If there is one thing I have learned, it's that there is only one man in this world who is truly capable of loving you "forever and a day", and He was tortured to set me free over two thousand years ago. He defeated hell and the grave in order to give me life with Him "forever and a day."
If any man ever tells you they love you that much, don't believe them. The truth is that there isn't a man alive who has ever gone through that for you, or ever could.
There is only one man who has ever lived that has never given up on me, and loves me no matter how many times I fail him.
I don't think I could be happy with anyone else after getting to know him.
I am blessed.
As Pastor Matthew sings sometimes, "If there never comes another blessing my way then I still have to say I am blessed."
It's time for me to call it a night. But, before I do, I'd like to weigh in on the Trump win.
I'm not a fan of Mr. Trump, and though I have acknowledged that he is the lesser of the two evils available, I still didn't vote for either one.
However, that does not mean that I will kick and scream because I did not get my way.
We had an election. A contest. A vote. Trump won.
The Bible says
Romans 13:1
“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”
What this means is that Trump is now our President because GOD willed it. And, if God willed it, then we should respect it. Like it or not.
There are times when I cannot stand by someone who has wronged me without wanting to bash his or her face in for the pain they have caused me. However, I grit my teeth, I smile, I am kind to them. Not because I want to be, but because GOD wants me to be. (Luke 6:27)
Therefore, I am going to give Mr. Trump the utmost respect now that he is President Donald Trump. He is the President of the Greatest Country on God's Green Earth, and that is worthy of all of my respect.
This does not mean that I should sit back and remain quiet when the Donald makes bad decisions as President. As American Citizens who are Kings and Priests unto our God, it is our duty to hold our leaders accountable. (Revelation 5:10)
My pastor made it a point tonight to remind us that if we don't talk to our God in prayer, then we can't gripe when He doesn't come when we need Him. He can't listen if we don't speak.
Today, many see Trump as an answer to prayer. All I have to say at this point is be careful what you ask for. You might just get it. God IS a God who answers prayer.
Good night, World. May peace be with you. May your joy not be fleeting. And, may America REALLY be great again!
When I first got out of the homeless shelter, this apartment complex is where I came to live. It was close to the shelter, to the friendship center, and to the library.. Everything I needed was within reach, and plenty of opportunity to serve Jesus here.
At almost two years, I decided I was lonely and needed to find a man. The men who came into my life cheated on me, lied to me, called me names, abused me.
I ended up,.,,well, if you've been reading my posts you know the rest.
Today, I am back where I started. This apartment is so cozy. It feels so much more like home than it did at Redwood. Even many of the same people are still here, and some from Redwood who moved here.
I have my cable internet hooked up now. I am washing my fourth load of clothes. Today, my landlord is giving me a bed from another tenant who moved and left theirs behind...with the stipulation I buy a bed cover for it. I can have the bed. It's mine.
I cooked my first hot meal on the NEW stove that is in here. It is BIG...enough to cook a turkey in, but today I'm eating Liver and Onions smothered in Brown Gravy and Okra and Tomatoes on the side with a couple of slices of wheat bread. YUMMM.
Did everyone vote yesterday?
When the cable guy said, "There ya go!" I said, "OH KEWL! Now I get to hear people gripe about Trump!" He busted out laughing.
We have a new president. The People have spoken. Let's pray we are headed in a new direction.
I will be watching. And, Mr. Trump, Congratulations. Don't disappoint us.
I am reading post after post of people who are cheering for Trump's victory. The reasons for this:
1. All those who said they would move won't be here tomorrow. The country is cleaning itself up.
2. They feel the people have a voice again.
3. They think that things will change now.
4. The pursuit of Happiness seems obtainable.
5. We may have a fighting chance against ISIS now.
But, having lived 48 years upon this earth, and having experienced every presidency since Richard Nixon let me tell you what is really happening:
1. All those who said they would move will not move.
2. The people will figure out that their voice doesn't mean anything, as usual when the dust settles.
3. The people will experience more of the same from a different regime. The only difference being that the top is on our side...just powerless.
4. The pursuit of Happiness has always been just that, the PURSUIT...and no one can stop that.
and finally,
5. Trump has been hesitant to side with Israel in the fight against ISIS.. God will curse any nation that does not stand with her. That is in the Bible. God doesn't like luke warm Christians, and He doesn't like people who straddle the line.
I like the way my cousin in law, Johnny Mcfall put it: "I do value other people's opinions, does not mean I'm going to change mine though." I feel the same way.
This doesn't make me intolerant. If I asked you to remove yourself as my friend because you support Hillary or Trump, THEN I am being intolerant.
I've seen a lot of those lately. Wow.
America was built on diversity of opinions and the ability to thrive in spite of them TOGETHER.
You want America to be great again? Then learn to accept that others have an opinion that is different from your own. You are allowed to state your opinion and WHY you feel that way, but you are not allowed to call me a because I don't agree with you. If we all got along in spite of our differences, we might be able to convince others to come over to our side of the fence easier.
Ever hear the old saying, "Sugar is sweeter than vinegar," or "You can catch more flies with honey"...
JMHO.
My take on assisted suicide:
I like how my adopted sister Rosa put it:
"Everyone has a right to commit suicide. The problem comes when you try to force others to assist you as you commit suicide."
I don't think it should be legal to assist anyone to commit suicide. I believe that it becomes murder at that point.
Those people who are protesting Trump are not protesting Trump at all. What they are protesting is the American system of Presidential selection.
I have been referred to consistently lately as being "strong". I was described as being "the strongest person I know". I was recognized as growing continually stronger.
The truth is, I am very weak. I know my weaknesses and limitations. I also know that most of what I have achieved in my lifetime has been way beyond my own limitations.
