WHEN ALL SEEMS HOPELESS -- Acts 12:3-19

WHEN ALL SEEMS HOPELESS -- Acts 12:3-19 NIV

Acts 12:3-19 NIV

Peter was in what seemed to be the most hopeless of situations. James, the brother of John, had been executed. Upon seeing how happy this made the Jews, Herod had Peter arrested, most likely planning to execute him, too. But Herod, not wanting to anger the Jews, planned to wait until after Passover to do this evil deed. So he had Peter placed in the most secure location possible. Chained with two chains, guarded by at least four men, possibly more, there seemed to be little hope that Peter would be released. In fact, Peter most likely saw his situation as totally hopeless. There was no way out. Right after Passover, Peter would be executed. Done deal.

But Herod had not taken into consideration the power of God, or the power of prayer. Many, many prayers were being offered for Peter's release. And Peter was freed, in a miraculous and spectacular fashion.

What is your current situation? Is it as seemingly hopeless as Peter's? Are you bound by the chains of sin or surrounded by enemies or devastating circumstances with no “earthly” way out? If so, remember Peter. Remember what the power of prayer did for him. There is a way out, through Jesus. There is no situation that the world can devise that cannot be escaped through Him. There is no power on earth strong enough to withstand what God can do if we'll just ask Him. Your escape from your hopeless situation may not be as spectacular as Peter's, and it may not be what you expect... but it will come. Praise God for His grace and salvation, both in eternity and right here on earth.

Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/takeaminute

Hi All...

Hi Everyone!

We are coming to you tonight from Ohio....Ive written to you about that hot dog place in Toledo that Klinger from Mash used to talk about...at this very moment, the name is right on the tip of my tongue and that's where its staying...but seriously, it DOES exist and its just off the highway....man, I wish I could remember the name of the place...

Anyway...I am at that stage in life where I can do nothing right...I don't know why or have any answers, but I am seriously doing some real stupid stuff that I think is pushing Honey Bear so far away from me, its deafeningly frightening! He is so upset with me, and its stuff that I am messing up with HIS work...not good. Why I ask myself...I haven't any answers...I just pray that those horrible events that are between God, Honey Bear and me are long gone, and that the fears that tear at me every single moment will leave!

So, that's how my life has been lately....not good.

We have been awake since 1 pm yesterday working and its 7 pm the next night! Not good either. I am beyond tired, that I cant sleep...thankfully, Honey Bear IS.

We go to New Jersey, Connecticut and the Bronx tomorrow, then head out towards IL where we will get stuck for the holiday...mind you, I don't have any REAL problems with this, as Honey Bear can take a Harley ride and we have the possibility to visit with my son and a friend of mine while there, but like I said, my fears are very real to me right now only due to the past, so my home state is NOT the place I want to spend two days and nights at!

Anyway, prayers for us and over us, as always, aregreatly appreciated right now.

I love my Honey Bear with all of my heart, I am grateful for prayer partners I have here and I thank you all!

Have a great night,
Mar

Great Communication Post...

I just saw this at a fellow bloggers page (Assume Love) - GREAT communication message:

Miscommunication and the Usual Error

When we miscommunicate with our partners, we often feel defensive or angry, because we feel like we've done something wrong. But miscommunications happen all the time. In fact, one cause of miscommunication is so common that we call it the usual error. But there is a light at the end of the communication tunnel: when we miscommunicate, we can remember to assume love instead of reacting defensively.

When we feel misunderstood, we often take it personally. We blame ourselves for not communicating clearly enough, or we blame our partner for failing to understand our intent. On the flipside, when we misunderstand our partner, we play the same blame game. But there's no need to cast blame. It doesn't need to be a question of which one of us made a mistake in communicating. There is a third alternative: to accept that miscommunication happens. People have different points of view, people have different definitions for the same words, and people have different emotional reactions to the same phrase or concept. People are different, and so we'll each interpret words in our own unique way.

Continue reading "Guest Post: Miscommunication and the Usual Error" »

Update....

Hi there, I have just added a layout change to the recipe spot:
http://plowladyrecipebox.blogspot.com/

Now you can search recipes by labels to make it easier to find what you are looking for.

Just giving the heads up :-)

Fresh (Documentary)

Fresh (Documentary) http://www.freshthemovie.com/ You'll never look at your food the same way! From Organic Nation TV

Food, Inc. isn't the only documentary about sustainable food that's currently screening. Fresh, directed by Ana Sofia Joanes, is currently screening at several theaters, coffee shops and other venues around the country, despite the fact that the film doesn't have a distributor yet.

