Quote - Persistence

"A Bible that is falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn't."

~  Charles Spurgeon

Great quote.  I have even taken pictures of Bible's that are really worn out because I really liked what that meant.  They were opened countless times in joy and despair.  Daily reading over time will show signs of use and give a wonderful patina.  We can worry and fuss all we want, but if we don't open the Bible we can let the chaos in our lives take over to the point that we give it up entirely.

Shouldn't this be the most worn our book in our homes?  I know that my Bible in not worn our enough so I will try to work on this.  For those who have never picked up a Bible, give it a try.  For those who only open it on occasion, every day is a occasion.  I am doing Bible study with my kids, we just read a few chapters (skip some of the big grown up stuff) and talk about it.  Other than this I have slacked off on spending my own time with God.  I need to do better.  How about you?

Quote - Faith in Action

"When I don't understand what He does, I trust who He is."

~ Carl Lentz

There are many situations that we go through that we do not understand.  Some people during times of tragedy will turn away from God, it becomes a tipping point in their lives.  That is where their story either temporarily or permanently ends with God.  Others find a way to give their entire focus to God despite what is going on in their lives.  Those are the moments we need God the most, during the tough times.  I have seen people who have a close relationship with God go through such terrible things and watch in admiration how they cope by praising God in the midst of such sadness because I don't know if I would be able to be that strong.  The peace that they have is unmatched to anything else in this world.

I have also seen people who where Christians completely turn away from God because of a terrible situation.  They say "How could God let this happen to me."  They are angry and bitter and never seem to have much joy after that time.  God does not want that for us, He loves us through the sadness and heartbreak.

God knows we need time and He knows we get mad at Him when a loved one dies or we see a terrible injustice in the world and I think He is OK with that because He gave us our emotions as a way to process things we see and feel.  The Israelite's had a time of grieving in the Bible then they were to move on.  It sounds cruel, but I believe it kept the people from completely turning away from God in their grief because God restores the brokenhearted.  The problem arises when after a time of grief we don't turn to God or the grieving never ends.  I know for some that is the farthest thing from their minds, but He promises to comfort those who come to Him.  This does not mean you forget what happened, it means you are able to take one step at a time every day.

We see the back of a tapestry it's chaotic and ugly, but God sees the front side that is a beautiful masterpiece.  Another way to look at it is if you are a piece of thread on the front side of the tapestry and you look around, you will only see a few strands that are right by you, but what you fail to see is the entire magnificent picture.  So trying to figure God out is a useless pursuit.  Faith goes beyond any of our reasoning, thoughts, explanations and ideas.  We are to rely on God and not on our own understanding.

Quote - Perception of Reality

"Facts do not cease to exist just because they are ignored."

~ Aldous Huxley

This applies to more than just our divisive political climate.  This can also be personally, regionally or all the way up to global views.  We can easily lie to ourselves and justify anything that suits our views.  I have done it and so hasn't everyone else.  There are many that choose to take ideas and twist them to use for evil.  All we have to do is look anywhere during our history where there are people and we will see that facts are often ignored especially around large groups.  Mobs have a unique character as they seem to choose the worst common denominator which usually does not end well.

 To be a light in the world we first have to see it and only then can it be shared.  

Nahum 3:12-19

v. 12-19 "All your fortresses are like fig trees
with their first ripe fruit;
when they are shaken,
the figs fall into the mouth of the eater.
Look at your troops-
they are all women!
The gates of your land
are wide open to your enemies;
fire has consumed their bars.

Draw water for the siege,
strengthen your defenses!
Work the clay,
tread the mortar,
repair the brickwork!
There the fire will devour you;
the sword will cut you down 
and, like grasshoppers, consume you.
Multiply like grasshoppers,
multiply like locusts!
You have increased the number of your merchants 
till they are more than the stars of the sky,
but like locusts they strip the land
and then fly away.
Your guards are like locusts,
your officials like swarms of locusts
that settle in the walls on a cold day-
but when the sun appears they fly away,
and no one knows where.
O king of Assyria, your shepherds slumber,
your nobles lie down to rest.
Your people are scattered on the mountains
with no one to gather them.
Nothing can heal your wound;
your injury is fatal.
Everyone who hears the news about you 
claps his hands at your fall,
for who has not felt
your endless cruelty?"

