Family Dill Blog

All my life I have been a pop drinker. I have tried many different sodas and loved them all. However, my true passion was Coke, the true RED “Coca-Cola” brand.

I love everything about it!  The logo, the commercials, Santa enjoying a break, even the lovely sound of the pop top opening at any given time of the day, made me feel refreshed!  Even the mighty “Mean Joe Greene” of the “Pittsburgh Steelers” from 1969-1981, could be cooled off and happy after just one taste. Or so the company told us, through a commercial that is.

I am a marketers dream!  I find a brand and become brand loyal, and with the taste, quality and commercials I remain a consumer of that product.  It’s all mind games; or is it?

As with anything, overtime, we are learning something’s just are not good for us and can have harmful effects. Pop or Soda is one of those things.  It doesn’t matter what brand or type of  carbonated beverage it is.   It has no nutritional value and is so sweet that it triggers cravings in your body.  This is no different than any other sugary product.

Our bodies were not meant to take in all the sugar, salt, and fats that we do. It’s time to get healthy, and I’m going to use the Daniel Plan, (Pastor Rick warren of Saddleback church), to get started.  “First Lutheran Church” here in Nebraska, will also be starting this program on 02/25/2017.  With several small groups, we will all have the support and encouragement we need to succeed.

The concept here is to stay healthy through prayer, sound advice, encouragement and friends. The goal is not necessarily to become a super model figure, but just get healthy.  Healthy physically, spiritually, mindfully, an all over make over, to start leading the life God wanted us to lead.  This is a new journey through life that includes God walking, working and carrying us when things get tough.  I figure a daily blog will keep me accountable of the food intake, weight loss, and spiritual growth that will come through this journey.  I’m starting with my own personal addiction to my favorite pop/soda product.  All good things start with baby steps and I feel this is the first major step I have to take to get healthy.  Sorry “Coca-Cola”, I still love you, but you’re going to become more of a special treat.

I may do a video journal as well. Let’s see how brave I can be to start that.

So the story begins, breaking the cycle of the “Coca-Cola” addiction.

Psalm 20:4 (The Voice Bible Translation)

May He grant the dreams of your heart and see your plans through the end.

Tuesday 02/14

Today was my first day without a can coke. This is a big deal.  Why? Because I could drink a lot of it!  I could easily go through a 12 pack in two days. That’s a lot of pop! To be completely honest here, I have dropped to 1 pop a day recently. However, minor set backs had be back up to more than 1, and then back down to just 1 a day.

My weight is not awful, but on my small frame, my weight is too much. It’s time to move and lose some weight, even if it’s just for me and my health reasons.

We all know losing weight is not easy. As I mentioned, our church will be starting “The Daniel plan”. It’s a way to draw closer to God and treat our bodies like a temple, not a garbage truck.

This new blog will journal my progress, on the Daniel plan keeping me accountable to me.

Yes I am a day late here, but I will try and post the daily progress and struggles.

1 Corinthians 10:13-14 ( The Voice translation.)

¹³ Any temptation you face will be nothing new. But God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can handle. But He always provides a way of escape so that you will be able to endure and keep moving forward. ¹⁴ So then, my beloved friends, run from idolatry in any form.

It’s been awhile since my last blog. I always wait until I feel the urge to write something. Then I think about it, write it, erase it and write it again.  I guess in a sense it’s listening to what God is saying. This blog started off in so many different directions that I really had to pray about it. Mull it over in my head.  I wanted to talk about hurt, change and the New Year. I couldn’t figure out the one main topic. I wonder if this is how a pastor feels when figuring out their Sunday sermon.

If you have read my blogs in the past, you already know I was totally against this whole pastoral family life. I didn’t want to leave family, friends and a job behind. By the time I moved out to the seminary, Doug was starting his second year on campus. I started to embrace the new adventures ahead of us.

After arriving at the seminary, I started to make connections with people, and one person in particular.  However, like everything else since this journey began, things “ended” or “changed”.  The friend I connected with, left that following summer.  The family graduated and moved on to their first call.  Don’t fret, that friend is still there today, just not right across the street.

Then came the internship year. Doug was to learn what it’s all about putting things into practice under the guidance of an established pastor and church body. The site we were given was more than we could hope for.  The people were so welcoming and willing to help us learn as a family. Good thing too, as I heard plenty of “horror stories” as well as “good stories” from past interns at different locations. This too had to come to an end, as internship only lasted a year.  I myself learned so much from that year. I have great lasting memories of people who took an interest in my interest and helped me to grow.

