God's Not Dead 2 Quote 3

Read the Bible in a Year Week 20

I completely missed posting the week's reading last Sunday, but used that time to catch up (somewhat) with my daily bible reading. I'm still a few weeks behind (okay, I'm 5 whole weeks behind) but feel confident that I will, someday, eventually, catch up. Besides, this is meant to get us to read the Bible everyday, not a competition. If we speed-read through the scriptures, then we aren't really reading. I am reading straight through this year, but will go back to reading a chapter, then reading commentary about that chapter next year. If you don't have a study Bible, I highly recommend getting one. It has made such a difference in my understanding and growth.

Week 20
Sunday, May 28                 Leviticus 23:26 -25:38
Monday, May 29                Leviticus 25:39 - 27:34
Tuesday, May 30                Numbers 1:1 - 2:34
Wednesday, May 31           Numbers 3:1 - 4:33
Thursday, June 1                Numbers 4:34 - 6:27
Friday, June 2                     Numbers 7:1-89
Saturday, June 3                 Numbers 8:1 - 10:36

God's Not Dead 2 Quote 2

God's Not Dead 2 Quote

Happy Mother's Day 2017

     I have two daughters. The days that I gave birth were the two happiest days of my entire life. They are both blessings, and I thank God everyday for them. How they turned out so great is a mystery to me even now.
     When you have a baby, there’s no manual, no advanced training, no simulation exercise that can possibly prepare you for the day to day challenges that occur. Sure, you can look up “how to treat diaper rash,” you can ask around for recommendations for babysitters, nursery schools, etc., you can even look up baby names that mean some characteristic you hope will be prominent in your child. But the more subtle things, you have to learn on the fly, and let me tell you, it can get pretty scary. “What’s she crying for? Should I call the Doctor? Does she need fed, changed, attention, sleep? Should I call the Doctor? How much formula does she need? Should I call the Doctor? How will cereal affect her? Should I call the Doctor? What’s the latest thinking on sleep positions: laying her on her back, side, tummy? Should I call the Doctor? Stuff like that, you just have to figure out for your particular child and situation.  Sometimes, oftentimes, it’s trial and error, with an emphasis on error.
     I’m very thankful for my parents. They did an excellent job raising me, (IMO) and I learned a lot about being a parent from them. I feel blessed to have been born to them, especially because there are people in this world who should never have children, and several people in this world who miraculously survived despite their upbringing. However, I think, most of the time, there are parents like me, who tried to learn from their own upbringing, who did the best we could, prayed, and continue to pray, in the hopes of creating a generation better than our own, one that will make the world a better place.

Happy Mother's Day!

Read the Bible in a Year Week 19

Week 19
Sunday, May 14                 Leviticus 5:1 - 7:38
Monday, May 15                Leviticus 8:1 - 10:20
Tuesday, May 16                Leviticus 11:1 - 13:46
Wednesday, May 17           Leviticus 13:47 - 14:57
Thursday, May 18              Leviticus 15:1 - 17:16
Friday, May 19                   Leviticus 18:1 - 20:27
Saturday, May 20               Leviticus 21:1 - 23:25

God's Not Dead Quote 3

Courage

Today, I found Courage from Twitter*:

Sometimes Courage can be found in the most obscure places, but when we do find it, it's like "Pow!!!, where have you been all my life?!"
Courage is a powerful thing, but so is Fear. One will propel you into the great unknown, give you a freedom like nothing else, allow you to soar with the eagles; the other will chain you down, drag you deep into a cloud of darkness, and make for an unfulfilled life.

I've read several places, when faced with a decision, or something new, especially something a little frightening (like changing jobs, going back to school, jumping out of an airplane), ask yourself:
"What's the worst thing that can happen?"
If the answer is something that is absolutely negative, then, weigh that against the positive. If the answer is something that can be remedied, then, what's holding you back?

Make a list of pros and cons if necessary. Talk to people who have done the thing you're wanting to do. But, whatever you do, don't 'do nothing.'

*I'm not adept at social media manners, so I didn't know whether or not to include the original submitters' names of the tweets, or not; decided to err on the side of caution.

Read the Bible in a Year Week 18

Week 18
Sunday, May 7                 Exodus 25:1 - 27:8
Monday, May 8                Exodus 27:9 - 29:37
Tuesday, May 9                Exodus 29:38 - 32:35
Wednesday, May 10          Exodus 33:1 - 35:29
Thursday, May 11             Exodus 35:30 - 38:8
Friday, May 12                  Exodus 38:9 - 40:33
Saturday, May 13              Exodus 40:34 - Leviticus 4:35

Daily Bible Verse Colossians 3:1

Colossians 3:1 (NIV)

Since, then, you have been 

raised with Christ, 

set your hearts on things above, 

where Christ is, 

seated at the right hand of God.

Peace starts here

I have been deep in thought all week. In these times of "political correctness" and "tolerance", there exists a volatility still, that divides us and may someday destroy us. I'm starting to think that the political correctness is just for show. Maybe people really aren't tolerant, but act like it in order to avoid backlash.

