Strong Prayer

Strong Prayer
April 28, 2011

32 For who is God, save the Lord? and who is a rock, save our God? 33 God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect. 34 He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet: and setteth me upon my high places. II Samuel 22: 32-34 KJV

Just awhile ago when I was in the bathroom, I made the statement, “My prayer is so weak.” And I decided to examine, just exactly what makes my prayer this way. Is it me? Is it my laziness? Is it the fact that I feel the only time to pray is in the morning? Maybe all of these things and a misconception I may have about prayer.

Yesterday in the shower, two men I’ve never met, but are strong Christians came into my mind. Now, this might be a strange place for me, a woman, to think about Christian men I’ve never met, but God doesn’t want His followers to pray when it’s convenient for them. So, right then and there, I prayed for these two men. The thought occurred to me that there is no correct time to pray. That’s what makes it strong.

I knew a lady in a church I attended who told me many times, “Pray without ceasing.” This, too, is what makes prayer strong. In David’s prayers to the Lord when Saul kept persecuting him, David prayed all the time. Second Samuel 22 is an amazing prayer of David. The whole chapter is filled with praises to God. And if David prayed in caves, before battle, as a king, and in all kinds of other situations, then I guess I can, too.

There’s never a correct time or place to pray and that is what makes it strong.

God’s blessings upon you, your family, and your furkids (if you have any). If any of you would like to pass this on to others you know, please feel free. Also, if you’d like to be removed from this list for any reason (like you read it in other places), please let me know – there will be no hard feelings. I do this not for those who read it, but because of what happens between God and me.

Michelle Rose

God and the Beasts of the Earth

My cat Sasha, one sweet but spoiled cat.

God and the Beasts of the Earth
April 16, 2011

"If all the beasts were gone, man would die from loneliness of spirit, for whatever happens to the beast, happens to the man. All things are connected. Whatever befalls the earth, befalls the sons of earth." Chief Seattle

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mahatma Gandhi

I am your servant, LORD, and you have kept your promise to treat me with kindness. Psalm 119:64-66 Contemporary English Version

Be Still and Know that I AM GOD. Psalm 46:10

So much goes on today that is sad, but that is the world – there cannot be joy without sadness. What makes me the saddest is abuse of women, children, and animals. The abuse of the last two in this group not only makes me sad, but also very angry, since they are the most helpless. I think about the commercial on tv for the largest animal organization in the US. One of the segments has a scraggly looking dog, shivering and looking very sad saying, “Why won’t they stop beating me.” And there are a multitude of animals in equally disheartening situations.

So, what do the above quotes above I know what it is and that is kindness. They are all tied together with a common thread. I’ve always heard the saying, “Practice random acts of kindness.” Well, I believe it’s not just a saying, but a directive to be kind where ever and whenever we can. It’s what God wants for me. I know Jesus treats me with kindness and love? He died for me so that I could be forgiven.

Ok, so many of you know how much I love animals. Why would God create animals if we weren’t to live in harmony with them? Yes, times have changed, but I don’t think God wants us to abuse animal. Notice I said abuse and there is more of that than even I realize. It’s frightening to hear all the news about the way many people treat animals. The destiny of people is inherently tied in with animals and nature. That’s not just my belief. Evidently God believed it to, otherwise why would the Lord have saved all the animals (alive at the time) on Noah’s ark when He destroyed the earth with the Great Flood?

May God rain his blessings upon you, your family, and any furkids you have. I almost sent this God’s Tug out last night, but I was in quite a bit of pain and had to get away from my computer. I’m glad I didn’t. This revised message is more in line with what I wanted to say, than last night’s blog.

Michelle Rose

Life's Pebbles and Boulders aka Problems

Life’s Pebbles and Boulders aka Problems
April 12, 2011

24 Then the end will come, when he [Jesus] hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he [Jesus] has destroyed all dominion, authority, and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. I Corinthians 15:24-27 NIV (but if you are so inclined, read the whole section of Paul talking about the resurrection of the dead and the body – I Cor. 12-58 – it’s amazing!)

