The movie, “Fireproof” introduced “The Love Dare”, a devotional and marriage help book. I think I’ve been doing the love dare off and on for as long as I’ve been married. When things would get tense between my husband and I prayer always brought us back to unity.
If marriage is to survive all that this world throws at us, we must stand united with our spouse and God. Otherwise we don’t have much hope of growing old together, much less have a happy family life. Without God we cannot treat our sweethearts as they deserve to be treated. Without Him our homes become a place where chaos and anger reign.
Listening to John Waller sing “While I’m Waiting” I wonder if I am doing all those things; praying, serving, worshiping…. Is there something in my life that needs to be removed so I can do those things with a pure heart?
It is strange how when life is stressful we seek God more fully, praying and seeking God daily. But when the stress is over we tend to revert to bad habits such as putting our wants first, pushing prayer and God to the back of our mind and the bottom of our schedule.
Spiritual leaders encourage us to do an inventory of our Spiritual life once a year but I think it would be better if I searched my heart more often. Perhaps then I wouldn’t tend to get off track so easily. So, for the rest of the week; Bible study, prayer, and journaling about where I am spiritually.
May you each have a blessed week and may God be glorified in and through you.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Another Year Blessed
I could say another year older but why go there?
Birthdays make me introspective. I don’t mean just taking inventory of the past year but a slideshow of pictures flashing through my brain; our boys when they were young, our grandkids when they were little, my sweetie and me when we were newlyweds, my parents when I was young, places we lived and things we did. I’ve really had an amazing life and I don’t feel like I’m half done here on earth. I would love to live another fifty (something) years, if I could be in good health and able to give to those around me.
There are regrets, sure, but mostly I am filled with gratitude for the blessings God has bestowed. Christian parents, a loving family life, good school friends, my high school sweetheart who became my husband thirty six years ago, two sweet and handsome boys who grew into honorable Christian men, a beautiful daughter-in-love, four wonderful, beautiful, handsome and talented grandchildren, good sweet friends who stick with and pray for me, and the list could go on…..
With all of that to be thankful for still there is more. That I have a heavenly Father who loves me and keeps me on track, always there to give me what I need, always calling me back when I get off track, always faithful and ever present. That would have to be the biggest blessing for without Him none of the other would be possible.
Thank you, Lord, for another year. Thank you for salvation through Jesus your son. Thank you for a life filled with blessing and purpose. Thank you for using me to minister to others. May all be for your glory Lord. In Jesus name I pray, amen.
Birthdays make me introspective. I don’t mean just taking inventory of the past year but a slideshow of pictures flashing through my brain; our boys when they were young, our grandkids when they were little, my sweetie and me when we were newlyweds, my parents when I was young, places we lived and things we did. I’ve really had an amazing life and I don’t feel like I’m half done here on earth. I would love to live another fifty (something) years, if I could be in good health and able to give to those around me.
There are regrets, sure, but mostly I am filled with gratitude for the blessings God has bestowed. Christian parents, a loving family life, good school friends, my high school sweetheart who became my husband thirty six years ago, two sweet and handsome boys who grew into honorable Christian men, a beautiful daughter-in-love, four wonderful, beautiful, handsome and talented grandchildren, good sweet friends who stick with and pray for me, and the list could go on…..
With all of that to be thankful for still there is more. That I have a heavenly Father who loves me and keeps me on track, always there to give me what I need, always calling me back when I get off track, always faithful and ever present. That would have to be the biggest blessing for without Him none of the other would be possible.
Thank you, Lord, for another year. Thank you for salvation through Jesus your son. Thank you for a life filled with blessing and purpose. Thank you for using me to minister to others. May all be for your glory Lord. In Jesus name I pray, amen.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Life is NOT Fair!
It’s not fair. I’m finally old enough to know; what is worth doing, what is worth enjoying and I am limited by how much my body can take. It isn’t that I miss used my body when I was young. I was pretty careful, no drugs, alcohol or tobacco. A little too much Dr. Pepper but I got lots of exercise and had no problem with weight until we moved away from home and I got lonely and homesick and turned to food for comfort.
We’ve all heard the saying, “Getting old is the pits.” It really is!
