THE CUP THAT OVERFLOWS

Each of us is a vessel, a container --in other words, a cup.

Life teaches us that what any person has to contribute, what we can give away to others, is the overflow from his or her cup.

The challenge each of us faces in this life is to fill our cup “full”-to-overflowing.

This is done through daily renewal of our spiritual life. We can renew our spirit in many different ways such as: bible reading, praying, devotions, praise and worship and many more.

I cannot serve others (--share my "overflow") when my own cup is low or drained.

So that I may be a contributing person to my family and friends and community, I must make the effort to continually fill my cup.

Prayer: Lord help me today and everyday to continually fill my cup so that I may be a blessing to those around me. Help me to keep my cup full so that I will have something to offer when needed. Help me to NOT let my cup go empty... Amen.

We live in such a needy world. People are hurting, struggling, looking and just waiting. Sometimes just an encouraging word can make the difference in someone else’s life. Do not assume that just because they are wearing a big smile on their face that everything is o.k. Sometime behind that smile is a hurting person just looking for that encouragement, that hug, that love.

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Enjoy!

Life and Books

Today my blog will be more like a parallel between life and books.

Just like all the books out there…so are all of our lives. Each life is different. Each one has beginning and an ending. Each life is filled with blessings, adventures, changes and just plain “LIFE”.

Some books are very similar and yet they are uniquely different. Some are new and some are weathered. So is it with our lives. Some are new and just beginning and some have lived their life to the fullest and are in their last Chapter.

Do you ever put or wear a cover on your life? You know, like the covers we used to put on our books in school. We would pick the cover we like for each subject. Instead of the dull-normal-boring “book cover”. I have to say I have been guilty of both…book covers and life covers. But I am striving to become more “REAL” everyday…after all that is what we should strive for… To be REAL.

In life we spend our time growing up, getting married, having children, raising children, watching our children grow and change into adults, become empty nesters, and hopefully grand-parents one day. Then we continue living our life and watch our children live their adult lives. During this whole process we have extra-curricular activities going on ALL the time…home life, jobs, church functions and activities, birthday parties….the list goes on and on.

In books there are chapters…each one holding something different. And the last chapter…the ending…is here before we know it, especially if the book has captured our attention.

Life captures our attention on a daily basis. Keep us entangled, whether good or bad. It keeps us focused and keeps us busy. Don’t be too busy, take time to enjoy those things in life…that spouse, those children, that job. Enjoy your church and your church family. Be involved. Focus on the things that really matter . Make and Keep God the center of your life, always.

Tomorrow I start a new chapter in my “Book of life”. This chapter will be dedicated to A Job Change. For the past 20 plus years I have worked the same job for the same boss. Tomorrow I start a new job. With a new boss. With new people. New Adventure…New Life Chapter.

While this makes me a little nervous it also has some excitement with it. At the moment more nervous than excited.

I will share more after my first day tomorrow.

Let me say GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME!
He is in control of our lives and His timing is perfect.

Enjoy your life as you Journey Through the Pages. Just like you would enjoy a good book.
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Enjoy!

Changes

Recognize any of these signs? have you seen them before....

Unfortunately, we do not always get the sign.

But the changes do come.

Big and small.

Our lives are full of changes.

Change is difficult for most of us especially when it catches us completely off guard.

Changes come in ALL shapes, sizes, and types.

For some it could be their job or their finances, for some it could be family related, some it could be health related, for some it could be relationships.

For me this past year it has been changes in all of the above areas...
(more to come in a future post)

Changes cause us to look to our Heavenly Father who knows all of "OUR LIFE PLANS". He orchestrates the changes to fulfill the purpose He has for us. The purpose He wants for our life.

We get the privilege to share our changes-experiences with others to help them through their changes and help them to be overcomers...just like we are to be.

People say, "Change is good...helps us to grow and mature".
I am not sure that I agree with that statement. But I do know from personal experience that it can s-t-r-e-t-c-h us in ways we have not been s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d before. I think maybe sometime we just adapt to the change...but with change can come.....

Thank you, Father, for all your blessing on me and my family and friends.

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Enjoy

Masks, Masks, and More Masks

As I sit here tonight I am thinking of all the different masks that we all wear.

Observations of masks:

1. They are uncomfortable

2. They force us to stay on our toes and constantly be on guard

3. It is extremely lonely behind the mask

4. Masks force us to keep our distance from others

5. They prevent us from having meaningful relationships

6. We are the only one that is fooled by our mask not anyone else

7. God doesn't even see the mask, his eyes pierce right through to the heart

We all wear different ones at different times. At times we all hide behind our masks.

