.....The Pink Chair......

Yesterday, Today and Forever...

2011-09-18T02:04:00.000-07:00

As I looked around the empty building, my eyes fell upon the scripture on the wall.

"Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever." Hebrews 13:8

Yes, I thought, everything else may be gone, but He is still here. Everything else may be changing, but He is not. When I walk out the door of this building He will be with me to guide, protect, provide. Yes, I can face an uncertain tomorrow because I know He is going to be there.

Just then the words to a familiar song Because He Lives by Gloria and Bill Gaither came to mind:

Because He lives I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

(Words: Gloria and William J. Gaither. Music: William J. Gaither)

Yes, it was going to be alright. He was allowing this door to shut, but surely He was at work opening another door someplace else. As I trusted Him yesterday, I will also do today and forever.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.

Psalm 23 ( NKJV )

Memorial Day...Remembering....and Giving Thanks

2011-05-30T21:32:00.000-07:00

"Perform, then, this one act of remembrance before this Day passes - Remember there is an army of defense and advance that never dies and never surrenders, but is increasingly recruited from the eternal sources of the American spirit and from the generations of American youth." ~W.J. Cameron

On Memorial Day it is good to stop and remember and give thanks for freedom and for those who purchased it for us.

I am so glad we have a day to remind us to stop and remember, for in our busy lives we often take our freedom for granted and we should not ever do that. Therefore, it is good we have this special day that we can be reminded to be thankful for our freedom to give thanks to those who gave and are now giving their lives to keep us free.

So, before this day ends I want to give thanks not only to the men and women who have served, but to those who are now serving, to keep this country free. I also want to remember to give thanks to my Savior, Jesus Christ, who died to set us all free from sin and death.

We who are left, how shall we look again
Happily on the sun or feel the rain
Without remembering how they who went
Ungrudgingly and spent
Their lives for us loved, too, the sun and rain? — Wilfred Wilson Gibson, Lament

Delays, Detours and Snails....

2011-05-17T11:17:00.000-07:00

Detours,Delays and Snails...

"Ok, God what are you trying to tell me" I said to myself as I sat down in the chair on my patio.
The morning had been very hectic and it was barely 8:00 am. What a way to start a day I thought!
Getting my grand-son up and off to school on time had been an extra challenge today. He had gotten up late and wasn't in the mood to hurry to make up the time. Frustration led to anger for both of us causing the drive to school to be full of un-pleasant conversation. Plus, further delays caused by traffic and road work, made it a morning that wasn't very "good" in my mind.

Now, back at home as I put the key into my front door I looked up to see a big snail right in front of my eyes!
How did he get there I think !
As I back off and sit down to consider what to do with this doorway visitor, I ask God just what He is trying to tell me.

Lately, as I have tried to avoid delays in traffic, I have been sent on detours which always seem to take up more time. Now, today, my grand-son's late start caused another delay. Was God trying to tell me I needed to slow down? Is that why He sent this snail to camp out on my doorpost?

I think so....

Exausted from the events of this day that had just begun, I sit down for a moment and just look at this wondrous work of God--the snail. He is in no hurry to get anywhere, he seems very content to sit, but for what purpose? Why he is there in my path? Why is he hanging out on my doorway?

Perhaps it is to remind me of the article I wrote not too long ago on snails. I had said they reminded me of perseverance, of the steady persistence to move forward no matter what might be in my path. Was Mr. Snail's presence meant to encourage me to continue moving forward even if I might experience delays and detours? I think so, as earlier this morning I had been tempted to just give up on this forward movement and go back to bed, so I wouldn't have to deal with any obstacles that might be in my path.

As I carefully remove the snail from my door and place him in a safe, yet more distant place, I thank God, for this wondrous work He created and for using him to speak to me today about perseverance and moving forward no matter what the obstacles might be.

Just then I receive a text on my phone. It is from my grand-son, apologizing for his lateness this morning and saying he is sorry. It's ok, I say. I forgive you and God has it all under control.

I feel renewed and once again I am committed to keep moving forward, to persevere in spite of obstacles in my path, and if my progress is slow, I will do my best to be still and enjoy the journey.

"Slow down and enjoy life. It’s not only the scenery you miss by going to fast--you also miss the sense of where you are going and why. " --Eddie Cantor

Thoughts about....Something New

2011-01-03T00:00:00.000-08:00

The word "new" can bring a host of emotions into play.

