Category: Life Is Worth The Living!

Rooted in Joy

3/19/2015

My sweet little grandchildren brought me over some cookies this morning…
I smiled and took a bite of the cookie they brought…
”Yummmm…did you really make these with mom?”
They both grinned from ear to ear.

What makes you happy?

If you asked my grandson he would answer…”cookies”. Then my granddaughter would interrupt to say…
”No…No…I like making the cookies with mom”. Now that is happiness…spending time with mom making cookies.

But joy now that is a bit different.

Happiness is based on our current situation… and it’s result.
Joy...on the other hand is a...centered contentment... a deep delight...a beautiful bliss
not dependent on outward circumstances.

You see if they had added salt by accident to the batter of dough, there would have been no smile with the first bite.
Their happiness would have faded.

Joy...on the other hand...is true satisfaction and pleasure.

It starts as a whisper in our heart…but then wells up into an overflowing contentment.
This fulfillment comes from the internal aspect of our faith-based relationship with the Lord.

As the cookies got gobbled up…we were on to the next event of the day…out to the green house to plant seedlings. Because our happy event of eating cookies was done they were looking for the next happy moment with grandma.

"No one can get Joy by merely asking for it. It is one of the ripest fruits of the Christian life, and,
like all fruits, must be grown."
- Henry Drummond

I had them fill 4” x 4” pots with soil
and then I placed a sprouted seed in each one of their palms.
I showed them the root and we carefully tucked the seed with its root into the warm soil.
As they gently patted it in the soil,
we talked about how the root would grow and provide for the seed until it grew its leaves.

As I have walked this path as a believer I have come to
understand that my joy…rooted in the Lord…cannot be taken away from me.

Why?

Because it has it’s roots deeply and forever planted in the truth of His love for me…
which in turn develops my love and devotion for Him.
This relationship has become my everlasting source of joy…
happiness comes and goes…
but my joy is forever and ever in the Lord!

1 Peter 1:8-9,
“You love him, although you have not seen him,
and you believe in him, although you do not now see him.
So you rejoice with a great and glorious joy which words cannot express,
because you are receiving the salvation of your souls,
which is the purpose of your faith in him.”
(GNT)

Caprice <><

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The Choice to Love

3/11/2015

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It was a beautiful winter day in Northern California…
74 degrees…warm and very sunny.
My husband and I were treating my daughter and our two grand children to an ice cream.
We walked from our ranch, down to the newly opened local store…
a very special event if you are 4 and 2 years old!

Both of them walked with a lively skip in their step, that sometimes broke into a jog.
When we got to the store, six tubs of ice cream laid chilled in the display case…barely visible when standing on tiptoe.
After great consideration, chocolate and mint chip were agreed upon.

Little, short, chubby legs swung back and forth in the booth as we waited for our order.
They watched every move of the proprietor as she prepared their cones…
Finally the awaited cones arrived and the delight of the long anticipated moment was here.
Their tongues licked luscious ice cream with smiles and eyes that sparkled.
Then the unthinkable happened…Mom asked for a bite.

1 John 4:20
“If we say we love God, but hate others, we are liars.
For we cannot love God, whom we have not seen,
if we do not love others, whom we have seen.”
(GNT)

Have you ever given anything up that was precious to you?
Something that you really wanted?

A grievous child yielded up his cone as his little heart hurt.
“You are mean mom”

His words were honest and tumbled from his heart.

“What?” asked his Mom with a slight smile curling on her lips.
He hung his head in his hands…

He knew he had no choice but to give his mom a bite.
He could not say "No" to someone he loved....
He had to sacrifice what was so very important

Not just because he had been taught manners…
but because he loves his dear Mommy so very much.

It cost him a full bite of his chocolate ice cream.

The little man that sat across from me had just experienced sacrificial love…
he surrendered his precious ice cream to his Mama.

So let’s look at a list of what love is and is not

Love Is Not
envious
boastful
rude
indecent
self-absorbed
unfair
irritable
jealous

Love Is
patient
kind
rejoices in the truth
full of hope
persistent
trusting
protective
supportive

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
“Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut, Doesn’t have a swelled head, Doesn’t force itself on others, Isn’t always “me first,”
Doesn’t fly off the handle, Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end.
(MSG)

We can sometimes overlook the simple as Christians...
forgetting to...

Love God and Love others

1 John 4:20-21
“If anyone boasts, “I love God,” and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar.
If he won’t love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can’t see?
The command we have from Christ is blunt:
Loving God includes loving people.
You’ve got to love both.”
(MSG)

Caprice <><

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The Remedy for Neglect

3/5/2015

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I have been a gardener since I was 10 years old…I love getting my hands dirty!
Working in the garden helping things to grow…over the years I have planted…
Some flowers for the eye
Vegetables to help me stay well nourished
And shade trees for a hot summer days that offer refreshment

In order for these plants to be healthy…
I need to look deep into the soil at what is it that their roots are tapping into for nutrients…

Is the soil rich?