It took me quite awhile today to read the whole section that Charles Stanley used in his magazine In Touch for the meditation today, which was from verse 20-58. I’m glad I did. In life everyone has problems and they are as varied as anyone can think of. I’ll just mention them generally – health, loneliness, grief, natural disasters, poverty, victims of crime and at least a gazillion more.

I think about problems, but I’ve also heard so many things about God taking care of them. Here are several of them:

God is bigger than any problem I have. (I’m sure many have heard this one before)

God is good all the time.

Life’s not fair, but God is good. (This saying is on a mug a late friend gave me.)

I’m sure everyone has some sayings of their own that they’ve either heard or have been brought up with. One problem, though, which neither I nor anyone else for that matter, can successfully overcome is victory over death. When I read the verses above I had to read them several times over, since I was so amazed by them. Only Jesus through God the Father can do this. I know this, but it's still always amazing to read again.

This will be a short God’s Tug tonight. I’ve been dealing with quite a bit of pain in my lower back and bad headaches the last few days (no I’m not complaining, I just have to take care of myself), so I’m off to bed after I post tonight’s blog. Also a praise for God - my company has offered me (and other tutors) a chance for some temporary work until the end of June, so I will not be unemployed just yet. YAY God! ;-)

God’s blessings upon you, your families, and (any) furkids.

Please note that you may pass God’s Tug on to anyone you think would like it. I appreciate any comments you have for me, whether I agree with them or not.
Life's

Michelle Rose

Humor in Walking God's Path

Humor in Walking Gods Path
April 10, 2011

Jesus tries to make a point.

Jesus saw a crowd chasing down a woman to stone her and approached them. "What's going on here, anyway?" he asked."This woman was found committing adultery, and the law says we should stone her!" one of the crowd responded."Wait," yelled Jesus. "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." Suddenly, a stone was thrown from out of the sky, and knocked the woman on the side of her head.
"Aw, c'mon, Dad..." Jesus cried, "I'm trying to make a point here!"

http://www.christian-jokes.net/Jokes/Bible-Humor/144-Jesus-tries-to-make-a-point.aspx

I had no idea what I wanted to write about today, but somehow the thought of Christian humor entered my mind, so I googled it. This made me laugh because the Bible is quite serious on so many things in my faith. However, God never said (or at least I don’t know if it’s said anywhere in the Bible) I always have to be serious. I love humor, at least those which don’t make nasty fun of other people, (i.e. blonde, racial, & ethnic jokes), ones that are just plain cruel, or are just plain dirty. They don’t interest me. Now this is an opinion, but it’s my own – much of society today is too numb about being sensitive to others (not everyone). Maybe that’s why when I hear off-color jokes or ones like I described above, it just turns me off. And the closer I move in my faith toward, the less I want to hear off-color or nasty jokes. Does that make me “a goody-two-shoes”? Maybe. What I care about is doing what the Lord wants me to do and being the kind of person He would have me be. Yes, I love to laugh and studies have shown that laughing can be a pain reliever. When I’m laughing at something genuinely funny, I don’t feel as much pain. The endorphins kick in and I feel like a different person. Isn’t this what my God would have me do? Isn’t this why He created me with a conscience, heart, and soul? For me these are rhetorical questions.

May God bless you, your families, and any furkids you might have.
Michelle Rose

Communication

If you wish to be taken off this mailing list or read God's Tug on another location, please email me. Here are the other two sites where this blog is posted: by email, notify me at monique.baby@gmail.com and www.wordchimes.com.

God's Blessings upon you, your families and furkids (if any).
Michelle Rose

Communication
April 4, 2011

I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. Peace to you. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name.
3 John 1:14 NIV

I often wonder what happened to conversations and letters between friends. For the most part now - I’ve fallen into this trap, too - much communication is done by email and texting, not speaking face-to-face or by phone. This morning I called my aunt and uncle in NJ. I had the most wonderful chat with my Uncle Angelo. We talked about what it was like back in the 40s (he knew more than I did about the early 40s) and how things were different when he served in the war. It was the longest conversation I had with him for a long time. Usually, I just ask to talk to my Aunt Nettie. I have friends where I live and although we’ve been friends for a long time, I usually hear from them only by a mass text message or email. I miss speaking to them. Ok, maybe they are having problems and don’t want to talk. But are we still friends? I was also thinking about when it was nice to get a card or letter in the mail; then came the technological revolution and now everything is done by email or texting (I’m not a big fan of the last, except for occasional ones). My two favorite ways of talking with someone I know are by phone or in person. I even bought some nice cards at Trader Joe’s to send out and they are still sitting here. This week, I’ll write these cards and mail them.

