Speak & Breathe Words of Life

 As I look out onto the white, fluffy snow and the frigid temperatures, the sunshine brings me warmth.  It is definitely the little things that do make a difference in life.

Also, what we speak and breathe brings life to others.  A smile and words of hope and encouragement can mean so much to someone.  Speaking words of life will also speak to your own soul.

Think back on the negativity that you have spoken.  To this day, I remember telling someone that I didn't love them anymore.  Those words have probably haunted me more than it has haunted them.  Satan would love to keep me in that dark time, but praise God, Jesus lives in my life and He has encouraged me to be an encourager to others.

Proverbs 15:4 - "Gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit."

Proverbs 16:24 - "Kind words are like honey-sweet to the soul and healthy for the body."

Proverbs 18:4 - "A person's words can be life-giving water; words of true wisdom are as refreshing as a bubbling brook."

Proverbs 18:21 - "The tongue has the power of life and death."

Once again the wisdom of knowing what to say is powerful.

It is easier to lash out negative words, phrases... to someone.  This is where we need to stop and breathe and ask the Spirit to speak for us.

I know that we should speak words of life to someone that we are upset with, but we should also speak words of life to someone who is dying.  Don't give up on them.  Only God knows the time and the place where that person's last breath will be taken.

Even God breathed life into man.  Genesis 2:7 - "Then the Lord God took some soil from the ground and formed a man out of it; he breathed life-giving breath into his nostrils and the man began to live."  God holds the key to our life.  Revelation 3:7 - "God has the key that belonged to David, and when he opens a door, no one can close it, and when he closes it, no one can open it."

What I am trying to say is that we can't give up.  By speaking and breathing the words of life, we are giving that person hope.  When someone is in a coma, the doctors and nurses encourages you to speak to that person.  They may be in a deep sleep, but their conscience & their soul is still here.

Some encouraging verses to speak are:

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.  God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."  1 Peter 2:9

"So be strong and courageous!  Do not be afraid and do not panic before them.  For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you.  He will neither fail you nor abandon you."  Deuteronomy 31:6

"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.  Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!  Your workmanship is marvelous--how well I know it."  Psalm 139:13-14

There are so many other verses throughout the Bible that shares God's promises.

By speaking these verses or positive words will this person live?  They may not live on this earth, but you gave them peace.  Also those words gave you life.

May these words also give you the eternal life that you need!  You don't want to waste the time that you have on this earth with others by bickering and destroying others.  Use this time to build up and to encourage.

The snow can represent so much, such as the hardships of life and the frozen ground covering up the seeds and roots that will grow in spring.  As the whiteness of the snow represents the purity, cleanliness and new beginnings that only Christ can give us.

Always remember the words that we speak are powerful!  Use those words to glorify Christ!

With Age Comes Wisdom

Last night watching a movie, the actress told a friend who was trying to make a decision that "with age comes wisdom".  That statement hit home with me.  I thought that is so true.  I can look back at the last sixty-seven years of my life and think "I wish I had known in my early years what I know now".

In my twenties, there were so many decisions that I made not realizing that I was altering my life as well as others.  When one has a rebellious spirit, you just look at yourself and what you think will make you happy.

For several years, I lived in a dark place with no peace in my life.  It was as if I was running from something and looking for something to feel a void in me.

It was during this time that I picked up my Bible and I began to read and truly thirst for the word of God.  I can almost remember the day that the scales came off of my eyes and I began to see and to understand the verses that I was reading.  

I wish I could say that I did a "180" in my life, but I didn't.  Being in God's word was important, but also having a good time was what I thought I needed in my life.

I am thankful that God was with me.  He never gave up on me.  Even though at times I would give up on myself.

Wisdom was the key that kept me going and searching.  

I can remember reading 1King 3:5, "that night the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and God asked him, "What would you like me to give you?"  One would think "wow".  I could ask for money, a new car, a great job, etc.  Do you know what Solomon told God?  Solomon said "give me the wisdom I need to rule your people with justice and to know the difference between good and evil.  Otherwise, how would I ever be able to rule this great people of yours?"  And God told Solomon that He would give him wisdom and so much more.