Judging from the trailer alone, Fresh actually looks quite similar to Food, Inc., because it features interviews with Micheal Pollan and Joel Salatin from Polyface Farms, although it appears to have a more inspirational message about the growing sustainable food movement. It also looks like there will be some nice footage of Growing Power founder Will Allen.

An article in the Chicago Tribune this morning announced that the film is coming to the No Exit Cafe in Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood on Tuesday, which Dorothee and I plan to attend. The filmmakers are asking audiences to support the film by hosting screenings themselves, and there's a resources page on the website for those would like to host a screening.

Here's a list of some of the bigger upcoming screenings:
June 26, 2009 – Cincinnati, OH
July 7, 2009 – Williamsburg, VA
July 9, 2009 – Eagle River, WI
July 11, 2009 – Sacramento, CA
July 12, 2009 – Urbana, IL
July 12, 2009 – Waterville, ME
July 19, 2009 – Waterville, ME
July 24th, 2009 – Orrtanna, PA

Advertisers Going Too Far..

We are so glad that we dont sit down to watch TV any more, unless we are at a hotel...we had gotten to the point with the commercials, of actual disgust over them....the sexual inuendos are too much...we are NOT prudes, but thank goodness my son is old enough now to not have to explain what the heck they are selling to us!

Burger King has gone that extra mile in disgust...sex belongs at home (well, anywhere you and YOUR honey feel appropriate), but between two people, NOT taken lightly!

Enough with this already!
Burger King hasnt hit the US market yet with this ad, but it IS out there!

This Is So True...

Ok, first off...wowsers! Its raining cats and dogs here! LOL!

So, yesterday, very very early in the am, we decided to eat at a truck stop - mind you, I have mentioned that you stay clear from them for many reasons - the food is all frozen and reheated, has a high level of contamination, not worth the money and you always walk away dissatisfied...

ANYWAY.... we had no other choice...long story short, we walked out with only paying for our coffee, reporting it all to the manager and it was just such a horrible experience, that yes..I had to contact corporate about it...THAT'S how bad it was...maybe I will tell you on a free day, but its still upsetting to us, so cant right now...

So, after getting a free meal out of the whole deal, with Honey Bear being from New York and my innocence from the Midwest (I never heard of such a thing!), we didn't go back for our free meal, we gave it to a driver who was down and out...

Here is an article that backs up what Honey Bear has ALWAYS told me, NEVER complain about your food and expect to get it redone...they do and WILL spoil it in one way or another (Floor, spit, boogers, you name it...piss them off, and you have an enemy for life!)

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/food/user-post-13-things-your-waiter-wont-tell-you-479179/

read #3..see! Honey Bear was right!

(oh, and ps...if you ever notice in any of my posts, I have lost the ability to use the apostrophe and quote button on this laptop..sometimes blogger will fix the word, sometimes it doesnt, so dont think I am a bad typist, I simply cant use the button! LOL!)

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Quick Spiral Quilt Christmas Tree Skirt
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Hi Everyone

We are in Nebraska today - got some welding done, and now, sitting in a storm...but that's all cool...it gives me a chance to write ya :-)

Its sad to see this past week, losing three great actors....

Our route has changed, so we now go to IN, MI, NJ and will spend the 4th in Chicago...

Oh, and do you remember me telling you about that cute town called Butte, MT, but it is full of the drug meth? Well, yesterday, we were in another cute town in WY, and I had to go to a Walgreen's. On THEIR door, was a notice of meth support...HUGE turn off for a visitor to their town.
I asked just before leaving what it was all about -
here, you have all these cute little towns FULL of commercialism - from restaurants to stores that you see in every town across America anymore....
but the clerk I asked, she said that the people, mostly, the kids...don't have anything to do, they turn to drugs and meth happens to be the drug of choice out there...its such a shame.
But to me, do you want to know what the real shame here is? Well, one real big thing I LOVE about being a New Yorker is, with the exception of Long Island, you have individually owned stores - what we CALL mom and pop shops, not that they are, but they are individually owned, independent, self sufficient, stores all over the place - from delis to drug stores.....well, you cant find but a handful of towns across America like that. Sure, some towns still have them, but not many.

When we were in the Missouri area, (the town we were broken down in), there was all commercial businesses (from Starbucks to walmart) and across the highway, was what the town actually was....there were all your mom and pop shops - barren...empty...no one there...individual stores, businesses...they had it all....but no customers, the customers were across the highway...

THIS my friends, is sadder then seeing the drug addictions across America....

What have we, as a nation, become? None of this used to matter to me in the past...
I went with the flow in my home town area...growth meant the small business owner was booted out, and we got the cooler stuff you found in the cities (as I knew it)..like I said....I didn't appreciate this until I moved to be with Honey Bear in New York....

