Deena's Bits and Pieces

Prayers For the family of Steven Curtis Chapman...

2008-05-22T10:51:00.000-07:00

In a tragic accident, the youngest daughter of Steven and Mary Beth Chapman was killed. Her teenaged brother did not see her and ran over her in the SUV after his oldest sister's engagement party.

Here's a video of Steven and Maria filmed just two months ago.

To send condolences to the Chapman family, click here.

Mom's Impressive Job Description

2008-05-20T08:33:00.000-07:00

Author and preacher Tony Campolo said that when his wife, Peggy, was at home full time with their children and someone would ask, "And what is it that you do, my dear?" she would respond, "I am socializing two Homo sapiens into the dominant values of the Judeo-Christian tradition in order that they might be instruments for the transformation of the social order into the kind of eschatological utopia that God willed from the beginning of creation."

Then Peggy would ask the other person, "And what do you do?"

—John Ortberg and Ruth Haley, An Ordinary Day with Jesus (Zondervan, 2001), p. 122; submitted by Dave Slagle, Lawrenceville, Georgia

HA! Top that one, anybody:-)

I'm Just Sayin'

Deena

I Want This T-Shirt!!

2008-05-13T20:13:00.000-07:00

EMERGENCY ALERT. : If wearer of this shirt is found vacant, listless, or depressed, ADMINISTER CHOCOLATE IMMEDIATELY.

WHITE LIE CAKE

2008-04-28T13:15:00.000-07:00

Have you ever told a white lie? You are going to love this, especially those who bake for church events.

Alice Grayson was to bake a cake for the Baptist Church Ladies' Group in Tuscaloosa, but forgot to do it until the last minute. She remembered the morning of the bake sale and after rummaging through cabinets, found an angel food cake mix and quickly made it while drying her hair, dressing, and helping her son pack for Scout camp.

When Alice took the cake from the oven, the center had dropped flat and the cake was horribly disfigured. She thought, 'Oh dear, there is not time to bake another cake.'

This cake was important to Alice because she did so want to fit in at her new church and in her new community of friends. So, being inventive, she looked around the house for something to build up the center of the cake. Alice found it in the bathroom - a roll of toilet paper. She plunked it in and covered it with icing. Not only did the finished product look beautiful, it looked perfect.

Before she left the house to drop the cake by the church and head for work, Alice woke her daughter Amanda and gave her some money and specific instructions to be at the bake sale the moment it opened at 9:30 and to buy the cake and bring it home When Amanda arrived at the sale, she found the attractive, perfect cake had already been sold. She grabbed her cell phone and called her mom.

Alice was horrified - she was beside herself. Everyone would know! What would they think? She would be ostracized, talked about, and ridiculed! All night, Alice lay awake in bed thinking about people pointing fingers at her and talking about her behind her back.

The next day, Alice promised herself she would try not to think about the cake and would attend the fancy luncheon and bridal shower at the home of a fellow church member and just try to have a good time. Alice did not want to attend because the hostess was a snob who more than once had looked down her nose at Alice because she was a single parent and not from the founding families of Tuscaloosa. But, having already RSVP'd, she couldn't think of a believable excuse to stay home.

The meal was elegant, the company was definitely upper crust old South and, to Alice's horror, the cake in question was presented for dessert! Alice felt the blood drain from her body when she saw the cake! She started out of her chair to tell the hostess all about it, but before she could get to her feet, the Mayor's wife said, 'What a beautiful cake!'

Alice still stunned, sat back in her chair when she heard the hostess (who was a prominent church member) say, 'Thank you, I baked it myself.'

Alice smiled and thought to herself, 'God is good.'

I'm Just Sayin'

Deena

Lesson Learned...

2008-04-18T10:41:00.000-07:00

In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him.

"How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked.

"Fifty cents," replied the waitress.

The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it.

"Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he inquired.

By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient.

"Thirty-five cents," she brusquely replied.

The little boy again counted his coins.

"I'll have the plain ice cream," he said.

The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left. When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies....

You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.

Creation Explained....Sort Of!

2008-04-10T14:40:00.000-07:00

In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth and populated the Earth with broccoli, cauliflower and spinach, green and yellow and red vegetables of all kinds, so Man and Woman would live long and healthy lives.

Then, using God’s great gifts, satan created Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream and Krispy Crème Donuts. And satan said, “You want chocolate with that?” And Man said, “Yes!” and woman said, “and as long as you’re at it, add some sprinkles.” And they gained 10 pounds. And satan smiled.

And God created the healthful yogurt that Woman might keep the figure that Man found so fair. And satan brought forth white flour from the wheat, and sugar from the cane and combined them. And Woman went from size 6 to size 14.

So God said, “Try my fresh green salad.” And satan presented Thousand Island dressing, buttery croutons and garlic toast on the side. And Man and Woman unfastened their belts following the repast.

God then said, “I have sent you heart healthy vegetables and olive oil in which to cook them.” And satan brought forth deep fried fish and chicken-fried steak so big it needed its own platter. And Man gained more weight and his cholesterol went through the roof.

God then created a light, fluffy white cake and named it “Angel Food Cake,” and said, “It is good.” satan then created chocolate cake and named it “Devil’s Food.”

God then brought forth running shoes so that His children might lose those extra pounds. And satan gave cable TV with a remote control so Man would not have to toil changing the channels. And Man and Woman laughed and cried before the flickering blue light and gained pounds.

Then God brought forth the potato, naturally low in fat and brimming with nutrition. And satan peeled off the healthful skin and sliced the starchy center into chips and deep-fried them. And Man gained pounds.

God then gave lean beef so that Man might consume fewer calories and still satisfy his appetite. And satan created McDonald’s and its 99-cent double cheeseburger. Then said, “You want fries with that?” And Man replied, “Yes! And super size them!’ And satan said, “It is good.” And Man went into cardiac arrest.

God sighed and created quadruple bypass surgery.

Then satan created HMOs.

The Fern and the Bamboo

2008-04-07T10:12:00.000-07:00

THE FERN AND THE BAMBOO

One day I decided to quit...I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality....
I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.

"God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"

His answer surprised me.

"Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"

"Yes", I replied.

"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the
bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.

In the second year the fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.

"In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. The same in year four.

"Then in the fifth year, a tiny sprout emerged from the earth.

Compared to the fern, it was seemingly small and insignificant.

But just six months later, the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.

It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle.

"Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots? I would not quit on the bamboo.. I will never quit on you.

"Don't compare yourself to others." He said. "The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful.

"Your time will come", God said to me. "You will rise high"

"How high should I rise?" I asked.

"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.

"As high as it can?" I questioned

"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."

I left the forest, realizing that God will never give up on me. And He will never give up on you.

Never regret a day in your life.

Good days give you happiness; bad days give you experiences; both are essential to life.

-- Author Unknown

I'm just sayin'

Deena

Please...

2008-03-25T12:59:00.000-07:00

go here...and pray.

To good to not post...

2008-03-18T09:18:00.000-07:00

Oh, and by the way...that borrowed tomb?

IT'S EMPTY!! HE ROSE AGAIN!!

It's Been Fun!

2008-03-17T12:21:00.000-07:00

I'd like to thank all of my faithful readers of Wholly Devoted.

