The Goat

I took my granddaughter to Henry's Ark today. Henry's Ark is a huge animal rescue facility that the owners operate as a petting zoo. It is wonderful!

Anyway, while we were there today, we happened on a pregnant goat. We fed her quite a bit. However, whenever we tried to feed the other animals - bunny rabbits, geese, ducks, sheep, turkeys, emus, etc - this little goat kept biting me to bring my attention back to her. I fussed at her.



My granddaughter wanted to know why this goat was being so mean. I told her that she was pregnant and that she was really hungry because of it. Well, she turned around and looked in my eyes and said, "You better tell her you're sorry!" Tell HER I'm sorry - she's been biting me for the last half hour!

My granddaughter explained to me that I shouldn't have fussed at the goat if she was only being mean because she was hungry. Hmmm... Wise beyond her years, I think.

So often we fuss at people without knowing their story. Maybe if we took a little time to find out what makes people "cranky", we would be more accepting of them.

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. ~ Matthew 7:12

GRACE and MERCY

"MERCY is not getting what you deserve and GRACE is getting what you don't deserve."
~ Pastor Deke Rigor
08/27/11 Sermon
Shepherdsville Christian Church
Saturday Night Contemporary Service




photo - http://media.photobucket.com/image/grace%20of%20god/knightjuliet/WInd.jpg?o=11

I Will Stand by You...

I know a lot of songs are written for the secular world, but I like to take a slant on them and find the spiritual meaning to them. This one for instance by Rascal Flatts...

I Won't Let Go

It’s like a storm
That cuts a path
It breaks your will
It feels like that
You think you're lost
But you're not lost
On your own
You're not alone

I will stand by you
I will help you through
When you’ve done all you can do
And you can’t cope
I will dry your eyes
I will fight your fight
I will hold you tight
And I won't let go



It hurts my heart
To see you cry
I know it’s dark
This part of life
Oh, it finds us all
But we’re too small
To stop the rain
Oh, but when it rains

I will stand by you
I will help you through
When you’ve done all you can do
And you can’t cope
I will dry your eyes
I will fight your fight
I will hold you tight
And I won't let you fall



Don’t be afraid to fall
I’m right here to catch you
I won't let you down
It won't get you down
You're gonna make it
Yeah, I know you can make it

Cause I will stand by you
I will help you through
When you’ve done all you can do
And you can’t cope
And I will dry your eyes
I will fight your fight
I will hold you tight
And I won't let go



Oh I’m gonna hold you
And I won't let go
Won't let you go
No, I won't

Comfort

"When I'm near the end of my rope... when I feel I can't take another breath... when I can't stop the tears, I turn to my Lord for comfort."




Psalm 145:18 (NIV)
18 The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.


photo - http://www.123rf.com/stock-photo/teardrop.html

Show'em What Your WORTH

Firework - Cast of GLEE

Do you ever feel like a plastic bag
Drifting through the wind wanting to start again?
Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin
Like a house of cards, one blow from caving in?
Do you ever feel already buried deep?
6 feet under screams but no one seems to hear a thing
Do you know that there's still a chance for you
'Cause there's a spark in you

You just gotta ignite, the light, and let it shine
Just own the night like the 4th of July



'Cause baby you're a firework
Come on, show 'em what you're worth
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh"
As you shoot across the sky-y-y
Baby, you're a firework
Come on, let your colors burst
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh"
You're gonna leave 'em all in awe, awe, awe




You don't have to feel like a waste of space
You're original, cannot be replaced
If you only knew what the future holds
After a hurricane comes a rainbow
Maybe your reason why all the doors are closed
So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road
Like a lightning bolt, your heart will glow
And when it's time, you'll know

You just gotta ignite, the light, and let it shine
Just own the night like the 4th of July



'Cause baby you're a firework
Come on, show 'em what you're worth
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh"
As you shoot across the sky-y-y
Baby, you're a firework
Come on, let your colors burst
Make 'em go "Oh, Oh, Oh"
You're gonna leave 'em all in awe, awe, awe



Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
It's always been inside of you, you, you
And now it's time to let it through

'Cause baby you're a firework
Come on, show 'em what you're worth
Make 'em go "Oh, Oh, Oh"
As you shoot across the sky-y-y
Baby, you're a firework
Come on, let your colors burst
Make 'em go "Oh, Oh, Oh"
You're gonna leave 'em all in awe, awe, awe



Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon

Venting...

Have you ever heard of the following stress relief technique?

If someone makes you super mad or hurts your feelings really bad, you should write them a letter telling them exactly how you feel - not worrying about hurting their feelings - BUT throw the letter away instead of MAILING IT!

I've done this, and it really does make you feel better!

The reason I bring this up is because I heard a song the other day on the radio by Taylor Swift called "MEAN". (I don't think she got the memo on throwing the letter away instead of mailing it!) Anyway, it made me remember the above technique and I just wanted to share it with you. Hopefully, it can become a stress-reliever for you, too.

