Tater People

Some people never seem motivated to participate, but are just content to watch while others do the work.

They are called "Speck Taters".

Some people never do anything to help, but are gifted at finding fault with the way others do the work.

They are called "Comment Taters".

Some people are very bossy and like to tell others what to do, but don't want to soil their own hands.

They are called "Dik Taters".

Some people are always looking to cause problems by asking others to agree with them. It is too hot, or too cold, too sour or too sweet.

They are called "Agie Taters".

Some people are those who say they will help, but somehow just never get around to actually doing the promised help.

They are called "Hezzie Taters".

Some people can put up a front and pretend to be someone they are not.

They are called "Emma Taters".

Then there are those who love others and do what they say they will do.
They are always prepared to stop whatever they are doing and lend a helping hand.
They bring real sunshine into the lives of others.

They are called "Sweet Taters".

--Original story by John Lewis

Be blessed, and be a sweet tater for Jesus!

Deena

Once Again...

I come here and ask for your prayers.

I received a call yesterday from the radiology who read my mammogram.

They found a suspicious lump and I go in Wednesday afternoon for a more extensive
mammogram.

According to what I was told, I will know very quickly what it is and what needs to be done.

Please pray it is nothing.

In gratitude,

Deena

A "State" of Humor...(no offense intended:-)

Alabama

A group of Alabama friends went deer hunting and paired off in twos for the day. That night, one of the hunters returned alone, staggering under the weight of an eight-point buck. "Where's Henry?" the others asked. "Henry had a stroke of some kind. He's a couple of miles back up the trail," the successful hunter replied. "You left Henry laying out there and carried the deer back?" they inquired. "A tough call," nodded the hunter. "But I figured no one is going to steal Henry!"



Louisiana

A senior at LSU was overheard saying... "When the end of the world comes, I hope to be in Louisiana." When asked why, he replied he'd rather be in Louisiana because everything happens in Louisiana 20 years later than in the rest of the civilized world.



Mississippi

The young man from Mississippi came running into the store and said to his buddy, "Bubba, somebody just stole your pickup truck from the parking lot!" Bubba replied, "Did you see who it was?" The young man answered, "I couldn't tell, but I got his license number."



Georgia

A Georgia State trooper pulled over a pickup on I-75. The trooper asked, "Got any I.D.?" The driver replied, "Bout whut?"



North Carolina

A man in North Carolina had a flat tire, pulled off on the side of the road, and proceeded to put a bouquet of flowers in front of the car and one behind it. Then he got back in the car to wait. A passerby studied the scene as he drove by and was so curious he turned around and went back. He asked the fellow what the problem was. The man replied, "I have a flat tire." The passerby asked, "But what's with the flowers?" The man responded, "When you break down they tell you to put flares in the front and flares in the back. Hey, it don't make sense to me neither."



And this from South Carolina

"You can say what you want about the South, but I ain't never heard of anyone retiring to the North!

Be blessed!

Deena

Update on prayer request...

Hello everyone,

Thank you from the depths of my heart for your prayers for my niece. She is out of the coma, responding to questions, and everything seems to be all right. At this point, she still cannot talk, but that may be due to the breathing tube she had for several days.

Please continue to pray for her. She will need a lot of counseling and help, and she isn't cooperating with doctors.

We appreciate your prayers.......

Deena

Prayer Request...Please pass on to your church families...

Hello everyone,

Please pray for my 42 year old niece, Tillie (family nickname). She is in a coma, and my sister is with her.

Both are in Oregon, and weather is preventing T's family from getting to her.

They are trying to take her off of life support to see if she will breathe on her own.

Please pray. And, if you have a church prayer group, please ask them to pray that my niece survive and my sister feels God's love in a POWERFUL way...and comes back to Him.

Be blessed,

Deena

You're Invited to a Very Special Birthday...

Just click here.

Be blessed!

Deena

Wounded and Weary Warriors

I've been visiting with a LOT of brothers and sisters in Christ lately. God keeps bringing them across my path...either via email, at the store, at work, at church...and I've noticed something.

Many of God's faithful are under HEAVY attack. And it breaks my heart.

Now, I say they are God's faithful, but only God really, truly knows the heart. However, I see the fruit in their lives, and these are some of the most fruitful and genuine believers I know. I've heard their words and seen their actions, and they not only match up, but they point the way to Christ.

Honestly, it makes me FURIOUS with the enemy. How DARE he attack my family, God's anointed, God's children? Then again, how can He not? Aren't we a huge threat to him when we are obedient and faithful?



It makes me wonder...what does he know that we don't know? Does he know his time is rapidly drawing to a close? Is he pitching an unholy fit against God's people because he knows we're almost home? Is he trying so hard to take out so many of God's voluntary army because he knows we're almost ready for final battle?

I don't know, but I suspect. So, let me leave you with this encouragement from the Father (if it isn't good, blame me....faulty messenger, don't you know?)

1. Crawl up in Abba's lap and sit for a good long while. Let Him whisper to you words of love and peace and comfort and strength. So many of us feel we MUST go on, even when we're broken and bleeding and aching all over. Don't do that...rest in His arms.

2. Don't drop your sword. Keep in God's Word. Even if you feel it is futile, it's like taking spiritual vitamins...you can't feel it working all the time, but it is. And when the time comes for you to be strong again, you will be stronger and spiritually healthier than ever.

3. Seek wise counsel. Sometimes, all we need is Jesus with skin on to hear us. I know when I'm hurting the most, a kind and compassionate ear is all I need. And if you are in a strong spot in your walk, be that listening ear for a brother or sister to pour out their wounded heart to you.

4. Seek wise medical advice. Spiritual warfare takes it's toll on us in more than just our spirit...remember, we are mind, body and soul. What affects us spiritually can hit us hard physically. Allow your doctor to run tests, and if you need medication, do NOT let the enemy use that knowledge on you. God gave us medical professionals for a reason:-).

5. Remember your shield. It will guard your tender and vulnerable heart from the enemy's firey darts. Plus, if you hold yours, and I hold mine, we can help shield each other, and so on and so on and so on. Doesn't that sound GREAT??