Well watered?

Is there plenty of sunshine?

But sometimes as I have said in the past things get neglected
So I need to take a step back and take a fresh look at things...
And seek the remedy for neglect
A good look and review of what works and..
What definitely does not

Life needs an overhaul every so often too!
Time goes by and we as people tend to skate on issues and attitudes in order just to get by.
Why because if “it ain’t broke…why fix it?”...such a laziness can settle into one’s heart and attitudes rather quickly

Well I am here to tell you that anything in life worth doing…is worth doing 100%

"God is more concerned with conforming me to the likeness of His Son than leaving me in my comfort zones.
God is more interested in inward qualities than outward circumstances -
things like refining my faith,
humbling my heart,
cleaning up my thought life and
strengthening my character."
- Joni Eareckson Tada

We can sometimes overlook the simple as Christians...
forgetting to...
Love God and Love others

So lets look to what makes this work…
the following is adapted from "The Expositor's Bible Commentary"

Love = Sacrificial, unmerited deeds to help a person in need

Joy = an inner happiness not dependent on outward circumstances

Peace = Harmony in all relationships

Forbearance = putting up with others, even when one is severely tired

Kindness = Doing thoughtful deeds for others

Goodness = showing generosity to others

Faithfulness = trustworthiness and reliability

Gentleness = meekness and humility

Self-control = victory over sinful desires

Here is the great news about these attributes…they are provided for us as a gift from God.
Our Father in Heaven has given us the Holy Spirit who produces in us these characteristics!
The essence of these attributes is how we…

Love God and love others!

Galatians 5:22-26,
“God’s Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled.
There is no law against behaving in any of these ways.
And because we belong to Christ Jesus, we have killed our selfish feelings and desires.
God’s Spirit has given us life, and so we should follow the Spirit.
But don’t be conceited or make others jealous by claiming to be better than they are.”
(CEV)

Prayer:
Lord help me to live my life by
remembering to use the tools for living a life of love for others and most of all
a 100% love for you!
Amen

Caprice <><

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The Regret of Neglect!

2/6/2015

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“Anyone can count the seeds in an apple, but only God can count the number of apples in a seed.”
R. H. Schuller

When we bought our ranch, we inherited an old orchard.
One of my favorite trees is a very old apple...guessing it is 50 years old or more.

There was a certain joy attached to bringing that orchard back to life. Providing it with the things it had been missing ...
a good pruning of the dead wood,
regular watering and
some organic sprays for protection from diseases.

Ah…the joy of spring when all the apple blossoms burst forth in a soft pink and white…
and the fresh fragrance would gently caress the air.

As the kids were growing up during the summer it was not unusual to find them up in that old tree
munching on an apple or crouched up in the canopy of leaves in a game of hide and go seek.
As the years marched on, life got busy and once again, this wonderful tree got neglected...
the lack of care has caused damage.
Out of control branches...
wood peckers and sap- suckers have damaged the branches...
the saddest is fire blight a disease that has caused the bark to peel off.
Neglect has taken a toll on that poor old tree.

I have spent hours trying to unto the damage...
Oh...the regret of neglect.

We too can neglect the…
Dead wood
Damage
Disease
In our own daily lives.

These things also need to be pruned...watered and protected.

But how?

Pruned: Review the things that weight you down and get rid of them...
simply cut them out of your life. You know what they are…
They are the things that take you away from time spent in prayer and seeking the Lord in your life.

Isaiah 59:1-2,
”See, the Lord’s hand is not so short that it cannot save,
and His ear is not closed that it cannot hear.
But your wrong-doings have kept you away from your God.
Your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear.”
(NLV)
Watered: replenish and refreshment is found in staying in sync with God

Colossians 3:16,
“Christ's message in all its richness must live in your hearts.
Teach and instruct one another with all wisdom.
Sing psalms, hymns, and sacred songs; sing to God with thanksgiving in your hearts.”
(GNT)

Hebrews 4:12,
“The word of God, you see, is alive and moving;
sharper than a double-edged sword;
piercing the divide between soul and spirit, joints and marrow;
able to judge the thoughts and will of the heart.”
(VOICE)

Protected: Stay healthy by staying connected to your church and others who are believers.
Don't allow neglect to overcome you! I have heard too many people lately say they are
in a "funk"..."lazy"...or "lonely"
Seriously take the necessary steps and have no regrets!

