Today we attended an Open House for my daughters sister-in-law, who recently graduated from college. The food was excellent, the company was delightful and the dessert was cupcakes iced in red and blue.
The first young lady to greet me as we approached the group gathered in the yard, had a lovely smile with bright red teeth and lips. Yup, she had just finished a cupcake. Next, I watched as a woman I do not know bite into a blue iced cupcake. That was even worse. Teeth, gums, lips...all blue. The best laugh of all was when my mother and her husband, oblivious to all of the staining, enjoyed their blue cupcakes. My mom especially was just covered with blue icing. Not only her mouth, but a smear on her cheek made her look like she was playing Indians and got carried away with her war paint. We all laughed and her dear husband gently cleaned her face for her.
Somehow I wish that all food that was not so good for me, would stain my mouth so I wouldn't eat it and risk the embarrassment. It would sure make it easier to say no to the wrong food choices, wouldn't it?
Along the same line of thinking, our pastor had a message this morning on the tongue. You know, how such a small body part has so much control? He asked us to examine our words. What if our mouths were stained each time we spoke unkind words? Would we be more careful about what we said?
I suspect we would.
From the Message-James 3:7-10 "This is scary:You can tame a tiger, but you can't tame a tongue-it's never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer. With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth!"
Our mouths can get us into all kinds of trouble. Not just what we eat, but what we say as well.
I hope that you, like me, will think twice before overindulging in goodies. But even more, I hope that you will think twice before unkind words are allowed to leave your lips.
Remember the icing stain? Unkind words and lies, gossip or back-biting, all leave a stain too. Only this is the stain of sin. Although it may not be as obvious as the stained teeth and lips I saw today, God sees the stain very clearly and only He can wash it away.
My prayer for you is that you will choose to let Him do just that.
Blessings,
Queen Dee
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
STRESSED? THIS IS A MUST-READ!!
So much STRESS!! How are we supposed to handle this thing called life when it seems so out of our control?
If the only stress we had was being too busy, we could simplify, cut out a few activities, regain balance. If our only stress was a relationship issue, misbehaving children, or an irritating in-law, we work through those concerns one step at time, set some boundaries, some rules and continue on.
But what happens when we have no control over the situation in which we find ourselves?
A sick child, loss of job, loss of income, foreclosure, divorce, terminal illness, death of a loved one. The list goes on of those circumstances we have no control over.
This morning I read from Psalm 77:1-4 the Message:
"I yell out to my God, I yell with all my might, I yell at the top of my lungs. He listens.
I found myself in trouble and went looking for my Lord; my life was an open wound that wouldn't heal.
When friends said, 'Everything will turn out all right.' I didn't believe a word they said.
I remember God-and shake my head. I bow my head-and wring my hands.
I'm awake all night-not a wink of sleep.
I can't even say what's bothering me.
I go over the days one by one.
I ponder the years gone by.
I strum my lute all through the night, wondering how to get my life together."
WOW! Can you relate to that? I sure can...those troubling times when life feels like an open wound that will never heal. Each day just brings more anxiety, fear and wonder about where is God when you need Him!!
How do we understand this? Who can help us? If it's God, then where is He?
vs. 7-10
Will the Lord walk off and leave us for good? Will He never smile again? Is His love worn threadbare?
Has God forgotten His manners? Has He angrily stalked off and left us?
'Just my luck', I said. 'The High God goes out of business just the moment I need Him."
What do you think? Is God out of business? Or too busy helping someone else that He has forgotten you?
I don't have a clear answer on this, and I've been in that place of wondering myself. But what I do know, as I look back is that God has ALWAYS come through. Not in ways I planned, I might add. I've learned some lessons along the way. He doesn't usually just come to the rescue and deliver the answers I've needed, certainly not as I expected.
I've had to search and stretch myself to find those answers in Him. Pride has been kicked to the curb as I visited the food pantry when there was no money for groceries. Sins admitted and confessed to others as the healing began after divorce. The willingness to give it ALL to God, even if it meant losing my house and living in a cardboard box.
God's ways aren't always easy, but He does refine us along the way.
The longer I walk as a believer, the more I can look back and see His faithfulness. Exactly what the Psalmist says and here lies our confidence:
vs.11-15 "Once again I'll go over what God has done, lay out on the table the ancient wonders.
