I always have a hard time explaining who am I. I resort to the I am a mother to 2 beautiful adult daughters I have the most handsome grandsons and the loveliest grand-daughters. I'm married to an amazing man since 1980.
The most important thing about me is that I am a Born Again Christian.
The Lord has gotten me through so much in my life. So, I want to give Him the credit for all of my blessings.
I'm also a blogger and I enjoy writing. blogs about my faith, family, and food.
I guess for me this is a silly question. I would have to say without a doubt that it is real. The reason I posed this question is because of a movie I’m watching right now. The movie is called Jerusalem Countdown. It is an end times movie that discusses the prophecies in the Bible.
What I was thinking about during this movie is how they get into the discussions about if the Bible is real and they really believe that Jesus Christ came to die for us. The two main characters talk about this between themselves and I found it sad to know that they are no different than anyone else. We have to see to believe. For me faith is much more than having to see.
I can’t help but wonder what it will be like when Christ comes again. There are many thoughts and theories out there about the end times and when Armageddon will begin. Some believe we are in the tribulation period now. While others think it will happen in a twinkling of an eye as spoke about in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. This is what I’m hoping happens, because with all the Bible says about the end times, I would much rather be with Christ then here for all that stuff. But, back to theories, there is the mid trib and post trib.
I think about all those who could be lost and left behind. I can’t even begin to imagine how much horror those left behind will feel when the go searching for those who are no longer here. As the show ends they describe the pre-trib and how the believers in Christ will be taken up and left standing are those who thought they believed and never really truly accepted Christ. You also have those who never believed and they have no clue what is going to happen and how horrible things will be for them.
When I think about what I believe I can only say that I don’t know what theories it is going to be because God already has His mind made up. I may want it to be a certain way and to be taken before the tribulation period begins, but that may not be that way. My deepest hope and it’s because I’m a chicken when it comes to reading what will happen is that the rapture happens first and then all the other stuff goes on. All I know is that I know that God will be the ultimate winner and there is no need to go to the other side since I already know this. Who would want to be on the loosing side to begin with anyhow? NOT ME!
When they posed the question the few times in this movie about if God is real and if the Bible is real. My answer would be YES! I may not always understand, well, forget may not, I don’t always understand why something is happening or what God is meaning. When the time comes He will disclose that and who knows, it may not be important anyhow.
I just finished watching the last part of The Bible mini series. I haven’t watched the other parts, but have them DVR’d. Sorry if this post has my thoughts going in a number of directions, but it was as I was watching the show. This post was written as I was watching the show The Bible. Now I have to go out and buy the mini series so I can watch it all instead of having the commercials. I think it would be money well spent… Time for a marathon of the Bible…
As I’m watching this, it speaks to my heart about how much Jesus loves us and that He died for our sins. When He was up on the cross, it showed me how much He has done, he died and rose from the dead. He did this because of me. I always knew why He died, but seeing Him up there and the pain, blood and tears has a way of making it real.
I can’t even imagine what everyone was thinking as they stood there and watched Jesus die on the cross. And to think about the moment He died, the heavens became dark and the earth shook. The horror and guilt that must have plagued some of them had to have been overwhelming to say the very least. After all, the just killed Jesus Christ, the Son of God. And to go to His tomb and see only the garments.
I never knew and why I never knew that Jesus walked the earth for 40 days. For some reason, I was thinking that on the third day, he rose from the dead and ascended into heaven. I knew he was seen by his apostles and others, but I didn’t know that His spirit was here for 40 days.
A young man named Saul ordered Steven to be stoned and because he considered what Steven was saying to be blasphemy. Saul later became known as Paul the Apostle. When Saul’s (Paul) orders ended Steven’s life and right before he died he seen the heavens open and there was Jesus standing at the right hand of God must have been amazing. I wonder what those that stoned him thought about killing one of Gods servants What must have gone through the minds of the soldiers when they realized that Jesus is really the Messiah? What did Judas think about betraying Christ? I would not want to be any of those that took part in these deeds. But yet, it was because of me that Jesus had to die.
Some people have said that there were things that weren’t depicted correctly. My thought on this is that there is no way for our human minds to understand and comprehend how monumental His death was. There is no way for us to understand through words and descriptions what Heaven will be like, nor hell. We can read about it, but until we are there, we can’t now.
I love how Jesus would show up to talk to the apostles. I wonder if Jesus came to me, if I would be a doubting Thomas or would I be like Peter and the other apostles who had such a strong faith that He is Who He is.
