Life Blogs Archives - Page 11 of 21 - GraceAndWorks

As I was driving down the road today, it occurred to me that there are a lot of signs and where would we be without them? Think about what we would do with no street signs or road signs. GPS wouldn’t matter. Road maps wouldn’t matter. How would we find where we are going with no directions? I grew up in a small town of about 300 people and you didn’t need street signs to find where you wanted to go, even though we did have street signs. If someone were visiting you just told them how many streets to go and to turn  left or right. Today I live in a city of about 2,000,000 people with thousands of houses and streets. We have to have signs and directions to find where we want to go. If not we would just wonder around lost. Follow the GPS or what ever directions you have, and you’ll arrive at your destination.

What about where you work? Can you take and follow directions? If not, how do you get your work done? Even better, how do you keep your job? How about what your parents taught you? Did they not give you directions to follow so life would be easier and not so complicated? Things get crazy and all of a sudden you think to yourself, what did Mom and Dad do or say about this type of situation? Then you apply the directions given to you and all seems to be straightened out.

Now what about you Christian life? Are you just doing what you want? Struggling to find your way? Can’t find or follow directions? Wondering around lost as if you were in a big city with no street signs? The good news is that there are directions. The bad news is a lot of people are lost because they won’t follow them. God has given directions for any thing that can come up in life. All you have to do is open up your Bible and read/listen to the living, written word of God. No more wondering around lost. No more do you have to be without directions. No more will your life be in shambles. PRAISE GOD!! He has given us the street signs to give us directions for life.

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

Have you ever been in a room full of smoke? Or in a deep fog? Or in the bathroom after a shower and the room is filled with steam? That’s what seeing through cataracts seems like. I’m writing this blog because I had questions and was asked questions as I went through the process of diagnosis and surgery for cataracts. I’m one who thinks that if I have questions, then there are many others that have the same questions. so here is my experience.

Four months ago I went to the eye Doctor for an exam and they told me I had cataracts, needed to get them removed, and was referred to a specialist. A month later I got in to the specialist and they confirmed that I, indeed, had cataracts. A month later I had the measurement for my new lenses for my eyes. FINALLY a month later, the first eye was fixed and two weeks after that one the other was fixed. I now wait two weeks for the final exam and get my prescription for corrective glasses so I can read and see distance at it’s best. It’s been a process that I had questions and concerns about and wasn’t explained fully about the process. Oh, then there are the eye drops for preparation for the surgeries. Two drops in the eye four times a day and then after surgery three drops in each eye for two more weeks. I’m now still putting drops in my eyes, but the surgery is done and I have 20/40 far vision in both eyes. YAY!! However, I have to wait for my corrective glasses to be able to read. What had happened was I was looking through the clouds, or fog, or steam and was getting worse. The cataracts were clouding my vision. The surgeries were basically pain free and the actual surgery only took about 15 minutes for each eye, but the preparation was all important to have the success that I now enjoy.

As I was thinking about all this, I realized that life has the same effect. Sin gets in our lives and starts clouding our thinking. It’s gets like the cataracts, if you don’t remove it, eventually you will not be able to see and you will be living in darkness. We all have sin in our lives and we have to examine ourselves to find the solution. It can become a process to get it removed. Just like the preparation for eye surgery, we have to prepare ourselves to properly remove the sin. Then when we decide to remove it, it only takes a few minutes to say enough is enough and it is gone. You’ll stop living in fog, clouds, or steam and life will clear up for you. Just like the surgeon for my eyes, God is there to help you with the removal. You can’t do it by yourself. Walk in the light as Jesus would want you to do. Don’t let the darkness overcome you.

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

Kids say the darndest things, but “It’s not my fault” has to be one of the oldest and best. Something around the house gets broken–It’s not my fault. Playing outside or on the playground at school and they get hurt–It’s not my fault. Grownups do the same thing. Something goes astray at work–It’s not my fault. Things go wrong at home–It’s not my fault. Spouse gets mad at you for something you did–It’s not my fault. Have you ever had an auto accident? It wasn’t my fault is the first thing that comes out of your mouth. Strangely enough we are always finding someone or something to blame our problems on. Why can’t we just own up to the fact that–It is/was my fault? Maybe because we aren’t capable of taking responsibility or don’t want to. Maybe it’s just human nature to blame someone else. It seems easier to do that than own up to the problem. YES, we all do it!!

