Devotion worth saving.......

I found this devotion while poking around in the computer. Wow! Tt is worthy of sharing and remembering. I can't say I have ever seen is written quite this way but when you put the pieces together, hopefully our quilts will be filled with hole that reflect how worthy we are in the eyes of God.

Devotion worth saving.......

Quilt of Holes

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls. Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life. But as myangel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all. I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened. My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air. Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me,and nodded for me to rise.My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also beentrials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been heldup to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up tothe Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me. And now, I had toface the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was. Irose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light. Anawe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes. Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, "Everytime you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles. Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you." May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through! Please share this with someone you love, care about or even someone who needs Jesus in their heart. They may scoff, but at least theseed has been planted, and God will do the rest. May God bless you today and Forever! And so ye are blessed!

God determines who walks into your life....it's upto you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go.

When there is nothing left but God that is when you find out that God is all you need.

Father, God bless all my friends in whatever it is that you know they may need this day! And may their life be full of your peace, prosperity and power as they seek to have a closer relationship with you.

Amen.

Hope you all enjoy this as much as I did. God Bless.

We are so blessed

Cincinnati is a town that usually has failry mild winters. Infact our winter has been so mild up to now, people were out exercising , even without their coats. We have had a couple days that made you want to shiver but with February right around the corner we need to get winter out of our systen. Get a little and and make a few snow angels in the snow . And even if we don't like it, or want it, we need to get a little exercise by doing our share of shoveling of the white stuff . Then when March comes we can be asured that the winter has had it's fill and Spirng can spring into action.

Ah, Spring. Sounds nice. Today we got up to a tempature of 12 degree. Do we have room to complain, NO. Some people are dealing the worry of how they are going to pay to keep their homes warm. And still others have had frozen water pipes for three weeks now. I can't even wrap my mind around not having water for ONE week, let alone Three.

Bless us Lord. Forgive us when we complain. For without the differences in the weather and seasons, life wouldn't be near as interesting. With the changes in the seasons we are blessed to witness God's hand at work. Help those who have money woe about the rising cost of fuel to heat their homes. Help them to find a way. Help us to count our belssing each day and remember the mericles of good health, the beauty of a rose, the birth of a child, the healing of a sick man. God, we know you walk with us even when we complain and you believe in us even when we stop believing in ourselves.

God is so good. We are so blessed.

Opra and Billy Graham

I found this while surfing the net and thought it was a good thing to pass on. If you like Opra and Billy Graham you'll like this. The interesting part about these two people is that they are self made icons. They are both exceptional people. Both, taking a different approach on life by reaching out to to help people. And not just the one's that are in their neighborhood but nation wide. If we could all practice the giving spirit that to of them have, I just know this world would be a better place.

I tried to find out who wrote this but nothing was given. If anyone knows, please let me know. I would love to give them credit for this. Enjoy:

Billy Graham and Oprah

Last year I watched Billy Graham being interviewed by Oprah Winfrey on television. Oprah told him that in her childhood home, she use to watch him preach on a little black and white TV while sitting on a linoleum floor.

She went on to the tell viewers that in his lifetime Billy has preached to twenty-million people around the world, not to mention the countless numbers who have heard him whenever his crusades are broadcast. When she asked if he got nervous before facing a crowd, Billy replied humbly, "No, I don't get nervous before crowds, but I did today before I was going to meet with you."

Oprah's show is broadcast to twenty-million people every day. She is comfortable with famous stars and celebrities but seemed in awe of Dr. Billy Graham. When the interview ended, she told the audience, "You don't often See this on my show, but we're going to pray." Then she asked Billy to close in prayer. The camera panned the studio audience as they bowed their heads and closed their eyes just like in one of his crusades.

Oprah sang the first line from the song that is his hallmark "Just as I am, without a plea," misreading the line and singing off'-key, but her voice was full of emotion and almost cracked.

When Billy stood up after the show, instead of hugging her guest, Oprah's usual custom, she went over and just nestled against him. Billy wrapped his arm around her and pulled her under his shoulder. She stood in his fatherly embrace with a look of sheer contentment..