I'll ponder all the things you've accomplished, and give a long, loving look at your acts.
O God! Your way is holy! No god is great like God!
You're the God who makes things happen; you showed everyone what you can do-
You pulled your people out of the worst kind of trouble, rescued the children of Jacob and Joseph."
And He will rescue you as well. He's done it in ancient times. He rescued last week, last month, last year, and yes, He will rescue us again.
Keep on praying, praising, and making your requests known. You can count on Him to be faithful, in ways you may have never dreamed.
Blessings,
Queen Dee
If the only stress we had was being too busy, we could simplify, cut out a few activities, regain balance. If our only stress was a relationship issue, misbehaving children, or an irritating in-law, we work through those concerns one step at time, set some boundaries, some rules and continue on.
But what happens when we have no control over the situation in which we find ourselves?
A sick child, loss of job, loss of income, foreclosure, divorce, terminal illness, death of a loved one. The list goes on of those circumstances we have no control over.
This morning I read from Psalm 77:1-4 the Message:
"I yell out to my God, I yell with all my might, I yell at the top of my lungs. He listens.
I found myself in trouble and went looking for my Lord; my life was an open wound that wouldn't heal.
When friends said, 'Everything will turn out all right.' I didn't believe a word they said.
I remember God-and shake my head. I bow my head-and wring my hands.
I'm awake all night-not a wink of sleep.
I can't even say what's bothering me.
I go over the days one by one.
I ponder the years gone by.
I strum my lute all through the night, wondering how to get my life together."
WOW! Can you relate to that? I sure can...those troubling times when life feels like an open wound that will never heal. Each day just brings more anxiety, fear and wonder about where is God when you need Him!!
How do we understand this? Who can help us? If it's God, then where is He?
vs. 7-10
Will the Lord walk off and leave us for good? Will He never smile again? Is His love worn threadbare?
Has God forgotten His manners? Has He angrily stalked off and left us?
'Just my luck', I said. 'The High God goes out of business just the moment I need Him."
What do you think? Is God out of business? Or too busy helping someone else that He has forgotten you?
I don't have a clear answer on this, and I've been in that place of wondering myself. But what I do know, as I look back is that God has ALWAYS come through. Not in ways I planned, I might add. I've learned some lessons along the way. He doesn't usually just come to the rescue and deliver the answers I've needed, certainly not as I expected.
I've had to search and stretch myself to find those answers in Him. Pride has been kicked to the curb as I visited the food pantry when there was no money for groceries. Sins admitted and confessed to others as the healing began after divorce. The willingness to give it ALL to God, even if it meant losing my house and living in a cardboard box.
God's ways aren't always easy, but He does refine us along the way.
The longer I walk as a believer, the more I can look back and see His faithfulness. Exactly what the Psalmist says and here lies our confidence:
vs.11-15 "Once again I'll go over what God has done, lay out on the table the ancient wonders.
I'll ponder all the things you've accomplished, and give a long, loving look at your acts.
O God! Your way is holy! No god is great like God!
You're the God who makes things happen; you showed everyone what you can do-
You pulled your people out of the worst kind of trouble, rescued the children of Jacob and Joseph."
And He will rescue you as well. He's done it in ancient times. He rescued last week, last month, last year, and yes, He will rescue us again.
Keep on praying, praising, and making your requests known. You can count on Him to be faithful, in ways you may have never dreamed.
Blessings,
Queen Dee
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Be Kind-Rewind
BE KIND-REWIND:Remember that old phrase? It's seems antiquated, doesn't it? It was only a few short years ago when that phrase was posted on videos we picked up at the video store. The idea was to kindly rewind the tape prior to returning so the store or the next customer to rent the video didn't have to do it.
Today we have CD's, DVD's-DVR's and the video tape is a thing of the past.
It seems to me that we should re-work that phrase and use it once again in our lives.
REWIND-BE KIND is the perfect makeover for the old saying.
Too often we react unkindly to others. Harsh words, nasty thoughts, dirty looks are all ways that we show dislike or contempt towards another person.
Instead of re-acting, I think we should re-wind. In other words, rewind those negative thoughts, harsh words before they come out of our mouths. Once rewound, think of a better way to respond. A little kindness goes a long, long way.
Remember, someone may need to rewind for you too.
Colossians 3:12 "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."