Nahum must have known that this would challenge the pride of King Ashurbanipal.  To think you are a great king and be insulted in this way could drive someone crazy and be seething with anger.  God is showing that their defenses are insignificant.  Even calling his troops women.  Back in ancient times women were not fighters, they were wives, mothers, caregivers, they had no power during this time.

For them to fortify their defenses was useless.  Not only did they get insulted as women, but they were compared to locusts.  When the heat turns up they flee and will not stay and fight.  Their injury is fatal.  Nineveh was conquered around 50 years after this prophecy.  The Iraq Christians who lived in Mosul have been driven to the east in the last year or so, to the Nineveh Plain.    That is where the city of Nineveh was found around 1845.

The Bible is full of stories that we can learn from.  I heard someone call the Bible a library.  It's more than just a book, it spans a large amount of time with different writers and many different types of writing, all for the glory of God.

All nations hated Assyria and their cruel treatment of others so they probably were happy when the city fell.  Although there always seems to be another country just as evil that takes it's place.  Assyria in now Syria.  I think how this parallels current day events.  A dictator is in charge who has been killing his own people, there is no excuse for this cruel treatment of men, women and children.  I pray for those who have lost loved ones and for protection for the civilian population.

How you treat your poor, powerless and those who don't agree with you shows your true character.

Song - Oceans

I love this song by Hillsong United.  The music is amazing and the lyrics are outstanding.  

Oceans by United

You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't start now

So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior

Oh, Jesus yeah my God

I will call upon Your name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours and You are mine

This is one of those songs that seems to get better each time I hear it.  Many feel as if they are just about to go under the waves, but God can restore each of us no matter how deep the water is that we are in.  If we trust in God then we are able to go further that we ever thought possible.  To hear this song click here (just click on skip ad).

Quote - Generosity

"Never suppress a generous thought."

~ Camilla E. Kimball

Our words can mean so much to someone else, but if we decide not to tell them then we both miss out on the blessing.  Don't keep kind words to yourself.  Give compliments when you think of one.  Make a point of saying something nice to someone, but not from a place of obligation or insincerity.  When we give kindness away it may just be the thing the other person needed most at that very moment.  This is desperately needed in the world today.  What if God was trying to use you to make a connection with another person, but you were afraid to say anything?

Why do we suppress kind thoughts, but most are not afraid to speak from hate, divisiveness and anger?

Go out and be the good in the world, even if you are the only one you know doing it, do it well.

Prayer Request

Next week I have to go in for another mammogram and an ultrasound since they have questions about the mammogram results I just went in for last week.  I am asking for prayer for no cancer and the tech to be able to see everything clearly.  I am doing good right now and trying not to stress, but sometimes it's difficult.  My chest has been feeling tight off and on for a while now so prayer that there is nothing wrong there as well (heart doc said my heart is in good shape).  I know that no matter what, I have faith in God and I know that He has a plan for me.  I am trying to focus on Him throughout the day and that brings peace.  Thank you

Quote - The Lack of Civility and Compassion

"People do not seem to realize their opinion of the world is also a confession of their character."

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson 

Lately social media has been too much for me when I see such hateful words having to do with the most recent election.  I am reminded that throughout world history there have been many battles of words that each side has bitterly fought for their beliefs and all have believed they were right.  Over time we can see which side is right or wrong, but in the moment things are cloudy at best.  The words turn into conflict which can turn into war if pride decides to dig deep roots and refuse to back down.  Many have died because people could not compromise and have compassion for those who thought differently from themselves.

This seems like it is something new, but this has been going on since there have been humans on this planet.  It's just that now we have 24/7 media and Internet so it seems much worse than ever before.  The country would be better off if we did not listen to the media that has an obvious bias (looking at you FOX NEWS especially, but there are others).  This election did not CREATE such hate in people, it was already there sometimes hiding under the surface.  There is a strange thing that happens when powerful people take a position of hate against others, a mob mentality starts to surface among the people.  That is one of the most dangerous things that can happen because when you justify hate you can do the unthinkable.  There are many examples of normally good people (OK, maybe not that good) changing into monsters due to circumstances or favorable positions for hate.

