Keep on Keeping On!

April 21st—“Keep on Keeping On!”

“So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”
1 Corinthians 15:58

When you feel like quitting, “keep on keeping on” and you’ll get what runners call their second wind. That’s the power which propels them to the finish line and makes them winners. It’s why the Bible says, “Blessed is the mans who perseveres” (James 1:12 NIV).

Ever heard of Thomas Starzl? He became interested in organ transplants as a surgery resident in medical school. In 1958 he sewed new livers into dogs whose livers had been removed, but all of them died within two days of the operation. A year later he found a way to stabilize circulation, and the dogs lived for a week. In March 1963 he performed the first human liver transplant, but his patient bled to death. That failure, and the hepatitis epidemic that spread through artificial transplant centers worldwide during the 1960’s, forced his liver transplant program to be abandoned. But he refused to quit. In 1968 Starzl reported the results from new transplant trials. All seven children involved had survived, although four died within six months—an encouraging, but not stellar result. By 1975 only two liver transplant programs were left in the world. Twenty-three years after he first began, Starzl and his team found success: nineteen out of twenty-two patients lived for long periods. Starzl was criticized, even vilified by the medical establishment. But he persevered. And we should be glad he did. Today liver transplants are routinely performed around the world and people who had no hope are now living happy and productive lives. So, whatever your assignment, “Stand firm. Let nothing move you.”

If this doesn't motivate you to keep going, then something is wrong. Many times I have been getting ready to give up on so many things. Some small spark inside me says..."keep going." Maybe that spark is faith? Maybe it is hope? Not sure. Like The Secret says, we should consider our lives as if we were driving in a car at night time with the headlights on. We can only see the next 200 feet in front of us yet we can make it all the way to another state in the dark. If we have faith that we will get to where we want to be only being able to see little of what is ahead, we will make it to our destination. A light will be made a little at a time. We do not need to see the entire picture or know how...just know we will.

What I am thankful for today:
The Secret CDs which I am borrowing from a friend
my friends
a wonderful walk with Jamie and the kids last night
my children
my pets
my part-time job
inspired action
my health
the health and happiness of my loved ones
laughter
hope
faith
sleep
my appointment at The Healing Place
a clear mind
the sunshine
getting Pappy's flower beds done
music
smiles
love

SHOUT!

April 7th—Shout!

“It shall come to pass, when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, that all the people shall shout with a great shout; then the wall of the city will fall down flat. And the people shall go up every man straight before him.”
Joshua 6:5 NKJV

Are you fighting a battle you’re afraid you won’t win? Who are you depending on: God or yourself? When faced with the combined armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, God told His people Israel, “The battle is not yours, but God’s (2 Ch. 20:15 NIV). And God’s never lost a battle yet! He told Joshua, “I have delivered Jericho into your hands” (Jos. 6:2 NIV). Notice, He didn’t say, “I will deliver” or “I might deliver.” No, He said, “I have delivered Jericho into your hands!” Israel already had the victory, now they were being called to act on it. But the question remained, how? God’s answer was “Shout.” Joshua told the Israelites, “When you hear…the trumpets…give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and [you] will go…straight in” (Jos. 6:5 NIV). Now no rational person would expect a shout, no matter how loud, to bring down the walls of a big city. But this was no ordinary shout; it was a shout of faith based on a promise God had made. Even though victory looked impossible, when Israel shouted God responded by bringing down the walls and opening the doors to the Promised Land. When you’re looking for an open door and all you can see is a brick wall, the last thing you feel like doing is shouting “victory,” right? But you need to do it regardless, because: (1) the shout of praise leads to victory; (2) it puts your faith “on the record;” (3) it confounds the enemy and robs him of two of his greatest weapons: doubt and discouragement; (4) obedience, even when you don’t understand, always brings results. So shout—for the victory is yours!