6. Pray. Pray for yourself, for others, and for the lost. Don't let the enemy narrow your focus only to you. He will do that, isolating you from other believers and making you feel all alone. Don't let him do that. He wins when he isolates us...I know. I tend to be a turtle, withdrawing into my protective shell and that just makes the pain and hurt worse.



7. One more thing. Know you are loved. You are loved greatly by God, and by me as well. Brothers and sisters in Christ are the most precious on this earth, and I treasure you, each and every one of you.

If you need someone, I'm only an email away. And, God is only a knee-mail away!

Be blessed, and be a blessing just by being you.

Deena

I'm a Bodacious Blog Babe!

I'm finally feeling more like my old self...which is a good thing, or a not so good thing, depending on how you look at it:-)

Now that I'm feeling better, I'm catching up on my blog reading (it was all I could do to post...didn't feel up to making the rounds, so I've missed out on a LOT of good stuff!)

Imagine my surprise when I popped by Sharon's blog and found she'd given me this:

This is her description of a bodacious bloggy gal:

Since I could not find a description of this award I guess I will have to fill it in myself.
So for those of you whom I choose to pass this award on to-this is what I want you to know.
1. I think you are TOTALLY BO-DA-CIOUS dahlin! (southern drawl necessary here)
2. I am honored to call you my sister because you have an outright,
unmistakable love for God.
3. Last but not least--in God's eyes you are remarkable and
totally noteworthy in the kingdom of God.
I am honored to have such bodaciously incredible blogging friends and sisters.

So, this made my day! What a great Christmas surprise...and I'm thrilled to pass it along to YOU, my blogging sistahs in Christ...

...for all of your encouraging comments
...for all of your prayer support during my latest health crisis
...for continuing to be faithful readers even though I haven't had much to read
...for demonstrating Christ to me in a multitude of ways.

Feel free to post your graphic on your blog, and link to me if you'd like.

Be blessed and Merry Christmas!!

Deena

A Little Christmas Cheer *snort*

*A CHRISTMAS STORY*



When four of Santa's elves got sick, and the trainee elves did not produce the toys as fast as the regular ones, Santa was beginning to feel the pressure of being behind schedule.


Then Mrs. Claus told Santa that her Mum was coming to visit. This upset Santa even more.


When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two had jumped the fence and were out, heaven knows where. More stress!


Then when he began to load the sleigh one of the sacks split, and the toys fell to the ground in the snow.


So, frustrated, Santa went into the house for a cup of apple cider and a shot of rum. When he went to the cupboard, he discovered that the elves had finished off the liquor, and there was nothing to drink.


In his desperation, he accidentally dropped the cider pot, and it broke into hundreds of little pieces all over the kitchen floor.


He went to get the broom and found that mice had eaten the straw end of the broom.


Just then the doorbell rang, and an irritable Santa trudged to the door which he opened to find a little angel with a great big Christmas tree.


The angel said, very cheerfully, "Merry Christmas, Santa. Isn't it a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you. Where would you like me to put it?"





And so began the tradition of the little angel on top of the Christmas tree.


ADMIT IT, YOU'RE LAUGHING YOUR TUSH OFF!!!


Be Blessed!

Deena

An Invitation....

My hubby/pastor is a blogger as well.

He has posted some amazing blogs over the last few days.

Blogs that have inspired me, humbled me, made me cry, and left me wondering at this wonderful man whom I married...and how he can still surprise me with his deep insight into God and His word.

Need a blessing today?

Check out Pastor Dave's blog. You'll be SO glad you did!

And tell him hi! He'd love it!

Be blessed!

Deena

Ways to Cope With Stress...some tongue in cheek:-)

Here's the rest of yesterday's inspirational email:

1* Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.

2* Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.

3* Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.

4* Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their Maker.

5* If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.

6* If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.

7* It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.

8* Never buy a car you can't push.

9* Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on.

10* Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.

11* Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.

12* The second mouse gets the cheese.

13* When everything's coming your way, change lanes.

14 * Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.

15* You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.

16* Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once

17* We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box.

18* A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

Have an awesome day and know that someone has thought about you today.

Be blessed, and no matter what, know that I count you as a blessing in my life:-)

Deena

Memory Overload!

Please keep my pastor/hubby in your prayers. He is stretched so thin right now, and could use some good prayer support. He's a bi-vocational pastor.

It's hard to keep track of so much, and then to cope with the stuff we're dealing with health wise for me.

It's kind of like being a computer...to run efficiently, you need enough memory...and he has so many "files" running, he usually counts on me to be his "backup drive"...

And we all know how THAT'S probably working for him, now, don't we??

So, just keep him bathed in prayer.

Thanks!

Deena

God Is SO WAY COOL!!

Last night I was pouring out my heart to my husband about this. very. thing.

And when I got home, I found that God had sent me a message via a dear friend, that was the perfect message for me at this moment.

It's too good not to share....

A lecturer, when explaining stress management to an audience, raised a glass of water and asked, "How heavy is this glass of water? "

Answers called out ranged from 8oz. to 20oz.

The lecturer replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long you try to hold it. "If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance."

"In each case, it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes. "

He continued, "And that's the way it is with stress management. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on.
"As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden. "

"So, before you return home tonight, put the burden of work/life down. Don't carry it home. You can pick it up tomorrow."

"Whatever burdens you're carrying now, let them down for a moment if you can. Relax; pick them up later after you've rested. Life is short. Enjoy! "

And then he shared some ways of dealing with the burdens of life:

I'll share the rest tomorrow:-)

Be blessed!

Deena

Holding On...

First of all, I want to say thank you to my faithful readers. I know my readership is down because I haven't been blogging much, especially in the way of new material. Just some inspirational and fun emails recycled lately for your enjoyment...I know, I know.

I kind of feel like the author of Ecclesiastes..."There is nothing new under the sun." Everything I've had to say, I've either already said, or find someone who says it so much better than I do.

Honestly, these health issues are draining me dry. And I don't want to come here and make bold and forceful statements of faith when I never know from one day to the next how well I will live out my own words.