In Genesis Chapter 3 we read the story about Adam and Eve eating of fruit from a tree that God had told them not to eat. As we know, the serpent tempted Eve until she gave in and ate of the forbidden fruit. She then gave some to Adam and he also ate of the fruit. When God came back to the garden to find them, they had hidden. Finally when they came out to face God, knowing they had really messed up, here came the “It’s not my fault” language. Eve blamed the serpent, Adam blamed Eve and so on. The fact of the matter is this: God has set out throughout the Bible that man is to look after the women in scriptural matters and protect her. Adam was there and it was his responsibility to say no and not let temptation overcome either one of them. He didn’t do that!! Christian life today is no different. God has set the plan, man needs to be responsible, and be able to guide his wife and family so that they don’t get overtaken by temptation. Satan is crafty, as you see in this story. We should be on guard at all times so we don’t listen to him. Sooooo let’s quit with the “It’s not my fault” thinking and own up to being wrong.

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

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. By faith we understand that the world was created by the Word of God so that what is seen was made out of things which do not appear. Hebrews 11:1-3

We are to have no doubt about our faith, believing in Jesus, and not being ashamed of the Gospel. Faith rests on God’s power. We walk by faith not by sight, live by faith knowing Jesus gave Himself for us, and we are justified by faith.

We need to be sincere, have a firm belief, and through that faith Christ will dwell in our hearts. This kind of faith will build a shield from  the evil one. We need to work in God’s kingdom to show our faith isn’t dead. For faith to become stronger and our shield to become stronger, we need to continue to work and study so we become more mature in our Christianity.

There is but one faith. It works through love, encourages us, and prompts us to act. Above all FAITH OVERCOMES THE WORLD!!

To begin acquiring faith, you must open your eyes from darkness to light, turning away from sin and look toward Christianity. This first step will build your belief in Jesus so you can seek and find His Kingdom.

Faith grows and is strengthened by hearing lessons, listening in Bible classes, and attending Worship Services. In order for Christians to grow in their faith, there are times when we will need help from others, showing the need to study with one another.

We are told that faith without works in dead. We need to be active in our Christianity so we can better understand our faith and become more mature.

Lastly, if we have a sincere heart and continue working in His Kingdom, preaching to and teaching others, Jesus will help us to become perfect in our faith.

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

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!!

I was looking at a neighbor’s tool shed the other day and it was piled to the ceiling with “Stuff”. I’d wager they don’t have much of an idea what is in there. I’m sure there are some of you in the same situation. Some, however know exactly what is in the shed. There are all kinds of things we put in there, fertilizer for the plants and yard, lawnmowers, tools, holiday supplies, clothes, pots and pans, hedge trimmers, extension cords, jumper cables, and the list goes on. There are times the shed needs cleaned out and you think to yourself, what am I going to do with all this “Stuff’? Maybe a yard sale? Maybe we’ll just give it to the garbage man? Maybe just give it away? After all one person’s junk is another person’s treasure. Whatever the case, it just has to be gone!!

Now for the REAL question. What about your personal tool shed? What do you have stored away? Grudges? Sorrow? Family issues? Job problems? Health issues? Money woes? Discouraged? Depressed? Drug/Alcohol problems? Homosexuality? Just what is in there? You can probably add to this list. Soooo, what to do? You need to clean house. Call the garbage man? NO. Have a sale? NO. Give them to someone else? NO. Who would want your problems? They certainly aren’t treasures for someone else!!.

After you have given this much thought, you call on God. You start talking to Him through prayer and one by one He accepts your garbage. Pretty soon you have your “house” cleaned. God will never leave you or forsake you no matter how bad things seem to be. Get all the stress out of your life!! Start now and you’ll be surprised how quick God has all the issues and you are free from the burdens.

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