Blessings,
Queen Dee
Today we have CD's, DVD's-DVR's and the video tape is a thing of the past.
It seems to me that we should re-work that phrase and use it once again in our lives.
REWIND-BE KIND is the perfect makeover for the old saying.
Too often we react unkindly to others. Harsh words, nasty thoughts, dirty looks are all ways that we show dislike or contempt towards another person.
Instead of re-acting, I think we should re-wind. In other words, rewind those negative thoughts, harsh words before they come out of our mouths. Once rewound, think of a better way to respond. A little kindness goes a long, long way.
Remember, someone may need to rewind for you too.
Colossians 3:12 "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."
Blessings,
Queen Dee
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Lesson from "The Girls" ;o)
For my well endowed friends, this post may come as no surprise. But for my friends who, like me, struggle to decide if I'm an A, B, or maybe a C cup is my size, this post might amaze you!
Last week at Yeta's ( the retail store for fuller figured women in Holland where I work) I learned something new. Actually, I learned something new and then witnessed what I learned ALL in one day. God uses the craziest things as teaching tools!!
First, a woman, rather busty, I might add was trying a dress on. Her complaint was that the 'girls' just didn't fit right. Yeta suggested that she bend forward and shake, thus the 'girls' fell right into place. Now, being smaller than I'd like to be, I was AMAZED!
Then, later that day, I had the privilege of working with another 'FULL' figured woman who was putting on a special bra prior to trying on a beautiful special occassion dress. You know, it is important to have the right undergarments, regardless of our size. ;o)
Anyway, I did all the hooks and eyes on the back of said undergarment and what did she immediately do?
She bent forward and SHOOK those girls until they landed properly!!
My jaw dropped! I'd witnessed this miracle twice in one day! And I was jealous!!
Now, what does this have to do with anything?
I got to thinking how often God has had to shake me up to put me in my place, my perfect place in Him.
Often, I get so dragged down and want to just do my own thing. But eventually, I realize that without His support, life just sags.
Today, if you find yourself in a place of being shaken or you're feeling droopy, ask yourself what it is that you need to be lifted out of and rest in the support that only God can give.
"...Your love, O Lord, supported me." Psalm 93:18b
Blessings,
Queen Dee
Last week at Yeta's ( the retail store for fuller figured women in Holland where I work) I learned something new. Actually, I learned something new and then witnessed what I learned ALL in one day. God uses the craziest things as teaching tools!!
First, a woman, rather busty, I might add was trying a dress on. Her complaint was that the 'girls' just didn't fit right. Yeta suggested that she bend forward and shake, thus the 'girls' fell right into place. Now, being smaller than I'd like to be, I was AMAZED!
Then, later that day, I had the privilege of working with another 'FULL' figured woman who was putting on a special bra prior to trying on a beautiful special occassion dress. You know, it is important to have the right undergarments, regardless of our size. ;o)
Anyway, I did all the hooks and eyes on the back of said undergarment and what did she immediately do?
She bent forward and SHOOK those girls until they landed properly!!
My jaw dropped! I'd witnessed this miracle twice in one day! And I was jealous!!
Now, what does this have to do with anything?
I got to thinking how often God has had to shake me up to put me in my place, my perfect place in Him.
Often, I get so dragged down and want to just do my own thing. But eventually, I realize that without His support, life just sags.
Today, if you find yourself in a place of being shaken or you're feeling droopy, ask yourself what it is that you need to be lifted out of and rest in the support that only God can give.
"...Your love, O Lord, supported me." Psalm 93:18b
Blessings,
Queen Dee
Thursday, July 8, 2010
How Clear is Your Vision?
There comes a day when most of us succumb to reading glasses. Oh, you may be young and chuckling, but, trust me, the day will come.
It's hard to believe when it happens, but thankfully there are some very cool readers out there so at least we can look good!
Last year I decided to get glasses, progressive lenses they're called. It's a fancy name for bifocals with no lines.(Like my grandpa's) |
I was tired of always having to put those darn readers on and off, on and off, so these 'progressive' glasses seemed a good alternative.
When I picked them up the optician told me that they may take some adjustment. You see, he said, when you look straight ahead, you will see very clearly. Looking straight down your reading will be clear too.
However, if you glance off to the side, your vision will lose its clarity, so as much as possible, look straight at whatever you are viewing.
That got me thinking...The Bible talks about "look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you." Proverbs
4:25.
