I can't believe I just said what I told my girls not to say. Our neighbor just informed us that my son was driving way too fast around the corner by her house. I instructed the girls with me not to say anything to their brother, that I would deal with the problem at the appropriate time. Well, I walk into the house and I am in his face about the whole thing.

I blew my whole lesson, and only made my son more angry at our neighbor! Why didn't I take my own advice? Why was I quick to tell him how wrong he was? Self control? Oh, yes - - that is it.  I wish I could draw a sad face right here, but I can't. I can't blame it on the caffeine I just consumed, although I would like to. All fingers point to me. Yuck!

We all seem like hypocrites at one time or another. Fortunately, my girls didn't catch that, so I wasn't embarrassed. We all want to do the right thing, and we know better, but out comes the curse words, or the degrading tone. Oh,  how I wish I could take those words back. Lord, help me to remember to slow down, put a comma in my speech so that I can catch my breath. Commas help a lot. I know God has forgiven me, because I asked Him to. He always has the right words to say!

" Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.       { Colossians 4:6}  ESV

You may be wondering about these strange looking cars. I was when I first saw them. They are amphibian. People go for rides in them on a lake, just so they can say they did it. It's not my thing but it's different! I am more of the looking type. I like to see what's going on and watch, not always do.

Why do cars have to go in the water anyway? Why can't people be happy with cars on land, and boats in the water? Why do we need to invent more, go farther, learn more? Why isn't it ok , to leave well enough alone? Some people have a quest to makes things better. I guess you could say it is a mission.We wouldn't have some of the greatest discoveries of the 20th century without someone going the extra mile.

Jesus taught us to do that, go the extra mile I mean. He said, If someone needs your coat, give them your hat too. If someone needs food, get them enough for a week. If someone needs a hug, give them two. What do we do when we see a need? Certainly we can't take care of everyones needs. This brings us back to a mission, or calling if you like. God has something for you to do that may look completely different from what He wants me to do.

The important things is, that we do it! I don't want my life to be characterized as the woman who had good intentions. I want Jesus to say of me, Well done, you good and faithful servant. Do you know what God has for you to do? I don't mean the obvious things like caring for your family, or being a good employee. Has he spoken to your heart through His word, or through mentors about your purpose? I know He will because He wants you to know it even more than you do!

Dear Heavenly Father, I ask you humbly to meet my sisters in Christ now, and fill them with the knowledge of what specific mission you have for them. If they haven't heard, give them patience to wait for you to speak to them. Fill them with peace, and to know how much you love them. May they fly above some storms in life if it is at all possible. Make yourself known to them.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Don't look out your window today, look at this beautiful fountain! It's so unusual, that water can be a blessing or a curse. It all has to do with balance. Too much water in the wrong place brings destruction. The ocean, when it is calm makes for the most relaxing, serene scene of all. If a storm is brewing, get as far away as possible!

There is one thing that the Bible tells us we cannot get enough of. Jesus spoke this to His disciples:

"To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. " Luke 6:27  [MSG]

If I was there as a disciple and heard these words come from my Master, I'm not sure I would understand. "Jesus looked at them intently and said,'Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible'." Matthew 19:26 {NLT} Even though Jesus is speaking about another topic, it is still true in this case. Who can love the unlovely? Jesus can. Who can love the murderer? Jesus can. If He flows through us, we have the ability, by the Holy Spirit, to love the outcast. Not earthly possible, but heavenly possible.

I like this verse in the Message translation because it is relaxed, and when we understand God's reason behind His ways we are much more likely to follow them. This is abundant live, living above the fray, and bringing glory to God. "So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves."   Galatians 5:16  {NLT}

The skies above do not look like this today! Oh well, we can deal with it. Let's all meet here by this balloon, when it is warm and we can go for a ride! I guess we all couldn't fit but we could give it a try! It doesn't sound so exciting if we are all crunched in there together.

I have never taken a ride in a hot air balloon. How do you steer that thing? Not knowing how it works could keep me on the ground. I am not a risk taker. My brother and I were very calm as children, but then Allison was born, and she was full of energy. She made us do all sorts of things that we wouldn't have done otherwise, especially at Amusement Parks.

