Merry Christmas

How can it be, that in our search for God, we so often quickly pass Him by? (Is it just me?) As we give and receive gifts, we need to remember that He is the gift already given to us, if we are willing to receive Him. I always need to be reminded that all perfect gifts are from above, and all our blessings on earth show His love for us! 

Christmas is not just getting together with family and friends, and stressing out over gifts, but the most important part of Christmas is the first six (6) letters. 

Luke 2:10-11

..."I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.......a Savior has been  born to you; he is Christ the Lord"....

Merry Christmas to Everyone!

Deadly tornadoes

Yesterday was a beautiful, cloudy, warm day (74 degrees). By 4PM though the sky was getting darker and clouds were coming in. The winds started kicking up in intensity, so we knew the storm was coming. We had been warned for several days that bad weather was on its way, after having had unusually nice weather for this season. By 6PM we were on Tornado watch. We were finishing up putting out some Christmas lights in our patio, and decided to take a break. Shortly after that, we heard thunder and saw lightning which became intense. When we felt the first rain drops we decided it was time to come inside. (It made me think of the people in Noah's time, and how frightened and surprised they must have felt when they saw the clouds and the first raindrops, after all they had never seen rain before, let alone a Flood). 

The rain was unbelievable, hard to describe, the roaring and sound of the thunder sounded like a train was on top of our roof.  Thankfully that only lasted about an hour or so. However, the wind got stronger and the temperature dropped from 74 to 58. By 11PM, the weather man informed us that we were out of danger and the tornado watch was lifted for our area. The storm had moved East and North of us. When we woke up this morning we found out that a tornado had touched down in Mayfield, Kentucky, 8 hrs away, and at least 50 people were dead. Having lived through 3 BIG earthquakes in California, one being the 1994 Northridge earthquake, 4 miles from our home. We woke up around 4AM, thinking that was the BIG one they had been predicting....it sure felt that way in our second story bedroom. We thought for sure we were going to die. I can relate what those people are going through. We pray for the families who have lost loved ones, and the residents of that town.

Psalm 90:12....."Lord, teach us to number our days and recognize how few they are; help us to spend them as we should". Compared to eternity, our days are indeed very few...our life can be over in a split second...let's pray that we are ready to meet our Creator, when that time comes.

As I mentioned earlier, the day started as a beautiful, warm day..Last year this time, we had snow for a few days and the temperature was 20. As I was having my morning coffee in our sunroom, I observed several birds feeding. A male and female cardinal, a red headed woodpecker and a few chickadees on the floor, picking up the seeds that had fallen from the feeders. They all ate together peacefully. No one was fighting over the food. Actually it appeared as the smaller birds were allowing the bigger birds go first, they waited for their turn. All of a sudden the male cardinal (I love their bright red feathers!), decided to go into one of my pots where I had planted marigold seeds (we will see if they will survive outdoors), and started munching away.

 

I thought about the parable Jesus taught his disciples about the farmer planting seeds (grain)...

A farmer was sowing grain in his fields. As he scattered the seeds 1) some fell beside a path, and the birds came and ate it. 2) Some fell on rocky soil where there was little depth of earth, and the plants sprouted up quickly, but the sun was very hot and it killed them, because their roots were shallow. 3) Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns chocked out the tender sprouts. But, 4) some fell on good soil and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty and even one hundred times as much as he had planted...Matthew 13:4-8

His disciples complained that he always spoke in parables they could not understand, so Jesus then explained to them what the story meant. Matthew 13:19-23

1) The path represents the heart of a person who hears the Good News about the Kingdom of God and doesn't understand it...Then Satan comes and snatches the seeds from his heart. 2) the rocky soil represents the heart of a man who hears the message and receives it with real joy, but he doesn't have much depth in his life, and the seeds don't root very deeply, and after a while when trouble comes, or persecution begins because of his beliefs, his enthusiasm fades, and he drops out. 3) The ground covered with thorns and thistles represents a man who hears the message, but the cares of this life and his longing for money choke out God's Word, and he does less and less for God. 4) the good ground represents the heart of a man who listens to the message and understands it and goes out and brings thirty, sixty, or even a hundred others into the Kingdom.

I know this parable can certainly be applied to many things in our lives...certainly applies to my marigold, I have been planting the seeds for many years and when they are nurtured and planted in good soil they sure multiply. I pray that we can also apply that principle to the most important things and that is pertaining to God's Kingdom. 

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas!

What am I thankful for?

November is a great time to reflect on the past year and give thanks for the good things in our lives. Despite some of the challenges we faced this year, with Covid 19, high gas prices, inflation and a few medical issues, we still have so much to be thankful for. We are thankful for all the new friends we have made over the past 3 years. Their kindness, fellowship, generocity and hospitality has been a tremendous support. I am thankful for living in America, and specifically in NWA. I am thankful for having a roof over my head, clothes on my body and food on the table, many people around the world don't have these things. I am thankful for the beautiful nature around me that I get to enjoy daily. But, while all these things are very important, I realized that good health is the most important thing. 

I am so happy that I can see, hear, and walk. Few weeks ago, I had severe pain in my right foot, and could not walk, and 3 days after that went away, I had another incident where I hurt the same leg, and THAT pain was even worse. We don't realize how much we need EVERY part of our body, until we cannot use it. We become dependant on others to help us. It is a humbling experience. Especially if you are a proud "I can do it myself" kinda person! 

