Do What's Right

As Christians, we carry the name of Christ wherever we go. In my way of thinking, anyone who is a Christian should be someone who is always striving to do right in every aspect of life. We are given power to do right by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Of course every one of us makes mistakes and we all mess up sometimes, but really the norm should be that we are always trying to do what is right. Christians should be the best citizens, the best employees and the best role models, as well as the most pleasant people to be around. Unfortunately, though, this isn't always the case. Here are just a few things that I think we should do.

1. Christians should work. Not necessarily both the husband and the wife, but whatever it takes to cover the expenses of the household. If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5:8

2. Christians should obey the laws of the land. Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. Romans 13:1-2

3. Christians should pay their bills and pay their taxes. ...Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?... ...Then Jesus said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." And they were amazed at him. Mark 12:14, 17

4. Christians should be good employees. As employees, we should be the hardest workers at our jobs. We should be the ones who give 100% when we are being paid to work, the ones who are consistently on time to work, the ones who can control our anger, the ones who don't participate in gossip (easier said than done!) and the ones who are just nice people. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,.....It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24.

5. Christians should be kind and polite to other people. A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1. For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. 1 Peter 2:15.

I hope that everyone who reads this list finds it to be basic common sense for Christians, but there may be some new Christians who haven't learned yet.

Old House Story

I love this old house, and I have a little story about it. When my daughter was starting 7th grade, we went to an open house for the school. That was the first time I saw this beautiful old house across from her new school. There was a sign outside with the name of the business that uses the house, so I told my husband that I wanted to work there because it was so beautiful. He didn't pay much attention to me about it, but within a few days I called the place, a lawyer's office, and asked them if they needed to hire anyone. They told me to come for an interview and bring a resume'. So I did. When I walked in and saw how it was decorated, I fell in love. And then I saw a grand piano in there! The attorney took me into a parlor type room for my interview. He explained that the offices were on the second floor. I guess the first floor was just for show, and it was gorgeous! The interview went well, and he offered me the job even though I had never worked in the legal field. I guess I convinced him that I could learn anything I set my mind to learn. He said it would be fine for my daughter to walk over there after school each day, so I thought this was sounding really good. Then he asked me if I could teach him piano (for free) as part of my job. I was like, well, uh, okay, I guess. But then he didn't even want to pay me the amount I was asking for, so I was beginning to have some doubts about it. The next day I called him on the phone to ask a few more questions about the job and I just didn't care for his attitude and some of the things he said, so I backed out and did not go to work there after all. I figured he'd probably be pretty hard to work for anyway. But the whole thing was silly in the first place. I mean, who goes and applies for a job somewhere just because it's a beautiful old house with beautiful antique furniture???

Update on Neighbor's Dog

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about a problem we were having with our next door neighbor's dog. Read about it here. What we decided to do was talk to them about it and see if they could fix the problem. Thank goodness, they did not get mad at us, but they did try to restrain the dog which broke my heart every time I saw it. However, several times since then we have found her back in our yard with our dogs. She just loves our dogs and wants to be with them. Last night, the neighbor talked with my husband and said they had tried another thing to keep the dog from climbing over the fence, but it didn't work either. She said that if we could put up with it through the weekend while they are out of town, then they will have to get rid of the dog next week. It all makes me sad, but I think that solution is really the best thing for the dog as long as they find a good home for her. Now, if they go out and get a full-blooded Rottweiller, I'll have to move. One day, I'll explain about why I have this fear of Rottweillers.

Speaking of dogs, I know that Vintage Bunny of Oh, For the Love of Vintage loves her dog. In fact, I believe her little dog has his very own blog! I really enjoy seeing the pictures of all the vintage clothes that Ms. Bunny gets at unbelievable bargains. I need all the help I can get with fashion, so I try to check her blog out every chance I get. She has another one called Beauty Buys with some very useful info. Another person who loves her dog is Frasypoo of This and That. Frasypoo also loves the Lord and writes a lot about her conservative views on various things. I always look forward to seeing what she has to say, but not only that, she is funny! She has a wonderful sense of humor and it comes through loud and clear in her blog. One of the coolest things that has happened since I started blogging was when Frasypoo told me that she found out that her stepkids know about my son's band, and they even have the band's music on their ipods! Small world!

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 (NIV)

Smile!

For a while, I was having a lot of headaches, it seemed like on a daily basis almost. At first I thought it was because of the extreme heat we were having, but I kept having the headaches when the weather got a little cooler. I tried to look up things I could do rather than keep taking Tylenol or medicines, and I found out that when people have migranes, one of the first things they have to do is cut out the caffeine from their diet. Well, I like to drink coffee in the morning when I wake up. I decided that rather than completely stop drinking the coffee, to start out by cutting the amount I drink in half. I started that about a week ago and I don't know if it's my imagination or what, but I haven't been having the headaches. It has really taken a lot of self-discipline to make myself stop drinking as much coffee as before. Then I thought about something -- hey, if I'm able to discipline myself to drink less coffee, I should be able to do that with food also. So, what I've decided to do in the area of food is to eat healthy things at the times that I was eating junk foods. For example, when I get home from work, I always want to grab some potato chips or corn chips because I'm so hungry right then and I haven't made dinner yet. But this week instead of the chips, I've been eating baby carrots. Okay, I do have to cheat a little and dip them in some ranch dip, but at least I used the "light" sour cream to make the dip! So, hopefully I can change my ways of eating and be a healthier person.

