Monthly Archives: October 2017

When In Doubt… DON’T

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Many years ago a former pastor gave me a piece of advice that I’ve kept in my mind and heart.  When in doubt…DON’T!  This four-word sentence has had a huge impact on my decision making.  When I’m even the least bit uncomfortable with a choice I ponder it carefully.  I question, will it have a positive or negative impact?  Will it support or tear down?  It’s amazing what an influence these four words have had on my life.

Here are a few more don’ts:

  • DON’T judge people for the choices they make when you DON’T know the options they had to choose from.
  • Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind DON’T matter and those who matter DON’T mind. ~ Dr. Seuss
  • DON’T give up! Great things take time.
  • DON’T talk about me until you have talked to me!
  • DON’T do it!

How about these from the Word:

  • DON’T worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6
  • DON’T panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you. Isaiah 41:10 (MSG)
  • Tell everyone who is discouraged, be strong and DON’T be afraid! God is coming to your rescue. Isaiah 35:4 (CEB)
  •  Let’s not get tired of doing good, because in time we’ll have a harvest if we DON’Tgive up. Galatians 6:9 (NLT)
  •  That is why we DON’T give up. Our physical body is becoming older and weaker, but our spirit inside us is made new every day. 2 Corinthians 4:16

Do you have a favorite quote or Bible verse about the word DON’T?  I’d love to add them to my collection.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

 

 

3 Things …

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While at the doctor’s office with my husband this morning I saw this tacked to their bulletin board and it made me think about other sets of 3’s that are true to life.

People will try to get you to do ‘it’ their way.

Here’s a thought about money: All that we can buy is paid for by hours of our lives.

Your past is just that…past.

Integrity in life (not lying or cheating) is really all that matters.  If it’s the right thing pursue it and never, ever give up.

By far the three most important come from Micah 6:8.

Acting justly is quite simple.  Be fair in ALL your dealings with others.

Mercy is responding with compassion.

True humbleness is not thinking less of yourself but thinking more of others.

I would love to see some of your three’s in the comments.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

 

Young at Heart

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Mentally feeling young + the realities of aging = Contentment

Butch Dean's avatarWordsmith's Desk

The older you get, the more you look back. Some will tell you that looking back is like living in the past. I suppose that can be true for some, but to generalize would be a mistake. Maybe, one has to be standing in those “old” shoes to realize that the past plays a large part in your future.

Memories return to the hearts of those who have walked life’s path for many years. In remembering, one finds the strength to go on, to complete life’s journey. Getting older can be a challenging experience. The thing is, we don’t plan on being that senior and when we get there, there’s a lot of youth still hanging out inside.

Our bodies let us know we are not that “spring chicken” anymore, but our mind says otherwise. Learning to balance this feeling of youth with the reality of aging is the secret…

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Fiercehearted – Book Review

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Life has a way of throwing things at us when we’re least expecting it.  Sometimes good, sometimes not so good.  Good memories are balanced with times of sorrow.  Everything that happens to us has a purpose and Fiercehearted helps put it in perspective.

Do you know the difference between being nice and being kind?  Yes, there is a difference and Holley does a beautiful job of explaining it.

Are you aware of how much control your thoughts and other people have over your life?  Are you controlled by this or are you able to control it?  Fiercehearted has the answer.

From the sincere desire of all women to fiercely protect those they love, to reaching out when we’d rather do something else, to sharing our lives with others, the heart of a servant shines through the pages of this book.

This book is, quite possibly, the most powerful book I’ve read.  The impact on my life and thoughts has been monumental. I know I’ll reread this many, many times.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Holley Gerth. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

My Story

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Are you curious about me?  I certainly am about you?  Every one of us has a story that is peculiar (Yes, that’s the right usage of the word.) to us.  Here is a part of mine.  There is so much more…

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My greatest desire is to teach others how much God loves them and how to use His Word to live the life He has purposed for them.  In my home church, I co-direct Worship and Music, play all keyboards, and sing with the Worship Band.  God has seen fit to give me the gift of teaching, which I use for leading 3 Bible Study groups.  He specifically called me to writing/blogging about 5 years ago.

I have been married to the perfect partner, chosen for me by God, for more than 45 years. It was God’s plan that we would not have children but would be able to love in a unique way our nieces, nephews, and the hundreds of children who touched our lives through the years I spent in Public Education as a Music Specialist and Elementary Principal.  I hold a B.S. Degree in Music Education and Performance from Defiance College and an M.Ed. Degree in Administration and Supervision from Bowling Green State University.

Our family includes two cats named Smokey and Salem, three awesome sisters and one incredible brother, 7 sisters-in-law, 7 brothers-in-law, 36 nieces and nephews and their spouses, and many great nieces and nephews.

Music has been part of my life from my earliest years.  One of the greatest honors of my life was to be invited to sing in the Rose Garden of the Whitehouse with the Ohio Youth Choir at the invitation of then-President Richard Nixon.
As a 25+ year Cancer Survivor, I have been able to use that challenging time of my life to support others.  It was not easy but God knew there would be many who would need a listening ear, an understanding heart, and someone who understands the value of presence without words.

From the time I was old enough to hold needles, scissors, yarn, thread, fabric, you name it, I was ‘hooked’ on crafts, particularly those that are counted.   From painting count by number pictures to my grandmother teaching me to crochet, to my mother teaching me to embroider, to learning to do counted cross stitch, rug hooking, needlepoint and crewel my life has been filled with many happy hours of artful crafting.  I also enjoy sewing and often make my own clothing and things for my home.

I enjoy baking and decorating.  This hobby started when Ray and I owned a coffee shop/bakery called Maggi Raes.  (Maggie for the carved magnolias that were part of the shop’s decorations.)  I am certified in all the Wilton decorating levels and have done many wedding, birthday, and event cakes and cookies.

We love to travel, especially on cruise ships, and have been all over the Caribbean and are planning to go to Alaska for our next cruise.  We also enjoy taking a few days here and there in the Smokey Mountains, believing there is nothing like sitting on a rocker, on a back porch, on top of a mountain and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation.

God has given me a great life and I can’t thank Him enough for His love and provision.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

(BTW: The reason this only took 5 minutes is that I copied and pasted it from a much larger article. )