Saturday, September 08, 2012

When God says NO!!

Sometimes God says NO!  I have experienced that here recently.  I had planned to attend online classes this fall and thought everything was in place but one little detail did not follow thru and so I am NOT able to go.  It's disappointing when God blocks your plans.   It makes me wonder "what ARE your plans for me?"  "What DO you want from my life?"  "Where do I GO from here?"  He has not answered those questions yet but I am determined not to lose faith or give up hope.  Maybe this is a teaching moment for me and I am to learn a lesson.   All I do know is that My God is an awesome God and that according to Jeremiah 29:11 He has great plans for me.  I will continue to look forward with a trust in Him.  I cannot lean on my own understanding.  I have learned one thing through out my Christian life.  When I cannot see His hand, I can still trust His heart. 

May God Bless you and keep you!

Your friend in Christ,
Keena

Sunday, June 24, 2012

A different path.....

I know that I have not been around as much lately.  It seems that God is taking me on a different path.  The blogger bug has seemed to die.  I am not sure what has happened.  I have just lost interest yet I feel like God has given me another interest. In the fall, I am going back to school.  I will be working at earning my Bachelor of Science degree in Pyschology with an emphasis in Christian Counseling. Since most postions I have seen require a Master's Degree, it looks like I may try for that too. If I have calculated everything correctly, it will take me 3 1/2 years to finish both degrees.  I will start as a senior since I have an Associates degree already.  I covet your prayers.  It has been 15 years since I have been to school.  I have been praying.  I want to be in God's will.   I still have concerns about me going back like.....will I be able to maintain good grades? will I be able to find a job that fits me needs( I left my last job b/c of a disability, so will my new employeer accomadate me)? will I make enough to consider it worthwhile( I will have to take on student loans) while not making too much to lose my disability check?   So like I said earlier, I covet your prayers. I will keep in touch.  I will make posts to report on how I am doing.  I want to thank everyone that continues to read and comment on my blog.  You are very special to me.  May God Bless!!!!

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Copied in full from Ridley Baron Ministries

I’ve watched with great interest the conversations that have been going on via Facebook, Twitter, and even the news. Obviously, two major events have occurred lately as they relate to the issue of homosexual marriage in our country. First, North Carolina joined some other states in voting for an amendment saying that marriage is between a man and a woman. Then, closely on the heels of that announcement, President Obama became the first sitting president to openly endorse the “right” of homosexuals to be married. Immediately the airwaves and the internet were filled with debate. The words became heated. The division grew wider between those who support and those who oppose homosexual marriage. I’ve held off for a little while on sharing my thoughts simply because I wasn’t sure that I was ready to share. I also wanted to see if other, wiser men and women, could stir my thoughts. They have. But so have others who, quite frankly, are willing to twist words and facts to make whatever their opinion is to be the only one that matters. Most people are not as interested in having a conversation as they are in being right.
So let me just share my thoughts in no particular order. I don’t know that they will sway anyone’s opinion nor do I really think that’s my purpose here. I simply felt a need to share these thoughts for others who are listening to the ongoing debate.
First, let’s understand what love is. I read Facebook (FB) today as one young man said  that because Jesus loved everyone we should too and that means we should leave everyone alone and let them do what they choose. This is a misunderstanding. You see love is not an overall acceptance of everything that someone else does. If it were, every mom and dad who has ever lovingly disciplined their child for wrong behavior would have to go back and apologize. More important, Jesus would have to apologize to a prostitute (whom He loved by the way) for telling her in John 8:11 to “go and sin no more.” Modern translation: “I love you but your sinful lifestyle isn’t acceptable and you need to leave that lifestyle.” He would also have to apologize to the rich, young man (whom He also loved) because He told him in Matthew 19:21 to go and sell all that he had and give it to the poor. Modern translation: “I love you but your values system is messed up and there are more important things than your wealth.”
N0, love is the very reason that I am compelled to speak up when my children misbehave, when a friend is making poor choices or our country has lost its direction on a particular issue. I–along with every other person who has ever truly loved someone–must feel compelled to speak up to save those we love from what we believe are poor choices.
Second thought…while my views on homosexuality may not line up with yours, I truly do my best to honor God by loving everyone. I love those who don’t vote like me, don’t worship like me, don’t act like me or don’t dress like me. Just because I don’t agree with them does not mean that I don’t love them (besides, if that’s true, why isn’t anyone talking to them about loving me? It goes both ways).
Thirdly, I’m confused by this question of “homosexual marriage.” Why do we have to “redefine” marriage? Isn’t that like looking at a mountain and insisting that we call it a river? Throughout the course of history, marriage has been defined as being between a man and a woman. The reason that is the case is because the first marriage was ordained by God in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:21-24) and it was “defined” then as being between a woman and a man. If homosexuals want a partnership, let them call it what they want. Call it unions, call it partnerships, call them durable arrangements. I don’t care. But don’t call it marriage because its not…just like a mountain is not a river. I know that much of this debate centers on the question of tax and other benefits. I don’t care one inch about those benefits. You can have them because the way the government is moving backward on us, we’ll all be losing those benefits shortly any way.
Let me be clear. I do not think that homosexuality honors God. I don’t think it’s the right choice for any man or woman. I also don’t think its the biggest problem the Church is facing. It receives an inordinate amount of attention from us. In fact, just after the passage of Scripture where Paul talks about homosexuality being against God’s plan for humanity (Romans 1:26-27), he also lists the following wrong sins that plague humans: wickedness, evil, greed, depravity, envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, gossip, slander, God-hating, insolent, arrogant and boastful. Not only are these problems far more prevalent, they are found far too frequently among the ones who are called to living differently in this world…the Christ-followers.
Maybe if Christ followers did less gossiping, envied each other less, encouraged each other more and learned what true love was really all about, those walking down paths that do not honor God would feel more compelled to find out why we are the way we are. Maybe they would be drawn to Christ rather than repelled from what we do.
One last thought. I’m really frustrated by how this word judgment gets tossed around so easily. First of all, determining if someone is doing right or wrong is not judgment. If that was what God was talking about when He said do not judge, then He would have no leg to stand on when we did something wrong. We could say we simply refused to judge. Judging is something that goes deeper, more eternal than watching as someone harms someone else and deciding its wrong. None of us would watch a grown man steal food from a starving child and hesitate to “judge” that his behavior was abhorrent. I also get bothered when those pointing fingers at the church tell us not “to judge”–quoting Scripture from a Bible they choose not to believe otherwise. You can’t pick and choose when you follow the Bible. That’s not an option. The same Bible that says “be careful how you judge” is also the one that says” Be holy as HE (God) is holy.” The last time I checked we all–every single one of us–have miles to go before we can say we’ve accomplished that one.

