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Slow Down...and Breathe

5/28/2015

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Sometimes I like to ride out in front…ahead of the crowd.
It is a great place to be trotting along at my own pace without a care in the world.
But if I slow down and look over my shoulder at what I left behind sometimes it isn’t too pretty.                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Usually, I get to the front by a lot of pushing and shoving.
I look the other way and avoid words of caution and attempts to even my pace.
Oh no…I want to do it my way and get ahead to where I want to go…
because I know what is best…
or at least sometimes I like to think so.

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 A brittle veneer forms when I am fixed on things going my own way…
when I am teetering on the tight rope of balance…me…me…me…isn’t that what this life is all about?
Then the blow comes…it knocks the wind right out of me…dizzy with confusion and my mind whirling…I wonder…
”What just happened…what could have possibly gone wrong?”

Then comes the gentle tap on my shoulder…
Jesus gently calling…
"Slow down…breathe…take my hand”…

The last of the “Remedy’s for Neglect” is self-control…grabbing a hold of myself and allowing God to go first.
He really does know the best way to do this life…why not trust him…slow down…take a breather…
and follow the one who is God?
I reach out grab His faithful hand…”You first Lord…I’ll follow you”
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 Galatians 5:22-24
"But what happens when we live God’s way?
He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard--
things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity.
We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart,
and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people.
We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life,
able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.


Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ,
everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is
killed off for good—crucified.”

(MSG)



 Prayer:

Dear Lord,
Thank you for your love that helps to steady my pace in this world…
your gentle guidance that leads the way.
It is always so much better to look up and see you in the lead…
your way is the best choice!
Thank you for picking me up when I fall…
dusting me off when I get dirty…
holding my hand when the road gets rough
and best of all loving me the whole way!
Amen



Caprice <><


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I'll Be Back...

4/2/2015

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We had the joy of welcoming
a new grandson last week.

And that joy was increased by the pleasure
of picking up his sisters while mom was in labor.

As we drove them to the ranch we were informed that mommy was at the “os-pea-toll” by the youngest.

When we acknowledged this, by affirming,

“Yes, Mama is having your new baby brother”.

The oldest sister’s little eyes would get a far away look and an uncertain nod of the head.
You could almost see the thoughts floating around in her head…

”Just what is a new brother?"


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 The first day was great fun…
we played tag in the yard, read stories together,
set up a tent with their cousins…
all great adventures for a 3 and 2 year old.

But by the second night the strain of being separated from mommy
was getting to the brave heart of the 3 year old.
We had just finished the evening bath when she looked up at me
with tear-rimmed eyes and inquired,

“Mommy said she would come back and get me…right?”


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 I looked down at her and said a quick yes and tried to steer her thoughts into another direction.
But within the hour her face was contorted in fear and eyes where full and ready to overflow with tears.

“My mommy is coming back to get me…right?”


This time I got down on my knees…
eye ball to eye ball with her and said…

”Ah Sweetheart your mommy loves you”

Her eyes still pleaded with me for an answer she could
wrap her 3 year old mind around.
I continued...

”Has your mama ever lied to you?”

Her little head shook “no”. 

“Does she tell you the truth?” I asked.

Her little voice quivered "yes" and her eyes met mine with a raising courage
and a nodding “yes” of her head.


"Then…Yes your mama will be here tomorrow just like she promised!" I replied with a great BIG smile
Her little arms flung around my neck
as the smile returned to light up her face and off she went.


The next day as we were waving good-bye
I heard her say to her mama…

“You did come back to get me!”

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 This reminded me of Jesus’ promise to come back for us.

John 14:3
“When everything is ready,
I will come and get you,
so that you will always be with me where I am.”

(NLT)


All God asks of us to do is..

Be patient with the endurance to believe his promise.
Like my dear little 3 year old who was honest in her wavering hope…
she was willing to wipe away the tears and allow forbearance to take hold in her heart.


Won’t you trust that the Jesus is coming back for you?

That the Son of God tells the truth?


John 14:1-6
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.
You believe in God; believe also in me.

My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so,
would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?

And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

You know the way to the place where I am going.”


Thomas said to him,
“Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”


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


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Prayer:
Thank you Lord for your promise to come back for me...
I am trusting you to grant me the forbearance to wait...
knowing that you hold all things in your hands...even when they get a little scary.
Amen.

Have a wonderful Easter!
Caprice <><

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Be a Team Player

2/20/2015

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 Social Media has hit us by storm.
It has many attributes, but I would also like to caution us by giving some great guidelines for being better communicators
and team players in life.