I've been able to share a lot of my thoughts, ideas, inspirations, and funnies, and I've loved every second of every minute.

But, as of today, Wholly Devoted will be no more.

I'm not dismantling the blog...but I will be rarely, if ever, posting here. Lots of my material is original, so I may print it out and scrap book the pages that mean the most to me. So don't worry about it going completely away.

My ego is too big for that!

But God has opened doors for me to do something that I have a passion for, and that is write reviews for Christian fiction and non-fiction. This has gone from hobby to ministry, and while it has it's controversial and frustrating moments, that is truly where my heart is.

Plus, with my various health issues, I haven't had a whole lot to say about me lately. I'm having surgery April 21st to take care of one issue, and my doctors are working on treatment for the other one I battle daily.

Still, God isn't done with me yet, and I may pop in from time to time to share something amazing He has shown me. You just never know...

So, thank you. Thank you for giving my voice a chance to be heard, for helping me realize yes, I do matter in the Kingdom, and for all of your encouraging and uplifting comments and emails.

I've had a blessed and fun time. I hope you have as well.

See you later, gater!

Deena

Why Is It...

2008-03-07T13:27:00.000-08:00

...that often times those who are invalids feel invalid?

...that to be helpless can leave you feeling like you can help less?

...that the meaningless things in life aren't meaning less?

But isn't it great that those who are selfless think of self less?

I'm just sayin...

Deena

Another Verbal Faux Paux...

2008-03-01T13:14:00.000-08:00

Time to press the old panic button again! Opened my mouth and out came something I didn't mean, expressed in the wrong way, and the moment to correct it was lost.

So, all of you have to endure my explanation, which I hope you will find as cool beans as I do:-)

A sister in Christ had asked for prayer at last month's Bible study (yes, we meet once a month for women's Bible study...that's an entire other subject...I'm working on it!), and my sister in law took that request especially to heart.

My sister (in law) had let me know before she left to return home that she was going to make it a point to pray for the hurting sister. She really connected with her request and the events surrounding it.

So, at Bible study, I let this sister know about that conversation, so she would know of the Spirit connection that was made that day. But what I said was "She's going to pray for you in this area, even if you don't need it!"

What I MEANT was "she will pray for you so faithfully, that even when God delivers you in that area, the prayer won't stop."

What God whispered to me while my face turned red and I felt stupid was this:

Even if we continue to pray for a need, and the need is met, and we continue to pray...He applies our soothing balm of healing prayer to another hurting area in the person's life. He knows our needs better than we do...and we may be praying in sincerity and in fervency for an area that has been healed...

But He won't waste a drop. Ain't that cool?? I thought so.

I hope you did too. Despite my faux paux...once again:-0

I'm just sayin'...

Deena

What's It All About...?

2008-03-01T09:18:00.000-08:00

We just finished watching a movie tonight at our church. "Love's Enduring Promise", based on the books by Janette Oke. A bit cheesy, but it made a rather pointed...um, point.

That, coupled with the books God has led me to read lately, causes me to rethink some things. Things such as pain, loss and suffering.

We're told quite often, especially in James and I and II Peter to expect to suffer. "Count it all joy", "when trials come"--not if, "for your suffering builds" this and that and the other virtue.

But juxtaposed with Jesus' own promise that He "came to give us life, and give it to the full" (or as some translations put it--abundantly), how does it all fit? What's the answer to the age old question "why do bad things happen to good people"?

The answer lies in the definition of "abundance".

When Jesus promises us abundance, does He mean fat wallets, substantial bank accounts, full pantries, warrantied vehicles, and better homes (and gardens!)? Maybe...but not likely.

If you doubt me, read about Jesus' own life. If the King of Heaven lived like a vagabond and ate with others at their invitation, not the other way around...what can we expect?

I believe the answer to abundance is this...

When the diagnosis isn't good, and the worst possible could happen...knowing that to the believer, it is the greatest gain.

When your spouse or friend abandons you for no reason other than they can...knowing there is One who will never, ever leave...no matter what.

When the food supply dwindles, and your stomach growls...knowing that you can still feast on the Bread of Life that will fill your soul's content.

When you snap, crackle and pop without eating breakfast cereal every morning...knowing that one day a glorified body awaits you that will be friskier than any puppy, more flexible than any Olympic gymnast, and more limber than any deer.

When the clouds of depression refuse to part and let the light in...knowing that the joy of the Lord is your strength, and you don't have to dredge it up from yourself.

When evil seems to be overtaking the world and wounding those you love...knowing that He will ride in on a ride like no other and cry "It is finished!" and it finally will be as it was always meant to be.

When death takes a loved one and we grieve the loss...knowing that we are merely storing up our treasures in Heaven (if we will get busy sharing our faith).

When the things of this life pull, tug and lure you to the point of singing that old hymn "prone to wander, Lord, I feel it! Prone to leave the One I love"...knowing that one day you will sit at His feet with nothing else to do than to worship Him like you've always longed to do, with no distractions, no temptations...and No. More. Sin.

I think THAT'S the life abundant Jesus promised us.

Now, do I live it? No way, girlfriend! At least, not as much as I long to. And oh, how I long to live this way!!

And anyone who tries to convince you that they DO live this way, 24/7/365...don't believe it. We can't. We try. We fall. We get back up, and try again and again. And we live this life, knowing He knows we are jars of clay, holding the holy within us in His Spirit.

I'm trying. How about you? And isn't that what it's all about?

I'm just sayin'...

Deena

Know Crochet??

2008-02-29T10:25:00.000-08:00

A man and woman had been married for more than 60 years. They had shared everything. They had talked about everything. They had kept no secrets from each other except that the little old woman had a shoe box in the top of her closet that she had cautioned her husband never to open or ask her about.

For all of these years, he had never thought about the box, but one day the little old woman got very sick and the doctor said she would not recover.

In trying to sort out their affairs, the little old man took down the shoe box and took it to his wife's bedside. She agreed that it was time that he should know what was in the box. When he opened it, he found two crocheted dolls and a stack of money totaling $95,000. He asked her about the contents.

"When we were to be married," she said, "my grandmother told me the secret of a happy marriage was to never argue. She told me that if I ever got angry with you, I should just keep quiet and crochet a doll."

The little old man was so moved; he had to fight back tears. Only two precious dolls were in the box. She had only been angry with him two times in all those years of living and loving. He almost burst with happiness.

"Honey," he said, "that explains the doll, but what about all of this money? Where did it come from?"

"Oh," she said, "that's the money I made from selling the dolls."

A Prayer......

Dear Lord, I pray for Wisdom to understand my man;
Love to forgive him;
And Patience for his moods;
Because Lord, if I pray for Strength,
I'll beat him to death, because I don't know how to crochet.

I'm just sayin'...

Deena

Who's Hands??

2008-02-28T14:00:00.000-08:00

Lately, I've found myself in the midst of one health issue after another. I'm baffled, befuddled, mystified...and wearied of it all.

With this most recent one, I called my sister and told her I had an unusual prayer request.

"Please pray that the doctor will put me in the hospital," I cried. Then I proceeded to explain to her why that would be the wisest thing he could do. Made perfect, logical sense...and actually gave me a kind of peace.