Monday, April 16, 2012

HELLO???

Where is everybody?  This time last year I was getting several comments to my post but now its like everybody has disappeared except one or two.....   This is very discouraging.  It's caused me to lose my interest in blogging.   Why blog if NOBOBY reads it or comments....

Friday, April 13, 2012

I is for Interests..........

I wanted to take this post and share some of my interests.  I enjoy reading, writing, photography, and animals.   I also like to eat( a little too much I will admit),  Internet, and music.  I will admit that most of my interest lately are those that do not require much energy due to my limited abilities.  I do, however, bowl.  I am on a league with my hubby.  Although bowling causes me to be in pain for a few days afterwards, I do enjoy the game.  I also "liked" blogging until all my followers stopped commenting.... I really enjoyed those comments... Sorry, I digressed...


What are your interests?  I would love to hear about  the different activities that fill your day....Please share!!!!

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

H is for Helpmate.......

In Genesis God said that Adam(man) should have a helpmate(Eve).  I take the responsibility of being my husbands helpmate very seriously.  I believe that it is the job of every wife to encourage, uplift and support her husband.  Ladies, we can do this in various ways.  First and foremost is to take care of his physical needs.  What I mean by this is that we should do what we can to make sure our man is feed, rested and stress free. It can be as simple as making sure that there is a loaf of bread in the event he wants to make a sandwich.  Secondly, we need to encourage him to be the man that God has created him to be.  We need to praise him not only in private but in public as well.  I get so frustrated when I hear wives speak ill of there husbands.  It matters not whether is "true" or not.  We as wives should make people think our husbands are the greatest.  If our husbands think we belittle them in public, our "private" words will have no effect on their attitude.  I love my husband and I want to do anything and everything to encourage and uplift him.  NO, he is not perfect but he IS perfect for me. 

What do you do to be the helpmate to your husbands???

G is for Gratitude......

I am trying to cultivate a spirit of gratitude within myself.   To do this, I try to think about all the blessing that God has bestowed upon me.  It's so easy to get caught up in the worry and trials of everyday living.   It must be a deliberate action to keep one's mind on the postitive and not the negitive.   What do YOU do to cultivate a spirit of gratitude within yourself??

Monday, April 09, 2012

F is for Friendship......

Friendship is an important aspect of our lives.  The greatest friend that I have is Jesus Christ.  He laid down His life for me.  He promised that He would never leave nor forsake me.  My next dearest friend is my husband.  He is extremely supportive and understanding of my limitations.  He is a great husband.  We have fun together and get along well.  Then, there is my mom.  We talk every day.  I enjoy the times that I can spend with her.  Then there are my online buddies whom some I talk to just about everyday.    I don't have many close friends but have several acquaintances with whom I enjoy their company.  I may not have a lot of friends by today's standards but those I do call friends are very special to me  I hope you have at least one person whom you can call friend.  I believe God created us to be joined to others.  Thank you God for my friends.

