Today's Prayer: Part of YOUR Will

Dear Lord, please help me to remember that just because others don't acknowledge me, YOU know the integrity and origin of my heart. And, though others may not like how I handle situations because it's not what they would do, YOU are One I should seek my validation from. Help me resist being "part of the crowd" and empower me to be a part of Your Will.

In Jesus' Holy Name I pray,
Amen

Today's Prayer: What have I accomplished?

Dear Lord, please help me to understand that my dependence on you is a blessing, and that my success and accomplishments in life are the by-product of that dependence. I am nothing without You, Lord. I know this from the deepest fibers of my being, (which YOU created).

Help me to be content with what I have, and what I am, so that every thing added to me is a bigger blessing that I will not with-hold from my service to YOU.

In Jesus' Holy Name, I pray, Amen.

With-holding nothing...

You should never take ANYTHING for granted, because God will take it from you when you do! There is NOTHING He can't with-hold from you if He feels it is in your best interest, or that it will bring you closer to HIM.

And, there is nothing I will with-hold from Him because of it!

Kinks and Swirls

I love it when people want to put their two cents worth in about my life and say, "If you'd do this, or if you wouldn't do that..."

It amuses me. I look at them as if they are aliens, because what they suggest for me is so out of my world. I can't help but smile when they tell me, "You can't get there from here..." because I am already closer to "there" than they are, or they think I am.

"Maybe you shouldn't (do this or that)" when what I am doing is working just fine for me. A few little "kinks" and "swirls" now and then, but even that seems to be working for me.

When they tell me "You can't" I just say,

"Watch me."

What at DAY!

WHAT a DAY! I go to work, and I am ALL prepared. Everything went SOOO smooth (even though I was an hour late getting off work). Got off work thinking, "God is SOOO good!"

Took my co-worker home, then went and picked up my friend Dallas to drive to church. Didn't even stop at home. Had to get to prayer service!

THEN, on the way, we stop at the stop sign. Look both ways. Go. My car shifts out of first gear with a big BUMP. Uh OH. 2nd Gear BUMP.

hmmmm. Transmission fluid low?

Get to church, open the hood, check it, the stick is dry. I call my step dad and ask him if he will help me out. I'm off work tomorrow. I don't have money for anything right now, until Thursday and I am not driving my car in this shape that long. I plan to drive the car home and let it sit until I can get Transmission fluid, but I don't feel comfortable even with that, and I need to get Dallas home, too.

Sister Kristie offered to drive Dallas and to follow me home if necessary. A couple of guys dug around in the back of his truck and found some Transmission fluid. I gave him one of my plastic bottles I use to carry tea in for a funnel. Everything is good. I call my step-dad and tell him never mind.

THEN, I get home and there is water all over the floor. I thought Milo must have peeed all over the house. But that was a LOT of water. Upon closer inspection I notice there is water dripping off my kitchen table. I look up at the ceiling...run out and get the apartment manager, who is NOT in a good mood!

She sees the problem and runs to get her plumber. They come back and unclog the air conditioner hose in the ceiling.

I am just now starting to relax after cleaning up the mess.

But, hey, God is STILL SOOO Good!

WHEW.

Being Single in a Couple's World as a Christian

This was posted at God Inspires on March 26, 2015

by Shonda Ponder

I sat there listening to Christian Talk Radio which hosted a question and answer show about daily life as a Christian. This last question about a woman who recently lost her husband and is considering dating again made me feel ... odd.

On the show, they made the statement that "This is a couples world, and although there are a lot of single people out there, the overwhelming desire of singles is to have someone to 'belong' to, i.e. the desire for marriage."

I am not desiring to "belong to" anyone but God and I certainly am not looking forward to ever getting married again at this point. Does that make me strange?

Sometimes I feel like Christian teachings try to PUSH marriage and dating on people by making them feel inadequate if they don't. It's just WRONG.

Paul was content being single.

THIS is why I cringe at the notion of going to singles ministries. They are all focused on how one should act in a dating relationship. They have FAILED to address those of us who are desiring to wait on GOD's Timing, and need to focus on being SINGLE and content about it. .