Hebrews 10:25,
“We must not quit meeting together, as some are doing.
No, we need to keep on encouraging each other.
This becomes more and more important as you see the Day getting closer.”
(ERV)

Wormy…diseased apples??
Or those that have had the love of a dedicated gardener…
healthy…free from disease?

Won’t you allow a little
Pruning
Watering
And Protection from the Lord into your hearts?

Galatians 6:7-9,
”If you think you can fool God, you are only fooling yourselves. You will harvest what you plant.
If you live to satisfy your sinful self, the harvest you will get from that will be eternal death.
But if you live to please the Spirit, your harvest from the Spirit will be eternal life.
We must not get tired of doing good.
We will receive our harvest of eternal life at the right time.
We must not give up.”
(ERV)

What is it you want to harvest???

Prayer:
Dear Lord be the gardener in my life...
Prune...water and protect me!
Amen

Caprice <><

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Reflections

1/8/2015

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Looking into the reflection of time and the mirror of what was...
is time well spent and a productive way to end the year 2014.

I have had that nasty virus that has been making the rounds,
so my wings have been clipped and I have had to stay close to home. Yuk!

So with dread and a bad attitude…I set my sites on a horrible job that needing doing many moons ago…
a chore I have put off for years…the task of cleaning up piles of files and desk drawers.
Although I must share that the years of items left for a rainy day were amazing!

“A moment of prayerful reflection can prevent a lifetime of bitter regret.”
Woodrow Kroll

I took a journey through the milestones of my past…some were good and solid…things that put a smile on your face.
The stuff that you say with a thankful heart…Thank you Lord for the opportunity to have made a difference and
to have shared special moments in the life of someone else.

And other events are those that bring a tear or a sense of shame…
Did I mention that this was 24 years of stuff?
Give me a little grace here...
I have been busy with life.
Anyway it was quite a ride of emotions and reflection.

Joshua 1:9,
“I’ve commanded you to be strong and brave.
Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged!
I am the Lord your God,
and I will be there to help you wherever you go.”
(CEV)

I am glad I took the time to see…
Who I was
Where I had been and
What has my life meant so far.

2 Corinthians 5:17,
“Therefore, if anyone is united with the Messiah,
he is a new creation —
the old has passed;
look, what has come is fresh and new!
Complete Jewish Bible
(CJB)

Now I can look to the future with a view of…
Who I want to be
Where I want to go and
The impact I would like to have.

Jeremiah 29:11
“I alone know the plans I have for you,
plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster,
plans to bring about the future you hope for.”
(GNT)

Prayer:

Father, give me the wisdom to move forward…
freeing me from the past that hinders.
Instead give me the courage to be the child of God you created me to be.
Full of love for you that pours out into the lives of others.
Thank you Lord for hearing my prayer,
for holding my hand and guiding my steps…
May 2015 be the best yet for all of us!
Amen

Caprice <><

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Life is Worth the Living! Part 4

7/30/2014

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We are each given a ribbon of time. Each of these ribbons are very different…

Some are long and strong and others maybe more fragile and thin.

And then some get cut short.

Do any of us really know how much time we have been allotted?

Does this worry you?

Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged,
for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (NIV)

Before I understood my purpose…It use to worry me…
I thought I had to do everything on my own merit and strength…
but not any more.

Proverbs 19:21, “You can make many plans,  but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.” (NLT)

It really is the best! That is to love God and receive His love…

Really what could be better?

Ah…I heard that…you think you know what is better…

But have you ever really tried His love?

You may not believe in Him…but here is the good news…

He believes in you!

Isaiah 41:10,
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you; 

don’t be distressed, for I am your God.

 I give you strength, I give you help, 

I support you with my victorious right hand.” (CJB)

Why not grab a hold of His outstretched hand…you will not regret it!

The following is “Part 4” and the last of an interview that I did last summer on the
"The Barb Marshall Show" with Love your Life Ministries.

I pray that you will start to reach out for His love.

He is there for you.

Caprice <><

P.S. If for some reason you are unable to view this video go to the website below

www.crossroads-ukiah.org/womens-blog

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Life is Worth the Living! Part 3

7/22/2014

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Do you ever ask those soul-searching questions?

You know the ones that are innate to your very being.

Be honest we all have asked,

“Who am I”?

“Why am I here?”

"What is the meaning of Life?"

"What is death all about?"

We seek to know the truth…yet for some of us we are not willing to meet the truth.

Twenty-five years ago I asked myself those questions…and am I ever grateful I asked!