Then she blew me out of my tranquil waters: "No, instead, I'm going to pray that God will show the doctor what he should be doing. We don't know if the hospital is the best thing or not."

Well, that sure rocked my boat! Didn't she hear me? Didn't she UNDERSTAND????

Yes, she did...better than I did. And I'm SO glad I called her with my hair-brained request.

I'm reading a book right now about a person who, out of fear, raced ahead of God and made a life-altering decision that had ripple effects in the lives of so many people. And no, it's not from the Bible...

But it could be. Remember Abraham? His race to prove God right gave us the turmoil in the Middle East. And remember Rebekah? Second worst case of sibling rivalry ever recorded (first was Cain and Abel), wasn't it?

And Peter...poor Peter. He always gets the bad rap...especially when he jumped the gun and cut off the guard's ear. Had he only waited a few more days, he would have seen Jesus rise and everything would have been okay.

Made me think of myself. Who's hands am I trusting in? Who's hands are my troubles in? Am I rushing out ahead of God, trying to make a way for Him? How ridiculous can that be?

But don't we tend to do that? Especially when we're in a situation that is just too big, too burdensome, too huge...too preposterous. That's when we tend to get out ahead of God and take matters into our own hands.

And that NEVER turns out well...ever.

I'm trying so very hard to lean on God and His wisdom through all of this. I'm trying to be patient, optimistic, and hopeful. But it is so hard. So very hard. And just when I think I have it figured out and solved...

He loves me enough to send me someone, like my sister, to gently say "Deena, put it back in My hands. Let Me hold it for you...it will crush you, sweetie. But My hands are strong enough, and I can see out far enough to know what is best for you."

It may not always feel like it...but I can't live on feelings. I have to live on faith.

I'm just sayin'...

Deena

I needed this one too...

2008-02-26T11:58:00.001-08:00

...thought maybe...so did YOU:-)

I'm just sayin'...

Deena

Malachi 3:3

2008-02-26T11:54:00.000-08:00

I needed this today...thought maybe you did too:-)

Malachi 3:3 says: "He will sit as refiner and purifier of silver."

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.

The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it"

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

Pass this on right now.

This very moment, someone needs to know that God is watching over them. And, whatever they're going through, they'll be a better person in the end.

I'm just sayin'...

Deena

Wet Pants

2008-02-24T18:28:00.000-08:00

Come with me to a third grade classroom.....

There is a nine-year-old kid sitting at his desk and all of a sudden, there is a puddle between his feet and the front of his pants are wet. He thinks his heart is going to stop because he cannot possibly imagine how this has happened.

It's never happened before, and he knows that when the boys find out he will never hear the end of it. When the girls find out, they'll never speak to him again as long as he lives.

The boy believes his heart is going to stop; he puts his head down and prays this prayer, "Dear God, this is an emergency! I need help now! Five minutes from now I'm dead meat."

He looks up from his prayer and here comes the teacher with a look in her eyes that says he has been discovered.

As the teacher is walking toward him, a classmate named Susie is carrying a goldfish bowl that is filled with water. Susie trips in front of the teacher and inexplicably dumps the bowl of water in the boy's lap.

The boy pretends to be angry, but all the while is saying to himself, "Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Lord!"

Now all of a sudden, instead of being the object of ridicule, the boy is the object of sympathy. The teacher rushes him downstairs and gives him gym shorts to put on while his pants dry out.

All the other children are on their hands and knees cleaning up around his desk. The sympathy is wonderful. But as life would have it, the ridicule that should have been his has been transferred to someone else - Susie.

She tries to help, but they tell her to get out. You've done enough, you klutz!"

Finally, at the end of the day, as they are waiting for the bus, the boy walks over to Susie and whispers, "You did that on purpose, didn't you?"

Susie whispers back, "I wet my pants once too."

May God help us see the opportunities that are always around us to do good..

Remember.....Just going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car.

I'm just sayin...

Deena

Special Day At Our House!

2008-02-22T13:45:00.000-08:00

I would like to take this opportunity to wish my second daughter and middle child a very Happy Birthday!!

She turns 18 today, and is not too crazy about being labeled "an adult".

So, I'm letting her be a kid a little bit longer:-)

Hey, it took me 30 years to grow up:-) And I'm STILL working on it!

Her blog is Books 4 Teens--stop by and give her a shout out on her birthday:-)

I'm just sayin...

Deena

I did the Macarena with a goat because the voices told me to!

2008-02-20T20:01:00.000-08:00

This is funny, don't spoil the fun, and keep it going............Type out the sentence you end up with, and put it in the comments...feel free to swipe it and post it on your own blog:-)

Pick the month you were born:

January-------I kicked
February------I loved
March--------I karate chopped
April----------I licked
May----------I jumped on
June----------I smelled
July-----------I did the Macarena With
August--------I had lunch with
September----I danced with
October-------I sang to
November-----I yelled at
December-----I ran over

Pick the day (number) you were born on:

1-------a birdbath
2-------a monster
3-------a phone
4-------a fork
5-------a snowman
6-------a gangster
7-------my mobile phone
8-------my dog
9-------my best friends' boyfriend
10-------my neighbour
11-------my science teacher
12-------a banana
13-------a fireman
14-------a st uffed animal
15-------a goat
16-------a pickle
17-------your mom
18-------a spoon
19------ - a smurf
20-------a baseball bat
21-------a ninja
22-------Chuck Norris
23-------a noodle
24-------a squirrel
25-------a football player
26-------my sister
27-------my brother
28-------an ipod
29-------a surfer
30-------a llama
31-------A homeless guy

Pick the color of shirt you are wearing:

White---------because I'm cool like that
Black---------because that's how I roll.
Pink-----------because I'm crazy.
Red-----------because the voices told me to.
Blue-----------because I'm sexy and I do what I want
Green---------because I think I need some serious help.
Purple---------because I'm AWESOME!
Gray----------because Big Bird said to and he's my leader.
Yellow--------because someone offered me $1,000,000 dollars
Orange--------because my family thinks I'm nutty anyway.
Brown---------because I can...
O ther----------because I'm a Ninja!
None----------because I can't control myself!

Now type out the sentence you made in the comments...I can't wait to see what you get stuck with.................

I'm just sayin'...

Deena

Just A Mom???

2008-02-19T19:55:00.000-08:00

A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk 's office, was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

'What I mean is, ' explained the recorder,'do you have a job or are you just a ...?'

'Of course I have a job,' snapped the woman. 'I'm a Mom.'

'We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it,' said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.

The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, 'Official Interrogator' or 'Town Registrar.'

'What is your occupation?' she probed.

What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out.
'I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations.'

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in m idair and looked up as though she had not heard right.

I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

'Might I ask,' said the clerk with new interest,'just what you do in your field?'

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, 'I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't) in the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out).

I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it).

But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.'

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern.

I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than 'just another Mom.'

Motherhood!

What a glorious career!

Especially when there's a title on the door.

Does this make grandmothers 'Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations' and great grandmothers 'Executive Senior Research Associates?'

I think so!!!

I also think it makes Aunts 'Associate Research Assistants.'

I'm just sayin'...

Deena

No More Tea??

2008-02-18T17:57:00.000-08:00

One day my mother was out and my dad was in charge of me and
my brother who is four years older than I am. I was maybe 1 and a
half years old and had just recovered from an accident in
which my arm had been broken among other injuries.