And when Paul was blinded because of the persecution of God’s people. Jesus chose Paul to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. When Ananias baptized Paul in the name of Christ and the look of peace and acceptance that came over him was awesome.
I remember how I felt when I was baptized and it was like nothing else I have ever felt. I knew for years that I wanted and needed to be baptized. I would loved to have been there during the time when Peter was baptizing all of the believers of Jesus.
As I’m watching this, I would love to see an old fashion way of going down to the river and being baptized or rededicate my life to Christ. My life belongs to Him anyhow. But there is something that I find peaceful and reassuring when I know that God is pleased and that we can be free. Just the thought of going to the river and my sins washed away and reaffirm my dedication to Christ alone.
I love the part when Jesus comes to Peter and tells Him that He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. Revelations 21;4- And God will wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things have passed away. May the grace of the Lord be with all God’s people.
What a awesome moment that will be when we will be with Christ. I’m so grateful that I can have assurance in this and that Christ has forgiven me for my sins, even though I have a hard time accepting that forgiveness. I pray for His kingdom to come and His will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.
Well, today is Easter Sunday and it has been full of ups and downs.
First of all the most important thing is that Jesus Christ is ALIVE and that He died, was buried and rose from the dead. He did this for you and me. He died so we could live.
I get up to go to church like I do on most Sundays, but this one is different and somewhat depressing. Today our pastor and his wife retired. They will be missed. I’m happy for them though and know that they have a bunch of doors ready to open for them and for us.
Then I got to talking to my friend Nancybratt on Facebook. As a Christian, the death and life of Christ is the most important event ever. Because of these things, we have hope that we will live forever and reside with Christ.
She posted a topic about how her nephew and she got into an argument. She is a Christian, and he isn’t. He has denied Christ and she is very upset over that. I can’t blame her for that though, because I got into arguments with my niece Bridgette.
In school she was being told mythology and evolution. I’m sure all kids are taught these things if they are in public school. I was when I was in high school too and thankfully I knew it was lame. But that isn’t the case for everyone.
Bridgette decided that the whole evolution thing made sense to her, and in that same conversation, a battle of truth and stupidity took over at my house. If she wanted to believe she came from a monkey, I was thinking “let her”. But I was more concerned about her soul then her thoughts that was injected into her teenage mind at the time.
I very much believe without a shadow of a doubt that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. There is no if’s, an’s or but’s about it. But to this young mind that believes anything that comes at her, she thought that there can’t be a God, because where did He come from. How do you explain faith to a person who has no faith? They have to have everything proven and see it.
While I was having this conversation with her, I wanted to throw a shoe at her and knock some sense into her. My mother in law came out of her room and had about enough of it. If you want to get a sweet little mother in law that is under 5 feet tall upset, this is a good way to do that. She was so upset over what Bridgette was saying and the non sense, that her dentures almost flew out of her mouth. I think she would have thrown a shoe at her too if she was close to hers.
After she came out and tempers were flared, I decided that I had enough and had to go outside. It was such a battle over stupidity and faith that I was horse for two days afterwards.
After some time, I came to the conclusion that there is no making someone believe the way I did or do. Sometimes people and teens aren’t ready for the truth and I can’t hit them over the head with a hammer to get them to smarten up.
Nancybratt
My friend Nancy is dealing with her nephew who once believed as a child. I don’t know how old he is now, but he has decided that there is no God and that the Bible isn’t true. Nancy is very upset over this and I can see why. When we love someone, we want them to be with us forever in eternity. We want them to know that Christ loves them and that He died for them. The alternative is a horrible thing to even imagine.
I did tell her that the best thing to do is to live by example and be there for him. He is the only one who can decide to follow Christ or not. Also, I think about how many different faiths or no faith at all that feel just as strongly about what they believe or don’t believe. Arguing will get us nowhere. Well, yeah it will, but that would be on high blood pressure meds and Lord knows what else.
I do pray that her nephew and all those who don’t know Christ personally will get to know Him. I pray that they will see the truth for what it is and to have faith in Christ alone.
I went to check out why some people choose not to believe and here is a list of some of the reasons why;
Reasons why people don’t accept Jesus:
They’ve been hurt.
They like their sin.
They don’t think He’s real.
They think He’s someone He’s not.
They’re ignorant of their need.
They’re afraid of what peers will think.
They don’t want to give up stuff.
