November 21, 2016
Christmas is only 33 days away and a new year fast approaching with only 40 days to go.
I always look forward to a new year. I like the look of my new calendar on my desk. Although I have an iphone, I still prefer the old fashion desk calendar with a month at a glance. The first thing I put onto my new calendar are birthdays and special occasions that I need to be reminded about. I just love this part! But the new year also brings a time of reflection. I look back the previous year and see what I've accomplished; and I ask myself have I been obedient to God's calling or have I squandered my time?
Some times as I look over month after month, I see obedience, then disobedience. My face goes from smiles to frowns. This past year I facilitated several bible studies for women. Each one was a wonderful experience for me. I met some great women eager to study God's Word. Looking back over each study I see a common thread, the word "choices" comes up often. We can choose to do something, like obey God, or we can choose not to.
God's Word tells me "Keep on asking and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking and you will find. Keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8 That is effective praying, something Jesus tells us to do often. But I have to choose if I am going to be an effective prayer warrior. Will I give Him the best of my time, or give Him my leftovers.
Now a new year is approaching and I want to choose God's way over the world's way. I want to be an effective prayer warrior, I want to be a true disciple of Jesus. Matthew 7:21-23 tells me how to be one. I want to build my life on a solid foundation - no cracks, no wobbling (Matthew 7:24-27) Jesus tells me how to do that. For 2017, I don't want to be known as a Christian as that word is loosely used now and has so many variations and definitions. I want to be known as a FOLLOWER OF JESUS! But every day I must choose - Jesus' way or the world's way.
Now that I proclaim it boldly, I know the spiritual warfare will come; but my plan of action is to keep my eyes focused on Christ, cling to His Word and put on the armor He has for me in Ephesians 6. After all, who is mightier or more powerful than my God ?!
Monday, November 21, 2016
Thursday, November 10, 2016
New Hope
November 10, 2016
I didn't vote for Barack Obama. I start out with that firm statement because we just elected a new president, a republican, not a seasoned politician who has made politics their life long job; but we elected someone who gives me new hope for America. Today I also wrote a letter to the only newspaper we have in Hawaii (shameful isn't it?). It was titled "New Democrats". I will share it here for I know they won't print it on the editorial page. LOL
Protestors with deplorable behavior, is this the new democrats? Talk shows are asking psychologist how to talk to children about this election. Here is my advice. Tell them we raised a generation to think that even if they didn't win everyone gets a trophy, and now they want their trophy. We didn't teach them to work hard for what they want. We overindulged them with cell phones,ipods,designer this and that. We taught them not to have respect for authority. Every time they were reprimanded at school we went to school and stuck up for them not the teacher, that action showed them how not to respect authority. They saw us as parents, chastise other parents who properly disciplined their children, critized those who stood up for the rights of the unborn child, laughed at people who stood for moral values, calling them uneducated. Then you take a deep breath, and tell them these protestors who are ranting whimpering and crying today when they didn't get their way, this IS the
New Democrat. (end of letter)
But when Barack Obama was elected, we didn't get our trophy, and we didn't riot in the streets. We knew, because we were taught by our parents that in life we don't always get what we want. We were taught we had to work for what we wanted. There weren't any free rides. When we misbehaved in school, our parents spanked us and sent us back to apologize to the teacher. I never heard my parents cuss. They taught me to have respect for all authority. They taught me to say please and thank you and to consider myself blessed because I lived in a country where I had many freedoms. How come we didn't teach this generation the same things? We have fallen short and now we are reaping what we sowed. Forgive us God.
I didn't vote for Barack Obama. I start out with that firm statement because we just elected a new president, a republican, not a seasoned politician who has made politics their life long job; but we elected someone who gives me new hope for America. Today I also wrote a letter to the only newspaper we have in Hawaii (shameful isn't it?). It was titled "New Democrats". I will share it here for I know they won't print it on the editorial page. LOL
Protestors with deplorable behavior, is this the new democrats? Talk shows are asking psychologist how to talk to children about this election. Here is my advice. Tell them we raised a generation to think that even if they didn't win everyone gets a trophy, and now they want their trophy. We didn't teach them to work hard for what they want. We overindulged them with cell phones,ipods,designer this and that. We taught them not to have respect for authority. Every time they were reprimanded at school we went to school and stuck up for them not the teacher, that action showed them how not to respect authority. They saw us as parents, chastise other parents who properly disciplined their children, critized those who stood up for the rights of the unborn child, laughed at people who stood for moral values, calling them uneducated. Then you take a deep breath, and tell them these protestors who are ranting whimpering and crying today when they didn't get their way, this IS the
New Democrat. (end of letter)
But when Barack Obama was elected, we didn't get our trophy, and we didn't riot in the streets. We knew, because we were taught by our parents that in life we don't always get what we want. We were taught we had to work for what we wanted. There weren't any free rides. When we misbehaved in school, our parents spanked us and sent us back to apologize to the teacher. I never heard my parents cuss. They taught me to have respect for all authority. They taught me to say please and thank you and to consider myself blessed because I lived in a country where I had many freedoms. How come we didn't teach this generation the same things? We have fallen short and now we are reaping what we sowed. Forgive us God.
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