WOW! Was this message something I could have read months ago....maybe even more than a year ago. Being the wanderer I was....wandering away from God......something HAD to make me wake up. It no longer mattered who I made happy because I was miserable. My insides were torn, my mind was not in the right place and Lord knows that my heart was so broken. But lucky for me, I have learned to love myself again and see myself as God sees me. I was created by God. Although I wandered away from him, he was always there. He brought me back to him. And even though it was a rough road, none of that matters now. I will live in the moment, never regret the past and always look for the best for my future. No matter who loves me, or doesn't love me, God always will. It doesn't matter who forgives me or who doesn't forgive me, God always will. It doesn't matter who believes me or who doesn't believe me, God knows the truth. And, God is the ONLY one who matters.

What I am thankful for today:
Faith
Hope
Laughter
my children
my friends
my store
positive thoughts
The Secret
the power of prayer
God
the sunshine
ice cream
a long walk with Makenna today
time at the park today
my health
happiness
love

Accomplishment and Needed Prayers

Before I get into my actual writing for today I wanted to acknowledge an accomplishment that I made yesterday. My therapist once told me that I do not give myself enough credit for much of anything. So, I have to pat myself on the back for achieving 3 miles in 30 minutes on the elliptical machine yesterday. I am telling you that Wednesdays are my best workout day because of watching the Biggest Loser the night before...LOL!

Never did I think I would be able to run faster than I did in 8th grade when I ran one mile in 27 minutes.... which was the fastest out of my class. Now my goal is to top yesterdays accomplishment.

There is so much I could write about today and I think I am changing my mind about what I had originally planned on writing. Shawn's grandfather passed away in the middle of the night last night. It was something that was not unexpected because his health had been declining in the past few months. He lived a good long life into his 90's. Please say a prayer for Shawn and his family. Let us rejoice that Walter is now in a better place, at peace and without pain.

I may not have met you here on earth Walter, but I will meet you someday when it is my time to be called home.

What I am thankful for today:
the power of prayer
my friends
my children
my achievement yesterday at the gym
my family
scrapbooking
a nice walk with the kids this morning
the sunshine
the blooming flowers
faith
my customers
my teachers
my store
The Secret
Knowing that we are all here to go on our own journey in life....whether or not anyone agrees or disagree with the path we choose.
that God is with us the entire way
knowing that Paradise awaits me
love

Easter

At the gym this morning, I was wishing the kids Happy Easter as they left. One of the children, Adrian, I asked if the Easter Bunny was going to visit him on Sunday. He smiled at me and said, "No. Easter isn't about a bunny and candy, it is all about God." I said in response, "You are absolutely right." He was very content and happy as he left and wished me a Happy Easter. I believe that Adrian is either 5 or 6 years old.

I was delighted to know that this child was surrounded by so many children this morning talking about candy and the Easter Bunny, and yet was still content knowing that he wasn't spending his Easter the same way. And, he was happy for the other children and shared in their excitement.

In my childhood I was very fortunate to be able to have visits from the Easter Bunny but also know what the true meaning of Easter is. Everyone has their own opinions on how to deal with the different holidays and I am not here to judge those who do not do the same things as my family. It was just very nice to see a child of his age excited for the holiday without the 'extras'. How many children do you know that are excited about the resurection of Jesus? I do not know of any off the top of my head....besides Adrian.

Me, well, I am so excited that Jesus has died for our sins and will be rising on Easter morning. What greater gift could God give to us than his only Son? And, to do such an awesome thing for US. In time, I am hoping to instill the true meaning of Easter to my children. Little by little they are getting exposed to religeon. Makenna is interested in learning about Heaven right now. Honestly it is very difficult for Jeremy and I to answer all of her questions. The questions she has are very deep for a 4 year old. Church will help her as time goes on.

So today I am very grateful for the true meaning of Easter. And, for Adrian keeping his smile and contentment in what the true meaning of Easter is really about.

What I am thankful for today:
Easter
my children
flowers
the gym
my store
faith
hope
love
peace
the sunshine
the power of prayer
kindness
laughter
rainbows