They don’t believe in hell.
They think there’s more than one way to heaven.
They think they’re okay without Christ.
They’ve seen His followers act like hypocrites.
They’re deceived.
They feel unworthy
Never really read what the Bible had to say
There can be many more reasons why someone would choose not to become a believer in Christ. From my own experience it does no good to make people believe because that takes faith and if they have none, you are preaching to the choir. On most days I do good about not arguing about my faith in Jesus Christ, most days! For those other days, I have to understand that I may just be the seed planter and someone else needs to come along and water. It takes many people to help someone become mature in their faith. They don’t need to be mature in my faith, they have to have a personal relationship that is real to them. My faith does them no good if they have none for themselves.God knows what needs to be done and each person is given free will. We may not like this and many times I don’t because I want to use that hammer of common sense. But that isn’t for me to decide for them.
My week hasn’t started out too good at all. Yesterday, I got mifted at my husbands dispatcher and I don’t even know the woman. For some reason she thought I was giving her dirty looks. If I was giving her dirty looks, it was probably well deserved. But since I don’t even remember what she looked like, why would I give her the time of day? So she sure set my day off in a bad way yesterday.
Chucks truck had to be put in the shop and he couldn’t leave till Monday because they didn’t start till Monday and not impressed that we have two cars that need engines and a van that I need paper work for so I don’t have to keep going to get my husband or leave my car at his work.
Yesterday I had to go take care of a violation that was the mistake of DMV. Good thing I didn’t have to pay anything and they dismissed it. But it was the whole idea of all the time it took. I wasn’t feeling good and was not impressed by having to deal with this.
Then today, as soon as I woke up things started in. My brother in law and I had to go to Staples to re fax papers that were faxed two months ago because somehow they lost them. We need them to get these papers so we can get the lien release for the van since my husband has to use it. He decided it was a good idea to freeze his engine and crack the block by not putting anti freeze it his car. So that is in the garage for Lord knows how long.
My brother in law and I were getting ready to get into my car to go take papers to a restaurant that I reviewed and right on the passengers side of my car was this guy standing there picking up metal shelves that got tipped over from his hand cart and decided it needed to run into the side of my car. The guy for some reason didn’t think he hit the car, until I came back and had to file a report that he did and there is a gash at the bottom of my cars door.
After I got home, my home health nurse came over to change my port needle and do all my stuff. I was reminding her that next week my new insurance kicks him for the Medicare Advantage and that I will no longer have Cigna. She instructs me to call the main office in Salt Lake which I do and do a new intake on Tuesday. After I get off the phone with the home health office, I get a call from my insurance guy that signed me up for the Medicare Advantage since I needed the part D. He let me know that Universal Health Care was no longer going to be in business and all the ones under them have to come into the office and sing up for a new policy. All this has to be done by Monday since my Medicare takes place on Monday. But then I have to wait for the letter to come in the mail so then there is no penalty and they can change it over. I went over to Yahoo to see what they said about Universal Healthcare and this is what it says.
As Florida and national lawmakers continue to debate the issue of health care, Universal Health Care is cutting staff in the Bay area.
According to Bay News 9’s partner newspaper the Tampa Bay Times, state regulators issued the first wave of layoffs at the company’s St. Petersburg headquarters Monday.
Hundreds are expected to lose their jobs by the end of the week. The first group of layoffs was mostly sales staff.
The Medicare insurer is being liquidated by April 1, meaning its 140,000 members will be placed with other health plans.
Last month, a state investigation found Universal virtually insolvent and accused its management of fraud, diversion of funds and other financial mismanagement.
A total of about 800 UHC workers will lose their jobs.
After that we went over to my grandsons birthday party. He turned 12 today… That was about the only good thing so far…
My mind gets wondering when I read things about Kate Middleton Duchess of Cambridge. I’m not from Britain or England or any of those places so my mind gets going in all kinds of directions.
Some of my random thoughts are why is she called Kate Middleton when she is married to Prince William. Well he was Prince William, but now he is the PrinceWilliam, Duke of Cambridge, and she is Catherine Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge. Now my brain wants to know Prince William has a last name. It also wants to know why they have to change titles once they got married. Is he still not a prince? Not knowing how the proper protocol is for royalty, I wonder these things. Everyone I know of has a last name. I did ask someone on one of the yahoo things and they thought I committed a horrible sin by asking that. Hmmmm, who would have known not to ask that question. I guess I should have, lol.