I am also thankful for prayers from our friends and family and their care and concern. Galen had a few medical issues as well, that by the grace of God, got resolved. We take so many things for granted, until we get a wake up call, of what really matters in our life. It is NOT  your material things and NOT your job, your boss and even your accomplishments or your successes. You realize that some things are out of your control.What matters the most, is your faith in God and your family and close friends. NOT the hundreds and maybe even thousands of friends you have on Facebook and other social media, but the few true friends, who will be there for you when you have little to be thankful for.

One of the things I realized is that we should not be distracted by future concerns. Many people spend their energy on tomorrow's worries and past regrets. They have just enough energy to limp through the day, not living it to the fullest. Live everyday to the fullest, seeing all there is to see, doing all there is to do. God says "keep my presence in the present. My presence with you is a forever promise. You need not fear the future, for I am already there. Your future is in my hands: I release it to you day by day, moment by moment". (I forget where I read this in scriptures..but it is there..)  God also says "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own"

...Matthew 6:34

It is so true. We do not know what tomorrow will bring. WHAT is our life? 

"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. You ought to say: if it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that....". James 4:13-15

My mom used to say that all the time and I guess I picked it up and say it too, because we truly don't know the tomorrow. So enjoy today and be THANKFUL for everything in your life, TODAY.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving...    

November 15, celebrates "National Philanthropy Day"...

November 15, has a total of 12 of them. WOW! "National Recycling Day and "I love to write Day", being among them. I think November is the perfect month to celebrate the gift of "giving back". It is truly a time to be thankful for those who prioritize helping other people. I don't know who comes up with all these days to celebrate, but there are a whole bunch of them, for every day of the year. Interesting. 

Mother Teresa once wrote (or said):" I work for the people, because I feel I must do something. 

People are generally irrational, unreasonable and selfish. They deserve to be loved, anyway. 

It is the law of nature that the good you do, will be forgotten tomorrow. But the good work must go on. 

Your honesty and frankness will expose you to problems, but your work should not stop, for it means the world to so many people. 

Years of your hard work may be destroyed overnight, but that should not deter you from building upon your hard work.

Despite giving your best to the world, you may be kicked in the teeth. Give the best you've got anyway.

Places like Calcutta can be seen all over the world, if you have eyes to see. Developed countries suffer from poverty of understanding, poverty of will, of loneliness, of lack of love and spirit. There is no greater disease in the world today than this. When you don't have anything, then you have everything. 

The person who gives with a smile is the best giver, because God loves a cheerful giver. It is not the size of our actions, but the amount of love and care that is put into them that matters. You should never lose heart. God is merciful and kind, and he has endowed you with the best gift-your smile, which can make millions happy. Show kindness through your face, you eyes, your smile and through the warmth of your greetings. You must bear a cheerful smile. Don't just give your care, but give your heart as well." 

What wonderful advice for all of us to follow. She was such a loving, compassionate person who cared for the poor and sick that nobody wanted to be near. If we all did even a fraction of what she did, the world would be a better place. Much of her advice doesn't even cost us anything. Be kind, thoughtful, helpful, charitable in any way you can, and do it with a smile and a big heart.

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I hope that we can all do our part for the less fortunate in this world.

God Bless

When and how do we set down our roots?

What do I mean by that?

Well, many of us come from different countries and different states. I was born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey, but I also lived in Sweden when I was a teenager, and then moved to Los Angeles, California. My mother was born in Istanbul, but her parents and grandparents came from other parts of Europe. My dad was born in Albania, but lived in Turkey most of his adult life. So, at what point do you identify yourself with the country or State you live in? I am an American citizen, and yet I have to always explain to people where I come from 'originally'.

Four years ago we bought a house on Loch Lomond Lake, in Bella Vista, NWA . After driving back and forth from California to Arkansas several times, we decided to sell our home and move to Bella Vista for good. Since I lived in California for fifty years (and thirty five years in the same house), do I call myself Californian when people ask us where we are from? We have met hundreds of people who have lived in Bella Vista anywhere from three years to twenty five years, and yet they tell us they are from Florida, Illinois, Wisconsin, California, Minnesota, Iowa, Arizona, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri and many other beautiful States. They all love Bella Vista and they are so happy to be here, and I never heard anyone say they long to go back to where they came from, and yet, they don't identify themselves as "Arkansans". So, it made me wonder, since we now live in Arkansas permanently, how long would it take to think of ourselves as "Arkansans". When do we shift from saying "I am Californian to I am "Arkansan"?  Maybe never! In my case, will I still have to explain my origins and all the places I have lived in? What difference does it make anyway?

At some point we find what we really love. The climate we like; cool, hot, dry, wet. The amenities we like; restaurants, theaters, art centers, museums, natural trails, shopping malls and hiking places. The locations we like; living on a lake, by the ocean, in the desert, in the forest or in metropolitan areas. The most important thing is finding the right people to call friends. Relationships are important and a church or any worship place, you feel at home with is very important. Roots get deeper and deeper, as it is with trees, and they hold us in place. We finally start to settle down and feel at "home". Or maybe, no matter how long you have been living in a city, or a country, you will always be identified as "I am from (fill in the blank)...and I suppose that is OK too. I came to the conclusion that as long as you are happy where you are and with whom you are, it doesn't matter what place you identify with. Your roots are deep and strong.

