generosity of others, which in turn has helped me be generous to others.

There has been some difficult times in our country, church and world. With all of the bitterness and ungrateful thoughts it is refreshing to hear messages of thanksgiving. There is something awesome when people share their messages of what they are grateful for. As I remember my mom and how she lost her battle with cancer, it doesn’t have to be a moment of anger, sadness or bitterness. While she is no longer here in the physical sense, she is still here in my heart and mind. One day there will be an awesome reunion. My grandma and mom has made a difference in the world and I will always carry their memories in the warmest of places.

Sometimes it is necessary to just keep our mouths shut. I was having a discussion the other day and it was about watching what we say and taming of the tongue. I must say that I have problems doing that at times. I have gotten to the point where I pretty much say what is on my mind. Many years ago, my friend was saying, that it is better to not let things get bottled up. I have somewhat changed my views on this. The reason I say that is that words have the potential to destroy someone. I think the old saying, “if you don’t have something nice to say, then say nothing at all” is my motto when it comes to speaking. Otherwise I get myself in tons of trouble.

As I ponder this subject I think of;

• Ephesians 4:29 “ When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need – words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you.”

I don’t know about you, but there are times I say hurtful things to others without meaning to say whatever it is out loud. They just go flying out there and I can’t take the words back once I spoke them.  Words care powerful. Words have the power to destroy or to build up. I can’t one hundred percent guarantee that everyone has problems with watching what is said to others. But, I would guess we all have had problems with the foot in mouth disease at times. I have found that over time, I get more frustrated and defensive when it comes to saying what is on my mind.

Taming my tongue has got to be the hardest thing for me. I know without a doubt that God isn’t pleased when people use words to hurt others. One of my friends was having problems with depression. She loved the Lord and she did everything in her power to be the best person she could be. I invited her to go to church with me. She said no more times than I can count. Eventually she gave in and went me. I was disappointed with some of the people at church.

My friend who I will call Anne walked into the sanctuary. She didn’t have the best cloths on. She never went to church, so she dressed the best way she could. She and I sat down in the seats. I would say the congregation in Phoenix was around 200 people give or take a few. But, she and I sat there waiting for the service to begin. People would be greeting one another in their click. Only one person said hi to her. I asked her what she thought of the service . She told me she noticed how some of the people were sizing her up. By the way they were staring at her you would think she was a leper. To this day Anne doesn’t go to church. She said Christians fight more than any other group and she has no interest in being around Christians that acted the way the ones did at my old church. I tried to tell her that not all Christians are like that. And if they act like that, they will be accountable. We aren’t perfect, but thankfully we are forgiven. I also think that not all people who go to church is Christians. They may think they are, but they aren’t.

The next thing she noticed was that some of the people were talking to their friends and belittling others that were in the church. They were grumbling instead of being kind to one another they were discussing how bad this person or another person was. Some of the comments were about the choir and how awful they are. My friend was approached at one point and was invited to go to a small group Bible Study. I think the study on in 1 Corinthians. The subject they were studying is how you should love your brothers and sisters and be kind.  I thought the topic was kind of ironic considering all things.

Anne told me when we got into the car that she would never want to go back to church with me again. When I asked her why, she explained to me that the people there made her feel like she was an outsider and that their behavior was far from what she would think a Christian would be like. She told me the way people were backstabbing and belittling others in the church, that she can get that in her home where there are no Christians. Since I went to that church, I didn’t really pay much attention to what she was observing. I think I was desensitized since I knew everyone.

Our tongues can be like trying to tame a rabid dog. We get all up in a frenzy and in peoples faces. The Sunday after she went with me, I really paid attention. They came up to talk to me, but as they did they would make comments about other members and how unchristian like they are. There was about 5 other groups of people standing around taking to one another prior to the service. Those that professed to be Christians weren’t demonstrating love for one another,  love is the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:36-40). It was sad and discouraging to see those who I thought were loving and Christlike were acting far from it. When I came home, I wasn’t joyful.

I had to really look deep inside my heart and mind when I came home. I had to pray for guidance when it comes to taming my tongue. It’s as if at church people put on this mask. Once they walk out of the doors of the church then the true self comes out. I had to ask myself some serious questions when it comes to taming my tongue. Some of them are harder for me to do and I am guilty of hurting others by the words I say. God makes it very clear when He says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth” (Ephesians 4:29).

I understand that people will let us down and we get frustrated. I have been there done that way to many times. Since the experience with my friend Anne I have made some mental notes when it comes to taming my tongue. I am still a work in progress though. But I’m getting there.