Think about it; women go through the pain and/or discomfort of childbirth and all that goes with it. When we are past our child bearing years, menopause sets in. My husband says it’s called that because men better pause before doing or saying anything. It brings a heightened sensitivity to EVERYTHING! Mood swings, the kind we had with our (ahem! Men be prepared…) “monthly” otherwise known as a week of punishment for us women and anyone around us, turn into moments of anger, crying and venting followed immediately by guilt for hurting our loved ones. It is as if a crazy person takes over your body and you have no control over what they say or do to your loved ones. Then there are the night sweats and hot flashes that hang on for months and years. No longer can I enjoy that wonderful hot cup of coffee in the morning if the thermometer is above freezing. I can’t enjoy going to flea markets or garage sales in the spring and summer. And forget anything resembling an amusement park if it is outdoors.
Added to all of that awhile back I started having trouble with my feet. I had to buy those expensive inner soles, not the outrageously priced ones which cost well over $450.00 and can only be bought after seeing your doctor & paying, a specialist & paying and getting a prescription, the $49.50 pair. After wearing them for two weeks my feet felt better. Then one morning I woke up at 4:30 am with a cramp. I hopped out of bed which twisted my knee. For days; I babied my knee taking extra care when walking or moving. I took ibuprofen to keep the inflammation down and finally I felt good. This morning I went outside, planted three plants I'd bought, two of which were in a very sad state, and when I finished I drove into town for some much needed rest, shopping. :-) When I got out of the truck I realize my feet hurt again, and my knee feels weird UGH!! Why can’t I just do what needs to be done without having to suffer for it?
Okay, maybe I should have put a little forethought into it, been wise and used another method to tackle the job. But really! Surely I should be able to enjoy the work without having to suffer for weeks. Sigh……
No, life isn’t fair, but it is blessed. I am blessed; to live in this place, to have gained the wisdom to know there must be a better way if it hurts this much, to have the joy of working outside, to enjoy the provision of flowering plants that will one day be covered with beautiful blooms, to enjoy the love of a wonderful family, to have friends who sick by me in spite of me, to realize I can call on God for help with any need. Life is indeed blessed. May you feel His blessed presence today no matter where you are or what you are doing. God bless!
We’ve all heard the saying, “Getting old is the pits.” It really is!
Think about it; women go through the pain and/or discomfort of childbirth and all that goes with it. When we are past our child bearing years, menopause sets in. My husband says it’s called that because men better pause before doing or saying anything. It brings a heightened sensitivity to EVERYTHING! Mood swings, the kind we had with our (ahem! Men be prepared…) “monthly” otherwise known as a week of punishment for us women and anyone around us, turn into moments of anger, crying and venting followed immediately by guilt for hurting our loved ones. It is as if a crazy person takes over your body and you have no control over what they say or do to your loved ones. Then there are the night sweats and hot flashes that hang on for months and years. No longer can I enjoy that wonderful hot cup of coffee in the morning if the thermometer is above freezing. I can’t enjoy going to flea markets or garage sales in the spring and summer. And forget anything resembling an amusement park if it is outdoors.
Added to all of that awhile back I started having trouble with my feet. I had to buy those expensive inner soles, not the outrageously priced ones which cost well over $450.00 and can only be bought after seeing your doctor & paying, a specialist & paying and getting a prescription, the $49.50 pair. After wearing them for two weeks my feet felt better. Then one morning I woke up at 4:30 am with a cramp. I hopped out of bed which twisted my knee. For days; I babied my knee taking extra care when walking or moving. I took ibuprofen to keep the inflammation down and finally I felt good. This morning I went outside, planted three plants I'd bought, two of which were in a very sad state, and when I finished I drove into town for some much needed rest, shopping. :-) When I got out of the truck I realize my feet hurt again, and my knee feels weird UGH!! Why can’t I just do what needs to be done without having to suffer for it?
Okay, maybe I should have put a little forethought into it, been wise and used another method to tackle the job. But really! Surely I should be able to enjoy the work without having to suffer for weeks. Sigh……
No, life isn’t fair, but it is blessed. I am blessed; to live in this place, to have gained the wisdom to know there must be a better way if it hurts this much, to have the joy of working outside, to enjoy the provision of flowering plants that will one day be covered with beautiful blooms, to enjoy the love of a wonderful family, to have friends who sick by me in spite of me, to realize I can call on God for help with any need. Life is indeed blessed. May you feel His blessed presence today no matter where you are or what you are doing. God bless!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Write for Rights
For those of you who live in places chosen by illegals to settle I ask you to write your governors, senators and mayors! Get information from a trusted law enforcement official about how much crime they see from illegals. Ask a nurse or doctor you know about problems they have seen because of illegal aliens. Consider the tax burden they cause by breaking our laws, crossing the border and demanding their rights to our services. They have no rights here. I'm sure each of you knows of someone who has been adversely affected by an illegal.