I loved being in Los Angeles. There were so many things to do and so many places to see. The weather was great, except summers being a little too hot for me.The ocean, the mountains, the desert...all within 2 hours drive (well when there are no accidents on the freeway). But now this is home and I love being here. Population thirty thousand vs millions..We have four seasons, the people are nice, our neighbors are awesome. We like our small church vs our Mega church, and the friendships we have made. Many things are different, but with time we learn to adjust. We become accustomed to the new way...as the saying goes, "home is where your heart is", or something to that effect. Enjoy the moment and be thankful for the people God brings your way. 

Have a great day!

Is your Umbrella Open?

 We just return from an awesome six day trip to Williamstown, Kentucky.  We went to see the "Ark Encounter (A complete replica of Noah's Ark) and the Creation Bible Museum, among other things. It was really awe inspiring. I bought an umbrella at the gift shop (it depicts the six days of creation, and it is a HUGE umbrella, perfect for our terrential rains here!).....It reminded me of a story I read not too long ago, and I would like to share it with you! We all have something to learn from this little girl in the story!

Do you carry your umbrella?  

As a drought continued for what seemed an eternity, a small community of farmers was in a quandry as to what to do. Rain was important to keep their crops healthy and sustain the towns people's way of life.

As the problem became more acute, a local pastor called a prayer meeting to ask for rain. Many people arrived. The pastor greeted most of them as they filed in. As he walked to the front of the church to officially start the meeting, he noticed most people were chatting across the aisles and socializing with friends. When he reached the front his thoughts were on quieting the attendees and starting the meeting.

His eyes scanned the crowd as he asked for quiet. He noticed an eleven year old girl sitting quietly in the front row. Her face was beaming with excitement. Next to her, poised and ready for use, was a bright red umbrella. The little girl's beauty and innocense made the pastor smile as he realized how much faith she possessed. No one else in the congregation had brought an umbrella.

They all came to pray for rain, BUT the little girl had come expecting God to answer.

How many of us pray for something to happen, and yet we don't truly believe that our prayer will be answered? God wants us to pray and believe. The Bible says: Ask and it will be given to you,  seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened to you...Matthew 7:7.....One of my favorite verses, and I keep it on my desk, as a reminder (7/7 is also my birthday, so it is easy to remember).

Let's be like the little girl and have high expectations. If our prayer is according to God's will, he hears us, and it will be answered...Romans 8:28

Have a Great Day!

Happy Fall

It is so beautiful outside. The weather is cooling off and the leaves on the trees are changing their colors. Fall is here. How appropriate to look at some of the things we do, that we don't like, and work on changing them. New season, new attitudes.

 Here are some Fall Resolutions----Author Unknown.........

Give up complaining......Focus on gratittude

Give up harsh judgments........Think kind thoughts

Give up discouragement....Be full of hope

Give up bitterness........Turn to forgiveness

Give up hatred.....Return good for evil

Give up negativism......Be positive

Give up anger......Practice patience

Give up pettiness.....Put on maturity

Give up worry.....Trust divine providence

Give up pessimism.......Become an optimist

You may look at some of these and think that they are easy to say, but difficult to do..Right?

Maybe if we focused on one of these at a time and practice it daily, it will become such a habit that after a while we will not think about it. Like driving a car. When we first learn to drive we think of every step, but after a while it becomes so automatic that we get in the car and just drive. 

If we try to change and practice these "resolutions", it will make us feel better and when we do feel better, we will not want to go back to our old ways. When we complain, judge others, hate everything, talk negative, blow up at everything and are impatient with everybody, we are very Unattractive. Not many people want  to be around us.  Do YOU like to be around people who are demonstate these traits?Probably not. Give people a chance, maybe they are going thru a bad hairday. If the food at the restaurant is not warm enough or to your liking, don't make such a big fuss. If you find fault with everything, remember that you are not perfect either...You get the idea. If we adopt an attitude of gratitude, miraculously things will start getting better.

Have a great month and a great Fall..

Thought provoking Quotes

 "A great Attitude becomes a great day, which becomes a great month, which becomes a great year, which becomes a great LIFE."      -Mandy Hale-

"If you woke up tomorrow with only the things you thanked God for today......What would you have ?"    -Unknown-

"The  greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it-BUT that it is too low and we reach it."       -Michalangelo-

"Success is not to be measured by the position someone has reached in life, BUT the obstacles he has overcome while trying to succeed."         -Booker T. Washington-

"All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do nothing."      -Ed Burke-

"Positive is something I have always been brought up to be. I just am constantly counting my blessings."             -Victoria Arlen, 2-time Paralympic medalist, swimming-

"Each of us has a fire in our hearts for something. It is our goal in life to find it and keep it lit." 

  -Mary Lou Retton, 5-time Olympic medalist, gymnastics-

"The difference between winning and losing is most often NOT quitting.".............

I am sure most of us have been there and would agree!

Have a Great Week

Does Gardening reduce stress?