Sometimes "new" is good and we are in anticipation of it's coming. It brings forth a freshness, a hope of better things, a chance for us to begin again.
But "new" can also bring thoughts of fear and sadness, carrying with it a hesitation. It can mean change that is not always looked forward to. It can mean a loss or and end of something we held dear.
Each January 1st brings us a "New Year" which for most is a time to celebrate. A time to rejoice and start over. A time of "New Beginnings", a welcome change to many.
However, during the course of our lives we encounter many "new" things and not all are welcomed, because not all change seems to be good at the time it happens.
It is during those times that our focus must be on God and the faith we have in Him to "work ALL things together for good" in our lives. [Romans 8:28]
If we are able to put our faith and trust in Him anything "new" will eventually be good and we will be able to always rejoice in all things as Paul the Apostle did, even while he was in prison .
" Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! " [Paul said in Philippians 4:4]

Rejoice In the Lord Always (Philippians 4:4)

Almost Fall ??

2010-09-11T15:47:00.000-07:00

"Where did Summer go?" someone just said...
"Well, it's not gone yet !" I said, "but Fall is getting near"

How can we tell the Seasons?
Some of the ways are with our senses: smell, sight, sounds, etc.
We can always look for the signs of Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer.
When we see the leaves change colors and fall from the trees we know Fall is near,
the air is crisp and chilly.
When the temperature is cold, our breath is frosty and we see ice or snow
we know Winter has arrived.
Spring arrives with sights and sounds of new life, flowers bloom and birds sing,
the air begins to warm as...
Summer comes with it's heat and sunshine.
Those are just some of the ways "we know" the change in Seasons.

In the same way we can look for the signs of Jesus return....Is is near? How can we know?

We read in Scripture that Jesus said in Matthew 24---
"when you hear, when you see, " then you will know the time is near.
It would be good to take the time and make it a point to read Matthew chapter 24
just to see what Jesus said about the time of His return....
this one way we can be informed and ready.

Click Here to Read Matthew Chapter 24

"Time for a Spring Break"

2010-03-28T12:59:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking lately about "Spring" , "Springtime" and "Spring Break". Why do we look forward to this time of the year so much--because it's an interruption from the norm.
Spring breaks into our lives just when we need it the most. It brings life to our spirits and fragrance to our senses.
Spring usually comes about 79 days after the first day of the New Year. It brings with it the promise of new life, sunshine, warmth and longer days.
After approximately 17 weeks of living in our "New Year" we seem to need this breathe of fresh air to brighten up our days.
Long gone is the excitement of the New Year with it's resolutions but a memory. Life seems to just move along slowly through each day until February 14th when it picks up abit for that lovely feeling of Valentine's Day which is an opportunity for us to express our love in many different ways, however, once gone we need something to look forward to....something to help us get through those chilly, often snowy, icy or rainy days of winter and "Spring" seems to be it.
Maybe because, according to Wikipedia "spring days are close to 12 hours long with day length increasing as the season progresses."
How could one not want to be a part of this wonderful time ! The trees are blossoming, the flowers are blooming, the sun is shining, the days are longer--- "Spring is in the Air" !
I love this quote by Langston Hughes:
"I stuck my head out the window this morning and spring kissed me bang in the face. "
for more lovely quotes on Spring visit this link:Springtime Quotes & Sentiments--Words that Capture the Spirit of Spring
Do take time to enjoy this wonderful season of life !

A Monthly View...

2010-02-23T16:57:00.000-08:00

Have you ever thought about how you might view each month of the year?
What theme comes to mind when a certain month is mentioned?
For instance, when January is mentioned, I think we all think of "New" --a new life, new year, new start, new beginning, etc.

For me, February, means "Love" probably because of Valentines Day and all the sentiment that goes along with that Holiday, it causes me to think upon red hearts, flowers, candy, and love poems

March, now that is one of my favorites, for I always think "Spring"--which means "Life" ! In March things began to come alive, they awaken from winter's sleep, the days become longer and everything seems fresh, excitement is in the air.

I could go on and on...but as I read scripture the Lord tells me in Lamentations 3:23 that His mercies are new every morning, not just in January, and that He always loves me, everyday, not just in February. Scripture says in John 10:10 that He gives me life abundantly and forever, not just in March.

I think I would do well to focus on the scripture and what God is telling me than on the months of the year and my thoughts regarding them. By doing that, I think I will gain much more than a few days of goodness each month. I will experience an abundance of love and mercy each hour of each day no matter what month I may be living in at the time.

Another "New Year"

2010-01-01T16:33:00.000-08:00

As I woke up this morning, the first day of another New Year, I had two thoughts come across my mind.

1. "What difference does a New Year make? I am still the same person that fell asleep last night in the old year. I still have the same aches and pains, nothing is "new".

2. "It's a new day! What's even better is that it's the first new day in a new year! I wonder what this new day will hold for me ! Will I be changed somehow? Will I change someone else somehow? What can I do to make this new day of the new year special?"