I think communication with Jesus is amazing. He’s never busy; never sends me text messages or email, and never turns away from me. The lines of communication and talking to God and my Saviour, Jesus are always open. I know it can’t always be like that in life, but it’s amazing to know that my God always has time to listen to me. He’s never going to be out of touch because of the technological revolution.

God's Tug - March 23, 2011 - Faith and Comfort

Faith and Comfort

For we walk by faith, not by sight. II Cor. 5:7 NIV

8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.
I Thessalonians 3:8 NIV ©2011

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39 NIV, ©2011

Ok, remember how upset I was yesterday about losing the gold cross and chain my mother gave me? I was emailing a friend today and was about to write something to her when I realized the lesson in losing the chain. No, not that I’m a dumb ox. ;~D I can accept its loss because it’s just a physical representation of my faith. And, if that is as strong as my faith is, then it’s not very strong. God/Jesus is much stronger than that. My faith in my God comes not from a beautiful gold cross that my mother gave me, but deep inside me – from my heart and spirit. I especially love the last few verses of Romans 8, since Paul suffered so much in his life and still, his faith in Jesus was so strong, he never gave up. Am I going through a difficult time in my life right now? Yes, but so are many others. Look at the people who have been devastated by earthquakes and tsunamis. Am I going to lie down moaning about my problems? No, because I have faith God will take care of me. I’m doing all I can to solve what’s going on in my life with the help of medical professionals, by looking for work, praying, reading my Bible and doing this blog, which keeps me in positive thinking. Hear this satan! I’m clinging to the foot of the Cross and it doesn’t have to be one that’s around my neck for me to have faith I in Jesus. So just scram! Yes, I’m kicking that bum to the curb! So, for today and every day I wake up, I will put on God’s whole armor. Not to self: see Ephesians 6:10-18, especially verse 11 – “Put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (KJV)

The Difference One Day Makes

From Photobucket by Merileebrooke

Commentary: Today everyone gave thanks for all kinds of things. Tomorrow many shoppers will battle each other to grab at items so they can save a few dollars for Christmas.

Is this what God intended when His only Son was born? Somehow I can't believe that this is the Spirit of Christmas that the Lord wants us to feel. Jesus was born to save us from the death sin brings. Although it is better to give than receive, Christmas (which means the Birth of Christ), is not about mob scenes at 4 am to buy the best present for someone. Christmas is the celebration of the Birth of Christ, our Lord and Saviour.

I, for one, do not intend to be apart of this scary, yearly tradition, which I would love to see outlawed. Where in the tradition of Christmas does it say that it includes the insanity and greed of Black Friday. Nowhere.

We now return to our regularly scheduled program and pray for the safety of anyone who chooses to participate in Black Friday.

Michelle Rose

Before and After

This morning in reading my morning meditation - the scripture reading - from Charles Stanley's In Touch, I saw a picture of myself. Not that I didn't know what I was like before, but it said it so plainly that I am grateful that I am a Christian.

Galatians 5:19-26

19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we life by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Charles Stanley says: "The key to living a life of joy, peace, and victory is found in Galatians 5. Notice that I did not say a life without conflict or one free of temptation, trial, or heartache. Those are part of the human condition. But we can triumph through the power of the Holy Spirit.

In fact, today's passage makes clear how vital it is for believers to life a Spirit-filled life."