 Doing work around the garden tends to be mentally and emotionally rewarding. Scientists have now discovered that gardening is a great way to maintain flexibility and tone muscles. Bending to pick flowers, pull weeds or prune a vine, can help you stay limber. Digging, hoeing, raking leaves, pushing a lawn mower, bending, and squatting strengthens your legs, back and core muscles. The more you exert yourself, the greater the benefits. In addition to physical benefits, it feels so good when you plant and then see the harvest of your labor, whether it is flowers or vegetables or a beautiful ornamental bush or tree. In California I used to work in the yard for hours and it felt so good, but here in Arkansas the weather has been very humid and hot the last couple of months, not to mention the coldest winter with snow back in february! It has been difficult to get motivated to get out and garden. Besides, I haven't planted anything new, just trying to maintain what is there and learn what kind of plants they are. Lots of the plants in the property are for hummingbirds and butterflies/ It is so peaceful to sit and watch them hover over the flowers. I am looking forward to cooler, fall weather, along with some rain. This has been a dry summer as well. 

According to Steven Blair, a professor of exercise science at the University of South Carolina and Co-Author of  "Active Living every day", household and yard activities increase metabolic rate threefold to fivefold. That is very encouraging, because I would rather do household chores, or yard work, than go to the gym and battle the treadmill. Mr Blair says that when a gardener works for at least thirty minutes five days a week, it improves cholesterol and lowers blood pressure. Besides, any kind of moderate exercise reduces stress.When I work out in the garden, I tend to have a better night's sleep.

Other studies have shown that simply enjoying a patch of green, even from afar, can be therapeutic. In California we had a front and back lawn and we had lots of trees and a view of the San Fernando Valley...lots of green..it was so soothing. Here we are in the forest and there are 5 golf courses in the city, so there is lots of green to look at. I love driving the roads here. EVERYTHING is green. Did you know that a researcher at theTexas A&M University compared hospital record of patients who were recovering of gall bladder surgery (I had mine in 1999). He discovered that the patients who had a view of nature recovered more quickly than the ones who looked out at a brick wall. How about that! 

Anyway, what I like about yard work is that it doesn't feel like exercise. Once you get started you keep going, and you lose track of time, at least I do. I am out there for hours, and sometimes I overdo it and pay for it the next day! I am sore all over...

So, bottom line is this: What is good for your yard seems to be great for your health! 

Here is a quote I read: "Your mind is a garden. Your thoughts are the seeds. You can grow flowers OR you can grow weeds"! The choice is ours!

Happy Gardening!

   

Hurricanes, tornadoes, world disasters, pandemics, wildfires and world unrests

 So many things happening around the world and in our country than it is hard to keep track. A week ago or so, we had a hurricane in the Atlantic, in the Mexican Gulf Coast and now hurricane Ida in the coast of Louisiana. The one in Louisiana is as bad if not worse than Katrina 16 years ago. Half a million people are already without power and many have already lost homes in the path of the hurricane. Others are waiting to see what damages they will expect in the next couple of days. So much uncertainty and so much fear.

California is battling more fires, and they are going through much destruction there.

The Delta variant of Covid 19 is sending many people to the hospital. Many businesses are again requesting we wear masks and the government is mandating (or want to mandate) vaccines and booster shots. Law abiding citizens cannot voice opinions in fear of being called racists, being retaliated against, shamed and bullied on social media, or even arrested. Parents are finally waking up to see what their kids are being taught in our schools and they don't like what they see. They are finally starting to speak up! At least, some brave ones...

Amidst all these disasters, we now also face an unknown future with terrorism. What has happened in that country is a tragedy that should have never happened, and it will not stop with the two bombings at the Kabul airport. There will be more bombings, tortures and beheadings of Americans and Christians, and more deaths of innocent people. I cannot even start to imagine what it would feel like,  having loved ones over there who I may never see again. 

All of these things make me realize again how little control we have over our lives. One day we are healthy, happy, prosperous and with our families and friends, and the next day all this can be GONE!

I read a poem that a friend sent to Galen a while back and it really brings everything to reality. It makes you stop and think. I would like to share it with you.

Poem by Lee Tzu Pheng  (A  female poet and Singapore Cultural Medallion winner)

When I am dead, 

your tears will flow

But I won't know

Cry with me now, instead

You will send flowers,

But I won't see

Send them now, instead

You will say words of praise,

But I won't hear

Praise me now, instead

You'll forget my faults,

but I won't know

Forget them now instead

You'll miss me then,

but I won't feel

Miss me now, instead

You'll wish you could have spent 

more time with me,

spend it now, instead

When you hear I am gone,

you'll find your way to my house 

to pay condolences ...BUT

we haven't even spoken in years

Look for me now

What a beautiful thought provoking poem.

Spend time with every person around you; family, friends acquaintances. Help them with whatever you have, to make them happy. Make them feel Special NOW, because you never know when they will be taken away from you FOREVER!

 Do it before it is too late, and pray for peace and healing for the families who have lost loved ones, or are facing any other kind of calamity..  

 

 

Psalm 46:10

 "Be still and know that I am God". Psalm 46:10

This is one of my favorite scriptures. In today's world it is so difficult to be still and quiet and listen to God, enjoy nature, and also look within. This is such a good reminder for us in our busy schedule, to just STOP, and focus on our Creator.  What did He do for you lately? Did you stop to thank Him? Many times we ask of God what we want, but He gives us what we need. We may not realize that. It seems like He is alway working in the background, even when we don't notice. 

