ifrogcrafts & more: October 2010

Monday, October 25, 2010

Ignorance Is Bliss. Or Is It?

I just enjoyed a snack of carmel corn. I have no idea of how many calories, carbs, or fat grams i just ingested. But it was really good! And do i even want to know that information? Maybe not today. Today, i just had the munchies. But as responsible adults, for the most part, we do pay attention to the foods we eat. I'm not saying we all make the right decisions in our diet. Sometimes, we just ignore the consequences & enjoy. But i know when i do that...there WILL be consequences.

http://www.cahomemadegoodies.etsy.com

"Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship Him as God or even give Him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused." Romans 1:21-22 (NLT)

There was a time in my life when that scripture could have been about me. I believed in God, but i didn't got to church unless i HAD to. I made poor choices in life. One particular evening, my emotions were in total turmoil & i was probably closer to a complete breakdown, than i will ever know. Thankfully, because of the roots instilled in my by my family, i started flipping through a Bible until i found.....

http://www.sonshineleather.etsy.com

"It is to be with him & he is to read it all the days of his life so he may learn to revere the Lord his God & follow carefully all the words of this law & these decrees." Deuteronomy 17:19 (NIV)

Sometimes, it's easier to ignore God - to pretend that we really aren't accountable to Him. But that night... that scripture...turned my life around I knew i had some changes & decisions to make. My eyes were opened & i realized that i had not done myself any favors by ignoring God. So, i started to not only read the scriptures, but to study them.

http://www.TheCityGate.etsy.com

Scripture is one place where we can find all we need to know about God. However, like myself, many people try to figure God out on there own. They want God on their terms. Like diets that promise tremendous weight loss by eating all you want of what you want & without exercise. We would be in denial if we believed all that type of hype. It's a conscious decision to daily invest in our health and there are no short cuts. As denying God's existence is not going to change the fact that He is there either.

Ignorance is not bliss - it is ignorance.

We must make a conscious effort daily to invest in our spiritual health - spending time digesting the scriptures & excising what we learn each day. Time in spent in scripture & in prayer will arm us in the truth; will keep us from making wrong choices & light our path in the right direction.

And as with most healthy weight loss programs, it's important that we surround ourselves with people who will be honest with us. I am very thankful that i have Godly, honest friends who i can share my celebrations & who i know will be there for me. This type of support system helps us all to grow in our faith. If you don't have that type of support system, let me know either in the comments below, or as a private convo through my Etsy shop. I will help in anyway i can. <><

http://www.ifrogcrafts.etsy.com

Monday, October 18, 2010

The Aging Process

"Teach us to number our days aright, that we my gain a heart of wisdom."

Psalm 90:12 (NIV)

www.sanctuaryhealingarts.etsy.com

I'm sure that there has been at least one person in your life that you've thought, i hope i'm like that person when i get to be their age. You know what i mean. Someone you want to be when age creeps into your facial features & your step slows.

http://www.giddyspinster.etsy.com

Someone who showed you that beauty shines from within & has grown brighter with time & experience. Two very special ladies come to mind with me. Both are gone now, but as i grow older, i want to be like them. And boy oh boy! Do i have a LONG way to go!!!!!

They both were women of strong faith. Recently, i read a bit of advice that could've have come from either one of them:

"Be today who you want to be tomorrow."

http://www.TheHappyCrocheter.etsy.com

How profound is that! So how do we apply that advice? First, i think we need to ask God to reveal our sins & flaws. Then repent & ask for forgiveness & start living differently today. Sometimes, thinking about aging & watching our loved ones age, can generate fear.

"Even when I am old & gray

do not forsake me, O God.

till I declare Your power to the next generation

Your might to all who are to come."

Psalm 71:18 (NIV)

But by facing the future with hope & faith, we can begin shaping our tomorrows today. Imagine yourself in your 80s. Which traits could become ugly when magnified by age? Now normally, this is where i would avow what traits of mine that i'm going to work on. However, this week, i've decided to keep my dirty laundry hidden. =) Sometimes, things are just too personal to share. But if we're honest with ourselves, we know what traits need work. My advice is don't limit yourself or think, "i'll work on that later".

www.ifrogcrafts.etsy.com

"Be today who you want to be tomorrow."

Monday, October 11, 2010

Returns

Have you ever had one of those thoughts in the back of your mind of something that you know you SHOULD do? You know what i mean - one of those things that you think you don't have time for, or your scheduled got discombobulated & you let that certain thing slip & have just never gotten around to getting back into the swing of things.

"Therefore tell the people: 'Return to me' declare the Lord Almighty, "and I will return to you'' (Zechariah 1:3 NIV)

This verse reminds me that God waits patiently for our return to Him. We may not even have gone anywhere, but this is something that we need to do again, & again, & again during our life. It's not how many times we return to Him, but that we make an effort every time we need to.

Physically, maybe you need to go back to church on a regular basis to worship & give praise with other members of your Godly Family.

http://www.trulyvera.etsy.com

Emotionally, maybe you need to remember to "worry not" & become determined to rely on Him through troubles.

http://www.TwinJs.etsy.com

Spiritually, maybe you need to recommit to regular prayer & Bible study.

http://www.knackcreations.etsy.com

The last one is the one that really opened my eyes. Since we moved last spring, i had not gotten into my morning devotional & pray time. This is something that i have done for many years & i can only admit that i have been lazy in this. I have no excuses.

. www.ifrogcrafts.etsy.com

God waits for us every day with open arms. He wants us to continue to return to Him. Whatever your return might be, don't wait any longer. And don't ever be afraid that He won't return to you, because He is always there waiting on us.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Father & Son

I've enjoyed today so far, reflecting on the wonderful weekend that we had in this household. Our 14 year old was here. And he & my hubby spent early Friday evening & Saturday afternoon in a hardy & healthy competition of lawn games.... Lawn Darts, Hillbilly Horseshoes (Ladder Ball), etc.

www.Fluffshop,etsy.com

They had so much fun & i had a lot of fun watching them. Hopefully the weather will hold out a few more weeks so the tournament can continue. But when the weather starts getting cold, it'll not only be time to dig out the board games, but there is talk of going bowling. I had so much fun watching them play these games over the weekend. But when it comes to bowling, they'll have fun laughing at me trying to bowl. I am definitely a Gutter Ball Champion!