Depending on the occasion, our circumstances, our mood, etc... we throw on a mask to fit our need at that moment. We are afraid to let people see the "real" person we are.

At work, we may wear the mask of authority or power to appear in control.

At home, we may wear the mask of contentment, one that portrays that everythig is ok.

At church, we may wear the self-righteous "I have this God stuff in my life all together".

On and on we go, shuffling on and off from situation to situation, until one day our mask fails us. No matter how good we are at the game, the mask becomes worn and develops cracks in it. And people begin to see the "real" person through the cracks. People sometimes reach out to help us when they begin to SEE what is going on with us . But we pull out the biggest mask of all..the mask of "pride" and this mask does not allow anyone inside.

All masks eventually become a prison that we live in. A prison that we have built up in our mind, built by our own actions, built by losing our "real" self along the way.

It is time that we all remove our masks, and pour our hearts "our REAL hearts" out to God and cast those masks on Him. And find someone...a true friend that we can be accountable to and share our short comings with. Let that true friend inside your walls and masks to help lift you up. It takes a long time to build those masks so it will take time to tear them down also.

Ecclesiates 4:10 (NIV) If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him.

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Enjoy!!

A Time and Season for Everything

Just like there are seasons of Nature There are also Seasons of Life.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 says

There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven.
A time to be born, and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest.
A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to rebuild.
A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
A time to search and a time to lose. A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak up.
A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace.

verse (9) What do people really get for their hard work? (10)I have thought about this in connection with the various kinds of work God has given people to do. (11) God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end. (12) So I concluded that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to enjoy themselves for as long as they can. (13) And people should eat, drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.

We go through many seasons in our lives. Spiritually sometimes we feel like we are in the Springtime, and other times we feel like we are going through our winter. But whatever season we find ourselves we should remember "God is with us" and God is going to see us through whatever we are going through.
He is our strength, our refuge, our "whatever" we need in whatever season we find ourself.

Blessings to you.
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Enjoy!

Thought for The Day

This is my quote and challege to everyone today on my facebook page.

"If each person would take five (5) minutes of their precious time and did one (1) thing for just one (1) person ... not for respect, or reward, or self recognition...but just did it...what a different world this would be."
This provoked thinking on my part....thinking about others and all the needs that are out there. I started thinking about prayer and prayer requests.

Pictures taken from (www.i-heart-god.com)

How many times do we get e-mail requests .... or other prayer requests.....

How many times do we say to someone "I will pray for you" or "I will say a prayer for you" or "I've been praying for you.". And then do we actually follow through with it...do we lift the person and their need up to our Father in Heaven, who is more than willing to meet the need. Have we really been praying for them?

God is on His throne He is ready and waiting for us to come to Him. We can come to Him for ourself and our need or we can offer up needs for others.

Sometimes we need people to pray for us and with us because we simply cannot pray for ourself.

Sometimes life seems so hard we just need someone to stand in the gap with us or for us.

Ephesians 3:20 says, "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think, according to the power that is at work in us."

Has there ever been a time in your life when someone lifted you up...either spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally,or any way... OR have you been the one that did the lifting.

If so take a minute to leave a comment and share that experience...

Thanks for taking time to stop by....

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Enjoy!

Thoughts and Randomness

This picture expresses how I think that my mind must look today.

So many different thoughts going on at the same time. Can hardly focus on just one.
Thoughts ranging from church, christians friendships, family, husband, work, daughters, lunch, work, friends, flowers, weddings, valentines, etc.

You name it it's probably in there somewhere.

Too many time we forget to take our thoughts captive (as the word tells us to do). Take captive...capture them. One by one.

Concentrate on them.
Enjoy them...that is the good ones and the positive ones.
Ponder them...aks yourself "should I act upon this thought or not". Maybe it is something we should do for someone. Something we should say...Maybe it is a simple nudging that we are to follow through on... just sayin' -- think about it!

Dismiss some of them...you know those ones we all have, the evil, unhealthy ones.

Just a random post about the things we think.

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Enjoy!

Thoughts to Ponder

Dance like there's nobody watching, love like you'll never get hurt, and sing like there's nobody listening

Take time for what soothes your soul.

Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.

The most important things in life aren't things.

Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.

Success is never final. Failure is never fatal. It is courage that counts. - Winston Churchill

A winner is a dreamer who never quits.

A family stitched together with love seldom unravels.

Home ,where you always find “warm words” on a cold day.

A family is a gift that lasts forever.

Home is where they have to let you in.

Home is the place where we grumble the most and are loved the best.