Self help books are popular because most people want to do better. They are looking for the right advice. But, even if you are not a Christian the Bible is full of good advice.

Today carv out some time for yourself,  pick a quiet place, ......Be still and get to know God. 

Have a blessed life

Slow down Therapy

 When we are on "overload"  mode, we make wrong decisions, we are snippy and rude and we don't enjoy things. We don't have time to appreciate the present nor the past. The world seems to be moving faster and faster with all the conveniences we have, and the new inventions that are supposed to make our lives better and give us more free time, seem to be doing the opposite. People are busier than ever. When people say they are "busy", what are they busy with? Our bodies and minds were not created to be on constant "overload".  Our daily lives seem to be bombarded with external stimuli and we seem to want to squeeze in "one more thing". The other day we watched a couple of programs on longevity. Researchers are trying to figure out why some people are living beyond 100 yrs?  One of  the programs was in Greece, mostly in the island of Icaaria...the other was in Loma Linda, California. Researcher believe that 30% is due to genetics, (up until their 90's, after that genetics is more important, percentages are reversed) and 70% on environment, diet, exercise, being mentally active, having healthy relationships, faith in a higher power,  and a positive attitude. One of the main things they kept bringing up was STRESS. These people don't have stress. Regardless of their circumstances they try not to worry about things they have no control over, and they don't fret over time. They slow down and they enjoy the now. They take time to rest, take short naps, and try to find an activity they enjoy. They are content. Most of the subjects they interviewed in the study were 103-113 yrs of age. One of the guys was 99, a heart surgeon who stopped working at 95! Their mental awereness and physical mobility was amazing. Very few depended on canes, or walkers and they were mentally very sharp. They had no disabilities nor illnesses. We watched Episode 1 and Episode 8, so there are many others in between from many different countries, and I can't wait to watch them all.

So how do we slow down? Remember one thing: You are not responsible for doing it all yourself, NOW! Allow yourself to be "lazy" and "unproductive". It is OK.

1. Set your own pace, and don't let others push you. Devide big jobs into little jobs. (If God took 6 days      to create the Universe, can you hope to do any better?) And it is OK to stand back and let others take      their turn as leaders. There will always be new opportunities for you to step out in front again. 

2. Find pleasure in the simple things around you. Listen to the wind, the birds singing, water flowing,        flowers growing, pet a fury friend. Nature is remarkable. Notice the sun and the moon as they rise          and set. Take a stroll so you can enjoy the environment, NOT to get somewhere. You may notice            things you never noticed before.

3. Take time to taste and enjoy your food, instead of always being in a hurry and eating on the go.  God       gives us food to delight as well as to nourish us.

4.  When you talk to someone, let the conversation flow, without worrying about what to say. Don't be          in a hurry, you miss out a lot.

5. Talk and play with children, because it will bring out the little person inside of you.

6. Take a day off alone. Create a place in your home, work or in your heart, where you can go for quiet      and recollection and turn down the noise, the lights, the invitations. Less can be more.

7.  Daily, count each of your blessings. They are different for everybody. Don't forget your good                   friends and family. Those are blessings, for sure.

8.  When you find yourself rushing or anxious, STOP. and ask yourself  why you are rushing ..the               reasons may surprise you.  

9. Work with your hands, it frees the mind....find a fun project to do, or work on a zigsaw puzzle 

10. Lastly, pick up a good book to read, or read the Bible. It will enrich your mind and give you some         good tips on how to live your life. Jesus never seemed to hurry and always took time to be alone, to       rest and meditate and he was a busy person!

Sometimes we overload ourselves without realizing why we are doing it.  The Covid 19 shutdowns last year,  I think in some ways, were a curse as well as a blessing for some. They taught us to "slow down". We had no choice in the matter. It forced us to re-look at life and the things we deem as being "important". May we all learn how to slow down for a better life.

God Bless..

    

What are our Idols?

 Do you ever stop to think about this question? I do....The Bible tells us not to worship idols, but to only worship God. In ancient times people worshipped man made statues, mythological gods, kings, the moon, the sun, the stars etc..etc....you get the idea. Today we don't worship those things (or many some do?), so what do we worship?  What DO we think, when we think of idols? The American Idol? Sports figures?  Famous actors and actresses? TV personalities? Our favorite TV shows? I don't have any idols in these categories. However, I believe that what we obsess about the most, IS our idol. So what are some of the things we obsess about ?

Well, let's see...Money, wealth, status, appearance, comfort, possessions, education, politics, career, kids, marriage, grandkids, leisure, hobbies, vacations, sports, relationships, watching too  much TV, too much time on the Internet, too much time spent on our cell phones, our health, our job, drugs, alcohol, food, gambling, pornography...and the list goes on and on. When any of these things become the most important, single focus of our lives, and when every decision we make revolves around them, it has become an idol we worship. God many times takes the back seat. We totally forget to fellowship with God, because we are too "BUSY"....We don't have time to schedule for church or any other "worship" because we are too "BUSY". Yes, we ARE busy, but we must stop and evaluate what we are busy with. We rationalize what we spend our time on.