I care too much for you to be fake right now.

My faith is sure in this one thing: I have faith and trust in God, NO MATTER WHAT.

It's the no matter what part that causes my grip to slip now and then.

For instance, after all the treatment I've received in the last two months, the doctors are no closer to finding out what is wrong than I am (maybe that's why it's called "medical practice"?).

In fact, some of the treatments have left me in MORE pain than I was in. And it is so hard to be in constant pain and not let it get to you, you know?? So, even though I trust Him, only He knows the final outcome.

And that's fine...kind of. Because I want to know if I'll ever be well again. I want to know if this is going to leave me disabled. I want to know if it will keep me from holding my job.

Some days, not having my job would be a blessing! Until time for paychecks to come...and then it wouldn't be such a blessing:-) But I enjoyed my forced time off...gave me time to focus on my home, my kids, and my health.

I just know that I'm not all I can be because of illness and pain, and I want to give Him so much more, and be so much more, and serve so much more...that I end up frustrated.

And slightly depressed.

Once in awhile, like Job's long lost sister.....twice removed.....but my bull's eye isn't quite as big as his was.....actually, I'm just feeling sorry for me.

So, pray for me. I miss blogging. I miss creating. And I miss all of you. Your comments are sometimes God's perfect love letters to me through you.

And keep my doctors in your prayers. Not only do they have to deal with me, but they have to figure out what's wrong with me....and that's not an easy task, even when I'm well:-)

For those who are curious, I have another round of shots in my back in mid-January, another blood pressure check on January 2, and a biopsy on January 18th. I appreciate your care for me.

And I remain your humble, and slightly nutty servant...

Deena

Here's Something That Makes Sense!!

Enjoy!

Click here!

And feel free to share...just give me a link:-)

Be blessed!

Deena

The Twelve Days Of Christmas...

Day One

Celebrating the true meaning of the Christmas season, GRPR is proud to introduce to you the twelve days of Christmas. Twelve inspired devotional thoughts written by some of the best and brightest authors in the Christian industry.

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me....



The Gift of Honesty




God's Gift of Honesty

by Mark Littleton



As a new Christian, I wasn’t really prepared for the stark truth about my previous life. Rummaging in my closet, I came across several shirts I had shop-lifted a couple of years before. I immediately remembered several items from the same heist.



Standing there trembling, I was unsure about what to do. I prayed, “God, what should I do about this?” It seemed the inner voice spoke immediately: “You need to return them to the store.”



I didn’t need to reflect much on it. I knew that was the right thing to do.



I packed up the items, drove to the nearby Bamberger’s store at the Cherry Hill Mall and found security. I explained what I’d done and offered to pay for the items. The guard smiled. “Every now and then we get one of these,” he said. “I’ll find out the prices and you can pay.”



A few days later, I got the call. Over sixty-five dollars in charges. In 1972 dollars, that was a lot of money. I sucked it up, though, wrote out a check and dropped it by. The guard thanked me for my integrity, saying, “I wish there were more like you out there. But shop-lifting costs us big-time. Just the same, I respect what you did.”



I went away feeling like I’d pleased God. There were other things I would return in the coming days, and it was always difficult. And costly. But the peace of mind and heart I received were all worth it. To say nothing of the witness to unbelievers, one of whom invited me to come visit him his family in Switzerland after I sent him back the stamps I’d stolen while babysitting his children years before.



Mark Littleton is the author of The Ten-Second Prayer Principle: Powerful Prayer As You Go (Howard Books, 2007) and many other books. For more information visit life-ology.townhall.com or www.winsunliterary.com.

Here's a FUN new toy:-)

Enjoy!!

Don't Mess With Older Women!!!

An older lady gets pulled over for speeding...

Older Woman: Is there a problem, Officer?

Officer: Ma'am, you were speeding.

Older Woman: Oh, I see.

Officer: Can I see your license please?

Older Woman: I'd give it to you but I don't have one.

Officer: Don't have one?

Older Woman: Lost it, 4 years ago for drunk driving.

Officer: I see...Can I see your vehicle registration papers please.

Older Woman: I can't do that.

Officer: Why not?

Older Woman: I stole this car.

Officer: Stole it?

Older Woman: Yes, and I killed and hacked up the owner.

Officer: You what?

Older Woman: His body parts are in plastic bags in the trunk if you want to see

The Officer looks at the woman and slowly backs away to his car and calls for back up. Within minutes 5 police cars circle the car. A senior officer slowly approaches the car, clasping his half drawn gun.

Officer 2: Ma'am, could you step out of your vehicle please! The woman steps out of her vehicle.

Older woman: Is there a problem sir?

Officer 2: One of my officers told me that you have stolen this car and murdered the owner.

Older Woman: Murdered the owner?

Officer 2: Yes, could you please open the trunk of your car, please.

The woman opens the trunk, revealing nothing but an empty trunk.

Officer 2: Is this your car, ma'am?

Older Woman: Yes, here are the registration papers.
The officer is quite stunned.

Officer 2: One of my officers claims that you do not have a driving license.

The woman digs into her handbag and pulls out a clutch purse and hands it to the officer.

The officer examines the license. He looks quite puzzled.

Officer 2: Thank you ma'am, one of my officers told me you didn't have a license, that you stole this car, and that you murdered and hacked up the owner.

Older Woman: Bet the liar told you I was speeding, too.

I'm Here...

I'm just not blogging because I'm in a lot of pain and on a lot of medications.

Not reading much right now because my eyes are bothering me, but I hope to have good blog posts soon.

Thanks for your prayers and support!

Be blessed and know you are a blessing to me!

Deena

Prayer Request...

I go to the doctor this morning about the ovarian mass.

Please pray for me if you would...thank you!

Be blessed!

Deena

FYI...

Interested in making a little extra holiday cash for a few minutes of labor?

I've taken advantage of this money making opportunity, and I'd like to share it with you!

Email me for details!

Be Blessed!

Deena

Twas the Night Before A Politically Correct Holiday!!