I once read the book "Nestle, Don't Wrestle" by Corrie Ten Boom. The power of nestling was evident on the TV screen that day. Billy Graham was not the least bit condemning, distant, or hesitant to embrace a public personality who may not fit the evangelistic mold. His grace and courage are sometimes stunning.

In an interview with Hugh Downs, on the 20/20 program, the subject turned to homosexuality. Hugh looked directly at Billy and said, "If you had a homosexual child, would you love him?" Billy didn't miss a beat. He replied with sincerity and gentleness, "Why, I would love that one even more." T

he title of Billy's autobiography, "Just As I Am," says it all. His life goes before him speaking as eloquently as that charming southern drawl for which he is known.

If, when I am eighty years old, my autobiography were to be titled "Just As I Am," I wonder how I would live now? Do I have the courage to be me? I'll never be a Billy Graham, the elegant man who draws people to the Lord through a simple one-point message, but I hope to be a person who is real and compassionate and who might draw people to nestle within God's embrace.

Do you make it a point to speak to a visitor or person who shows up alone at church, buy a hamburger for a homeless man, call your mother on Sunday afternoons, pick daisies with a little girl, or take a fatherless boy to a baseball game?

Did anyone ever tell you how beautiful you look when you're looking for what's beautiful in someone else?

Billy complimented Oprah when asked what he was most thankful for; he said, "Salvation given to us in Jesus Christ" then added, "and the way you have made people all over this country aware of the power of being grateful."

When asked his secret of love, being married fifty-four years to the same person, he said, "Ruth and I are happily incompatible."

How unexpected. We would all live more comfortably with everybody around us if we would find the strength in being grateful and happily incompatible.

Let's take the things that set us apart, that make us different, that cause us to disagree, and make them an occasion to compliment each other and be thankful for each other. Let us be big enough to be smaller than our neighbor, spouse, friends, and strangers.

Every day, may we Nestle, not Wrestle!

I hope you all enjoyed this as much as I did. :>)

Read other people's blogs.....Who me?

I spend a lot of time reading. Not necessarily novels but almost anything else. Lately it has been a lot of blogs. I don't always comment on then, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy them. There are a lot of nice people out there. And funny. Sometime I'm rolling on the floor. Sometimes I am brought to tears. And still other times I am so inspired by a blog that it stays with me for several days, if not longer.

It's nice to have the time to read all those blogs. Sometimes I spend several hours a night playing in the blog world. I often find myself bringing some of those people into my day. Let's face it, there is a lot to be learned out there. How better to learn something than from someone who has been there, done that. Think someone reading that blog doesn't learn from it. Sure they do. And the tips and advice are endless. If you don't like what your are reading just closed it down and go to another one. There is lots to choose from.

I know the new bloggers (like me) are important. We have to start somewhere. But the seasoned bloggers and all the wonderful link they attach to their post are priceless learning tools and cause us to stop and not take ourselves too seriously. I visited Barb's blog at A Chelsea Morning and clicked on at least ten different links. Some were other people's blogs, some were devotions and some were to teach you to be a better blogger. In Flight Song, she is a more serious blogger with much to be learned about life. I especially enjoyed reading about her family and their experiences. I like reading my daughter's blogs too, Decipher the fog. She is a great christian and not afraid to show it in her post. I like her humor and writing style. Besides. I like reading about the grandchildren. I learn everyday things that sometimes get lost in the scuffle of a busy day.

I follow about 20-25 blogs. I don't always stay with them as closely as I want but I know they are always there when I'm ready and have the time to read them.

I have to say when I was first heard about my daughter's blog, (that was the first one I read) I was more than concerned. My mind was full of questions.....Who is reading this stuff?.....Can they link back to her?....Is she safe?.....etc.......etc. As I kept reading I found I got a lot of pleasure in reading it. I started reading other blogs and found that sure you have to be careful what you post due to the wierdo's out there. But that doesn't me you can't have a good time and meet some really nice people in the process. I joined the club in October and I think I like it here.............. :-)

Our first real snow for the season

Wow~ If you live in Cincinnati and need help believing in God, just take a good look outside. Only God himself can show such beauty. They told us we were going to get 2-4 inches of snow. And that may well be what we got but in cleaning up after it, it always seems like more.