Because I chose the latter thought to think upon today, I have accomplished much and enjoyed this day. And...I would like to think that this blog post might be a way I might have changed your day for the better ! If so..please comment and let me know.
Happy New Year to you ! I hope you enjoy all 365 new days in it!

The "In-Between" Days...

2009-09-10T17:17:00.000-07:00

Well...it looks like the last post done on this Blog was for Memorial Day....when was that ! Wow !! 4 months ago !!
Time sure does fly by...what happened??

Summer time came and went so quickly!

One of my daughter's teachers once said that

"Summer's run and Winter's walk"
Somehow, that is the way it seems to play out in our lives....

In any event, once again summer has ended and we are off running into Fall. It seems our lives are lived from one Holiday or Event to the next.

Memorial Day's activities had just faded as we begin to anticipate my June birthday and then it was the Last Day of School followed by Father's Day! How quickly Independance Day rolled around and as soon as that celebration ended Summer was off and running---to picnics and backyard BBQ's, trips to the beach and campouts in the forest, swimming and hiking, biking and exploring, weekend adventures with family and friends.....how quickly now it is all a memory as once again we look forward to Fall.

The memories we have of all these Holidays and Events are treasures beyond compare, but what about the "In-Between Days" ? Those Tuesdays or Thursdays that have no special meaning on our calendars. Was there anything memorable about them? Was there anything valuable in those days that would validate us exchanging one day of our life for them? Did we pause to enjoy anything, learn something new, or make a difference in someone's day?
It is something worth thinking about.....

In this often crazy fast paced world we live in, I often like to pause and remind myself that EVERYDAY is SPECIAL ! Everyday is a chance for us to experience new things. It is a chance for us to celebrate LIFE ! We don't need to wait for Holidays or Special Events--we have an opportunity to enjoy life available to us with every breath we take!
In fact, with that in mind, our Winter's might even begin to Run !

Memorial Day....Recall, Remember,Reflect,Respect

2009-05-25T11:47:00.000-07:00

Recall, Remember,Reflect,Respect....these are some words we could use today on this Memorial Day--USA 2009.

Recall what others have done to secure our freedom.

Remember those who paid the price for us.

Reflect on what freedom means.

Respect our flag and what it stands for.

Today is Memorial Day, soon it will be Flag Day (June 14th) and then Independence Day.
I recently came across this clipping I had saved from an old newspaper and I want to share it now. Everytime I read it it touches my heart. I hope it does the same for you.

Our Flag

"Hello. Remember me? Some people call me Old Glory, others call me the Star-Spangled Banner, but whatever they call me, I am your flag, the flag of the United States of America.

Something has been bothering me, so I thought I might talk it over with you-because it is about you and me.

I remember some time ago, people would line up on both sides of the street to watch the parade, and naturally I was leading everyone, proudly waving in the breeze.

When your daddy saw me coming, he immediately removed his hat and placed it against his left shoulder so that his hand was directly over his heart--remember?

And you, I remember, were standing there straight as a soldier. You didn't have a hat, but you were giving the right salute. Remember your little sister? Not to be outdone, she was saluting the same as you with her right hand over her heart--remember?

What happened? I'm still the same old flag. Oh, I've added a few more stars since you were a boy, and a lot more blood has been shed since those parades long ago.

But now, somehow I don't feel as proud as I used to feel. When I come down the street, you just stand there with your hands in your pockets. You may give me a small glance and then look away. I see children running around shouting, they don't seem to know who I am.

I saw one old man take his hat off, then look around, and when he didn't see anybody else take off his hat, he quickly put his on again.

Is it a sin to be patriotic today? Have you forgotten what I stand for, and where I have been? Anzio, Guadalcanal, Korea and Vietnam!

Take a look at the memorial honor rolls and see the names of those patriotic Americans who gave their lives to keep this republic free. When you salute me, you are saluting them.

Well, it won't be long until I'll be coming down your street again. So, when you see me, please stand straight and place your hand over your heart and I'll know you remembered.

I'll salute you by waving back! "
--Author Unknown

Into the New Year....

2009-04-24T10:37:00.000-07:00

"Well into the New Year and moving forward...."
That's what I thought today as I re-read my last post on this blog.
Although quite a few days have gone by and the "New Year" freshness has worn off, I have been able to keep the "everyday is a new day" focus which helps greatly when some of those "New Year" days seem like they are re-runs from "Old Years".

