Sneeze - to make a sudden involuntary expulsion of air from the nose and mouth due to irritation of one's nostrils.

One of my pet peeves is to sneeze. I don't know why, but I do not like to sneeze. Even though I am opening up the chance for people to say "God Bless You" I despise sneezing nonetheless. It's involuntary! I didn't ask to sneeze. I didn't want to sneeze. I don't like to sneeze. Did I tell you that already? It's like I'm surrendering my will when I sneeze! I don't like to surrender my will!

Many times God asks us to surrender. Just as sneezing keeps my airways or nostrils clear of debris, likewise surrendering my will, can keep me from dangerous harmful repercussions. Many times what I want is not what God wants for my life. Unfortunately, I've found that out the hard way. As I soften and surrender, He always makes a better way for me. He opens doors that I never even thought of!

He loves me and cares about the most minute details of my life, and yours too. Will you surrender your will, your desires, your life to him today? Will you allow him total control of your situations and circumstances? His arms are wide open waiting to wrap them around you and your fears. He loves you more than you will ever know. ~ terriotterman

 

So I am baking this pie today and I posted a picture of it on the Internet.

I received several comments and one especially that said “It looks delicious”

My response was of course, thank you. But as I was about to respond more in depth this came to my mind, “but always remember, looks can be deceiving; what matters is what is on the inside!”

Isn’t that the truth? Everyone  knows the question “you can’t judge a book by its cover?” Right? And many times people think

They are buying a great vehicle and it turns out to be a lemon!

Likewise a person, male or female, can be quite becoming;  but spend one hour with them and oh my goodness you want to run. 

The Lord in  1 Samuel 16:7 says this: “Look not on his countenance, or upon the height of his stature,; because I have refused him. For the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

I’m not sure how the pie will taste, but I

can tell you it looks great! I guess we will find out soon enough. 

Let's Talk

~terriotterman

 

 Our daughter put me on an Exercise routine. The first week I thought I was going to die due to muscles I found that had been dormant for so long! I will say that its gotten easier and I am not in pain anymore. However, it is a challenge to meet the routine goals every day even though they are not that much really. But I push on because I have a goal. What goals are you trying to reach for your life today?

Hebrews 12:1-3

New International Version

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

In Hebrews 12:1-3 the Bible tells us that Peter persevered in his walk. He knew that people were watching him. He kept his eyes on Jesus and therefore was able to keep going.

I know our daughter, my Coach is watching. She subtly checks in to see if I am staying on course. Just what I need.

The Holy Spirit is like that too. When we veer away from God's plan for our lives and what He wants us to do, we are gently nudged back into perspective. I love that about Him.

What are your eyes focusing on these days? Are you reaching towards the goal you set for yourself?

There is plenty of room for you

Some days I spin round and round, trying to reach the next goal, the next rank, the next prize.

I find myself in a state of mind that even I cannot shake. It gets frustrating when I don't meet my own expectations. Isn't that how we are? Sometimes I am the hardest, most critical person of me. But why is this? Why are we not satisfied with who we are?

I was reading the other day that to consistently praise a child, or anyone, generically can do more damage than good. Let me explain the way I read the article or at least, my take on it.

If I tell my child over and over, "you are beautiful, you are smart, you did a great job" when he excels or not, isn't that just showing my love for him, especially if I truly mean it in my heart?

Well...maybe not. What the article writer was saying, is this, that kind of praise can be more damaging than saying, "Wow, I can see how hard you worked on this math and I am proud of you". In other words, if my son receives a "D" on his test and I only acknowledge an "A" as being acceptable,  when he receives a lower than acceptable grade, and I respond accordingly, he might feel less than amazing and like a failure. Make sense?

Growing up if we earned and A on our report card, we got maybe 50 cents, B - 25 and C 10. for D's nothing and F in trouble! If my siblings got straight A's and I earned B's and C's, or even a D, I did not receive as a much dough and it made me feel less successful! Nogt saying this is right or wrong, it was the way our parents knew, to make us try harder next time.

Even today, a clerk who works at a fast food restaurant, is often looked upon as less successful than a Bank Manager or CEO of a company. It is the way the world looks at success, and to me that is not the right way. Truth is, not everyone in this life can or will reach the top, whatever  or wherever the top might be. There is just not enough room.