And, just in case you're curious. Here's the song...



"Mean" by Taylor Swift

You, with your words like knives
And swords and weapons that you use against me
You have knocked me off my feet again
Got me feeling like a nothing
You, with your voice like nails on a chalkboard
Calling me out when I'm wounded
You picking on the weaker man

Well you can take me down with just one single blow
but you don't know, what you don't know...

Someday I'll be living in a big ol' city
And all you're ever going to be is mean
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
And all you're ever going to be is mean
Why you gotta be so mean?

You, with your switching sides
And your wildfire lies and your humiliation
You have pointed out my flaws again
As if I don't already see them
I walk with my head down
Trying to block you out 'cause I'll never impress you
I just wanna feel okay again

I bet you got pushed around
Somebody made you cold
But the cycle ends right now
Cause you can't lead me down that road
And you don't know, what you don't know...

Someday I'll be living in a big ol' city
And all you're ever going to be is mean
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
And all you're ever going to be is mean
Why you gotta be so mean?

And I can see you years from now in a bar
Talking over a football game
With that same big loud opinion
But nobody's listening
Washed up and ranting about the same old bitter things
Drunk and grumbling on about how I can't sing
But all you are is mean

All you are is mean
And a liar, and pathetic, and alone in life
And mean, and mean, and mean, and mean

But someday I'll be living in a big ol' city
And all you're ever going to be is mean, yeah yeah
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
And all you're ever going to be is mean
Why you gotta be so mean?

Someday I'll be living in a big ol' city
And all you're ever going to be is mean, yeah yeah
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
And all you're ever going to be is mean
Why you gotta be so mean?

Turn on the Light

It doesn't matter how long we may have been stuck in a sense of our limitations. If we go into a darkened room and turn on the light, it doesn't matter if the room has been dark for a day, a week, or ten thousand years -- we turn on the light and it is illuminated. Once we control our capacity for love and happiness, the light has been turned on. - Sharon Salzberg

Change

Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be. ~ John Wooden

Two by Two

Matthew 6:7Then he called together his twelve apostles and sent them out two by two with power over evil spirits. 8He told them, "You may take along a walking stick. But don't carry food or a traveling bag or any money. 9It's all right to wear sandals, but don't take along a change of clothes.



Imagine having so much faith in God that you leave on your journey with nothing but "the shirt on your back"! Sometimes we are afraid to go out on a limb for God because we don't think we can do what is required of us. But, if we are to be honest with ourselves, when we don't follow-through with God's plan for us, we are limiting Him, not us. If God leads us on a journey, He will give us the ability to fulfill the obligation.

So, don't be afraid to pursue new and unfamiliar adventures. God will be with you every step of the way.

Charity...

"Love is not patronizing and charity isn't about pity, it is about love. Charity and love are the same -- with charity you give love, so don't just give money but reach out your hand instead."
— Mother Teresa (A Simple Path: Mother Teresa)



I'm sure there are a lot of wonderful charities in your area. The following are great organizations in my county and surrounding counties:

The Shepherd's Shelter Inc - http://www.shepherdsshelter.org
Hope for Pets Inc - http://www.hopeforpets.org
Ronald McDonald House - http://www.rmhc.org
Home of the Innocents - http://www.homeoftheinnocents.org
Citizens Foster Care Review Board - Kentucky Cabinet


It fulfills me to volunteer with several of these places - along with my home church. I hope you take an opportunity to enrich your life with a charity close to your home.

Philippians 2:1-4
If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.

Jesus Loves the Little Children

Jesus calls the children dear,
“Come to me and never fear,
For I love the little children of the world;
I will take you by the hand,
Lead you to the better land,
For I love the little children of the world.”

Jesus loves the little children,
All the children of the world.
Red and yellow, black and white,
All are precious in His sight,
Jesus loves the little children of the world.



Jesus is the Shepherd true,
And He’ll always stand by you,
For He loves the little children of the world;
He’s a Savior great and strong,
And He’ll shield you from the wrong,
For He loves the little children of the world.

Jesus loves the little children,
All the children of the world.
Red and yellow, black and white,
All are precious in His sight,
Jesus loves the little children of the world.



I am coming, Lord, to Thee,
And Your soldier I will be,
For You love the little children of the world;
And Your cross I’ll always bear,
And for You I’ll do and dare,
For You love the little children of the world.

Jesus died for all the children,
All the children of the world.
Red and yellow, black and white,
All are precious in His sight,
Jesus died for all the children of the world.



Jesus loves the little children of the world.

Fruit is Good for the Soul

Am I perfect? Nope, but...

Galatians 5:22-23 (The Message)
22-23But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.
23-24Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good—crucified.

In other words...

Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such there is no law.

If I keep practicing these; I know I will be pleasing God.

Strength

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. ~Henry S. Haskins



Gather your strength through our Lord, Jesus Christ...
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
So we say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?”
Hebrew 13:5b-6

You are not alone...