Scripture says we can "be transformed by the renewing of our minds" [Romans 12:2],
so basically how we think, is how we feel and act. Postive thinking will bring positive days, even when we are surrounded by adverse circumstances.
Therefore, just as the days of winter slowly turn into springtime, our minds can be transformed by renewing the way we think about things. We can learn to respond instead of react. We can learn to look for the positive instead of dwelling on the negative.
We can replace the "im" with "or" and be "Victors" instead of "Victims", as we renew our minds to stop the victim thinking mentality and start thinking victoriously.

So, on this Spring day, three month's into this New Year, we have a choice. We can continue moving forward by growing and blossoming with the "new life" of springtime or just let ourselves melt away like the winter snow.
What's your choice going to be?

New Year Thoughts

2009-01-03T23:28:00.000-08:00

It's a New Year ! 365 brand new days! A new start. A clean slate. A fresh page.

I could go on and on saying how great it is to feel we have a chance to start over again.

However, once the minutes start ticking in that New Year it can become the "same ol' same ol' "really quick....because we humans, although we try, are not easily prone to change.

I was thinking about this today, when three days into the New Year, I messed up on some paperwork and had to shred it and redo it. As I was feeding the shredder the thought came to me that it would be so nice to be able to feed all of our mistakes into a shredder.

Oops, those words I said that I wish I hadn't---take them back and shred them---bingo--gone forever! The negative thoughts that often come---zap into the shredder and plunk they're history. We could make confetti out of all our bad days and have a celebration!

Each day we could just take those little scraps of shredded mistakes and throw them away out of our lives forever and we would be free to start all over again!

The reality is, God does give us a way to do just that every day.

"Great is His faithfulness, His mercies begin afresh each day." Lamentations 3:23 NLT

By His grace and love in Christ, we can be free from the burdens of our failures by giving them to Him and in that way we can start everyday afresh--no shredder needed either because :
"He has removed our rebellious acts as far away from us as the east is from the west."
Psalms 103:12 And....He will never again remember them! (Jeremiah 31:34)

He is my hope for everyday of this New Year because with Him each day can be a new beginning! Now that's something to look forward to ! Happy New Year !

Thanksgiving Thoughts.....

2008-11-27T19:37:00.000-08:00

Another Thanksgiving Day has come and is nearly gone....
Did you take some time to really think about what you are thankful for?

I found this quote at ThinkExist.com
“There's always something to be thankful for. If you can't pay your bills, you can be thankful you're not one of your creditors.” (source/author unknown)

The above quote turns negative thinking into positive thinking and keeps us in a postive, thankful mood instead of in a negative, depressed mood. Sounds like good thinkin' to me!

It's kinda like when we have a sink full of dishes and a big mess in the kitchen after cooking the Thanksgiving Day dinner---we can be thankful for that because it means we had the means to purchase all the groceries, the knowledge of how to cook them, the time to do it all and people to share it all with. We can make our clean up a positive experience by focusing on our blessings.

I think it would be a good idea to make everyday a day of thanksgiving.

You can start by jotting down one thing on the calendar each day that you are thankful for,

then by next Thanksgiving Day you will have 365 things to give thanks for !

Alpha & Omega

2008-10-21T13:34:00.000-07:00

He is the Beginning and The End
Revelation 1:8

I took this picture while on was on retreat on the Pacific Coast.

The rock formation just reminded me of the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet and the scripture in Revelation 22:13.

Focus on Today

2008-09-24T13:03:00.000-07:00

A Postive Word:

" We can talk about yesterday, tomorrow.

Right now let's focus on today."

Great News !

2008-09-12T10:15:00.000-07:00

I just realized that in just two days---Tomorrow will be Yesterday!!

A Thought for the Day...True vs Truth

2008-08-24T22:53:00.000-07:00

Do not focus on what is true---but what is Truth !!
What is true are your present circumstances.
What is Truth is God's word to you in those circumstances.

Click the Link below for the Truth to help you

with what may be true in your life right now:

God's Promises to His Children

Do the Math!

2008-08-15T10:07:00.001-07:00

Today God seemed to speak to me through this two line quote of an un-known author:

"God adds and multiplies,

Satan subtracts and divides."

I feel these two lines would be a powerful reminder to me daily

to "do the math"

as I access current situations or face difficult decisions.

"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.

I have come that they may have life,

and that they may have it more abundantly."

John 10:10 [NKJV]

God's Boxes

2008-04-08T01:33:00.000-07:00

I have in my hands two boxes, Which God gave me to hold.

He said, "Put all your sorrows in the black box, And all your joys in the gold."

I heeded His words, and in the two boxes, both my joys and sorrows I stored.

But though the gold became heavier each day, The black was as light as before.

With curiosity, I opened the black, I wanted to find out why,

And I saw, in the base of the box, a hole, which my sorrows had fallen out by.