The following is “Part 3” of an interview that I did last summer on the "The Barb Marshall Show"
with Love your Life Ministries.
I pray that you too will question why you are here. I know the One who holds the keys to unlock the doors;
He is there for you and will give the answers to the sincere inquirer.

Caprice <><

P.S. If for some reason you are unable to view this video go to the website below

www.crossroads-ukiah.org/womens-blog

Note:
I would like to give you some outside resources...Click on the links below and explore those questions you have always wanted answered.

Why are we here?
Revelation 4:11, “Our Lord and God! You are worthy to receive glory, honor, and power. For you created all things, and by your will they were given existence and life.” (GNT)
http://www.allaboutworldview.org/why-are-we-here.htm
http://rickwarren.org/know-god
http://www.harvest.org/devotional/archive/devotion/2012-10-03.html
http://www.harvest.org/devotional/archive/devotion/2005-10-27.html
What is the meaning of Life?
John 11:25-26, “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me will live, even though they die; 26 and those who live and believe in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (GNT)
http://www.harvest.org/knowgod/frequently-asked-questions.html
http://www.allaboutworldview.org/what-is-the-meaning-of-life-faq.htm

Here is another one...
http://www.allaboutgod.com/faq/its-getting-clearer.htm

What is death all about?

2 Corinthians 5:8, “We are confident, then, and would much prefer to leave our home in the body and come to our home with the Lord.” Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)

http://www.allaboutspirituality.org/life-after-death.htm

Regarding life and Death experiences...
http://www.allaboutspirituality.org/life-after-death-experiences-faq.htm

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Life is Worth the Living! Part 2

7/17/2014

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What is of importance to you?
To me one of the most valuable aspects of this life is my time.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8,
“Everything on earth  has its own time  and its own season.
There is a time  for birth and death, 
planting and reaping,
for killing and healing, 
destroying and building,
for crying and laughing, 
weeping and dancing,
for throwing stones  and gathering stones, 
embracing and parting.
There is a time  for finding and losing, 
keeping and giving,
for tearing and sewing, 
listening and speaking.
There is also a time  for love and hate, 
for war and peace.” (CEV)

So what are you doing with the time that God has given you?

Psalm 90:12, “Teach us to use wisely  all the time we have.” (CEV)

Do you recognize, He who gives you life?

Job 33:4, “The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” (NIV)

Why not take a deep breath…inhale the precious gift of life…
Recognize, Rest and Restore yourself in the truth of God’s love…

Life is worth the Living!

Isaiah 42:5-8, “God, the Lord, created the heavens and stretched them out.
He created the earth and everything in it.
He gives breath to everyone, life to everyone who walks the earth.” (NLT)

The following is “Part 2”of an interview that I did last summer on the "The Barb Marshall Show" with Love your Life Ministries. I hope you enjoy a snap shot of my heart and how I have been carefully shaped and molded by the Lord.

Caprice <><
P.S. If for some reason you are unable to view this video go to the website below
www.crossroads-ukiah.org/womens-blog

1 Comment

Life is worth the Living! Part 1

7/8/2014

1 Comment

Life is definitely worth the living!
Life is precious...not what is convenient for the moment.

Psalm 139:13-16, You created every part of me;
    you put me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because you are to be feared;
    all you do is strange and wonderful.
    I know it with all my heart.
When my bones were being formed,
    carefully put together in my mother's womb,
when I was growing there in secret,
    you knew that I was there--
you saw me before I was born.
The days allotted to me
    had all been recorded in your book,
    before any of them ever began." (GNT)

Although sometimes...
how we view our world can greatly influence
the decisions we make or how we go about the daily process of living.

Psalm 90:12, Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom." (NLT)

The things that happen to you...around you...all can pivot your world one way or the other.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9, We often suffer, but we are never crushed.
Even when we don’t know what to do,
we never give up. In times of trouble, God is with us,
and when we are knocked down,
we get up again. (CEV)

The following is the first part of an interview that I did last summer on the
"The Barb Marshall Show" with Love your Life Ministries.
I hope you enjoy a snap shot of my heart and how I have been carefully shaped and molded by the Lord.
If for some reason you are unable to view this video you will need to go to the web site
http://www.crossroads-ukiah.org/womens-blog

1 Comment

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Soul Sisters

Welcome to the
Soul Sisters Blog!
Souls Sisters is the women's ministry of Crossroads Christian Church.

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us,
that we should be called children of God!
And that is what we are!"
1 John 3:1 NIV

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Rooted in Joy

The Choice to Love

The Remedy for Neglect

The Regret of Neglect!

Reflections

Life is Worth the Living! Part 4

Life is Worth the Living! Part 3

Life is Worth the Living! Part 2

Life is worth the Living! Part 1

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