I've been thinking about Sundays lately.  I enjoy them so much.  I love going to a house full of fellow worshipers of God, and to see all of us together praising, listening, hearing, talking, praying, caring for one another. 

    I have learned over the years, that not everyone is there for the same reasons though.  I have heard complaints about styles in music, or I "felt" nothing today at Church, or "the sermon" didn't do anything for me".  I just get a little perturbed about that.  Well, maybe more than perturbed, I get upset. 

    I cannot remember the last time that I went to Church looking for my feelings to be tickled, or expecting our pastor to "wake me up".  I think it is OUR responsibility to glean, worship and honor our Savior on Sunday's.  It is His Day, not ours.  Sure, we get something out of it, but it is the result of worshiping HIM, that we have or are anything.  Unless we go to our Churches on Sunday, with an already worshiping attitude, I think we will always be disapointed in it. 

   Now don't get me wrong, if the style of music, or the sermons aren't promoting "HIM" and you feel there is another Church that you need to go to, then go with blessings.  I just know that a critical spirit, is just that....critical!!!  It is critical that we move on, so those who are around us, don't get critical too!  It is a contagious disease, only cured by the Holy Spirit. 

    And speaking of Sundays, and on a much happier note.  I have these memories, that are sooooo fond.  When I was growing up in Moss Bluff, Lousisiana!  Saaaalootttttt!  (for all of you Hee Haw fans), I remember on certain days, probably once a month, heading to Longville, Lousisiana, where my Mom grew up.  It was her stomping grounds.  It was more rural than Moss Bluff, because Moss Bluff, beleive it or not was actually a subburb of Lake Charles, LA. 

   So Longville was a step into the country, where my uncle Hue raised sheep and was the principle of his kids high school, and my Uncle Britt was a sugar cane farmer, and my Cousin Doris worked in a factory and looked for indian arrowheads in her front yard.  I  also have a cousin, named George, who owns his Dad's pine tree farm now, and a truck driving cousin who I adore.  I have another Cousin, affectionately called Cricket, for who knows why!!! ha ha, and I just could go on and on. I'm proud of that ancestry, that family tie that my Mom shared with me. 

     I  also, absolutely loved going over the wooden bridges and walking in the woods and doing absolutely nothing!!!!  What a breath of fresh air, literally and figurately!  How many funny stories were shared, and how many wells did we drop pennies in, or how many rocks were thrown into creeks. We weren't thinking of Monday, or the ratrace ahead, it was a slow bend in a rocky road.  A time to look and behold family! 

      I just am longingly looking forward to that great big Sunday!!!!  The one we will all share in Heaven.  Where we will get the best of both worlds!  The opportunity to see our Savior, our Father and to walk along with fresh air!   Fresh clean, pure air.  No more polluted sin to corrupt our minds, our bodies, or our loved ones either!  What a Sunday " goin to meetin....that will be!!!!!"  See ya'll there!!!!!

     I just had the most wonderful opportunity.  I got to see a seed being planted in someone's heart and I got to see it grow, right before my very eyes. Miracle Grow in Action!

     You see, I just had the most exciting time, sharing the simple truth of what God has done, and seeing someone's eyes light up and say Yes!!! That is what I've been looking for. 

     Through our Church's food pantry, I volunteer time, to sit and counsel with those needing food.  We always share the gospel with each person who comes through the doors.  I always say, that the most important thing we'd like them to leave with, is not just food, but food for their souls!  God is the bread, the vine, the wine, the completeness that everyone needs. 

     So last night, like many others, I started to sit down with a young lady, and before we could sit down, I recognized her.  She had been to our Church, for a babtismal service, when her neighbor and husband were getting their chance to share their testimonies.  They both came to Christ at our Food Pantry as well, almost a month or so ago. 

     Through that testimony and how they have changed, this young lady, was looking for what they had found.  And before I could say anything, we were on a roll, of questions and answers from the word.  She seemed to me, that she could hardly keep herself in her chair, at the excitement she was feeling, and I tell you, I was on the edge of my seat.  I was witnessing God's drawing power.