Someone told me once that I needed to take credit for having accomplished some of the things in my life that I have accomplished. "If you hadn't had the strength, you would not have accomplished it." True, except I didn't have any strength. God had the strength and He gave me what I needed to go forward.
God is my strength. He is my exceeding great reward.
Isaiah 41:10
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
I had gone to pick up my son from his dads. We had just crossed the Bowie County line on 59 and I was changing lanes. I turned my blinker on, changed lanes...then forgot to turn my blinker off. Finally, my 16 year old son said, "Uhm...mom...blinker..." so I turned it off, and just said, "Yep. Wouldn't want to run out of blinker fluid so close to home." He said, "No, we wouldn't." Neither of us cracked a smile. A few minutes later he was frowning and staring at me. I said, "What is it, Justin?" He said, "You don't actually believe that do you?" I said, "No, I was just wondering if you did..." Then we both cracked up.
Today, I don't have to work. My birthday is on Sunday, but I have to work. I start my vacation on Tuesday. I don't go to work again until next Monday after that.
Today, I got paid, but it's all spent. Oh well.... I'm going to trust God to provide for me as He always does and today, I'm going on a date with Jesus and celebrating another year of my life.
I try to write down ten things I have learned this year, around my birthday.
1. God is my vengence. He fights my battles.
2. There is always room to love one more.
3. We are called to love, even if it disappoints.
4. We can not let our things get in the way of being who God has called us to be.
5. Sometimes, God's plan requires us to let go of everything, leave everything behind, in order to get to where He is taking us.
6. Sometimes we have to lose everything in order to be reminded of who we should depend on.
7. I might have gone down in the heat of the battle, but don't count me out of the fight.
8. There is no strength in me, except that which God gives me in order to endure.
9. Whenever night time comes, we must focus on the joy that comes in the morning.
10. Our want to depends on what we do when we are on our knees.
My baby dogs are getting ready to go on a trip. I won't see them again for a long time, if I do. But, I know they will be loved and cared for. That is what is important. They will be happy. They will have OUTSIDE! (I know Milo will love that!) And, they will have family.
I have already cried my heart out over a week ago. I'm all cried out...but I know when I least expect it, I'll probably cry some more. They are my babies.
For four years, Milo and I have been through everything together. When I cried, he licked my tears. When I laughed, he ran in circles. He is my best friend.
And then came Otis. Jealous, sweet, spoiled, Schizo Otis. He wasn't Milo to me, but he is family. I love him as much as I do Milo.
I wish them love, happiness, adventure, memories and safety. I wish his new family many years of laughter and love with my babies.
I will miss them, dearly.
My baby dogs just got to their new home. They are over 100 miles away from me now. But, I am happy. From what I hear, they were spoilt before they even got out of town. Chicken McNuggets? Really? I bet Milo LOVED THAT! LOL
October 23, 2016
Hello, World.
I woke up this morning and took a bath. It was so quiet. The Baby dogs didn't lick me awake. I didn't have to dodge the puppy pads (which I forgot to put in that care package I sent with them, along with their shampoo). It's gonna take some getting used to.
The apartment seemed...empty.
I went to church. One member hugged my neck and asked me how I was doing. "Better now." was my response.
She said, "You weren't doing good?"
I held back. LOL. I know she didn't mean it the way it came out. But, I fought to keep my retort in. It made me feel like I hadn't been in church for over two weeks and no one even noticed. Oh well. I don't go to church to be noticed anyway. Except by HIM.
I looked around to see if I could invite someone to go to the lake with me. I didn't see anyone. So, I went alone.
I enjoyed every bite of fish I had, and I asked my sister if she was gonna let me take Mylee to see The Nutcracker in December. She said I could. And, Mylee said she would.
Then, I came home. No babies to greet me at the door.
I took a nap.
I'm fixing to go back to church. Then I'll come home and wash clothes.
And watch netflix, or play Fallout, or listen to preachin. Anything so I won't think about what's missing.
Have a blessed day.
(Later that night)
I washed clothes, sheets, blankets. I changed my bedding. I was thinking, no more dog hairs to wash so often now. My pillows won't get torn up. I can take off my clothes whereever and not worry about them getting chewed up. My shoes are safe.
I am having to re adjust to not having dogs.
I saw my niece Mylee today with her new puppy, Bella. Bella was definitely Mylee's puppy. She followed Mylee around like Mylee was her momma. She even did what she was told some. Mylee had her on a leash, and she didn't mind, so long as Mylee didn't leave her.
In a way, I envied her. In another way, I wanted to shout a warning to her: "Mylee! Honey, do you know what you did? Do you know the pain you are going to feel one day?"
All I could do was smile and remember a quote from Shakespeare:
It's better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
I was scrolling across my memories today and found this from 2012. It triggered a memory from way before that when I was in my late teens, early 20s. I was dating a guy who was called to be a Pentecostal preacher. But, he had turned atheist. Even back then, I carried my Bible everywhere I went. I read it every day.
He saw me reading it one day and he asked me, "You really believe that, don't you?"
I saId, "yes. I do. Do you?"
He said, "I used to." Then he told me his history. He said, "It just started sounding like a fairy tale. I mean, a flood that covers the whole world? Really?"
I didn't have enough knowledge then to defend my faith, except to explain to him that that is what faith is about, believing in things that can't be explained.
I asked him if he had a problem with me believing it.
He said, "Not at all. I mean, it's like this: If you believe and you die, then nothing will happen if it's not true. But, if I don't believe, and it IS true, and I die, then I'm DEAD wrong."
We broke up not too long after that. Not because of that. It wasn't right anyway. But, it did produce a productive memory.
