Friday's Farrago

Psalm 118:24 NIV

This is the day the Lord has made.  Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

O I know you've heard that one until maybe it no longer phases you, but think about it for a minute.  What if this was the VERY LAST day He had made for you ... would you rejoice and be glad?  Would you act differently if you knew tomorrow wouldn't come for you?  Would you call that long lost friend - son - daughter - just to hear their voice one more time?  Well...today could very well be the LAST day for you.  So rejoice, my friend, and be glad!  Realize the value of everything that you touch - that touches you - and rejoice that God has put you where you are for this season!


To realize
    The value of a sister/brother;
    Ask  someone
    Who doesn't have one.

    To realize
    The value of ten years;
    Ask a newly
    Divorced couple.

    To realize
    The value of four years;
    Ask a graduate.

    To realize
    The value of one year;
    Ask a student who
    Has failed a final exam.

    To realize
    The value of nine months;
    Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.

    To realize
    The value of one month;
    Ask a mother
    Who has given birth to
    A premature baby.

    To realize
    The value of one week;
    Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.

    To realize
    The value of one minute;
    Ask a person
    Who has missed the a train, bus or plane.

    To realize
    The value of one-second;
    Ask a person
    Who has survived an accident.

    Time waits for no one..
    Treasure every moment you have.

    You will treasure it even more when
    You can share it with someone special.

    To realize the value of a friend or family member;
    LOSE ONE.

 Have a great weekend, and don't forget to rejoice!!

Monday's Musing

Well, I didn't think I would be able to make an entry every day since I go back to the work place this morning, but shortly after 2:00 this morning my eyes popped open, and the wheels in my brain began to turn at an alarming speed.  Since I couldn't seem to stop those wheels regardless of what I counted, how many deep breaths I took or which way I flipped and flopped - I finally gave up at 4:03 and pulled my aching body out of bed then stopped in here at the computer.  I've now read my email, answered a few, did my tweeting and wished several friends "Happy Birthday" ... and it's only 4:33!

I found out I have a new friend out in Washington state.  He read my blog last Friday and sent me a very kind message along with a link to his website.  You should check it out if you get a chance.  It's http://www.calledintowork.com .  It's great, and I fully intend to purchase his latest book: JOB-SHADOWING DANIEL: WALKING THE TALK AT WORK.  There's a link to purchase it on his site, and I'm sure he would be delighted if you chose to purchase it as well.  Looks like a great read not to mention a resource of timely information!!  Thank you, Larry!


I ran across this familiar story of The Two Frogs this morning, and thought I'd share it with you.  I've read it before.  You probably have, too, but it's worth a second look.  Hope you guys have a great week, are blessed beyond measure and keep me in your prayers.

A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, and two of them
fell into a deep pit. When the other frogs saw how deep the pit
was, they told the two frogs that they were as good as dead. The
two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit
with all their might. The other frogs kept telling them to stop,
that they were as good as dead. Finally, one of the frogs took
heed to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He fell down
and died.
The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again,
the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die. He
jumped even harder and finally made it out. When he got out, the
other frogs said, “Did you not hear us?” The frog explained to
them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the
entire time.

This story teaches two lessons:
1. There is power of life and death in the tongue. An encouraging
word to someone who is down can lift them up and help them make it
through the day.
2. A destructive word to someone who is down can be what it takes
to kill them.

Be careful of what you say. Speak life to those who cross your
path. The power of words… it is sometimes hard to understand
that an encouraging word can go such a long way. Anyone can speak
words that tend to rob another of the spirit to continue in
difficult times. Special is the individual who will take the time
to encourage another.

Author Unknown

Friday's Flammule

Isaiah 55: 8-13

"I don't think the way you think. 

The way you work isn't the way I work."  God's Decree. "For as the sky soars high above earth,  so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think.Just as rain and snow descend from the skies and don't go back until they've watered the earth, Doing their work of making things grow and blossom, producing seed for farmers and food for the hungry, So will the words that come out of my mouth not come back empty-handed.  They'll do the work I sent them to do, they'll complete the assignment I gave them.

