I Have a Virus

I really have three viruses one is on my computer, one is in my head (a cold), the other is in my-my-my ah heart.

The computer virus is the most disgusting thing–I have the Facebook virus–this virus sent creepy videos to my Facebook friends.  It is embarrassing, it is pron–here my computer, with my name attached, is sending this kind of stuff to my friends.

The computer has been taken to the computer hospital and I paid the co-payment of  $52.00 for diagnostic purposes.

My head virus is just a cold and not a very bad one, I will get over it quickly.

The other virus is a little more serious, it is my –oh you know I have talked about it before, it is my Simpson–my temper.  I found my self in such a state over my computer virus I could feel my Simpson stirring.  Just when I think I have my temper under control it rears its ugly head.

The way I see it is it all comes down to self–I am too tired to think too deeply about it so I will just say I am aware of my problem and I am still working on it.  I know God isn’t finished with me yet–thanks goodness.

T.G.I.F

LOL–I don’t really think I am thankful it is Friday I am just thankful for everyday.  I say T.G.I.T.–Thank Goodness It Is Today–I love life.  That scares me–will the day come when I don’t love life?  Is my life too good?  Would I hate life, if I had  family problems  or a health problem that couldn’t be solved?  I don’t know. 

This is what I do know.  I find pleasure in life.  I enjoy my friends and I love my church and I am crazy about my family.  I like to get up in the morning and I hate to go to bed at night.  Yet there is still that little feeling of loneliness.

So what am I looking for in this life of pleasure?  I am looking for a closer friendship with  Jesus.  How about you?  Have you discovered that universal discontent that is from Jesus?  He wants us to sing, “This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through.”

Prayer is just a perfect way to come close to the Lord.  Not just at bedtime, meals and when you get up but all day everyday.  I have two friends who live 8 hours from me and we may only see each other once a year or even less.  Yet we stay in contact and we are never at a loss for words.  I want the pleasure of God’s company in my life.

This is one of the soups I made last Friday evening.  Tonight we are having the usual–pancakes.

Chili’s Southwestern Vegetable Soup

7 Cups chicken broth–I use 7 cups water and vegetarian chicken seasoning to taste.

1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, with juice

1 can dark red kidney beans, with liquid

1 cup frozen cut corn

1 cup frozen cut green beans

1 4-ounce can diced green chilies

1 diced onion

1/2 cup tomato sauce

6 corn tortillas, minced

1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder

Dash garlic powder or a clove of garlic

Garnish with grated cheddar cheese and crumbled corn tortilla chips-optional

Combine all the soup ingredients in a large saucepan over high heat.  Be sure to mince the corn tortillas into small pieces with a sharp knife before adding them to the soup.  Bring soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the soup has thickened and tortilla pieces have mostly dissolved.  You will want to stir this now and then to keep from sticking.  It’s yummy.

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Be Nice!

My mom use to say those very words to me, “Be nice.”  Have I ever told I was pretty much a brat when I was a kid?  It is a strange thing to become a grandma and to look back on my life and realize what a spoiled girl I was. 

Now it is even worse to look at my life now and realize  I am still a little spoiled woman.  Oh, I think I have gotten to the place where I can hide my selfish ways mostly but when push comes to shove I can get nasty.  Especially to the person who lives in the same house with me.

Well, he is just so easy and fun to tease, that’s what I call it but then I think again.  Is my teasing at the expense of his self-esteem and his feelings.   Sometimes it is.

You know, I have told you a lot about my self in the year I have been writing this blog.  Now I am down to the bottom of the pit.  You pretty much know it all. 

So while still striving to keep my devotions going, my eating under control, my exercising on track, I am now trying to become a nicer person.  I know, I know what you are about to say, just give it to the Lord.  Well, the Lord is the one that set me to thinking about this.  So it is already in his hands.

It’s that new book on prayer I just started that actually set my mind in motion thinking about my life and how I want to finish well.

Listening For God

I know, you think I meant to say listening to God.  I really didn’t mean that at all, I wrote exactly what I meant.  Listening for God!!

Last weekend I attended a Prayer Conference at my church.  The conference did several things for me.  It  made me want to listen for God.  By this I mean just to know that He is working in my life.  That He is sending me messages here and there that I might miss if I am not aware.

I’m reading a book by Morris Venden on Prayer.  The same thing is happening in my thought process as I read this book.  It is just the simple fact that I want to listen and watch for signs that God is near and answers my prayers.

You don’t know this about me but I like to read several books at a time.  I don’t always finish a book before I start a new book.  That’s  not good but it’s how I seem to do it.  Right now I’m reading,  The Answer is Prayer,  by Morris Venden, You Were Made for This by Bruce Wilkinson,  A Life to Die For, by Clarence and Stephen Schilt.

The book by Wilkinson, has also made me think about God and how He wants to use each of us in a powerful way.  We just have to make ourselves available and let God know we are willing to have him work through us.