I really do like Prince William and Kate. I can tell when I look at them that they really love each other. She is someone I would considered worthy to be a princess, But still, I want to know why she is called so many different things and what is her official name, title and what is Prince Williams last name. Does the royal family have last names or are they only known by their title and first names? My inquiring mind likes to know these things. Not for any particular reason, but just because.
I do hope that Prince William and Princess Kate or whatever the proper name is has a wonderful life and that they are blessed. I also hope the paparazzi leaves them alone and their children. In my opinion they are a sweet couple and genuine prince and princess material. I think they will have cute babies without a doubt.
Pastor Dean, Ruth and their daughters… Dean and Ruth are in the middle…
Our church is in the middle of trying to find a new pastor. A friend of mine was asking me about our church and why we are looking for a new pastor. Easter Sunday will be Pastor Dean and Ruths last Sunday with us. After I told my friendsm, they sent their condolences, lol. Even though that got me thinking about what it means for our church and our pastors family.
We don’t have any problems with the one we have now though, but they are retiring. Retirement can be a difficult transition for all parties involved. retired pastors usually don’t stay in their communities and serve their congregations.
I asked one of our previous pastors why the retiring pastor doesn’t stick around and this is what he said. The reason I asked him was because I wanted him to perform my daughter Jessica’s wedding. And Ellis told me that the time away from the previous congregation allows the retired pastor to continue doing the religious work they have chosen to dedicate their lives to while not interfering with their original congregations. Of course, pastors are not obligated to continue serving. If pastors wish, they can retire to houses by lakes and spend the rest of their days fishing and reading. In Pastor Deans retirement years, I can see him going to many baseball games with his grand kids and enjoying the time with his wife Ruth.
Pastor Dean and Ruth
Pastor Dean and Ruth have been wonderful for our congregation. Our church has grown and we have been blessed in countless ways. Finding a new pastor can be an unsettling time for everyone involved because it is a period of change. And not all people handle change well, myself included. St. George Community Church must deal with the process of changing from one pastor to another–grieving over the loss of Pastor Dean and Ruth , while adjusting to a new one and to new ways of doing things. Then Pastor Dean and Ruth must give up the work at our church, and the people who have meant so much to them. Pastor Dean and Ruth will have restructure their lives in very significant ways. I think as a congregation we should take into consideration how difficult this is on them as well as us.
It’s going to be difficult for our church to let go of Pastor Dean and Ruth, and to relinquish the way things have been done in the past. A new pastor may have a hard time becoming established as the congregation’s minister. Pastor Dean and Ruth should feel good about retirement and they feel good about their ministry. They are leaving our church in a much better place that is healthy and strong. Pastor Dean and Ruth have a drive for missions and building up the congregation.
I’m very happy for Pastor Dean and Ruth though. They get to look forward to the perks of retirement–new freedom to travel and to choose whatever activities they wish to participate in. They both want to be closer to their children and how can I blame them for that? I would want the same thing. Dean and Ruth have two adult daughters that they love dearly. Those daughters gave them the most darling grand kids. Not sure if they are cuter than mine, but they are pretty close, lol. Their daughter Allison and her family missionaries in Ethiopia. I can totally understand why Dean and Ruth would want to be close by and for their grand kids to get to know grandpa and grandma.
Every-time I will hear the phrase,, “Don’t shoot the Messenger”, I will think of Pastor Dean. I could always tell that he was going to touch on a touchy topic if he was going to say that. That is one of the things I respect in a pastor though. I don’t think a pastor should be out to stroke egos of the people going to church. I would prefer the pastor to tell me like it is so then I got it right and how God wants it done. They may bruise my ego, but better that then not having eternal life.
I’m not sure how many realize how much a pastor goes through. They put in alot of time and I’m sure energy for those in our congregation. I was thinking about how difficult it is on a pastor because they conduct weddings, do visitations, prepare sermons, and funerals. Our church has had more than it’s share of funerals this past year and it seems to be this year too. That has to be hard on a pastor. Pastor Dean is very active in our community and interfaith groups. They brought Precepts upon Precepts to our church and that lead to many Bible studies that happen through-out the week. I would say that Pastor Dean and Ruth made sure the God’s inspired word was being studied and implemented in our lives.
Ruth
I will miss them and I will keep them in my prayers during this time of transition. It’s going to be strange to not have them around, but at the same time, God has a plan. We don’t always know what it is, but He does.