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 That includes all of us, no matter what role we will have, how old or young, we are all a part of the team that makes a whole. We need to put on attitudes that reflect the heart and mind of our Lord.
Not only as we serve, but also in how we treat each other.


So here are 10 guidelines I would like to share this week.


1. Address one another with encouraging words.
2. Build up hope in one another, as we serve and share life together, no one left out, no one left behind.

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 3. Honor those leaders/employers/parents who work hard for you and served to make possible your current circumstances. Whether in seen or unseen ways, remember to respect those who serve you.
4. Overwhelm them/each other with appreciation and love!
5. Get along among yourselves, doing your part,
warning the freeloaders to get a move on.

 6. Gently encourage the stragglers, and give a helping hand to those who are exhausted…
Help them to get on their feet again.

7. When you get on each other’s nerves you don’t snap at each other.
Instead, look for the best in each other,
and always do your best to bring it out!

8. Be cheerful no matter what.
9. Pray all the time and thank God no matter what happens.
 10. Don’t suppress the Spirit; don’t stifle those who have a word from the Master.
On the other hand, don’t be gullible.
Check out everything, and keep only what’s good.
Throw out anything tainted with evil.

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 It is interesting to note that if we can adhere to the above guidelines we will be communicating well with one another.
To adhere, hold fast, stay in contact or interacting together in a positive manner is so very important.


Romans 15:2,
“We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.”
(NLT)


The above list was taken from 1 Thessalonians 5:9-22, The Message. I love looking at the word from different angles; it can open up our hearts and minds to consider what you might have otherwise just been passed over.

Be a team player in this life!

 

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

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 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.


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 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. 


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 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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Rooted Together

1/28/2015

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  Did you know that a redwood that stands alone is vulnerable?

Why?
Because a redwood tree has no tap-root…


They have only shallow roots that can expand
to 50-80 feet.


These roots interlock with other redwood tree roots…

Thus they support each other!



 "Aloneness can lead to loneliness.
God's preventative for loneliness is intimacy…
meaningful, open, sharing relationships with one another.
In Christ we have the capacity for the fulfilling sense of belonging which comes from intimate fellowship with
God and with other believers."
- Neil T. Anderson



As Christians we need to…


Be rooted together

Support each other


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Reach out to one another

Stand together when the

winds of adversity blow.



  We need to form a community that cares…
Loving God and loving others


1 Peter 3:8-9,
“So all of you should live together in peace.
Try to understand each other.
Love each other like brothers and sisters.
Be kind and humble.
Don’t do wrong to anyone to pay them back
for doing wrong to you.
Or don’t insult anyone to pay them back for insulting you.

But ask God to bless them.
Do this because you yourselves were
chosen to receive a blessing.”
(ERV)


 

"Our love to God is measured by our everyday fellowship with others and the love it displays."

- Andrew Murray

Who is the one you call on in times of trial?
Are woven together in love and friendship?


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 Ecclesiastes 4:9-12,
“Two people are better off than one,
for they can help each other succeed.
If one person falls, the other can reach out and help.
But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.
Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm.
But how can one be warm alone?

A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated,
but two can stand back-to-back and conquer.
Three are even better,
for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”
(NLT)


Are you part of a church?

Hebrews 10:24-25,
“We should keep on encouraging each other to be thoughtful
and to do helpful things.
Some people have gotten out of the habit of meeting for worship,
but we must not do that.
We should keep on encouraging each other,
especially since you know that the day of the Lord’s coming is getting closer.”

(CEV)

Do you know God…the true God?
He loves you and wants you to be with you forever and ever!

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1 John 1:7,
“But if we live in the light, as God does,
we share in life with each other.
And the blood of his Son Jesus washes
all our sins away.”

(CEV)


Prayer:
Dear Lord,
I want to be rooted together in
Your Love
the love of others
and
With the fellowship of believers
Amen!


Caprice <><
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Perspective

1/16/2015

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Remember the Peanuts cartoons by Charles Schultz? 
I heard a sermon that opened with the following…

Lucy is in her psychology booth and 
Charlie had stopped in for some advice…

“Life is like a deck chair Charlie, on the cruise ship of life,
some people place their deck chair at the rear of the ship
so they can see where they’ve been.

 Others place their chair at the front of the ship so they can see where they are going.” Lucy then asks,

“Which way is your deck chair facing?”
Charlie responds without hesitation,

 “I can’t even get my deck chair unfolded.”



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Some days I can really relate to the difficulty of

getting my deck chair opened.

And usually this difficulty comes from uncertainty about
where I am going or where I have been.