The major cities still support individual, mom and pop shops...its the suburbs, the outer parts of cities...its the move across every major highway...

I find myself only appreciating three commercial stores - Walmart, Barnes & Noble and major gas stations (no water in gas from sitting)...

Just something to think about....

Well, I have some communication issues going on here with Honey Bear that is just tearing at us, so prayers for us sure would be appreciated right now..

Other then that, I am going to hope for the best and post some great stuff for you here and at the recipe spot..

Enjoy!
Mar

Nice Reminder...

Sometimes God sends the brilliant light of a rainbow to remindus of His presence, lest we forget in our personal darkness Hisgreat and gracious promises to never leave us alone.
-- Verdell Davis

Recycling that pays -- literally

Recycling that pays -- literally
A handful of entrepreneurs have created services that pay you to keep your electronics out of the landfill.

Nice Tweet Message - Ron Hutcfhcraft

RonHutchcraft

Once U stop making decisions based on comfort & follow Jesus to a place where He's everything, you'll begin to blow the lid off your life.

Just A Friendly Reminder...

Hi everyone...

I thought I would just remind everyone about the sweeps/giveaways, freebies, etc.. that I post. Right now, until Honey Bear and I decide NOT to be on the road 24/7, our personal giveaways are on hold. Not that we wont have them again, because we WILL, its just impossible from the road to have them.

I love to share everything that I personally enjoy...that's freebies, sweeps, recipes, crafts, God, Honey Bear, advice, etc...not in that order, or for any other reason then I like them, and I share what I like.

hopefully, you enjoy the posts I make here and I thank you for all the positive emails and prayers you say for Honey Bear, me, us...and our family (we travel with the dog and cat...yes...the dog AND cat! LOL!)... our son is 22, just finished college and has his very first salaried job...so, hes not at home with us on the road...

Anyway...Honey Bear is sleeping, I am SUPPOSE to be too, but he hasn't left any room in the bunk for me, so...I post :-)

I hope you are enjoying this beautiful day and like I said earlier, we are coming to you today from Wyoming and by tomorrow, we should be in Detroit, MI...

If you ever want to take a driving vacation, we highly recommend (a good car for one), but take this route: Make a game plan to see the forests in Washington...mind you, there are MOUNTAINS, not hills, MOUNTAINS...but drive I90 up there and take I84 coming back...we take more then that and drive coast to coast, but this will give you a wonderful ride if you just want to hit the highway and see scenery.

Well, back to posting,
Mar

Hi All...

Good morning...coming from Wyoming, on this beautiful, bad started day for me, day...

No, no breakdowns today....just a day off and I am so upset over other stuff....hopefully, there will be an amazing note in my email box today to lift my heart and mind...

Hope you all enjoy today!!
Mar

I Am A Huge Supporter Of The Mediterranean Diet

Here's some great news articles on it:
Mediterranean Diet May Boost Longevity
WebMD - Want to live a long time? When you prepare dinner tonight, go heavy on the vegetables, skip the meat, and enjoy a bit of wine.
• The Top 8 Mediterranean Super Ingredients ABC News
Alcohol Maybe Key to Success of Mediterranean Diet dBTechno

Just A Note...

Honey Bear will be awake soon, so I may have to disappear again....on our next down time, after doing the laundry, I will update on twitter and the recipe blog...keep looking here and the recipe spot for updates!

Good Morning!

Hi everyone, good morning! Well, we are in Boise, ID this morning...and its a beautiful new day. We haven't had internet access these past few days, but the areas we were in were well worth not being online....just beautiful! We spent the past few days in WA and OR and the last route we were on was through log truck routes (winding through forests, not just trees) with rushing water...just beautiful. And this trip, we saw lots of antelope...its just been so beautiful...simply beautiful.

If you have never been to WA, the area gets so cold, I mean COLD, at night, I was shivering! And the rain....off and on ALL THE TIME....and little coffee/espresso huts all over...so cute...

We absolutely love the west, and yesterday, we ate at this so absolutely wonderful cafe....out in the middle of a desert, the only place really for hundreds of miles....it was on the expensive side, but was so worth it - homemade HUGE meals...two little old ladies....and made from scratch, not greasy, worth every penny. If you ever get that way, its on route 20 in Oregon....

Well, Honey Bear is sleeping, I have had my morning walk with God and now, I am going to try to catch up and post for you before he wakes up...

Enjoy today, its the only one we have :-)

Mar

Good Morning!

What a beautiful morning this is! We are in Idaho, on our way through Washington today. I love how these upper west states are chilly at night and in the morning and hot for only a few hours in the afternoon.

Hopefully, Honey Bear will wake up soon, as I told a client we will be there sometime this morning, and morning is running out! We are soooo exhausted from yesterday.

