Blurred Vision.

A week ago Monday afternoon I started having some vision problems.   Reading was a chore to say the least, but next night my vision had improved and I thought I had figured out a way to read.  I had a lamp pulled down on my book and I had my glasses on.  I was trying to keep the book open and hold the magnifying glass just right so I could focus on more than one or two words at a time.  About the time I had just the right distant from the magnifying glass to the book I would blink and have to start again.  After what seemed like a very long time I had read a page and a half.  Very frustrating!  By Wednesday night I could stack two pair of glass and read large print.  It was Friday before my vision was normal.  Thank you Lord!!

In my frustration I thought of a story Jim Stovall tells about an encounter he had with a deaf man.  He titled it Blind Man meets Deaf Man.  You will get a kick out of it.  I know I have reacted the same way when I spoken to someone who doesn't speak english.  I think it is safe to say if someone does not understand you in a normal tone of voice, I am sure they are not going to understand you in a slower and louder tone. 

Listen to Jim's story.  I have the link below, copy and paste if it doesn’t work.  I hope you enjoy it. 
Have a great week.   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZ4jVy8Kx3U

Psalm 97:11.  Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. 

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

Replacing Habits

In Luke 11: 24-26, Jesus is talking about an evil spirit leaving a man.  The spirit leaves and looks for some where else to live.  Not finding any place he returns to his old house and finds it empty, clean, and available.  He gets seven of his biggest baddest friends and returns.  (I know baddest isn’t a word.)   

This story kept coming to mind.  Regardless of what I was listening to somehow it would be referenced.  It finally occurred to me; maybe God was trying to tell me something.     

 Here some things I thought of. 

1.    If a bad habit isn’t replaced with a good habit – it will be replace with another bad one.  Example –stop smoking – start eating junk food.

2.    If a bad habit isn’t replace with anything.  Example stop drinking- one drink eventually it is worse than before. 

For me my sleeping habits are terrible.  Often I am up till the wee hours of the morning.  I’m tired - I will watch TV or put on a movie and guess what…I’m still tired and not asleep.  (Turning on the TV and going to sleep must be a man thing.)

I am thinking…it is time to replace my old bedtime habits with new healthy bedtime habits. 

All of this to say – when a scripture keeps popping out at you- meditate on it.  Read it over and over and pray about it.  There is something that needs to be learned from it. 

 ²⁴ “When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ ²⁵ When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. ²⁶ Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first.” Luke 11:24-26.  New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

Surreal

Learners Dictionary describes surreal as being “very strange or unusual : having the quality of a dream.”  There  have been very few times in my life when I had a surreal moment.  I remember holding my newborn babies close to me, loosening the swaddling and pulling out their tiny hands and feet. I don’t know if it is the responsibility, the life changes or how much you love them, but it was a surreal moment with each child.

When our daughter was two she had her first asthma attack.  By the time she was five the wheezing was constant and the attacks were day and night.  We knew this was not a disease she would out grow and according to the specialist, she made the top ten list for the worst asthma cases in Oklahoma. Worse asthma is not the top ten list you want your name on!

The fall of 2010 I had a surreal moment.  This time like the previous I was at the hospital.  But instead of looking at my baby I was looking at my adult daughter on life support.  She had had an asthma attack, this attack hit fast and furious.  As I was standing over her I could hear the Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump. of the ventilator.  My mind was blank except for the words “My grace is sufficient, My grace is sufficient, My grace is sufficient.“  Over and over, “My grace is sufficient.”

The next morning I was in the ICU waiting room when I received a call from my son in law; the ventilator had been removed and my daughter was breathing on her own.  As I sat with her, in a low raspy voice she told me what she saw and why she came back.  (It’s a story for another day.)  She was released the following day. 

There is really no medical reason she is alive or that she has lived this long.  It is only by God’s unmerited favor, which is His grace and it is always sufficient.

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”  2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV

Sing Sing Sing

It's hard to wish your week away when you sing - sing - sing. 


Have a great Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday!!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llZKgt-1TlQ&feature=related


This is the very day God acted—  let's celebrate and be festive!
   Psalms 118:24, The Message.

Too Busy?

There is a hot dog commercial which makes me laugh every time I see it.  Dad comes home from work; each kid and mom is in a different room on some kind of electronic device.  Dad looks from room to room, no one notices.  He then goes to the breaker box and shuts the electricity off.   As the kid runs out to dad and ask what is going on, dad offers him a hot dog off the grill. 