Maybe he was elected because his inappropriate comments are what people are really thinking/feeling.

I pray this isn't true.

I ended up taking this past week off from writing, basically, because someone read this post and advised me to be sure to speak the truth. So, I've spent the week researching and thinking and soul searching. I asked God, "What do you want me to do?" He answered, and I have my work cut out for me; which is a good thing.

I was raised to not talk about religion or politics. Additionally, because of  certain episodes in my past, I withdrew into a silent, weak, middle-of-the-road person, and kept most of my thoughts and feelings and opinions to myself. But, I feel that the time has come to break my silence. Surely, there are people like me, who share my feelings and ideas, who could benefit from what I have to say, if only to feel that none of us are alone.

If there's backlash, then, so be it. I want to hear both sides of every story. It's the only way to honestly, truthfully be able to form my own opinions.  For every truth or fact, there may be many interpretations. Those interpretations could be formed from a bias, only hearing what one wants to hear, or from previous knowledge, or any number of reasons.

For example, if I say "The sky is blue." That's a fact, a truth.
But, for the person who's colorblind, he may say, "No. It's grey." or
for the person who is depressed, "No. It's overcast. Looks like rain."
for the person halfway around the world, "No. The sun is setting. The sky is red, orange, and yellow."

I believe that this is what happens with us, and why we all seem to see the exact same thing but, perceive it differently. Each one of us is an individual, unique. That's a good thing. We just need to know that and embrace it; listen to different opinions with an open mind. Let go of the anger, resentment, hatred. Be the blessing.

Daily Bible Verse Colossians 2:8-10

Colossians 2:8-10 (NIV)

See to it that no one takes you captive 

through hollow and deceptive philosophy, 

which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces

of this world 

rather than on Christ.

For in Christ all the fullness

of the Deity lives in bodily form, 

and in Christ you have been brought

to fullness. 

He is the head over every power and authority.

Daily Bible Verse Colossians 2:6-7

Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV)

Spiritual Fullness in Christ

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, 

continue to live your lives in Him, 

rooted and built up in Him, 

strengthened in the faith as you were taught, 

and overflowing with thankfulness.

Daily Bible Verse Philippians 4:8

Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

Finally, brothers and sisters, 

whatever is true, 

whatever is noble, 

whatever is right, 

whatever is pure, 

whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — 

if anything is excellent or praiseworthy —

think about such things.

God's Not Dead Quote 2

Voting Day today - May 2 2017

Don't forget to vote today. These smaller elections are important to participate in, especially since the issues affect where you live.

In Brookville, Ohio today, there are 3 issues on the ballot (visit: https://tinyurl.com/mg24t6g), plus voting for funds for the Miami Valley Joint Vocational School.

Visit your County's Board of Election's website for information about your city or town. In Montgomery County, Ohio, the website is: https://tinyurl.com/mzh757j

The cities and towns of Montgomery, Ohio that are voting today include:
Huber Heights, West Carrollton, New Lebanon, Phillipsburg, Jefferson Township, Washington Township,
Beavercreek City Schools, Northmont City Schools, Oakwood City Schools, Valley View Local School District, Carlisle Local School District, Preble Shawnee Local School District,

Other issues:
Miami Valley Careeer Technology, and Wright Memorial Public Library

Check the website for a complete list of issues and candidates.

Daily Bible Verse Philippians 4:4-7

Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV)

Final Exhortations

Rejoice in the Lord always. 

I will say it again: Rejoice! 

Let your gentleness be evident to all.

The Lord is near. 

Do not be anxious about anything, 

but in every situation, by prayer and petition, 

with thanksgiving, 

present your requests to God. 

And the peace of God, 

which transcends all understanding, 

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Daily Bible Verse Ephesians 3:14-19

Ephesians 3:14-19 (NIV)

A Prayer for the Ephesians

For this reason I kneel before the Father, 

from Whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 

I pray that out of His glorious riches

He may strengthen you with power 

through His Spirit in your inner being, 

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. 

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 

may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, 

to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 

and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that 

you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Camp Nanowrimo 2017 Last Day

I spent much of last week pushing myself to make my goal of re-writing 30,000 words of my first novel. It was a difficult month and I've decided that while editing is the most important process of writing, it's also not as fun as the initial write-everything-that-pops-into-my-head. Others see it differently; they enjoy editing. I need to get to that point. The important thing is that I worked on it every day, and met a goal. I need to have that same goal for this month, and the next month. Maybe then I'll be ready to send it out to beta readers. The problem is, there's no certificate, or badge, or t-shirt at the end of the next two months. I need those small motivators, however piddly they seem to be. I ordered my t-shirt and winner's badge at the beginning of April, and they arrived within a week. I've kept them in their unopened package this whole time until I "won" the month. It's what's kept me working. If I hadn't won, then I'm not sure what I would've done, so it wasn't an option.

So, my little hiatus here is over and I want to get back to blogging several times a week and sharing bible verses every day. I want to step it up a notch and support local artists, businesses, etc., and will have a few "opinions" to share about the world in general. Subscribe to my blog by email so you don't miss anything.
Have a blessed Mayday.