What are we looking at? Hebrews 12:2 says, "let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith"
We easily get sidetracked by our circumstances, the wants and needs of others, and our own selfish desires.
How often do we focus on our wants, our problems, our wants and needs?
Instead of answers, we only find fuzziness and lack of clarity.
When we look straight ahead again, focusing on Jesus, our vision clears and we see again the direction we need to go.
What's fuzzy in your life?
Where do you lack clarity?
I encourage you to identify that area, put on your glasses and look straight ahead to Jesus for a clear vision.
Just like my new "Progressive" lenses, He will make everything clear.
It's hard to believe when it happens, but thankfully there are some very cool readers out there so at least we can look good!
Last year I decided to get glasses, progressive lenses they're called. It's a fancy name for bifocals with no lines.(Like my grandpa's) |
I was tired of always having to put those darn readers on and off, on and off, so these 'progressive' glasses seemed a good alternative.
When I picked them up the optician told me that they may take some adjustment. You see, he said, when you look straight ahead, you will see very clearly. Looking straight down your reading will be clear too.
However, if you glance off to the side, your vision will lose its clarity, so as much as possible, look straight at whatever you are viewing.
That got me thinking...The Bible talks about "look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you." Proverbs
4:25.
What are we looking at? Hebrews 12:2 says, "let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith"
We easily get sidetracked by our circumstances, the wants and needs of others, and our own selfish desires.
How often do we focus on our wants, our problems, our wants and needs?
Instead of answers, we only find fuzziness and lack of clarity.
When we look straight ahead again, focusing on Jesus, our vision clears and we see again the direction we need to go.
What's fuzzy in your life?
Where do you lack clarity?
I encourage you to identify that area, put on your glasses and look straight ahead to Jesus for a clear vision.
Just like my new "Progressive" lenses, He will make everything clear.
Monday, July 5, 2010
I'm a do-er by nature. You know, Hey Diane, can you ____________(fill in the blank)? Sure, I can!
You need some walls painted? I can do it.
You need a Bible study leader? I can do it.
You need what? When? Of course, I can handle that!
OR CAN I?
Are you a do-er like me? Of course, I can say no, but too often the things I do are things I love and know that I'm reasonably good at, so why not?
That's where I find myself today...not over committed yet, but on the verge of it. So many possibilities looking at me right now and all of them are good. BUT, are they the BEST?
As a sit and ask God for wisdom regarding all of these choices, I hear Him say 'wait on Me for direction'
In other words, it's time to BE quiet, listen and wait for His BEST.
God is asking me to be a BE-er instead of a do-er for awhile longer.
His best is always worth waiting for.
If you find yourself ready to jump into the next 'good' thing that comes along, I encourage you to BE quiet, listen and wait for God to show you His BEST.
Is He asking you to be a be-er or a do-er? Never settle for good when you can have His BEST!!
Blessings,
Queen Dee
You need some walls painted? I can do it.
You need a Bible study leader? I can do it.
You need what? When? Of course, I can handle that!
OR CAN I?
Are you a do-er like me? Of course, I can say no, but too often the things I do are things I love and know that I'm reasonably good at, so why not?
That's where I find myself today...not over committed yet, but on the verge of it. So many possibilities looking at me right now and all of them are good. BUT, are they the BEST?
As a sit and ask God for wisdom regarding all of these choices, I hear Him say 'wait on Me for direction'
In other words, it's time to BE quiet, listen and wait for His BEST.
God is asking me to be a BE-er instead of a do-er for awhile longer.
His best is always worth waiting for.
If you find yourself ready to jump into the next 'good' thing that comes along, I encourage you to BE quiet, listen and wait for God to show you His BEST.
Is He asking you to be a be-er or a do-er? Never settle for good when you can have His BEST!!
Blessings,
Queen Dee
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Let Freedom Reign
Fireworks, family, picnics, and parades....it all makes for a great celebration. The 4th of July. Independence Day!
Freedom, sweet freedom. Simple question for you. Are you free?
Oh, I don't mean as in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I mean really free?
We all have areas in our life where we are held captive, don't we? An addiction, a bad habit, a bad relationship, even negative thoughts can hold us captive.
For many years I fought with negative emotions regarding myself. Never feeling smart enough, pretty enough, thin enough, just never enough.
