Another spider story, I was calm!

Last night I kicked what I thought was a piece of fuzz that was on the carpet.  As I looked at the curled up piece of fuzz that I had just kicked I realized that was not just an ordinary piece of fuzz but it was a spider.  I calmly, with no screaming, picked up a shoe and smashed that spider into mush!!  I didn't do a spider dance, I didn't jump up and down but I did shiver when I realized that I had kicked a spider with my bare foot!

I realized that the more that I kill spiders the better I have become at it.  I will never, never in this life time like spiders and I will probably always shudder even when I just think of spiders but I think the spider dances will be reserved for the giant spiders or the ones about to drop down on my head!

There is sin in my life that I have learned to kick away from me.  There is sin that I can kick away calmly without any kind of shuddering or dancing.  That is the sin that I can kick down to mush but the bigger ones I might need help.  One of my big sins is pride.  For some reason this sin has followed me and lingered with me since I was very young.  I have to have help with it.

When I realize that pride is forming or already there I call on the name of Jesus and ask for help! I will  never in this life time like the fact that I let some sin kick me but I know where to go for help!  He is there every time!  He will take that pride or any other of my big or about to drop down on me sins and kick it to where the east meets the west.

Do you know my Jesus?  He is always there!

Psalm 32:1-2

New International Version (NIV)

1 Blessed is the one
    whose transgressions are forgiven,
    whose sins are covered.
2 Blessed is the one
    whose sin the Lord does not count against them
    and in whose spirit is no deceit.

Psalm 103:11-13

New International Version (NIV)

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
    so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

13 As a father has compassion on his children,
    so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;

Thank-you!!

                                     

This a thank-you post!!  Many years ago this country, the United States of America, declared it's independence!  I am very grateful for those that have fought and still fight for our rights and freedom!  Over the years since that day we have gained much, through many battles.  Woman, minorities and more have gained the right to vote, to work and to live in this country.

Our country still has a military that is in place to protect and to make sure we still enjoy our freedoms.  I have to say a thank-you to my ancestors, my father(deceased), my little brother, and my three sons, along with the many scores now and through the years that have joined the military and when doing so they are a part of ensuring that our country still can declare independence.  THANK-YOU!!!!

We have many freedoms in this country, one of which I am using right now which is the freedom of free speech!  We also have the right to bear arms and to protect ourselves! We have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We also have the freedom of religion.

I truly believe that my God was in this nation when it was formed!  He was there as the constitution was formed.  He has been there as this country has been blessed for many years!  He is still here as many have  tried to push Him out of our schools and our country.

Our country needs to stand strong and keep God in our lives, schools and homes!!

First though He wants you!  He sent His Son so that you might have independence where ever you might live!  His Son willingly died on a cruel cross and rose again so that you might find new life in heaven!  THANK-YOU!!!!!


Whether you live free, have many rights or live with none, true freedom can be found in the cross!



                                                     

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. Psalm 33:12 NIV

John 14:5-7

New International Version (NIV)

Jesus the Way to the Father

5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truthand the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know[a] my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

Check out my links.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0Snj1Cxp8o

http://leothelionandthebigbugdilemma.webs.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jungle-Friends-Leo-the-Lion-and-the-Big-Bug-Dilemma-by-Brenda-Salladay/196542228928?fref=ts

http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=9781613464601

Hello everybody, Here are some of my links.  I would love for you to look at them.  The facebook link is my book page and I would love to have you follow my page.  There will be a winner of a book and finger puppet at 500 likes!!

The top link is a youtube of my first book.  It is very short.  The second link is my book webpage.  I would also love it if you would become a follower of my blog!! I am trying to get sales going on my books.  They are available online at amazon, barnesandnoble and other online places.  They are available in book form and on kindle or e book.  Maybe you guys could help me move up the list.  You know the list that determines where the book ranks!!

More than anything though, I would love for you to become a follower of my Lord.  He was born to die and rise again.  He did this for you and for me!!  He loves you!!  You can find out about Him in the Bible.  That is His link!!

John 3:16-17

New International Version (NIV)

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

John 14:6

New International Version (NIV)

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Change

I took a before picture today.  I am hoping that in a month that maybe I can take another picture and that there will be some change.  Here is my before picture.

I am hoping that my clothes will fit better or looser.  I am hoping that my cheeks won't be so round.  I am hoping I will see less pounds showing up on the scales.  Now to get change, I will have to do something.  I will need to eat less and exercise more. I am hoping that eventually I will have an after picture.  If I post pictures but I still look the same than you will know that I didn't change.

I have a God that tells me that I need to change. He cares about my health but He also wants a change in my heart.  Now to get this change, I will have to do something.  I will need to read my Bible, pray more and open my ears to listen for His voice.