First step…start by getting that chair open… 
take it one step at a time you can do it!


Then proceed to the rear of the ship and the past..

2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is united with the Anointed One,
that person is a new creation.
The old life is gone—and see—a new life has begun!”
(Voice)


Did you catch that?

If I believe God gave us Jesus…
the One chosen by God to provide us with a future…
a new start…
those things of my past…
my old way of doing things are gone…
no more do I need to linger in my former approach to life…
because I have been made new.

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Reflection is good…

"Live thoughtfully today
and you won't have to live regretfully tomorrow."
- 
Woodrow Kroll

So when you look to where you have been…remember who holds you up as you go.

Joshua 1:9
“This is my command—be strong and courageous!
Do not be afraid or discouraged.
For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” 
(NLT)


As you gather perspective…
be determine to have the capacity to view things in their true 
relations or relative importance

This will help you to set your goals for the future and then
To function in the present

So as far as 2015 is concerned

1 Corinthians 15:58
My dear brothers and sisters,
stay firmly planted--
be unshakable--
do many good works in the name of God,
and know that all your labor is not for nothing when it is for God.” 
(VOICE)

Set your course for a worthy future!

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Reflections

1/8/2015

1 Comment

 
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.

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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
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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. 
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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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Questions for Thought                            

8/26/2014

0 Comments

 
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I want to ask you a simple question today “Where are you right now? Take a moment to answer that question.

How did you respond? Did you respond in regards to your current location?

If you answered by stating your location, you are like most of us in our response to this question. Adam answered that way when God asked him and Eve after they had done what God asked them not to.

Genesis 3:8-9, "When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the LORD God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the LORD God among the trees. Then the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?”  (NLT)

What I was really asking you is, “Where are you in regards to your walk with God?” Where are you really? Don’t give me, and better yet yourself, the answer “Oh I am great!” The following is a sort of fact finder for you to do a personal review.

On the line below where would you place yourself in regards to your position to God?

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You                                                                                                                                                                  God

Are you happy at where you placed yourself on the line?

Do you wish you were closer to God?

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What is keeping you from getting closer to God?

Are there habits that are in your way?

What about your attitude?

Is your time management in tune with your relationship to God?

Are there relationships that need mending?

Are you part of a church so you can become stronger as a believer?

What will it take to get you closer to Him than you are today?

Do you talk to God on a regular basis, and in turn listen to Him?

Do you know what the word of God has to say and how it applies to your life?

Make a list of the changes and decisions that need to be made.

Now time to get serious and take action. Do the things on your list!

I want you to take one last look at where you placed yourself on that line. Look again with this thought in mind, God did not move, you did. So move on back and take the first step to getting closer to the one who created and loves you. Take action on that list and start today!

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Caprice <><



Dear God,
 I do truly love you and I want to change my location on the line to a position closer to you. 
Help me to be honest about the things that have moved me away from you. And then Lord I am going to need your help to take the action to do the things that I put on my list. 
Father I do confess that I need your help. 
Thank you for always being there; no matter how far away I take my self, you are there. 
You are right where I left you when I took my first step away; waiting for my return. 
I humbly ask your forgiveness for the items on my lists, those items that have placed a distance between you and I. 
Help me to turn around and run with all my heart back to you. 
Amen

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Wet 

8/14/2014

0 Comments

 
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Water is wet. 
It is a simple fact that water is wet. 
My husband and I were talking about God and his creation and his fingerprints that are all over 
everything that He has made, including life-giving water.

Ecclesiastes 11:5, “As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.” (NIV)

God has left his fingerprints all over this incredible world we call home! 
The evidence of him as master designer is everywhere! 
So Caprice, back to your opening statement, what does this have to do with water? 
Well, I have a challenge for you, are you ready? I want you to go and get a nice, cool, tall, fresh, pure glass of water. 
Okay, now I want you to take the wet, out of that glass of water. 
Well, how is it going?....Not too good?....Try one more time. 
The point here is; that I cannot take the wet out of water. 
If I could, I would be left without anything, water has the attributes and characteristics of being wet.
The same is true of God....God is the creator and master designer of all things. 
People try to take God out of things, but it doesn’t work. 
You see there is one common thread that people sometimes forget. 
Just like we know that water has certain qualities and principles, so does God. 
And one of the most important attributes of 
God...is love.

 1 John 4:8, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (GNT)

1 John 4:16, “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. 
God is love. 
Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” (NIV)


Jesus spoke the following verses to his disciples in the upper room at Passover, the eve of his arrest. These are his parting words of instruction to his beloved followers:

John 13:34-35 “A new command I give you: 
Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (NIV)

So as those who believe and know God through the gift of his son Jesus, 
we understand that love must be part of who we become as we grow as believers and disciples. 
We must become love for others who do not know what God’s love is.