Someone had given me a little 'tea set' as a get-well gift
and it was one of my favorite toys. Daddy was in the living
room engrossed in the evening news and my brother was
playing nearby in the living room when I brought Daddy a
little cup of 'tea', which was just water.

After several cups of tea and lots of praise for such yummy tea,
my Mom came home. My Dad made her wait in the living room to watch
me bring him a cup of tea, because it was 'just the cutest
thing!!'

My Mom waited, and sure enough, here I come down the
hall with a cup of tea for Daddy and she watches him drink
it up, then says, 'Did it ever occur to you that the only place
that baby can reach to get water is the toilet??'

So, what've YOU been drinking from??

I'm just sayin'...

Deena

The Holy Alphabet

2008-02-16T08:17:00.001-08:00

I got this in an email from Denise at Shortybear's Place, and it is so good I thought I'd share it with all of you:-)

A-lthough things are not perfect
B-ecause of trial or pain
C-ontinue in thanksgiving
D-o not begin to blame

E-ven when the times are hard
F-ierce winds are bound to blow
G-od is forever able
H-old on to what you know

I-magine life without His love
J-oy would cease to be
K-eep thanking Him for all the things
L-ove imparts to thee

M-ove out of "Camp Complaining"
N-o weapon that is known
O-n earth can yield the power
P-raise can do alone

Q-uit looking at the future
R-edeem the time at hand
S-tart every day with worship
T-o "thank" is a command

U-ntil we see Him coming
V-ictorious in the sky
W-e'll run the race with gratitude
X-alting God most high

Y-es, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...
Z-ion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!

Thanks Denise!

We're just sayin'...

Deena

Ain't It Just Like God!!

2008-02-15T18:08:00.000-08:00

A Coincidence????

A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye...and science shows that carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.

A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart is red and has four chambers. All of the research shows tomatoes are indeed pure heart and blood food.

Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows that grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.

A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds are on the nut just like the neo-cortex. We now know that walnuts help develop over 3 dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.

Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys.

Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and more look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don't have enough sodium in your diet the body pulls it from the bones, making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.

Eggplant, Avocadoes and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today's research shows that when a woman eats 1 avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this? .... It takes exactly 9 months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit. There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (modern science has only studied and named about 141 of them).

Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics.

Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries.

Onions look like body cells. Today's research shows that onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes.

"The news isn't that fruits and vegetables are good for you, it's that they are so good for you, they can save your life." David Bjerklie, TIME Magazine, Oct. 2003.

No one can ever convince me this is all an "accident"...and the evidence for a loving and divine Creator keeps mounting...

I'm just sayin'...

Deena

Philosophy of (Mid) Life!

2008-02-14T09:28:00.000-08:00

I've seen two shows lately that went on and on about how mid-life is a great time for women. Just last week Oprah had a whole show on how great menopause will be... .Puhle eeeeeeze! I've had a few thoughts of my own and would like to share them with you. Whether you are pushing 40, 50, 60, 70 (or maybe even just pushing your luck), you'll probably relate.

Mid-life is when the growth of hair on our legs slows down.

This gives us plenty of time to care for our newly acquired mustache.

In mid-life women no longer have upper arms, we have wing spans.

We are no longer women in sleeveless shirts, we are flying squirrels in drag.

Mid-life is when you can stand naked in front of a m irror and you can see your rear without turning around.

Mid-life is when you go for a mammogram and you realize that this is the only time someone will ask you to appear topless.

Mid-life is when you want to grab every firm young lovely in a tube top and scream, 'Listen honey, even the Roman empire fell and those will too'

Mid-life brings wisdom to know that life throws us curves and we're sitting on our biggest ones.

Mid-life is when you look at your know-it-all, cellphone-wearing teenager and think: 'For this I have stretch marks?'

In mid-life your memory starts to go. In fact the only thing we can retain is water.

Mid-life means that your Body By Jake now includes Legs By Rand McNally -- more red and blue lines than an accurately scaled map of Wisconsin

Mid-life means that you become more reflective . . . You start pondering the 'big' questions:

What is life?

Why am I here?

How much Healthy Choice ice cream can I eat before it's no longer a healthy choice?

But mid-life also brings with it an appreciation for what is important. We realize that breasts sag, hips expand and chins double, but our loved ones make the journey worthwhile. Would any of you trade the knowledge that you have now, for the body you had way back when? Maybe our bodies simply have to expand to hold all the wisdom and love we've acquired. That's my philosophy and I'm sticking to it!

I'm just sayin...

Deena

Happy Valentine's Day ( a little early)!!

2008-02-12T11:05:00.000-08:00

For God so loVed the world,

That He gAve

His onLy

BegottEn

SoN

That whosoever

Believeth In Him

Should Not perish,

But have Everlasting life."

John 3:16

He's just sayin'...He loves you.

Deena

HANDY LITTLE CHART!

2008-02-12T10:28:00.000-08:00

God has a positive answer:
YOU SAY GOD SAYS BIBLE VERSES

You say: 'It's impossible' God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)

You say: 'I'm too tired' God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)

You say: 'Nobody really loves me' God says: I love you (John 3:1 6 & John 3:34 )
You say: 'I can't go on' God says: My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)
You say: 'I can't figure things out' God says: I will direct your steps
(Proverbs 3:5-6)
You say: 'I can't do it' God says: You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)
You say: 'I'm not able' God says: I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)
You say: 'It's not worth it' God says: It will be worth it (Roman 8:28 )
You say: 'I can't forgive myself' God says: I Forgive you (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
You say: 'I can't manage' God says: I will supply all your needs
(Philippians 4:19)

Keep this handy...

I'm just sayin'...

Deena

Putting Down Roots...

2008-02-08T09:32:00.001-08:00

Today, I'm sharing a bit more from that little book I mentioned in yesterday's post.

Paul shares about a family who has just returned from the mission field, and the mother is asked what it was she found so overwhelming upon returning to the U.S. Her response? "The potato chip aisle in the store."

Did you know that Lay's Brand produces over 40 different types of potato chip? That's NUTS, people! And when you've been to a foreign country where a potato itself thrills you no end...you realize just how nuts that is.

Now, let's move it into the realm of the Spirit, shall we? How many different types of churches (denomination, style, size, etc.) do we have in this country? And how healthy is it for the Body of Christ?

Before you come flyin' at me with your theological debates primed and ready, let me say this...I'm not knocking denominations. I'm just saying, how long have you been serving where you are currently at?

Most Christians spend an average of 2-3 years in one church. The average pastor spends only 7-8 years as pastor of one church (in our denomination, the average is much less). Now, somebody tell me how you can put down roots that way?

So many believers are saying they feel so disconnected from the Body. I know of one woman who feels no one in her church "gets her". My question is "has she been there long enough to be gotten--and how 'there' is she?"

When my husband pastored 14 years ago, we lived along the Sacramento River, and we had lots and lots of almond orchards surrounding us. In 1995, our area was severely flooded, to the point we had to evacuate to my parents home 45 minutes away.

As we drove along the highway, we saw tree after tree after tree lying on its side, root ball sticking up in the air. Later on we read how most of the almond crop for that year was destroyed by flood.