I am hoping that a change in my heart will lead to more understanding, compassion and a life that looks more  like Jesus! I want my mind renewed!!  God will look inside and know if I have changed.

What about you?  Are you ready to change?

Romans 12:1-2

New International Version (NIV)

12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

What weighs you down?

There are lots of things that can weigh me down.  My weight is an obvious answer but also my thoughts, my actions and my junk piles are among other things that can weigh me down.  I started thinking about things that can weigh me down after a funny incident that happened to my daughter.

She has started working out at school this summer.  The coaches from most of the sports are there and they start out at the football field on the track area around the field.  While they are in that area they do all kinds of things from lunges to running with sled weights.

That is when her funny situation happened.  She was running around the track for the first time with the sled weights.  She said that as she was running she was not aware that the weights behind her were shifting to the side.  She was passing the goal post when she heard a clang and then realized that she was lying on her back.  The sled weights had flown so far to the side that they wrapped around the goal post bringing her down in the process.  She said that everybody on that field started laughing.  She said that the laughter was so loud that the people in the houses across the street probably wondered what was so funny.  The coaches made sure that she was okay and than they also laughed.

Those sled weights are like sin.  Sin sneaks in when I least expect it, wraps around the goal post and the next thing I know I am on my back weighed down with sin.  Have you ever got wet with all your clothes on?  Jeans, shoes everything? I have.  It was so heavy it was hard to walk.  Sin is heavier than that!

My daughter's coaches are the ones that can instruct and explain to her how she should run with the sled weights.  They can teach her how to run without getting them wrapped around the goal post.  She will be able to run around the field with out faltering. She will be able to finish the race and when she takes off the weights she will be able to run really fast.

I have a coach that will instruct me on how to get rid the sin in my life.  He teaches me daily and convicts me of sin that weighs me down.  When I land on my back wondering what just happened He is reaching to pick me up. The devil may be laughing loudly but my coach helps rid me of the sin and it's extra weight that slows me down.  My coach gets me back in the race.  My coach is Jesus.  With His help I will finish this race and one day I will see Him face to face!!

Who is your coach?

Hebrews 12:1-2

New International Version (NIV)

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Laffy Taffy

I like laffy taffy candy!  I really like the banana one.  I find myself going through the bag and only reaching for the yellow, delicious banana ones.  My husband pointed out to me the other day that other people in our household also like the banana ones.  I think he was talking about himself.

I grabbed some of the other flavors the next time I reached into that bag.  I discovered that the grape and sour apple are not bad.  I reacquainted myself with their fruity flavors.  I still like the banana the best but I need to share.  I have to be fair.  The grape and apple need some attention too.

I have found that in reading the Bible there are certain passages that I keep going back too.  I have my favorite places to go to but I need to realize that I need to branch out and seek the fruit in other areas.  There are many flavors to be discovered.  I need to taste of the fruit of Lamentations and Zephaniah!  I wonder what Joel might taste like?

I might like the banana flavored scripture but I need to explore the sour apple and grape.  I wonder what truths I will find?  I wonder where they will lead?

Joel 3:17

New International Version (NIV)

Blessings for God’s People

17 “Then you will know that I, the Lord your God,
    dwell in Zion, my holy hill.
Jerusalem will be holy;
    never again will foreigners invade her.

Zephaniah 3:9-10

New International Version (NIV)

Restoration of Israel’s Remnant

9 “Then I will purify the lips of the peoples,
    that all of them may call on the name of the Lord
    and serve him shoulder to shoulder.
10 From beyond the rivers of Cush[a]
    my worshipers, my scattered people,
    will bring me offerings.

Lamentations 3:22-26

New International Version (NIV)

22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him.”

25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
    to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly
    for the salvation of the Lord.

The Cool Breeze

The other day I got into my vehicle after work and it was very hot.  I turned the key and immediately reached down and turned the fan up.  After a few minutes it was still very hot.  I reached down and turned the fan up another notch.  It still didn't get cool.  I could not figure out what was wrong.

I turned all the vents toward me but that didn't help.  It was still hot.  I was almost home when I glanced down and I saw the problem!  The fan was on, but the air condition was off.  I turned it on and within seconds I could feel  the cold air!  It felt so good!!

Sometimes I do this in my life.  I stumble around turning the vents toward me but get nothing but hot air.  I can't figure out what is wrong.  After I realize that everything that I am doing results in hot air I usually discover that I need to turn on the air condition.  Jesus is the Air Condition of my life. Without Him the vents of my life will always blow the wrong way.  He is the cool breeze that brings me back to where I should be!

Is He your cool breeze?

John 1:2-4

New International Version (NIV)

2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

John 14:6

New International Version (NIV)

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.