I have talked to a few people who are worried that we won’t find someone like Pastor Dean and Ruth since they are so wonderful. My thought on this is that we want someone that God chooses. There will never be anyone like Pastor Dean and Ruth, Pastor Lary and Donna, Pastor Keck and Karen. We shouldn’t expect to find someone like them. I want someone that is doing God’s will and not trying to keep up with what previous pastors and wives have done. Each Pastor that has been called to our church has something special to bring. Well, except one, and I won’t go into that. Our next Pastor and Wife if he is married will hopefully be following God’s will.
I know that Pastor Dean and Ruth are retiring. But at the same time, I know that whatever door opens to them will be God’s calling. Just because they won’t be pastoring at a particular church, doesn’t mean they are leaving the ministry. When you choose to follow Christ, it is a lifelong thing. Well, unless you are Marilyn Manson and that is a whole other topic. Whether a person follows Christ as a church leader, congregational member, board member or what ever, they should understand it is a lifetime commitment. Pastor Dean and Ruth understand this and I’m sure they are very excited to see what God has in store for them next. They will always be in my thoughts and prayers and hold a special place in my heart. One of the greatest things I think we can do is to pray for our pastors.
If you guys happen to read this Pastor Dean and Ruth, remember to keep my email handy… Enjoy your grand kids, retirement and traveling and most of all being ready for that next door to open. You both have worked your entire lives and deserve this more than anyone I can think of. I will miss having that one of a very few people I trust personal things with in the same town though. Thank you for being our pastor and friend…
Matthew 24:36 (NKJV) “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only”.
I think I need to stop watching movies about the end times and videos. These movies tug at my heart and my dreams. Right now I’m watching this movie called the Apocalypse. A meteor the size of Texas his about to hit the earth and people are vanishing left and right.
I can’t help but think about what it will be like when Christ comes again. What will it be like for those who are left standing there wondering what is going on? What about those who thought they had it covered and they had a strong enough faith to be saved. There was a video that my daughter Jessica sent me that was about this girl that had a practical joke pulled on her and she thought she was left behind. She was in tears and scared to death. She knew about the end times and is a believer in Christ. I don’t think I could handle it if I was left behind knowing that all I had to do was accept Jesus Christ as my personal Savior.
Then as I watch some of these shows, it brings home the thought that even though you go to church, that doesn’t mean you are saved. They had a scene in one of many movies where people are sitting in a church and those all around them are gone and members of the church are still sitting there along with church leaders.
What I find sad is that so many people hear the truth and have been given chance after chance and they throw it away because they chose to do that. After people are raptured those who heard what the Bible has to say is kicking themselves because they missed it. This is something I would not even want to begin to think about when it comes to missing out on the rapture and having to be left behind.
There are so many theories out there about what it will be like when Christ comes again. All, I know is that whenever and however, I want to be sure I’m ready. I don’t want to be the one left there standing, knowing that I missed it. I wouldn’t want any one that I care about or loved to have to endure that. For those who don’t know what it would be like, you don’t have to look very far. You can read all about it in Revelations.
Luke 21:25-28 (NKJV) “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
I’m not going to get preachy, just saying that we don’t know the day nor the hour and that no matter when He comes we need to be ready for his return. And I can tell you this, I sure am hoping it is going to be where the rapture happens first and then the tribulation begins. I don’t want any part of the tribulation or being left behind.
I do want to leave you with this thought. And this is what my hopes are when it comes to the End Times.
When the Rapture occurs, what happens to those who are in Heaven?; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52( NKJV) “Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
When we are caught-up or raptured, what will we experience in Heaven while those who do not
know Christ are left behind?
We will have seven years in Heaven where we will be judged, rewarded and celebrate as the
Bride of Christ in the Marriage of the Lamb and after that we will return with the Glorious
Appearing of Christ:
Revelation 3:20 – Look! I am standing at the door and knocking. If anyone listens to my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he will eat with me.
Last night I started to watch a Christian movie called “The Encounter”. For those who haven’t seen it, it is about 5 people who get caught in a storm. They come across a diner called “Last Chance”.
My friend Shirley was telling me about how good this movie is and it was a very good movie. There was a couple things that got me thinking though. As a Christian if I knew for sure the person standing before me was Jesus Christ, I would faint, lol.
This is how the story line goes. There is a teenage girl hitch hiking on a seemingly deserted dirt road. A few cars pass her including a young black couple. The wife refuses to let her husband stop and pick up the hitchhiker Then another gentleman almost runs over her and keeps on going. Finally a young lady picks her up just as the storm is about to hit.