It reminds me of when I worked for a utility company and disconnected electric.  One morning a lady came in and asked to speak to the person responsible for disconnecting her electric.  I asked her name and started the process of getting information to prepare myself to answer all kinds of questions when she said, “Thank you.”  Needless to say I was taken by surprise.  She continued to explain life had gotten so busy she simple had forgotten to pay her bill.  Not having electric forced her and her husband to sit down to dinner without the TV or any other distractions and actually have a conversation.  She paid her bill and thanked me again then left. 

It took disconnecting the electric for her to realize that life had gotten so busy, she was disconnecting from what life is about.  I will have to admit I am guilty.  

I recently learned a saying, for every wrong thing you say yes to, there is a right thing you are saying no to.   I know I didn’t repeat it exactly, but you get the jest.  It reminds me of the story of Mary and Martha.  Martha was so busy preparing for Jesus, she forgot Jesus. 

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.  She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.  But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?  Tell her to help me!”   “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42.   

Be careful and don't forget Jesus.

This morning I was speaking to a young insurance agent in town.  I was telling him it was Woo Hoo Wednesday!  Well, since most people view insurance as a neccessary evil, I thought I would post some humorous excuses which have been given after accidents.  This is dedicated to all my insurance friends.  Enjoy!! (jokes came from: http://www.einsuranceprofessional.com/jokes.html)

Excuses for accidents: 

The indirect cause of this accident was a little guy in a small car with a big mouth.

 I was on the way to the doctor with rear end trouble when my universal joint gave way causing me to have an accident.

I was minding my own business when a pedestrian hit me and went under my car!

Coming home, I drove into the wrong house and collided with a tree I don't have.

I had been driving for forty years when I fell asleep at the wheel and had an accident.

The telephone pole was approaching. I was attempting to swerve out of the way when I struck the front end.

Enjoy a song from Chris Rice, Cartoon Song. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCCbtHsucaw

Have a great day!!!

Repurpose

re·pur·pose /riˈpɚpəs/ verb

re·pur·pos·es; re·pur·posed; re·pur·pos·ing

[+ obj] : to change (something) so that it can be used for a different purpose  http://www.learnersdictionary.com

The sun was shining and the outdoor thermostat reading was below 90.  Considering the last few weeks in Oklahoma, below 100 degrees is good, 80’s is something to celebrate.  So off I went, two blocks from my house was a huge garage sale.  Of course, it was perfect weather to mosey around someone’s yard and dig through their stuff.

I found an ice bucket, like the ones in a room at a hotel, but this one’s cover is coming off the lid.  (Actually, I think this bucket is for wine.  But at my house if a 2 liter of coke doesn’t fit, it’s for ice. )  Then I found a faded lamp shade and some small plastic trays for drawers.  I dug in my pocket and I had a one dollar bill which is quickly accepted by the home owner.

Excited about my finds I return home, grab my scrap fabric and begin the process of repurposing the new (to me) ice bucket.  The old outer fabric is dingy or faded; I’m not sure which one, it could be both.  The bamboo handle along with the little bamboo knob on the lid is still in good condition, I can keep them.  But everything else will have to be carefully stripped away and then beautiful new fabric will be applied. 

While my mind was whirling with ideas of what to do with this bucket and how to do it, I thought of how God has done the same thing with me.  He repurposed me!

 When I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, he carefully started cutting away at my old dingy habits, words and thoughts.  He then started the process of replacing them with new beautiful habits, words and thoughts.  He has repurposed me to His purpose…. from what the world, Satan, others, and even I had purposed me to be.  

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!      2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

R.I.P.

Labor Day has got me out of whack; I all most missed Woo Hoo Wednesday.  I found the joke below at http://www.jokesclean.com

Clean Joke - R.I.P.

When I was a young minister, a funeral director asked me to hold a grave side service for a homeless man with no family or friends. The funeral was to be at a cemetery way out in the country. This was a new cemetery and this man was the first to be laid to rest there.

I was not familiar with the area and became lost. Being a typical man, of course, I did not ask for directions. I finally found the cemetery about an hour late. The back hoe was there and the crew was eating their lunch. The hearse was nowhere to be seen.

I apologized to the workers for being late. As I looked into the open grave, I saw the vault lid already in place. I told the workers I would not keep them long, but that this was the proper thing to do. The workers, still eating their lunch, gathered around the opening.
I was young and enthusiastic and poured out my heart and soul as I preached. The workers joined in with, "Praise the Lord," "Amen," and "Glory!" I got so into the service that I preached and preached and preached, from Genesis to The Revelation.

When the service was over, I said a prayer and walked to my car. As I opened the door, I heard one of the workers say, "I never saw anything like that before and I've been putting in septic systems for twenty years."

