Lazy Days and Long nights

Bible Study: Today's lesson was on 1 Samuel... Eli and his sons were so evil in their worship, that God struck them all down... They had basically made a mockery of being priests... They were taking the best of the sacrificial meats for themselves.. and even by using force (and slaves)...

I think this lesson was very enlightening to me.. I know I don't take from the "offferings" but yet, do I really give God my best.. do I give Him everything (It's His anyways).... or do I only give Him "a part of me", part of my gifts???? Maybe that is why "I can't hear God".. I really am not sure, but I do know this... GOD does want our best, He does not want to be second best... He wants to be first.. Is my "worship" true and correct? Do I really sing out for Him? Do I live what I "preach"? I need to examine my daily life and see..

Well, I am about to embark on another adventure.. by myself.. I am about to go to church (a different place than usual).....

My Goals for this week:
1. Study James (online Bible Study)
2. Study CBS Lesson 1 Samuel and do at least half of the workbook pages for this week...
3. Keep trying for a job.
4. Get Scrap book stuff together for Saturday's crop.
5. Clean Living Room
6. Pack to go to LR for weekend...
7. Read 200 pages of one of my e-books...
8. Mail out 5 encouragement cards...
9. Make cards
10. Type the next 5 days of Food Lover's into Word...

Lazy Days
I know these days are going to come to pass.. I guess that's why I am being so lazy right now... I need to get up and get out.. lol, but I do not really want to.. I guess I am going to get out for a bit..

James & other musings

WOW!!! 2012 is here.. Goals or resolutions... not sure I want to commit to either... So on K-Love today they suggested a monthly goal.. I think I can handle that much better... So what should my goals for January be???
1. Mail more cards of encouragement...
2. Stick to my food program for as many days in a row as best as I can.
3. More Bible Study (each day)... of some sort.. not just a reading, but an actual study that can be applied.. even if it is only one verse....
4. Get rid of some clutter...
5. BE POSITIVE... MAD (Make a Difference) each day... some how...

Ok, so here goes my first Bible Study (on my own) of the year... I read/listened to James 1-5 today... many verses jumped out to me, but James 3:9 spoke volumes...
James 3:9 (NIV)
with the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness.

WHY do we do this? We know God is omnipotent, and worthy of all our praise... He knows everything, sees everything and we can never HIDE anything from HIM... GOD IS LOVE. We are commanded to love like God (Love our brethren, love our enemies, love our neighbors).. and yet we don't esp. when we talk about, call people names, or even think these names.. Why do I ignore HIS teachings.. this too, is from GOD.. Not that I really curse men, but if I am understanding this teaching: even calling the person a "Jerk" who just cut me off in traffic, calling the son-in-law an idiot when he does something "lame", calling my hubby a "dope" when he does something dumb... well you get my drift... Aren't these in essence the same thing as calling GOD the same thing.. Well, you see to me.. that is exactly what this verse said to me today... GOD created all of mankind in is own image.. Gen. 1:27... and so then, that just makes it even more real.. And no matter how trivial the name or how "joking" we may think it is... I don't want to have to stand before God and answer for this.. I am really a positive type person and rarely even think about calling people any kind of a name.. Now I think it will be even harder for me to call anyone a name.. Now, I don't even want  you all to think I am perfect (Cause I am definitely not)... but if I even think of a calling someone a name, now it will be followed with a prayer asking for forgiveness... (I was always told as a kid, if you can't say something "nice", don't say anything at all.... and for the most part I try to follow that advice...)
I do know though, that even if I slip up and call someone a name, that I can ask for forgiveness..
So I am going to end with this prayer:
Father God,
I know that YOU would want me to change this behavior no matter whether it is one time or has been many times... I need to look at everyone with fresh new eyes and realize that "They are the same as you"... and even if they are making a bad choice... I should try to strive to be better in my own thoughts and in what I say out loud... You God are Holy, Worthy, Perfect and I should strive to be more like you... and I also ask you to forgive me the times I have failed and help me to change this behavior...
In Jesus Name,
Amen

Well, Christmas is over... The New year is about to start..... 2012!!!! Wow, I don't think I ever really imagined that it would come... and a lot of folks think this will be the last year for the world.. Only GOD knows for sure.... Why Am I still up on this night??? I have Aurora and I tried to get her to go to sleep around 9ish... Well, she did not... I did... and then I got woke up... so here I am... I wish I could go to sleep... but it does not seem to be happening for the moment...
Christmas: Aurora was super excited.. she wanted to open everyone's presents.. she told Popi as she handed him one of his.... "It's a knife" LOL.. I think she was more excited about his knife than she was her own gifts.. Karleigh's first Christmas... she was not really excited over her presents, yet... I really hope I can find a Part-time job at least to help out and make sure that next year is different... I know they got enough, but sometimes enough is not what I wanted to do.. I did make Aurora a beautiful red dress for Christmas with a matching jacket.. and she wore it to Dinner at Bonefish Grill in Memphis... she acted like a perfect little doll... amazingly no drama... Well, I am off to bed again.. Hopefully, I can go to sleep...