      As we answered some of her questions, I asked to share the Bridge Illustration with her.  It is a Navigator witnessing tool that I have adopted as my first choice in sharing.  She sat with me, and as I shared the gospel, she just took it all in, and replied.  That is all there is to it.  All I need to do?!!!!, just believe and admit that I'm a sinner.  I said  absolutely yes!  That is it, no strings attached.  She was so amazed. 

    She prayed  a simple prayer, with her eyes open (her choice), and she looked at me, with those New Born eyes, and I cried with her.  I cannot tell you, when I've seen that much excitement before.  I've had the privelege of showing others the gospel, and yes I've seen some give their hearts over to Him, but this one just knocked my socks off. 

    So this new Believer, is coming to Church on Sunday, and wants to make her decison public I think and is eager to grow in her new found Love of Christ!   Besides hugging her,  I gave her a Bible with her new Birthday in it, and some discipleship material. Now I have the joyful responsibility of discipling a new babe in Christ. 

    Powerful night, is what I'd describe Thursday, July 31, 2008.  I can hardly contain myself and you ought to have seen me on the way home.  I shared the good news with my husband and kids and then I couldn't get to sleep, thinking of all that this young woman has now.  She is a Child of God today, as yesterday she was a lost sheep. 

      Are you excited?!  What a privilege God gives us, to share our testimonies, our excitement for Him.  Share today! Because you are a Child of THE KING and there are lots of seeds to be planted! Souls to be Harvested, for Him!!!! 

     Have you ever been on a journey and when you get there, you wonder why you feel so odd and excited at the same time.  The newness of places, events, are really worth craving for, but I'm one who likes my feet on familiar soil. 

   The new soil in my life, is that my husband is starting a new job tomorrow!  We are very excited, but I'm past the hip, hip hooray part and I'm getting jittery inside about the financial part of the whole thing.  God has always provided, and sometimes I have to remind myself that this new soil will be that familiar place soon, but in the meantime, all those around me, better pray. 

     Why am I jittery.  It is the unknown part of his income.  Part base pay and the rest commission.  He has no doubt that he will bring in enough and then some, with this new job.  I know the Job was placed in our life too.  The timing just can't be by accident.  But.....I still worry.  We have a budget, and I know what the minimum we can live on, but I'm praying for once in my life, to have more than the minimum..to have enough to fix things when there broke, and to have some money to help others with when needed. 

   So will you pray with me.  I need it.  I  so piicture the pioneers having left loved ones, and hardship behind, they must have felt excitement over the prospects of the new land too, but meanwhile the horses are hungry and the fire must be built.  I guess that is how I'm feeling. 

      So until I have the well worn path, and the well is dug, and at least I can see the beginnings of a cabin, I'm just gonna have to take one day at a time.  "today has enough worries of it's own" is what scripture says.  And on top of all that,  today I count it a privalige to be in America, and I count my blessings of my Lord, my husband, my kids, my family, my Church, my friends and all those are worth setting my mind on.  It might just keep me looking up, instead of down, and pretty soon the soil will be bearing the fruit or our labors. 

   I just returned from 3 days of fellowship and fun with my dear friend Kim.  She invited me along to my first ever...yes, I said first!  Ohio Homeschool Convention.  I helped her with a booth for "The Old Schoolhouse" Magazine that she writes for.  What a blast we had.  Not only did we see and talk to other homeschool Mom's and Dad's about the magazine, but we got to shop/touch/see all those wonderful homeschool books and curriculum's we all love to see. 

    The most fun I had was the "after" times, when we ate out, or just sat and talked.  I have to tell all of you, that Kim can make you snorkle with laughter, and yes, she can even make you run to the bathroom, because you've laughed so hard. 

  Here is just one of them!!  One evening, after the Convention, we went to Wendy's and she and I were at the counter ordering.  Now here is where it begins.  I'm sometimes, not paying attention to things around me, like I should, but I noticed Kim standing there and the guy that I just ordered from is asking her, if she wants to order.  So Kim says Ohhh! and gives out her order, and I turn my head to daydream and I see that she is "justa smilin away" and crinkling her eyes at the guy, and then she turns to me and just laughs.  We go to our table and she starts to explain her giggling and laughter. 