Enjoy the rest of your week.
Trena

Friends

The imaginary friends I had as a kid dropped me because their friends
thought I didn't exist. --Aaron Machado

Luke 5:18-20

Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”   (It’s a good thing these friends didn’t drop him!)

Take time to count your friends today and make sure your best friend is Jesus. 

Trena

Enjoy "Life is Good" by Stellar Kart. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIs6qsoPf2o&feature=related

What Happened Next

Friday evening I was sitting on the front porch in my rocking chair talking to my nieces.  Since they are teenagers I asked what everyone was going to be doing.  In seconds I had all kinds of answers; school dance, skating, and friends.   Sounded like a typical weekend for teens. 

Later they emerged with a fresh set of clothes on, their hair fixed and newly applied makeup.  Again, they came and sat on the porch with me, after some time had passed everyone was still sitting on the porch talking.  Concerned one was going to miss the dance I ask what time does the dance start.  The girls, “Oh we’re not going to the dance, we're going to dinner with our dad.”    

You know what happened next- they went to dinner and spent time with their dad.  I know…it's not real exciting, the earth didn’t shake, and nothing fell from the sky.   But that’s just it.   Life isn’t always exciting, traumatic or dramatic.  (Regardless of what the reality shows reflect on TV.) 

Sometimes we simply need to change our plans and spend time with our heavenly Dad. 

(Don't forget to come back for WooHoo Wednesday)

Woo Hoo Wednesday

According to Merriam-Webster the word encourage means to fill with courage or strength of purpose.  To encourage also suggest the raising of one’s confidence especially by an external agency, me.   

Actually I added the “me.”   Each week I will have an encouraging scripture, song or story.  

Enjoy today's song by Tim Hughes: Happy Day.  I hope it's like a sticky note on your brain and you can't not sing it the rest of the day.  Oh Happy Day, Happy Day, You washed my sin away!  Oh Happy Day, Happy Day, I'll never be the same! Forever I am changed!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOiIW8nrw5g

Boy that puts a smile on my face:) 

Trena Zickefoose

Tuesday Night Psalms 136

Psalms 136 is one of my favorite chapters in Psalms.  It begins by simply reminding us who we are to give praise to and why, "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good..." Each verse there after adds strength and victory, "God of gods...Lord of lords." If that is not enough, verse 4-9 reminds us that God is the one "who alone does great wonders."  He created and separated the heavens, earth, day and night.  (alone, meaning without any help from us!)  The Psalms continues with miracles, protection and guidance through the Exodus.   And during the ups and downs of the people, His love endures forever. (Did you catch the "forever" part; we are within that time frame.)

My Tuesday night house church group personalized this Psalms.  With their permission I added it below.  I also added a link to biblegateway.com for Psalms 136.  Compare the two, I think you will find it very touching.  I encourage everyone to do this exercise for themselves.   (Oh, ages in our group vary from 18 to 56.  There is something for every age.)  Remember verse 1-9 have not been altered.

Please enjoy, Tuesday Night Psalms 136.   

Tuesday Night house church Psalm 136

 ¹ Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.
            His love endures forever.
² Give thanks to the God of gods.
            His love endures forever.
³ Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
            His love endures forever.

 ⁴ to him who alone does great wonders,
            His love endures forever.
⁵ who by his understanding made the heavens,
            His love endures forever.
⁶ who spread out the earth upon the waters,
            His love endures forever.
⁷ who made the great lights—
            His love endures forever.
⁸ the sun to govern the day,
            His love endures forever.
⁹ the moon and stars to govern the night;
            His love endures forever.
¹⁰ to him who struck down the drugs, cigarettes and sins of the flesh
            His love endures forever.
¹¹ and brought me out from among old friends with bad habits and sinful lives.
            His love endures forever.
¹² with a mighty hand and outstretched arm he pulled me from depression, suicide and out of the pits of hell.
            His love endures forever.
¹³ to him who delivered us from wandering and wondering
            His love endures forever.
¹⁴ and brought us to a place of fellowship and community,
            His love endures forever.
¹⁵ and delivered us to peace, contentment and growth;
            His love endures forever.
¹⁶ to him who led us to renew our relationship;
            His love endures forever.
¹⁷ to him who died on the cross,
            His love endures forever.
¹⁸ to him who saved a lot of people—
            His love endures forever.
¹⁹ and he saved my life
            His love endures forever.
²⁰ and I am a child of God—
            His love endures forever.
²¹ and gave me a gateway to heaven,
            His love endures forever.
²² God has prepared a street of gold for me.
            His love endures forever.
 ²³ He carried me when I could walk no more
            His love endures forever.
²⁴ and he saved me from the grasp of Satan.
            His love endures forever.
²⁵ He breathes life into all of us
            His love endures forever.
 ²⁶ Bow on your knees and give thanks to God Almighty.
            His love endures forever.