Well, until then, I can post a FEW things here for you, but mostly, just wishing you all a fantastic Sunday.

Mar

Hi Everyone

Hi there, we are in Idaho right now...with what...another hydraulic break down...sigh....Honey Bear is SO disheartened right now, he can barely take it...me too....I mean, its not our fault for the breakdowns, the dude before us had it for four years with hardly ANY maintenance done on it, so the stuff is breaking on the new guy, my Honey Bear....

I am waiting on him getting back with some hoses and stuff, but if you want to know how dirty and horrible this is, imagine this if you will...you walk by a truck and instead of being shot with a shower of water, its oil...from head to toe...AND to save bossman money, Honey Bear is fixing it again himself...thankfully he knows how to, but that doesn't change the fact of how dirty and dangerous the repair is....its the hose that keeps a deck up, its all over the place (oil) and does not come out of clothes and leaves your skin feeling like you took a bath in skin so soft straight out of the bottle....and keep in mind, there is no jumping in the shower either...you wait to get one...

So, we aren't too happy right now....me for him and him for the job....and to top it off, we haven't any means or housing to fall back on...that's the part that is really bothering him right now and well, not making him an angel to be around, but I love him with all of my heart and grin and bear it and silently pray...

So prayers over and for us would be greatly appreciated.

I may or may not be able to post any more today, but if I do, I hope you enjoy and if I cant, please enjoy this beautiful day.

Hugs to all,
Mar

O! How Could I Forget To Share This One...

My bad....duh...

Ok, for about two years now, I have been praying that Honey Bear would buy us a new cross for our home....there is a history behind this prayer request, not a want....soooooooo.... the other nite, he was outside of the truck and wouldn't let me see what he was diddling around with....he attached a beautiful cross to the front grill of the truck and installed a light behind it so that at nighttime, it would glow...

How awesome is that answered prayer?

So, as I always say....never stop praying and believing, because in Gods timing and ways, if our prayers meet up with His will for something, it WILL happen...

And get this...

The truck is our new home, so isn't that amazing....

My heart is so blessed each time I think about how he said he did it for me...

Gotta love that Honey Bear :-)

Hi everyone!

Yep....me again...

We are sitting in the parking lot of one of our favorite stops along the way. I wrote to you a while back on this place (the last time we were in Wyoming)...its a place called Vimbos in a town called Wheatland...

It is a divey looking place on the outside, but has GREAT food on the inside. The burgers/sandwiches are between 7-9 bucks and the meals are 10-18 bucks...the food is worth it oh! and get this...they have this teeny weeny salad bar, I hate salad bars..this one takes the cake! It has all fresh, delicious food and it will NOT disappoint you.

So, this is probably my last post for tonight, but I just wanted to give the heads up again about this place, its right off of 25 north if you are ever in the area.

Do You Have A Listening Problem?

I do. I swear I hear everything Honey Bear says, I swear it! But apparently, I dont. I swear I pay attention, listen...CARE....

My heart does and I feel a thousand wieghts on my chest when I thought I heard, but hadnt. Its not for stupid reasons, its not that I dont care...something gets lost and I am bound to search for the answer...

If Honey Bear doesnt lose faith in me....

Here is a nice article from Mentoring Moments I thought I would share with you:

The Power of Listening
If I was Paul or if I had anything to do with the writings in the New Testament, I would have added a whole lot of extra gifts to the line up of spiritual gifts. I am one of those people who truly believes we have all been gifted by God with some talent, whether we choose to exercise it or not and somehow 9 gifts just doesn't cover all the wonderful creativity and God given talents I have seen displayed by people all over the world. God truly has an amazing, beautiful mind and His ways are...well, amazingly higher and mysterious.

There are many learned talents out there and there are many God given talents carved within us probably before birth. I find that the talent of listening is one I particularly need. Most people tend to lean towards the most popular talents like singing, speaking, healing, prophesying, and the list goes on. But what about the talents that will require us to spend time with the unwanted? Could you see yourself doing that which would demand your time and focus on someone that's annoying, ornery, hateful, and just plain ugly? Somehow I can hear crickets chirping...

I have to confess, I have a hard time listening to people at times. I don't necessarily enjoy having to sit for long periods of time listening to some lost soul telling me their life story in hopes that at the end of their spill I can give them an antidote for whatever ails them. Is hard to sit through painful conversations or to deal with people who just don't seem to be able to get over their past or get on with their lives after some climactic event. How compassionate does that sound, for a minister's wife? I'm just being honest. Sometimes I don't have the patience or the stamina to hear the same stories over and over again. So what do I do? I tune out! Don't take me wrong, I don't go away and ignore needy people. I sit there and look at them and although thoughts of the lasagna I'm supposed to be baking in an hour float in and out of my mind, I make a great effort to give my undivided attention.