Well, I have a lot to say... Maybe I'll take many days to say it all.. I did not make it long at Larry's.. I worked 4 hours on Friday.. After the morning shift or rather close to the end, I was asked to make dessert pizzas... about 40 if I am not wrong.. after making about 10, my right arm was already hurting so very bad.. I knew I would not ever be able to keep up with Manuel or even the slower pizza maker's... I was very proud that they all still love me... I was so exhausted though and so glad that I would not have to go back to work.. I left with the door open and many new friends...

OH my... What have I done??? I took a job at Larry's Pizza in West Memphis... I love the interaction with all the people in Crittenden County, but oh My Goodness.. I am exhausted... stiff, and sore.. I know I really need to work for a while.... And am so very thankful that I have a job.. But am so scared that I won't even be able to make it 4 days...Praying that I can..

Plan to keep this up more... and will be posting more often...

God is OMNISCIENT (All Knowing)

PUTTING IT OUT THERE
What’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever done for God’s glory? Have you ever NOT done something you knew God wanted you to do? What was the result?

(1) I guess "DANCING IN THE STREET".. Might qualify... esp. since I also posted pictures on Facebook of this.. What, You don't think it was ridiculous? You would if you knew me... I consider myself to be without "gracefulness", "rhythm", sort of "tone deaf", and did this without any music... AND like I said.. I have no rhythm... and I can so relate to the example of "You want me to do what?" March around the city every day for 7 days??? What good is that going to do?" yes, I have on several occasions already said, "I'd be the whiner or the questioning one?" So I would have wanted clear answers.. GOD often asks us "to fly by the seat of our pants"... Do something that we ordinarily would not want to do or that most "Normal" people would never dream of doing... But ultimately, I like to think I would obey.. esp. after seeing the Jordan and the Red Sea actually open up and being allowed to walk across... Seeing my food just appear out of thin air... OK, Getting back to my "Dancing in the Street"... It was a sort of promise that if and when God answered our pleas for Steve to get a job..I would dance in the street... and then when it came at the last possible (In our minds) moment... and with such a clear "GOD DID IT".. I had to do it.. The Job that Steve got.. was supposedly already given and accepted by someone else... and we were once again back to square one.. I know Steve was sort of in shock.. and felt like there was no more hope.. (I know this, because in my heart I sort of felt the same thing).. and yet.... I Knew the word.. Jer. 29:11 promises that GOD knows the plans he has for us.. AND I knew that GOD keeps all of HIS promises. and that "with GOD all things are possible".. even things we know we can not accomplish.. We have already seen this happen in many ways.. often small, but meaningful nonetheless... so I could not believe that GOD would totally let us completely down.. I knew if it was not that job, then something else would come soon.. and even if we had to move in with someone else.. and lose our house, cars, etc.. that it would be OK.. The Bible says if GOD could care for and feed the Sparrow.. then why not us.. whom He loves so much more.. So when the call came in the next morning..(very early I might add... before 8 am).. I was absolutely beside myself.. Many people had no answers for why or what happened... BUT I KNEW... MY GOD HAD DECIDED to ANSWER YES.. and several months later, Steve was told that the other guy backed out.. and so He was hired.. and they have NOT ever regretted his hiring... that was almost a year ago.. I know that GOD does not always answer YES.. but I have no DOUBTS that this was a GOD moment...
(2) Hmmmmmmmmmm, this one is a little tougher to answer. I am sure the answer is YES.. but exact answers or examples are not coming to my feeble mind at this moment... (OK, so maybe this one would be the biggest...) I am having a hard time "loving someone".. I am in general a very loving person (at least I think and hope I am)... but I am having a very hard time right now with someone who is like a "thorn in my side"... I know what I am supposed to do.. I do try.. I pray, I try to love.. I know Jesus wants me to love all people ... even people who I may not really like everything they do.. and without naming names.. I just have to keep on trying.. I feel like this is going to be a GOD thing.. not a Cyndi thing.. and even if it never happens.. I am planning on it not being because of me.. I know GOD is SO (SO underscored and Very Bold) much bigger than I am.. and Because HE loves me.. (No matter how much I mess up... AND no matter how often).. I have to do the same thing.. LOVE this person and all people no matter what they do or don't do... I have spent many hours mulling over this over the last two weeks.. and that is all I can do.. (I even have given much the same advice to someone else this day). That no matter what GOD LOVES US and THEM so I have to be LIKE A FIREFLY (and let my Light shine) in spite of what they do, or don't do... or how they behave.. and let GOD and let go.. (Still praying though for God to wake up ???? to reality).. before it is too late..

ASKING GOD
What does this passage reveal about Your character? What impossible thing would You like me to do? Are You asking someone I know to do something impossible? How can I
encourage them?