The reason? These were trees with shallow roots. They hadn't been planted long enough to go deep into the soil, so when the flood came, they popped up and toppled over. Had the flood waited another few years, the root ball would have been deep enough that the trees might have stayed planted.

With all of the variety and choice in the Body of Christ, I wonder if we stay put long enough to take root. I've watched in my own small town as "this church" become the "happening place to worship" and people move in droves to worship there...only to have it shift within a couple of years and then people move over there.

Or the worship/children's ministry/fellowship changes and doesn't meet my needs, so I'm going to go over here now. How will it ever be what it can be if people don't put down roots and help be the change they want to see?

So, let me ask you again...how long have you been in your current church? And just how "in" are you? Are you putting down deep roots? You need to...and don't worry...God will move you when it's time to move.

I'm just saying...

Deena

Simplify

2008-02-07T11:36:00.000-08:00

I'm reading a clever book by author Paul Borthwick called "Simplify".

He has a lot of thoughtful, "chew on this" material for me, and I thought I'd share something from it with you.

"This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him," Deuteronomy 30:19-20.

What I'm realizing through reading this book is that those verses read more like this for me:

"This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against me that I have set before myself life and death, blessings and curses. Now I choose life, so that I and my children may have stuff and enjoy life and that I may like the Lord but love Wal-mart, drown out His voice in my life with iPods and DVDs and books, and hold fast to whatever the new fancy or fad is in my life today," Deena 372:1-3.

Which version sounds a chord for you?

If you want to know more about the book, click here.

I'm just sayin...

Deena

HUH????

2008-02-04T16:29:00.000-08:00

Supposed true stories from real people...YIKES!!

1) We had to have the garage door repaired. The Sears repairman told us that one of our problems was that we did not have a 'large' enough motor on the opener. I thought for a minute, and said that we had the largest one Sears made at that time, a 1/2 horsepower. He shook his head and said, 'Lady, you need a 1/4 horsepower.' I responded that 1/2 was larger than 1/4. He said, 'NO, it's not.' Four is larger than two..'

We haven't used Sears repair since.

2) My daughter and I went through the McDonald's take-out window and I gave the clerk a $5 bill. Our total was $4.25, so I also handed her a quarter. She said, 'you gave me too much money.' I said, 'Yes I know, but this way you can just give me a dollar bill back.' She sighed and went to get the manager who asked me to repeat my request. I did so, and he handed me back the quarter, and said 'We're sorry but they could not do that kind of thing.' The clerk then proceeded to give me back$1 and 75 cents in change.

Do not confuse the clerks at McD's.

3) I live in a semi rural area. We recently had a new neighbor call the local township administrative office to request the removal of the DEER CROSSING sign on our road. The reason: 'Too many deer are being hit by cars out here! I don't think this is a good place for them to be crossing anymore.'

4) My daughter went to a local Taco Bell and ordered a taco. She asked the person behind the counter for 'minimal lettuce.' He said he was sorry, but they only had iceberg lettuce.

5) I was at the airport, checking in at the gate when an airport employee asked, 'Has anyone put anything in your baggage without your knowledge?' To which I replied, 'If it was without my knowledge, how would I know?' He smiled knowingly and nodded,
'That's why we ask.'

6) The stoplight on the corner buzzes when it's safe to cross the street. I was crossing with an intellectually challenged coworker of mine. She asked if I knew what the buzzer was for. I explained that it signals blind people when the light is red. Appalled, she responded, 'What on earth are blind people doing driving?!'
She was a probation officer in Wichita , KS

7) At a good-bye luncheon for an old and dear coworker. She was leaving the company due to 'downsizing.' Our manager commented cheerfully, 'This is fun. We should do this more often.' Not another word was spoken. We all just looked at each other with that deer-in-the-headlights stare.
This was a lunch at Texas Instruments.

8) I work with an individual who plugged her power strip back into itself and for the sake of her life, couldn't understand why her system would not turn on.
A deputy with the Dallas County Sheriffs office, no less.

9) When my husband and I arrived at an automobile dealership to pick up our car, we were told the keys had been locked in it. We went to the service department and found a mechanic working feverishly to unlock the drivers side door. As I watched from the passenger side, I instinctively tried the door handle and discovered that it was unlocked. 'Hey,' I announced to the technician, 'its open!' His reply, 'I know. I already got that side.'
This was at the Ford dealership in Canton , Mississippi

Hmmmmm....kinda makes you wonder, huh?? LOL!!

Be blessed, and be careful out there!!

Deena

Brief Thought, Laughs Below...

2008-01-31T12:08:00.000-08:00

In Bible study we talked about David as a young boy, tending his father's sheep. We talked about how, out of the entire army at King Saul's disposal, David was the only one willing to fight Goliath, and he was a civilian.

Remember how King Saul tried to dress David in his armor? David tried it on, then refused it, saying it was too cumbersome and he would not be able to do what he was called to do while wearing the king's armor.

My thought is this:

Who's armor are we trying to wear, and is it helping or hindering us in fulfilling God's call on our lives?

I know I'm guilty of picking up stray pieces of other people's "armor", trying to make them fit me and then wondering why I feel so awkward and uncomfortable, so ineffective and insufficient.

Maybe it's because I need to put on my OWN armor (see Ephesians for more) and do my OWN thing according to God's will, and stop trying to be like everybody else.

So, who's armor are you trying to wear? And isn't it about time you took it off and let God make you who HE wants you to be?

I'm just sayin....

Be blessed!

Deena

The Living Lexicon: Church Terms that Oughta Be

2008-01-31T12:05:00.000-08:00

Biblidue: The build-up of bookmarks, bulletins, notes, and other miscellanea that collects in one's Bible.

Clivaholic: One who can no longer control the compulsion to quote C.S. Lewis in every sermon, lesson, or conversation.

Hymnastics: The entertaining body language of the song leader.

Narthexegesis: Unsolicited post-sermon commentary given the preacher by armchair biblical theologians.

Pewtrify: To occupy a precise spot in the sanctuary for more than 15 years without once showing signs of sentient life.

Ministereotype: A common myth or misconception about any ordained person.

Deaconscript: An unwilling church officer cajoled into a position of leadership.

Hi-litaholic: One who cannot resist highlighting Bible verses until the entire volume is a multihued mass of Day-Glo vibrancy.

Hymnprovisation: The abrupt and unannounced transition from one song to another, usually a chorus unfamiliar to most present.

Proliferation: An abundance of anti-abortion activists.

Pulpituitary: That phenomenon familiar to those seated on the front pew, during which a preacher produces hazardous conditions with alliterative P's.

~~Received via email from Church Laughs Newsletter

Be blessed, and don't forget to laugh! It's healthy!

Deena

All I'm Saying Is...

2008-01-29T16:38:00.001-08:00

KNOW WHO YOU ARE VOTING FOR...

That's All I'm Saying.

Deena

If You're Able...

2008-01-29T10:57:00.000-08:00

An elderly woman decided to prepare her will and told her preacher she had two final requests.

First, she wanted to be cremated, and second, she wanted her ashes scattered over Wal-Mart.

"Wal-Mart?" the preacher exclaimed.

"Why Wal-Mart?"

"Then I'll be sure my daughters visit me twice a week!"