It is humble, and serves those who need serving. 
Love gives unconditionally, without expecting anything given in return. 
We show our love by looking into the interests of others above ourselves. 
Unselfish, kind, patient; God’s love is perfect! 
It is the reflection of the image of God. 
People will know that we truly believe that Jesus was the Son of God, if we love others like Jesus loves us. 
So just like you cannot take the wet out of water; as followers of Jesus... 
the attribute of love should be ever present in all that we do. 
Can anyone see anything but love in you as a believer? 
Are you a believer that follows the teachings of Jesus? 
Then you should be the example of God’s love. 
No one or...no thing should be able to separate or remove God’s love you’re your heart. 
God’s love should spill over from your heart and actions into the lives of others. 
Love should become the attribute and characteristic that marks you as a believer. 

Caprice <><



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Over Loaded          

8/8/2014

0 Comments

 
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My dear friend Catherine likes to have her ducks in a row. So when she needed to pick up some bales of hay, she wanted to be sure that she had enough space for them. She hooked up her trailer to her flat bed truck and off she went to the feed store with her empty trailer rattling behind her. As she traveled down the highway she checked her rearview mirror to be sure everything was in order. Confident that all was as it should be, she proceeded to the feed store, parked her rig and went inside to purchase her needs for her ranch.

As she pulled into the back, to have the feed store employees load her hay, she was caught off guard by the fact that they said they could not load the hay onto her trailer due to the type of loader they had. Instead all of the hay would have to be loaded onto her truck’s flat bed.

Catherine was frustrated, but arguing would not get her anywhere. So unto the back of the flat bed of her truck the numerous bales were loaded and stacked. As the guys in the yard tied down the load it was large, over the top and extending beyond the sides. Catherine hopped into the cab of her truck and proceeded back to her ranch. As she was on her way home, Catherine became alarmed when she heard the trailer rattle. She checked her mirrors, but alas she could not see it due to the mirrors being blocked by the load of hay. At first she was startled, where did the trailer go? Because she could not see it, she felt like it wasn’t there. She knew it was, but it just didn’t feel right, until a thought came to her, this is just like it is with God, just because I can not see Him, it doesn’t mean that He isn’t there. I need to drive in faith that the trailer is still there, just like I walk with the confidence that God is there for me.

John 1:18, “No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.”

What this is saying is that no one has seen God, but Jesus has made God known. Because of our relationship with Jesus we know that God is there, even though we cannot see him.

Reflections:

Is there anything blocking you from knowing that God is in your life? Is it you and your lifestyle? Do you allow the business of this world to block you from seeing the evidence of God in your life? Take a minute to evaluate the number of bales in your truck. Are you over loaded? Ask God to help you remove some of the needless burdens that you are hauling behind you. You know what they are, they are the things that are blocking your view and limit your vision. Remember to trust in God that he is there for you…even when your sight is limited.

Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Prayer: Dear Lord, I want to always walk in faith. Help me to not allow the burdens or stuff pile up in my life and obstruct my view of you. Help me to unload the unnecessary bales from my truck bed and instead drive through this life with the confidence that you are there no matter what appears in the way. Thank you Lord for your constant care.

Caprice <><


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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

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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
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Transformed!

3/12/2014

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Picture
Jello…do you like jello?

I never have cared for the taste of jello, but I was always fascinated by it as a child. I remember watching my mom as she would place watery jello into a jello-mold, then place it in the refrigerator, a little time later out it would come with much ceremony, the mold would be flipped upside down onto a plate and out would come a duplicate of the mold. I was always impressed by it’s transformation!

So what are you allowing to shape and mold you?

I was thinking about how it is the jello that conforms or is transformed by what contains or molds it into shape. When the jello goes into the mold it has the nature of something that is fluid and pliable; it then converts into something that is of substance and takes on it’s shape.

Romans 12:2, “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.” (NIV)

So again I will ask you; what are you allowing to influence and shape you as a person…what are you rubbing elbows with in this place we call home?

Jesus knew who to keep connected to and then how to reflect that which is transforming.

2 Corinthians 3:17-18, “The Lord and the Spirit are one and the same, and the Lord’s Spirit sets us free. So our faces are not covered. They show the bright glory of the Lord, as the Lord’s Spirit makes us more and more like our glorious Lord.” (CEV)

How about you? What pattern is shaping your form?…Here is a voice of wisdom…

Spend time with the Lord for He is good. And then your face will be bright with a reflection of “His Glorious Love”! 


