TOP O'THE MORNING TO YA

Several years ago my sister-in-law and I decided to participate in the "annual St. Patrick's Day parade". The challenge was to decorate the golf cart, ride through the park and let the residents vote for the best decorated golf cart.
We only decided to do it for fun. We planned for my husband to ride on the golf cart with us. But as it turned out that morning he was too sick to go. At the time we were going through radiation for prostate cancer. I say "we" because I never missed a treatment. I was there with him every single day. So to this day I feel like I went through it too.
Anyway, that morning my sister-in-law and I decorated her golf cart. We arranged, and re-arranged the decorations so many times I'm surprised they stayed on the cart.
As we started down first one street and then the next, we were approaching the street my husband and I lived on. As we got close to our house, I realized my hubby was sitting outside on a lawn chair in his bath robe. He was so weak that morning, but sat there cheering us on.
We honked the horn, I jumped off and ran to hug him. Then hurried to catch up again.
We finished the parade, and we were ready to go back to her house to "un-decorate" the golf cart. One of the men shouted to me, "Where are you going?"
I explained we were just trying to get out of the way.
He said, "Don't you realize? You won!"
We laughed, "We won?" My sister-in-law and I were shouting!
We couldn't believe the prize.  It was two rounds of golf!
I couldn't wait to tell my hubby. I knew that would cheer him up! He was strong enough to use it in just a few months.
One of the best memories I have of Saint Patrick's Day.
Tell me yours!

YOU NEED ME

One of my favorite daily devotionals is Sarah Young's Jesus Calling.
I don't remember which day this particular devotional was, but it stuck with me.
You need Me every moment. Your awareness of your constant need for Me is your greatest strength. Your neediness, properly handled, is a link to My Presence. However, there are pitfalls that you must be on guard against: self-pity, self-preoccupation, giving up................. Make Me central in your consciousness by praying continually: simple short prayers flowing out of the present moment. Use My Name liberally to remind you of My presence.

Sometimes I think we wait until we are "deep in despair" before we call out His name. Jesus, I need You.

I used to pray when things in my life were really bad. And I don't think I ever really thanked the Lord when He did answer my prayers.
Today, now that I'm older, and I'm not sure wiser, I realize, I Need Him..........      
I Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing...

JESUS SAVES

There is a Christian Academy close by where we live. I drive past it several times a week. Out front is a hedge. Someone has very carefully trimmed that hedge to read, Jesus Saves.
Several days ago I noticed no one has trimmed that hedge lately, and now it's just a hedge in front of the school. 
I was surprised at how disappointed I was when Jesus Saves was no longer visible.
It reminded me of my own life. Actually, most of us. When we don't "trim" the hedge, and "tend" to it regularly, like our faith,  it grows our of control. 
I'm sure it doesn't take a lot of time for him (or her) to trim that hedge, but it needs to be done often. Like worship.
I can't start my day without precious time alone with the Lord. In fact, I crave it. 
Just like that poor neglected hedge. It can be shaped up again, but someone has to spend time alone with it.
Hebrews 10:1 The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming-not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.

SHE'S ALWAYS RIGHT

Several years ago I slid into the pew beside a couple. They both smiled and scooted over, giving me room to sit beside them.
Over the years I have kept in touch with them and grown closer to both of them. In fact, we keep in touch when they "leave the nest" and go back "home".
Any amount of time I can spend with them is precious to me.
One of the reason's I am so enamored by this couple is their attitude. I think it was last year when I tried to talk them into staying here longer. 
Bob looked at me and said, "I wish we could stay longer, we love it here, but I have so much work to do."
His wife leaned over and continued, "we visit nursing homes, and the people look forward to our visits. They are counting on us coming home."
I nodded.
She went on to say, "we also collect Bibles to ship overseas. I suppose that's been our ministry over the years. Especially since we've retired from the ministry."
I remember thinking how much energy these two have. The looks they were giving each other spoke volumes too.
"You've been together a long time, haven't you?"
The reached for each others hand and smiled.
This young couple happens to be 94 and 95 years old.
My husband leaned over one night and whispered to Bob, "do you have any special advice?"
Imogene smiled. 
Bob said, "she's always right."

FIGHTING THE BATTLE TOGETHER

Join me today in welcoming guest blogger Melanie Bowen.  She has recently be invited to be a contributor to the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance blog http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog/.