All of these are more complex than what I have here, but they are examples of how this mob mentality is played out on the world stage (we all know what happens to women and girls in these situations so add that to ever conflict and war throughout history).

• Hutu vs Tutsi - foreigners drove a wedge between these groups which lead to killing family and friends

• Europe vs Jews - leaders incited hatred against the Jews which people gladly destroyed businesses, drove out people from towns and finally the Nazi's tried to wipe them off the face of the earth

• Mormons vs settlers (Mountain Meadow Massacre) - they attacked dressed as Indians and killed men, women and children 

• White settlers vs Native Americans - killed most of them, drove them from their homes, tried to eliminate food sources (killing millions of buffalo and left them to rot)

• French people vs Aristocrats - the people rose up against the rich and killed many (I have been to the Palace of Versailles and I can see why the poor rose up, that place is ridiculous, although they could have handled that better)

• North vs South (Civil War) - this war divided not only states, but family and friends killed each other and some of the POW's came out of the prisons like the Jews leaving the concentration camps at the end of WWII, just skin and bones.  

My goodness this is depressing.  If you look at what people have done over time it's any wonder that there are still good people in this world.  Thank you God for good people!

I believe that when we look at the past there are constant circles of the same patterns just with new generations and when we decide to ignore history we will inevitably repeat it.  This is why it is so important to teach our children what is right, teach them kindness, compassion, mercy and a sense of justice.

The stories I have heard that have happened to my friends dealing with people on the opposite side of politics lately has been unsettling.  We are not our politics, unless you work in Washington D. C. or for your local government then most of the political issues shouldn't rule your life.  Yet what I hear from these stories is that people feel the need to fiercely defend there position even to the point of being nearly abusive to others.  I think one of two things when I hear these stories: either people are not trusting in God and the devil is having a field day or their pride is making them blind and belligerent.  Either way God is not their focus.  You can not be filled with God's love and shred someone to pieces at the same time, they can't exist in harmony together.  I believe you can be passionate about what God is passionate about and hate the things God hates, but He NEVER hates the person, just the sin or the evil they are doing.  That is why we shouldn't pass judgment on others.  Because we can't separate the person from the sin.

You can disagree with policy, actions or beliefs and still be able to present your opinion in a way that does not attack someone.  I don't agree with all of my friends and I didn't vote for who some of them voted for, but we can have intelligent conversations and we would like to see this country come together.  So I am very thankful for the woman around me who are an oasis from the desert surrounding us!

Remember that God placed Trump in this position for a reason.  I feel like God did this to get our attention since we have gone so far off the narrow path that it is nearly impossible to see it anymore.  The wide path is where the world lives and it is busy and dim and easy to get lost on it.

We really should learn from the history of every country and quit repeating it so much because we are a collective of the world's history and will be judged by God on our actions no matter what is going on in the world and whether we made decisions to go against the mob mentality or completely embrace it.

IF:Gathering 2017

The IF:Gathering will be Feb. 3rd & 4th this year.  I hope that you attended a local event the last couple of years or at least watched at home in your pj's:)  If you haven't then know that this event is trying to equip women to do the work that God has given us, but to do it with passion, heart and a resilience that nothing will get in our way.  It's that important ladies!  These events have been some of the best I've ever attended.  The Austin team asks for a donation of $1 to attend an IF:Local.  Most retreats for a weekend are over $150, this is $1 (OK, the more money donated the more it will help this great group of ladies).

This is the fourth year for the event that is held in Austin, TX, but has IF:Local's around the world.  A weekend of amazing speakers, awesome worship and a global focus to empower women to live Jesus daily.  To share Him with those that do not know him in our homes, cities, states, countries and around the globe.  There are over 1,500 IF:Locals around the world and growing every year.  Here is the link to sign up: IF:Local.  If there is not a gathering near you I believe you can sign up as an individual and watch from your house (pj's optional).    Afterwards I usually go online to watch the sessions again.  If I have seen a really good speaker I will often watch it again so I can make sure I have everything written down.  Can you tell I'm a note taker?  I know your shocked:)

When this event is over they have IF:Table where you can get together with a few women once a month, they have Bible studies, a shop (just in case you like to shop or something).