During my husband’s senior and final year, he did what they call supply preaching.  In terms I understood, this was much like the substitute teacher in the classroom.  You fill in when needed and be on your way.  Through this time, I again met some wonderful people. I learned some interesting history, met a “Guinness book of World Records” gentleman. I even tried foods, I never would have tried before.  Okay, I’ll say it, I tried squirrel.  Just as I was about to take a bite, I overheard the person talking about it.  This person, lived off the land from my understanding.  I’d have to say it was gamey and not my thing.  However, since squirrels like to torment my dogs, a few less would be okay in this world.

Upon graduation, goodbye’s happened again and we headed off to our new home and church family.  Being the emotional one, I figured I’d cry. I did, but what surprised me is when I cried.

Shortly after pulling out of my office parking lot on my last day of work, I cried. I’m not even sure why.  I had made “office” friends and we did a few things here and there outside of work.  However that too ended as people left for new jobs, changed schedules or departments.  Yet, I still cried.  I was keeping my job and working from home, something I’ve always wanted.

We left the small community of Wartburg to join a new community, where a few people remained whom we enjoyed and talk too. No one prepares you for how hard it is to say good bye so much.  My friend I mentioned earlier; her kids asked when they were moving shortly after Christmas of the first year in their new parish. When you attend seminary, you can move a lot.  If you’re wondering, yes, three years later they are still there.

We headed off to our new community and new church family.  However, a year after we arrived at the first church, we said goodbye again to some very wonderful people.  Most pastors will remain in their first church for 3-5 years. Some will stay on longer than that. This particular place was not God’s plan for us.  I learned a great deal that year too.

We moved again to our new and present location. Things are going well, and it appears we have found our place in God’s mission. These people have welcomed us into their homes and their lives. I hope as you read this, you can understand following God’s path for you is not an easy path. I think I can truly say, I understand what Jesus was trying to tell his disciples.

Matthew 8:18-22

“18 When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. 19 Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” 21 Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 22 But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.””(NIV)

When I first heard this passage, I didn’t understand it, and I spoke with many about its meaning.  The way I interpreted the passage is this.  God ask you to trust him and follow him.  You have no idea where you will end up.  You do know and count on God being with you every step of the way.  Difficult trials, are lessons learned to be applied to later. Happy times, provide the strength you need to get through the difficult ones. We don’t know when things will happen or how long they will last, be it good or bad. God does. He’s seen it, he’s preparing you for it.  One the most difficult lessons I learned during these last 5 years, BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE, AND WE DON’T KNOW WHY, THEY JUST DO!

You can do everything right, sever God, read your bible, love your neighbor, but bad times will come. How we learn from that time is up to you, it’s up to me.   Okay so I’m the one who kicks and scream a lot and throws a pity party, before I can move on.  “Poor me”, “why always me”.  Then the time comes to move on, I don’t know where I will use my “good” or “hard” lessons.  However, I will.

God’s path for you and me is not an easy journey.  Jesus did not have an easy journey. At least I don’t have the burden knowing that I will be lifted up and persecuted. Jesus did.  He knew, yet he did it for us.  He carried on knowing he would be beaten and crucified all in the name of GOD.

So there it is. Hard times are hard times, good times are good times.  Know that God is with you always.  I will end today with a final verse.

Philippians 4:6-7

“6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (NIV)

I’m sorry I haven’t written anything in a while. I guess, I didn’t have the words.

November is the time people start thinking about what they are thankful for.  We really should do this daily, but we don’t.  I’m no different than anyone else. So with that being said, I want to thank my family, friends, blog followers, and even my “enemies”.

I’m sitting here thinking about the last few years in my life.  From the time I could remember, Thanksgiving was the best day.  When I was little we got together with my family and extended family. As time goes on, traditions begin to change. Sometimes, my husband, the kids and I would spend time with family, others it was just us. While in Seminary we gathered with those who were not close enough to go home. A pot luck type of meal was served.  The school provided the Turkeys, the students filled in the rest.

This year we live in a new state, but lucky enough to have family just an hour and a half away.  So we will head out, and share, what I’m sure will be a great feast.

I have so many things to be thankful for. Good times and bad.  Good times, produce great laughs and memories to relive as often as I like.  Bad times, produce sadness and strain, a nightmare that just play’s back in my head , if I let it.  Amazingly, I and you survived those bad times. Good and bad times do not define us, but they do shape us.

