What have I to give?

Good question. Reminds me of the song "The Little Drummer Boy" - poor as I am what have I to give? I'll give Him my heart, I'll play my best for Him.

I only worked 4 days this week and it was the longest week in history I thought. And now I am off today, Saturday, Sunday and most of Monday - Christmas Day. Jesus's Birthday - the day we Christians celebrate His birth.

Later this morning I have to take the bus to the women's center at the hospital - for a mammogram. Our health insurance deductible has been met, therefore I don't have to worry about paying for it. Thank goodness! This afternoon my husband and I are going to a funeral visitation for one of Jim's hospice patients. And then later we are having friends over for homemade chicken soup and bread and veggies and a gift exchange. It should be fun.

Today, this morning, I will hear whether our desire to be a host family to a Korean boy has been approved or not. It seems there is a concern about the type of house pet we have - which is a bunny. He weighs just over 1 pound. Apparently in Korea, dogs and cats are common, but bunnies are not. God knows best. Whatever. It's frustrating to say the least.

Saturday morning we get our regular 6-week hair cuts.

Sunday - Christmas Eve. In the morning we have Sunday school and church, then more friends are coming over afterward for Kentucky Fried chicken, cranberry salad, veggies, etc. Then we will return to church for evening services.

Yesterday, Dec. 21, was the one-year anniversary of Jim's dad's death, my daddy-in-law.

Monday - Christmas Day. It will be Jim and I and BeeJay and Jesus.

God's greatest gift

God had promised for years, centuries that He would send His messiah to deliver His people. But the way He did it and when resulted in many many people questioning, disbelieving.

Jesus had come. God's greatest gift was here, is here. BUT he was mocked, beaten, crucified. Mankind thought that was the end of him, that he was no one special, spectacular, but they, we were proved wrong.

Jesus died and was buried, but HE rose again.

Of course, why wouldn't he? He is God's own son.

So many have missed the boat - I'm so glad I didn't.

Thank you Lord Jesus for coming into my life, for giving me new life. Amen.

Love

Love bears all things. Love covers another's sins. It does not have an easy tolerance of wrong but extends compassion to the wrongdoer.

Love believes all things. Love places faith in God and chooses to believe the best about others -- to give them the benefit of the doubt. It is an attitude of trust.

Love hopes all things. It does not have unrealistic optimism or rely on positive thinking but faces the future with confidence in God's ability and faithfulness.

Love endures all things. It has the sense of bearing up under a load, of being able to deal with pressure without collapsing. Love faces hardships and perseveres.

Arthritis - how good is Fosamax?

My husband has recently been diagnosed with arthritis - rheumatoid and osteoporosis. This morning he started taking Fosamax and within 30 minutes started getting a severe headache and a sour stomach. Is this a side effect? He doesn't need more problems just to feel better for another. None of us do. I pray the Lord will help him cope and for us to know what to do.

"Facing the Giants"

My husband and I went to the movies this afternoon and saw "Facing the Giants," a Christian film produced by a church in Atlanta, Ga. If you have not seen it, we recommend you do. It's wonderful. Its about football but yet its not about football. It's about facing your fears, having faith, believing in God, believing in what He has for you, remembering what your purpose is here - why are you here? It's not about YOU. It not about ME. It's about Him. It's about giving glory and honor to our Father in heaven. It's about God - with God all things are possible. Nothing is impossible when God is driving, directing, leading and we are following.

Census dropping

My husband works in home care, specifically with men who are dying. Today we found out one of his patients is in the hospital and will probably be moving to a nursing home instead of back home. It's becoming too hard for his wife. Another of Jim's patients died this morning.

I get used to a routine, whether I like it or not, but when something comes along to disrupt it, then fear sets in.

My prayer this morning is this:

Dear Lord,
Keep the fear growing within me away. Keep me mindful of you Lord, help me not stray from your guidance. Remind me of the promises you have made to me, your daughter, keep me mindful of them daily. You know all, are all, you know what will come my way, our way, keep your loving arms around me so I will be comforted and forever and always surronded by your boundless love. Help me, show me how to best utilize the money you have given us for your glory.
In your precious name I pray.
Amen

Listening

God is always listening to His sons and daughters when they are abiding in His will. Sometimes, maybe frequently, God's answers are no or wait, and we are so brazen as to wonder if God is listening at all, because we think the answer is so clear. When he doesn't respond the way we think He should, we open ourselves to questioning doubt and worry. What we perceive is not necessarily an accurate picture. We need to trust, have faith in the Lord to bring good through whatever we are dealt. He is always in control.