A Life to Die For, is a great book about the problem of SELF.  Do you have a problem with that?  LOL  Don’t we all.  I emailed a friend one day just to see how she was doing and she told me she was having trouble with self.  I told her to get the book A Life to Die For and read it.  This morning during my devotions my mind wandered to my friend and within a minute she called.  I thought that was almost a God thing.  This book has made a big difference in her marriage and she is only half way into it.

How about you?  Are you reading?  Why not make a goal for yourself.  Perhaps you would like to read 4 books a month or maybe 2 books a month.  I am going to give this some thought I want to set a goal,  turn the TV off and do some reading.

Ask the Lord to show you a really good book.  Does this sound strange to you?  I don’t think it is, God is interested in everthing we do and I know He will lead you to the right book.

How Can We Go On. . .

How can we go on with business as usual when there is so much suffering in Haiti?

I am asking you to do something to help our brothers and sisters in this poor country.

What can you do?

1.  Pray!

2.  Spread the word on giving to help.

3.  Give.  Just this morning I sent an article about ADRA to my sister in law and she responded.  She has been praying the Lord would show her where to give her contribution.

I am adding the information I received this morning and in this article you will find a link to donate through ADRA.  If you don’t like ADRA find another place to give of your money.

1. Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is heavily involved in response to the disaster in Haiti . Contributions are needed and can be made at www.adra.org/haiti or by calling 1-800-424-ADRA (2372). We have 1,000 Adventist churches in the area and about 330,000 members. We know that two of our largest churches near the presidential palace were destroyed. Five congregations met in these churches. One of those churches had a school and there are serious concerns for the children who were attending school at that time. It is believed that the Union president is alive but contact has not been made. The Union office is not damaged seriously. One Union worker was killed when a wall fell on him. There are two Adventist missionaries in Haiti and they are alright but shaken. Serious damage has been sustained by our university but the lawns of our university and hospital campuses are being used by many for a sleeping area as a place of safety. Fortunately, despite the economic challenges, our churches did take out earthquake insurance and that will help some. ADRA will be working to assist members and the public alike. Your prayers for the people of Haiti and those who are working to assist them would be much appreciated. DO NOT gather food or clothing as it will be impossible to get it to Haiti . ADRA will use the cash to accomplish what is needed at this time.

With Great Sorrow. . .

Some of you know Jeff and Sylvia.  This is a portion of the journal Sylvia writes about Jeff.  I am asking each of you to pray for this little family.  As you can see their pain is great and their love and dependance for Jesus is even greater.

Sitting at the office trying to get caught up on my pile of work.  I’ve managed to get two charts completed in the last 8 hours.  Obviously my mind is not with me today.  Yesterday I stayed home for a while to do a little Christmas decorating.  I just wandered around the house instead. 

I’m the kind of person who, when the closet is a mess, will pull everything out of the closet and put it in a pile on the floor, make a survey of what needs to go back in and what my space allows, then start putting things back.  Currently my mental closet is all dumped on the floor.  I haven’t figured out how to acceptably arrange it in my new space.

Jeff has spots of cancer throughout his liver- too many to count.  He has a lymph node or two affected also.  He feels mediocre. Not much else to say right now.  Just a heavy heart.

Our pain is great, but not without hope for a future.  “I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD.  “…Plans for a future.”  We look forward to an eternity and praise God for the hope we can have in Him.  He will carry us through the days ahead.  My head sometimes forgets that, but my heart clings to it fervently.

Just thought I’d include the words to a great song that most of you probably know.  Jeff likes it best sung by Elvis. 🙂

Without Him I could do nothing
Without Him I’d surely fail
Without Him I would be drifting
Like a ship without a sail

Without Him I would be dying
Without Him I’d be enslaved
Without Him life would be worthless
But with Jesus thank God I’m saved

Oh Jesus, oh Jesus
Do you know Him today
Please don’t turn Him away
Oh Jesus, my Jesus
Without Him how lost I would be

Praising God!

I am enjoying the Minnesota Women’s Reteat in beautiful Brainard, MN.  I want to share with you the idea of praising the Lord in all things. 

Janet Page is the speaker and she has told some amazing stories about praising God in everything.. When you think about scripture we are told to give thanks and praise in all things.  The Bible does not mention this just now and then it mentions it often.  Look up Ps.62:8, Is. 50:4, Ps. 77:1.

Let’s try it!  No matter what happens in your life, good or bad, praise the Lord for it.  Can you do it? Can I do it?  When we praise God for what he has done it unleashes God’s power.

The idea of praise in the place of grumbling is this:  God is in charge, He knows what he is doing and He usually takes the unthinkable and turns it for the good in one way or another.  We may as well praise HIM and let His power do it’s wonderful work.

Janet suggests we keep a journal on praising and the things God does with our praise.  She even goes so far as to suggest we do this for our children, write it down and even take pictures so the results are not forgotten.