I am so thankful that we have the assurance from our Lord that we are good enough and we will make it to the top. I am grateful that He tells me in His Word that I can do all things because He gives me the strength ( Phil. 4:13)

"The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the Lord your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom." (Deut. 28:13)

The assuring hymn states;

"Just as I am, without one plea
But that Thy blood was shed for me
And that Thou bid'st me come to Thee
O Lamb of God, I come! I come"...

When I accept His invitation to follow Him, I am accepted, just as I am. I do not have to clean up and dress in my best attire. He takes me and you, in our muddy mess.  Every day he molds us, and makes us more like him. We do have to bend a bit, we do have to heed his instruction, we do have to do our part, but we do not have to be perfect. That is the best part.

Isnt that truly how we, as parents love our own children? we love and accept them with every imperfection, after every failure? Is seems,our love grows even stronger during their tough times, or at least mine does.
So now, when I am frustrated about where I am in this life, whether I am good enough, or if I'm going to reach my next goal, I can breathe knowing  I've already received the best prize of all.  I will spend eternity with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ at the top, and there is plenty of room left for you too! ~Let's Talk

Just Rest

Our lives can become so busy, so cluttered, we forget about what is most important. Constantly we are being pulled in many directions, we barely have time to breathe. Suddenly chaos and frustration creep in and it becomes our new "normal". The older I get the less stress and the more peace I need. I find myself tired, weary and in need of rest. Sure I know that comes with age, so they say, but I have never been one to sit still.
God's example to us all in Genesis 2:2 is this, "so on the seventh day he rested from all his work". Even God rested!

Why is it so hard for us to find time to just be still? Why do we feel guilty if we take a "quiet moment" for ourselves?
Jesus said, "Come unto me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest".
He didn't say sit down an rest! He didn't say stop your world. He said "Come and I will give you rest." He knows that unless I'm forced, I won't stop, until it's too late and I am forced to.

So he beacons. He calls. He reaches out his hand. When we are unable to rest in ourselves, we can rest in him.

I urge you and me, to come, to be still, to rest. Take his hand. Sit at his feet. Call his name. Say it with me, "Jesus". He is waiting to hear your voice, to answer your call, and to give you rest. ~Let's Talk

A Big Ordeal

"Don't make a big ordeal". I can hear her say in my mind, as I've heard her say so many times before. "Just slow down, relax, be still, stop quivering". Over and over she'd say these things to me.  What my mother was really trying to say in her roundabout way was, stop, and smell the roses. She loved flowers.

As a little girl, I never could sit still, and that trait has stayed with me even into my mid-life. I am one that has to be doing something, if not physically, mentally. If my body is not moving my mind is rolling. I wonder how the kids are, what will I make for dinner, what's on tomorrow's agenda? It never ends! Sometimes I just want to unplug the brain, and turn off the motion switch. I just want to lay by the pool and listen to Classical Music for crying out loud! Honestly, some days I just want to run away, from me!

Ever feel that way?

How Could He?

How could he? I imagine Peter ,must have felt that way after he denied Christ the third time. He had to have just wanted to run and hide under a rock, or dig a deep hole and bury himself. The sorrow, the disappointment, the anger must have been unbearable, at least it would have been for me. Jesus foretold it, he heard him, he witnessed it. One of his closest friends, or so he thought, acting as though he'd never known him;  and during his greatest time of need.
 As Jesus hung on the cross, about to breathe his last breath, if you read between the lines, I'm sure he must have said,  "It's okay Peter, it's supposed to be this way. I still love you, everything is going to be okay."

 Luke 23:34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.

 Have you ever hurt someone like that?  Does your mind race with the thought, will they ever forgive me?  If that person is till alive, please, go to them and ask for pardon. You might be surprised.


 Mark 11:25:  “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.

Do you pray? That sounds like a crazy question. It seems everyone prays at one time or another. So, that being said, if you do, do you pray with a clear conscience? As you ask God for favor, do you ask for forgiveness as well?
We are all sinners, let's face it, we were born that way. Our desires, our wants, our selves are usually top priority. We have Adam and Eve to thank for that, right? But does that mean we have to follow in their footsteps?

Christ's death gave us a better way. His sacrifice paid for all our wrongdoings. Do we then have pardon for the asking? Yes. But we must ask, and believe, and we must also forgive. ~Let's Talk