It is time to stand up and demand our rights as citizens and tax payers. Time to let our governing officials know that they will not stay in office if they continue to ignore Our needs.
The following is a letter I sent to our governor. I will write again this week and continue writing until I get a response. I will call his office if all I get in response is an automated form letter.
Dear Governor Perry,
Sir, I respectfully ask that you consider the comments and suggestions in this letter. I am not one to write government officials, ever, but things are getting so bad that I have to do something.
At the age of 55 I was hoping my husband would be able to retire in a few years. We would move to a small town, close enough to a city to get good health care when needed. It looks like that will not happen for us.
As a grandmother I cherish my time with family. I pray for them daily and we help them when we can. But we can’t go see them very often. They are also Texas citizens, though they live many hours away.
Circumstances in Texas are deteriorating. I know politicians think allowing illegal aliens to come here to live and work is a good thing. Honestly, I don’t believe government officials care about anything other than their career and how much money they can put in their pockets.
The coming election has me concerned because the ex-mayor of Houston is running against you. Though I did not vote for you last election time I do not like Mr. White. I live near Houston and see first hand what he has done to that city and to us also as we see residual effects of his decisions.
You have the opportunity of making great strides towards taking back our fair state, while at the same time persuading those who did not vote for you to do so this election. By doing one thing you can set into motion the solution to our health care crisis, eliminate much of the cause of crime in our state, open up jobs for citizens of the state and ease the tax burden for the tax payer. And you can do it all by removing illegal aliens from Texas and taking away their free ride. That is something even the “Commander in Chief” has been unable and unwilling to do.
Many people think we should be more patient with them; but with the rise in crime, citizens unable to get care at emergency rooms, a rise in disease brought to the US by illegals, and a tax burden that is eating us alive the time has come to follow in the footsteps of courageous Governor Brewer, of Arizona. I ask you, Sir, to do it for your career, but do it also for us, the people of the Great state of Texas.
Sincerely,
Mary Bell-Foster
We must write, call and continue to do so until we get what we ask for, not forgetting to ask for favor from our Lord and that He will be glorified.
Luke 18:1-5
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.' For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about me, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!'"
May God bless you tremendously today. Mary
It is time to stand up and demand our rights as citizens and tax payers. Time to let our governing officials know that they will not stay in office if they continue to ignore Our needs.
The following is a letter I sent to our governor. I will write again this week and continue writing until I get a response. I will call his office if all I get in response is an automated form letter.
Dear Governor Perry,
Sir, I respectfully ask that you consider the comments and suggestions in this letter. I am not one to write government officials, ever, but things are getting so bad that I have to do something.
At the age of 55 I was hoping my husband would be able to retire in a few years. We would move to a small town, close enough to a city to get good health care when needed. It looks like that will not happen for us.
As a grandmother I cherish my time with family. I pray for them daily and we help them when we can. But we can’t go see them very often. They are also Texas citizens, though they live many hours away.
Circumstances in Texas are deteriorating. I know politicians think allowing illegal aliens to come here to live and work is a good thing. Honestly, I don’t believe government officials care about anything other than their career and how much money they can put in their pockets.
The coming election has me concerned because the ex-mayor of Houston is running against you. Though I did not vote for you last election time I do not like Mr. White. I live near Houston and see first hand what he has done to that city and to us also as we see residual effects of his decisions.
You have the opportunity of making great strides towards taking back our fair state, while at the same time persuading those who did not vote for you to do so this election. By doing one thing you can set into motion the solution to our health care crisis, eliminate much of the cause of crime in our state, open up jobs for citizens of the state and ease the tax burden for the tax payer. And you can do it all by removing illegal aliens from Texas and taking away their free ride. That is something even the “Commander in Chief” has been unable and unwilling to do.