It is not easy for us to give up the things we like and many of the above mentioned things can be good things that make our lives better or worth living. However, when they get out of balance they do become our idols. We recognize the bad habits as "idols" or obsessions, (overeating, drugs, alcohol, pornography, gambling) but we must be careful not to let some of the good things consume our lives either, making them our priority, because when we do that, it can hurt our families, relationships and our own well being..

So, what are your idols?

   

Father's Day trivia....

June is one of the most exciting months of the year. Summer is beginning, school year is ending, students are graduating and everyone is looking forward to vacations, family gatherings and BBQ's.We just got back from a short 4 day vacation in Branson, Missouri and we had a great time.

The 3rd Sunday in June also celebrates Father's Day. We set aside the day to thank and honor the men who helped raise us and teach us to become good, responsible, hard working, ethical citizens. Galen and I have been fortunate to have had good fathers. My father passed away in 1991 and there are times that I still miss him. He was a good, kind, hardworking person who provided for and looked after his family. I remember him always working, seldom taking any vacations, until later in life.

Unfortunately, we know that there are many, many people who struggle with memories of fathers. They have fathers who were/are abusive, alcoholics, drug addicts and/or altogether absent. The problem in our society today is that good, godly fathers are becoming less and less common. (According to some statistics 75% of men don't go to church). More and more people grow up without a father. These young men and women are in need of love, care and the direction of a father. Fortunately, along with our earthly father, we also have a Heavenly Father to turn to. Our heavenly father promises to protect us, guide us and provide for us (Psalm 23), and to never, ever leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Indeed, this is very comforting.

President Lyndon Johnson started the tradition of Father's Day in the 1960's, and President Richard Nixon made it official in 1972. However, did you know that it was a woman, Sonora Smart Dodd, who was listening to a Mother's Day sermon, that inspired her to start a special day for dads?   After the sermon Dodd went up to the pastor and said: don't you think fathers should have a special day too? This was May 1909, in Spokane, Washington. Her mother had died in childbirth and her father, an Arkansas farmer, had fought for the Union during the Civil War. When his wife died, he was left with 6 children, ranging in age from 16 to newborn. He had assumed both father and mother roles, until the children were old enough to have homes of their own. Sonora Dodd circulated a petition around town and got the support of the local YMCA and other groups, and on June 19, 1910, the Protestant churches of Spokane observed their first Father's Day. The holiday spread to other states, but it didn't last too long. By the 1920's it had faded away. Later it resurfaced and by the 1960's it became more popular.

 Although Father's Day is not a religious holiday, the Bible has a lot to say about fathers. 

The 4th Commandment says to Honor your mother and your father. Ephesian 6:1-3 says: Children obey your parents. This is the right thing to do because God placed them in authority over you. Honor your mother and your father. This Commandment ends with a promise: that if you honor your father and mother, yours will be a long life, full of blessings. The next verse is directed to the parents." Don't keep on scolding and nagging your children, making them angry and resentful. Rather, bring them up with loving discipline the Lord himself approves, with suggestions and godly advise".

We need godly fathers who will guide and support their children, today more than ever. 

God bless all the fathers with love and wisdom!

Happy Father's Day!

  

 

Chinese Proverb: "Spring is sooner recognized by plants than by men"

 Indeed it is..After our big cold spell, daffodills and tulips have sprung up everywhere. Yellow, red and white.. Spring is here. The Bible also says that "Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come ". Song of Songs 2:12. All the trees were bare for the winter and everything looked dead, and yet they are coming alive, green, purple, yellow and white. 

Spring is a season of renewal, and it makes me appreciate that as people we can also choose to renew ourselves. If we were upset by events of the past, we can let go. Don't be upset about those events, rather be upset by the time and energy you are devoting to them. Try to enjoy each new moment by completely letting go of the past. We have surely heard the saying : "Today is the first day of your life". But now here is another one: "Today is the last day of your PAST".  These two messages mean two different things. The first one advises us to get our life going the way we want it to go. The second one means get rid of old failures, taboos, and inhibitions that have kept us from being what we CAN be. 

As children we are taught things, some good and some bad. We have been told why some things are "impossible" for us to do or be. We are brainwashed by certain negative input, we carry with us as adults.  We are limited by these warnings, by well meaning parents, relatives, friends or teachers. The good thing is, as adults we are free to evaluate our past and make positive changes.  

Tomorrow is Easter. Jesus was crucified and yet he conquered death! His resurrection gives us HOPE. 

Let Today be the last day of the PAST!!

HAPPY EASTER...HAPPY SPRING AND HAPPY RENEWAL!.

"Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our soul blossom".            Marcel Proust, French Novelist

1 in 9 people in the United States..........

 According to the Alzheimer's Organization, one in nine people in the United States over the age of 65 have Alzheimer's disease, and about a third of people over 85 and older.. My father-in-law had the disease and my mother-in-law had dimentia, both of them in their 80's. Some of it is caused by aging and other factors, and some from genetics. Both of my parents had some form of dimentia in their late seventies. As we get older we experience some of these challenges in some form or another. We get forgetful, more irritable, unreasonable, argumentative ..etc.. Researchers found that by the time we are in our 40's we lose about 5% of our brain volume/weight and our brain does not create new brain cells.  We continue to lose 5% about every decade, so by the time we are in our 80's we have already lost 25%. Many times we ignore or dismiss the signs, because it is painful to admit that it is happening to us or to our loved ones. In the past it was believed that we lose brain cells and cannot create new ones.