If you are feeling like you need some motivation, inspiration, focus and just some serious Jesus love please attend or watch this incredible event.  I'll probably update my thoughts after this event is over because I am a note taker!

https://ifgathering.com/thegathering2017/

2017 Plans or the Lack of Plans

Well looks like I am not doing a Bible study online this year or at least not anytime soon.  I'm feeling a big NO.  I do plan on posting more, I know I'm not constant.  I need to finish Nahum, yes still on that book.  The page views last year went from around 18,000 to nearly 600,000.  I keep thinking there is a computer somewhere that keeps clicking my posts instead of real people.  I did ask God to bring people to my blog, but the numbers have been more than I could dream.  That's God, He does way more than we could ever imagine.

Hope that I post more and hope that you will continue to visit my corner of the web.  I am glad you did.  May God do big things in all of our lives, more than we could ever comprehend.

Red Army Choir (Alexandrov Military Ensemble) Plane Crash

I just heard about the plane crash yesterday that was carrying the Red Army Choir.  They were going to Syria to entertain the troops (they are like our USO) and after refueling the plane crashed with no survivors, 91 people lost their lives.  On board were singers, dancers, musicians, reporters and military personnel.  It is sad that their voices have been silenced and the joy they bring to so many has been extinguished.  Such a devastating blow to their families near Christmas (I read that Jan. 7th is when Russia celebrates Christmas, but I'm not sure if some in Russia start celebrating early).  It seems like one of the singers, Roman Valutov, could not get on the plane due to an expired passport.  If this is true (can't find much about this story) then that would be a wonderful thing.

My heart goes out to anyone suffering loss.  In grief - the location, religion, beliefs, customs or leaders I don't agree with do not matter.  Grief is a universal emotion and we all feel it.  Russia I am praying for you, praying for those who have lost loved ones.  This time of year always seems to be more difficult when suffering loss.  Many of the visitors here are from Russia (2nd highest country to visit).  I hope you will join me and pray for those missing their loved ones and the entire country of Russia during this tragic time.  May God give you peace and comfort during this time.

Quote - Merry Christmas

"Christmas, children, is not a date.  It is a state of mind."

~ Mary Ellen Chase

I hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas.  I know this time of year is busy and stressful for most people.  It is good to take time out and focus on why we celebrate in the first place.  I know that the birth of Jesus gets lost in the chaos of shopping, long lines, short tempered people, stress, loneliness, high expectations and family issues.

I am guilty of letting stress ruin my Christmas and I'm trying to do better.  I would love to have a peaceful time and that just doesn't seem to happen.  I'm a work in progress.  What if we didn't think about Christmas just as one day and instead lived that state of mind every day.  I think we all would be more peaceful in our lives.

The birth of one boy changed the world forever.  A beautiful gift.  The perfect gift.  

Merry Christmas

Compassion International - Please Act to Help Children in India

We sponsor a child in Bolivia through Compassion International.  This is a wonderful organization that helps not only the child, but their family as well.  I highly recommend sponsoring a child through Compassion International.  It would be wonderful if every child in need around the world was sponsored.

The government of India has blocked funding for nine months that was suppose to go to the children who are in the Compassion program.  Whether you sponsor a child or not I pray you all will click on the link below and sign the letter which will go to your representative in Congress.  If you are in a country outside of the United States, please contact Compassion directly here to see if you can help.  Please pass this link along to others.  The more attention this gets the more our government will know we care and hopefully convince the government of India to change their minds.

If something doesn't change quickly then 130,000 children will no longer be able to continue to get the help they need.  There was no reason given for the change from the government, but when a country chooses to turn it's back on their own children then the devil is there to devour souls.  He does not want them to feel special or loved.  He knows that if given the chance to strike early in a child's life sometimes that is all that is needed to keep them away from God.  I have never understood when a country receives aid for children from another country why they would block the ability to help their own people.  Pride, religious differences or just indifference in general, no matter what the reason it is no excuse to let your poorest people suffer while the leaders live lavish lives.

They are blocking food, water, healthcare and education for the poorest children in their country.