*Twas the month before Christmas*
*When all through our land,*
*Not a Christian was praying*
*Nor taking a stand.*
*See the PC Police had taken away,*
*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*
*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*
*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*
*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*
*December 25th is just a "Holiday".*
*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*
*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*
*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*
*Something was changing, something quite odd!*
*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*
*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*
*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*
*At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.*
*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears*
*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*
*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty**Are words that were used to intimidate me.*
*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*
*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!*
*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*
*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*
*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*
*Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*
*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*
*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*
*So as you celebrate "Winter Break" under your "Dream Tree"*
*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*
*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*
*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, Not Happy Holiday!*

Be Blessed, and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Deena

Seen Me Anywhere??

I know, I know...

I haven't been blogging here much.

Quite frankly, I've been overwhelmed, and I just got tired.



Tired of thinking about what to say and how to say it (believe it or not, I DO put some thought into my posts).

Tired of being online and invisible at home--my sister in law came for Thanksgiving, and we had so much fun together I talked her into staying another few days...but she left Saturday. For the first time in a very long time, I cried after she left.



Tired of people with nothing better to do than to make people feel bad about themselves (Hey, Anonymous, if you don't have the courage to sign your name, then don't comment, okay?).

Tired of doctors and tests and results...oh, my! But this week should end it all, hopefully.

Just...tired.



Praise God I find my rest in Him.



And my family has been making sure I get plenty of it, too!

So, I'm still here. Just a little tuckered out.

Be blessed, and be a blessing (and watch out for mean people..they're everywhere!).

Deena

P.S. For all of your encouragement, prayers, and uplifting comments, I have only one thing to say to you...

Make an "Elf" out of yourself.....

literally.

Click here!

Have Fun!

Deena

Found this little goodie!

This was at Laurel's blog, and I just had to steal swipe borrow it for my blog:-)

Feel free to "borrow" it from me!

Noelle movie trailer

Coming soon to a theater! Let's support this movie, shall we??

Be blessed this Christmas season!

Deena

For Those Who Ask The Question....

"Where was God when [fill in the blank] happened?"

This is the answer:

'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL'

You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news On September
11, 2001.

Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it is OK...I am ready to go.'

I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to their children. I held her up as she tried to understand his words and as she realized he wasn't coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said. 'Of course I will show you the way home - only believe in Me now.'

I was at the base of the building with the Priest ministering to the injured and devastated souls. I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He heard my voice and answered.

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat, with every prayer. I was with the crew as they were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the believers there, comforting and assuring them that their faith has saved them.

I was in Texas, Virginia, California, Michigan, Afghanistan . I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news.

Did you sense Me?

I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew every name - though not all know Me. Some met Me for the first time on the 86th floor. Some sought Me with their last breath. Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... this way... take my hand.'

Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me.

But, I was there.

I did not place you in the Tower that day. You may not know why, but I do. However, if you were there in that explosive moment in time, would you have reached for Me?

Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey for you. But someday your journey will end. And I will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are 'ready to go.'

I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.

Love, God

Be blessed, and don't wait for your "stairwell moment". Trust Him now.

Deena

SATAN'S MEETING--long, but worth it!

I received this in today's email, and with the holiday season upon us, I thought it quite fitting...not to judge anyone, but just to make us think...and this is long but so worth it!

(Read even if you're busy)

Satan called a worldwide convention of demons.

In his opening address he said, 'We can't keep Christians from going to church.

'We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth.

'We can't even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their saviour.

'Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken.

'So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish dinners, BUT steal their
time, so they don't have time to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ..

'This is what I want you to do,' said the devil:

'Distract them from gaining hold of their Saviour and maintaining that vital connection
throughout their day!'

'How shall we do this?' his demons shouted.

'Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their
minds,' he answered.

'Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow.

'Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week,
10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles.

'Keep them from spending time with their children.

'As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work!

'Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice.

'Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive. To keep the TV, VCR,
CDs and their PCs goi ng constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the
world plays non-biblical music constantly.

'This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ.

'Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers.

'Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day.

'Invade their driving moments with billboards.

'Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of
newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes..

'Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that
outward beauty is what's important, and they'll become dissatisfied with their wives.

'Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night.

'Give them headaches too!

'If they don't give their husbands the love they need, they will begin to look elsewhere.

'That will fragment their families quickly!

'Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas.

'Give them an Easter bunny so they won't talk about his resurrection and power over sin and death.

'Even in their recreation, let them be excessive.

'Have them return from their recreation exhausted.

'Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God's creation. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead.

'Keep them busy, busy, busy!

'And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences.

'Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus.

'Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause.

'It will work!

'It will work!'

It was quite a plan!

The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busier and more
rushed, going here and there.

Having little time for their God or their families.

Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus to change lives.

I guess the question is, has the devil been successful in his schemes?

You be the judge!!!!!

Does 'BUSY' mean: B-eing U-nder S-atan's Y-oke?

Please pass this on, if you aren't too BUSY!

Be blessed, and never be too busy to be a blessing!

Deena

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

I know I haven't been posting much...with dr. appointments and such, I've kind of been distracted...but look for new and exciting things after the holiday weekend...I hope!

Til then, Happy Turkey Day!

Deena

As We Prepare for Thanksgiving....

Click here.

Then let me know what YOU are thankful for this Thanksgiving season.

Be blessed, and pray for our armed forces and their families.

Deena

Wisdom from Logan

I suppose most of you have heard this already, but it was new to me.

Came to me via email from a buddy of mine, and it moved me, so now I'm sharing it with you.



To learn more about this audio/video presentation, click here.

Be blessed, and be a blessing!

Deena

Sometimes...

...I read a book last night about a mission trip gone wrong.

...I read about a toddler who's body washed up on a beach, and no one knows why, how, or who.

...I read about a veteran of our current war, hospitalized and waiting to see his family...only to receive word that his three children were killed on that trip in an auto accident, leaving only his grieving and overwhelmed wife.

...I hear more about war than I want to know.

...I hear more about recalled products than I want to know.

...I hear more about church squabbles than I want to know.

...I hear more about fires, earthquakes, diseases, and violence than I want to know.