Hearts that love are always in bloom.

Where there is great love there are always miracles.

Send me a comment and let me know which is your favorite!!!

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Enjoy!

Quote for the Day

"Yesterday's failures are today's seeds that must be diligently planted to be able to abundantly harvest tomorrow's successes." - Author Unknown

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Enjoy!

Thoughts to Ponder

This is a copy of a column that my husband had read and forwarded to me.

Just things to think about!!!!

Written By Regina Brett, 50 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio (Written September 20, 2007)
"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me.. It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 50 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone...
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch 5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it. ( then ask for forgiveness, when you are ready to accept that He knows best)
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present..
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret,you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind..
17.. Get rid of anything that isn't useful,beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19.. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21.. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything.. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood with you.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

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Enjoy!!!!

These are some thoughts for today: Some are actual quotes. Most of them came from "The Quote Garden"

If you read them and like one or more please comment back to me and let me know.





Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. - Theodore Roosevelt

The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today. - Franklin D. Roosevelt


Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.- Winston Churchill

Chains do not hold a marriage together. It is threads, hundreds of tiny threads which sew people together through the years. ~Simone Signoret

One advantage of marriage is that, when you fall out of love with him or he falls out of love with you, it keeps you together until you fall in again. ~Judith Viorst


Those who can laugh without cause have either found the true meaning of happiness or have gone stark raving mad. ~Norm Papernick


Computers have lots of memory but no imagination. ~Author Unknown

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Enjoy!!

"Quote" From Frank Outlaw

"Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny."~ Frank Outlaw ~

This quote is at the bottom of my blog, but I am sure that not everyone reads the complet blog page.
So, I wanted to post it today...for thoughts to ponder.
As you read it break it doen section by section and meditate on it:

"Watch your thoughts; they become words.

Watch your words; they become actions.

Watch your actions; they become habits.

Watch your habits; they become character.

Watch your character; it becomes your destiny."
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WOW! How profound and true is this quote.
Please post a comment if you read this and let me know what you think.
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Enjoy!

Shoes In Church

To all my Blogger friends:


THIS IS KINDA LONG, BUT GOOD.

I read this story in an e-mail, and it brought tears to my eyes.
Made me realize how sometime we are all sooo busy to notice
What is really going on-—right next to us----


Read this story with an open mind and open heart….
- - - - - - - -

SHOES IN CHRUCH

I showered and shaved............. I adjusted my tie.

I got there and sat down.............. In a pew just in time.

Bowing my head in prayer.........

As I closed my eyes.

I saw the shoe of the man next to me..... Touching my own.

I sighed.With plenty of room on either side......

I thought, 'Why must our soles touch?'

It bothered me, his shoe touching mine... But it didn't bother him much.

A prayer began: 'Our Father'............... I thought,

'This man withthe shoes, has no pride.

They're dusty, worn, and scratched.

Even worse, there are holes on the side!

''Thank You for blessings,' the prayer went on.

The shoe man said............... A quiet 'Amen.

'I tried to focus on the prayer.......

But my thoughts were on his shoes again.

Aren't we supposed to look our best.

When walking through that door?

Well, this certainly isn't it, I thought,

Glancing toward the floor.

Then the prayer was ended........... And the songs of praise began.

The shoe man was certainly loud...... Sounding proud as he sang.

His voice lifted the rafters......... His hands were raised high.

The Lord could surely hear the shoe man's voice from the sky.

It was time for the offering.......And what I threw in was steep.

I watched as the shoe man reached.... Into his pockets so deep.

I saw what was pulled out.......... What the shoe man put in.

Then I heard a soft 'clink'. As when silver hits tin.

The sermon really bored me.......... To tears, and that's no lie.

It was the same for the shoe man... For tears fell from his eyes.

At the end of the service ....... As is the custom here.

We must greet new visitors, And show them all good cheer.

But I felt moved somehow............. And wanted to meet the shoeman.

So after the closing prayer.......... I reached over and shook his hand.

He was old and his skin was dark..... And his hair was truly a mess.

But I thanked him for coming......... For being our guest.

He said, 'My names' Charlie............ I'm glad to meet you, myfriend.'

There were tears in his eyes........ But he had a large, wide smile.

'Let me explain,' he said.......... Wiping tears from his eyes.

'I've been coming here for months.... And you're the first to
say 'Hi.''

I know that my appearance..........'Is not like all the rest.

'But I really do try..................'To always look my best.'

'I always clean and polish my shoes. .. 'Before my very long walk.

'But by the time I get here.........'They're dirty and dusty, likechalk.