Eventually they come to a road block where an officer tells them that the road is washed away. I won’t go into details, but he was not a good person at all.
The young lady that picked up the hitch hiker remembered seeing a diner a couple miles back and they all turn around and go into the diner as they wait the storm out.
They enter the diner and the only person standing there is a guy by the name of Jesus. Eventually they find out that this guy is really Jesus. They order their meals and He knows exactly what they like and He talks to them as a friend. Even though there is one guy who thinks he doesn’t need Christ. I don’t want to go into to much detail.
What stood in my mind though like I said at the beginning is that they all believed that they were talking to Jesus. He was offering them shelter in the midst of the storm and speaking to them about their life. What I loved about this movie is that they showed how loving and compassionate Jesus really is. He weeps with us and is heart broken when we choose to turn our backs on Him. He knew these people inside out. If I was the one in that diner, I don’t know if I could sit there so calmly. I would be awe struck and on my knees, lol.
I did like how he talked to them as a friend and one on one. He listened and cared about them. He gave them a chance to accept Him as their savior and to truly repent. They were very calm and I don’t know if that is how anyone would be knowing they were talking to Jesus Christ, lol. At-least I wouldn’t be.
This movie touched on real questions that everyone faces and the hard choices God makes so that we might ultimately be saved. There is also Encounter “Paradise Lost”. These are really good movies and it got me thinking that no matter where or what is going on Christ is there and He may be standing in front of me.
In your life experiences, good and bad, you have a choice to be content, you have a choice to trust in God and His strength. Many times we feel that we are powerless victims of fate. Our attitude is “I can’t” endure, “I can’t” overcome, “I can’t” make it, but Paul reminds us that in Christ our “I can’t” becomes “I can!” What’s important to see is that this “Can do” spirit is “learned” (v.11), which means to “learn by experience.”
I know in my own experience, there have been times when I tried to handle everything. I let God know that I had it covered. He let me try and I failed of course. But then, I was thinking if I really trusted Him, then why didn’t I just let him have it from the beginning? I think that is my stubbornness and strong will to control my life and all things in it.
I started thinking about this topic and I figure that if God gives me strength to do all things, then I should be able to do all things. I guess that was the control freak in me thinking that. When Paul says all things, does he literally mean all things? Does it mean you can go outside and jump over your house? Of course not. Paul says, “I can do all things in Christ”—that is, in the context of the will of Christ for your life. Whatever Christ has for you to do, He will supply the power. Whatever gift He gives you, He will give the power to exercise that gift. A gift is a manifestation of the Spirit of God in the life of the believer. As long as you function in Christ, you will have power. Paul ism’t saying that I can do all things. I can’t run faster than a speeding bullet or leap tall buildings like Spiderman can. When I was in school I could do long lump and other track and field events, but nothing like Spiderman or how I use to be able to do that. You see, I can’t do all things, but I can do all things which God has for me to do from the time He saved me to the time I no longer breath.”
Philippians 4:10-13– I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (NIV)
Here is a Story about Charlie:
A baby was born to slave parents, and he too was a slave. This little baby never knew anything other than getting up and being in the field before sun up and watching his parents work until sundown. From his earliest remembrance all he could remember is the sound of the whip slicing through the air and into someone’s flesh. Can you imagine what it was like to have someone say they owned you and could do anything they wanted to you. When this little boy was five years of age, Charlie’s, (the boy’s name), mother did something to anger one of the plantation bosses. No one knew what it was. A man took a whip and began to administer a cruel beating to his mother. Charlie went and held his mother’s head in his lap and within the hour his mother died. I wonder how you would feel if someone whipped your mother to death in your presence and then you held her head while she left this life? The next morning the plantation master was so mad that she died that he took Charlie’s father and sold him to another plantation. The boy never saw his father again. You are five years old and your mother is beaten to death and your father is sold never to cross your path again.
This plantation forbid the education of the slaves and forbid them from going to church. Up until age 15 all he did was work seven days a week and he could not read a single word and he had never been to church. His back was carved with scars from the bottom of his heals to the top of his head. The back of his head was so beaten that hair would never grow. At age 15 he is freed by the War Between the States and now he still works in the fields, but at night he is free. They said to Charlie, “What do you want to do the first night of your freedom?” Charlie said, “I want to go to church for the first time in my life.” He walked 12 miles to church and he heard for the first time that there was someone who loved him. Charlie said, that cannot be right, I am a former orphan slave . . . nobody loves me. The preacher told him he was wrong, God loved him so much that he sent his son to die for him. Charlie trusts Christ as his Savior and Lord. They gave him a Bible and Charlie said I cannot read. The ladies in this church taught him to read the Word of God.