...I hear more about political battles and immoral laws than I want to know.

....and I pray, "Lord Jesus, is it time to come home yet?"

...

Deena

Getting A LOT of Buzz...

Tell me what you think. Visit the movie's website.

The RIGHT Kind of Love Story...

The Report Is In...

...and the news is "wait and see"...

I have to go in for more tests in 4-6 weeks to see if things have "changed" in there...and I have an appointment with a specialist December 5th.

So just keep praying.

Be blessed,

Deena

Gonna Be A Bear...

I just HAVE to share this!!

In this life I'm a woman.

In my next life (which I don't believe in this, but if I did, it would work for me:-), I'd like to come back as a bear.

When you're a bear, you get to hibernate. You do nothing but sleep for six months. I could deal with that.



Before you hibernate, you're supposed to eat yourself stupid. I could deal with that, too.


When you're a girl bear, you birth your children (who are the size of walnuts) while you're sleeping and wake to partially grown, cute, cuddly cubs. I could DEFINITELY deal with that.



If you're a mama bear, everyone knows you mean business. You swat anyone who bothers your cubs. If your cubs get out of line, you swat them too. I could deal with that.



If you're a bear, your mate EXPECTS you to wake up growling. He EXPECTS that you will have hairy legs and excess body fat.

Yup, I'm gonna be a bear!

Be blessed, and be a blessing!

Deena

A New Award...of sorts...

I received this from a dear friend and sister in Christ over the weekend.

I have two sisters in my family, and while I'm growing closer to my oldest, I'm deeply estranged from my middle sister (I'm the baby--we have one brother, but we won't talk about him:-)

My sisters in the Lord are my family. They know me intimately, support me no matter what, feel free to give me a pep talk or a tush kickin' as the Lord leads, and always have a Word from His Word to share with me.

So this award, or gift, means a lot to me.

Unfortunately, I have a lot of sisters I want to give this to but they aren't in the bloggyland with us. Yet they mean so much to me...I've cried with them, prayed with them, had coffee with them, laughed with them, and worked side by side with them.

I also have a lot of bloggy sisters to give this to, and my memory is so clouded these days by medication and life itself that I'm too afraid to list anyone, because I wouldnt' hurt a sister in Christ for anything.

So, this is what I'm going to do. I pass this gift on to all of you who have emailed, chatted, blogged, commented, called, prayed, shared, hugged, wept, laughed, worked, or in any way supported me in my lifetime.

I love you all dearly, and great is your reward in Heaven...because I'm a handful!

Be blessed, and know you are loved by me!

Deena

God's Yellow Pages...

This is too cool not to share.

Click here.

Then come back and tell me what you think, okay??

Be blessed, and be a blessing!

Deena

God Is SO Amazingly Good...

I can't go into too many details...but we have been praying for our daughter...our middle daughter.

She has been struggling over her older sister's rebellion and wanting to find out who she is in Christ and what the "whole God thing" is all about (her words, not mine)...

So we've been praying for Godly friends her own age at school to surround her and to shelter her from the evil influences that have been pulling at her.

Today, God answered my prayer...in a huge way...with a giant, shiny bow...

And I'm so humbled, and so thankful, and so overwhelmed.

So, don't stop praying...He hears...and He will answer in His time.

Be blessed and be a blessing!

Deena

For you...

Pass it around!!

W.A.I.T. Upon the Lord...

I hate waiting.

And right now, that's what I have to do.

Wait on appointments to be scheduled.

Wait on tests results.

Wait on doctor visits.

Wait on possible surgery or treatment.



Ever notice that WAIT is a four letter word?

But then I thought about what waiting is...and for me, these days, it's

W ith

A ll

I

T rust

in the Lord.


Or, at least, it should be.

Too often it's

W ith

A ll

I

T ake

back control.


It's like I can give it to God for, at the most, a day, and then it's right back in my hot little hands. And I have to go before Him again, giving it back...a vicious cycle.

I'm trying. I really am trying to give it to God. Because, really, what can I do? Make phone calls to speed things up. That's about it. And if they see me as a pest, then I've done more harm than good.

What about you? What's your W.A.I.T.?

Be blessed, and be a blessing!

Deena

Fakey-Shakey Heart!

Did you know you can fake the peace that passes all understanding?

No?

Well, you can. I've done it.

And I've found two ways that I'm really, really good at it.






One is the "suck it up" syndrome. You know, the one where you have a problem and you decide you're just gonna "suck it up", stiff upper lip it, and grin and bear it.

That's one way to do it.

The other is more insidious (i.e., dangerous).



That's the sleight of hand trick. Being strong in one area when you're quaking in your boots over another area.

Now, my Jesus doesn't tell me anywhere in Scripture that I have to "suck it up" and be a big girl...no, He does not.

And He doesn't like it when I play tricks with my fears either. Acting like a tower of faith on one hand when the other is trembling with the possibilities of "What if?"

Nope, He wants it all--lock, stock and barrel--cast upon Him. When He tells me, "Fear not" it's because He already knows I'm afraid. And He can handle it for me.

So, yup...I'm a little shaken (not stirred!) over in this corner of the blogosphere over my latest doc report. Had the back surgery down cold, but this other thing...well, it has me knotted up.

I'm working on letting it go and letting God have it. Trouble is, I want to know what He's going to do with it, and that ain't in Scripture either...so I need to quit peeking over His mighty shoulder and let Him hold me for awhile.

Not an easy thing for a gal like me to do.

But I'm trying. You try too, okay?? There's room in His mighty arms and lap for the both of us, and I wouldn't mind the company one bit!

Be blessed, and be a blessing!

Deena

Two Doctor Appointments Down...

...and only two more to go!

My spine surgeon said, "No surgery right now" and is sending me for a series of steroid epidural spinal injections (fancy name for shots that HURT!) and then we'll see...

My regular doctor said the mass is definitely on my ovary and is sizable enough to be concerned about. So I have more tests coming up, and a referral to a surgeon that specializes in gynecological surgeries (kinda rattles me a little just to type that part:-)

So please keep praying, as I know you will.