These words were so powerful.  It made me stop and think about what I needed.  It wasn't riches and it wasn't having a good time, but it was the wisdom to make daily decisions.  Decisions that would assist me in walking with Him.

Even in James 1:5, the verse states "But if any of you lacks wisdom, he should pray to God, who will give it to him; because God gives generously and gracious to all".  

The book of Proverbs talks a lot about wisdom.  "It is better-much better-to have wisdom and knowledge than gold and silver."

Being youthful, I think of freedom; growing older, I think of being wise.

What is wisdom?  Why would I want to be wise?  The dictionary says that wisdom is "the quality of having experience, knowledge and good judgment; the quality of being wise".  Wisdom helps me to know what to say, as well as knowing when not to say anything.  

I need to apologize to a few people in my early years of life and to say forgive me for the decisions that I made.  The one thing that I do know is that God has forgiven me and He has restored joy into my life so that I can teach others about the new life that only Christ can give me and others.

I could go on and on and on about the insight that the Lord has given me throughout the years.  I asked and He provided.

May others take the time to be in the Word of God and pray about how scripture can set them free and that they will walk with Him as He guides them and gives them the knowledge that they need.  Trust Him so that He can help you make wise choices for your family, your job and yourself.  

Wisdom can make your life pleasant and lead you safely through your journey of life.

No matter what age you are, God can give you the wisdom that you need.  You don't have to wait until you have gray hair.  God is waiting for you to ask for wisdom now!  Don't wait!

Who Is Your Valentine?

Today with the weather reaching a high of 0 degrees, I am celebrating Valentine in my warm home.  There is snow on the ground with the wind slightly blowing.  

Did you know that Valentine greetings goes as far back as the Middle Ages?  And written Valentines began in the 1400s.  In the 1800s, friends and lovers began to exchange small tokens or handwritten notes.  It was in the early 1900s that valentine cards began to appear.

Valentine came about due to Emperor Claudius II executing two men, who were named Valentine.  They were executed on February 14th of different years in the 3rd century A.D.  Their martyrdom was honored by the Catholic Church with the celebration of St. Valentine's Day.

Here it is 2021 and Valentine sweethearts spend about $19.6 billion in expressing their love.  It is a day that is celebrated worldwide.  

So, who is your special valentine?  Who are you romancing with cards, flowers, candy and a great meal?

My special valentine is my husband of 34 years.  Our valentine day was very quiet and we are very thankful for our warm home.  We were suppose to be in Florida attending a wedding and visiting with friends.  But due to a medical issue with my husband, we were not able to fly out on Friday.

We had so looked forward to flying somewhere and being in warmer weather, but that didn't happen.

So today we celebrate our love for each other by being thankful for so much.  At times, we sometimes forget about all the things that we do have.  It is so easy to blame someone or something for messing up our plans.

Throughout the years, I have learned to enjoy life and to enjoy what happens.  I could spend all my energy for being upset or I can just enjoy what I have.  We sometimes forget about the little things.

Maybe you didn't have a romantic day.  Maybe you don't even have a special person in your life at this time.  But look at what you do have.  Look at someone who has meant a lot to you.  Someone who has respected you throughout the years.  Someone who has made a difference.

Valentine isn't just February 14th.  It should be celebrated all the time.  If you didn't reach out and wish someone a "Happy Valentine's Day", take the time this week and let someone know how special they are to you and that they are your "Special Valentine".

Celebrate all year long!

Did I Make a Difference?

 As I look out at the balmy weather(it is -1 degrees with a wind chill factor of -15), my mind keeps thinking about "can we really make a difference to others?"

My heart and mind keeps telling me "yes".  I have always felt that if we don't do or say anything, nothing will ever change or happen.

As a Christian, the Lord has provided the Holy Spirit to guide and to direct me.  But I then wonder "what difference did I make?"

We all live different lives and we all have made different choices in life.