When I think about the before me, it is evident to me why not only did people not like myself, but I didn't like myself either. Now, self-love has not come immediately and in a big rush. It has taken many years of belonging to Christ (and many, many changes in my life) for me to get to the point where I like myself just as I am, looking like the Michelin tire (wo)man or Pillsbury dough girl and all. ;-) But God does not look at my outsides. He created me with love.

Yes, it took quite a long time to love God's creation (me) the way HE (emphasis mine)  sees me. But I do and I less and less I allow others' perception of me (the negative ones) to influence how I feel. God loves me, He shows me how He loves me. I am becoming (the after me) the person God wants me to become.  

Listening to My Body

I woke up early this morning and could not get back to sleep. Instead, I called my Aunt Nettie in NJ, then got Sasha's food and my breakfast ready. Today, I've been having trouble with pain in in my arms and legs, but I've attempted to keep somewhat active anyway. I went to the farmers' market, since I was out of baby lettuce, sprouts, and tomatoes. It's a bit of exercise and gets me out into the fresh air and sunshine. In the desire to eat better and change my eating habits, I've allowed myself the "luxury" of buying and eating fresh organic food. I love the taste more than fruits and veggies I buy from Ralph's Market.

After I ate lunch, a vegan meal I bought at the farmers' market, I was on the computer, but felt very tired. I wanted to stay on the computer chatting with my friends on facebook, but my body had other ideas. So, I got off the computer and lay down to take a couple hour nap. This, like the good food I gave it today, is what my body was telling me it needed.

Sometimes when I don't listen to what my body (physically) is telling me, I've gone over the limit and experience more pain. It's like that when I don't listen to what God is telling me. I have more pain in my day or in my life. Past mistakes tell me to stop being stubborn and listen to what I don't know but something or Someone else does. It saves me the pain of making the mistatke again.

From Low to High

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

From Low to High

Today, I will do something a little different. As I was reading my Bible this morning, I found something that relates to my life so well, that I decided to use it. The following passages are about how God works in my life and how my faith in Him helps me to maintain emotionally, physically, spiritually, and mentally.

Psalm 119: 25-32 NIV
25 I am laid low in the dust; preserve my life according to your word.
* For many years, I suffered from deep depression, or episodes between extreme highs and extreme lows, until I learned how to control it and not let it control me. I will add that medication and therapy helped, but without my belief in Jesus, I would still be empty.

26 I recounted my ways and you answered me; teach me your decrees.
* In the course of my life, I’ve had to change many of my ways and habits, so that I not only feel better emotionally, but finally come to the decision to change other habits as well to improve physically.

27 Let me understand the teaching of you precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders.
* The more I read the Bible and learn about the Word of God, the more I understand the decisions and directions to make in my life.

28 My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.
* I have been in some very deep, dark places that I wasn’t sure I either would get out of or wanted to get out of. My feeling was that if I stayed in these places, I did not have as far to go the next time a crisis happened in my life. But, continued Bible reading helped me to escape these places.

29 Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me through your law.
* In so many areas of my life, I’ve lied to myself about what I was doing and its affect on me. Only through reading the Bible, following Jesus as my Saviour have I come to know the truth about myself. I was also helped my many supportive friends.

30 I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws.
* I’ve learned that lying to myself about what’s best for me, hurts me and sometimes others. The way of truth for me is to follow God; He never lies to me. I can always live in His truth.

31 I hold fast to your statutes; O Lord do not let me be put to shame.
* For such a long time I’ve been apologetic about my faith, not wanting to insult anyone, but it is my faith and it helps me in my life. If I am ashamed about Jesus being my Saviour and don’t follow His word, He will be ashamed of me, although He will never leave me. He always loves me. The awe of this brings tears to my eyes and is a realization so incredible that my mind can’t contain the whole concept of it.

32 I run in the path of your commands; for you have set my heart free.
* Jesus path has become my way. My belief in Him and His love set me free as no other method I tried in my life. Drugs, alcohol, smoking, food, sex, belief in different religious practices, isolating – none of these filled the hole inside me like Jesus. It is only with Him in my life that I will become or am free of what binds me to negativity or held me hostage.

