Caring for Animals | Ready.gov

Caring for Animals | Ready.gov  
Caring for animals during a crisis or disaster.  This is something we animal lovers and owner should all be prepped and ready for as you never know if and when you will need this.

What About Jesus?

 

This was my answer to a recent question posed to me asking what stresses me out most concerning Christmas.

What stresses me out the most is that the true meaning of what Christmas is all about is lost in the hustle and bustle of the “holiday”. The world doesn’t know any different, but when we Christians get so caught up in preparations, parties, buying gifts that the real reason for celebration – Christ’s birth gets shoved aside it makes me incredibly sad and we surely don’t set a very good example making us different from the world. It’s okay to celebrate but our celebration should be secondary to the true reason for Christmas. Some years ago this was really bothering me and i wrote a song to convey my thoughts. I hope you don’t mind if i share the words with you all.

WHAT ABOUT JESUS?

1- Christmas trees, real and fake and frantic shoppers-
Last minute groceries and presents to buy.
The One whose day we celebrate is watching ore us-
Hoping, that we won’t pass Him by.
In crowded stores we push and shove to get that last gift-
Then home at last to stay up wrapping all night.
With saddened eyes He watches as His own dear children-
Forget the reason, for this season so bright.

Chorus: Tis the season to celebrate the Saviors birth.
In your heart oh Christian, how much is He worth?
This is the time to tell the world of Jesus love,
And how God sent His Son to earth from heav’n above.

2- And, lo, the angel of the Lord appeared unto them-
Saying, “Fear not, I bring you tidings of great joy!
For unto you is born this day in David’s city-
The Savior, Jesus, a baby boy.
Born to die, to set us free from sins dark bondage.
He lives again to redeem you and me.
This time of year we set aside to honor His birth-
And to remember why He came to be.

Chorus: Tis the season to celebrate the Saviors birth.
In your heart oh Christian, how much is He worth?
This is the time to tell the world of Jesus love,
And how God sent His Son to earth from heav’n above.

Words: diki denise sinkler–burns
© 12 – 2002
Music: Adapted from the song, “Pretty Paper”

2 Steps forward and 3 Steps Back…arghhhh

 

So the question is…”How has "Unglued" changed your life?" and "How are you applying it to your life?".

Well, I am much more aware of the feelings and emotions building and because of what I’ve been learning through the book and OBS starting to get a better handle on things.  Physical challenges are making things harder though.  First I have ADD and secondly I suffer from chronic and debilitating back pain which affects my body in many different ways.  When I’m with people I put on my I feel fine smiley face and sometimes it does help being with others because it takes my mind off of the pain for a while.  Anyway, all those things tend to contribute to my becoming “unglued!”  However, I am trying to learn how to take a step back and stop, maybe even walk away before I totally blow it again.  Right now this is fairly easy since my son has moved out and it is just me and my cat.   It’s harder with my dad however when I’m with my dad I am a true stuffer or maybe I should say “the silent martyr”.  He is 81 and has so many medical issues that I don’t want to hurt him because there are certain things he does that drive me crazy.  That’s my problem not his, but then how do I work my way through this without stuffing and making myself miserable?  I keep telling myself that someday when he is no longer here I will long for those things that bug me now and I really do know that so I tolerate and stuff.  Ya know, 2 steps forward and 3 steps back.  I know Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  So I keep plugging away, praise God I’m too stubborn to totally give up. 

Oh by the way, I’m not even on the right chapter.  I think i’m still on chapter 6, I have the book on my kindle and it is too hard to go back and forth.  I seem to only be able to handle one chapter a week but I’ll get there eventually.

I’m am for sure “a work in imperfect progress!”

FRUSTRATED BLOGGER!

 

I had more trouble finding this stupid page! I don’t understand this at all. When i want to go to my blog, well let’s say i’m here but, i have no idea how i found it which means that i will have to go through all this rigmarole again the next time i want to find my blog place! Grrrrr! For something that is supposed to be so easy this just burns my cookies! It also keeps capitalizing the letter I and i can’t get it to stop so i have to keep going back and fixing that. I just want to be able to go to my Windows Live and click on writer and it takes me here, is that so much to ask!!!! Okay, i’ve vented and now i’m leaving but, i probably won’t be back for awhile because i won’t be able to find this again!

Everybody have a great day!

Damaged Goods by Carol Davis

I just read this in my "Encouragement for Today" devotional, this one by Carol Davis  and wanted to put it up so maybe someone else will be helped by it as i was. 

Wednesday, March 10, 2010



I shuffled down the aisle of the discount grocery looking for a bargain that I couldn't live without. It's always hit and miss in this store...and I had missed...again.


But, I passed by a bin that caught my eye. "Damaged Goods." It was filled with dented cans and missing labels...no real rhyme or reason, just random items that were not shelf worthy. And suddenly, I knew just how I felt.\
 Life sometimes delivers the unexpected. The school of hard knocks bruises us, dents us and removes the label that defines who we are. We feel as if we have been tossed into a bin, no longer worthy of a place on the shelf. Some people substantiate the lie that we are second class failures and all hope is gone.

So, I leaned over and intentionally chose a dented can, with no label from the bin. I got it home and placed it on the can opener with anxious anticipation. The whirr of the can opener finally penetrated the metal lid to reveal....peaches!!!! I let out a school girl squeal! I love peaches!!!!! What a treat to open this can and be greeted by one of my favorite fruits!!! The can was damaged but the contents were still good...and sweet.


God must have smiled...because at that moment the sunshine beamed in my kitchen window. I knew in my heart there was a lesson.


I have been damaged. We all have to some degree. I am not living the life that I dreamed about when I was a kid. However, the damage that I have suffered has made the contents of my heart so much sweeter, so much more compassionate, so much more in pursuit of Jesus. I have been looked down upon and judged by many who have seen my label missing and slapped on their own. Don't judge too quickly until you see that my damage has not defined me...but, it is refining me. I may be at the bottom of the bin, but Jesus paid as high a price for those of us at the bottom than he did for those that are proudly displayed on the shelf.

Look around you. Is there someone in your life, your family or your church that you consider "damaged goods." Don't miss an opportunity to reach out to them, to love them. You just might find a friendship that is good...and sweet.

Posted by Carol Davis at 3:02 PM