Something else that is healthy for people to do is to smile and laugh. It's true and proven! Here are some reasons to smile: (1) We look better so people are more attracted to us; (2) It helps us to be in a better mood; (3) It helps other people to smile; (4) Relieves stress; (5) Boosts immune system; (6) Lowers blood pressure. And I could go on and on..... Amel's blog, Amel's Realm is something that makes me smile every day! Today as I read her blog, I was literally laughing out loud at one part she wrote. As is the case with all my blogger friends, we only know each other through blogging, and even though we are in different parts of the world with different cultures, and even from different generations, I look so forward each day to reading her blog. Amel is such an interesting person with the most positive attitude toward life! And best of all, she loves God and gives Him credit for the wonderful blessings in her life. I have learned a lot from this young lady and I appreciate her wonderful blogs.

A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. Proverbs 15:30

Nutritional Info

I told my husband that I was going to write a blog about him today, but right now I have some other things in mind, so I will wait until another day to write about him. One thing I have been wanting to do is to promote some of the other blogs that I enjoy reading each day. This whole blogging thing has been a completely unexpected blessing in my life. I thought I was starting a blog for one reason, but then I started reading and communicating with other Christian bloggers who have written some of the most amazing, encouraging and thought-provoking posts that have been a huge blessing to me.

As I was eating some strawberries for my snack today, I decided to look up the nutritional value of them on the internet as I ate. I knew they were very nutritious, but I was amazed at just how good for us they are. Strawberries are full of antioxidants and anti-cancer substances, low in calories, and loaded with vitamin C. The article even stated that 18 strawberries is similar in calories to ONE chocolate covered peanut! That statement won me over! I will be buying a lot more strawberries from now on. Well, as I was eating those delicious and juicy strawberries, I couldn't help but think about my blogger friend, Strawberry, of Middle Age Ramblings. I didn't know her before I started blogging, and I have never met her in person, but I can tell from her writings that she is a Godly woman who loves the Lord Jesus and wants to honor and glorify Him in her life and through her blog. I can easily compare the spiritual nutrition of her blog to the nutritional value found in strawberries. Her name of "Strawberry" fits perfectly because reading Middle Age Ramblings helps spiritual growth and development, just like the vitamin C in strawberries helps with physical growth and development. I look forward to reading much more from her.

I plan to promote more blogs in the coming weeks. I love reading other Christian blogs, but we all need to remember to continue reading the Word and not to neglect it. That is our only complete and God-inspired source of truth for our spiritual nutrition. The more we all read it, the better our blogs will be!

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16

The Best Birthday Present

September 24! As I was growing up, this was the date that I was more familiar with than any other date. It was a very special day to me, but as an adult, it has become even more special. This is to my son...

Dear Aaron, it was 1:00 a.m on September 24, 1982, my 24th birthday, when your dad and I were about to go to sleep for the night. But for some reason, I sat up in the bed and at that moment I knew it was time to call the doctor and possibly go to the hospital. We went, and spent that whole day waiting for your arrival. Well, to be honest, I wasn't just sitting there waiting, I was having some serious labor pains! Finally, around 9:00 that night, we were able to at last see you and hold you in our arms. The English language does not have words that are adequate to describe what a wonderful gift you were. You were the best birthday present I have ever received. From that day forward, you and I have shared this birthday. I wish you the happiest of happy birthdays today as you turn 25. You have made us so proud. I'll never forget the time when you were about 3 years old and we were talking about something I can't remember, maybe about getting you a certain toy, but you were perfectly satisfied with what you already had and you told us, "I have plenty toys." And I remember one day when you were maybe 10 or 11 and you had been playing in your treehouse with one of your friends -- you came in the house and told us that you had been telling your friend about Jesus and that he had become a Christian. And when you were one of the older teens in the youth group at church getting ready for the mission trip, I remember how late you stayed working at the church the night before leaving to get all the music equipment ready for the trip -- you wouldn't leave it all up to the youth minister to do it all, you felt such an urgent need to help. I remember the mission trip to Washington D.C. and how you played the drums with the praise band right there in the courtyard of the Pentagon! And when we finished doing all the worship music, you and the guys broke into "Freebird"! I remember all the different bands you've been a part of. And I remember how scary it was to me when you told me that you and the other guys in the band were moving out of your houses and going on the road full time to minister to teens who might not hear about Jesus in the traditional ways. But you've done it and you've made it. I know you are doing exactly what you feel the Lord wants you to be doing at this time. I admire you for living your dream. Most people wouldn't have taken the risk.

I will miss getting to see you today on our birthday, but I want you to know that I love you with all my heart. I want the best of everything for you, but most of all I just hope that you will always love the Lord and serve Him. I pray for you every day and I thank God for giving you to us, my best birthday present! Love, Mom

Can You See?

I went to my class at church tonight and as I walked in the teacher said, "Hi Kathy." So, I sat down across from a lady I had not seen in a few years and I waved to her, then I started talking to someone else. But I could hear the lady across from me asking someone which Kathy it was sitting across from her. I was confused -- did she not remember me? Then she told me that she had lost most of her sight a few years ago and she is now considered legally blind. I was glad she told me because I didn't even know, and I wasn't able to tell just by looking at her. I did notice then that she had on very thick glasses. It just made me start thinking about how precious my eyesight is. I can't even imagine losing my eyesight at this time of life. It would change everything. I feel so bad for this lady for having to change her entire life. But she seemed to have such a good outlook and attitude.

Sometimes we forget to be thankful for some of the greatest gifts, such as our five senses. We never know what tomorrow will bring.

The Lord said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Exodus 4:11