Another Virtual Coffee Date

Posted on July 17, 2017 by Patricia Ann

It’s been a year since our last virtual coffee date and it’s time to catch up. Upon meeting I will still ask, “What’s new and interesting in your life?” Perhaps you will say, “Nothing, really.” But we both know that’s not true. Much has happened in the past year…you just need a moment of recall. Oh, yes! You met someone to share your life with; the relationship is getting serious and you are very happy. And I’m very happy for you.

You are slowly being healed of that debilitating health problem that has plagued you for so long…the one you asked for prayer for. The best part about being sick is getting better.

Your life became a little fuller when you discovered you were unexpectedly expecting a brand new little person to join your family; the family you thought was complete but God knew better. Congratulations!

You have read several good books within the year and can’t wait to share them with me because you know how much I like to read. I can’t wait to dig into them.

You had a heart attack? Oh, no! Ah, but you are on the mend and have changed you lifestyle to add many more years to your life. That’s what I like to hear.

Your marriage came to an end after twenty years and you are trying to pick up the pieces. It’s very difficult but you are determined to put your life on track again, and have learned something about yourself. Good for you!

You had a marvelous spiritual experience a few months back? Oh, wow, I can’t wait to hear all about it.

Well, it’s been nice catching up with all of you. We must do this again…I love coffee and conversation. Tea is good too.

What’s new with me? Nothing, really.

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An Excellent Book to Read

Posted on July 12, 2017 by Patricia Ann

Sometimes we need to read something out of our comfort zone and when we do we may see ourselves and our lives in a whole new way. We may learn to think in a different way and open our minds to topics we would rather ignore. It is all a part of growing.

This is what The Purpose Driven Life, by Rick Warren offers. This is a book that must be read with a highlighter and a pen or pencil in hand because there is too much to absorb at one time.

Subconsciously this book spurred me on to write my own book. I realize this in hindsight, after recently reading it for the umpteenth time. Here are a few examples of the passages I had highlighted, and even made notes to write about them:

Page 247 – If you really desire to be used by God, you must understand a powerful truth. The very experiences that you resented or regretted most in life –the ones you’ve wanted to hide and forget–are the experiences God wants to use to help others…For God to use your experiences, you must be willing to share them. (I did this in my book, My Precious Life.)

Page 289 – God has given you a Life Message to share…You have a storehouse of experiences that God wants to use to bring others into his family…

Page 290 – He wants you to share your story with others…If you don’t share it, it will be lost forever…

Page 291 – Sadly, we never learn from a lot that happens to us.

Page 28 – We are products of our past, but we don’t have to be prisoners…Many people are driven by resentment and anger. They hold on to hurts and never get over them. Instead of releasing their pain through forgiveness, they rehearse it over and over in their minds…Resentment always hurts you more than it does the person you resent.

I can’t recommend this book highly enough, and remember to use a highlighter; it is absolutely necessary. I truly hope you will read and savor this excellent book.

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Something Borrowed

Posted on July 18, 2016 by Patricia Ann

I can’t help once again sharing something that touched me from another person’s blog, so I borrowed this from Matthew Ruttan who writes “UP! Your Daily Devotional”. It is from a piece called The Clock is Ticking posted on July 12th.

I want

Someone to not feel alone
Someone to laugh and mean it
Someone to know God has a plan for their life
Someone to serve others and help others serve others.

Do you?

Let’s analyse what Matthew is saying here.

First Someone to not feel alone…..I feel very sad thinking about the loneliness some people endure on a daily basis…especially those who have just lost a loved one.

Second Someone to laugh and mean it…..laughter can be so superficial sometimes, that it is good to hear someone have a great laugh that comes from their toes and works it’s way up to the face where it can be a joy for all to see and hear.

Third Someone to know God has a plan for their life…..so many people don’t know this wonderful fact and therefore miss out on the adventure of living in anticipation of “something wonderful is going to happen”.

Fourth Someone to serve others and help others serve others…..this is a wonderful antidote for mild depression, melancholy, self pity, self-centeredness and boredom.

There is so much rich material out there that tomorrow I just might use another “something borrowed”.

Sharing is Caring

Posted on October 22, 2015 by Patricia Ann

Every once in awhile I come across blogs or articles that touch me so much that I like to share them. While clearing out my “in-box”, I came across this one from UP! A Daily Devotional by Matthew Ruttan (MatthewRuttan.com/Up). It’s about Holy Spirit. Matthew talks about how Holy Spirit can be vague or confusing to some people, or indeed, many people, and then goes on to write an analogy to encourage better understanding of this spiritual being. And so I give you “Come, Holy Spirit”.

August 26, 2015

Come, Holy Spirit

Psalm 51:11
“Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me” (NIV)

Thought
The Holy Spirit doesn’t get talked about very much.

And yet…

The Holy Spirit is God, a part of the Trinity, the Lord’s renovating personality and power… but we shy away from talking about him.

Why?

To some people the Holy Spirit seems vague or confusing—and so, not knowing much about him, they stop inquiring.