I showed the hole to God, and mused, "I wonder where my sorrows could be?"

He smiled a gentle smile and said, "My child, they’re all here with me."

I asked God, why He gave me the boxes, Why the gold and the black with a hole?

"My child, the gold is for you to count your blessings, The black is for you to let go."

-- Author Unknown

This is the Year to Fly !

2008-01-12T21:15:00.000-08:00

I have a plan for you from on high
And this is the year that you will fly.
The time you spent in your cocoon
Is over now and very soon
My plan to prosper you will unfold
And all the promises you’ve been told
Will begin to be fulfilled, one by one
And you’ll not walk, but you will run
To a hope and a future that will set you free
To soar above the heavens and fly with Me !

I created you to fly ! This is the year to use your wings !
The cocoon is breaking open ! New life is springing forth !
A butterfly is emerging ! “It’s time to fly” says the Lord.
“ I have a plan for you. The cocoon is gone. You’ve been set free. There is no use looking back. You have been changed. You no longer fit in that cocoon, that covering is gone, it’s use is over. You’re a butterfly now—use your wings and fly !
There will be no more crawling around like a worm, no more sitting in solitude. No more being wrapped up in yourself for you have freedom to fly now ! Get off that branch and expand your horizons ! Explore your new possibilities ! You can fly !
Soar with Me ! Eat of My nectar and carry some of it to others!
You are a wonderful butterfly clothed in My righteousness.

FALL SEASON--A TIME OF THANKSGIVING

2007-11-08T03:26:00.000-08:00

"We all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

But now, O Lord, You are our Father. We are the clay and You are our Potter.

And all we, are the work of Your hand." Isaiah 64:6,8

Fall is a time of change and of loss.

Leaves fall, days grow shorter, chilly breezes blow,
and the rains come.

Life slows down.

But look ! The colors of Fall ! How beautiful they are !

Vibrant reds, warm yellows, flaming orange, and rich browns.

Colors brighten up this season. Focus on their beauty !

.......And.......

Take time to pause, reflect and give thanks, for this time.

Twas A Sheep

2007-10-05T23:41:00.000-07:00

I came across this poem the other day and it caused me to pause and ponder. I believe it was written based on Luke 15:4-6 where Jesus is talking about the man looking for and finding his lost sheep. It is quite interesting to note that it was a lost sheep not a lost lamb. Lambs might be expected to wander, sheep on the other hand should know better, however, Jesus said it was a sheep that got lost. I thought this was something good to reflect upon.....

'TWAS A SHEEP

NOT A LAMB

'Twas a sheep, not a lamb, that strayed away

in the parable Jesus told:

A grown-up sheep that had gone astray

from ninety and nine in the fold.

Out in the meadows, out in the cold,

'Twas a sheep the Good Shepherd sought.

Back to the flock, and into the fold,

'Twas a sheep the Good Shepherd brought.

Why, for the sheep, should we earnestly long

and so earnestly hope and pray,

Because there is danger, if they go wrong,

They will lead the young lambs astray.

For the lambs follow the sheep, you know,

Wherever the sheep may stray;

If the sheep go wrong,

it will not be long

Till the lambs are as wrong as they.

So, with the sheep, we earnestly plead

For the safety of the lambs

If the lambs are lost, what a terrible cost

Some sheep may have to pay.

Author--Minnie Lee Bovender

Published by: Osterhus Publishing House Mpls. MN.

An Ode to an Old Friend

2007-10-05T23:08:00.000-07:00

You sat there with me, in good times and bad,
sometimes you were the closest friend in the natural that I had.
You supported me when I needed to weep,
and you often held me until I fell asleep.
With you I would spend time, either alone or with family,
thinking, praying, reading, studying or just dreaming about a future journey.
You always went with me each time I moved
and because of you my life much improved,
I'd curl up so cozily in your place,
and God would meet me in that space,
He'd talk to me in my head or remind me in His word of things He'd said,
It was with you that I learned so many things,
about how to reach out and share my blessings.
You were always there to comfort and hold,
even though you were becoming very old.
Your age made you look a bit worn out,
but in your ability to stand firm I did not doubt.
Then,the time came that I had to leave you,
to let you go,
at the time there was no room or space for you.
Now, you've gone on to another place,
and in my heart is an empty space.
Someone else took you for their own
and I am sure you now have a great new home.
But I just wanted to tell you that I miss you so,
and wish I wouldn't have had to let you go.
Another has come to try and take your place,
but try as it might---YOU--- it just cannot replace !
It may sound funny,
but it is Oh! so true,
Old Pink Chair...... I really miss you !
©2007