False Gods

"Do not forget the covenant I have made with you, and do not worship other gods." 

~ 2 Kings 17 38

photo - publicdomainpictures.net

This verse stuck with me the other day.  I kept coming back to in my mind throughout the day.  Wondering...

What are my "other gods"? 

False gods aren't always golden calves.  Or mythical beings from past civilizations.  

Anything that comes between us and the one TRUE God.

Anything that distracts us from pursuing Him and His best for us. 

Anything - anywhere - we focus all of our time, attention and adoration. 

The things of this world that take our eyes off the Father and His Son.  Away from His Truth.  Away from His promises. 

These are our "other gods". 

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Saturday's Inspiration: Be Grateful

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A Spirit of Gratitude - November 21

Today the Man of the House and I celebrate 22 years of marriage.  This week's "A Spirit of Gratitude" post was inspired by him and our marriage ...

photo - publicdomainpictures.net

I Am Thankful for 22 Years Filled With

Love
Laughter
Friendship
Acceptance
Support
Encouragement

Arguments
Romance
 Bad puns (and a few good ones)
Parenting together
Shared joys
Shared losses
Vacations in Charleston

Sunburns
Family holidays
Birthdays 

Blizzards

Hurricanes
Reenactments
Naval Reserve weekends
A trip to New Orleans
 New jobs
Lost jobs
New houses
Facial hair and not
A Disney World trip
Home brewing
Finding the perfect Christmas tree
Vacations at the Outer Banks
Long drives to Ohio and Florida
Becoming grandparents
Trips to Gatlinburg / Pigeon Forge
Home Makeovers
Hiking Trips 

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 

~ 1 Corinthians 13 13

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 Missional Women: Faith Filled Friday
Christian Mommy Blogger: Fellowship Fridays
Essential Thing Devotions: Essential Fridays
Serenity Now: Weekend Bloggy Reading
Womanhood With Purpose: Heart-filled Friday

Are You Living In Fear?

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
 ~ Joshua 1 9

How much of what we do - or don't do - in life in driven by fear?

Fear of discomfort.  Fear of stepping outside our comfort zones.  Fear of not having enough.  Not being enough.  Fear of failure.  Being found lacking in some way.  Fear of disapproval.  Rejection.  Embarrassment.  Of being hurt.  

 

picture - publicdomainpictures.net

Do we let these fears control us?  Distract us?  Dictate to us?  

I timidly raise my hand and truthfully admit that I do.  (Timidly... there's that fear again.  Fear that all of you reading this will judge me for this and find me lacking.)

When I should be allowing only God - His truth, His promises, what He has to say about me and what he wants for me - to guide me and lead me.

Not the fear.

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He Was Bigger Than The Imagination

He grew up in Texas.He may have left the state, but the Texas never left him.

When he married his bride, he also married her 5 (count 'em FIVE) children. And then had 4 more with her.

I was never sure what he did exactly, but it had something to do with computers - back before computers were common.  Back when they filled a room.  So I was sure he must be very smart.

He would serenade little girls with songs like "You are my sunshine"

picture available as FREE printable at http://www.designerblogs.com/you-are-my-sunshine-free-printable/

He smoked constantly.   I remember him tearing the filters off his cigarettes when he couldn't buy them without any more.

He was tall and thin and always wore a cowboy hat. 

Because of both the above things - my sisters and I used to say he was like the real life Marlboro Man.

He lived in exotic places like... New Mexico!

And took me to see new places... like White Sands and across the border to Mexico.

And then he lived in an RV, traveling the country.  How cool was that?!?

He always seemed bigger than life.  Until today.  It's hard to believe that now he is gone.

RIP Grand-daddy. You'll always be my sunshine. 

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Saturday's Inspiration: A beautiful blend

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A Spirit of Gratitude - November 13

I AM THANKFUL FOR 

Texts with my sisters

Lunch at Oyster House

Football Sundays

Seeing a bright red Autumn tree while pumping gas

Gas prices are down

Those who serve(d) our country

The Man of the House rubbing my back before I fall asleep

New Christmas tree

Colder weather

Crockpot recipes

Starting Christmas shopping online

Knowing the weekend is close

Piles of laundry to fold

Making Thanksgiving plans

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I've Got That Christmas Spirit

At the risk of alienating several of you, I just have to say it...