'My heart filled with pain.......... And I swallowed to hide my tears.

As he continued to apologize........ For daring to sit so near

He said, 'When I get here...........'I know I must look a sight.

'But I thought if I could touch you... ‘Then maybe our souls might unite.

'I was silent for a moment........... Knowing whatever I could say

Would pale in comparison... I spoke from my heart, not my head.

“Oh, you've touched me,' I said......'And taught me, in part;

'That the best of any man............'Is what is found in his heart.

'The rest, I thought,............. This shoe man will never know.

Like just how thankful I really am... That his dirty old shoe
touched my soul

- - - - - - - -

My friend, You are special to me and you have made a difference in my life.
I respect you, and truly cherish you…

- - - - - - - -
Send this to your friends, No matter how often you talk, Or how close you are,

Let old friends know you haven't forgotten them,

and tell new friends you never will.

Remember, everyone needs a friend…

Someday you might feel like you have no friends at all.

Just remember this story and take comfort in knowing that

Someone out there cares about you.....And always will.

Live each day as your last; it could be!

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Enjoy!

Bible vs Cell Phone

I received this in an email last week. It was just too "Thought Provoking" not to forward to my blogger friends.

Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?

What if we ….. carried it around in our purses or pockets?

What if we ….. flipped through it several time a day?

What if we ….. turned back to go get it if we forgot it?

What if we ….. used it to receive messages from the text?

What if we ….. treated it like we couldn't live without it?

What if we ….. gave it to kids as gifts?

What if we ….. used it when we traveled?

What if we ….. used it in case of emergency?

This is something to make you go....hmm...where is my Bible?

Oh, and one more thing.

Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being
disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill.

Makes you stop and think ‘where are my priorities’?

And best of all “no dropped calls”!

----Enjoy

A Time for Everything

Today is a spiritual post. I have been pondering the busyness of our lives and was reminded of the following passage of scripture.

Ecclesiastes 3 (New International Version)

There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build up,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

Revised: (my paraphrase)

a time for family,
a time for friends,

a time for love,

a time for fun,

a time for embracing life,

a time to rest,

a time to just breathe,

a time to be be still and know "He is God".

In our busyness, we must bever be to busy to take time to smell the roses...and take time to 'be still' and know that

God is God and he has everything under control.

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Enjoy!

Ever Wonder Why?

Hardly ever feel bad and almost never go to the doc but had been feeling under the weather the last couple of days. Went to the Doc. yesterday found out that I have the shingles (big girl chicken pox) she called them. Wow they are extreeeeemeeeely painful!

As I was lazying (is that a word?) found these thoughts, thought they were interesting.

Ever Wonder Why?
Why the sun lightens our hair, but darkens our skin?
Why women can't put on mascara with their mouth closed?
Why "abbreviated" is such a long word?
Why doctors call what they do "practice"?
Why sheep don't shrink when it rains?
Why they call the airport "the terminal" if flying is so safe?

Especially like the one about the doctor, since I saw mine this week and for the first 1/2 hour of our visit she had NO idea what was wrong with me.

Enjoy!

Making History

Today was an important day in our country's history. Lots of news, lots of highlights.

We will be reminded often of the significance of today and what it means to us and our country.

As you see, read, and hear these reminders...remember to pray for our President and our country.

Be thankful for and remember all of our Father's blessings and thank Him daily for His presence and continual blessings in our lives.

For with Him all things are possible.

Time Management

Wow! What a week! All the Holidays behind us and back to work we go.
Clearing out the records from 2008 and creating new ones for the new 2009.
My mom was right...time does seem to go alot faster the older you get.
No matter how you seem to manage your time, there never seems to be enough of it to go around. One day you wake up and think...where did the day, the week, or the month go?
Hopefully in the new year I can manage my time better. Spend more time with family and friends and less time with the mundane things of life (like work and housework).
God has been so good and so faithfu to me and my family this past year and I know He has even more in store for us this new year.
My prayer for you is that Our Heavenly Father will meet you "where you are" and bless you more abundantlay than ever before.
Count your blessings everyday.

Quotes

Here are some interesting "Quotes and/or Thoughts to Ponder".
As we go through our daily routines sometimes it is nice to read something that makes us smile for no reason. Or makes think of something or someone we have not thought of in a long time.
Read and enjoy!

Dance like there's nobody watching, love like you'll never get hurt, and sing like there's nobody listening.

Take time for what soothes your soul.

Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.

The most important things in life aren't things.

Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.

Home is where they have to let you in.

I'm not aging...I'm marinating...

Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been. -Mark Twain

Have a great day!