Baloney Fly

A fly was buzzing along one morning when he saw a lawn mower someone had left out in their front yard. He flew over and sat on the handle, watching the children going down the sidewalk on their way to school.

One little boy tripped on a crack and fell, spilling his lunch on the sidewalk. He picked himself up, put his lunch back in the bag and went on. But he missed a piece of baloney.

The fly had not eaten that morning and he sure was hungry. So he flew down and started eating the baloney. In fact he ate so much that he could not fly, so he waddled across the sidewalk, across the lawn, up the wheel of the lawn mower, up the handle, and sat there resting and watching the children.

There was still some baloney laying there on the sidewalk. He was really stuffed, but that baloney sure did look good.

Finally temptation got the best of him and he jumped off the handle of the lawn mower to fly over to the baloney. But alas he was too full to fly and he went splat!!, killing him instantly.

The moral of the story: Don't fly off the handle when you are full of baloney.

Segueing into Billy Graham saying; "Every destructive emotion bears its own harvest, but anger's fruit is the most bitter of all. Uncontrolled anger is a devastating sin, and no one is exempt from its havoc. It shatters friendships and destroys marriages; it causes abuse in families and discord in business; it breeds violence in the community and war between nations. Its recoil, like that of a high-powered rifle, often hurts the one who wields it as well as its target. Anger makes us lash out at others, destroying relationships and revealing our true nature. The history of the human race is largely the history of its anger".

"This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God".
James 1:19-20 (NASB)

A pearl to string: Anger is a serious problem that needs our personal attention. We can literally change our lives by changing how we think. We choose what we watch and read, the conversations we have and the time we spend in the Word. If the mind is not filled with good the enemy will fill it with bad. We can control our own temper and it's irrepressible outbursts but not in our own strength because we know it's right. We need the Holy Spirit. Without Jesus there is no power (Holy Spirit). Without Jesus we are on our own. Triple yuk, yuk, yuk, phooey! I don't want to be on my own. I need Jesus.... how 'bout you?

Sending love & joy out to you,
Lyndi

I REFUSE TO BE DISCOURAGED

I refuse to be discouraged,
To be sad, or to cry;
I refuse to be downhearted,
And here's the reason why...

I have a God who's mighty,
Who's sovereign and supreme;
I have a God who loves me,
And I am on His team.

He is all-wise and powerful,
Jesus is His name;
Though everything is changeable,
My God remains the same,

My God knows all that's happening;
Beginning to the end,
His presence is my comfort,
He is my dearest friend.

When sickness comes to weaken me,
To bring my head down low,
I call upon my mighty God;
Into His arms I go.

When circumstances threaten
To rob me from my peace;
He draws me close unto His breast,
Where all my strivings cease.

And when my heart melts within me,
And weakness takes control;
He gathers me into His arms,
He soothes my heart and soul.

The great "I AM" is with me,
My life is in His hand,
The "Son of God" is my hope,
It's in His strength I stand.

I refuse to be defeated,
My eyes are on my God
He has promised to be with me,
As through this life I trod.

I'm looking past all my circumstances,
To Heaven's throne above;
My prayers have reached the heart of God,
I'm resting in His love.

I give God thanks in everything,
My eyes are on His face;
The battle's His, the victory's mine;
He'll help me win the race.

Written By BJ George, But "Inspired By Our Lord Jesus Christ"
Copyright@ BJ George

Under construction or Unraveled

Have you heard of the Winchester Mystery House? The sprawling house in San Jose, California, is famous for its huge size and irregular layout. It was under constant construction for 38 years, eventually coming to have almost 160 rooms.

Despite its great size, the house can be considered unfinished in many ways. There are dozens of doors that open on blank walls, others with knobs on only one side and inside doors with screens on them. There are stairways that reach no destination, chimneys with no stoves, and floors that you can see through.

The construction shows a fascination with the number 13. All the stairways are constructed in series of 13 steps. The chandeliers all have 13 lights. Every wall has 13 panels. Each glass door has 13 pieces.

Winchester House is very pretty on the outside. Inside there are splashes of beauty but mostly it's a rambling mess of odities with fragmented decor.