I know this all sounds very out of character for a woman in a leadership position, but hear me out; some of us just aren't gifted enough to sit through the soap operas that many people go through in life. I want to though, I really do. I so want to be that person who listens unconditionally and with utmost patience. I pray that God will make me that person and that He will fill my heart and soul with nothing but compassion for people who do not have it all together...People like me.

Maybe that's the problem...I see too much of me in the stories I hear. Or maybe the problem is that I don't have the answers they need and all I can do is hurt for them. It is very hard to listen to a young girl tell you about the sexual abuse she has been enduring by her own father and not feel a part of you bleed inside. It is equally hard to listen to a close friend tell you she is leaving her husband and children because she has fallen in love with another woman...How do I listen without judging and continue to love like Christ?

I want God to bless me with the gift of listening. Not for the sake of simply hearing stories, but for the purpose of encouraging and learning. I'm pretty sure every story has a unique twist that undoubtedly could impart some wisdom or warning to me as a human. I need to hear what God wants to say to me through people, and if I casually listen I may miss the message. How simple and yet complicated is this business of listening?! In one hand it annoys me to no end while on the other hand I desperately seek for ways to understand what I am being told as if an ancient secret was waiting for me to decipher it.
Listening is an art and a gift, and for some, listening is an unwanted most do!

Barbara Brown Taylor in her book, Leaving Church makes a statement that resonates with me and one I want to share with you;
"When I went home at night, I drove past homeless people pushing their grocery carts down empty streets, and hospitals with all their windows lit. I carried with me all the stories I had heard that day, from the young woman who had just discovered that he baby she carried inside of her was deformed to the old man who had just lost his wife of fifty-seven years. I knew that I would hear more such stories the next day, and the day after that, with no healing power but the power of listening at my command."

Some times we are given great insight into people's lives through spiritual discernment, but sometimes all we are given is the power of listening. I'm learning as I sit and listen to people, that though I may not always know what to say, I can always pray for them. Perhaps God doesn't want me to say a thing at all. Could it be that God strategically placed you and me in the path of someone who needs a listening ear today, just so we can be there as a representative of Christ's love; Jesus with skin...When we listen, we plant a seed, then God takes over and completes the work.


Permalink: mentoringblog.mentoringmoments.net/2009/06/17/distractions.aspx

Hi everyone!

Hi ya all! We are in Wyoming, heading towards Montana and will be there in the morning. Wow, this is a beautiful ride. Honey Bear I think, wants to either kill me or kick me out of the truck today with all the mistakes I make, but hopefully, love WILL prevail...

I will post as I can. Not sure if we are stopped for a few minutes or hours. If I pop off, then this is just a pitstop and I will return later.

Either way, hope you all are enjoying this beautiful day,
Mar

Good Morning!

Hi again, coming to you from Denver this morning. I had horrible and I mean HORRIBLE internet connection yesterday, hence the only post was a greeting. But today, I have just enough internet time as Honey Bear will take at the CB shop...so, if I disappear on ya, he came back...

How are you all doing? I hope good -- getting out in the beautiful days (hot as they are, it sure is a nice sign of summer). Well, I am the mother of a man now...my wonderful son just graduated from college, is 22 and is holding his first salaried position. It is SO hard to imagine, as I still see him as a kid....

We re-watced twilight last night...I dont know what the hoopla is all about, it is an OK movie...not the best Vampire movie out there. And we are STILL trying to get into Angels and Demons....I havent done movie reviews in a while, but just to give you the heads up if you havent seen these yet...they are good when nothing else is on...thats my take on them anyway.

So, I am going to visit my emails, TRY to post a bit for you, but we are due for a day off soon, THEN I can really post away on the twitter and recipes too.

Have a GREAT day and thanks for being a part of our home...
Mar

Good Morning!

Good morning everyone, I sure do hope you are out enjoying today!

We are coming to you this morning from Colorado - an hour west of Denver. I love going through all of the different states. So far my favorites are Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming and occassionally Michigan and Ohio (depends on what part of the state).

As I have said in the past, I am originally from the midwest, moved to New York for my Honey Bear who is a born and raised Bronx boy (Yeah!) ten years ago. We have traveled every state except South Carolina.

I just wanted to also include some reminders here:

Please cast a vote for us (to the right of the page) on blogspot
Please remember that all the recipes you would find here, you can now find on the recipe blog: http://plowladyrecipebox.blogspot.com/
All reviews and giveaways are on HOLD - not stopped, just on hold

And most importantly, love that family of yours in every way you can!