“That's the thing about depression: A human being can survive almost anything, as long as she sees the end in sight. But depression is so insidious, and it compounds daily, that it's impossible to ever see the end. The fog is like a cage without a key.” ~ Elizabeth Wurtzel

Someone very close to me is going through a very dark time right now. I started this blog because of the way depression has changed my life. I know what this person is going through - many other people may not. Mental illness - clinical depression - is real... you cannot snap out of it. A person cannot stop having suicidal thoughts because it's inconvenient.

I am going to take this opportunity to once again post some facts about depression on this site because when I originally put them here I wasn't posting this blog on facebook. My hope is to educate at least one more person about clinical depression.

Depressive disorders affect approximately 18.8 million American adults or about 9.5% of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year. This includes major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, and bipolar disorder.

The rate of increase of depression among children is an astounding 23%

54% of people believe depression is a personal weakness.

41% of depressed women are too embarrassed to seek help.

80% of depressed people are not currently having any treatment.

92% of depressed African-American males do not seek treatment.

15% of depressed people will commit suicide.

Depression will be the second largest killer after heart disease by 2020 -- and studies show depression is a contributory factor to fatal coronary disease.

Depression results in more absenteeism than almost any other physical disorder and costs employers more than US$51 billion per year in absenteeism and lost productivity, not including high medical and pharmaceutical bills.

*All information taken from http://www.upliftprogram.com/depression_stats.html

If you or someone you know is suffering from depression, please know that you are not alone... and please seek help - today.

Change...

Some People Change
by Montgomery Gentry

His old man was a rebel yeller:
Bad boy to the bone.
He'd say: "Can't trust that other fella,"
He'd judge 'em by the tone of their skin.
He was raised to think like his Dad:
Narrow mind full of hate.
On the road to no-where fast,
Till the Grace of God got in the way.
Then he saw the Light an' hit his knees an' cried an' said a prayer:
Rose up a brand new man; left the old one right there.

Here's to the strong; thanks to the brave.
Don't give up hope: some people change.
Against all odds, against the grain,
Love finds a way: some people change.

She was born with her mother's habit:
You could say: "It's in her blood."
She hates that she's gotta have it:
As she fills her glass up.
An she'd love to kill that bottle,
But all she can think about,
Is a, a better life, a second chance,
An' everyone she's letting down.
She throws that bottle down.

Here's to the strong; thanks to the brave.
Don't give up hope: some people change.
Against all odds, against the grain,
Love finds a way: some people change.

Thank God for those who make it:
Let them be the Light.

Here's to the strong; thanks to the brave.
Don't give up hope: some people change.
Against all odds, against the grain,
Love finds a way: some people change.
Some people change.



Never give up hope... on yourself or anyone else - especially God. There's a different life on the other side of the bridge.

Fishin'

My grandkids and I have recently started walking at night after the sun goes down. (Actually, I walk and they ride in the stroller.) Anyway, it's amazing to me how much I have begun looking forward to these little trips of ours.
My granddaughter is 4 years old - my grandson is 2, and they both pretty much talk non-stop the whole time we are out. It's the THINGS we talk about that make these walks so precious to me. I've learned that my granddaughter has quite a crush on a little boy at daycare, and that my grandson thinks sweat is GROSS!
I hope that the memories we are making are as precious to them as they are to me!




Just Fishin'
by Trace Adkins

I’m lost in her there holdin’ that pink rod and reel
She’s doin’ almost everything but sittin’ still
Talkin’ ‘bout her ballet shoes and training wheels
And her kittens
And she thinks we’re just fishin’

I say, “Daddy loves you, baby” one more time
She says, “I know. I think I got a bite.”
And all this laughin’, cryin, smilin’ dyin’ here inside’s
What I call, livin’

And she thinks we’re just fishin’ on the riverside
Throwin’ back what we could fry
Drownin’ worms and killin’ time
Nothin’ too ambitious
She ain’t even thinkin’ ‘bout
What’s really goin’ on right now
But I guarantee this memory’s a big’in
And she thinks we’re just fishin’

She’s already pretty, like her mama is
Gonna drive the boys all crazy
Give her daddy fits
And I better do this every chance I get
‘Cause time is tickin’
(Yeah it is)

And she thinks we’re just fishin’ on the riverside
Throwin’ back what we could fry
Drownin’ worms and killin’ time
Nothin’ too ambitious
She ain’t even thinkin’ ‘bout
What’s really goin’ on right now
But I guarantee this memory’s a big’in
And she thinks we’re just fishin’

She ain’t even thinkin’ ‘bout
What’s really goin’ on right now
But I guarantee this memory’s a big’in
And she thinks we’re just fishin’
Yeah, aww, she thinks we’re just fishin’
We ain’t only fishin’
(This ain’t about fishin’)

Life is short. Take the time to take your little ones "fishin".