 Melanie's goal is to inspire and motivate anyone facing this (or any) chronic or terminal illness. 

I hope you enjoy her article. Please stop by and offer her encouragement in this endeavor. 

I pray the Lord will bless her and guide her everyday as she offers hope to others in their journey.

Welcome Melanie, I'm so glad you are here today.

Accomplish Your Goals By Blogging

Having an illness, whether it’s lupus or a rare cancer like mesothelioma, is a difficult thing to deal with. Sometimes, the illness can become so overwhelming that you almost want to give up. However, it is still important to set goals in your life. If you just sit around and feel sorry for yourself, life will just pass you by.

Thinking about your goals in your head probably won’t be helpful though. If you, however, write your thoughts and goals down, you will be much more motivated to achieve them. Consider creating your own blog on the Internet to log your thoughts, desires and wishes. For example, you can write about how you felt after you got your prognosis and how you won’t let it prevent you from traveling around the country.

Try to write an entry in your blog everyday. Even if you write just one paragraph, it will still keep you on track with your goals. For example, you can write about how you accomplished your goal of learning how to surf. Whenever your illness is getting you down, take the time to look back at some of your past blog posts. Doing so will remind you that you still have plenty of goals left and that you won’t be able to accomplish them if you just sit around your house.

Also, consider writing down rewards you will give yourself if you accomplish certain goals. For example, if you accomplish your goal of exercising everyday for a full month, you can reward yourself with a new outfit.

One big benefit of having a blog online is people reading your posts and responding to them. If you write about how you will learn to ski even though you have an illness, people can leave encouraging comments that can further motivate you. For example, a person can write how he thinks it’s amazing that you are setting these goals and that he hopes you accomplish them.

Even though writing down your desires and goals in a blog will not cure your illness, it will still motivate you to keep living and accomplish the things you want.

DAILY GUIDEPOSTS

Over the years Daily Guideposts has been one of my all time favorite daily devotionals. I've added three others to my morning worship time; Ellen Miller's Inspirational for Girlfriends, Sarah Young's Jesus Calling, and Oswald Chambers My Utmost for His Highest.
Years ago, when I first began reading Daily Guideposts I didn't read it daily. I thought I didn't have time to sit down for fifteen minutes everyday. So it was more like a "weekly" devotional.
At the end of each month Daily Guideposts provides two pages with the corresponding days for each month, with a blank space after the date for you to fill in the blessings you feel you received that day. I think the idea was to look back over the months and realized how blessed you really are.
I didn't feel back then that I had the time to do that either. Sometimes I would fill in several months at a time, or just skip a few months.
Over the past twenty-five or thirty years I've realized the importance of writing down the blessings I've been showered with. And now looking back over some of those old Daily Guideposts I'm reminded again.
This year rather than write down "blessings" I decided a different tack.
Part of it was prompted by an email from a friend.
One of the words I hear repeated by my Christian friends is peace.
This year for Daily Guideposts thirty-sixth edition their theme is The Things That Make for Peace.....
So instead of writing blessings I looked through my Bible and found references for Peace.
After each date I wrote Bible verses using the word Peace.
Not only did I feel an overwhelming feeling of peace, I now have 29 days in February to reference PEACE.
2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 
   

REST YOUR FEET

Psalm 110:1 The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool."
When my son was very young he loved to say, "I've got your back Mom."
It used to make me smile, because I'm not sure the first time he said it he really knew what that meant. We watched a lot of westerns. Don't cowboy's always "have your back?"
What a comforting feeling knowing "someone" is watching out for me.
Knowing, if I'm patient, the Lord will make my "enemies my footstool."
I talked to friend the other day who was hurt because another person hurt her feelings. She told me, "I'm not able to sleep. In fact, I can't even eat right now. I'm so upset."
It's so hard to let go. It's easy to replay that recording over and again in our minds. Keep bringing it up, and reliving that hurt.
That day we joined hands and prayed.
We prayed for a blessing for the offender.
My friend sat back with a tear draining from her eye. "You know, when you told me you wanted to pray asking for a blessing for that person, I thought you were crazy, and not understanding how hurt I am." She leaned back in the chair.
"After we prayed, I can tell you, I've never felt more peace."
I smiled and reached for her hand.
"That's because now the Lord can do His work in the offenders life. We had to stop trying to take care of it ourselves."
God will make your enemies your footstool...........