Many people think we should be more patient with them; but with the rise in crime, citizens unable to get care at emergency rooms, a rise in disease brought to the US by illegals, and a tax burden that is eating us alive the time has come to follow in the footsteps of courageous Governor Brewer, of Arizona. I ask you, Sir, to do it for your career, but do it also for us, the people of the Great state of Texas.
Sincerely,
Mary Bell-Foster
We must write, call and continue to do so until we get what we ask for, not forgetting to ask for favor from our Lord and that He will be glorified.
Luke 18:1-5
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.' For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about me, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!'"
May God bless you tremendously today. Mary
Friday, June 18, 2010
Seeds Of Summer by: Deborah Vogts
Summertime is heating up in more ways than one. Natalie, guardian of her younger siblings and head of her family’s ranch is facing more than she can handle. But she has to do it alone, doesn't she?
When handsome Jared Logan meets her he is struck by her beauty. But she isn’t interested in talking to him about her brother, her ranch or church. In fact she isn’t sure having him around is a good thing at all even when he saves her from an ex-ranch hand.
Jared enjoys his new job but isn’t sure this is exactly where God wants him. When life gets more complicated he begins to question his career choice. Did he choose it for the right reasons? Is God really using him or is he reading his wishes into his work in the church and with Natalie. It’s obvious she needs him as much as she needs God, but how can he convince her?
Ms. Vogts has written an irresistible story filled with emotion. Her characters are believably flawed. You will find yourself rooting for them, hoping for them and looking for the changes as their story unfolds. Seeds Of Summer is a great read. I look forward to the next in the Seasons of the Tallgrass Series.
Seeds Of Summer
by: Deborah Vogts
Zondervan Publishing
ISBN 978-0-310-29276-0
$10.99
When handsome Jared Logan meets her he is struck by her beauty. But she isn’t interested in talking to him about her brother, her ranch or church. In fact she isn’t sure having him around is a good thing at all even when he saves her from an ex-ranch hand.
Jared enjoys his new job but isn’t sure this is exactly where God wants him. When life gets more complicated he begins to question his career choice. Did he choose it for the right reasons? Is God really using him or is he reading his wishes into his work in the church and with Natalie. It’s obvious she needs him as much as she needs God, but how can he convince her?
Ms. Vogts has written an irresistible story filled with emotion. Her characters are believably flawed. You will find yourself rooting for them, hoping for them and looking for the changes as their story unfolds. Seeds Of Summer is a great read. I look forward to the next in the Seasons of the Tallgrass Series.
Seeds Of Summer
by: Deborah Vogts
Zondervan Publishing
ISBN 978-0-310-29276-0
$10.99
Always Watching by: Brandilyn Collins & Amberly Collins
Life is far from boring for young Shaley O’Connor, traveling with her mother’s tour. The Rayne Tour is going strong, the excitement of the fans lending energy to the beautiful Rayne. But life is going to get busy with danger lurking in the wings.
Who is watching? Why are they watching? And who exactly are they watching, Rayne or Shaley? Can the tour continue? Will Brittany be frightened away by the upheaval? Will Brittany’s mom let her continue the tour with Shaley?
Action fills the pages of Brandilyn & Amberly’s newest book. You’ll anxiously hold your breath as you read scenes filled with suspense. Questions arise that must find an answer before you can move on. I couldn’t put this book down for wanting to know who caused the danger that surrounded the members of the Rayne Tour. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
Always Watching
Zondervan Publishing
ISBN 978-0-310-71539-9
$9.99
Who is watching? Why are they watching? And who exactly are they watching, Rayne or Shaley? Can the tour continue? Will Brittany be frightened away by the upheaval? Will Brittany’s mom let her continue the tour with Shaley?
Action fills the pages of Brandilyn & Amberly’s newest book. You’ll anxiously hold your breath as you read scenes filled with suspense. Questions arise that must find an answer before you can move on. I couldn’t put this book down for wanting to know who caused the danger that surrounded the members of the Rayne Tour. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
Always Watching
Zondervan Publishing
ISBN 978-0-310-71539-9
$9.99
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
To Follow or Not; Choice
Getting back to work brings a great feeling of relief and responsibility. Having been off for a year I felt the frustration of being away from the keyboard and realized there is much more I need to do daily. That realization brought with it the knowledge that I should begin with formulating a schedule and a list of things I need to do around the house. My sabbatical meant that I had to focus on other things. There were days when all I could accomplish was; get out of bed, check email, eat breakfast and escape into a book or movie.