How we handle all situations in our lives, shapes who we are and who we are yet to become.  I hate to admit it but we need to be thankful for the bad times as much as we are for the good ones.

What? Be thankful for bad times?  I can’t believe I said that either.  Yes, thankful for the bad times. Bad times help us to appreciate the good in our lives. Bad times help us see that, all though our suffering is real, there are those who are worse off than any of us.

The loneliness that I might have felt in the past, gives an inviting light of acceptance to today. Everyone I have ever met in my life has helped to shape me to who I am today. There will be many more to come who will help shape my future self too.

So today’s blog, is about being thankful for my life.  It may not always be easy, it may not always be filled with laughter.  However, it has always been filled with love, shelter and clothing and food, all the necessities to help sustain life.

Psalm 54-4

But see now! God comes to rescue me;   the Lord is my valiant supporter.

NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 11: 

In 2001 I lived in Carol Stream, Illinois.  My son was 8, my daughter was 5.  I ran a home day care.  At the time I had a couple of kids who attended school with mine, and a few that were under the age of 3.

We lived a block from the school, a straight shot.  In fact, from the middle of the street you could see the school.  My kids and the kids in my care walked together.

I recall getting them ready to go. The TV was on in the background with cartoons playing.  My home phone rang somewhere around 7 something that morning. I found that odd, all my kids had arrived, and my husband had left for work.

It was my neighbor across the street.  She too, had a day care out of her home.  She asked me if I had the TV on.  I said I did.  She said something like, I can’t believe it! Did you just see what happened?  I said no, as cartoons were playing on the TV. She told me to quickly turn on WGN TV.  So I did.  The video was replaying the plane hitting the towers. I remember thinking how can that happen? My neighbor and I exchanged a few more words and hung up. I ushered the kids out the door to school. I didn’t really know yet what was going on.

I remember watching the news, and as more information became available, I started thinking of my cousin who worked in NY City at a major hotel. Along with another cousin who worked in the Pentagon.  Were they safe? When will I know? I don’t have phone numbers for them, we talk via email and Christmas cards.  Like many other families scattered across the US, we see each other at most weddings and funerals.

As the day went on, some of kids were picked up early. When my kids arrived home, I tried to keep them from hearing the news. They were both just too young, and I didn’t want them to be scared.  I was scared and trying to make sense of it all.

I will never forget the silence that hung in the air, since all flights were halted. I lived in an area where planes flew overhead all the time.

I remember my grandfather passing away on the same day and having to wait for the air traffic to resume so family could come home.

I will never forget the images that I saw.  I will never forget how watching this great country pulled together all their efforts to help where they could.

I will not forget crying a lot during that time.  Yes, I’m a cry baby by nature, but I cried as the bell was rung as each name was read. I cried when I heard recorded messages from those who perished and watched interviews from survivors. I cried when I learned both my cousins were okay.

Thankfully my cousin in New York, lives on Long Island and did not work that day. I am forever grateful that my cousin was not injured or harmed in anyway at the Pentagon. Where he is still working today.

Here it is the 15 year anniversary. I feel myself getting emotional.  I’m sad for those who lost their lives, and those who died a hero. I’m sorry for the families left behind to deal with the loss that never should have happened. I’m sorry for the children who had to grow-up with one less parent. I’m sorry that I actually forgot for a little while that this did happen.

On Sunday 09/11/2016, I ask you to remember all those who lost their lives, their families, and the innocence we all lost on that day.  Pray that this country holds together and stops all the protesting, and hateful, spiteful acts towards those who chose to protect us. Pray that our government and future new president will make the decisions that are in the best interest of the people.

Matthew 11:28

28 “Come to me,

all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

I was recently watching the movie, “God’s not Dead 2”. The first movie, “God’s not dead” centered on a student who was forced to defend and prove his point that God exists, after his professor wanted the whole class to admit God does not exists.  Where the second movie, is about a teacher who was defending her decision to discuss Jesus in the class room.  The teacher was discussing great leaders and what made them great, when a student posed the question of Jesus being a great leader.

Well as I’m sure you can guess, this caused a great stir in the student’s family. The family and the school sued to fire the teacher for preaching her religious beliefs in the public schools.