"Not ours to know the reason why

Unanswered is our prayer,
But ours to wait for God's own time
To lift the cross we bear." - Anonymous

Psalm 51

This morning I read Psalm 51 from The Living Bible paraphrased. One part of verse 12 especially caught my eye -- "..., and make me willing to obey you."

God does not care about the sacrifices we bring to His altar (feet) if our attitude is not right with Him. The ritual is only a mockery - it is not real, it is not because of who we are in Christ, but only because we think this is what we are supposed to do. Those who are not Christians think this way (and possibly some Christians do too, I don't know) - that God requires a sacrifice to become one with Him. Not so.

God wants our repentance, being truly sorry for our sins, not merely getting caught, but truly sorry for what we've done against our Father.

It is only when we have turned from our sin, repented, asked for the Lord's forgiveness and for Him to make us whole and one with Him again that our right relationship returns.

Thanks be to God when all is well between you and your Father in heaven.

Brilliant thinking ... or stupidity?

I should not have bought the chocolate mix earlier in the week. Hot chocolate is one thing, but this is NOT it. A bargain buy does not mean it is an appropriate buy, nor in reality, a real bargain. It's just something I bought that I didn't need, that was 60% off the original price. This is without a doubt a place where many of us find ourselves. Thinking we have a bargain when we really don't.

If you are seeking something that is real, look for Jesus. He is ALL you will ever need. Keep your mind set on Him and Him alone, He will bring you through all sorts of trials you undergo. Jesus is the real bargain. He paid a BIG price for our salvation. Don't go off and look elsewhere. There is no bargain to be found. Jesus paid it all. Our allegiance is to Him.

Memorial Keepsakes

It's been nearly a year since starting my business of laminating obituaries. The process itself is not a new thing, but there are many newspapers and/or funeral homes who do not provide this service. It is my hope that the word will get out, particularly in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa area, and that people who are seeking this service, will find me.

God knows

It's amazing - God knows our limits and He never permits more than we can bear. He knows far more, far above anything we think we ourselves know, because we frequently think our strength is nothing, that we have far more to carry than we ought and our burdens seem so so heavy at times. They range from health to jobs to education to our children, our siblings, our parents to ... anything. When we ask God for help - He offers - and we accept it, our burdens are less heavy, our footsteps are not as downtrodden for we have Jesus in our midst, guiding us on the way, making pathways straight, and light.

Thank you for being my protector heavenly Father.

Control

I lack self-control, especially when it comes to eating the wrong stuff. I have no problem eating that which is good for me. I practice it day in and day out. Unfortunately, I also have no problem eating that which is not good for me. I don't do that daily - that's good! but it would be better if I didn't do it at all, or allowed myself a sweet only as a special treat and not whenever I felt like it.

Today's Scripture reading was Titus 1: 1-9, but I read the entire 3-chapter book. My devotional book said this: When we discipline ourselves to keep our ordinary desires under control, we make a habit of virtuous living and practice the reality of Romans 6:18 -- "And having been set free from sin, you become slaves of righteousness."

Giving Christ control over everything is a daily thing or minute thing. Whenever we realize we have taken over the reigns, we must give it back, because we can do nothing of ourselves, only through Christ who strengthens us. I know this, I'm more than aware that this is true. Yet I allow Satan to tell me its not gonna hurt you, chocolate is not a problem, you won't gain any weight. Who am I fooling? Life is more than eating.

Endurance

In Sunday School we have been studying 2 Timothy. Today's devotional reading was 2 Timothy 3, which was part of yesterday's S.S. lesson as well. Verse 1 says "In the last days perilous times will come." Last days... the days before Christ returns ... many hundreds of years have already passed; perilous, grievious times will come - have come - there will be / we are in its midst.

I generally read the New King James version of the Bible, but occasionally The Living Bible paraphrased provides a clearer understanding. Here is what verses 1-9 say:

"You may as well know this too, Timothy, that in the last days it is going to be very difficult to be a Christian. For people will love only themselves and their money; they will be proud and boastful, sneering at God, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful to them, and thoroughly bad. They will be hardheaded and never give in to others; they will be constant liars and troublemakers and will think nothing of immorality. They will be rough and cruel, and sneer at those who try to be good. They will betray their friends; they will be hotheaded, puffed up with pride, and prefer good times to worshipping God. They will go to church, yes, but they won't really believe anything they hear. Don't be taken in by people like that. They are the kind who craftily sneak into other people's homes and make friendships with silly, sin-burdened women and teach them their new doctrines. Women of that kind are forever following new teachers, but they never understand the truth. And these teachers fight truth just as Jannes and Jambres fought against Moses. They have dirty minds, warped and twisted, and have turned against the Christian faith. But they won't get away with all this forever. Some day their deceit will be well known to everyone, as was the sin of Jannes and Jambres."