I do reflect back on choices that I have made and how they have affected my life as well as others.  That is definitely a topic in itself.

By doing something, we make a difference.  After being with someone, I will reflect on the conversation and think "I should have said that" or "I should have done that".

After the resurrection, Jesus appeared before the disciples and he told them to go forth and to share the gospel and that He would be with them until the end.  Jesus didn't say go and make sure that everybody believes in me, but He said "go and share the gospel".  We have to realize that we can't change anyone.  Only Jesus can change them.  

Satan likes to play with Christians and he makes us feel guilty if  someone that we shared with didn't change their ways.  We feel that we should have said "it this way" or if "I had only said it sooner", etc.  Satan has his strategy.  He wants us to feel that all is lost.  But when we walk with Jesus, He will always be the winner.  Romans 8:28 tells me "that God works in all things for those that love God and are called according to His purpose".  Evil is prevalent in our world, but God is able to turn all things into good.  If you have been faithful, don't doubt how God will work.

I can always second guess myself.  Instead of beating myself up, I need to reflect on the positive.  

What did I do?  

I was consistent.  I was there for that person.  They knew that someone cared for them.

I was genuine.  I was honest with them.  I didn't hide the truth.  I shared Jesus with them and the hope that only He can give.

I was unselfish.  I was thinking about them and what they needed.  It wasn't about me.  I wanted them to have joy in their life.

Even on these cold, frigid days, I wonder if it will ever be summer again.  Our lives are like those wintery days and we wonder "did I make a difference?"  God will provide spring and summer to help me forget when I doubt.  There are people in our lives that didn't change.  But God will bring forth someone who witnessed me being faithful to that friend.  You may never know the impact that you had on others that were with you during this time.  

Matthew 5:16 says "In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven".  Be that beacon of truth and allow the light to shine from you.

You Did Make a Difference!

 

 

What Happened to 2020?

As I looked out into the snowy range, I wondered what happened to "2020"?  I can't believe that this is the last week of the year.  

The Roaring Twenty year started off so wonderful.  I was in Los Angeles welcoming the new year in.  Everything that you read said "this was going to be the year".  Everybody was thinking about the year, 1920.  There was even a book written "1920:  The Year That Made the Decade Roar".   I would say that "2020" was the year that roared.  What didn't happened in "2020"?

Here I am and now it is January 25, 2021.  As I look at my blog, I realize that I never hit publish.  

As "2020" roared through, I now see that "2021" is going just as fast.  

May I enjoy each day and treasure my family and friends that surround me!

 

Last Week in the Year 2020

The snow is coming down very slowly.  As I sit close to the window, I feel the cooler temperature as I look at the barren trees and wetlands.   The white snow flakes are slowly covering up the rocks and the birds are flying close together to keep warm.

I sit here and ponder that this is the last week of the year "2020".  So much happened in "2020".  It will definitely be a year that no one will forget.

The question is "what did I learn from 2020?"  As I look at the past months, weeks, days and hours, I want to think that this year was not wasted.  

What did I learn?

Am I a better person?

Am I less judgmental?

My spiritual life?

How did I see God work in my life and others?

Is my life better because of the year?

Did I complete the various tasks that I wanted to do for the year?

There are so many questions.

The one thing that I do know is that I feel peace in my life.  When everyone else is feeling turmoil and they are afraid of the unknown, I can say that there is a calmness that I can't explain.  

Isaiah 54:10 - "For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed," says the Lord, who has compassion on you."

As Mary pondered over the birth of Jesus, I ponder over this past year.  May I continue to allow my life to be directed by the Spirit as I encounter another year!

Losing A Parent

Today, I am writing about losing a parent.  Today is also December 7th, Pearl Harbor Day.  President Franklin Roosevelt stated that this would be "a date which will live in infamy".  Seventy-nine years ago, the Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor killed 2,403 service members and civilians.  

I wouldn't say that my father's death is "a date which will live in infamy", but rather "a date which will live in glory".  A date that my dad left this earth to live in heaven.  A date that he was healed and can now hear(he was 99% deaf) and his body is healed from the multiple myeloma.