    You see, Kim has a slight hearing problem, and the noise we endured the whole day, was bad enough, but the loud beeping and machines at Wendy's only made her ordering even funnier for her.  On top of that, the guy, I noticed this too!, had a forest gump kinda mumbling issue.  Sooooo Kim opens her mouth to tell me, what she heard, from this poor soul. 

      It was.(drum roll here...) just like this.  Picture Kim standing there....lips puckered and then her toungue is hanging out like a panting dog...and she says....flubba...flo...flo...fla....flub..is what she heard the guys say.  And then I, in turn almost drop to the floor!   I was soooo wondering why she looked so confused at that counter.  I am laughing now...if you can't tell. 

    Anyway....she and I laughed so hard, I ran to the bathroom...and then when I came back, one of the other ladies told me she took a picture of her, to send to her blog.  Kim's mascara was running down her cheeks.  I then precided to laugh again...and she just turned to me and stuck out that toungue again...and well you guessed it, began her flubba flub again.  What fun we had Kim.  I enjoy your friendship so much. 

Remember to laugh ladies! And flubba flub away....  It takes years and wrinkles away.  Welll...I at least tell myself that.  Ha Ha!

     I have actually two blogs to write today.  This is my serious one.  The other, not so serious one, will follow.

    Have you ever wondered what exactly Satan's role in "our" sinning is?  I've been inundated lately with a Bible study and a Sunday School class, discussing this very topic.  Of course there is more, but this is what has been rolling around in my brain. 

     From the beginning Satan's role was pretty important.  He was in charge of the Worship Services in heaven.  That is at least how our S.S. Teacher described it.  Until Satan decided "he" wanted to be "like God", not "Be God".  I always thought it was the latter, didn't you?  What difference does it make?  Well...the "being like God" shows He knew he couldn't "BE" God, but that He wanted to "take what was God's in the first place".  The Praise and attention of God's created beings.  Soooo Here goes the beginning of his being kicked out and him taking lots of angels with him. 

     Nowwww this is where my mind starts to wonder.  Satan can't enter our minds..right!!!!  Soooo he can only see what we do!!! Right????  (Garden of Eden...Satan saw Eve...talked out loud to her.....)When He tempted Christ, it was outloud, and in person, as I understand too.  So, how can I, today, know what Satan is tempting me with, except if it is material and of this world? (Job is the example here) When my thoughts run to sinful things, or contemplate actions I know will not be God's will, I'm just plain old sinning? 

    Our S.S. teacher discussed, that during one of the "timetables" in the end times when Satan is bound, sin is still happening on earth.  That baffled me,until I realized our sin nature is our own!!!  Wow!!  I know some of you might think I'm a little wierd for just now thinking about this, but I am.  I knew it was my own self, that was sinning, but so much is blamed on Satan and his tempting us, it just dawned on me how much is really mine to own.  Tell me your thoughts on this.

      I even heard someone say, in our class, that we should rebuke Satan out loud, when we are tempted, and say "in the name of Jesus, I rebuke you Satan" and then if we are tempted again, to retreve our memorized scriptures to thwart out thoughts from going where they should not go.  Wow!!!  Also, there was a warning not to say your sins..out loud? Lest Satan say..ahhhaahhhh...and do more tempting in that area.  Now that one,,,I'm not to keen on.  First scripture says to confess your sins to one another, so that can't be right.  I think the power of sin, is keeping it to yourself and thinking we can "conquer" it ourselves in the first place. 

   Ok that is all for now, but be assured there will be more, as I learn more.  But Get behind me Satan is my motto!!!!  today!!!!  

                             My Dishwasher broke! 

                        "That is all I have to say about that!!!!"

                                             (quoting Mr Forest Gump)

   Our life, in this Home Sweet Home, has come to a pile of rubble and dismay.  We have already started and perfected negotiating tactics and the "who's turn is it", to fill/soak and  do those dishes.  We even had murderous thoughts towards those who drank out of more than one glass again. I know this is really serious right? 

  Well in this house it is. And I know those of you, who are diehard, "I like to do dishes by hand"  anyway people, can't understand our delimna.  But none, not one left or right hand, on one Cakste body, in this house, likes to do them.  "I'm letting them soak", has become everyone's escape hatch. 