As this teacher and her lawyer prepared for her trail, the lawyer asked how she came to be a Christian. Her response had something to do with a church sign that read “Who do you say I AM?”  The question moved her enough to seek more and establish her faith.

So now, I ask you.  “Who do you say I AM?”

Many of us, start our journey with Christ as a child. We are introduced by way of the family.  We tend to follow our parents and their traditions that were set forth by their parents, grandparents and so on.

As we age, we start to decide how important the church and our walk with Christ is in our lives. Many like myself, walk away but then return for one reason or another.

This question in the movie really has been weighing on my mind.  “Who do you say I AM?”

When I was young I followed traditions. I was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Church. Later in life, I left the church. Not God, I just didn’t have time for church, I wanted to sleep in.  Another excuse, was when I married my husband, he was not a church goer nor did he believe in God.  So I just attended church, when I felt like it.  Sometimes that would be just Christmas and Easter.

Then my children were born. I truly believed from understanding of my teachings, that my children had to be baptized; if not, they would not got to heaven should they die.  So my son was baptized Catholic. My daughter was baptized Lutheran.

During this time, my husband was starting to ask questions about God.  People were placed in life at just the right time.  My husband was adamant at the time to not be Catholic, so we started church “shopping”.  We experienced many different churches. We came upon a Lutheran church my husband really liked.  The pastor had a sermon that just made him sit up and take notice.

So begins our Lutheran walk together with Christ. So when I hear the question, “Who do you say I AM?” I have one response. God is for me, within me and loves me, no matter what I may have or have not done. I am forgiven because Jesus died for me. I will have a spot in heaven, in my father’s house.

Okay, to be honest, I still worry about stuff. I don’t always give it to God like I should.  However I will say that as I grow older and seek to learn more, God has never let me down. If I look back over my life, God was always present, I chose to ignore his presence.

God was there in my family, my friends, people I met along the road. God was present in my animals, the plants, and the air I breathe.

Is my life easier because of this?  No. In fact sometimes, I feel like it’s harder. Maybe the stronger my bond with Christ, the harder Satin attacks.

So I ask you to think about the same question? “Who do you say I AM?”

The Bible ask this question too.

Matthew 16:15-16The Voice (VOICE)

Jesus: 15 and you? Who do you say that I am?

Peter: 16 you are the Anointed One. You are the Son of the living God.

Those of you who have read my blog know I’m a huge hummingbird fan.  Even more so after I asked God, during a trying time, to send me a hummingbird and God did.  The Hummingbird was my “burning bush” so to speak.

I see hummingbirds a lot lately. After all, I did put feeders outside my office window for just that reason.   I have been in a time of trail so to speak. So much uncertainty in the air.  Life can be like that.  I’m not the only one who will go through uncertain times, and I likely won’t be the last. In many cases, once this trail passes, another one will not be far behind.

God tell us not to “worry” about things.   Look at Matthew 6: 25-34

25 Here is the bottom line: do not worry about your life. Don’t worry about what you will eat or what you will drink. Don’t worry about how you clothe your body. Living is about more than merely eating, and the body is about more than dressing up. 26 Look at the birds in the sky. They do not store food for winter. They don’t plant gardens. They do not sow or reap—and yet, they are always fed because your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are even more precious to Him than a beautiful bird. If He looks after them, of course He will look after you. 27 Worrying does not do any good; who here can claim to add even an hour to his life by worrying?

28 Nor should you worry about clothes. Consider the lilies of the field and how they grow. They do not work or weave or sew, and yet their garments are stunning. 29 Even King Solomon, dressed in his most regal garb, was not as lovely as these lilies. 30 And think about grassy fields—the grasses are here now, but they will be dead by winter. And yet God adorns them so radiantly. How much more will He clothe you, you of little faith, you who have no trust?

31 So do not consume yourselves with questions: What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear? 32 Outsiders make themselves frantic over such questions; they don’t realize that your heavenly Father knows exactly what you need. 33 Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and then all these things will be given to you too. 34 So do not worry about tomorrow. Let tomorrow worry about itself. Living faithfully is a large enough task for today.

As I sit and watch the hummingbirds outside my window, I can’t help but think, those hummingbirds don’t really seem worried.  They are such a small bird and need to eat more than their body weight, to stay alive.  I was reading a little about them; research shows they burn their energy quickly.  Sure they rest sometimes, but they are always in flight mode.