E is for Easter.....

Easter.....Empty tomb.....Everlasting life.....Enough said!!

Thursday, April 05, 2012

D is for DOVE.......

What can I say?  I miss this dear old friend of mine.  She was the perfect dog.  She was my best friend.  She left us on 9/2/2009.   Words cannot convey the love I had for her(and still have) or what she meant to me.  Those of you that have pets understand what I am saying.  Dove was the dog of all dogs.  She was gentle and sweet and had a great sense of humor.  Although I would like to own another dog in the future, I doubt I will ever find one as wonderful as my Dove.

I wanted to post a pic as well but my computer is acting up.   Take care and God bless!!!

Wednesday, April 04, 2012

C is for Comments.....

I LOVE COMMENTS WHEN I BLOG!!!!!!!!!  However, those that are "following" me are not commenting like they used to.  Have I gotten boring?  Are you just too busy?  See, I covet your comments.  I thrive on comments.  It's your comments that really motivate me.  Comments create in me a desire to be more creative and interesting.  SO!  Please humor me my fellow "followers".  Leave a sentence or two to brighten my day and I will do likewise. 

Monday, April 02, 2012

B is for Bobby.........

My Bobby and I
           Bobby aka Bob is my hubby.  We were married on 11-24-2006.  It has been a wonderful marriage.  I just want everyone to know what a hard working, dependable, smart, and reliable husband that I have.   He makes me laugh all the time.  He has such a zany sense of humor.  He is generous(almost to a fault) and loves to help people.  It was late in life when we met.  I was 35 and he was 43.  Until I met, I didn't think that I wanted to get married.  I was truly content being single, then this wonderful man came into my life and turned it topsy-turvy.  We have had our struggles and still do.   He is not perfect and neither am I,  but I would not change my life for all the wealth in the world.     I cannot imagine my life without him and I pray that we have many more years together.
           In this present society, I hear a lot of  "men-bashing" and it makes me sick.   I have a good man and I want all to know it.  I'm sure that there are many other fine men out there that work hard and provide for their families.  As wives, I believe that we should do all we can to encourage and life up our husbands instead of tearing them down.   I thank God that He provided me with a good husband.  Ladies,  have you thanked your honeys lately for all they do for you and your family.  I know its easy to nag about undone chores and unpaid bills, but take a moment and tell your husband what he means to you.   We are not promised tomorrow!!!

A is for Attitude.....

Attitude!  Every one has one.  What does your attitude say about yourself?  Well, lately mine has been saying that I am selfish, self centered, and just thinking only of my problems and trials.  However,  God has been convicting me that I need to change my attitude.  A former pastor used to always say "Your altitude is determined by your attitude."  I have decided that I want to fly high. I want to be happy and infectious to others.  I WILL change my attitude and I am working daily to do just that.   You see, your attitude not only affects you, but it affects those around you.   I want to be remembered for having the attitude of Christ.  Simply put, I want to be remember for being a person of love not negativity.   Where is your attitude?  How are you affecting those in your life?  I challenge you to examine yourself and allow God to make the changes that need to be done.

Have a great week! 

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Still here......

Hello fellow Bloggers!!!!!
   
    Just a small note to say that I'm still here....I am looking forward to the A-Z challenge this year.  I hope that it can motivate and inspire me to blog more frequently than what I am doing now.  I just can't help but feel like my mojo is gone.  How I lost it I don't know.  Like I said in an earlier post, I am trying to make changes in my life and it's been hard.  There are SO many things that I need to change.   SO many things that I have let slip.  Some of these things are physical, some are spirtual and some are emotional.  I know tat God will help me make these changes but I still have a lot of work to do on my own.  I am excited about making my life as best as it can.  I covet any suggestions, advise, prayers or just words of encouragement.   Thanks for being my friends and I love each of you with a godly love.   Take care and have a blessed week.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Prayer

Hello my fellow bloggers,

     I have been away for a few weeks.  I hope everyone is doing well.  I pray that the holidays were a blessing to you all.  I had an enjoyable time with family.

     I am in need of prayer.  I am wanting to make some changes in my life and neeed strength from God to accomplish these goals.  I am not where I want to be.  BUT, I am not where I used to be either.. Thank God!!!!  There is so much going inside my head right now.  Please pray for my husband and I...

     I am wanting to get back into my blog.  I have neglected it for the past several weeks.  I just have not had an interest, but I am hoping that will change too....Please forgive me for being away for so long....

     I pray that every one has a wonderful rest of the week and a blessed weekend!!!


                                                                                                     Your Friend,
                                                                                                        Keena