Charlie was in church one day, and he announced that God had called him to preach. The church said what? That cannot be. Charlie said, “He did.” One of the men said, “Charlie, you have forgotten you are nothing.” Tears begin to flow down his checks and he said, “You are right, you know I am nothing and I know I am nothing and God knows I am nothing. But if the one who is everything wants to use the one who is nothing, that is His business.” He said, “Pray for me, I want to preach the Word of God.” They said, “You will fail.” He said, “If it is up to me you are right, but if God is in this, He will make it happen.”
He went over 250 miles to Cape Main, New Jersey. There Charlie announced he would be preaching. No one came, so he stood up and preached to himself. Had his second service and third same thing. Always preached an hour. They said, “Why do you preach an hour?” and he said, “Because I need the preaching.” He kept preaching to himself. Word got out that there was a nut preaching to himself. People started coming to hear this guy who had that much commitment. His messages were always the same, “He is everything and I am nothing”. And you will be amazed at the One who is everything. What He can do if someone will just admit they are nothing. People started getting saved and coming to church. The church went to 100, built a building, tore it down and built another. Pretty soon, the largest church in the state of New Jersey was pastored by Charlie.
Charlie then stood up and said, “God is calling me to Philadelphia.” Philadelphia was the second largest city at the time and the intellectual center. They said, ”You can’t go there.” Same story. No one came for several services. Same message. Folks started coming. One year running twenty, two years running a hundred. Ten years after he arrived they built a building that would seat 600 and it was full every service. 15 years later they had an auditorium that seated 3000 and they filled it 6 times every Sunday. And the largest church on the Eastern Seaboard was pastored by Charlie.
The man’s name was Charles Kindley. He wrote many songs. “How do you make sense out of losing your parents” and he wrote the Song, “We Will Understand it Better By and By”. They came to him and said, “What do you do with your burdens?”, “Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.” At the end of his life they said, “What is the secret of all God did in your life.” He said it is simple, “He’s everything, I’m still nothing. And all I got to be sure is, There is nothing between my soul and the Savior”, (he wrote this song).
This is kinda how my day has gone so far. And some of this may be a bit squimish for those who can’t handle medical things… This is a little 101 on port issues and how much of a pain in the nect this one has been to me since I got it.
My day didn’t start out too bad for the most part. But I knew today was going to be a busy day because I had to get hubby on the road to California, meet with my home health nurse, go to a funeral and get food. Later on Chuck calls me and wanted me to pick him up because he didn’t end up going out after all .
Port Dressing Kit
The taking and dropping off hubby went without much fan-fair. As soon as I got home my home health nurse was there. She showed up about 20 minutes early. Which turned into a good thing. The reason why is because they had to change the needle for my portacath. Each week they have to do a dressing change and change the needle.
I try not to go into my medical stuff unless people know me really well. But today was one of those frustrating moments with this port business. Thanks for letting me vent.
This is where they put a piccline… And where mine was
My home health nurse Janelle was telling me how much I will love this port because there is less of a chance for infection and it is easier to use then the piccline and yada yada yada. Well, let me tell you this, she LIED. With a huge capital L-IED. This port has been nothing but a problem for me. She didn’t LIE on purpose, but still.
They put it in and it took the Dr’s and nurses a couple hours to decide if it was safe enough and I was stable enough to have the port put in. But the piccline had to be changed because of the Sepsis. This is not a good infection. Anyhow! They decided to put in the port after much hesitation. They did’t leave it accessed and just bandaged it up for my home health nurse to come and access it. May was that a pain for her and me. But they release me after doing vitals and all the fun stuff.
When they put it in, it didn’t really bother me since I have had central lines in the jugular and in the chest wall, picclines and such. They give you happy medicines, so that was the only easy part. Usually I’m not a woose and try not to complain. I just deal with it. My main this is that, this was suppose to be easier and something is telling me it won’t be.
This is how they did mine… Through the Jugular, and to the right atrium in the heart. Fun stuff
With this port tubing is in the jugular vein in the neck and then the port is a few inches below that and then to the heart. The good thing about it being like this and not the central line is that you can’t really tell that it is there unless you look or if it is accessed.