We are to persevere. God allows trials in our lives not to impair us but to improve us. Sometimes its hard to see, usually its hard to see what God has planned for us. But He knows best. Some of you may remember that old TV show, "Father Knows Best." Well, its true. Our Father does know best. Our heavenly father, the one who is always looking out for His children, for what is best for them.

Memories

This afternoon my husband and I drove from Cedar Rapids to West Branch to see the 60's exhibit (before it closed) at the Herbert Hoover Museum & Library. Admission was $12. Some of it was quite a fun trip down memory lane when we were teenagers, with the TV shows, music and dress. But, there was a lot of pain and sadness during those years, things I had forgotten or had buried - such as Kent State, riots, black inequality, Vietnam. Some things today have not changed much. Some things remain the same, we just get older, not necessarily any wiser.

I changed my post name to LauraMae Joy. Why? Laurie or Laura has always been a favorite name. I always thought if I was to have children, a girl, I might name her Laura Mae - Mae was my mom's first name and my middle name. But it didn't happen. There were/are no children. I like the name Joy as well. In my dreams, my imagination, my blog I can call myself whoever I want. So I am.

Remember

These dark, dreary days we've had of late bring to mind that I really am older. For years I would joke with my Sunday School teacher that she was "old," but she and I both knew I was teasing. I have certainly stopped the teasing and like I said, think more of myself in that vein, so it is no longer funny. Getting older is certainly better than the alternative ... in a way. I'm not ready to die, however, if the Lord deemed it the right time, then I would be ready to go to Him. I know of many much older that are ready to be with the Lord.

The dark days, the dampness, bring on all the joint aches you know you have but don't miss when they are away. Tiredness is all too evident as well.

We have been studying 2 Timothy in Sunday School. This week it's on Endurance. I remember writing about remembering God's truths. I don't think I've written them here before. I can't find it anyway. So am sharing them with you now.

R E M E M B E R God's truths

REJOICE in the Lord always for He is with us

ETERNALLY when we have

REPENTED of our sins past present and future and accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Saviour.

MEDITATE on the Scriptures - the word of God - for they are our instructions for living, an

EXAMPLE of how God wants us to live and not to live.

MAJESTIC BEAUTY of God's wondrous creation surrounds us - the mountains, sunrise and sunset, rainbow after a storm and much more.

BLESSINGS flow from above when we are on with Him. We must run the race set before us with

ENDURANCE. God enables us to continue on, to

ENDURE, to

RESIST the Devil. We are

RENEWED daily when we seek God's will, look to Him.

Cast ALL our BURDENS upon Him and He will give us REST.

It's autumn, but summer days are here

It's autumn and the leaves are changing colors. How beautiful is God's creation. Here in Iowa we're in Indian Summer - temperatures in the 70s and 80s. And how sweet it is. Soon though, these summer days/daze will be gone and winter will be creeping in. It will still be beautiful. Just cold. Brrrrrrr!!

A wedding ...

Today my husband Jim performed the wedding ceremony for his Little Brother. A new chapter as husband and wife begins for 21-year-old Rocky and his bride, Christina. Jim helped Rocky grow up; he became Rocky's Big Brother when Rocky was 12-1/2 and when their weekly visits with each other ended 5-1/2 years later, they maintained they would remain friends and they'd always be lifelong brothers in Christ. The wedding was very nice. Just a handful of friends and relatives gathered for the 6 p.m. ceremony at the gazebo at Ellis Park in Cedar Rapids. Pictures were taken with the Cedar River in the background, the sun still bright and glowing. The weather was cool but pleasant. We wish them happiness and many blessings.

Don't Worry ...

You've probably heard the song, "Don't Worry, Be Happy," but a better thought to live by is Don't Worry, Have Faith in our Lord, Jesus Christ, in His word, His promises, His love.

Whatever ...

Thoughts to ponder, to remember, to keep within:

Whatever we are in the midst of, wherever we are, our focus needs to be on the Lord, not on the circumstances surrounding us. If we focus on these circumstances, we will become bound by them, we will falter. However, if we stay on Jesus with our heart and mind, He will help us see it through, complete the task before us.

