What do you Give to God

 "I don't ask back what I give to God" was an answer to a question I had ask someone a few months back. I have often thought about this and I must honestly say.  I love that reply.  Like most every night, I can't sleep due to insomnia and other health issues that relates back to my breast cancer diagnosis.  As I ponder on this statement, "I don't ask back what I give to God", I think about all the things we often ask of the Lord. Like praying for others, for there is so much sickness and troubles at hand. Praying for ourselves. We often pray and ask God to move in situations that we often have no way out of or no control of the outcome; that only God can work out in our favor. I know we all are guilty of praying for specifics in our lives. We can't always see at the time we pray what is ahead for us but God knows the intents of the heart and what's best for us even when we don't understand the why's, or the struggles. So, with all that God has given to us through His wonderful Mercy, Grace, and Forgiveness; what are you giving back to God?  Is it going to church and serving Him like you know you should? Is it a promise you made but forgot/forsaken that promise? Are we freely giving to God what is already His in the first place? Are we giving tithes/offerings like the Bible says? (ouch, touchy subject there, but true). When we look back over our lives and when all is said and done can you truly say, "I gave God the best to my ability that I had or could? So once more I ask, "What are you giving back to God?"

They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. Mathew 22:21 KJV

And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him. Mark 12:17 KJV

And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's. Luke 20:25

Jesus Loves Me, Valentines Craft DIY

If you are like me you love to craft but don't always have the budget to do so. Well, with Valentines Day coming up. I wanted to get a head start. I began looking on Pintrest to get some ideas for gifts and church. I found one inspiration from this picture.  All the materials I used to make this, I already had on hand.  So I literally spent nothing but time on this. 

This is the inspiration peace behind the craft that you will see in the blog post.  Since my budget is $0.  I had to get a little crafty and make do with what I had to come up with something I could give to my sister for Valentine's Day.  

So I printed off this copy of the Song Jesus Loves Me 

 I dipped it twice in some cold coffee letting the paper dry completely between each dip.  The more you dip, the darker it becomes and fragile.  So be careful. This is what it looks like after two dips into coffee, 30 secs to 1 min per dip. 

 8x10 Canvas Before PIC

After I painted the canvas

 I just dipped a paper towel wrapped around my fingers and rubbed until I got the color I wanted, you can go light or dark depending on your preference.  I let my canvas air dry, but you can use a hair blower/dryer if you choose to.  

This is the song after I had it stained and dried. I stained the song by dipping into coffee and drying between each dip.  mine was stained twice. 

I put mod podge onto the painted canvas and then placed the song, cut to size onto the "glue".  Then I applied mod podge to some vinyl I had free hand cut into the shape of a heart using a stencil. Then I attached a treble cleft I had printed out on my printer and because my ink was low, I colored it with a black sharpie Marker, then I laminated it and cut it out.  while cutting out the treble clef, some air bubbles came in it but I ran it back through the laminator and it fixed that issue very easy.  

This is the final product. I am HAPPY with the way it turned out.  

 

Fulling Allowing the Lord to Lead (FALL)

Fulling Allowing the Lord to Lead (FALL)

You know, I love everything there is to the Autumn season from the cool brisk nights to the warm sunny days.  The color of leaves is evident of God's Coloring Book; no paint brush can compete.  Even the iconic pumpkin is a symbolic reminder of the bountiful harvest we yield; especially those that grow gardens.  Every little thing about FALL makes it unique from the things we do to the foods we enjoy during this time.  But on the down side of this is the Halloween season that, sad but true, unfortunately a lot of people look forward to each year; even the Christian sect.  God's word tells us in LEVETICUS KJV 20:7-8 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the Lord your God.  And Ye shall keep my statues, and do them: I am the Lord which sanctify you.  1PETER 1:16 KJV Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.  Even the very definition of Sanctify means: to set apart to a sacred purpose or to religious use: consecrate; to free from sin: purify; to impart or impute sacredness, inviolability, or respect to.   

So the question at hand is why are so many supposedly people who profess to be Christians, saved, born again celebrating, participating, or taking part in Pegan Holidays such as Halloween. That I have never understood and probably never will to be honest.  With this every changing world in which we live in now a days; it's so important that we draw nigh unto the Lord; fully allow Him go guide our footsteps and lead.  Have you ever taken the time to sit down and read the Old Testament.  There's no way we could live by God's standards in today's world.  The only reason we are here today is because of God's wonderful marvelous Grace.  So I am asking you today.  Are you allowing God to be Sovereign in your life?  If we are there should be no room for sin in any way, shape, or form.  