Enjoy your day,
Mar

The Bargain -- Authot Unknown

This is the second time I have come across this story - it is such a great reminder!

The Bargain
Author: Unknown

During one of the many Reformation battles, a young soldier found himself and his army being soundly defeated by the enemy. He and his comrades hastily retreated from the battlefield in defeat, running away in fear of their very lives.

The enemy gave chase. The young man ran hard and fast, full of fear and desperation, and soon found himself cut off from his comrades. The soldier eventually came upon a rocky ledge containing a cave.

Knowing the enemy was close behind, and that he was exhausted from the chase, he chose to hide there. After he crawled in, he fell to his face in the darkness, desperately crying to God to save him and protect him from his enemies. He made a bargain with God. He promised that if God saved him, he would serve Him for the remainder of his days.

When he looked up from his despairing plea for help, he saw a spider beginning to weave its web at the entrance to the cave. As he watched the delicate threads being slowly drawn across the mouth of the cave, the young soldier pondered its irony.

He thought, "I asked God for protection and deliverance, and He sent me a spider instead. How can a spider save me?"

His heart was hardened, knowing the enemy would soon discover his hiding place and kill him. Soon he did hear the sound of his enemies, who were now scouring the area looking for those in hiding.

One soldier with a gun slowly walked up to the cave's entrance. As the young man crouched in the darkness, hoping to surprise the enemy in a last-minute desperate attempt to save his own life, he felt his heart pounding wildly out of control.

As the enemy cautiously moved forward to enter the cave, he came upon the spider's web, which by now was completely strung across the opening. He backed away and called out to a comrade, "There can't be anyone in here. They would have had to break this spider's web to enter the cave. Let's move on."

Years later, this young man, who made good his promise by becoming a preacher and evangelist, wrote about that ordeal.

What he observed has stood by me in times of trouble, especially during those times when everything seemed impossible:

"Where God is, a spider's web is as a stone wall. Where God is not, a stone wall is as a spider's web."

"For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things." - Luke 12:30

Once … Always?

(Editted from: Proverbs 31 Ministries)
I am editing and posting this post from proverbs 31, as this applies to me, is what I believe and what I have a personal problem in my own life with...maybe it applies to you as well??

Once a liar, always a liar. Once a bitter person, always a bitter person. Once a failure, always a failure. Once impure, always impure. Once a bad mom, always a bad mom. Once a person living in fear, always a person living in fear. "Once a ____, always a ____."

What did you fill in the blank with? Do you have anything from your past that still defines you? I have good news for you. You can stop living like this today.

Maya Angelo said, "When people show you who they are, believe them…the first time." I will have to disregard Ms. Angelo's statement. "Once a ___, does not make me (or you) always a ____." Why? Because of who Jesus is in us. Our God is not only a God of second chances, He is a God of infinite chances, forgiveness and grace.

We can't change what people think about us. Sure, we can try to explain how we've changed, but often others will define us by one or more sins we've committed in the past. It's happened to me before. Even though I may have once earned the "Once/Always" names I was called, I know that's not who I truly am. Our identity is NOT in what we did, but in who and Whose we ARE.

"Once a ___, always a ___"? No ma'am, that is not true in the context of Christ! In Christ, you are washed clean. Look again at our key verse, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the old has gone, the new has come." The old has gone. Gone. Gone. It's gone! Answer the question Jesus asks, "Who do you say I am?" And believe the answer that He is your Sav ior from condemnation. You are a new creation in Christ Jesus. No person or past action can take that from you because, "Once a beloved child of God, always a beloved child of God." That is the truth!

Dear Lord, I pray today that You will remind me that I am precious and washed clean in Your sight. The shed blood of Jesus on the cross is proof that I am no longer captive to what I've done or who people say I am. I am Yours! In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Good Morning!

Good morning friends! Well, we are sitting in a rest area in Ohio this morning....whew, what a break we needed.

I have been riding with Honey Bear for a month and a half now, and he as just about killed me a few times (yeah, I know...read my own posts...), we have had four major break downs, (ECM-the brain of the truck, blown air bag (the shocks of the truck), three hydraulic lines burst (the lube for the decks to move up and down) and all the trailer lights went out (on a rainy NIGHT)...I have had my feet BOTH near crushed by a metal bar (they are still messed up) and Honey Bear had to get to the Emergency Care for a HUMONGOUS cyst...Our doggy had us scared to death to the point of me writing a vet, and our cat TRIED to escape.....and we lost our home.....

BUT.....we travel east coast west coast - experiencing all the states, people, food, places...every day is a new experience for us....we see the country like so many people don't or cant on very little money, doing one of the hardest, dangerous jobs out there (car hauling).....