However, here are the good news. According to new studies, our brain CAN and does continue to make new nerve cells (called neurogenesis....in greek neuro means nerve and genesis means birth), throughtout our lives. This takes place in the part of the brain called hippocampus, which is involved in memory, learning, mood and emotions. Our brain re-organizes itself, creating new pathways and connections among brain cells. 

So, if this is true, then what can we do to help our brain? According to the "experts"/"researchers", what hinders nerve creation is chronic stress, bad diets, excessive alcohol, and not getting enough sleep and of course, aging (something we cannot prevent). Other than aging, we have control over all these other factors. We can make positive changes. Among the things they recommend are: 

• aerobic exercises, brisk walking being the best..
• moderate alcohol consumption..
• eating 70% cacao, dark chocolate..
• eating fruits and vegetables..
• omega 3 fatty acids...eating fish, nuts and healthy oils..
• cutting our calories by 20 to 30 % (this one doesn't sound to fun to me)..
• Sex....
• get your brain thinking new things. Learn a new language, game or instrument. Travel to unfamiliar places, attend a lecture or a play that really makes you think, or read a subject that is outside of your normal subject. In other words get out of auto-pilot and challenge yourself!

So, what are some new things YOU can do to teach an older brain new tricks? It is never too late..We can do it!  We can all work on improving some areas of our lifestyles and get new brain neurons!

"Worrying is like paying a debt that may never come due" Will Rogers....

Why cause ourselves unnecessary stress? Let go.....and let God....

Have a great Day

God values everybody...Part 2

a Ok...we are back with Noah....

Although it rained for 40 days and 40 nights (by the way YOU may not believe the story, but archeologists and geologists have confirmed the fact that all around the world there was a cataclysmic event that took place, based on the rock formations, and fossils found in the rocks), the Ark floated for many more days, until ALL the water receded and it came to stop on top of a mountain. The mountain is believed to be Mount Ararat, in Eastern Turkey (again archeologists have found evidence that a "boat" resembling the description and dimensions in the Old Testament  has been located there). It took 5 months, 150 days, before the Ark landed on dry land. Imagine that! 150 days on a cruise, with a bunch of animals (who had to eat and go to the bathroom too) and a few family members. I have been on a 15 day Panama Cruise and I was ready to come home. The days "at sea", were too much for me. One week is plenty. Noah's "cruise" must have been pretty challenging. Imagine cabin fever, sea sickness, rough waters, personality conflicts with the people in the Ark (three sons, with their wives and Noah's wife.  Right there I see a big problem...four women in the kitchen...and in-laws at that....hahaha ...poor Noah!).  Then, try to be a "zoo keeper" to all these animals on board. One dog and one cat can be a challenge sometimes, let alone over 6,000  animals.

I wonder if the family experienced loneliness (haven't we experienced that with the COVID 19 lockdowns?). How about grief over those who lost their lives outside the Ark (didn't many people grieve over the loss of family members to COVID 19?). And how about concerns over their own future after the flood (we can certainly relate to that as well, with the uncertainty of  jobs, lost businesses, closed schools, fear of getting the virus, and everything else going on in  the world). 

I am glad I am not Noah, or part of his family. However, on the flip side, we see that, because Noah obeyed God, he and his family got spared from the wrath of God. The unbelievers and people who mocked him had a chance, actually 100 years, to change their minds, but chose not to. The door was finally shut. They cried out to Noah to open the door, but it was too late. Was what Noah did easy? No. Did he enjoy being ridiculed? I don't think so. Was it hard work? I would say so. However, looking back of all that he had to endure, was it worth it? Absolutely, Yes. What is important here is that Noah did not waver or lose focus of what his mission was. He did not listen to the negative and nasty people around him. He listened to God, and did what God asked him to do. He is a good example for all of us to follow. 

The Bible says that after the flood, God promised Noah that he would never again punish mankind with a flood. He sent a rainbow in the clouds, as a reminder of his promise to Noah and all generations that were to follow. (Genesis 9:13). Last summer after a day of rain, we saw a double rainbow in the sky overlooking our beautiful lake. What an amazing sight to behold!  Well, Noah lived another 350 years after the flood, and died at the ripe age of 950. WOW! After the flood, the longest a man can live is only 120 years. That's not bad, long enough, don't you think? 

There is a town in Kentucky, called Williamstown. In 2016 they opened an attraction called The ARK. It is a replica of  Noah's ARK, complete with a three story museum, live animals, camel rides, petting zoo, children's educational and interactive exhibits as well as archeological and scientific information.  It is the largest timber frame structure in the world. Sounds like a fun place to spend the day. When the weather gets warm, and many of the COVID restrictions are lifted, we plan to go see it. 

God is invisible, but He is NOT unseen. He reveals himself in all of creation, if we pay attention. We see it all around us in the beautiful flowers, birds and weather. He demonstrates kindness in a smile or a hug, caresses our face with the wind and the sun. He makes his presence felt when we get a note or a call from a friend, when we need it the most! What he promises, he delivers. God is not like some of our politicians who promise things they don't deliver! Who are we to trust? The government, friends or God? Many times it seems like the government fails man, and sometimes friends can let you down. God on the other hand promised to be with us and he keeps his promises. God doesn't leave us, WE  leave God.