Trust God! Trust God? (Troy wrote this) I think Troy is pretty awesome. I think I will keep him:)

Trust God!  Trust God?

I have a great friend that weighs about 55 pounds and is solely dependent on me.  His name is Justin Time.  Yes pun intended.  He was to be euthanized the day before we got him but my daughter convinced the employees at the pound that she could find him a home immediately.  Hence the name, “just in time”.

Justin depends on me for his food and water, his shelter, and even for companionship.  When we are both in the house, he wants to be right at my feet.  Well, he would rather be in my lap but he is just too big.

If things are busy in the house and he can’t find a good spot for a likely chance of getting petted, he some times will lay on the landing of the stairs where he has a chance of seeing the traffic going up and coming down, as well as having a view of the front yard if the blinds are open.

It occurred to me this morning, as I was making my way down the stairs with my hands full, that dog really trusts me!  When he is on the landing, he will let me step right over him and not even flinch.  Now it is not just that he is too lazy to move.  His senses are very keen and he shows us every day that he has skills and desire to not be pushed around or let anyone hurt him.

Then why doesn’t he move when this clumsy 222 pound human steps within inches of him on both sides?  He trusts me.  What does that mean?  You may find the definition of trust; “confidence in and reliance on good qualities, especially fairness, truth, honor, or ability”.  Justin has confidence in, me that I have the good qualities……..and abilities to protect him.  Wow, maybe that is what makes a dog a dog.  Since I have done good things to and for this creature, he believes that I love him and will continue to do so.

Has any bad thing ever happened to Justin? Yes, he was ill, nearly to death, twice and has even had to be operated on for cancer.  He has been attacked by a neighbor dog three times his size and had to be sewn up.  (That dog was never seen again in the area, your guess is as good as mine) have the bad things he experienced caused him to be bitter to me?  Absolutely not!

Are we as smart as a dog?  Think about it.  God left heaven to come to earth as a man and trade his life to save ours.  A lot better than what we did for Justin.  Why do we have trust issues with God?  Do we believe He wants good things for us and knows what is best for us?  We would answer yes, but we are not ready to fully trust Him with our hearts, our families, and our possessions.  Ok, so we believe God wants good things for us.  Maybe we just don’t think He has the ability to provide.  I think I know how we would answer that question if it was asked by itself.  Of course God has the power to do anything.  Right?

It seems if you put these qualities together, we have no reason to not trust 100% in God’s Word for us.  The sad truth is, when I look around, or within, we constantly hold back on the promises.

God has the desire:

Matthew 7:9-11 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹¹ If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

God has the power:

Ephesians 3:20  “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think,….”

Let’s get in line with God’s will.  Let’s quit worrying so much about what we are supposed to do and start doing what God puts on our hearts with the opportunities in front of us.

In theory...

A few years ago I worked for a utility company.  One of my responsibilities was to disconnect utilities for non pay.  Fortunately I did not have to go to the houses, but I had to provide a list of the names, addresses and outstanding balances to the servicemen.  The servicemen would have to go to the house, knock on the door and explain why they were there.  More often than not I would get a phone call from whomever was at home (usually, they were not happy to see us)  This could involve several tones of conversations from the client: aggravated to mad or furious to obscene.  Regardless of the tone; at that particular time-in that particular place there were two options…collect or disconnect.    As you can imagine many of the conversations were memorable.

One particular day I sent the serviceman to collect at a young couple’s house.  The wife was at home; she immediately called and she was irate!  I began the standard review: amount owed, last payment made and due dates.  She was sure I had made a mistake because her bill was paid with a check.  I asked if she could call her bank to see if the check had been processed.  Rather irritated with me and in a stern voice she replied, “I do not need to call the bank because the check is still in my checkbook!”  She continued to tell me that in theory her bill is paid because she has written the check to the utility company.  At which I simply reply, “The reality is –you will have no utilities if you do not give the serviceman your check.” 

When you are paying your bills, there is no theory.  Either the bills are paid or they are not.  With Jesus there is no theory.  Either you have accepted Him or you have not.  It is not enough to say that you know who He is, just like it was not enough for her to have written the check. 

With her it was easy to make her theory a reality.  It is also easy to make the theory of Jesus a reality.  Accept Jesus as your personal savior.  He has made a deposit for you with His life.  Your account will never run low, be overdrawn or be disconnected. 

Quick Book Review.