And we love it....

I love working side by side with Honey Bear - if he is wet, I am wet...if he is cold, I am cold, if he is working hard, I am working hard....I thank our Father in Heaven for doing this for us and to us...

It is a rainy day here in Ohio, but that's OK....Honey Bear is sleeping for another hour or so, so I am going to pop onto the net and see what finds I can grab to share...

Have yourself a wonderful day and remember, we are ALL loved, no matter who we are, what we have, what we do, no matter anything.....we are all loved and blessed with this brand new day :-) so SMILE! and have a great day!

Mar

Good Morning...

Good Sunday morning to you all!

We are in Ohio this morning, on our way up thru Michigan, down to Indiana, then Oregon and Washington....

Today is such a beautiful morning...I miss Midwest mornings...I may not like to admit I am from Illinois originally (35 yrs there, til Honey Bear who is a born and raised Bronx boy! Personally, I have been a NYr for the past ten, and we did a year in PA)...ANYWAY....This week has been a rough week for us....Honey Bear needed to go to the doc...my feet are still screwed up from my accident a month ago, the truck broke down this past week (the lights), bossman is edgy, we are on each others nerves (the only draw back of being with each other 24/7, and I am cranky from it all...

Not a good way to start this beautiful day, but I AM praying and hoping that today is a great day all around.

Well, let me hit the Internet to find you some great stuff before Honey Bear wakes up and my hope for you all, is that YOU have and enjoy a beautiful day like today as well.

Mar

OH! I Forgot To Tell You...

Listen, I am NO doctor nor do I claim to know much more then being a great mom when it comes to treating my family, but....Honey Bear suffers from blood pressure issues (too high) and diabetes 2. We have to keep getting his meds refilled and I am a devote user of garlic caps (the strongest ones 3-4 times a day...I also believe in the power of onions, capsasen, cinnamon and turmeric. I have been taking garlic caps for a few years now because I have such an issue with yeast (being a HUGE carb addict), so...I started Honey Bear on 4 garlic caps a day (with meals, spaced pretty evenly apart during the day) and a cinnamon capsule (you can find them now in the diabetes section at Walmart)...when he went to the med clinic the other day, his blood pressure dropped and is slightly higher then mine now! I took him off his meds about a month to month and a half ago...

Do some research on them (garlic and cinnamon), see if its something you would be interested in...just an idea..

“If” By: Rudyard Kipling

“If”
By: Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about youAre losing theirs and blaming it on you,If you can trust yourself when all men doubt youBut make allowance for their doubting too,If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream–and not make dreams your master,If you can think–and not make thoughts your aim;If you can meet with Triumph and DisasterAnd treat those two impostors just the same;If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spokenTwisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,And stoop and build ‘em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winningsAnd risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,And lose, and start again at your beginningsAnd never breath a word about your loss;If you can force your heart and nerve and sinewTo serve your turn long after they are gone,And so hold on when there is nothing in youExcept the Will which says to them: “Hold on!”

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,Or walk with kings–nor lose the common touch,If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;If all men count with you, but none too much,If you can fill the unforgiving minuteWith sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,And–which is more–you’ll be a Man, my son!

Overlook Offense

This is another area I want to change about myself, as I am super guilty of it - not just lately, but my whole life...Joel has a great message here for myself as well as any one else:


"Good sense makes a man restrain his anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression or an offense"(Proverbs 19:11, AMP)
TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Not long ago, a lady came and told me, “Joel, the reason I quit coming to church, the reason I hadn’t been here in two months is because everybody was talking about me. Everybody was against me.” I didn’t say it, but I thought to myself, “Ma’am, everybody doesn’t know you. If you sit on one side of the building, the people on the other side probably have never even seen you.” What happened? She was carrying offense and got distracted trying to fight a battle that wasn’t worth fighting. Someone offended her or said something she didn’t like, and instead of letting it go, she fell into a trap. “Well, I’m not going to come to church. I’ll just show them.” She got distracted trying to prove her point and the only person she ended up hurting was herself. That’s what happens when we carry offenses. Things get blown out of proportion--“Everybody is against me. Everybody is talking about me.”

We shouldn’t allow offenses to distract us and get us off course. Instead, we need to stay focused on what God’s called us to do and overlook offense. Choose your battles wisely so you can fulfill the destiny God has prepared for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, search my heart today. Remove any offense or any wrong attitude that would stand in the way of Your best for my life. I love You and bless You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

The Master List of Free Online College Courses

http://universitiesandcolleges.org/

April 27th, 2009
This is the most comprehensive and up-to-date collection of free online college classes available to the general public. We’ll be updating this list frequently, so please bookmark it for future reference and let us know about any broken links or free online courses we’ve missed.
Table of Contents
General Collections
Math and Science
History
Arts and Humanities
Business and Economics

The renewal of our natures is a work of great importance...