So, how is it that we stray away from God and expect his protection? Are we living the way we are supposed to live or are we living as it was "on the days of Noah"? I don't know...but our actions and lifestyles sometimes point to the latter. Maybe it is time to wake up and evaluate our ways, and start living the way God wants us to live. Maybe it is time to return to God, and teach our children traditional values from our founding fathers.  Hopefully, it is not too late! Hopefully we can get in before the door is shut!

Have a blessed day!

God values everybody...

 God values everybody. God is NOT far from people. People are far from God and are getting further and further away everyday.

A couple of weeks ago, when we were all on a lockdown because of the icy weather and snow storm of the century, at least for us who come from California, we watched the play  "Noah's Ark". It was performed by the Sights and Sounds Theatre, in Branson, Missouri. In 2019, just before Covid19  hit, we went to Branson, Missouri, to see "Samson", at the Sights and Sounds Theatre. It was awesome. They make things come alive on stage, with live animals and special effects. Branson, is the "Las Vegas" of the Midwest. Between March and October, the town is full of tourists and there is all kinds of entertainment everywhere. It is about two hours away from Bella Vista, AR.

So WHO was Noah? Noah was a "righteous" man, in the eyes of God. He was without blame among the people of his time and he walked with God, meaning that he was close to God and followed God's rules. People in his generation had turned away from God and were pursuing evil and corrupt life styles. The world was full of violence, criminal acts, sexual immorality, corruption and wickedness. WOW! Does that sound familiar? Are we living as it was "in the days of Noah"?, or has the earth been wicked all along? I don't know. One day he "heard" God asking him to build an ARK, because a flood was coming. God was disappointed with his creation and wanted to start over. Noah did not question God, instead he started building the Ark and telling people about it. Noah was not hiding. He was busy telling others that a judgement day was coming (2Peter 2:5),  He kept telling them to "return" to God. Even his own brother mocked him (his brother was the governor of the province where Noah lived). Everybody made fun of Noah, BUT he kept telling them about the upcoming FLOOD! Nobody believed him, and with good reason. You see, up until that time it had never rained. They called him crazy. Not only that, but everyone had left him because they had been bullied by the governor (his own brother) AND the King. So, he built the Ark with the help of his 3 sons. It took him 100 years to build the Ark and he was 600 years old when the flood came. (People in the beginning of creation lived long lives). 

When they finished the Ark, the animals started appearing on their own. They came in pairs; male and female. Then, on the "appointed" day (which even Noah did not know), the door of the Ark got shut by itself. After a little while, they started to hear raindrops, something they had never seen or heard before.  All water was underground. As a matter of fact, after it started to rain all the underground water springs and wells burst as well, and started to flood the earth. The people outside, who had been mocking Noah, realized that Noah was right. They started begging him to open the door. Noah heard their cries and tried to open the door, but couldn't. Unfortunately, it was too late.  ALL the nay sayers and mockers parished. The Old Testament says, it rained for 40 days and 40 nights, NON STOP.  

We know how devastating it is when we get non-stop rain for a few days, let alone, 40 days!

We left California and now live on a beautiful lake, in Bella Vista, NWA. The snow storm we experienced a week ago, was unreal. The residents who have lived here for a while, said they had not seen this kind of cold weather and snow for at least 14 years! We were very lucky. We stayed homeand had enough food and water to last for a while, and best of all we did not lose power. First, we had ice for 3 days, black ice they call it, then came the snow . Nature makes you realized how helpless and insignificant you are and how God is in control, and NOT humans. Two years ago we experienced a big rain and wind storm. Many trees fell and blocked the roads for several days. We had no power for 4 days. Thank God, these things don't happen all the time. That storm was much scarier than the snow storm. There again, we were at the mercy of God. California had its own challenges. In 1994 we went through the 7.2 Northridge earthquake. The epicenter was 4 miles from our house. THAT was scary! We survived....I feel for the people in Texas and other areas, where they were hit the worst, this past week. No heat, no water, no electricity and no food and shelter, in many areas. ..

Anyway, back to Noah........or maybe not....this is getting too long...stay tuned....I will have to continue tomorrow...

"Talent on Loan from God"

 That is what Rush Limbaugh, Radio commentator used to say...That he had talent on loan from God...and Mark Steyn, said "talent was returned to God", after Rush passed away, a couple of days ago. He will be missed by many who listened to him daily. He knew how to connect with his audience. He was born in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, not too far from where we are in Bella Vista, Arkansas.

 

I was first introduced to him in the 80's when he was on TV. Then he moved to Radio, and his show became the number one program very quickly and stayed at the top until now. He was very entertaining and had a way of explaining the news of the day, breaking it down, so we could understand it. I didn't always listen to him, because at times I found him a little too loud for me. However, most of the time he was right on...and that is why many on the left did not like him (actually, they hated him, you can see that from the nasty tweets, even after his death...shameful). He made it possible for many other conservative radio and TV personalities.

He had a good sense of humor and a very optimistic view of life up until the end, as he struggled with his cancer treatments. He still did his radio show as much as he could, because he was passionate about his job! Not too many people can say that! He loved what he did and stayed on the air as long as he could, and with such an upbeat attitude. You would have never known that he was ill. What an example for all of us.

I am sorry for his untimely death. May he rest in Peace.