Please Pray With Me. . .

Have you ever known a person who takes everything to heart.  If they find out someone has cancer it is almost like they have cancer.  If they found out someone has a marriage problem, they feel the pain all the way to their bones.  I have a friend like that, she just feels other people’s pain so very much.  It makes me feel sad for her because her own life is less than it should be because she is in pain over someone else’s problems.

Having said all of that, I feel a little bogged down myself.  There is so much pain in this world the best place for me to go with this pain is to Jesus and yet I have so little faith.  We have talked about this before, you already know my faith is weak, I have not seen a ton of intervention by God.  Oh wait a minute, I should say, God hasn’t done what I think He should do.  Oh, oh wait a minute, so does that mean He isn’t listening, He isn’t working miracles?  I don’t know I am confused. 

Here is the deal, my friend, Terry Schwartz has cancer. The doctors have not given him much hope especially since his PSA has doubled since he finished his radiation treatments.  I am praying for a miracle and I ask you to pray for him too.  I don’t know what God has in mind for Terry, I do know God is plenty capable of healing.  I just don’t have the answer that I am looking for and I know you don’t either.  Please join me in praying for Terry and his family as they walk this walk.

I am headed to MN for the last women’s retreat of the season, it should be a lovely weekend.  I am doing a seminar on Women’s Ministries and I am looking forward to it.

Here is your Thursday recipe on Friday–I love these apples, they are great to use in muffins, or on your oatmeal.  Next week I will give you a muffin recipe that you may use them in.

Roasted Apples

1 pound each of Granny Smith and Pink Lady Apples–core and cut into about 1 inch pieces.  1 Tbs. cinnamon, 1/2 cup Agave Nectar, 1/4 Cup fresh lemon juice.  You can get Agave Nectar at Walmart or a health food store or Costco.  Line your cookie sheet with foil or parchment paper.  Mix apples and all the rest of the ingredients together and spread on cookie sheet.  Bake 35 minutes, rotating the pan after 20 minutes.  The apples will be soft.  Let stand for 30 minutes or until cool.  These will keep in the refrigerator for a week.

This and That Again. . .

Have you noticed the days just fly by?  Or is it just me?  I don’t know where the time goes and the older I get the faster it goes.  Why is that?  You would think the older one gets the slower time would go.  Maybe you have to get really, really old for that to happen.

I have many things to tell you so as my teacher use to say, “Listen up.”

Don’t eat partially hydrogenated shortening or high fructose corn syrup they are both really bad for you.  Read your labels.  Please

My weight is slow going but I am not discouraged.  If you need to shed a few pounds you could  start in with me.  I still have 15 pounds to go so we could do it together.  I have noticed my mind is clearer since I am not eating junk food and I have a lot more energy, and I have a lot more wrinkles.

I am leaving town headed for Colorado to do a tea in Wyoming, I am the speaker.  I am doing my favorite talk, “Silver Boxes.”  From Wyoming I will be going to Dallas for the Free Indeed Convention.  I am telling you this because you won’t be hearing much from me.  I will try to get a few pictures and post from time to time.  If you want to read the blog try reading some old posts.

Please pray for my special friend Freddie, he has finally landed a temporary job that could turn into full-time.  He will have his last chemo treatment in a little while and he is thrilled to have this job opportunity.  Pray for his health and his job.

Here is your Thursday Recipe. . . these are one of my favorites I use to make them all the time.

Corn flake Potatoes

Boil potatoes with the jacket on and peel, if they are large you can cut them to a smaller size.  Roll them in butter then in crushed corn flake crumbs.  You can do this a day ahead.   Bake on a cookie sheet until hot at 350.  They are so good and you may want to serve them with sour cream.

Is Anger the Problem or is it Self?

I have already told you I grew up in a home in which my dad’s temper would flare.  I think I have even told you that I have a temper but God has given me victory over my temper–most of the time.  Just when I think it is gone, I can feel it creep back into my life sometimes at a most unexpected time.

What I have found is when self gets hold of me, I have so much less control over my temper.  Romans 8:7 tells us that self is hostile to God.  Does that make sense?  You see as long as self is controlling my life I can’t have a total relationship with God.

C.S. Lewis says it this way:

The Christian way is different: harder, and easier.  Christ says. . .”I have not come to torment your natural self, but to kill it.  No half-measures are any good.  I don’t want to cut off a branch here and a branch there, I want to have the whole tree down. . .Hand over the whole natural self, all the desires which you think innocent as well as the ones you think wicked–the whole outfit.  I will give you a new self instead.  In fact, I will give you Myself: my own will shall become yours.”

Self hinders Spirituality.  When I think about it, self gets in the way of most every thing. 

As we adopt the heart of Jesus, our thoughts, feelings, desires and motivations will become compatible with His.  Self will die.