So today I want to encourage you like this:

Imagine I’m walking down the street with my son, Benjamin. Then I pick him up in my arms, tell him I love him, and hug him. We just enjoy each other’s company for a few minutes. Then I put him down and we keep walking.

Was Benjamin more my son when I held him in my arms than he was when he was just walking along? Of course not. But in terms of his awareness, there definitely was a difference. No question.

Why?

Because in my arms, he was directly aware of and experiencing his relationship with me.

This analogy comes from a 17th century pastor named Thomas Goodwin. And I love it. Here’s how it applies to you.

When the Holy Spirit becomes a part of your life, you can sense the embrace and love of your true Father. You are aware that you are his child. Therefore, you develop intimacy with him.

Today, why not invite the Holy Spirit inside of you, and ask him to make you aware of the embrace, love and steady guidance of your strong Father in every step.

It’s not necessarily a feeling—but it is a personal awareness.

Is that missing in your life right now?

If you’re standing in a room in the dark, the dimensions and furniture remain the same. But everything changes when you turn on the light.

Come, Holy Spirit…

by Matthew Ruttan

I invite you to extend the invitation…you won’t be disappointed.

Christian Humor Starring Forest Gump

Posted on August 2, 2015 by Patricia Ann

One of my church friends is suffering much pain and discomfort from a broken wrist. Trying to inject a little chuckle into her life, I sent her a card with the following funny tucked inside. She suggested that I share it on my blog, that other people might enjoy it. However, it helps if you have seen the movie Forest Gump.

Forest Gump and St. Peter

Clean Religious Jokes

When Forest Gump died, he stood in front of St. Peter at the Pearly Gates. St. Peter said, “Welcome, Forest. We’ve heard a lot about you.” He continued, “Unfortunately, it’s getting pretty crowded up here and we find that we now have to give people an entrance examination before we let them in.”

“Okay,” said Forest. “I hope it’s not too hard. I’ve already been through a test. My momma used to say, ‘Life is like a final exam. It’s hard.’ ”

“Yes, Forest, I know. But this test is only three questions. Here they are.”

1) Which two days of the week begin with the letter ‘T’?”

2) How many seconds are in a year?

3) What is God’s first name?

“Well, sir,” said Forest, “The first one is easy. Which two days of the week begin with the letter ‘T’? Today and Tomorrow.”

St. Peter looked surprised and said, “Well, that wasn’t the answer I was looking for, but you have a point. I give you credit for that answer.”

“The next question,” said Forest, “How many seconds are in a year? Twelve.”

“Twelve?” said St. Peter, surprised and confused.

“Yes, sir. January 2nd, February 2nd, March 2nd …”

St. Peter interrupted him. “I see what you mean. I’ll have to give you credit for that one, too.”

“And the last question,” said Forest, “What is God’s first name? It’s Andy.”

“Andy?” said St. Peter, in shock. “How did you come up with ‘Andy’?”

“I learned it in church. We used to sing about it.” Forest broke into song, “Andy walks with me, Andy talks with me, Andy tells me I am His own.”

St. Peter opened the gate to heaven and said, “Run, Forest, Run!”

(Actually, another congregation member also has a broken wrist. I hope she enjoys this also. Please heal, ladies.)

Subtle Sarcasm

Posted on February 15, 2015 by Patricia Ann

Not only is Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) one of life’s more interesting characters, he is one of my favorite characters. My sister sent me this as an internet forward, and as soon as I read it I knew I had to share it. Such profundity!

Gandhi … A lovely little anecdote about one of life’s more interesting characters …

When Mahatma Gandhi was studying law at the University College of London, a professor by the name of Peters disliked him intensely and always displayed animosity towards him. And because Gandhi never lowered his head when addressing him, as he expected, there were always “arguments” and confrontations.

One day Mr Peters was having lunch at the University dining room when Gandhi came along with his tray and sat next to him. The professor said,”Mr Gandhi, you do not understand. A pig and a bird do not sit together to eat. “Gandhi looked at him as a parent would a rude child and calmly replied, “You do not worry, professor. I’ll fly away,” and he went and sat at another table.

Peters, red with rage, decided to take revenge on the next test paper, but Gandhi responded brilliantly to all questions.
Unhappy and frustrated, Mr Peters asked him the following question: “Mr Gandhi, if you were walking down the street and found a package, and within was a bag of wisdom and another bag with a lot of money, which one would you take?”
Without hesitating, Gandhi responded, “The one with the money, of course.” Mr Peters, smiling sarcastically, said, “I, in your place, would have taken the wisdom.” Gandhi shrugged indifferently and responded, “Each one takes what he doesn’t have.”

Mr Peters, by this time, was fit to be tied. So great was his anger that he wrote on Gandhi’s exam sheet the word “idiot” and handed it back to him. Gandhi took the exam sheet and sat down at his desk, trying hard to remain calm while he contemplated his next move. A few minutes later, Gandhi got up, went to the professor and said to him in a dignified but sarcastically polite tone, “Mr Peters, you autographed the sheet, but you did not give me the grade.”