Home Again

 These cool crisp mornings take me back to memory a child when I was home with all my family including those we have lost before life happened.  You wouldn't hear her get out of bed as the day began when the sunlight crept through the windows of our old four room house.  As she quietly began her day making breakfast, home-made biscuits from scratch was the first thing she made; followed by some kind of hog meat cut fresh the night before from the smokehouse by her or daddy.  It was the humdrum kind of sound from a fork whisking the farm fresh eggs that woke you to a daze, like it's a dream you don't want to wake up from.  The warmth of the blankets compelled you to roll over and stay in bed.  It wasn't until the house lingered with the smell of fresh baked biscuits and the aroma of gravy and meat frying that in retro sense pulled you from bed to walk into the kitchen where so often you hear "breakfast is on the table".  What my heart aches for I can never have.  Memories I'll hold so dear as I walk into the kitchen of the old homestead to see Momma in her red shirt and blue skirt she many times wore; turning over the biscuits so the won't "sweat" as she would say.  There she stood at the old rustic kitchen table daddy made with hand made sitting chairs so lovely giving of herself and time to take care of her children.  It is in that moment of memory I am Home Again.  

Chemo # 1 STINKS

Well, it's been a while since I have written anything.  Honestly, I have been too sick from the side affects from my first Chemo treatment to write anything at all.  If there was a side affect on the list, well, I had it.  I probably, about my luck, had a new one that wasn't on the list...LOL.  My emotions have been on a roller coaster and I don't like it one bit because I feel so out of control.  My biggest hit has come with loosing my hair.  I cut it off about shoulder length and was getting use to that then the worst happened.  I started loosing my hair.  Today (9-6-16) I went and got a short hairstyle.  It is still coming out but not as bad.  I can still hide my bald spots.

This Labor Day weekend is one that I will definitely remember and cherish.  My church family had a benefit singing for me.  I was in awe at the number of people that came out to support the cause in any way that they could.  The pews where full, chairs where lined up anywhere we could get them, and some where standing.  I got to see some familiar faces I hadn't seen in a very long time and you know who you are.  I pray for you and your family as well and thank you all for lifting me up in your prayers.  I cannot even begin to tell you what a Blessing you all where to me and I greatly appreciate the support, love, and prayers everyone has so generously sacrificed in my time of need.  There are good days and bad days.  It's on those bad days that I feel that it is your prayers, saints, that carry me through.  I will ever be indebted to you.  If I can ever help you in any way possible please don't hesitate to ask.

I love you all more than words could convey, from the bottom of my heart & too the moon and back.....My Love & Prayers, I send to you.

Becoming More Real

Well it's been a few days since last posted anything. Yes, with each passing day the battle with cancer is becoming MORE REAL. I honestly think it's the unknowns that are the scariest. On Tuesday I picked up some medicine that I will need and it made me feel angry because it reminded  me of what will be happening in the days to come. Yesterday on Aug 12th I had my surgery to have a port a cath put in so that I can start chemo treatments on Aug 17.

I've been an emotional wreck in the days leading up to the port surgery but the doctors and staff at UK Hospital were extraordinary.  They made my visit as pleasant as they could. I couldn't have asked for a better set of doctors. Then there's my family. They are not only taking care if me but they are also taking care if my child. I will ever be indebted to them for all they have done for me and all they will be doing.

Lots of Love and thanks to the support and prayers.

Love and Support

Hello Everyone out there who actually reads my blog...LOL

Since sharing the news that I have Breast Cancer with my family, friends, and Co-Workers, I have received such an out poor of LOVE, SUPPORT, and PRAYERS.  Please keep sending that my way.  I am overwhelmed at the thought of others thinking about me.  It means more to mean that words could ever say.  I anxiously await my next doctor's appointment to see what steps I will be taking in my treatment plan.  In the mean time, I am trying to emotionally prepare myself for what may come; both good and bad. Knowing that I have the love and support from people who actually love and care about me, I know with God all things are possible; even a fight against Breast Cancer.  As for prayers, well, to be quite honest, I will take all I can get right now to help me through this.

I know the God on the Mountain and the God of the Valley...He Changes not and His Love Endureth for ever.