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 7:

6 But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.

7 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.

8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.

9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

This is addressing those who are consumed by their desires, who have not mastered the ability to focus solely on God as their provider, their friend, and their endearing other half. Those who cannot contain themselves in the presence of the opposite sex SHOULD marry. But those who can are blessed in that they focus on the things of God and not on pleasing another human being:

33 But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.

34 There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

35 And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.

So where are the ministries that ENCOURAGE being single?

This article in Crosswalk.com makes my point about Christian Single's Ministries focusing on marriage. Although, ONE sentence in the article does make MY point:

"After all, every Christian’s first responsibility is to seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness "

This statement is over-ridden, however, in the rest of the article. I find this unfortunate:

How can I find out who God wants me to marry?

We need more articles that PRAISE being single, that PRAISE singles who are looking for their sustainability in a God who keeps their heart from loneliness and distraction from HIM.

When all else fails, call MOM

A co-worker asked me if I would give her a ride home, since the busses are not running due to the sleet. She offered me $10. I told her she didn't have to pay me THAT much. She insisted.

We got out to the parking lot, and lo and behold, my windows are froze over, my wipers won't work because they are frozen, and it took FOREVER for the heat to get warm. The defrost wasn't working with the sleet still coming down, down either.

She gets this bright idea to pour bottled water on the windshield. No, that didn't work either. So, we're sitting there...waiting..."At this rate," I thought, "it will be dark before I get home."

What do I do? I call mom.

"Mom, I'm stuck in Wadley Parking lot, there is ice on my windshield and I can't see out of it. It's on ALL my windows. And I don't have an ice scraper. And, my wipers are frozen."

What advice does mom give me?

"Use your badge."

DUH. Why didn't I think of that? We hang up and I get out of the car. My co-worker asks, "What did she say?"

"She said 'Use your badge.'"

"Will that work?"

"I'm fixing to try."

In less than 5 minutes, we are on the road. LOL

Moral of the story: When all else fails, call MOM.

Humbling Thanksgiving

When we become thankful for every breath we take, every bite we eat, and every step we take...when we praise God even when we feel He is far away because, somehow, we pushed Him there...when we hope in spite of all doubt and fear that threatens to overtake us, and when we refuse to deny His love, His power, and His Sovereignty, even after we have found it difficult to talk to Him...

He will reach down when you least expect it and touch you in such a way that you have no recourse but to fall on your face, humbled, overwhelmed, and overjoyed, giving Him the Praise that your heart has with-held, and having faith stronger than ever that He is who He is.

Thank you, Father.

Moral Support and Encouragement

I have become acutely aware that there are some people in this world who want nothing more than to see you fail, to stay down, to wallow in your filth. Those are people that I try to stay away from, because, if they can, they will do whatever they can to impede your progress.

The reason they are the way they are is that they do not like to be proven wrong. They have already made assumptions about you and your life, and in their tiny little brains, they have determined that that is the way it should be. When you prove them wrong, and rise above their expectations of you, it makes them feel ashamed and embarrassed.

Nobody likes that. So, don't be one of those people. Don't assume the worst in people. Don't be negative. The Bible teaches that we are supposed to raise people up and rejoice in their accomplishments as we keep pushing them forward. Moral support goes a long way in the Kingdom of God.

The Issue of Faith

The issue of faith is, Does God have integrity? -- Dr. Tony Evans.

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord -- Joshua

God said it. I believe it. That settles it. -- Bumper sticker

If God says it, folks, it's truth. It will come to being. It will come to pass. Nothing can stop it. It's there. Period. So, to have "faith" in God is to believe that He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and can do anything. The Bible says that with God ALL things are possible. To doubt what God says is lack of faith. It is the same as calling God a liar. It is the same as saying He doesn't have all the information. It is just like telling God that He is weak and can't help you.

God is. God told Abraham "I AM". If this is true, and if God is who He says he is, and can do what He says He can do, it's a very dangerous game to have a lack of faith in Him.

I choose to believe that God is everything He says He is, and that makes Him everything to me.