Please click here to help the children in India.  Thank you

Throwing Stones Blind

There are all kinds of Christian blogs out there.  Which can be good and bad.  I have recently read some crazy blogs that just seem to bash on other Christians.  I'm not here to bash on the bashers, but I believe I can speak truth through the hate.

When we sink our teeth into someone we sure do feel knowledgeable and mighty.

I understand that there are false teachers out there and we should hold them accountable when they go off the narrow path.  With this blog I am aware I have an obligation to not misrepresent the Bible.  If I have an opinion I try to say so, but not to confuse it with scripture.  This is why I write out all the scriptures at the top so we can see what the Bible says.  The rest is what I think or quotes from others and helps me understand.  I have no intention of leading anyone away from God.  I will be held accountable by God for what I say.

When I see so much hate towards someone I always look back at the person saying it and wonder why they are thinking that.  These blogs decided to pick on one person although looking at other topics on their blog they seem to be the "Christian Judge" out there making sure that nothing slips through the cracks.  This almost always sends up red flags for me.  The hate, judgement and condemnation are so targeted as to leave no doubt how they feel.

God did not call us to judge others.  We can call out sin, hate, evil, indifference, injustice, abuse; but not people.  I believe if someone is saying things that are against God's word then that is different.  There are many examples of beliefs that run against the Bible; there is always someone who says they know when the world will end, some think there is no hell, some thing Jesus is not God's son, etc.

In my last Bible study there was a girl who said she did not believe in anything that has to do with visions or experiences that are from the spirit realm.  I think most people that say that have never experienced anything like that so they just assume that there is nothing out there like it.  I think both women would think I was a loon hearing some of the things I have seen or felt.  Everything I have seen has made me more in awe of God.  Anything I have seen is not because I'm such a religious person, it's actually because I have been just as stubborn as the Israelite's in the Bible.  I'm also a visual learner so He uses that sometimes.  I will eventually share some of that on here.

If someone is trying to follow God and live for Him and they say something that isn't etched in stone then some will vilify them.  This is sad to see.  I think the core of the issue is pride and/or jealously.  Pride can blind us and jealously can corrupt the soul.  

This example is of someone who thinks that God can only speak to you through prayer and the Bible.  He can speak through anything; dreams, situations, people, in our heads, soul, prayer, scripture and beyond.  This person said the teacher was false because they said God spoke to them.  This right there puts up a wall trying to filter people who are not up to their standards, but it also can keep God out with a lack of wisdom.  I don't always respond to blogs, but this one I did.  Here is my response:

If you are throwing stones at others then please check yourself to make sure you have no sin.  After reading this post I think that you have never had an experience with God besides prayer and reading the Bible.  Which is OK, except when you use it to dismantle someone else.  Anytime anyone says they have seen or heard something that is not "normal" then you should look if what they are saying brings glory to God.  If not then it's self, but what if you are so busy judging others that you miss what God is trying to show you through that experience?  I wonder if you think God is different that the God of the Bible?  He has not changed.  I think He may not always do those big signs, but often we are not paying attention when He does.  He has many ways to speak to use not just in prayer or through reading the Bible.  All you have to do is look at how He interacted with His people.  It's funny how people try to limit Him and put Him in this neat little box while explaining others away.  I hope you will do a heart check because when we push ourselves up we end up pushing others down.

Those who throw stones blind only end up hitting themselves.

Post Election View

I was sad to see the outcome of the election.  This has been a complicated election and hopefully there will never be anything like this in the future.  There is such hate on both sides.  I have seen pictures from schools that kids are writing white power and other hate messages in the bathrooms.  There are protesters who have signs that say "Trump is not my president."  This is really showing that as a nation we really haven't grown much due to this kind of thinking.  It always seems that when someone in power chooses to share their hate that brings people out of the woodwork and they are not afraid to share these thoughts with the world.  

I do not think that everyone who voted for Trump agrees with his hateful thoughts.  We have a short memory and think that since a party is in office for four or eight years that we then need the other party to fix America (neither side seems to do much of anything for the people).  I really hope that Trump does change things in Washington, but if he doesn't then I'm still turning to God either way.