Now, on a lighter and more encouraging note:

Click here for a great post:-)

Be blessed and be a blessing!

Deena

P.S. Finding health information on pregnancy and labor or finding symptoms of pregnancy can all be found online. When you think you're experiencing pregnancy symptoms and need advice, you can always get online health advice.

One More Thing Before I Go...

Hey all!

I'm off to see the surgeon, the wonderful surgeon of backs! (Do I follow the yellow brick road, or the greenback road$$$???)



I go in for a consultation this afternoon.

I see my regular doctor about the abdominal mass tomorrow...probably just have more tests ordered.

Please pray for wisdom for me and for the docs. I have some decisions ahead.

And I thought of this the other day when I was feeling a little low in spirit...

"I stared fear in the face...and he was ugly and had bad breath!

So, I'm going to gaze at Jesus instead and drink in His sweet Spirit."

Just a thought!

Be blessed, and be a blessing!

Deena

Don't Mean To Make It All About Me...

But, since it's my blog, I guess that's allowed:-)

I have an appointment with my surgeon (back) on Thursday, October 18th.

I have an appointment with my doctor to get a referral to an ob/gyn about the mass (abdominal) on Friday, October 19th.

Thank you for your prayers. Feel free to spread the word. Don't know what I'm going to have to do, but God does, and He's already there, making a way.

Just hoping I have the guts to walk His path:-)

Be blessed, and be a blessing!

Deena

Well, The Report Is In...

...and it ain't good.

I have one disc that has completely collapsed, one that is torn and leaking (what, I don't know...definitely NOT Diet Vanilla Pepsi, or I'd be happier LOL!!), and one that is bulging worse than my waistline.

So, surgery is a most DEFINITE possibility...and I'm not a happy camper...or a happy patient...in fact, patient is a foreign word to me!

PLUS, as if all THAT weren't enough...they spotted a mass in my abdomen that they say looks suspicious...call in CSI, I say! But they say no CSI...another MRI instead.

So, I'm waiting on dr. calls from surgeon and family practice...please keep praying.

Thanks!

Be blessed and be a blessing!

Deena

P.S. On a GOOD note, I'm having loads of fun giving books away at My Bookshelf! And, if I do have surgery...more time for reading...once my eyes uncross from all the pain meds, that is:-)

He Has Numbered My Days...

This was a little goody I found, just for fun...

Go here and click on real age...it may or may not work:-(

According to it, I'm 44, but my Real Age is 35.7 (yeah, right!).

I can expect to live to 83.3 years old (don't know if that makes me happy or sad:-)

I have 14,300 days left...not nearly enough time for the things I have on my to-do list! I'd better get crackin'! LOL!

But thankfully I know that He has numbered my days, and holds them in His hands.

If you try it out, leave me a comment and let me know how old you are...maybe we can retire together somewhere:-)

Be blessed and be a blessing!

Deena

Edited to add: I fiddled with the gadget and it won't work anymore...try googling "Real Age" and see if you can find one that works, then let me know:-)

Oh, Where Is My Hairbrush??

Today, when I got my hair caught in my seatbelt again, I decided it is time to get it cut off. When, I don't know. I usually make up my mind, then change it again, and vice versa about a half dozen times before I finally get it cut.

Why, you may be asking (even if you're not, I'm telling you, so sit back and relax)??

Because I'm an idiot when it comes to hair. Inept. I should have either been born a boy or bald, because I. Cannot. Style. Hair.



Even my Barbie head looked freakish once I took her out her rollers and gave her a little tease. Poor thing had SO many bald spots before I was done with her.

So, I may succomb surrender give in get my hair cut soon.

Which brings me to my point. My sister-in-love can really do hair. I never know from one visit to the next what kind of "do" she'll be sportin', but it will look fresh from the salon good, if you know what I mean.

When she and my niece were here for Dave's 50th birthday weekend, she had this feisty short cut that was absolutely hot. And it had grown out a bit since she'd had it cut, so it was a little on the tamer side at this point.



She had washed, dried and curled it til it looked amazing. But she had one thing left to do.

She had to see it from the back. And, while my sis is talented in the styling of hair, even SHE can't see the back of her head from the front!! So, with the help of a little hand held mirror, she checked for flat spots and "holes" in her do.



Still, she wasn't satisfied, so she asked my niece to take the hair pick and fluff any flat spots she had missed. There was only really one spot that needed a little fluffin', and then we were rarin' to go par-tay!

Isn't that like our spiritual lives? We can feel like we know what we're doing, and can be good at holding our stuff together pretty much, even discipling others along our way.

But we sense we have a "flat spot" in our lives...or that hole in our hearts starts to ache. We hold it up to the light of Scripture, and can see okay...just not always well enough to "get it" on our own.

And God takes a good look at us and shows us where the holes are that need repaired, or where the hard edges are that need softening up. He shows us the callouses that need smoothing and the tender spots that need healing.

And He shows us how filled our hearts need to be with His love and joy and mercy. Sometimes He does it through the word (the mirror), sometimes He uses brothers and sisters (the niece).

But I love it best when He, the Master Stylist, does it Himself. Because then I know it will be done right, and I'll be lookin' goo-ood!!

So, I'm still debating on whether or not to get my hair cut. Probably once Dave starts rolling over on it in the middle of the night, that's when I'll make up my mind. Til then, I'll be watching out for that hair-eating seatbelt!

Be blessed and be a blessing!

Deena

That's God!!

Have you ever been just sitting there and all of a sudden you feel like doing something nice for someone you care for?

THAT'S GOD talking to you through the Holy Spirit.

Have you ever been down and out and nobody seems to be around for you to talk to?

THAT'S GOD wanting you to talk to Him.

Have you ever received something wonderful that you didn't even ask for, like money in the mail, a debt that had mysteriously been cleared, or a coupon to a department store where you had just seen something you needed, but couldn't afford?

THAT'S GOD knowing the desires of your heart.

Have you ever been in a situation and you had no clue how it was going to get better, how the hurting would stop, how the pain would ease, but now you look back on it?