Church was called off today. I watched it on TV instead. Well, actually I watch Schuller every Sunday anyway but I watched several others too. Kinda nice to have an unexpected day to be home. Did I get anything extra accomplished, well no..........but it was still nice to be home. It almost made me want to go out and play in it (and if the grandchildren would have been here, I may have) but I didn't. I said almost.

Instead I spent the days relaxing. I curled up with a book I got for Christmas and finished my laundry. I must have gone to the window a 100 times to look out at the beautiful snow. I baked a pineapple upside down cake and made a pot of chili. I invited the family over for dinner. (they all have four-wheeled drive vehicles) and they accepted. I love family time. When the house is full of conversation and everyone is having a good time and not worrying about life's stresses.

I used the snowblower on the driveway. (Does that count as work?) My son-in-law offered to come and help clear the drive if I needed him. I was so grateful. I like being independent but sometimes you just need to reach out when a family member offers. I was able to get the snowblower going on my own. I was glad Matt didn't have to come out in the cold to help me, even though I know he would have in a heartbeat. Thanks Buddy!

Isn't it nice to have family you can count on when you have a problem? I appreciate them so much and try not to abuse their kindness. I also try to be there when they get in a pinch too. That''s the kinds of things I always thought families should be like. Not because they felt they had to help but because the wanted to. I like that!

I hope the melted snow doesn't freeze tonight. I want to be able to get out of the driveway in the morning to go to work without worrying about sliding all over the place. If it does freeze, I'm glad most of the snow is off the driveway.

I shouldn't complain. I have been emailing a new friend in Oregon and she says it has snowed five or six times since the first of the year. Big snows like 10 and 12 inches at a time. And to top that off, they were without water for two weeks because the pipes froze, and it's the third time this winter. And even if she says she is used to it, it still sucks.

Tomorrow they say the weather should be up over freezing so most of the snow should melt in the afternoon. Face it, Cinciinnatians don't get enough snow to know how to deal with this stuff.

Family and Friends are Important

I've been thinking. Isn't it interesting how everyone, including me, find it important and necessary to contact people during the holidays we haven't talked to all year. We sent charistmas cards and make phone call and even get together for holiday parties and short visits. Then after the holidays have passed we all go about our merry way, back doing the same things we did before the holidays came. Most of the people we made contact with is but a memory, not to be remembered until next year.

Something I have aspired to do this new year is to stay closer to my family and friends. I am close with my immediate family but don't always do what I should with my friends and distant family. I want to try to change that. Not all of my family may be open to that, but I will at least try. That's all I can do.

I called a couple friends this week in hopes of getting together for a visit, socializing, dinner, whatever. I was quickly told that they were so busy with work, church, school and a number of other things and could we do it next week or in a couple weeks. I was disappointed but not surprised.

Life is too short. Make changes now before it is too late and you regret not keeping up with your family and friends. I will follow up with my two friends. I don't give up easily.

I reconnected with my brother last May, after an eight month absence and him not talking or returning my calls, while visiting family members in Florida. I'm glad I did. I get a lot of pleasure out of our friendship and his company. We spent the day together doing inventory at my sister's store. Working? Yes. Was is fun? Yes. Are we better people for having spent time together? Yes. He's a funny guy. We get along well together. We are more alike than either one of us want to admit.

He gave me a big scare this weekend. He didn't answer any of my calls. We were scheduled to go to work some more on the inventory and then go to dinner on Friday evening. I kept calling several numbers all day but got on answer. Long story short. He works nights and was catching up on his sleep and the cell phone was off. I was ready to go break the door down and find out if he was okay.

Don't forget to maintain regular contact with the ones you love. Even the ones out of town. If they don't call you, you call them. They may be lonely or have had a bad day and need that call. They will thank you later, hopefully.

Thanks to all my family and friends who maintain regular contact with me. I love and appreciate you one and all. Thank you.

Still tweaking, What do you think?

Made more changes to the blog today. I should say my daughter did. We were sitting in two different homes and still able to make changes and check them. Isn't technology great?

The background color is better that the black was. I'm trying on the red background for a while. The comments from Barb were encouraging. Thank you.