I have lost two earthly fathers, my biological on August 5, 1995 and my step-father on November 10, 2020.  My sister and I were both fortunate to have two dads.  I guess God thought we needed two to get us through life.  

My dad had been growing weak for many years.  Within three years, he lost almost fifty pounds.  Life was challenging for him for the past several years due to his lack of hearing.  Even with hearing aids, it was a challenge.  I know it was very difficult for him all these years not to hear the voices of the people that he loved.  But he always had a smile and was always asking us "do I owe you any money?"

The last week of his life, I was fortunate to be able to care for him and to nurse him.  I am not a nurse.  I have never had any children to nurse.  Here I was giving medicine to him to assist with the pain, anxiousness and confusion.  God gave me the opportunity to show love to a man who took care of my mom and the two girls that she had when they met in 1959.  They married three months later and a year and half later, she gave birth to my brother. 

To nurse someone means that the patient must be able to trust you, as well as the caregiver must respect, be kind and compassionate to the person that you are caring for.  There was a certain bond between my dad and I.  One that can not be explained.  I knew that he knew his time was not long for this world.

Until one has completely given themselves to caring for someone, one can not understand what it means to have that "warm fuzzy feeling".  It is a feel good attitude.  Glad that you could do it attitude.  Everyone needs to experience that at least once in your life.  Just by taking care of your child(ren); a family member or a friend.

I am blessed to be almost "67" and to have the opportunity to enjoy my mom and my dad .  I have so many friends my age that have lost both of their parents.  Is it hard to see them age?  Yes, it is.  But it is also a blessing to be able to take care of them as they have taken care of me.

I have now experienced the death of two fathers.  My life will never be the same.  But it is now up to me to carry the torch for the next generation of life and to celebrate each person's life.  To remind people that this older generation has a lot to share and to give.  Maybe they are older and can't move as fast or hear me as I speak, but they do have a purpose.  A purpose in showing other people how to love and how to age.  

As I look at myself, I know that I am in my last quarter of life.  Does that depress me?  If I thought about it all the time, it would.  But I choose to give all that I have in this last quarter of life.

As I reflect on the past weeks, I am reminded of the kindness that family, friends, neighbors and just other people that I have interacted with have been so loving and kind.  People do have a heart.

What do I want others to understand about losing a parent?  It is hard.  It doesn't matter what age you are or how long you have spent with a parent.   I will give myself time to grieve.  We all grieve differently and at different times.  I will reminisce about my dad with mom, my sister and other family and friends.  Everyone is placed in our lives for a reason.  I will reflect on what I have learned.   There are memories there.  Keep them alive.

I will also remind myself of God's love.  That all things are in his timing.  Such as my father's death.  Revelation 3:7 reminds us that God holds the keys to life.  

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God".

When someone loses a parent or a spouse or a good friend, be a good listener.  The truth is what can you say except "I am so sorry for your loss" or "I am very sad, please accept my condolences".  I know that if you are quiet, you will give the person the opportunity to talk about their grief or maybe they just need someone to hug and to cry.

As I move forward, I will enjoy my mom and give her the support she needs during this time.  I am thankful that I still have my mom.  She means so much to me, my sister, my niece, my great-nephew and so many others.  She has been the one to encourage us to do better, to step out and just do it!  We will now give her the encouragement that she needs.

Death is the process of life.  We are born and we die.  How will we handle it?  

I want to share some verses that have given me hope as I journey through this pain of loss.

Revelation 2:14 = "He will wipe every tear from their eyes..."

Psalm 34:18 = "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."

Psalm 46:10 = "He says, "Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

1 Peter 5:7 = "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

Psalm 56:8 = "Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll--are they not in your record."

Psalm 34:18 = "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

Psalm 46:1 = "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

I could go on and on.  God's words are so comforting to me.  He is what gives me hope and a will to continue living when we do lose someone very dear to us.

My prayer is that you will be still and ask God to give you the strength that you need for a new day and a new beginning!  Show others how you need to live life now!