Caprice <><


Picture
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The Unexpected

1/28/2014

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Picture
Searching…searching…asking…questioning, ”Where is the solution?”…”Did I miss something?

Maybe I missed the answer; if I asked God, he will be faithful to answer?...Right?” Hmmmm, but how long must I wait?

Lamentations 3:25, “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;” (NIV)

But Lord didn’t you hear my cries in the night? Did I miss something? 

Well let me answer that for you…yes he did.

1 John 5:14, “We have courage in God's presence, because we are sure that he hears us if we ask him for anything that is according to his will.”(GNT)

Did you get that? According to HIS WILL, not mine. God’s will is for all that is good…sometimes mine gets off course…you know it becomes all about me.

Even in the storms of this world he hears your plea. When you, with an earnest heart, come humbly before him.

Psalm 66:18, “If I had been cozy with evil, the Lord would never have listened. But he most surely did listen, he came on the double when he heard my prayer. Blessed be God: he didn’t turn a deaf ear, he stayed with me, loyal in his love.” (MSG)

Okay, okay I am getting it our God is faithful. So…what about his answer did I miss?

Sometimes the answer comes in ways that are unexpected…not in the way we would answer or choose a way to solve our situation. You know what I mean; our answers are usually in a way that is comfortable and consoling. But…uh-oh here it comes…the “on the contrary”. In the answers to my “questioning heart” God’s way, is the best way, even when they do not make sense.

Sometimes the answers are not what we where looking for…they were unexpected. Maybe they even rumpled our brow a little or created a fear in our limited thinking.

Did you know that Jesus knows your heart and thoughts?

That he loves you?

1 John 4:16, “Also we have come to know and trust the love that God has for us. God is love; and those who remain in this love remain united with God, and God remains united with them.”(CJB)

And that he cares enough to do the unexpected.

Jesus after having fed the 5,000 who had come to hear him in the country, sent his disciples on ahead of him in a boat to the other side of the lake. Then he retreated to spend some private time in prayer. As the darkness of the night engulfed the lake, a storm stirred the waters into a frightening upheaval.

Matthew 14:24-27, “Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”

But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” (NLT)

So are you in a storm? Don’t get cozy with the evil one. Why not look to the unexpected answers…the answer that God knows is best…and trust that he is faithful and loves you very dearly.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, help us to keep away from the things that tempt us, into taking what appears to be the easy road. Instead help us to trust you in the storms and to recognize your answer. Amen


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Get Ready

1/21/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture



Be prepared…



Are your ducks in a row?
Is your check list completed? 
Look out here it comes…
Are you Ready?...hmmm…for what? 

I just went to Disaster Relief Training. 
I hope I am ready to help others through the recovery of disaster. 
And in all honesty I just added to my “To-Do” list the updating of our first aid supplies. These are great ways to be prepared. 
There are also other things we need to get ready for…
marriage, education, buying a home or further down the line…retirement. 



But how prepared are you for that final breath…
the last gasp of air on this earth? 
Are you ready for your death? 
Have you thought about your life and it’s final end?


Psalm 39:4, “Show me, Lord, my life’s end
 and the number of my days; 
let me know how fleeting my life is.” (NIV)

 People in general don’t like to talk about it…I wonder why? 
How about you are you ready? 
Or are you like the others? 
Is it because they are in denial?
 Is it that you have bought what others say about “this is all there is”?

Hebrews 9:27-28, “We die only once, and then we are judged. 
So Christ died only once to take away the sins of many people. 
But when he comes again, it will not be to take away sin. 
He will come to save everyone who is waiting for him.” (CEV)

I believe in God and his promise.

John 3:16-17, “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, 
so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life. 
For God did not send his Son into the world to be its judge, 
but to be its savior.” (GNT)

Why is it so difficult to believe in God…He believes in you. 
And why not trust him and take it to the next level? 
To this day I have not understood why so many say they believe in God…
yet reject His precious gift of Jesus, His son.

Romans 10:9, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” 
and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, 
you will be saved.” (NIV)

I can say with confidence, I am ready! 
I am ready to live in Heaven with Jesus. 
Won’t you get ready? 
Heaven is real and it would be wonderful to see you there!

Jesus speaking…John 14:1-8, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. 
Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. 
If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 
When everything is ready, I will come and get you, 
so that you will always be with me where I am. 
And you know the way to where I am going.”

“No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. 

“We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. 
No one can come to the Father except through me.” (NLT)

 

Caprice <><


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