Michelle Rose

The Support Under My Feet

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

The Support Under My Feet

“18When I said, ‘My foot is slipping,’ your love, O Lord, supported me. 19When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul…. 22But the Lord has become my fortress and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.”

In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks. ~John Muir

I don’t often forget who made me and the world around me or why I’m here. When I become sad and want to quit the goals I aim for. When I don’t feel like a miracle. When I feel that “I’m nobody” or “I’m unloved,” then all I have to do is look around myself outside to see the miracles my God created. These are when my foot slips, but the Lord has never left me alone.

I took a walk today. True it was only for about 7-8 blocks east on Hollywood Blvd. (not in nature) and I experienced quite a bit of pain while walking, but I was supported every step of the way. I almost quit before I arrived at my chosen destination – the block before Vermont Ave. , but I kept going. When I crossed the street, a refreshing cool breeze came my way. Maybe this was my Lord’s way of saying, “I’m here. I know you can make it. Keep going.” For the rest of the walk, I experienced somewhat less pain, taking the bus home, so that I didn’t walk more than I was able.

Michelle Rose

Weeding My Mind

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Weeding My Mind

You must weed your mind as you would weed your garden. ~Astrid Alauda

When I eat things that make my body and my mind like a flower garden that been untended and needs work, I’m cluttering it with weeds. Unhealthy foods and eating too fast or only certain kinds of foods definitely have a physical affect on me. I find that out with healthy and junk foods.

Last night I made one of my favorite vegan dishes – tofu, broccoli, and wild rice, with a bit of strawberry vinaigrette for flavor. I didn’t realize how much I craved this dish. I wonder why, if I like these kinds of foods so much, do I want to clutter my body (garden, temple, whatever you want to comparison can be used) with weeds like chocolate and other junk foods. I’ve pretty much given up eating things like potato chips and donuts – ok, to be truthful, I’ve eaten them on occasion after I said I wouldn’t eat them again – but I think about how they affect me, especially since I have high cholesterol and triglycerides (fancy words for ugly fat-clogged arteries).

If the Lord designed my body to be receptive to healthy foods, then eating other kinds of food isn’t in line with God’s plan for me. Maybe if I think of it this way, then it will be something I can deal with – not the good food/bad food paradox. I will be able to stay closer to the “temple” thinking. Face it, I only have one body, one life, a limited number of chances during this life to do what’s healthy for myself in the short span of time I’m here.

Michelle Rose

Lessons from Life

Monday, June 22, 2009

Notes:
*I have not written Lessons from Life since June 8, 2009. First, I wasn’t sure I wanted to continue writing them. Second, the original issue I wrote about when I started writing the lessons changed. So, I will be starting them with a focus on something new – health – including the way, how, and what I eat, its effect, physical exercise (which I don’t get too much of), spiritual/physical/financial/mental/emotional issues involved in eating/health, and more. My eating affects every part of my life. It’s a cross-addiction.

** If you cannot relate to any of the topics I write about in this new phase of LfrL, please feel free to let me know you’d rather not receive it anymore. If you want to continue receiving them, do nothing.

A Bit Too Much

I like cheese. When I ate meat, and now that I’m back to eating vegetarian/vegan, I still love cheese. Unfortunately, depending on the amount I eat, cheese affects me in an “unloving” and quite painful way. (I won’t go into detail) ;-D I had one of those days Sunday. I felt like I wanted to die or that I would.

I don’t easily remember my bad experiences with food I’ve eaten Obviously, or I would not repeat them over and over. Once the food passes my lips and the pleasure is done, I don’t think that some ill-effect could happen at a later time. Yet, it does and I mistakenly think that next time will be different, but it’s not. The older I get, though, the less willing I become to learn these painful lessons.

Ok, so between praying to God, writing these lessons, going to see a nutritionist in August (the earliest appointment), and doing what I can until August, I will become healthier.

“A dog is a wonderful excuse for getting some walking exercise. Although they may not walk at the same speed as a person, they get one out of the indoors and off the couch.”
by Michelle, who’s working her way toward becoming a former couch potato (or at this time a former 10# bag of potatoes) ;-D

Michelle Rose