 We Christians are called to pray for our leaders.  1 Timothy 2 says that we are suppose to pray for our leaders so we will live in peace, this pleases God.  God gave us the Ten Commandments, but everything else He said is a command.  He doesn't offer suggestions timidly, He is I AM and does not ask things from us that we are incapable of doing.  We are expected to follow His commands whether we want to or not.  I believe we have the right to our opinions and can disagree with a leaders policy, but we are not to bash on them.  I can't believe how many Christians I know that have bashed on Obama these last eight years feeding right into the fear machine.  Our media doesn't help, leading sheep to the slaughter by using fear.  I think that in some cases there must be some prejudice underlining those comments since they were the worst comments that I have ever hear of any president.  But no one would admit that.  Hiding behind a political party to spread hate is no excuse.  We are called to a higher standard no matter what party is in office.  OK, I have let my Facebook friends know how I feel about Trump because I don't agree with the hate that he so causally spreads.  When he takes office I am called to pray for him and our country so are you.  God knew Trump was going to be president before we even were a country.  He has got this, that I am sure of.  God is calling us to turn to Him instead of another leader.  God is the only one who can take care of this country and He keeps showing us that by the leaders that we have, but we are too busy focusing on what the other party has done wrong to see the real issue.

This is going to be a big test for a lot of Christians besides me over the next four years.  I hope you will join me in giving this all to God.  I assure you that when this happens, I mean giving 100% to Him, you will be peaceful facing the unknown.  This my friend is not a drill, this really is the unknown.  Maybe we need a support group for this sort of thing!

I am now stepping down from my soap box.

If Christians would stand up for God then who knows what would happen in the world.

US Vote 2016

I hope you will go out and vote today if you haven't already voted.  Thankfully Tennessee had early voting so I got to vote a couple of weeks ago with no lines.  I hope the polls will stay open as long as there are voters in line.  Hopefully in the future all states will have early voting, it is crazy that some don't have this option.  We are four years away from one hundred years since women got the right to vote in America.  It is a privilege and a right that we have.  Women were arrested and beaten, Emily Davison in England died for this cause just so we could cast our opinion in the world of politics. 

I know this election is unlike any ever and it is historic.  Either a woman will win for the first time or a business man who has never held a political office will win.  Many women I know didn't want to vote for either and everyone has the write in option. 

I hope this election will start a conversation of what is acceptable and unacceptable to say while running for president.  Both sides have said things that they should not have, but Trump definitely was worse. 

Women are judged differently, I think even more so by other women.  If Clinton was a man this would be different.  I have seen so many women defend Trump, I guess it's because they are a die hard Rep.  The women who came forward to accuse Trump are vilified, by other women.  Yet if that happened to their daughters (more than likely at some time in their lives it will happen) they would be furious.

I think in one hundred years this election may be remembered differently than how we see it today.  I think God is trying to get the attention of Christians.  With this election and the last election I think He has put before us two Saul type of nominees.  Remember the Israelites wanted a king in 1 Samuel 8:7 and God said "Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king."  We should not look at leaders to fix everything, we should look to God.

Brace yourself this may rock your world - God is not a Republican.  If you look at the platforms for both parties they both fall short of the Bible.  I know Christians usually vote Republican and I'm not saying to change parties, but if both parties fall short of the core of Christianity then who should we vote for?  I don't know, but I believe God is trying to get our attention and putting Romney a Mormon 2012 and Trump 2016 as the nominees has been very frustrating for many Christians I know. 

I do know that some people in our country have gone crazy or maybe they were always this way, but because Trump has spoken freely about such hatred they are going off the deep end.  That behavior should not be American in an way.  Although I know our history is steeped in that way of thinking.  We should be civil to each other even if we have different views. 

Personally I voted for Clinton.  I am not a charity or church so I can freely say that.  Why?  Look I'm not happy with the Dem platform, but neither am I happy about the Rep platform.  I voted for the person who I thought would be the best fit for our country and could do the job.  I couldn't fathom voting for someone who seems to have such hate for women, blacks, Latino, war hero's and the disabled.  Did I miss any group?  Not to mention, no experience in politics.  If you are a Clinton hater that is OK, I'm not happy with some of her decisions either.  She is in the spotlight so it's easier to see her faults while we keep ours all to our selves and judge from afar.  No one is perfect, except Jesus!  My kids especially my daughter will take it for granted that a woman could get the nomination and possible the presidency.  So many other countries have already had women leaders.  It seems like no one is talking about the possible first woman president, which seems strange to me.  We are independents and until a party follows the Bible I think we will stay that way. 

