July 2017 - GraceAndWorks

I stole this idea from my friend, Thelma Williams. Thank you.

Some day I will say I’m sorry.

Some day I’ll take care of my anger issues.

Some day I’ll repay my friend the money I borrowed.

Some day I’ll lose all these extra pounds.

Some day I’ll save for a “Rainy Day.”

Some day I’ll take care of business today so tomorrow is easier.

Some day I’ll quit grumbling and complaining.

Some day I’ll give my stress and worries to God.

Some day I’ll………………………..

Procrastination is something we all tend to do at times. Put off ’til tomorrow what you don’t want to do today. It’s a cop out, an easy way out, and a way we can probably blame someone else when things don’t get down or are done wrong. Oh, the plight of the human being.

Thelma had shared her thoughts on Spiritual issues. Some day I’ll make things right with God. Some day I’ll go to Worship. Some day I’ll accept Jesus and be baptized for the remission of my sins. Some day I’ll put God first and “ME” down the list. When does that some day come around? We are not promised tomorrow!! TODAY is the day to make things right with God. TODAY is the day of Salvation. 2nd Corinthians 6:1-2.

SMILE God loves YOU!! Have a good week all.

When I was in my earlier years, I played quite a bit of golf. Then one day I was on the 7th hole on a course in Sidney Nebraska called Hillside. It was named that for a reason because it was trying to hit that ball from hill to hill. If you could, all was good. If you couldn’t, things would go sideways quickly. Anyway. back to that 7th hole. I had hit my ball up on the side of a hill and when I went to find it, well, it wasn’t there where I thought it was. I lost my temper, through my club, it hit a tree and broke, packed my clubs, went to the clubhouse, sold my clubs, and never played again. This game was so frustrating for me and it was time to hang it up. I had played sports since I was in Junior High School and losing my temper was never a part of me having fun. I was a four year letter man in football, basketball, and track in High School. I continued to play basketball through college (Intramurals) and Town Team hoops after that. All those years and never a technical foul, bowled for years and never kicked the machines, and then–GOLF!!

I was watching golf on TV the other day and I was watching, I thought, this is a lot like life. As the players would tee off, the ball would go straight, left, right, sometimes end in the rough, sometimes in a bunker, sometimes out of bounds, and sometimes right in the middle of the fairway. We go through life and all our shots are headed straight and end up right where we wanted them to be. Then life goes sideways and we end up in the rough parts or in a bunker, which I’ll call a BIG hole. Then what happens? Do we have the skill, knowledge, and wisdom to navigate the course set before us? We always hope that we do, but sometimes we need help. That help comes from friends, family, co-workers, and, from what I see, when all else fails, we turn to God. I wonder, why God takes a back seat when we deal with problems? Why do we think we can handle the rough times and BIG holes by ourselves? Is it pride? Is it we don’t know how, or don’t want to, humble ourselves and admit we need help? Friends, family, and co-workers can grow tired of our drama and quit listening, but God is there 24/7, will always listen, and will always show you a way out. 1st Corinthians chapter 10 tells us God will never put more on us than we can handle and He will always provide a way out.

Have a good week all. SMILE God loves YOU!!

Have you or did you just ever want to throw your hands in the air and go off by yourself and have a good cry?  You got taken out of your environment, element, or comfort zone. Maybe: The kids are out of control, bills are piling up, health issues, job fell through, or for what ever reason you find yourself “behind the eight ball.” What do you do? You can have the all time “Meltdown” and find yourself just plain  miserable. Now, if and when this happens, what do you do? Most of us will pick ourselves up and say, “things really aren’t this bad,” and start to put everything back together. One by one we take care of the issues until all is back good. We need to get back to our environment or comfort zone.

Sooo I got to thinking this is just like an ice cube. As long as it stays in it’s environment, it will remain solid and intact. Take it out of it’s environment or comfort zone it starts to “Meltdown.” If you drop it, it might break into pieces. However, if you save the pieces or capture the liquid, it can be put back into the mold, back into the freezer (environment/comfort zone), and it will, over time, return to it’s solid form. Life can be as fragile as that ice cube!!

Our Christian lives are just as fragile. I was fortunate to have been raised in a Christian home. I had the foundation for life that my Mom and Dad instilled in me. Sure there were disagreements, but I can’t remember them ever raising their voices to each other. They just seemed to work out problems as they occurred. They probably had their “Meltdowns”, but I wasn’t aware of them. They hung onto their beliefs and faith and let God help them through the tough times. What I learned from them is that no matter how bad things seemed, the pieces could always be put back together and life would go on. Just like the ice cube, I needed to get back to my comfort zone, environment. Trusting in God, trusting in my faith, and the solid upbringing I had has led me through some difficult times. I thank my Mom and Dad and mostly I thank God for keeping me as solid as the ice cube.

SMILE God loves YOU!! Have a good week all.

There are many different types of paths such as a dirt path, concrete path, narrow paths made only for walking, etc Then there is Satan’s path or God’s path.

The following information is taken from Ephesians Chapter 3:

SATAN’S PATH: Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the disobedient. Fornication (Adultery, sexually activity without marriage), Uncleanness, and covetousness which is idolatry. To be a Christian you will need to put off: Anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language, lying, and stop the influence that Satan has on you. God gives us the right to make choices. If you make the choice to do the above mentioned, just know you are walking with Satan.

GOD’S PATH: Therefore as the elect of God (Obedient Christian), holy and beloved put on: Tender mercies, kindness, humility, kindness, humility, meekness, and longsuffering. We need to bear with one another, forgive one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave us, we must also do. And above all this, put on love which is the bond of perfection. Let the peace of God dwell in our hearts. Let the word of Christ dwell in us richly. We need to teach and admonish each other.

Whatever we do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. If you make the choice to do the above mentioned, you are walking with God.

Have a good week!! SMILE God loves YOU.

A new twist to a blog from Grace And Works. Something a little different. Something that, believe it or not, has a point. So hang in there and let’s have some fun with this. Most of these are golden oldies–feel free to laugh!

You have beautiful hair.

You have a twinkle in your eyes.

Would you like to dance?

Can I buy you a drink?

Would you like to go out for dinner?

If I told you you have a nice body, would you hold it against me?

What time do you get off work?

What kind of work do you do?

Did you come here by yourself?

Nice outfit!!

You have the sexiest dimples.

I told you these were going to golden oldies!! You see I’ve been married for almost 50 years and I’m a little out of touch as to what Pick Up Lines are today. Now that you have come this far with me, I’ll make my point.

God has the greatest Pick Up Line ever!! If you will repent, be baptized, and obey my commands, I’ll build you a home and take you there with me. How’s that for an all time great Pick Up Line?

Have a GREAT week!! SMILE God loves YOU!!