Maybe your the sibling that likes to do the most exciting things and everyone else thinks your crazy?I wonder how Jesus' siblings felt about his life? He was definitely a trend setter, he disturbed lots of people's ideas about what was acceptable to God. He sent the pharisees scratching their heads when He would speak to them. What they missed was the heart attitude. Jesus wanted them to see that what they did wasn't as important as why they did it. The rich young ruler went away from Jesus with much confusion, because Jesus told Him to give away everything that He had, and too much of His heart was wrapped up in those things.

I know that I can get caught up in things way too easily. When shopping with a friend, I can be so sure that I need these new shoes, because I may never find them again! When I get home I try to explain to my husband why I need them. He doesn't care, but I feel that I have to state my case. Of course shoes won't throw me off, but even simple things can turn into more serious problems. Its called materialism, and the boundries can be  different for each of us. It's all about our heart attitudes.

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." {Proverbs 4:23}

Here we are, back at architecture! You know I can't pass a door that speaks to me. This reminds me of a castle, and this door comes down to cover the moat. Sounds like a plan! It really isn't a door at all, it is just for looks. Reminds me of some people that I have met in my travels through life.

I would never say anything to their face, because I do wish them God's best, and true happiness. It is sad that they have an exterior, with not much of an interior. This is one reason why I seek after God. I don not want to be that person! From the time that we are very young, to very old, we can ask God to make us like Him.

This process that I am talking about is not without pain. It is hard to lay down our wills for His, but it so so worth it! I am not perfect, and I make mistakes, more than I want to admit, but I don't want to miss out on the blessings of God because I wasn't willing to listen to Him. Oh this hurts,  just realizing my own weakness, but this realization helps me to lean on the Lord more than ever before!

Life is totally different when we release our troubles, fears and turmoil to the only one who can take it. Rest in the grace and love that He has for you. You will be so glad that you did.

"Casting all your care upon Him, for he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7 
"Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you: he will never let the righteous be shaken.' Psalm 55:22

It's not my fault! It is snowing but I didn't ask for it, and my snowman friend is pretty happy about it. He does look a little Christmasy, but it's March, so it just goes to show you how mixed up our weather is these days! I thought you would't mind seeing him today, because he is kind of cute.

Why are things so mixed up these days? The weather, politics, society, people taking offense over things that used to be accepted? Priscilla Shrier, in her Bible Study," Armor of God" says " Sensitivity to taking offense is one of the key ways Satan traps believers in his web of deception.{p. 48} There is an upheaval going on, and even nature is feeling it. The Bible talks about the mountains, melting like wax at the presence of the Lord.

The earth is feeling and sensing a change, and so are we, the people of God. What is happening, that even the weather is different? We are coming closer to the return of the Lord. This is something that generations before us have said is near, but we know that circumstances have never been like they are now. So how should we live? As people with expectancy, as a mother waits for the birth of her child.

God is preparing His people for the greatest event of all history! The only reason he has lingered, is so that more will be saved. Pray for your unsaved family, loved ones, friends and neighbors! Pray for those you work with! You can pray, without anyone knowing, in your spirit.God hears! Love to all and have a great weekend! Be warm.

I'd like to continue on the theme that we started yesterday. When we look at Abraham and Sarah, we see what happens when we step in front of God and try to make His promises happen in our lives.

Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had no children. And she had an Egyptian maid whose name was Hagar. So Sarai said to Abram, the Lord has restrained me from bearing children. Please go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her. And Abram heeded the voice of Sarai.   { Genesis 16: 1-2}

Really? How could anyone think that good would come from that situation? God said, I WILL GIVE YOU CHILDREN! We can get off track, like Sarai when life seems to be passing by, and we don't see what God has said happening. It can be disastrous! Israel will never forget the outcome of Sarai's decision!

The good news is, there is redemption for all of our mistakes, the big and the small. In His excellent mercy, God knew our need for Him would be great, and provided for our Savior to come and redeem us, even before the world began! His incredible love provided in a way that only He could imagine.

Do you need to confess something to God and turn away from it? If you are serious, God will meet you, and forgive. Did Sarai ever ask God to forgive her for stepping ahead of His plan? We may never know, but we know that redemption is available, free and pure, if we just ask. What a wonderful Savior, What an awesome redeemer!