THE CHOICE IS OURS

The new year is upon us and while "resolutions " will abound, few will be carried out.

• Spend time with family
• Exercise
• Lose weight
• stop smoking

 are the top promises to self that people make every year.
These are well intentioned, but in reality none can be carried out until change is made inside a person. Why? Because all are habits with a root in self indulgence.
We spend time with family when we decide to spend time with family--usually we are spending time doing what we want to do. We exercise when we decide that our health is more important than Facebook, television or lounging around.
We lose weight when decide to change our lifestyle and eating habits instead of trying fad diets or short lived bouts of pills and gimmicks that give us an excuse to say, "I've tried everything".
We stop smoking when we take control of our actions and deal with stress and anxiety in our life instead of numbing it.

     All of these things take self sacrifice, and allowing God to help by shining His light  where change needs to come. Prayer and spending time daily in His word can bring the Light that reveals to our heart things we need to change. These  can be big and little things. Usually we don't expect the little everyday things to be important to God, but they are the things that make a BIG difference , and can change our world.
It is usually roots of self indulgence that keep rejecting the light that brings real change. But through His light we can realize that the better we care for our bodies the more we can do in our daily life to help others as well as be happier ourselves.
The  better we feel, the more we will want to spend time with others and be involved in things we enjoy. Our life was not given to us to be wasted and our bodies were not given to us to be abused by our own hand, they are tools for His use, but the choice is always ours.

THANKSGIVING

                                                         HAPPY THANKSGIVING

 This Thanksgiving season i am recording each day something I am thankful for. This is something I should do all year1 it has been a wonderful time of reflection, and thought, as well as realization that the things to be thankful for are infinite.

Nov. 1, I am Thankful for my children

Nov. 2, I thank God for friends. Some friends are so close they know my thoughts. They are few...others are wonderful friends of many years whom I share stories, prayers and laughter. Some are new friends, I am getting to know, love and pray for-- I thank God for them all!

Nov. 3, I am thankful for the earth that God has provided for me to live on and enjoy. It’s beautiful seasons, and varied landscapes make each day something to enjoy.

Nov. 4, I am Thankful for my church, and church family, what a blessing in my life!

Nov. 5,  I am thankful for a God who provided a way for eternal life, so that whoever believes on Him can live forever with Him, and not fear death.

Nov.6  I am thankful for the Spirit of God who comforts, and strengthens in time of trouble, and who brings Peace in time of unrest, and who guides, when we don't know which way to go.

Nov. 7, I am thankful for El Shaddai, "the God Who is More Than Enough". in every situation He is more than enough to protect, care, deliver, comfort, provide, hide me, battle for me,, and sustain me. All I need do is trust

Nov. 8, I am thankful for my two brothers, Mike, and Eddy. Always close growing up, now we live with miles between but the hearts are always close.

Nov 9 I am thankful for a country that has been such a joy to live in. May I never take for granted the freedoms I have. May I always stand up strongly to defend them.

Nov. 10 I am thankful that I was raised by a Christian mother. A foundation was laid and has held strong through my life, :)

Nov 11, I am thankful, for the abilities and gifts that God has given me. I am able to do things that bring joy and comfort to others and fulfillment to myself.

N0v. 12 I am thankful for a grandmother and grandfather that taught me so many wonderful things. Grandmother taught me just by example: A simple house can be filled with warmth and comfort and welcoming to all that enter. Food prepared with love taste better, Always make a garden- there are hungry people out there--and the food taste better, Start the day early there's plenty to do, start the day

with Bible devotions and end it that way. grow plants and flowers, it will keep you in a good mood. Grandfather taught me to fish, to see wildlife (stop talking and get your mind off yourself) and to grow fishing worms, (he had the best), a sense of humor is necessary and always spend time outdoors, enjoy the world god gave us, play nice.... (they are in heaven now)

Nov. 13, I am thankful for the freedom to come and go as I like in my city, my state, and my country, And the freedom to share the gospel.