A couple days later, the nurse comes out to access it for the first time since I needed my medications. I’m not sure this was a good moment for her, me or the hospital people. As soon as she started to access the line, something went wrong and freaked her out and me out It felt like someone kicked me in the chest for 4 hours. She turned pale white, which kinda made me wonder what was up with that. She got on the phone in a panic trying to reach anyone and everyone she could. Almost had me go to the ER because she was scared. Eventually, after a couple of hours she left and I told her I would call if things got worse. Well! If anyone knows me, I have to be close to dying to go to the ER.
The following day we make an appointment to have the port checked out and that is another 4 days away. I go to the hospital where they put it in at and they have to move it a bit because it crossed over where my pacemaker wire was and that was NOT fun at all. It was like HELLO! But they fixed it and got it accessed. For those who don’t know what that means, it means they have to stick a needle that goes into a special port that goes into the jugular vein and they have to do this each week until I don’t need meds, and then it goes to once a month or so to flush while I’m off IV meds.
This was one of the failed attempts… That looks like a bee stinger, not cool!Numbing Cream to use 30 minutes before
So, now it is two weeks after they accessed the nurse comes out and she opens the dressing change kit with the new needle. For the first kit, they missed and it had major issues and they couldn’t get it to work. Now, they bring out a new kit since they have to have a sterile kit and new needle. On needle two, they hit the right place, but it didn’t go down fur enough so it stopped working. Now, both of the kits to change this dressing and needle are used, so they have to run back to the hospital and they figured out that they needed the longer needle. So now the 22 Gage needles come out and they get the needle in, but when they push fluid in, it isn’t going where it should be going. So I was less than impressed. We have one needle left and finally they get that. The nurses are flabbergasted and tell me that they have never seen this happen before and that they change port needles all the time. My thoughts right now is, ” I do NOT believe that this is easier than a piccline”. My guess they are thinking the same.The one good thing is that they have a cream that is suppose to numb it. It works for the most part if you get to use it. I finally got to on the 4th needle since the skin was tender.
The finished bandage and accessed port…
But this whole thing took a couple of hours to change one needle and a dressing. It should have only took 15 minutes and maybe 30 minutes for the whole visit. But nope, 2 hours. I’m trying to be patient, but I had to let them know that we have to hurry, because I have a funeral for a dear sweet lady at my church that is about to begin and I need to leave. They got it in and dressed all up. I leave as they finish. They are still talking outside about how difficult this was. I had to pick up my brother in law for the funeral and we got there just as they were beginning.
I try not to grumble and it really isn’t their fault. I’m just thinking this isn’t easier and what a pain in the neck. I feel so horrible for these young kids that have to deal with this and so much more on a daily basis and put their trust in the Drs, nurses and their parents. I am blessed because at-least there is medical care and there are medicines and there are needles that I can complain about that help me do what I need to do. But dang it, they need to figure out a way to know what they are doing. So this is my vent for the day.
There was one funny thing. Not everyone may think so and the nurses were dumbfounded on this one. But when they pulled the previous needle, each time they tried to put saline into the line, it would squirt out of the previous hole. I was telling them that water was running down my neck and they couldn’t figure out why since they were just using saline. Then they noticed it and didn’t know what to think about that. I was just thinking it was a me thing. I told them leave it up to me to have water squirting out of holes in my neck, lol. I think they were more concerned then I was, I was thinking it was the only funny thing happening.
I guess for me this is a silly question. I would have to say without a doubt that it is real. The reason I posed this question is because of a movie I’m watching right now. The movie is called Jerusalem Countdown. It is an end times movie that discusses the prophecies in the Bible.
I think about all those who could be lost and left behind. I can’t even begin to imagine how much horror those left behind will feel when the go searching for those who are no longer here. As the show ends they describe the pre-trib and how the believers in Christ will be taken up and left standing are those who thought they believed and never really truly accepted Christ. You also have those who never believed and they have no clue what is going to happen and how horrible things will be for them.
My week hasn’t started out too good at all. Yesterday, I got mifted at my husbands dispatcher and I don’t even know the woman. For some reason she thought I was giving her dirty looks. If I was giving her dirty looks, it was probably well deserved. But since I don’t even remember what she looked like, why would I give her the time of day? So she sure set my day off in a bad way yesterday.
Senseless Ramblings of the Mindless 