Don't let this be said about you. If you're able, call home and say I love you to the ones who raised you. I'd love to talk with Mom and Dad again...but I have to wait for eternity now.

In The Center Of His Will?

2008-01-28T19:25:00.000-08:00

Some food for thought....

Q: What is the shortest chapter in the Bible?

A: Psalms 117

Q: What is the longest chapter in the Bible?

A: Psalms 119

Q: Which chapter is in the center of the Bible?

A: Psalms 118

Fact: There are 594 chapters before Psalms 118

Fact: There are 594 chapters after Psalms 118

Add these numbers up and you get 1188.

Q: What is the center verse in the Bible?

A: Psalms 118:8

Q: Does this verse say something significant about God's perfect will for our lives?

The next time someone says they would like to find

God's perfect will for their lives and that they want to

be in the center of His will, just send them to the

center of His Word!

Psalms 118:8

"It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man."

Now isn't that odd how this worked out (or was God in the center of it)?

When things get tough, always remember...

Faith doesn't get you around trouble, it gets you through it !!

Thought you might like that!

Be blessed, and stay centered!

Deena

Food For Thought, Doncha Know?

2008-01-24T18:04:00.000-08:00

Jake, the rancher went one day,
To fix a distant fence.
The wind was cold and gusty;
The clouds rolled gray and dense.
As he pounded the last staples in
And gathered his tools to go,
The temperature had fallen;
The wind and snow began to blow.

When he finally reached his pickup,
He felt a heavy heart;
From the sound of that ignition,
He knew it wouldn't start!
So Jake did what most of us would do,
had we been there.
He humbly bowed his balding head
And sent aloft a prayer.

As he turned the key for one last time,
He softly cursed his luck.
They found him three days later,
Frozen stiff in that old truck.
Now Jake had been around in life
And done his share of roaming.
But when he saw Heaven,
he was shocked --
It looked just like Wyoming !

Of all the saints in Heaven,
His favorite was St Peter.
(Now, this line ain't really needed,
But it helps with rhyme and meter)
So they set and talked a minute or two,
Or maybe it was three.
Nobody was keeping score --
In Heaven time is free.

"I've always heard ," Jake said to Pete,
"That God will answer prayer,
But one time when I asked for help,
Well, HE just plain wasn't there.
Does God answer prayers of some,
and ignore the prayers of others?
That don't seem exactly square --
I know all men are brothers."

"Or does he randomly reply,
Without good rhyme or reason?
Maybe, it's the time of day,
The weather or the season.
Now I ain't trying to act smart,
It's just the way I feel.
And I was wondering,
could you tell me --
What the heck's the deal?!"

Peter listened patiently,
And when old Jake was done,
There were smiles of recognition,
And he said, "So, you're the one!!
That day your truck;
It wouldn't start,
And you sent your prayer a flying,
You gave us all a real bad time,
With hundreds of us all trying."

"A thousand angels rushed,
To check the status of your file,
But you know, Jake,
We hadn't heard from you,
in quite a long while."
And though all prayers are answered,
And God ain't got no quota,
He didn't recognize your voice,
And started a truck in Minnesota !"

BETTER KEEP IN TOUCH!

Nuts in the Cemetery (A Funny)!

2008-01-24T11:48:00.000-08:00

On the outskirts of a small town, there was a big, old pecan tree just inside the cemetery fence.

One day, two boys filled up a bucketful of nuts and sat down by the tree, out of sight, and began dividing the nuts. "One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me," said one boy.

Several dropped and rolled down toward the fence. Another boy came riding along the road on his bicycle. As he passed, he thought he heard voices from inside the cemetery. He slowed down to investigate.

Sure enough, he heard, "One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me." He just knew what it was. He jumped back on his bike and rode off.

Just around the bend he met an old man with a cane, hobbling along. "Come here quick," said the boy, "you won't believe what I heard! Satan and the Lord are down at the cemetery dividing up the souls."

The man said, "Beat it kid, can't you see it's hard for me to walk."

When the boy insisted though, the man hobbled slowly to the cemetery. Standing by the fence they heard, "One for you, one for me. One for you,one for me."

The old man whispered, "Boy, you've been tellin' me the truth. Let's see if we can see the Lord." Shaking with fear, they peered through the fence, yet were still unable to see anything.

The old man and the boy gripped the wrought iron bars of the fence tighter and tighter as they tried to get a glimpse of the Lord.
At last they heard, "One for you, one for me. That's all. Now let's go get those nuts by the fence and we'll be done."

They say the old man made it back to town a full 5 minutes ahead of the kid on the bike.

Be blessed, and be a blessing!

Deena

I Don't Usually Do This...

2008-01-18T17:02:00.000-08:00

...but I think it's worth doing today.

Recently I was asked to review a manuscript of a book that is due to release in February. Nothing unusual about that...I get them these days. And it was a book I was interested in anyway...just a bit earlier than I had expected.

Talk about a Divine Appointment!

Since I know some of you only read "Wholly Devoted" and either aren't aware of my book review blog, I'm going to repost some of the information here for your benefit.

I buy a lot of books. I read a lot of books. I review a lot of books.

No book has changed me like Allison Bottke's soon to be released book, "Setting Boundaries With Your Adult Children".

Except the Bible.

Allison wrote this book out of a painful experience involving her own son; she recounts that pivotal experience in the opening pages. With a prologue from Carol Kent, who's own son's actions changed HER life forever, this book rings with authenticity and a heart for hurting parents that is just HUGE.

In this non-fiction, semi-autobiographic book, Allison first explains "The Parent as Enabler". This was a difficult section to read, because from the very beginning I saw myself in these pages. But it was also a divine appointment (and you thought this was just a book review:-), because I also found freedom in these pages.

As a mother of a prodigal (wayward) daughter, this book was more than just something to read. It was, as I stated earlier, a God appointment. I didn't request this book for review...I was asked to review it.

And now I know it was because God knew I needed the message of healing contained in these pages, and because He wants to get the word out to hurting parents of prodigal children..."There is hope, and you are NOT alone!"

Buy this book for yourself, for a friend or family member, for someone who's hurting over their adult children. Begin a support group and read it together. And allow yourself to regain your S.A.N.I.T.Y. once again. "Setting Boundaries With Your Adult Children" releases February 1, 2008 and is published by Harvest House Publishers.

To Read the Entire Review, click here.

This is a book with a wide appeal. It's for hurting parents; it's for friends of hurting parents.

It's for aching families. It's for families who want to avoid the aches and pains of raising kids in this messed up world.

It's a wake up call for some. It's an alert for others. It's a roadmap to avoid pitfalls...for others, it may be the rope that rescues you from the pit you're in.

No matter what, it's worth reading...and sharing.

Pray for me as I pray for direction concerning this book. I'm going on blog tour with Allison Bottke's new book in April, and I've had some things asked of me.

I don't want to make a move without God's approval, but I feel a sense of urgency about this issue. It's very personal, and I don't believe God is wasting this experience for a mere review.

So, please check out the review. Watch for the interview. And pray for me to find direction in what He has ordained through this divine appointment.

Be blessed,

Deena

What Will WE Do?

2008-01-17T09:34:00.000-08:00

So, there I was, sitting at my desk this morning, doing my work, minding my own business...