     As for how and why it broke, well it all came to a simple paring knife.  I tell you, that little knife has become my enemy now.  It just so happened to slip down in that nice little cozy hole in the utensil basket.  It managed to hold the spray arm that sprays ( I know that is redundant) and hold it hostage and long enough to burn through the arm and somehow, I think, burn out some sort of grime killer. 

   Now, don't take me, for a dense person, but I even thought "I", with no mechanical expertese at all, could fix this thing.  After all, my sanity was at stake and my husband was too busy to worry about it.  So, I looked up that nifty spray arm from a list of parts online and wahlah...ordered it. 

  Boy, did I think I was smart too, ordering it and opening that package the next day,lickety split.  Well I put that new arm in and we all gleefully gathered allllll the dishes and spun that dial and said I gentle Hallelujeh, and just sat back to relax.  But the story doesn't end here, as you guessed it.  We really thought we had it made in the shade again, and then that "dag burn it" machine, got stuck in the washing cycle and all those smelly, nasty dishes just mocked me, and dropped me from my pinnacle of success. 

  Now I bet your wondering how this can have any assemblance of being thoughtful enough to write about, but I'm learning that I can pretty much be smiled upon and humbled, by almost anything now adays. 

     So, my dishwasher has taught me and my family some valuable lessons this week.  What do I appreciate? Can none of us slow down enough to serve each other and smile while doing it?  Also, can I, the Mom who fixes all boo boo's and calamities for centuries now,  stick to my real expertese, and most of all not be lazy. 

   And speaking of Laziness. it seems to creep into a household so slick like, and this family has perfected it this past week. How about yours?  

   Now for my dear dishwasher, I will have to call in the reinforsments and pay to have it repaired. I hope your day/week/month is spent encouraging, appreciating, being a motivator to do "even the dishes" and calling in your biggest repairmen, your Heavenly Father.  He can enpower you to look up from those smelly dishes and see the joy in serving Him, Yes HIM!  And we might even Thank the Lord we have so many things to even get dirty and complain about. 

Love,

Balinda 

      I was watching the Walton’s today. I know for some of you “YEAR 2000” people, it may seem like a very corny show. A show from the 1970’s about the 1930's and 40’s . But I love to watch, how time is not a factor in caring for each other, on that show.  I know it isn’t real, so don’t get ready to ship me off to the loony bin, but I just bask in seeing Grandpa fish with the kids, or Mom and Dad take a midnight stroll under the stars, “to get some fresh air”, and Grandma with her grumpy demeanor give a loving kiss to a tear stained face, and make the world stand straighter just for one more minute.

     I like the Dad portrayed on this show, most of all.  I like that no matter what he was doing around the house or even if he was sawing lumber and had an order to fill, he was available. 

   On this particular episode today,  Ben needed some manly advice and asked his Dad "If he was busy", and Dad the man in the house, dropped what he was doing and said "nothin that can't wait son" (It looked like he was reading a bill or a ledger for his job) and he looked his son in the eyes, and listened first, waited and then gave his advice w/o pushing, yelling, shaming or half heartedly thinking about it. That one statement "nothin that can't wait son", just stuck in my head.  Do I say that to my kids?  Do Gunars and I take the time to just listen?  Yes, we do sometimes, but life gets so busy that we push out the moments that could be just like this scene portrays, "Time and Love".  

    There is one thing I do wish about this show though, I wish the Dad in this show portrayed a Godly father, (being that he always admitted he wasn’t a Baptist or religious) But he could have been a perfect example, in my eyes, if he would have sought after God’s advice about things and knew Him as His Personal Savior. But all the same, I do see and hear, from his care and concern, the qualities I admire and seek after, in my own Father, my Heavenly Father.

    I picture my Heavenly Father stopping, looking, hearing, understanding, thinking of where this decision I’m contemplating will take me, and showing me with “HIS WORD” exactly what He thinks.  Now whether I listen, is just up to me.  He won’t put me over his knee literally anymore.  But He will let me see and feel the rewards either way, of my actions. 

      I’m feeling that lately, how about you?  Do we blame God when our decisions don’t work out like we thought they would?  I’m contemplating a slow turn up to Walton’s mountain myself, I need to change some behaviors, take some time for contemplation.  Will you join me? I think the porch swing looks very inviting and God is always ready to listen and give His advice.  

May 1, 2008

Balinda