There are a good many people is this world that could be described in the same way. They look quite good on the outside appearing to have it all and living the "good life". They are envied by those who don't know who they are on the inside.

"The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart". 1 Samuel 16:7(NLT)

A pearl to string: Some people have a difficult or even horrible childhoods and spend their adult life overcoming the pain of it. Others have such a wonderful childhood that they spend their adult life trying to recreate that loved and secure feeling. Of course there are many that grow up somewhere inbetween. The point I am trying to make here is we were all created with something missing. God created all of us with a God shaped vacuum in our heart. We're under constant construction and in danger of becoming a rambling mess of odities with fragmented decor. Jesus is what's missing and until He is found a beautiful life can unravel at any juncture. The Bible teaches that it's only the One who made man's heart that can also fill it.

Before we are born, there's a hole that is the passageway for blood to enter our pre-natal heart. In most people the hole heals up within a few days after birth. For a few, it doesn't go away. And it really needs to be repaired. So everyone IS born with a hole in their heart. Not just physically, but spiritually. But unlike that physical hole in your heart, the spiritual one doesn't go away unless you let the greatest physician of all fill the hole.

"He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit". Titus 3:5 (NIV)

Know you are loved,
Lyndi

Basic Growth

There was a farmer, Perley Moore, who had recently bought a truck and found that the "basic price" was only the beginning. Once the salesman had added on all the extras -- towing package, toolbox, fifth-wheel attachment, etc. -- the price was quite a bit higher. Well, by a strange turn of fate, that same salesman stopped by Perley's farm one day to buy a cow. The dealer examined the herd, picked out a likely specimen, and asked about the price.

"That's a hundred-dollar cow," Moore replied directly.

"That's fair enough," said the salesman. "I'll take her."

"Well, now, that's the basic price," Moore added, getting out pencil and paper. "There are one or two extras, of course." He made a few notes and handed the paper to the dealer. Here is the final invoice:

Basic cow: $100
Two-tone exterior: $45
Storage compartment and dispensing device: $60
Four spigots @ $10 each: $40
Genuine cowhide upholstery: $75
Dual horns @ $7.50 each: $15
Automatic fly-swatter: $35

Total: $370

Of course I laughed. That's quite funny and true.... my phone bill reads the same way. Then I started thinking it's true in our spiritual lives too. In John 3:13 Jesus explains the basics: "I tell you the truth, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" and you grow from there...... just like Jesus did. We discover in Luke 2:52 that "Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men." We get to grow in the same way. Jesus left a path for us to follow in God's word and a helper (Holy Spirit) to empower us in our quest.

String a pearl: Wherever you are on your life journey..... grow on my friends. There is so much to learn and so many ways to grow. God has much He wants to teach you. "Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near". Isaiah 55:6

Know you are loved,
Lyndi

Safely Home Chuck

Charles "Chuck" Miles, 58, died on August 4, 2010 in the arms of his wife of 32 years, Barbara, after a 2 year battle with a rare form of cancer. This morning, Chuck, who has courageously and faithfully kept the faith, finished the race - and he was welcomed to his new heavenly home in his new body by his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 - "Chuck fought the good fight, Chuck finished the race, Chuck kept the faith. Now there is in store for Chuck the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to Chuck on that day, and not only to Chuck, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."

Chuck is remembered for his huge heart for God and for people. He served as a youth pastor and associate pastor in the Denver/ Boulder area since 1986. As his vision to help people grew, he reached out to the community by founding the non-profit organization, Youth Vision Unlimited (YVU) in 1996 and started a youth ranch with an equestrian center in Lafayette, CO. Chuck was also a talented builder/developer/architect. Along with multiple custom homes, he also built commercial projects, structures for the City of Lafayette and several churches. But Chuck gave everything he had to those around him. Even his resources were used to fund YVU and the youth ranch. Regardless of the endeavor, Chuck's heart, faith and humor shined through.