Memories of a life lived: Legos

My son, Justin Williams, used to get legos for every Christmas and Birthday. He had a BIG plastic tub full of legos. I home schooled him, and when I would go to work, he was at home with his books and his toys to keep him occupied.

Justin was always pretty obedient, and it amazed me sometimes just HOW obedient he was.

One day, I went to work. When I came home, I could barely get into the door. Something was blocking it. I squeezed in..then, in awe I looked around. There, laid out on the living room floor was a gigantic lego city, complete with schools, gas stations, churches, banks, roads with little lego cars and people going down them...

It MUST have taken him ALL DAY build this...and I DIDN'T HAVE A CAMERA!!!!!!!

Oh my.

I swallowed a lump in my throat, and with tears in my eyes I said quietly: "Justin, son, I REALLY hate to tell you this...but you have to pick up your toys."

When I heard what came out of his mouth next, the tears started flowing. I had to leave the room so he wouldn't see me cry.

"Yes, ma'am." No argument. No pleading. Just a simple, "Yes, Ma'am."

If he had argued with me that day, he probably would have won.

It's okay to be angry at God...

God doesn't care if you are mad at Him, so long as you are still obedient.

Read about Jonah, if you want proof. He stayed mad at God, and what he did for God, he did grudgingly.

I guess Jonah's story would be like God telling us Patriots to go to the land of Islam and tell them that God loves them, and if they don't repent and change their ways and follow Him, they are going to be destroyed. Many of us would say, go ahead, God, destroy them! But, it isn't the Christian thing to do.

It isn't what God would have us do, like it or not. And, when they have murdered our sons and daughters and tortured our loved ones and profaned our animals and our property...and THEN decide to turn and change their ways because one of us went to preach the love and mercy of our God to them, how many of us would be SOOO angry that God didn't still destroy them?

Jonah stayed angry at God. Will you?

Memories of a Life Lived: My Sister

When I was a kid, Sunday mornings were the only mornings that my parents got to sleep late. They never went to church until my later teenage years when life had dealt our family a lot of lemons. But, they didn't stop me from going to church, so I got up, got dressed, and without waking them, walked the two blocks down the dirt road, and around the bend to Faith Community Baptist Church where Brother Land preached every Sunday and Wednesday. I looked forward to that time -- and, if I didn't show up, Brother Land would later call and check on me. I think that is how he found out I had my tonsils out when he came to the hospital to see me and bring me my first Bible.

This particular Sunday, my sister, Keysha K Smith wanted to go with me. She was only three years old. I was six years older than her, about nine. She put on her shorts and her sandals and I took her by the hand and walked with her to church. I showed her her sunday school room (which was the nursery) and we enjoyed church together after.

When I got home, my parents were up and upset. They had been frantic, looking for Keysha. She was only a baby. They did not scold me, however, for taking my sister to church with me. They did make sure that I understood that I was not to take her again without telling them.

I will never forget that day for as long as I live.

Today, my sister, like me, loves the Lord, and is striving to put God first and let Jesus take the wheel, in spite of her humanity and in effort to set an example for her own children. I am proud of her.

Luke 2:49
And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

Life is a Journey...

Life is a journey. The person you spend the most time getting to know is yourself. Your comfort zones are what determines the limitations you put upon yourself. And, I have determined to stretch beyond my comfort zones as often as I can, with-in reason, in order to find the limitations God has put on me. So far, I have found that the limitations I put on myself are far inferior to the ones that God has put on me. This makes me even more daring and fearless.

It also makes me realize how much of myself I do not know, and how much of myself I've forgotten I was. It drives me to seek answers that I thought I had already found, and makes me wonder if I will ever find the me that is somewhere inside.

I think, after deep thought on this, that the closest I have come to being me is when I determine and practice contentment in who I am at this moment.

It is probably all I will ever really, truly, know -- whether I understand it or not.

Happy New Year's Anniversary

Today, New Year's Eve, is my anniversary. I have been single for ONE WHOLE YEAR today. And, I have enjoyed every minute of it.

The more time passes, the harder it is for me to imagine being in a relationship. I like this too much. And, my whole year, as hard as it's sometimes been, has been WAY better than the last 5 Years. And, much better than any other year where-in I was not single.