(1) Well, this is a little easier.. WITH GOD... Nothing is impossible.. even if it looks ridiculous, or sounds ridiculous... that is just all the better for HIM to work out the details... No one in that group would have been shocked if they had been given weapons or orders to go in shooting.. but GOD wanted them to see HIS POWER.. and so HE came up with an absolute foolproof way (Several in fact) to show HIS Power... Who would think that just marching around the city (quietly)once for six days and then on the seventh day... marching around the city seven times.. while blowing trumpets.. and then shouting only after they had done all this.. would actually make the city walls fall.. And while I sort of understand the need to totally destroy all inside afterward, it does seem harsh when you see how GOD made the walls fall down... (GOD has seen so many people know that HIS POWER was Omnipotent, but yet still have hardened hearts and keep turning back to their own devices, that I believe HE wanted the Israelites and the other surrounding areas to TRULY SEE HIS WORK... and to know without a doubt that it was HIM in control)
(2, 3 and 4) I have touched on several impossible (or seemingly) impossible things in the above answer. I can't really go into the deeper details, but to me it seems impossible to just TRUST, OBEY and BELIEVE.... but I WILL.. because I know... THAT NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE with MY GOD... HE CAN CHANGE ANYONE or ANYTHING... and NO MATTER WHAT.. I can't do it without HIM.. I know 2 People who had very bad wrecks recently.. injury to C5 and C6 and are paralyzed, but they have not given up.. and have actually done so much better than expected... I have seen people recover from drastic illnesses, and seen miracles happen in many lives.... as well as people to succumb to the same type illnesses, and accidents... while these things are happening... it is hard to see the WHY? but as time passes.. it is often (not always) but often for some reason.. and the reason only becomes apparent as time goes on.. AND sometimes IT takes many years before it is clear..
ASKING MYSELF
And two questions to ask myself: Do I truly believe God is Omniscient? Is this
evident in my prayer life or my obedience? Do I think I know more than God? What
steps do I need to make to ensure I don’t behave like I do? (1, 2, 3 and 4) Yes.. I truly do think I believe this with all my heart... I truly do try to Let GO and Let GOD.. because I know that without HIM, I would not have made it this far.. I do realize that I have on several occasions "given something to GOD and then tried to take back and "fix" it on my own.. I failed on each of the occasions.. I am nothing without HIM.. NOR can I DO the things that HE can do.. I can not count the stars in the heavens.. and YET He knows them all (each and every one) by name.. HE KNOWS EACH OF MY FAULTS, MY GOOD TRAITS, MY TALENTS, and EVEN the THINGS I DON"T LET ANYONE ELSE SEE... and HE STILL LOVES ME.. SO MUCH that HE SENT HIS ONLY SON... (John 3:16)... for ME.... for YOU.. and for EVERYONE ELSE AS WELL.. The steps I need to take are basically easy: read, study, pray, believe, trust and obey... Let go and truly Let GOD.. He can handle it...

OK, so my prayers this week are for the soldiers who are already in service on other lands, our lands, and those who are about to be deployed.. their families.. and the two car accident victims I know.. and I have a few others in my mind.. Hugs and much love to you all...
Cyndi Anne (Just wanna be HIS Hands and Feet)

FIREFLIES (Copied)

A friend shared this and I loved it.. I hope I am a FIREFLY... (Thanks Stacey)

Fireflies – that is what I think of when I think about the recognizable Christians around me. I know – Weird but I had once heard it explained using this example and over the years I have come to love the picture, so I have adopted and modified it slightly to make it my own.

Fireflies are strange little bugs. I am chuckling at little inside because I am not a big bug fan. Some really annoy the crap out of me. Some, well, let’s just say, I am not really getting their usefulness, but fireflies – I REALLY like fireflies.

They are basically plain old “ugly” beetles. I say “ugly” because there is nothing really remarkable about them and if you look closely they are, well, ugly. If you wanted a pretty bug you’d pick a butterfly or a dragonfly, not a beetle. The thing that makes a firefly a unique bug is its ability to produce light from their butts. Now, the practical purpose for lighting up is to attract their mate and there are different ways the emit their light to communicate, but for my purpose, I like to think it is their way to tell the world that they have LOVE to give.

I think it is really cool that during the day when the sun is shining (or when things are well), it’s not really easy to see them. They are there of course and if you look really hard or need to see them, you can pick them out. But, it is when the sky darkens that the firefly’s light becomes really apparent. They become “beacons” in the night.

Now, fireflies are not like any other bugs. Bees are attracted to sweetness, but they can quickly become aggressive and cause pain. Mosquitoes, they are purely out for a good meal and will try to suck you dry. Ants are out to meet their own needs and can quickly become overwhelming should they find something they really want. Locusts, their incessant buzzing is annoying and they can swarm at a moments notice.

But, fireflies, they are different. They are out to share love. They may not pretty, but they can bring light to the darkness. They are not loud or obnoxious. Their light isn’t overwhelming, but gentle and soft. They are a pleasant, often welcome, sight in summer. I think that is why children spent hours catching them in jars so they spend hours watching them.

There are a few people in my life that I consider Fireflies. They are people who are gentle and kind. They are patient and desire to love others. They are not perfect but willing to be real and in a gentle manner, be a witness of how Christ is working in them. I love to watch these friends from afar (when they are not aware) and see how they are God’s hands and feet here on Earth.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” - John 13:34-35