God knows every single leader we will ever have in ALL countries and in Daniel 2:22 He says that He rises up and disposes leaders.  He knows what He is doing, even if it looks like chaos to us.

Quote - William Penn

"If there is any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not deter or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again."

~William Penn

What if we acted right then instead of waiting for a later date?  Good intentions are wasted on false sincerity.  

God will align people on our path to either help us or to be helped and if we ignore what is in that moment then there are blessings that will be missed by all involved.  If you have a habit of saying you will pray for someone later, but forget when you are away from that person then just pray that moment or while you are moving on to the next place you are headed.  If you say you will bring a meal to someone, do it.  Nike has the simplest motto that is sometimes difficult to do yet should be on our minds through out the day, "Just Do It."  This coming from a major procrastinator, I am working on it.

The end of the quote shows such urgency since even if you walk the same path every day the scenery, people and your outlook may differ greatly.  That single situation may never present itself again.  Even if you see the same person every day for ten years the missed opportunity may create a void for any further interaction and who knows what could come of it if you only had followed through in the first place.

Question For You - Women's Bible Study 2017

I was thinking about starting an online women's Bible study next year.  I am not sure of the study or when, but wanted to see if there was anyone interested.  I'm not sure of the format either.  I am starting to check on different platforms I could use.

I know you are probably very excited since I have no details for you! ha ha

This would be for women who:

• don't go to church
• may not even believe in God
• have been hurt by someone in the church or their family who say they are Christian
• seasoned church ladies
• can't find time to go to a local study
• are in the middle of nowhere/have no study near them
• have young kids at home and don't dare venture outside the house (I've been there)
• who just want to stay in their PJ's at home (no judgment here!)
• think God does not love them because of what they did in their past (He love you so much!)

If there is only one of you besides me then I call that a group!  Every year I do a study with women at church and even though I meet some new people it is mostly people I already know.  How fun would it be to be in a group with women from all over the US, France, India, Russia, etc?  I know time zones would be an issue for "live" chats, but maybe I can set up something so everyone can visit when they had time.

Bible study can be a great way for seeing a point of view that we have never thought of.  Some people choose not to share in a group in case they have been hurt, but online there shouldn't be anything stopping us from sharing how we feel and what we think.  I would like to have a "place" we could go to chat and discuss the Bible.  It would be a positive place so no room for bashing on others.

I am praying about this so I will see if God wants me to do this.  I know I have not been consistent on here and I need to do a better job.  Maybe this is something to keep me in line:)

Sitting down with my Bible, a cup of coffee and having a meeting online with some sisters in Christ sounds good to me.  How about you?  

If you think you may be interested email me at: beautyforashes88@outlook.com (blog email) and let me know if there is a topic that you want to know more about.  If enough people bring up the same subject then that may be what the focus will be on.  Thank you for your time.

Throwing Stones - Ryan Lochte on DWTS

It's sad that some men rushed over to Ryan Lochte on Dancing With The Stars last night, not sure if they wanted to hurt him or just protest.  He messed up, apologized, got banned from swimming for 10 months and lost sponsors.

No one is perfect and we all mess up, the only difference is our mistakes are not on international TV for the world to judge.  People are so harsh towards forgiving others.  So apparently these men have never sinned before because they felt justified to judge Lochte, insert sarcasm.

John 8:7 "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone." I left out the "at her" part since this applies to men here.  When we look to judge another all it should take to humble us is to look at any number of mistakes we have made and this should stop us in our tracks.

Quote - Paulo Coelho

"The world is changed by your example, not your opinion."

~ Paulo Coelho

You can quietly lead by example or you can push others away by being so opinionated that you alienate yourself from the world.  Those who choose the latter will often find themselves on a very high pedestal so far up that they can not see the people that they are trying to change.

The pattern of a river will change over time.  The water will erode the rocks and it will start to look different or a new path will be created.  The river does not plot to change the earth, it just does what it is suppose to do, flow.

If we live out our lives with intent, love and compassion it will make more of an impact than that person yelling from their pedestal way up high.