I have learned to depend on God for every little thing, and to praise Him when He shows up and shows out, and to recognize those times...which sometimes seems like it is every day.

I have been able to focus on my career, to put all I have in it, both at work and at home, without being reprimanded or resented for it.

I haven't had to listen to someone tell me I was wasting my time, or that my dreams won't amount to anything, or that I was interfering with their own life because of it.

God will never give me away, push me away or ignore me. He is everywhere I look for Him. I feel secure in His love.

And, I am safe.

Happy New Year's!

Bringing 2014 to a Close with Gratitude and Awe

As the year 2014 comes to a close, I would like to say a quick "THANK YOU" to all of you who have made my year so wonderful.

First of all, God, who showed up and showed out when I needed Him most. He has been my Provider and my Comfort in troubled times. He has taught me to be content and to work with what I have been given to work with. And, I hope I have been a good steward. All I have is myself at this point, but God has proven to me time and again that that is all He truly requires.

My dog Milo, who gives me companionship and love on a daily basis, and reminds me that there is more than just me in this world to be concerned about.

All of you on Facebook have been my encouragement and means of ambition. Just when I think I'm sinking, someone comes along to give me a hand up. I thank God for your hands and your hearts.

The Ponder has been my source of interest from boredom, and my sole effort to keep putting one foot in front of the other, no matter how small the steps may be. God has seen fit to let those baby steps turn into leaps and bounds in just one year. I pray He keeps the momentum going for me.
My family, who reminds me of where I came from, and ultimately where I intend to go.

And the church, who continues to teach me (though I cannot go to my own church, I am constantly reminded that the Church is not a building or a place, but a movement of people who are the Body of Christ).

My job, who keeps me fit, and gives me a reason to wake up each day, and to rest on my days off. Without it, I would be lost.

And all my new friends. You remind me that I am not the only one who has a life, or daily struggles as well as victories to applaud. I love you all!

Thank you.

Following Jesus with Joseph's Spirit

I remember when I was 8 years old and I had started to read my first Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Being determined to do so, because my Preacher said before I make the decision to accept Christ, I should understand why I am doing it, and that I should read the whole Bible. I was determined to understand why, because since I was a pre-schooler and my Grandma had first taken me to church, and I first heard the words, "Jesus loves me", I wanted to know who He was and why He loved me so much He died for me.

So, I started reading. I read every time I got a break at school. I read after my homework, and by the bathroom light in my bedroom at night when I was supposed to be sleeping...sometimes until 2 in the morning. My preacher had warned that there was boring parts, but if we read our way through it, later those boring parts that we didn't understand would come to light and we would eventually understand it as we continued to read, over and over again.

I doubt my preacher knew how seriously an eight year old would take his words. But, I did.

I remember sitting on our big chair in the living room, reading the story of Joseph from the Bible. My mom and step-dad didn't attend church at that time. But, they didn't keep me from walking down the road two blocks away every Sunday morning.

On this day, as I read the story of Joseph, and I got to the part where Judah offered his life in the place of Benjamin, and Joseph's reaction to it, I began to cry. The story was so beautiful and so inspiring. My mother asked me why I was crying now. All I could say was, "I love the story of Joseph. You should read it."

Joseph has always been my favorite Old Testament patriarchial story. Oh how I rejoiced when he was reunited with his father...and cried some more.

I was even more determined after that to finish the Bible. And, when I walked down the aisle to get saved, I was determined to follow Jesus with the spirit of Joseph in my heart.

No man is perfect. No, not one.

My bus driver (he is a very out-spoken Christian) has been very hung up on whether God wants us to be perfect, and whether anyone who sins (regardless of Christ's sacrifice) will go to heaven if they keep sinning. He has been obsessed with this. Today we had a very in depth conversation about this all the way home. I told him that sin is inevitable. Everybody sins. No one is perfect. Yes, God wants perfection, but God also knew that perfection, for man, was pretty much unattainable, so He sent Jesus to die for our sins. He paid the price so we don't have to. He was still stuck on the "once we become Christians, we should be perfect". I corrected him, "We should STRIVE to be perfect, there is a difference. I don't think it's so much the sin that we have to worry about, as it is our reaction to our own sin." I had to leave before we could finish the conversation but he was interested.