I am in the Christmas spirit!!

credit - publicdomainpictures.net

Yes, already!  I know, I know... it's crazy early.  And you might think I've completely lost my mind over here.

I get it. 

I'm usually one of those "bah, humbug" kinda gals until Thanksgiving hits.  One of the "don't even think about playing the Christmas music or talking about holiday plans in my presence until I have finished my turkey dinner" people. 

And even then I sometimes have trouble getting into the Christmas mood.

But not this year!  This year I am so ready already!

credit - publicdomainpictures.net

I'd be decorating the house already if I didn't think that the family would stage some sort of revolt.  And even that might not stop me from putting the tree up this weekend.  Or at least pulling the boxes of decorations out of the downstairs closet and getting a jump start. 


Maybe it's that 3+ inches of snow we got a week and a half ago on my birthday.  Who knows?

Whatever the reason - I am ready for the Christmas holidays to begin!

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I'm Not Writing

Seriously... I'm not writing.

Nothing.

My blog posts have gone down hill.  My journal sits blank for days at a time.  And my "creative" writing journal?  Ha!!

credit - publicdomainpictures.net

I'm trying.  Really.  I'm making something that resembles an effort. I open up a fresh blog post and look at it.  I open my journal...and am lucky to get a line or two before I just feel blank.  Or my focus wanders off in another direction.

 I don't know what's wrong with me.  My writing just feels - off.

Now, to be fair to myself - I've been quite off since the time change took place.  Or maybe turning another year older that weekend hit me harder than I realize.  But I've been tired pretty early in the evenings, but still find it difficult to drag myself out of bed in the early mornings.

And I've been feeling a bit sick off and on since late last week.  Especially over this past weekend when I was fighting off a yucky cold.

But, c'mon.

And yes - I know it's normal to go through ups and downs when it comes to writing.  But this time it's not even a lack of inspiration or ideas.  I've got those.  Plenty of them! I just can't seem to make them go anywhere.

I just keep waiting for the flood gates to open and the words to come pouring out!
 

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Saturday's Inspiration: Don't Settle

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A Spirit of Gratitude - November 6

I AM THANKFUL FOR

Grand baby playing in the bounce house

Adorable Halloween costumes

Dinner with the male offspring and the grand baby

"Franken-frapp" treat from the female offspring

Trick or Treat fun

Another birthday

Waking up to the first snow

Cheesecake

The male offspring making dinner

A new tablet

Pretty new earrings

A new coffee mug

Smoked pork

Brownies and ice cream

The time change

Early dismissal days

Lunch with my mom

The grand baby playing outside

Having an item on the Etsy "trending items" page

www.etsy.com/listing/158513049/

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The Fontenot Four: Thankful Thursdays
  A Beautiful Ruckus: Little Things Thursday
Serving Joyfully: Thriving Thursdays
A Glimpse Inside: Catch a Glimpse
Reading List: Cozy Reading Spot 
Becoming a Godly Wife: Hearts 4 Home Blog Hop
Children are a Blessing: Growing in Grace Link Up

Adventures of a Monkey Footed Mummy: Thankful Thursday
Thought Provoking Thursdays: 3-D Lessons for Life
Creative K Kids: Thoughful Thursdays

Trouble

God never says we won't face difficulties or troubles in our lives.

In fact, He tells us in no uncertain terms that we WILL.  (John 16.33)

BUT...

He does promise to protect us.  To comfort us.  To give us rest.  And to give us the strength and the courage to get through those hard times.

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The Dwelling Tree: Let's Be Friends
Cornerstone Confessions: Titus 2 Tuesday
Rich Faith Rising: Unite!
Growing Home: Growing Homemakers
Yesterfood: Treasure Box Tuesday 

 A Life in Balance: Motivation Monday
The WellSpring: Playdates with God 
Tell Me A Story: True Stories
The Beauty In His Grip: Sharing His Beauty 
Salt & Light: Beautiful Ashes

Saturday's Inspiration: Reading

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