"So you'll go out in joy, you'll be led into a whole and complete life.  The mountains and hills will lead the parade, bursting with song.  All the trees of the forest will join the procession, exuberant with applause.
No more thistles, but giant sequoias, no more thornbushes, but stately pines—  Monuments to me, to God, living and lasting evidence of God." 

 I can almost hear you as you read the location of today's scripture - "oh great, we're getting this one again."  But hang on ... today's thought is a bit different here.  I want to share something from way down deep in my gut today.  It may even be "TMI", but I feel led to share it so here goes.


Today is my last day of retirement from the secular working world.  I have consented to go back to 8-5 work beginning Monday.  I'll be going back to the University system where I worked before which means (although to a different position) I'll be tied down to a secular job and not free to share my thoughts with you every morning or to jump on FB all throughout the day or tweet as I feel the urge.  It is necessary for me to go back to work to provide financial support for our family.  The drastic change in our economy has hit us (like so many of you) below the belt, and we are in a financial pit.


Am I excited?  What ... are you crazy??  I feel like I've had the wind knocked out of me, my feet kicked out from under me, and someone has stomped me into the ground!  Does that sound like I am excited?  NO!!  I may not be kicking and screaming on the outside - but just know this my sweet friends - I am going back to secular work kicking and screaming and pulling and tugging on the INSIDE!!  If I thought that dropping to the ground and just pitching a flat out UNholy fit would change anything - I would do it!  But it won't, and I know that.


I don't know exactly why we (my family) are in the place we're in nor do I understand it, but according to the scripture above I may not necessarily be able to or supposed to understand it.  However, what I am to do is to obey His instructions, to trust Him in all things and believe that He is working it all out for the good of my family and me.  The Word doesn't say I have to like it or that I will like it.  Believe me, I've tried to find that in there ... but no such luck!!  One of the file drawers in my brain just opened up to show me a song from my past ... "Trust and obey, for there's no other way...."  O good grief!  I just want to hack a hairball about now.  (That's for my spiritual daughter who knows exactly what I mean by that - and the rest of you reading this will just have to wonder for now.)


But look at the last couple of verses in the scripture.  It says we'll "go out in joy and be led into a whole and complete life."  Hey, this could be exciting.  Whole means lacking nothing - all my needs are met - right??  So if I give up my will for His - even though I don't understand it - even though I can't follow His line of thinking - I (any my family) will be rewarded!  Look - it even says there will be a parade!  See ... it says "The mountains and hills will lead the parade, bursting with song.  All the trees of the forest will join the procession, exuberant with applause."  So that's pretty cool - right??  And it doesn't stop there ... it says "No more thistles, but giant sequoias, no more thorn bushes, but stately pines—  Monuments to me, to God, living and lasting evidence of God."   O man - I could use some life without thistles and thorn bushes!  Just giant sequoias and stately pines - all monuments to Him.  In other words there'll just be great and beautiful things - wholeness - no lack - and it'll all be to His glory!!  Way kewl!

Although I won't get to share my thoughts with you every day I do hereby commit to sharing them as often as I can - even if it's only once a week.  Maybe you'll be interested in reading about the journey I'm beginning on Monday.  If so, you can subscribe on the front page of my blog.  

I do feel like it's a journey - I don't know where I'm headed, and I don't know what's going to happen along the way, but I do know this.  God will be with me every step of the way, and He'll always give me grace for the step I'm in as long I trust Him.  So...in my lifelong quest to be like Jesus in Luke 22:41-43 my prayer continues to be...  Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.


...and I believe that just like God sent the angel to Jesus in verse 43 - He will send an angel and strengthen me for this journey.

He'll do all of this for you, too.  I don't know what journey you're about to take or what one you're already on - but know this.  If He'll do it for me - He'll do it for you.  Keep standing, my dear friend, and know that you are not alone.