I have come to realize that I will never be enough...not in and of myself that is.
Some of you may know I have a tattoo on my foot with Psalm 73: 25,26 on it.
This decision came after I went through divorce and loneliness and searching for worth.
God broke through and I finally understood...He alone is enough.
Enough to fill every empty hole in my heart.
Enough to heal every emotional wound.
I hope you will give Him your place of captivity and ask Him to free you too.
May this year truly be your Independence Day!
"Whom have I in heaven buy You? There is no one on earth I desire besides You.
My heart and my flesh they fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
Psalm 73:25,26
Freedom, sweet freedom. Simple question for you. Are you free?
Oh, I don't mean as in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I mean really free?
We all have areas in our life where we are held captive, don't we? An addiction, a bad habit, a bad relationship, even negative thoughts can hold us captive.
For many years I fought with negative emotions regarding myself. Never feeling smart enough, pretty enough, thin enough, just never enough.
I have come to realize that I will never be enough...not in and of myself that is.
Some of you may know I have a tattoo on my foot with Psalm 73: 25,26 on it.
This decision came after I went through divorce and loneliness and searching for worth.
God broke through and I finally understood...He alone is enough.
Enough to fill every empty hole in my heart.
Enough to heal every emotional wound.
I hope you will give Him your place of captivity and ask Him to free you too.
May this year truly be your Independence Day!
"Whom have I in heaven buy You? There is no one on earth I desire besides You.
My heart and my flesh they fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
Psalm 73:25,26
Friday, July 2, 2010
FLABBY FAITH
There's something that's happening to my body is I get older. I'm getting 'softer'. Some may call it flabby, or fluffy,or cushiony, but I prefer 'softer'.
Now that I'm working in a women's clothing store, I hear this from many women. One particular comment stands out..."Oh no dear, not sleeveless. I don't want my arms to show!"
The conversation continues about how time and gravity make changes, how we should at least be lifting soup cans to build up some muscle and develop tone again.
We know that daily exercise, over time, develops those muscles resulting in less flabbiness and more strength and tone.
To strengthen and tone our flabby arms, we need to exercise them. In the same way, I think we need to exercise our faith.
But how do we exercise our faith? Lifting soup cans isn't the answer!
Hebrews 11 says that "faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
In other words, faith sees the promises of God coming true before they happen.
So, 1st...we must exercise our knowledge of God's Word-His promises, by spending time reading and studying it.
2nd...we must exercise our prayer life, by praying and believing that what God has promised He will be faithful to deliver.
The 3rd and hardest part of training our faith muscle is believing without seeing answers.
That's when we exercise our minds by remembering God's faithfulness in the past and trust that He will be faithful again, regardless of what circumstances may look like.
We all need to challenge ourselves to exercise our physical bodies, but let's challenge ourselves to flex our faith muscles too.
By spending time in His Word, in prayer and reminding ourselves of His faithfulness, we will soon see the results and enjoy the benefits of a peaceful mind, a strong spirit and hope for the future.
Will you take the challenge?
Now that I'm working in a women's clothing store, I hear this from many women. One particular comment stands out..."Oh no dear, not sleeveless. I don't want my arms to show!"
The conversation continues about how time and gravity make changes, how we should at least be lifting soup cans to build up some muscle and develop tone again.
We know that daily exercise, over time, develops those muscles resulting in less flabbiness and more strength and tone.
To strengthen and tone our flabby arms, we need to exercise them. In the same way, I think we need to exercise our faith.
But how do we exercise our faith? Lifting soup cans isn't the answer!
Hebrews 11 says that "faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
In other words, faith sees the promises of God coming true before they happen.
So, 1st...we must exercise our knowledge of God's Word-His promises, by spending time reading and studying it.
2nd...we must exercise our prayer life, by praying and believing that what God has promised He will be faithful to deliver.
The 3rd and hardest part of training our faith muscle is believing without seeing answers.
That's when we exercise our minds by remembering God's faithfulness in the past and trust that He will be faithful again, regardless of what circumstances may look like.
We all need to challenge ourselves to exercise our physical bodies, but let's challenge ourselves to flex our faith muscles too.
By spending time in His Word, in prayer and reminding ourselves of His faithfulness, we will soon see the results and enjoy the benefits of a peaceful mind, a strong spirit and hope for the future.
Will you take the challenge?
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