Now that I am almost back to normal I realize what we went through was nothing compared to what it would have been if I had not listened to God. There were times though when I thought I had been mistaken in hearing God tell me to take time off.
I’ve always trusted that voice, well, almost always. There have been times when I didn’t listen and I suffered for it. I guess those times have taught me to listen closely and pray hard when I believe He is instructing me to do something.
Feeling the stress of my dear husband’s depression and withdrawal from life. I was really ready for a break. So at times I thought maybe I just wanted a break and had convinced myself that God had told me to do this. I prayed whenever those doubts came and every time God gave me His peace that it was His instruction I was following.
After obeying, then going through some of the hardest months in my life so far, I realized, had I not obeyed I could have lost my marriage, my health and my faith. God is faithful. He will always tell me when I need to do something and His Spirit will always quicken mine when He speaks. It is my choice to follow, prayerfully.
Thank you, Father, for being faithful to call me, for your instruction, protection and direction in my life. I pray that I will always be faithful to You and that all I do will bring You glory, in Jesus name, amen.
Now that I am almost back to normal I realize what we went through was nothing compared to what it would have been if I had not listened to God. There were times though when I thought I had been mistaken in hearing God tell me to take time off.
I’ve always trusted that voice, well, almost always. There have been times when I didn’t listen and I suffered for it. I guess those times have taught me to listen closely and pray hard when I believe He is instructing me to do something.
Feeling the stress of my dear husband’s depression and withdrawal from life. I was really ready for a break. So at times I thought maybe I just wanted a break and had convinced myself that God had told me to do this. I prayed whenever those doubts came and every time God gave me His peace that it was His instruction I was following.
After obeying, then going through some of the hardest months in my life so far, I realized, had I not obeyed I could have lost my marriage, my health and my faith. God is faithful. He will always tell me when I need to do something and His Spirit will always quicken mine when He speaks. It is my choice to follow, prayerfully.
Thank you, Father, for being faithful to call me, for your instruction, protection and direction in my life. I pray that I will always be faithful to You and that all I do will bring You glory, in Jesus name, amen.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Scattered Petals by: Amanda Cabot
Priscilla is ready for adventure. On her way to Texas with her parents she can’t wait to see the ranch her sister wrote about. She is enchanted by the countryside, what she can see of it through the stagecoach window. But Priscilla has yet to see the barren land Patience talked about. Who would suspect that evil lurks along the beautiful rolling hills?
Zach is comfortable with life. He’s settled in; to his job as ranch manager and his role as a member of the small town of Ladreville. Though far from perfect the towns-people are a good group and Zach enjoys his frequent visits to town.
When tragedy strikes the Morton family a chain of events unfolds that will change lives, challenge faith and bring a hidden past to light. Facing what they must Zach and Priscilla will need more strength than they believe they have. They’ve always known that with God all things are possible. Now they will find out if that is true.
Amanda Cabot has written another fast moving story. The characters lives will grip your heart and have you turning pages quickly to find out if they can make it. With Ms. Cabot’s gifted use of descriptive prose beautiful Texas hill country unfolds. She’s given us a community of characters who challenge us to look at the way we view others. Many thanks, Amanda Cabot, for this compelling story of God’s sustaining grace.
Scattered Petals
By: Amanda Cabot
Published by Revell
ISBN 978-0-8007-3325-4
$14.99
Zach is comfortable with life. He’s settled in; to his job as ranch manager and his role as a member of the small town of Ladreville. Though far from perfect the towns-people are a good group and Zach enjoys his frequent visits to town.
When tragedy strikes the Morton family a chain of events unfolds that will change lives, challenge faith and bring a hidden past to light. Facing what they must Zach and Priscilla will need more strength than they believe they have. They’ve always known that with God all things are possible. Now they will find out if that is true.
Amanda Cabot has written another fast moving story. The characters lives will grip your heart and have you turning pages quickly to find out if they can make it. With Ms. Cabot’s gifted use of descriptive prose beautiful Texas hill country unfolds. She’s given us a community of characters who challenge us to look at the way we view others. Many thanks, Amanda Cabot, for this compelling story of God’s sustaining grace.
Scattered Petals
By: Amanda Cabot
Published by Revell
ISBN 978-0-8007-3325-4
$14.99
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