The renewal of our natures is a work of great importance. It isnot to be done in a day. We have not only a new house to buildup, but an old one to pull down. -- George Whitefield

Wow...June 12th Already...

Hi there my friends...

Well, we are coming at you from New Jersey right now and what an eight days it has been...

We got back on the road after that second breakdown only to have another major breakdown three days later, one customer was a real bugger, but otherwise, the rest were pretty cool about that. And now, today...or should I say tonight, we lost all the trailer lights...

We think it is a bad luck thing happening with us..

You know when you tell a stage artist, Break a leg and it brings THEM bad luck? Well, WE feel that every time someone has wished us a great trip, something has happened - no kidding! It has happened to us each time...

Oh well...

I have TONS of emails to get to, missed you all, just so you know :-) I only have repair time right now to be online, so hope you don't mind and I will try to post fresh and great stuff for you as I go.

Oh, and also, we lost our home - I know I haven't told you THAT story yet, I still may, but I will save it for another day. And we also had to get Honey Bear to the medical center yesterday - as I said before, when it rains it pours - but the good thing is, there is ALWAYS a rainbow in the end and isn't that amazing :-)

Enjoy the mailing, the blog and your day

Hugs to all,
Mar

Well...

Well, good morning....

Honey Bear is sleeping for one more hour and I have to shower and pack...we are leaving the hotel this morning at checkout - it literally broke us....we are going to HAVE to stay in the truck at the shop until Thursday or Friday...mind you, it is not a big sleeper (our last truck had two beds, shelves, closets, room...this one does not...two small storage closets and a small bed...and to be stuck in the middle of no where in a shop that's only open til 5, what a nightmare...

He is so depressed about not making money as we sit, about his paycheck being gone because of the break downs...and to not have even been able to enjoy this hotel time (although we DID get a couple chances in the pool to TRY to unwind, unsuccessfully....)

I have been praying over not just our present situation, but his bossman, the unfinished stuff in New York, just everything.....so in Gods silence, I am trying to wait...trying is the key word...I KNOW He is here, I see Him here, feel Him here...I just cant hear Him....

But, that's OK...He has given Honey Bear and me another day, and that's a blessing, not a curse! No mater what the enemy tries to tell us during this time, God has His ways, and that, I will respect..

I will post for the next 20 minutes or so, then I have to run. If there is an Internet connection at the shop, I can hook up to it and post either here or twitter...if not, enjoy your day!

Mar

The turning point in our lives is...

The turning point in our lives is when we stop seeking the Godwe want and start seeking the God who is.
-- Patrick Morley

Have You Ever....

Have you ever had an angel come out of no where? Seriously? Do you believe in angels??

I have some awesome examples of angels...
1-my car ran out of gas, the gas station was up a hill and around the block...two men came out of no where and pushed my car to the pump isle! disappeared...
2-when my son had his first febrile convulsion, a scary looking man, who turned into an angel and prayed for him saved us and took us to the hospital when I couldn't drive AND returned my belongings to my husband
3-when I broke my finger and couldn't think straight, a very quiet man gave me not one, but TWO quarters to make phone calls for help
4-when Honey Bear doubts us, a stranger will come over and comment on our love...

These are at the top of my mind...do YOU have some angel stories to tell???

Blogger or Not, Join MomSelect And Have Your Say With Tons More!

I belong, you should too! What an awesome group - you get a bunch of info, products, opportunity - it is such a great group, that I just HAVE to post it!

Here is the overview, and then join as a Mom OR a Blogger Mom!

Moms are the most powerful consumer group in the world. Companies each day try to connect with you with marketing messages, product information and brand promises. Some do it well while others fall short.
For over a decade, BSM Media has been working to help companies speak to moms about products and brands in a relevant and valuable manner. It has been the passion of Maria Bailey, BSM Media's CEO and author of "Marketing to Moms," to educate companies on the buying power of mothers, the intelligence that they apply to purchasing products and solutions they seek for their family via value, price, safety, health and enrichment. Today she and her team work with the biggest brands around the globe to deliver marketing programs that respect, honor and leverage relationships with real-life moms.
The best marketing relationships are a two way street -- a two way dialogue. Mom Select is a platform that allows mothers to choose to participate in marketing programs and creates a place for you to let us know about marketing opportunities in your community. Our mission is to create a bridge between moms and brands.
BSM Media offers a variety of ways to engage with companies. They are fun, educational and empowering and allow you to share free samples with friends, host in home parties or review the newest products for moms. Best of all, YOU get to choose the programs!
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