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...