Obviously, our words can do big-time harm. But they also have the power to do incredible good.

You’ve probably heard the song that goes, “And they’ll know we are Christians by our love.” I love that song and I think the words to that song are words we need to keep in our hearts. One of the greatest way to show that we love one another is my showing our love through the words we speak. One of the best ways to show our love is through our words. Our words also have the potential and the power to do an abundance of good.

• “Encourage one another,” the Bible tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “and build each other up.”
• “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless” (James 1:26).

When I consider what I say or do, I would hope and pray that those around me knows that I am a believer in Christ. I like to keep myself in check with it comes to my walk with the Lord. I don’t want those in my life and in my church to make a statement such as, “You call yourself a Christian, and you said THAT?”

As I was reading up on the whole “taming the tongue“ subject, I got to thinking and looking up verses on how to handle taming my tongue when it wants to go flying all over the place. It is like that commercial for Progressive Insurance. The guy goes running around like a bee buzzing. Words go flying and he is penalized for saying stupid stuff. There are a number of verses that cover taming the tongue.

The Bible has a boat load of things to say about gossip and slander. Here are some examples:

• Proverbs 20:19 -“A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much”.
• Leviticus 19:16 – “Do not go about spreading slander among your people”.
• Ephesians 4:31 -“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice”.
• James:3 –  Taming the tongue and two kinds of wisdom.

Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

In closing, I just want to say that when we go chomping at the bit and using unkind and unloving words, we need to remember that those words aren’t pleasing to God. I also need to make a conscious effort to remember that there are non-Christians that are watching. I want to be sure that they see Christ in me, not hate and anger.

A few weeks ago while I was getting ready for our Monday evening Bible Study, I was in the outer office making copies. As I was waiting for the copies to be done, I was looking through old church pictures and at the pictures of the pastors on the wall next to Pastor Ray’s office. In those pictures, there is all of the pastors that I have known since coming to St. George Community Church. But, there is one missing from the wall. That pastor would be Pastor Wayne Jewel.

For those who didn’t know him or hear of how bad things were for our church, count yourself as blessed. Pastor Wayne caused so many problems that people left the church and they decided that the Bible wasn’t correct and NOT the inspired Word of God.

We were still with American Baptists. USA at the time. There came a time when this pastor decided to put in his resignation because he said that people wouldn’t do what he told them to do. He also didn’t believe all of what was in the Bible. I would say this was probably the first true problems that gave Satan a stronghold in our church. Wayne didn’t want to do what the Bible said, he had his own agenda. His wife refused to participate in anything since she didn’t want her husband preaching. She also had a deep resentment for the area. She was a school teacher and she was uprooted. She became very bitter and angry.

We actually stopped going to church when he came there. I never took our membership, but I stepped down from everything because of all the bitterness of the pastor and the divisions that came about.

While all of these horrible things were going on, I am reminded of what Paul tells the churches in Matthew 16:18 – Paul talking to the Corinthians; Some were with Apollo, and some were with Paul. I don’t think that it was the leaders that were the trouble makers, it was the church body. Paul didn’t approve of the church body when it came to separating themselves into groups. Paul asked them this question, “Is Christ divided” (1 Corinthians 1:13)?  Obviously the answer is “no.”  There were a number of issues when it came to Corinth that were public issues. Some of the issues that we still see in churches today and obviously my church wasn’t exempt is how people carry their own denominational baggage of sorts when they come to church. One of the things I have been guilty of myself is that I have gone to churches that ended up not really teaching the Bible. Too many teachings and their own personal views came into play and those things eventually caused a great division.

Paul’s preaching was simple. This is how he described his policy: When I came to you brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 1 Cor 2 :1. I would have to say that this pretty much says it point blank.

• 1 Cor. 3:11 – For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.

You will find in churches today that there are splits and denomination divisions.  They can often be found within all churches as was the case at Corinth.

• The devotees to Paul
• The devotees to Apollo
• The devotees to Peter
• The devotees to Christ

As I was looking at the missing picture of Wayne Jewel, I was also thinking about how Paul rebuked the division that was going on in Corinth. Paul didn’t tell the Corinthians that they need to overlook their differences. Paul instructed them to knock off their practices that was causing division and seek unity by practicing the true teachings of God.