Chuck is survived by his wife, Barbara; 4 adult children, Sarah, Charles (III), Samantha & Isaac; 4 younger children, William (15), Israel (14), Ezekiel (10) & Maximus (8); great grandfather-in-law, Roy Coats (CA); father & mother in-law Bob & Loretta Mesa (CA); brother-in law, Tom Mesa (CA); 2 sisters, Marilyn (KS) & Charlene (NV); 4 brothers, Bob (WA), Jeff (WA), Randy (MN), & Tim (WA); numerous other family members.





Photo Sonkissed by Gretchen Foster
I am home in Heaven dear ones; Oh so happy and so bright.
There is perfect joy and beauty, In this ever lasting light.

All the pain and grief are over, Every restless tossing past.
I am now at peace forever, Safely home in Heaven at last.

Did you wonder why I so calmly, Trod the valley of the shade?
Ah! but Jesus' love illumined, Every dark and fearful glade.

And He came Himself to meet me, In that way so hard to tread.
And with Jesus' arm to lean on, Could I have no doubt or dread?

Then you must not grieve so sorely, For I love you dearly still.
Try to look beyond earth's shadows, Pray to trust the Father's will.

There is work still waiting for you, So you must not idly stand.
Do it now while life remaineth, You shall rest in Jesus' land.

When that work is all completed, He will gently call you home.
Oh the rapture of that meeting, Oh the joy to see you come.

---author unknown---

The Bridegroom Awaits

I awoke this morning to read Marion Smith's devotional and can honestly say she took the words right out of my head. How did she do that?

Petra & Garry Scott were married July 31st.... Beautiful & fun.


We went to a wedding last week and all eyes were turned to the bride. She usually is the focal point of the entire ceremony, adorned in purest white .She was absolutely glowing with love, filled with anticipation, and enjoying the excitement of the wedding ceremony and the reception to come.

When it was time for her to walk down the aisle, all eyes were upon her. All but mine. For some reason I was drawn to look at the groom. My goodness, he had such a look of love upon his face! He was so absorbed with his future bride walking down that aisle, I believe his attention couldn’t have been deterred if it had to ! The devotion of his heart spoke through his eyes, which were transfixed upon his bride .He waited with confident expectation as she drew nearer and nearer to him, finally to take her rightful place beside him.

Jesus is a bridegroom, also. He is waiting for the “church," his “bride” to make all the necessary preparations to join him at the altar. He waits with great anticipation and enormous love in his heart as the church grows and gathers in number until the perfect time when we will be joined with Hm. I can just picture the love in His eyes and the joy in His heart when we (the Church) finally move down the aisle toward our rightful place beside Him.

Jesus has been patient as he waits for us to fulfil the great commission -- to take the gospel and spread it to all the world.
It may not be much longer before the “marriage of the bride” and the “wedding supper of the lamb”.(Rev.19:9) happens! What a time of rejoicing that will be!

Round and Round

I was driving when I saw the flash of a traffic camera. I figured that my picture had been taken for exceeding the limit even though I knew that I was not speeding.

Just to be sure, I went around the block and passed the same spot, driving even more slowly, but again the camera flashed.

Now I began to think that this was quite funny, so I drove even slower as I passed the area once more, but the traffic camera again flashed. I tried a fourth and fifth time with the same results and was now laughing as the camera flashed while I rolled past at a snail's pace.

Two weeks later, I got five tickets in the mail for driving without a seat belt.

Are you going round and round? Going through the same endings to different problems? How's that working for you? Don't be fooled by what you think you see! Maybe today is a good day to change something in your life.

A pearl to string: I imagine God watching us go round and round arrives to the point of ridiculous also. Fortunately He doesn't call us idiots. God calls us His beloved. The same God who paints a sunset, shapes a mountain and plans the waves at the beach, has chosen to love us, not because of who we are, but because of who He is.

You say you believe! Woo hoo. You say you've asked the Lord into your heart! Terrific!
So are you in His Word every day? Huh? Well.... how do you fall in love with someone without spending time with them? That could be your answer to your round and round dilemma. Cuddle up to the Good Book and get to know your Savior. He is so beautiful.

"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God and knoweth God ... Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us." 1 John 4:7, 11-12

Keep walking in Sonshine
and know you are loved
Lyndi