THAT'S GOD passing us through tribulation to see a brighter day!

What's Good For the Goose...etc.

This Fall,
when you see geese heading south
for the winter flying along in "V" formation,
you might consider what science has discovered
as to why they fly that way.

FACT:
As each bird flaps its wings,
it creates an "uplift" for the bird immediately following.
By flying in a "V" formation,
the whole flock has at least 71% greater flying range
than if each bird flew on it's own.

LESSON:
People who share a common direction
and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly
and easily because they are traveling
on the thrust of one another.
FACT:
When a goose flies out of formation,
it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone.
It quickly gets back into formation
to take advantage of the lifting power
of the bird in front of it.

LESSON:
If we have as much common sense as a goose,
we stay in formation with those headed where we want to go.
We are willing to accept their help and give our help to others.
It is harder to do something alone than together.

FACT:
When the lead goose gets tired,
it rotates back into the formation,
and another goose flies to the point position.

LESSON:
It is sensible to take turns
doing the hard and demanding tasks and sharing leadership.
As with geese, people are interdependent of each others skills,
capabilities, and unique arrangements
of gifts, talents, or resources.

FACT:
The geese flying in formation
honk from behind
to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

LESSON:
We need to make sure our honking is encouraging.
In groups where there is encouragement,
the production is much greater.
The power of encouragement
(to stand by one's heart or core values and encourage the heart and core of others)
is the quality of honking we seek.
We need to make sure
our honking is encouraging and not discouraging.

FACT:
When a goose gets sick, wounded, or shot down,
two other geese will drop out of formation with that goose and follow it down to lend help and protection.
They stay with the fallen goose
until it dies or is able to fly again.
Then, they launch out on their own,
or with another formation to catch up with their flock.

LESSON: If we have the sense of a goose,
we will stand by our colleagues
and each other in difficult
times as well as in good!

You Gotta Do Your Part!

Today at Bible study we talked about trust. We talked about seeking to have that quiet spirit that we read about in I Peter 3:4. (Ironically, the daily verse at Biblegateway.com today is “Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.”- Isaiah 26:4).

I shared that we don't trust God because we don't really know Him. We don't fully comprehend His love for us, and how much He longs to do for us and through us and on our behalf.

But there's actually another reason I find that I don't trust God. One that didn't hit me until I was on my way home.

And it's this: I don't trust Him because I know I haven't done my part.

Sometimes we're simply to wait upon Him. But sometimes He calls us to do a particular task, and we haven't done it.

For instance, my husband is a pastor. If He asked God to give Him the message He had for the church tomorrow morning, but never cracked open his Bible all week...what would that say?

Or if I ask God to make my financial ends meet, but keep going on spending sprees at the books store:-), what does that say...so then I take matters into my own hands, feeling like He can't or won't do it...when He's trying to get me to stay in the lines.

So, it's a dual thing. And they are polar opposites. One, we don't trust because we don't want to lose control. Two, we don't trust because we're out of His control...and I don't know about you, but I can swing from one pole to the other with the greatest of ease:-)

I need to trust God with my life, but I also need to do my part. And I need to trust Him to show me what my part is, to do it, and then to rest in Him for the rest.

Sounds so simple, but seems so complicated.

Food for thought.

Be blessed and be a blessing!

Deena

Honey, They're Playing Our Verse!

I had just started our car to make a trip into town when a CD in the player started playing a classic love song by one of my favorite bands. With a grin, I called my husband and asked him if he knew he'd left it in the car.

Turns out, he not only left it, he'd programmed it to come on at that track, and done it knowing I'd be driving that day. What a guy!

Since then, that CD hasn't left my player except to go to work with me. It's on my iPod, and I keep going back to certain songs that evoke the most powerful memories. Some good, some "eh" memories, and some that just make me sigh and smile softly.

That sparked a conversation with my husband about how hearing a certain song on the radio has the power to take me to BackWhenLand. In fact, there's one in particular...when it comes on the stereo, everything else in my world comes to a screeching halt, and I melt into a big puddle of mush.

Because it's "our song".

Some songs remind me of high school. Some remind of me certain friends, certain relationships. And then there are the songs my husband used to dedicate to me when we were dating. Or the song that came out the year my daughter was born. Or the one the kids used to sing in the backseat of the car, belting it out at the top of their lungs...

Which, as usually, triggered these thoughts:

On the way home from work I was listening to "the" CD...and it hit me...

Wouldn't it be wonderful if Scripture was like that in our lives?

What if we heard a verse on the radio or in a message or a teaching series, and we could say, "Oh, I remember when God gave me that verse! It was when my mom died...or when I just got that new job...or when I was so sick...or when I saw that double rainbow, remember that?"

Or what if certain passages caused us to say, "Oh, God, remember when we were talking about so and so, and right in the middle of my prayer You reminded me of that passage from Micah...those were some good times, huh, God? Let's have more of those, OK?"

Now, of course, Scripture is far more important than a song or an album of music...but what if Scripture was the soundtrack of a believer's life? What kind of difference would that make?

A lot, I suppose.

Now, I've got to go...because He's playing our song...I have loved you with an everlasting love...oh, yeah, God...I remember when I finally believed that one...and it was so way cool...

Be blessed, and be a blessing!

Deena

P.S. If you want to know 1) what the cd was that sparked all of this or 2) the song that turns me to mush...just email me:-) I'll tell you!

P.S.S. If you like to sing along to music then karaoke would be a blast for you. You can find karaoke information all over the web. From cute baby songs to your favorite party songs, find something you can sing along to!

My Back Goes Out More Than I Do!

Yesterday I blogged about feeling kind of down. I said I'd blog about it more today. So that's what I'm doing now. Blogging about feeling down.

Why am I down, you ask? (Even if you didn't ask, I'm gonna tell you anyway, so you might as well listen...I mean, keep readin'!)

Well, it's my back. Or rather, my lack of control over the situation regarding my back.

I've dealt with chronic back pain for several years. Finally, a little over two years ago, I was conned suckered convinced to have lower back surgery.

And it worked.