What gets me about the Corinthians is that it wasn’t good enough for them to be Christians. They had to feel like they were special because they were following the teachings of Christ, Paul, Peter or Apollos. This behavior is rampant in individual churches and denominations. This is also extremely destructive behavior. My church use to be affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA like I said before and there were those who came to church that were die-hard American Baptists, German Baptists, Southern Baptists, Lutherans, Catholics, Presbyterians and a whole lot of other belief systems. They had to be either be laxed or strict, there was also those that had to be wrong and someone that was right.

When Wayne came to our church, I was given the opportunity to see just how ugly and unGodly people really were. It wasn’t about God at all. It was about who was right and who they believed in. When Paul came up against all of this destructive behavior. He was not impressed at all. I wonder what Paul would think about what goes on in churches today. I would think he would be horrified by how far people and churches have gone when it comes to worshiping Christ Alone.

Is Christ divided? Jesus Christ is the ONLY ONE. Jesus has one body. He isn’t like a lego where He has to be put together and different things make up His body. He is one body and as Christians, we are the body of Christ. Each and every Christians need to remember that we are joined to the head and dependent upon one another. When it comes to denominations and divisions, it isn’t like we can take this part of Him and move each brick around to form Jesus in the way we want. It sure seems like there is a whole lot of anger and unfriendliness going on? Why do we fight each other when we should be united in our faith and belief in Jesus Christ. I don’t get it.

Paul appeals, not on his own behalf,  but in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul knows that Jesus demands the unity for all believers. When I look around at the churches and people nowadays, I think we have moved far away from what the one and only true God of the Bible says. There are thousands of churches and denominations because of divisions within the church. Shoot, any more people will get butt hurt over the simplest of things. I really like the pastor we have now and the ones in the past. Our previous pastor would always say, “don’t shoot the messenger”. He would say that because his responsibility was to deliver the Word of God. He wasn’t going to sugar coat things so people don’t get their feel bads hurt. I would want the honest truth instead of stroking my ego any day. I feel Pastor Ray is that way also. I may not agree or understand everything he says, but if it is in the Bible, then I can’t disagree with God. That is NOT a good idea.

As I watch the news and keep up to date on what is going on in the world, I am thoroughly convinces that Satan has been successful when it comes to bringing about confusion in our day and times. People keep looking and searching for new churches until they find one that will line up with what they think it should be and according to their will, not Gods. I know way to many people who will leave a church because someone doesn’t agree with them. I hate to say this, but, we will never find a church or people that is going to always agree with me or anyone else. It’s a good thing because I am wrong all the time. I don’t need a following. I just need Jesus.

Wayne was the first time our church really had such a split and it was ugly. I honestly don’t think that God would have been pleased whatsoever. After a couple years and he was gone, we returned to church. We didn’t stop going to church though. We would go church hopping and to this day, I still have many wonderful friends from those churches and some are going to my church now. At first I was thinking how horrible it is that people get upset over some of the things they do. Then I started reasoning things out because even in the Bible people were being separated into the sheep’s and the goats (Matthew 25:31-46).

I think today, there is a huge division over the “end times”. I love to study the end times, but what I have concluded is that no matter what theory or stand someone may have on them, in the end God is in control. I don’t need to understand every little thing there is, because in the end, God is in control. I don’t need to know the day or the hour, because in the end God is in control. I think man has a way of making things complicated and wants to be right. But in the end, God is in control, not me. So, I will just keep doing what I am doing and sharing the Gospel with others, because I know there will be an end and that is because God is in control.

In closing, I just want to say that many of today’s problems are because of Man, not God. I see the division that Pastor Wayne and those in our church in the early 2000’s as a social group. You had the one side of the church that loved Wayne, so they were in the “In Crowd”. He would greet them and they would hang out because they were, “his friends”. Then you have the not so popular side that is wanting to be part of the in crowd, but a hand goes up and they are told, “sorry, you’re not my friend”, so they are excluded.

Churches aren’t exempt from having their own “In Crowd”. Thankfully our church is filled to the brim with wonderful Godly people who love the Lord. As I look around though, I can’t help but wonder where their hearts really are. Churches have small groups instead of Bible Studies. My church still calls them Bible Studies as they should be. They should be about God and the infallible Word of God. But, it is sad that many churches don’t teach about what the Bible says. They add their own thoughts and interpretation’s. I have even seen it where they don’t even use the Bible as a resource. All of man’s ideas are interjected into the message.

Divisions like the one that happened when Wayne was at our church comes about because of man’s failure to not listen to God. If man would stay right with God and have a personal relationship with God, then there would be unity in the churches, not division. In order for us to have a real relationship with God, we must have a fellowship with each other.

• 1 John 1:3. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.