Nov. 14, i am thankful that my parents both were readers. Both read with drama and voices befitting the characters involved. Daddy often read various columns such as Andy Rooney, Erma Bombeck or Lewis Grizzard at the breakfast table aloud to us using such flair that soon i was reading them myself. Mother read to us often and I couldn't wait to learn to read myself. reading is a blessing that brings growth both spiritually and intellectually, as well as relaxation. be thankful for the seemingly little things, for without them, life would be dull.

Nov 15, I am thankful for the availability of the word of God, in any form. We can read it in any language, translation, or paraphrase. We can see pretty plaques and posters and decor with verses on them. we have jewelry, books, clothing and car tags with the word on them. we have tapes, cd s, DVDs with the word set to music with sound effects and voices.. the blessing of the Word of God is something to be Thankful for

Nov. 16, I am thankful for the privilege of prayer--no matter what the circumstance or condition, prayer is something I can do at any place or time. Laws forbidding prayer in certain places have nothing to do with whether I pray. Prayer is not a political stance, or a public display, it is a talk between God and me, and it is always refreshing, always comforting, and always strengthening.

Nov 17, I am thankful for music! In life we see music (hear) at its best, comforting hearts, soothing spirits, entertaining us, leading movements, joining events and even following events. In literature, we read of it being used in this same way. In film we watch as the drama is set with music, parades are marched to it, even news is punctuated by it. Music was created by God and He saw fit to share it with us and give us the creative minds to continue with it. His most important message was emphasized with music heralding the coming of Jesus. A great musical trumpet sound shall be heard when He comes again, what could we do without music?

Nov. 18 I am thankful that God made us in His image. People have long pondered that statement. To me it means that we have attributes such as His. We have creative ability in that we can think, have vision and ideas and bring them into being.Our ideas can be put in the form of music, art, crafts, inventions, food, architect medicine, and more. God has given us emotions such as His. Love, compassion, sorrow, and anger are releases for our soul ,also, when controlled, can be used for the benefit of others. Even anger can spur us to solve problems around us.

Nov. 19 I am thankful for the proclamation of Abraham Lincoln that began the annual observance of one day set aside to give Thanks to God for all our being. This given in time of the great civil war should remind us that even in the worst of times we have much to be thankful for.

http://holydays.tripod.com/linc.htm

Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation

holydays.tripod.com

The text of Abraham Lincoln's original Thanksgiving Day

Nov. 20. I am thankful for the birds! I once lived in a newly developed apartment complex, each day I awoke feeling like i was in a void, a vacuum and could not figure out why. Finally, it dawned! There were o birds! the construction and activity of clearing trees, building ,etc. had caused them to move away. with time, they slowly returned, and I was glad. Without the sound of mourning doves, and happily singing songbirds each morning life would begin rather dull.

Nov. 21, I am thankful for my big brother Mike Green today is his birthday and I am thinking of him. We had a lot of fun growing up, I still remember using daddy's siphon hose to drain mud puddle water from one hole in the dirt driveway to another, great fun! He always answered my questions, and helped me without making me feel too dumb, listened to my troubles (still does that) and encourages me. I can’t wait to see him tomorrow and I am thankful to have him. Happy birthday Mike!

 Nov. 22, On this Thanksgiving Day I am thankful for God who created the universe and mankind to live here. I am thankful for my ancestors, my family and my friends. I am thankful for all I have, and the time that I have to live, may it be for His glory.

life

I am not fond of pink flowers...give me red, vivid apricot, blues and yellows.. snowy white even ...but pink seems so half hearted....

Cancer is a horrible thing. I have lost my grandma to Pancreatic,my grandpa had skin cancer although Parkinson's Disease took his life, my mom succumbed to colon cancer, my dad had lymphoma although he died because he couldn't live without my mom. my uncle had stomach cancer my aunt had bone cancer,another aunt had breast cancer, my father in law had leukemia. Several fine and wonderful friends have had several types some have lived and some have died. I refuse to memorialize a disease, there are many diseases in the land and my family have been touched by a great many of them, diabetes, heart disease, crohns disease, cancer, cystic fibrosis, arthritis, fibromyalgia, lupus, MS. Why should adisease be memorialized? People are important, how they live, who they are and what has been bettered because they were here is what is important. My mother lived her life, it was at times a hard life, she taught me many things. Her sickness was short and her death was indeed memorable, but it is not her sickness or her death that I remember it is her life, her lessons, and her laugh.