(For those who DON'T know, I work part-time as a church secretary).

I was putting together this week's bulletin for church, when the announcement about the Wednesday evening Bible study caught my eye.

Now, I'm familiar with this particular piece of news...I designed it. It runs every week. It's an ongoing ministry of the church I work for.

What held my attention was this thought...

It took several years for this church to begin having a Wednesday night Bible study. There was some squabbling, some discussion, some bickering, some badgering, and finally a surrender. But it took a long, long time and a lot of hard work to begin a weekly Bible study.

And Bible study is good...worth fighting for...don't misunderstand me. What hit me was we're like a group of medical students who go to medical school to learn how to be doctors...

...and we keep going and going and going and going...once in awhile we'll pick up a scalpel...test it's weight...polish it up...and put it back in our nice and tidy medical bag.

Or a group of law students who practice court but never really hold court, buffing our briefcases and toting our huge law books back and forth, impressing one another with our torts and briefs (now that just sounded SO wrong!)

What's the use of going to medical school if you won't one day practice medicine?

What's the use of going to law school if you won't one day practice law? (Maybe that's why so many are so bad at it...their still practicing?? LOL!! Sorry, my bad...)

Why study God's Word if we're not going to one day go out there in the world and use it?

When's the last time you watched your church fight for an evangelism program? Struggle to fit in a Bible study...sure, no problem! But witnessing? Evangelism? Street preaching?

Ummm...let me check my datebook...

The cool thing about the church I attend (no, it's not where I work...long story for another post), we have one gentleman who is fighting for our church to beginning spreading the gospel more actively.

What I find even cooler?

He's not waiting. Did you catch that? He's not waiting for the rest of us to pick up the call...he's called, he knows it, and he's just waiting for the rest of us to CATCH up!

See, the thing is this...

We'll have all eternity to learn about God, His ways, and His thoughts...

We'll have all eternity to worship Him in word, song, and deeds...

We'll have all eternity to fellowship with fellow believers and to share our testimonies among the faithful...

But we only have here and now to share the gospel message with someone. And far too often, I find myself doing the first three, and neglecting the one thing I can only do here and now.

Who will spread the Good News? He's waiting on YOU and ME. How about it?

Be blessed, and keep studying...but let's get out into the "operating room", shall we? Let's do a full court press for Jesus! (Sorry, just couldn't help myself...get it..."court"..."law"....oh, never mind!)

Deena

Deena

It's Scandalous!

2008-01-15T09:36:00.000-08:00

Okay, unless you've been living under a rock these days, you've all probably heard the latest buzz on the unauthorized biography of Tom Cruise, written by Britain's version of Kitty Kelly--Andrew Morton.

It's been on all the talk shows, scandal rags, and television gossip shows for weeks now. I caught a snippet on the Today Show this morning.

And, just in case you didn't know the latest dirt on THIS celebrity...

She checked herself out of mental health, lost permanent custody of her children, and her Dr. Phil special? Canceled.

My question is this...why do we care?

Don't we realize that we create this stuff? We create this kind of voyeuristic living and lifestyle for these people? If everyone who claimed to be a believer in Christ stopped watching and reading and buying, and just started praying...what a difference we'd make!

I mean, I was just as upset as any American mom when the scandal about Vanessa Hudgens (of High School Musical fame) hit the airwaves. And I was heartbroken when Jamie Lynn Spears announced she was pregnant at 16.

But it was even more heartbreaking to know that, without Christ in their lives...all of these so-called famous people will die and go to hell.

And isn't that more important??

Do we pray as much as we watch, read, and gossip?

Britney can one day get her kids back...Tom can leave Scientology, and Jamie Lynn's baby can have a hope and a future, but only if WE get off their backs and get on our knees.

With all the surveys done lately on who claims to be born again...we're a force to be reckoned with at the gates of hell...and we're too busy reading The Star and watching Entertainment Tonight.

So, I don't care about Tom Cruise's wacky or racy habits. I care about his soul. How about you?

Be blessed, and be praying. Develop a Hollywood hitlist...'cause if Steven Baldwin and the lead singer from Korn can be redeemed...Tom Cruise?? He's no challenge to God at all:-)

Deena

Guess What?!?

2008-01-03T20:47:00.001-08:00

God answered prayers (well, of course He did...He answers all of them)...
but He answered SPECIFIC prayers on my behalf.

I do NOT have breast cancer...I just have a lymph node in an odd place.

But praise God I DO NOT HAVE CANCER. I DO however have a much deeper appreciation for what women go through who receive "that" phone call, and vow to pray for those battling breast cancer (or cancer of any kind) more fervently.

If you or someone you love is battling breast cancer, my heart goes out to you. If you need a shoulder or an ear...you can always count on mine:-)

Thank You, God, for choosing to heal me now instead of later. I praise You and give You ALL the glory!

Amen, and be blessed in His name.

Deena

Grandma's Hands

2008-01-03T11:18:00.000-08:00

Grandma, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. She didn't move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands.

When I sat down beside her she didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if she was OK.

Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her at the same time, I asked her if she was OK. She raised her head and

looked at me and smiled. "Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking," she said in a clear voice strong.

"I didn't mean to disturb you, grandma, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK," I explained to her.

"Have you ever looked at your hands," she asked. "I mean really looked at your hands?"

I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at

my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making.

Grandma smiled and related this story:

"Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life. "They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor.

They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child, my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war.

"They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent. They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special.

"They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse.

"They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand.

"They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer.

"These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of life..

"But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ."

I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God reached out and took my grandma's hands and led her home.

When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and husband I think of grandma. I know she has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God.

I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face.

When you read this, say a prayer for the person who posted it for you, and let's continue praying for one another.

-- Author Unknown

Be blessed, and be His hands and feet.

Deena

Tomorrow...

2008-01-02T17:06:00.000-08:00

I go in for an ultrasound. The second mammogram showed enough to warrent more tests. Please pray for me Thursday afternoon (around 3:30 PM PST).

I'd be a liar if I said I wasn't scared, but I know God is there ahead of me and He already knows the outcome. He's already made a way, no matter the final outcome.

I know this, but I don't know if I want to have to walk the path laid out...and right now, I'm still at the crossroads. And that really stinks!

Be blessed, and thanks for blessing me with your prayers.

Deena

Standing In The Gap...

2008-01-02T14:20:00.000-08:00

Today, I saw my general practitioner (i.e., regular doctor). I told him all that had been going on for me since August, and told him exactly how I was feeling.

Now, my doctor is a Christian, and he knows I'm a Christian. So, instead of a prescription for pills, he prescribed Scripture. Instead of medicating my fears, he spoke against them. And instead of predicting the outcome, he pointed my eyes to the One who holds every outcome.

And he encouraged me to lean on my prayer warriors, those who stand in the gap for me. But to know my strength comes from the One to whom we all pray.

I won't say I'm not at all fearless now...but I fear less. No matter the ultimate outcome...no matter if I have to one day say, "I have breast cancer"...I will look to the hills from where my help comes from...and I will cry out to God.

I'm still waiting for results from the last mammogram, and will most likely have an ultrasound or a biopsy done. Please, continue to pray for me. I have my strong moments, but I still have my weak ones as well.

Many thanks, and be blessed.

Deena

The Space Between...