It is impossible to be sinless. If I never sinned, I'd be proud of that. And, that is a sin. And, THAT would make me a liar, which also is a sin.

The Greatest Birthday Ever Celebrated...

It dawns on me, the day after Thanksgiving, that our next holiday is Christmas. As I reflect on this, and remember what Christmas is all about, I am listening to praise songs about the birth of Christ on KHCB Christian Radio. Then, moving over to a more worldly thought, I think of my children and the birthdays they used to have.

When we were children, I am sure some of our best memories were the birthday parties that were held in our honor. It was a celebration of the fact that we were born into this world. On a more deeper level, it is a celebration of who we are. The fact that we exist -- that we are here to brighten the lives of those around us with our presence.

But, when we die, who is going to celebrate our birthdays? And, if they do, how many years will it last? It seems kind've strange to have a birthday for someone who is no longer there...

Then, my thoughts wander back to Christmas: The greatest birthday party ever celebrated; A party that has lasted for over 2,000 years. And, no matter how many people try to distract us from this celebration every year, the holiday has continued to grow and spread.

Christmas: The birthday of a man who came to earth, placed in a manger because there was no crib for him, who grew up and became one of the greatest men the face of the earth has ever seen or heard of. He was God's son, through and through. He taught love, Godly obedience, mercy, forgiveness and hope. Then, as humbly as he was brought into the world, he died being nailed painfully to a cross, with a crown of thorns on his head. His last words, before announcing that his job was finished were, "Forgive them, for they know not what they do."

And today, we celebrate His birth. We celebrate it, not because He was born, but because He existed -- then, and now. He is alive. His life is celebrated, not His birth -- just as OUR life is celebrated with each birthday that rolls around. At the end of our lives, our birthday parties are not celebrated. But, at the end of his visit to earth, HIS life was just beginning. Today, we see Him in every good thing that exists. And, on Christmas, we remember the sacrifices He made so we could, and we celebrate.

This Christmas, I pray that when you look back on your lives, and build memories with your families, you are able to see what the celebration is all about, and that you take as many moments possible to stop and Praise Him, because HE is what Christmas is all about.

So, let us all celebrate -- not just on Christmas Day, but on every day that leads us to it, and every day thereafter. And, on Christmas, let's all throw the best party we can in His honor!

What I am Thankful for This Year:

It's not Thanksgiving Day yet, but I would like to say what I am most thankful for this year.

This year I started my job at Wadley Hospital. Here, in Texarkana, I can't think of a better place to work. I love my job, the benefits, and the people I work with every day, including the patients and the doctors and nurses. I am SO thankful, because God has placed me where I am, and it's ten times better than where I have ever been. I consider it my "retirement job" (if they will have me that long, and if my health holds out).

I am thankful that I made the decision to stay single, and that I am not with who I was with last Thanksgiving. My life, this year has been SOOOO peaceful, and I feel ten times more safe and secure with God as my husband and best friend.

I am thankful for my family, who I know I can lean on in hard times, and who shower me with blessings every time I am with them, just because they are there and they are who they are. I love and cherish each and every one of them, and the relationship I have with all of them.

I am thankful for my baby dog, Milo. He has brought me so much love, laughter, and companionship. God knew what He was doing when He sent Milo to me. I don't know how I would get along without him. He gives me a reason to come home every day, and has a very stabilizing effect on my everyday life. I love him so.

Finally, I thank God for all of you. You guys (and gals) have given me freedom from boredom, and a reason to keep going. You encourage me, inspire me, and bring out the best in me when the worst is just around the corner. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have you guys to focus on for information, laughter, tears and just plain life. I never have to leave home to be with all of you (although it's nice to get out once in a while). I love each and every one of you, and look forward to praying for each of you as the occasion allows.

I hope you all have a very special Thanksgiving and have at least as many blessings as I have found I have this Thanksgiving!

Thank you!