Even when the feeders are empty, they flutter by each one, and fly off in search of another feeder.  They don’t sit and beg at the window, or look longingly at me.  They just move on.  I certainly don’t see them pacing back and forth saying “oh no what will I do now!!!?”

Why can’t we as humans do that?  Some trials we create ourselves, while others just happen by no one’s fault, just by design. We just have to trust that God will use that situation and have faith that we will get through it.

Matthew 17:20 reads:

Jesus: Because you have so little faith. I tell you this: if you had even a faint spark of faith, even faith as tiny as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and because of your faith, the mountain would move. If you had just a sliver of faith, you would find nothing impossible.

It is so hard being human. We are flawed and we must remember that God is always near, always present in every situation.

I will admit, my faith is small and sometimes tested.  As with anything, this current trail will one day be a distant memory.  How I use that memory is up to me.  Maybe it should be used for faith building and learning not to worry.

Matthew 6:27

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

Now that’s something to think about.  Worry doesn’t help fix the problem it just gets us upset, or even sick.  A week or two ago, I felt what I believe was my first panic attack.   I didn’t understand what those were really. For me, it was an overwhelming feeling that I couldn’t handle it, and I even had a shortness of breath.  I had to close my eyes. I remember thinking “God help me”.

I felt that same panic creeping up on me again recently.  I had to try and talk myself threw it, as I have tried to help others in my life, when this happens.  It’s not as easy as I had thought it should be. For that I apologize.

I guess, I need to practice my faith more; and fly like my beloved hummingbird. God will meet my needs, and your needs each day.

Yes, blog number 3 in a short time.  However, it is with a heavy heart that I write this one.

Some of you know this, and some of you don’t.  Before Doug became a pastor, he was police officer. I was (and still am) very proud of him. Today, I am so grateful he is no longer in the police department.

I remember when I first met him and some of the “guys”, there was an older gentleman who told me the best way for a family to get through each day. He said to see the badge as just identification.  Identification much like the medical offices people wears so you knew who to go to.  He also said, the gun is no different than the hammer the construction worker carries to the job site.

That gentleman was right. It did make sending Doug off easier each day. When I think of those words today, I don’t know if it would bring me the same comfort.

Do not get me wrong the recent shootings in MN and LA; and the horrific attack on the Dallas police department, leaves me speechless.  All people involved suffer from this. The police officer must live with knowledge that they killed someone. The families must learn to live with a loss of a loved one. Nobody wins.

It is so sad that people are calling out racisms and that new gun laws must be put into place. I will not debate if it was racism or not, I was neither the officer nor the people involved.  I will not debate if tougher gun laws are the answer.  Nor will I speculate what or why things happened in Dallas.

All this goes way beyond all that.  It’s about the people and the choices they make, and the things they chose to believe in. Fear, hate and lack of education can produce results that aren’t always pleasant.  I can play the side of the police and say, the shootings in MN and LA may have been based on a fear reaction. What are they afraid of?  Maybe the retaliation, or because of the growing number of people who “hate” the police?

I can play the victim side; shot first ask question later if I live? I can voice the mother’s side of their cries at the loss of the child, and cries of the children at the loss of the mamma or daddy. I can also voice the spouse or significant other, in the loss of their true love.

I could stand with the gun protesters and say, if the laws were tougher, it would keep the guns out of the people’s hands. I can stand with those who say, a gun can’t kill you until the trigger is pulled. Even then it needs to be loaded.  I can even bring sarcasm into this and say, tougher laws really work don’t they?  Look how it’s worked on the war against drugs.  How about the drunk driver who’s licensed was revoked?  Yeah that stopped them from driving again, didn’t it.

I could go on and on. I will probably upset or offend many people with this post too. But the reality is people are the problem.

What should be taught is how to love one another regardless of where you come from, what you look like and even what you may eat for dinner. We need to be more forgiving of those who make poor choices and snap decisions.  We need to pray for peace.

Reba McEntire has a simple song; we all need to start singing. Here’s in the YouTube link and below are the lyrics:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHbv4M8d3As

Pray for peace, Pray for peace, Pray for peace, Pray for peace, Pray for peace, Pray for peace, Pray for peace, Pray for peace, Pray for peace, Pray for peace, Pray for peace, Pray for peace, Pray for peace, Pray for peace, Pray for peace, Pray for peace, Please pray for peace, Pray for peace. Pray for peace (pray for peace). Pray for peace, Please pray for peace. Pray for peace, Pray for peace (pray), Pray for peace.