If I focus on God's presence rather than the presence of difficulties then I will be victorious over fear and discouragement. God encourages me to meditate on and obey His instruction.

Character traits

In 2 Peter it talks about the character traits of Christ. It mentions virtue and what should be added to that, with seven things total mentioned. Do you know what they are and the meanings of each? So often I think we kind of skip over words and we miss the meaning, because we don't stop and contemplate what is actually there.

I've been doing a personal Bible study on 2 Peter for several weeks. I used the book "Peter's Principles," and then I came across another book "You Can Beat Those Spiritual Blahs" - Your Personal Strategy for a Rejuvenated Faith ... based on Second Peter, written by Lew Miller. We have had this particular book in our home library since 1988 and this is the first time I picked it up and read it. Lew Miller was the first pastor of the church I am a member of, have been a member of for the past 24 years. I never met the man, but have gleaned much from his writings. He explains verse-by-verse what Peter has to say and he explains it in easy to understand terms.

Many times over many years we have all heard about the character traits of Christ and how once we are saved/born again we too receive these character traits. But we sometimes wonder if we really have. We hear the words virtue - knowledge - temperance - patience - godliness - brotherly love - love, and question whether we really have any of those, because sometimes it just doesn't seem like we do. I think the problem is we don't live like we have those traits. We don't purposely live for Christ, striving to be what He wants of us and for us. We live for ourselves.

So I looked again at these character traits.

Virtue is a quality of life which enables us to respond immediately when God speaks. Its courage, moral strength and purity. Its a lot of things all wrapped up in one. Giving God our all. God gave His son for all of our sins past present and future. Why is it so hard for us to give Him our all. If we have accepted Christ as our personal saviour, then why do we not accept that He can and will take care of all we have need of. If we live in Christ, if we follow Christ at all costs, if we go when He says go, if we wait when He says wait, we have virtue.

Knowledge is more than knowing, its understanding what the Scriptures say and then its applying it to specific situations. We need to have a personal devotional life of Bible study all the time, not just occasionally. Sunday school is good - there are many churches who do not have Sunday school for adults. Knowing what the Bible says and how to apply it to your personal situation is necessary for every last one of us. But stopping there or believing just coming to church on Sunday is enough is wrong thinking. We need to get into His word, think about what He is saying to us.

Temperance is the mastery of temptations which come from within. I haven't mastered this by any means. I imagine there are a great many of us who haven't really mastered this.
Temperance is keeping a reign on/ holding in our passions, appetites and instincts so that they are our slaves instead of our masters. Lew Miller uses the example of losing your temper ... as a Christian its a definite no-no. As are griping/complaining, self-pity, jealousy, grouchiness.
Being depressed isn't good. Doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Just means you shouldn't let it control you. Because once it controls you, God takes a backseat in your life and He needs to be the driver.

Desires for material things, for sweets, are temptations that can be mastered. But it takes more than our personal willpower to make it happen. Willpower doesn't work. Remember, we can do all things through Christ which strengthens us. We can do nothing by ourselves. We do not remember this enough.

Patience is the mastery of problems which come from without. Yielding to God without complaint, in spite of our circumstances. A brave, courageous acceptance of everything that life can bring to us. I am forever learning patience. Sometimes it gets the best of me and you can see where my lack of it has gotten me. Other times I have found peace and joy. Joy is a fruit of the spirit that brings calm assurance and victory in every circumstance. That doesn't mean the circumstance has necessarily gotten better. But it does mean because we have stayed in tune to Christ and His word, God has enabled us to endure whatever the circumstance.

Godliness is acting and reacting as Christ would in every circumstance. Nope, don't think so. It would be good if I did, but of course I get my self-will in the middle of things and then its not God I am listening to and obeying at all, but my own selfish thoughts.

Lew Miller says the best way to witness is by our actions. Interesting. Frequently you hear witnessing is door-to-door, visiting folk, sharing your testimony. I don't really like to witness for that very reason. I'm scared to death. Fear factor numeral uno. But when you talk about witnessing by how we live, it makes it easier. At least I think it does.

Brotherly Love is a genuine affection and concern for our Christian brothers and sisters. A willingness to bear the burdens of others with a desire to move in and help. Everywhere we see people in desperate need of kind words, kind deeds, kind friends.

Love is looking at all people from God's viewpoint. God loves you. God loves me. He does not love many of the things we do. He does not love the sins we commit. But He does love the person you are, because He created you.

When we allow the spirit of Christ to control our lives, others will be spiritually refreshed.