2008-01-01T14:53:00.000-08:00

Welcome to a brand, new year...2008.

Remember when we thought we'd never see 2000, let alone be eight years into the new century??

Entering a new year always causes me to reflect back on my spiritual journey of the previous 365 days. This year is no different, yet in some ways my reflections are a bit more...reflective, shall we say?

The last few months have been one health issue after another for me, beginning way back in late August. I re-injured my back, which resulted in possible surgery. An MRI was ordered, which revealed major damage to my back...

...and a cyst on my left ovary. Which led to an ultrasound that revealed an abnormality in the lining of my uterus. So I was referred to an ob/gyn for further tests, and was referred for spinal epidural steroid injections on my back.

Saw the ob/gyn, which led to lab work and a request for a uterine biopsy. Because I had been naughty and never had a mammogram, one was ordered for me. Not happy about it, I almost didn't go.

But I've always done what I'm told, even when I don't like it. So I went. The next day, I got a call from the imaging center...they found a lump the size of a pearl in my right breast, and need more images.

That's a phone call you can think about, but when it comes, you don't react in any way like you thought you would. Time stops for a brief moment, and then your heart races and your mind runs rampant down all the possible roads that now lay before you.

I went in yesterday for my follow-up views...and it wasn't just a shadow. It wasn't just a density in the tissue. It is a genuine, "let's take a better look at this" lump. Next up, another ultrasound, and then, if it is warranted, a needle biopsy.

Through all of this boring, repetitive stuff, I've made an astounding discovery about myself. Something that both reassures me and perplexes me at the same time. I'm not quite sure what it says about me...so feel free to comment on this...

...but I must warn you, I'm not in the mood for lectures or rebukes. My emotions and my body are both very tender right now, so if you cannot talk to me in love, then please, for pity's sake, be silent right now.

What I have found is that I have total assurance that, no matter what comes my way through this or anything else life has for me, I'm going to be fine. God has it all in His hands, and He is already ahead of me, making a way for me to walk.

What I find so perplexing about that is this: it isn't the I'm fine part of it that has me knotted up inside...it is those three words in between the I'm and the fine...it's the "going to be" part of it.

See, I know that if I don't have breast cancer (those are hard words to type...excuse me for a moment.................................)...if I don't have it, I'll be fine. I also know that if I do have it, I'll still be fine.

It's the journey between I'm and fine that leaves me feeling breathless, overwhelmed, and a little dizzy right now. It doesn't really comfort me to be told what I already know...I KNOW I'll be fine. I am fine.

It's the unknown of the "going to be" part that has my heart racing at moments in the day...my eyes filling with tears unexpectedly when I'm doing my household work...my throat in a vice when I try to tell my husband what I'm feeling...my emotions on a swing when I give myself that "spiritual talking to".

I have such huge faith and trust in God at this juncture of my journey that I'm amazed at myself. This is a huge turning point for me in my faith walk. But now, as I face whatever is out there ahead of me in my health issues, I find that it's that space in between that still causes me pause...that still has me asking, "What are you going up there, Father?"...that still causes me to tremble in my not knowing.

I have this sense that the Father holds me even closer at those in between moments. That He gives me more grace. That He hears me better than ever. That He doesn't just walk with me, but He picks me up at those moments. That He doesn't rebuke, but He restores my soul.

That His love for me means far more at those in between moments. And so does my faith in Him. Because I know the one who stands in between me and my fear...and He is mightier than anything that life can throw at me.

Pray for those who stand in between the I'm and the fine. It's a hard place to stand, but through His grace and strength...we will stand.

I will let you know the ultimate outcome of this latest health dilemma. Please pray for me that God's will be done, and that I can walk where He leads me to walk. Because, when it comes right down to it, I have peace, and yet I feel so fearful. I know, I'm odd.

But you love me......right?

In Him, be blessed.

Deena

P.S. I can't promise I will be blogging much, but I will try. So don't give up on me just yet:-)

Tater People

2007-12-29T08:28:00.000-08:00

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...

2007-12-29T07:55:00.000-08:00

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:-)

2007-12-26T17:33:00.001-08:00

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...

2007-12-26T17:25:00.000-08:00

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...

2007-12-24T10:31:00.000-08:00

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...

2007-12-24T09:22:00.000-08:00

Just click here.

Be blessed!

Deena

Wounded and Weary Warriors

2007-12-20T06:18:00.000-08:00

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!

2007-12-19T09:57:00.000-08:00

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

2007-12-18T18:08:00.000-08:00

*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....

2007-12-14T11:46:00.000-08:00

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:-)

2007-12-14T09:17:00.000-08:00

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!

2007-12-13T13:40:00.000-08:00

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!!

2007-12-13T09:20:00.000-08:00

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...

2007-12-11T13:11:00.000-08:00

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!!

2007-12-11T07:49:00.001-08:00

Enjoy!

Click here!

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

Be blessed!

Deena

The Twelve Days Of Christmas...

2007-12-10T07:53:00.000-08:00

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:-)

2007-12-10T07:45:00.000-08:00

Enjoy!!

Don't Mess With Older Women!!!

2007-12-07T13:36:00.000-08:00

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...

2007-12-06T18:33:00.001-08:00

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...

2007-12-05T09:11:00.001-08:00

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

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

Be blessed!

Deena

FYI...

2007-12-04T10:39:00.001-08:00

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!!

2007-12-04T09:03:00.000-08:00

*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??

2007-12-03T13:00:00.000-08:00

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.....

2007-11-29T20:48:00.000-08:00

literally.

Click here!

Have Fun!

Deena

Found this little goodie!

2007-11-28T17:08:00.000-08:00

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

2007-11-28T13:47:00.001-08:00

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

Be blessed this Christmas season!

Deena

For Those Who Ask The Question....

2007-11-28T11:51:00.000-08:00

"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!

2007-11-26T13:44:00.000-08:00

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!!

2007-11-22T13:05:00.000-08:00

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....

2007-11-16T12:01:00.001-08:00

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

2007-11-13T09:42:00.000-08:00

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...

2007-11-05T13:48:00.000-08:00

...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...

2007-11-02T09:31:00.001-07:00

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

The RIGHT Kind of Love Story...

2007-11-02T09:27:00.000-07:00

The Report Is In...

2007-11-01T20:46:00.000-07:00

...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...

2007-10-30T11:39:00.001-07:00

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...

2007-10-29T11:20:00.000-07:00

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...

2007-10-29T11:19:00.000-07:00

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...

2007-10-25T14:54:00.000-07:00

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...

2007-10-23T11:09:00.001-07:00

Pass it around!!

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

2007-10-23T10:24:00.001-07:00

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!

2007-10-19T12:16:00.000-07:00

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...

2007-10-19T10:38:00.000-07:00

...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...

2007-10-18T10:08:00.001-07:00

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...

2007-10-16T13:19:00.000-07:00

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...

2007-10-15T13:39:00.000-07:00

...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...

2007-10-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

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??

2007-10-12T14:56:00.000-07:00

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!!

2007-10-11T10:37:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-10-10T16:29:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-10-06T12:22:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-10-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-10-05T10:27:00.000-07:00

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...

2007-10-04T18:47:00.000-07:00

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??

2007-10-04T17:11:00.000-07:00

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