Please pray for peace (pray for peace). There’s power in the number of us praying here on earth.  We’re asking for a miracle. Let your voice be the first,  to pray for peace (pray for our mother), Pray for peace (pray for your father), Pray for peace (pray for your children), Please pray for peace (and pray for you). Please pray for peace (pray for peace), Pray for peace (you gotta pray for peace). Pray for peace (oh you got to), Please pray for peace (oh you got to, yeah yeah). Pray for peace (pray for our leaders), Pray for peace (pray for our forgiveness), Pray for peace (we got to pray for freedom), Please pray for peace (please pray for us).  Pray for peace (pray for our family) Pray for peace (pray for your brothers), Pray for peace (pray for our sisters). Please pray for peace (please pray for me), Pray for peace (oh pray for wisdom), Pray for peace (and pray for knowledge), Pray for peace (pray for understanding). Please pray for peace (pray for the world).

Pray for peace, Pray for peace, Pray for peace, Pray for peace, Pray for peace, Pray for peace, Pray for my peace (sisters, sisters).

Reba McEntire – Pray For Peace Lyrics | MetroLyrics

Shocker, another post coming from my blog.  I know, I really only post one a month typically, Today, I felt I needed to share this great article with you all.

I’m one of the vainest people I have ever met. No really, I am. I won’t wear shorts, because everyone will notice my fat white legs with varicose veins.  I won’t wear a bathing suit either. Why? Everyone is looking at me and commenting on how bad I look in it.  Oh and I can’t wear that dress either, I’m too fat for it.  Stripes not having it either, it will make me look wider.

To pose for a picture is like sending me on a death sentence. I hate having photos of me.  Yet I love looking at photos of others and the great time they are having with life.

Carly Simon’s song “You’re So Vain” really strikes a chord with me today too.  Well, the refrain part anyway. Do you remember it?

“You’re so vain, you probably think this song is about you

You’re so vain, I’ll bet you think this song is about you

Don’t you? Don’t You?”

I just had the pleasure of reading an article today that made me stop short. This article was posted on Facebook. It was published through The Huffington Post. Here is the link.  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/teresa-s-porter/so-youre-feeling-too-fat-to-be-photographed_b_4351360.html

I encourage everyone to read it.

We by nature are our own worst critic.  We need to learn to truly love ourselves. We can “fix” our image to the outside world. However, what is most important is fixing our image in our own little world.

We are created in God’s image. We are given free will over our body and mind. I think we need to adjust our thinking, and see the beauty within ourselves.

So I will attempt to smile more for the camera, and photo bomb others.  What a site that will be.  Hopefully when people see those pictures, they will smile and say, “She’s sure having a good time”. Life is short, you decide how you want to live it.

Proverbs 19:8The Voice (VOICE)

8 Whoever gains a wise heart loves his own soul,

and whoever preserves understanding experiences true goodness.

I like many others opened a Facebook account to keep up with family and friends both near and far.  Today it seems if you do not have a Facebook account, you’re in the dark ages.

Facebook in the beginning was a great idea.  I personally was able to connect with old friends I lost touch with, as well as see all the children growing amongst my family and friends.  Facebook brought the miles closer to our home.

In the beginning I, like many others, posted everything and anything about my life; even if you didn’t want to see it. I know I posted pictures and vague comments. Some of that may have been better left off of Facebook.  I love seeing all those posts by friends and family.

With everything good about Facebook, sadly bad came with Facebook too.  Facebook allows people to voice their opinions, bully others, impose political views, and helps spread gossip, racism and more. Homes have been trashed due to “party” invites being posted and shared to people who should never have been invited. People have had their homes broken into, after announcing how much fun they were having on their family vacation.

Yikes!  So much we didn’t think about or need to think about when Facebook first came around. With every post, or news blurb we see, we learn the importance of locking down our Facebook and limiting what we post. I’ve heard reports of people getting fired from their job due to postings on Facebook.  I have even heard that posts can keep you from getting jobs too.  Some of us not so techy folks are learning although you may delete something, it’s forever imprinted in cyber space to be pulled again somewhere in the distant and not so distant future.

I would never be one to say stop using Facebook. I personally, am on it all the time. No matter how frustrated, offended or excited I become about something, I can’t seem to turn it off.  However, Facebook is still a great source.  Think about how many people you could reach with God’s good news!