I have been reading The Blessed Life, by Robert Morris.  Since reading this book I have made some purposeful changes in my business and personal life.  As usual I was second guessing myself on some changes, then a client stopped by my office and out of the blue he asked if he could give me some business advice.  His advice, “Whatever you do, tithe and then give more.”  He summarized the book and confirmed my changes in five words. 

If you can read the book, do.  It will give you why, when and how.  But if you don't read the book.  Take the advice of a dear friend and client. 

Tithe and then give more. 



 

Cuts & Colors

Yesterday I got my hair cut.   I asked Lisa Michelle (hair stylist) to give me something short and funky...just surprise me.  After the cut, she showed me several ways to fix it to get different looks.

This morning while fixing my hair, I started thinking about all the cuts and colors I have had over the years.  It has been long and straight, long and spiral, long and wavy.  It’s been short and spiky, short and wedged, short and bobbed; and all the in between lengths and layers.  Not to mention the colors: red, brown, blonde, and an orangey purple (yes, it was an accident).

When I think of all my cuts and colors, one thing is constant.  God always know who I am.  Luke 12:6-7 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.  Isn’t that awesome! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCunuL58odQ

Just-in-Time

Several years ago my daughter, Skye, went to the pound to find my niece a dog for her birthday.  When Skye got there they had 21 dogs they were going to put to sleep at the end of the day, no exceptions.

She was so upset- so she went on a quest to save as many as possible.  She went out with snap shots, e-mail, phone calls, phone calls, and more phone calls.  And of course I had gotten an e-mail with the snap shots and several phone calls.  I instantly fell in love with one of the dogs.  I called Troy, he said no.  Skye called me, I called Troy…he says no.  Skye calls with an urgent plea “You have to make a decision, yes or no…the time has come, they are closing”  I called Troy, he said no…this time I said that’s fine, but YOU call your daughter and tell her No, let them put him to sleep.  Well, Troy called Skye and he said yes.  She calls the pound; they had closed. 

Here’s the deal… people are the puppies and dogs.  The pound is the world and there will be death.  (all have sinned and the wages of sin is death) Skye is Christ, she went to the pound took snap shots, sent emails, and made phone calls.  Christ came to this world, his snap shots are miracles, e-mails are parables and phone calls are his instructions.  “Follow me…”

Troy and I are the dogs in the pound.  I fell in love instantly, Troy says no.  She calls, I talk to Troy, he says no.  I was trying to change Troy’s mind, when all along I should have put it in Skye’s hand.  Jesus says I will make you fishers of men,…( but)… God gives the increase. 

Here is the rest of the story.  Skye called the pound, they were closed, but she left them a message.  The next morning the pound calls her back, they couldn’t put this one to sleep.  We picked him up that evening, his name “Just-in-time.”  Remember there were more than 20 dogs to die that evening…she saved 9.   The path is narrow.

Now we know Skye is not Jesus, we are not dogs and the world is not he pound.  But Jesus did come to this world as a man; He worked miracles, taught parables and left instructions.  Then at the end of His days, He died on the cross, was buried and resurrected so that we can have eternal life.  We also know this; there will be one, a few or many of us that will say yes, but there will be many more who continue to say no.   

Wrinkled story lines.

For years I thought I had a typical life.  Then we had a terrible family crisis and a friend made a comment comparing my life to Job.  I was surprised by the comment.  I reflected on the last 30 years of marriage and this is what I found. 

*My daughter has severe asthma.
*A son with ear problems, 11 sets of tubes and an ear disease.
*My husband was in a terrible car accident which lead to a trial, plus numerous attorney problems.  Everything from one attorney becoming seriously ill to another attorney being arrested.
*And my other son serving two tours in Afghanistan and one in New Orleans for Katrina.  Then he came home and celebrated his 23rd birthday.

Considering life did not stop during each event, but went on simultaneously with everyday life activities.  I realized I don't have a typical life.  (I still wouldn't compare it to Job.)

I know I have earned the wrinkled lines around my eyes and those wrinkles are my story lines.

I'm here, I'm always here."

Every time I see my 3 year old granddaughter she says, "Ninni, I love you-I missed you!"  It is always very expressive and dramatic.  What's funny is I can leave the room for a few minutes and when I return she says, "Ninni, I love you-I missed you."  Then we have discussions about life; such as when she is seven she wants to have a sleep over and how all her life she has wanted to ride a horse.  I love it!

Jesus wants that same relationship with us.  He wants you to express your hurts, concerns and pleasures to Him.  And just like I love to hear my granddaughter say I love you and miss you; God wants us to go to Him and say "I love you and miss you."   In which he whispers, "I'm here, I'm always here."