Until now.

Now I'm in pain again, and I've been told 1) I have degenerative disc disease; 2) rheumatoid arthritis; 3) I need to lose some weight (Well, DUH!); 4) I may need surgery again.

But I don't want surgery. I just want to be well. And there's the dilemma. What to do, what to do...

Last Monday, I had another MRI done on my back, and it brought back all of the memories of the last experience I had regarding my back pain, in full and living technicolor. The horror, the trauma, the looooonnnnngggg recovery...all of it.

I was NOT a happy camper on Monday! And since then, I've been having panic attacks, losing sleep, and been in chronic lower back pain more than before.

I haven't contacted my dr. yet to find out the results. I figure, he wants to cut me open, he's going to look for ME:-) But I don't know what I'm going to decide to do.

Decisions, decisions.....

If I have the surgery again, it will accelerate the deterioration in the other parts of my back that show damage. There is a strong possibility I would be permanently unable to work. Of course, that would mean I could blog full time, so there is an upside, right??



So, pray for me, please. Pray for relief, for my decision, for my healing, and for my doctor...or doctors, I should say.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled activity. This has been a public service announcement on the Deena network...All Deena, All the Time...we thank you for your time:-)

Be blessed, and be a blessing!

Deena

God Just Knew I Needed A Boost...

God knew I was feeling kinda low these days...and He had three ladies bless me with blogging honors...I already posted about the other two here.

And then I received an email tonight from Heather at Desperately Seeking Sanity, letting me know she selected me for this:

Here's what she said about me: "This woman is amazing! I don’t know her personally, only through her blogs, but I relate to her in so many ways. And she encourages me on a daily basis."

I'm amazed. Simply amazed.

And lately, I've felt anything BUT amazing. But I'll blog about that later.

In the spirit of this award, the rules are simple. Winners of this award must pick five other “disciples” to pass it on to. As you pass it on, mention and provide links for:

(1) Dan King of Management by God as the originator of the award.

(2) The person that awarded it to you.

(3) Name and sites of the five that you believe are fulfilling the role of a disciple of Christ.

Now, I'm supposed to pick 5 bloggers out of the many, many who lift me up and encourage me?? That's going to take some time, and I never have played by man's rules:-) Only God's!!

So, in no particular order...

1) Nise' at Thus Far The Lord Has Helped Me

2) Sharon at Sit With Me Awhile

3) Denise at Shortybear's Place

4) Taunalen at Taunalen

5) Denise, Diann, Colleen, and Kristen at Girls Write Out

6) All the wonderful chick-lit writers at Faithchick

And so many, many more. Thanks for lifting me up where I belong...and being the wind beneath my wings...and seeing the best part of me...and all of those other cliches that really don't express adequately what is in my heart.

You give me the gift of letting me be...well, me. And finding Jesus in the being of me...and that is cool. You help me learn to be real.

Be blessed and be a blessing!

Deena

My Kinda Pizza??

What Your Pizza Reveals

People may tell you that you have a small appetite... but you aren't under eating. You just aren't a pig. You are a very picky pizza eater. Not any pizza will do. You fit in best in the Northeast part of the US. Your taste in food tends to favor what's rich and comforting. You prefer food that will definitely satisfy you. You are generous, outgoing, and considerate with your choices. You are a flavorful and bold person. You should consider traveling to Spain. The stereotype that best fits you is upper class preppy. You don't anything too ordinary or vulgar.

What Does Your Pizza Say About You?

Obviously, anyone who knows me knows this is so WAY off track:-) Well, kind of!

But I'd rather let God define me rather than my pizza:-)

Be blessed and be a blessing!

Deena

I Don't Know What They See....

But I'm thankful that they see it in me:-)

Sharon at Sit With Me Awhile awarded me this a few weeks ago:

And I humbly say "Thanks!"

To all who have ever commented, prayed for me, or read my stuff here at "Wholly Devoted" and received something from it (even a bad case of indigestion:-)...I pass this award on to you!

Then, just a few days ago, Laura at Laura Williams' Musings awarded me this:



Again, a humble, "Thank you!"

To anyone who has ever gotten a smile from my words, a tear-filled one or a wide, face splitting grin (now, who in the wide, wide world would want one of THOSE??:-), I pass this on to you.

My ultimate prayer is not that I make you smile....althought that's great. Or that you think I'm fabulous, althought that's great too.

No, my ultimate prayer is that you see Jesus in me. Then I will have done a good thing indeed!

Be blessed, and be a blessing!

Deena

Time To Lighten Up!

Recently, a dear author friend received an email about an image on the cover of one of her books. Apparently, this reader was offended by the strip of bare skin, revealed on the cover,between the woman's blouse and her jeans.

I got out the book, took off my glasses, held the book up to my nose, and couldn't for the life of me see enough skin to notice, let alone be offended by. I was mystified.

Now, I felt the author was gracious, but she did find humor in the situation. And she posted the incident on her blog.

THEN, she received either a blog comment or email about how "harshly she dealt with the one who had been offended." So, now she's twisted herself into a knot over the entire matter, which was kind of silly to begin with.

If we as believers, spend our entire lives apologizing and making amends to those we offend unintentionally...then excuse me from everything, because my calendar's FULL with a capital F.

I'm always accidentally stepping on someone's toes somewhere. And sometimes, quite frankly, people...we are far too easily offended.

When an imaginary strip of bare belly skin trips someone up who Didn't Even Have To Buy The Book If It Bothered Her to the point she chastises the author and calls into question her relationship with God...

It's time to lighten up!

Believe me, I was offended by a much bigger issue recently, and satan had me in his clutches over it. And the offense wasn't worth the energy I gave it. I'm not saying it wasn't an offense...I'm saying It. Wasn't. Worth. It.

We're all about the gospel, people. Not about policing morality, pushing our views, or keeping one another in line. That's God's job. And we need to get back to ours.

Lord, help me learn from my OWN words, and stop wasting time with my feelings and offenses...and please help me stop being offensive...on accident, anyway:-)

Be Blessed and Be a Blessing!

Deena