In Honor of My Daddy

   I am thinking of my Daddy on this Father's day. He passed away in 2001. A wise man said, that even
the worst of fathers surely showed glimpes of true fatherliness every now and then. I hope this is
true. My father was not a ,"worst of the father's", by any means, he just had weaknesses, like everyone
else. I think true maturity comes when we can recognize our parents as human beings, who happen to
have offspring.
   My Daddy was a nature lover, a fisherman, of both the creek bank and the deep sea sort. He was
a hunter, who, because of his Cherokee heritage, gave every target a sporting chance. He was a
wonderful cook who experimented with every spice in the kitchen, and somehow everything turned out delicious.
   Daddy was a prankster to the extent of having water fights inside the house, and wrestling matches
all over the furniture. He let me sit in his lap and steer the car while he worked the peddles before I was
old enough to go to school. He taught me to ride a bike, throw a ball and love music. He taught me to
polish shoes that were fit for army inspection, and showed me how to catch craw dads,(thats one I never got the hang of).
   My Daddy was also a functioning alcoholic. This means he went to work every day and did what was
necessary to raise his family. He had some serious problems, but I am glad that wise man made the
statement about the good points, because it made me start thinking about them. I learned alot from my
Daddy. I wish him a Happy Father's Day today, I miss him.

Busted!

     I have so many cute names for my children...Pudding Pie, Sweet Pumpkin,
Sweet Potatoe Bread, Dumpling Doo, Sweetness, Pudding Bear, Kissy Face.
The times when they are up to something they have different names like,
Tater Head, Pester Pot, Tumble Weed, Noodle Head.Yes affection in a name, it is a glorious thing.
     I overheard a conversation the other day. A gentleman was discussing age  and forgetfulness. He constantly offended his now grown children by "calling the roll" trying desperately to get the right name for the one he was speaking to. My Mom used to do that, I was called both my brother's names before she got it right. She would say,"You will be old one day and you will remember laughing at me."
     I have six children, three of them are long since grown, and I can say truthfully I never mix up their names. I always get it right.It is a source of  
pride for me (or so I thought).
   My son, Sweet Dumpling, age 21, was a part of the conversation I overheard. He replied to the older gentleman," You know my Mom never does that. When I was little I thought she was just affectionate and creative, calling us, "Sugar Pie", and "Dumpling Sweet", but now I realize she just couldn't remember our names!"

A Date with Reagan

     It doesn't take much to make a child happy. Ethan, my son, needed a ride home from his work as assistant manager at a local Food store. It was late, past nine p.m. so I was going alone. I was nearly to the car when a little voice called,"Mommy, Mommy, can I come too?" It was Reagan running after me. Since I had been gone most of the day, I happily told him yest, I would love his company. He grabbed my arm in a hug and said, "Mommy you're my best friend, AND my best girl!"
     I had buckled him in and was preparing to leave when Jonathan came and said he and Ang would go too. Reagan said nothing but his face fell. I said,"Reagan, Jon and Ang want to go don't you want them to?" He looked somber and answered quietly,"I don't tink so...tell Jonathan, another day...another time."
     Jonathan and Ang stayed home. I felt that Reagan needed some time alone with his Mommy.And I was right. I didn't play the radio...we talked and then he was quiet, I asked,"Do you want me to sing you a song?" he smiled and said yes. I sang him a song that had been his favorite when he was younger,when I finished he was silent and then said,"BRAVO, Mommy, BRAVO!"
     We arrived at the store and had to wait quite a while for Ethan to finish up so we walked together in the parking lot in the darkness and then, I bought us an Orange soda and we sat on a park bench and shared it.
Reagan sat very close and held my hand a lot. When Ethan was finished we took him home. Ethan was going to hug Reagan good-bye, but Reagan said,"Just go Ethan, just Go!" We laughed.
     On the last of the ride to our place Reagan sang ME a song, it was made up as he went and very funny, and we laughed together. When I got him out of the car he hugged me tight and said," This was fun Mommy, Me and you are Good Times!"
     I think I have the sweetest boy in the whole world!