You never know who may see your posts right?  So think about this.  Why not posting bible verses every day?  Think of how many people may read and or share that verse. Your one bible verse post could change someone’s life.

I decided to try to post one bible verse a day and have been doing it for some time now. In the beginning no one commented or “liked” my post.  I just kept on posting; even today I still share a verse of the day.  The more I shared, the more “likes” I started to get. I have even had comments stating: “thanks I needed this one today” or “thank you for posting these daily, I look forward to them.”  WOW, I’m helping to make a small difference in the hearts of those who believe. In fact some of the posts have even been shared.

I’m trying to be better about Facebook. I try to watch what I post. I know I will keep posting pictures of my pups, and keep their Facebook page going. I’ve got an Essential Oil page to help promote my Essential Oil business, and I have my “Kris’s Journey Through Faith” page too. This page leads you to my blogs, my verse of the day and sometimes some inspirational things when I find them.  I know I will post regular things too. Great recipes, exciting news and the like.  I will probably mess up a post or two as well. You know the type of post I shouldn’t have posted.

If, like me, you want to keep Facebook that’s really okay.  However, let’s work together to return it to what it should be for. Post your great photos, recipes, meals or whatever truly makes you happy. Be strong in posting God’s words. Talk about your church and why you love it.  Set up invites to attend your church on Sunday.  Let’s try to leave out the anger, frustration, racism, bullying, and “my way is best attitude”.  In the words of Ellen DeGeneres  “Be Kind to Everyone”.

Mark 16:15 The Voice (VOICE)

Jesus: 15 Go out into the world and share the good news with all of creation.

Friday the 13th

I recently did some research on the Friday the 13th.  This year, 2016, will only see one Friday the 13.  Some years may have two or more, it just depends on how the calendar falls. I did discover for a month to have a Friday the 13th; the month has to start on a Sunday.

Another tip if you were interested in determining when Friday the 13th will strike again, is to look at a calendrical method.  Whenever a common year begins on a Thursday the moths of Feb, March, and November will have a Friday the 13th.  This will happen 11 times in the 21rst century, or so the internet says.

Now why is Friday the 13th unlucky?  Who knows, there was no real rhyme or reason as to how it got started. In fact sometimes it can be a very lucky day.

So why do I choose to blog about Friday 13th? Well Friday May 13, 2016 is a day that will be very hard for me to forget.  Yet, it was a very lucky day!

My day started off like any other day. I knew my daughter would be traveling home from school out in Wyoming, for summer break. I prepared myself as I would any other day. I entered my office, looked at the calendar and thought “Friday the 13th? Oh well I will make it a good day.”  For some reason, I just felt like something wasn’t right.  However, it’s now 7:00 am and I have to start my work day. So I did. An hour into my day, I received a text from my daughter saying she crossed the Nebraska state line.  She’s been on the road by about two hours now.  It’s long 15 hour drive all by yourself. This was not the first time she has driven home from Wyoming alone.

I don’t know for sure what time it was, but sometime after 8:00 am, my husband came into my office quickly. He hung out until my call was completed, advised me to log out of work we needed to leave.

Apparently my daughter had a single car rollover accident.  She was cut off by another driver. She was on a rural highway doing 60 plus miles per hour, when the driver behind her decided to pass.  When the driver cut back over, they cut it too short. My daughter then jerked the wheel, to get out of the way, that caused her car to also roll two times. The other driver never stopped.  She was able to flag down someone who took her to the Police department.

Although she had already spoken to my husband and she advised she was not injured, we packed up our things and headed to pick her up.  In between all this, we located someone in Wyoming who was able to go and retrieve her from Nebraska and at least bring her back to her place in Wyoming.

She later sent pictures of her vehicle, it was totaled.  I know she’s ok, I’ve been texting her since we left, but until you see your child and hold them in your arms, you don’t really believe it.

The only damage that was sustained was the damage to her car totaling it. She also had some dented pop cans, but other than that nothing.

When we asked her about it she said she was very scared, but also told God, that if it was the case, she was ready to “return home”.   Remember, she walked away from this with only a memory.

That’s not to say that she didn’t have nightmares after the incident. She did have a slight injury to one of her breast but very minor, a few days later.

She is now working at her summer job and driving as if nothing ever happened. I’m so thankful God was with her that day.   I’m sure you can see, why for me, Friday the 13th is very lucky.

I think Psalm 23:4 is the perfect Psalm for this reflection.

Psalm 23:4 ESV 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.