Isn't it great we can make changes until it suits us? Well some of us can change it, some of us have to have help. Thanks Andrea. I appreciate you and your talents.

A new look in the works

I just spent a nice day with my daughter. She is always so busy with the children but we were able to find some quality time today. She is smarter than she gives herself credit for in working with the blog. She is the reason I can and have made changes in the look of my blog. (You think I can do this alone, not!) There is a lot more to this blogging thing than I ever thought. Kind of fun working on it. You learn more than you think, even if I was only watching while she did all the work. We still need to tweak it a bit but I think it's really coming along. Thanks Babe.

I called off work today. I felt bad about calling in but only for a moment.I got up a 4 in the morning feeling kinda blah. My head was pounding. I took some medicine and went back to bed to see if I would feel any better at the real time I was to get up. I woke at seven, called in to work and went back to bed. I started feeling some better about eleven. I called my daughter, who was busy as usual. Long story short, we went to Wally world for a few errands and had lunch together at home with the boys. When the kids went down for naps she offered to help me with my blog. I gladly accepted.

Tomorrow should be a busy day. It's back to my sister's store and more inventory. My brother and I worked on it for about 10 hours last weekend. I'd say we have at least another 20 to 30 hours to go. We might get it done by Easter. Not really. It needs to be done by the end of the month. We only work on it on the weekends. We both work other jobs. My brother watches the store several hours a day. There isn't much going on. The boating season doesn't open up again until May. My sitter is out of town and isn't due back until mid February. I got a whisper the other day that the store may be sold. (Cross your fingers.) Which may mean the boating season is over for them, at least on the merchant's end of things.

Grandparenting is sweet...No thorns here.

I decided shortly after the christmas holiday that I need to spend more time with the grandchildren. I called my daughter and proposed my idea. A plan was set in motion at least for the granddaughter. We would spend two hours together every week on Wednesdays. I would pick her up from an after school activity and take her home two hours later.

The first week we just hung out at home making plans of future visits. We cooked dinner, worked on her homework and watched the Tube. The time went by too quickly but was a real good start for the new year.

Plans for the little guy is still forthcoming. One step at a time.

The second visit was spent at the library. A place we both could spend a week in without even thinking about it. We got a movie, "Yours, Mine and Ours" and several books. She wanted to rush to my house and view as much of the movie we could before it would be time for her to go home. As usual she didn't want to turn the movie off but that wasn't unusual. Another sweet visit with a beautiful soul.

No set schedule for the little guy yet but we had a nice evening visit on Friday night. I babysat both grands. I think having grandchildren gives another chance to get it right. Not that I feel I did a bad job with my daughter. Being a grandparent gives us an opportunity to focus more on the person rather than the everyday stresses in getting the parenting job done. The hard stuff is left up to the parent while grandparents can focus on some of the fun stuff. I like that.

I just spent another delightful couple hours with my granddaughter. How fast they grow up. At 10 she acts like she is at least 20. We went to the book store and had a Chai Tea. A first for her. I don't think she liked it as much as she had hoped but you wouldn't have known it by her attitude. We sat for 15 or 20 minutes looking at magazines and talked as if we were both adults. Then after a 20 minute browse through the rest of the store and a few treasures found it was off to take her home. Another nice visit. I hope we will always feel the love and admiration that was felt between us tonight, forever. The one on one attention brings out the beautiful person she is and the great job her mom is doing in raising her.

I''m beginning to going to look forward to our Wednesday visits. I have to come up with another good idea for next weeks visit. If your reading this, I'm open for suggestions.

"In five years, will this matter?"

I got this in an email from my friend in South Carolina. She didn't disclose who was the writer but I thought is was nice. In reading it I thought of growing older and how we are pushed to become wiser (or not) by the lessons and experiences we learn in life. The best label to give this would be, "In five years, will this matter?" That's #25 on the list. Thank you, whoever you are who wrote this. Enjoy....

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. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
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. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
18. Pay off your credit cards every month.
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 . 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 organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except 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 some time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.
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. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
45. The best is yet to come.
46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
48. If you don't ask, you don't get.
49. Yield.
50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

~~IN GOD WE TRUST ~~