The Last Little Bird In The Nest

Our youngest daughter, who just turned 26, is about to fly the coup!

She was planning on moving to another area we're not familiar with and I thought when she bought her new car last week, that it meant she wouldn't be moving out right away. Her Dad felt the same way, so imagine our shock when she announced to us that she and her best friend's sister are actually still going to move to the Natomas area of Sacramento into a 2 bedroom apartment in a complex that hasn't finished construction yet. 

Her friend will be working in Rocklin and Beth commutes to Woodland. She's has a very stable job situation so things are speeding up on me with regards to all of this. Like I said. This was totally unexpected!

I'm grateful that all of my kids have graduated from "home" so successfully. I have my oldest son, who just bought a house 2 years ago, my oldest daughter is making buku bucks at Dolby in San Francisco, where she only has to go in one day a week and telecommutes from home the other four. Then there's my youngest son, who enjoys entering his car into car shows and working as a cashier at Trader Joe's, and is content as can be. He takes after me that way. Beth is more adventurous. She's done 3 police ride alongs now. I wonder if she'll join the academy at times?? I've always thought she'd make an excellent cop!

My husband and my children have been my whole life. Time just flies you know and now all of my children are gone, but I could still die a happy lady tomorrow. All four of my children are successful in life and they all seem to be pretty happy. Totally happy would just be a lie. They all have issues, but it's nice to have a pair of  "Mom Goggles" to look at them through and see only the good things about them. 

I'm starting to have flashbacks of the first Christmas we had in this house. We had moved in on December 15, 1993. We had opened all the presents, and all of a sudden we couldn't find Bethany anywhere! All of us were looking for her. She was 6 months old & still crawling at the time. When we found her, she was sound asleep under the Christmas tree, obscured by wrapping paper. She was adorable then, and now, and I don't know what I'm gonna do after she's moved out and moved on with her life.

When she does? This time, it's gonna hurt. She's my little baby girl. I love having her here. I never thought she'd actually leave, but her wings are full and she's had her test flights, etc., and I know she's ready. But I'm not. 

I'm not worried about her ability to take care of herself. She's a 911 operator, and has been for almost a year, so she has people she can count on who will be there for her if she finds herself in a situation she can't handle. She's cautious and very careful about who she gets close to. She's never even been on a date! She just doesn't trust men. She's way smarter on that front than I ever was, in fact she is wise beyond her years.

I hate that she's going to go, and I'll probably be crying off and on for DAYS when she does, but at least I know she'll have a safe home, a safe vehicle and a very safe working environment. She's a real grown up now. She and her siblings don't need me anymore. They'll call to check in, or I'll call them, but they're all doing just fine and a mom couldn't ask for anything better than that.

Thank you Lord for the children you allowed me to raise. They are all kind, beautiful, dedicated, individuals with special talents that bring goodness into the world. I couldn't be prouder if I tried. I really hope they feel and know that. Please watch over them Father as they continue to make their way into the world. 

For all of our graduates this year, I pray you'll behave honorably as you continue to grow and become adults. Life is what you make of it so don't squander even one minute of it. Have fun, but have safe fun. Be smart. Be cautious and above all else, love each other. Be there for each other and stay in touch with your best friends because you'll never find replacements for them. Trust me. I know.

God bless you all. Congrats to our grads, including my little girl who's graduating into a life on her own. We'll miss her, but she'll only be a phone call away, just like the other 3.

It's been an honor being your mom. I love you Bit. As you go forward in your life, please remember to just enjoy what God has provided and just "Live with Abandon!" 

Time to Count Your Blessings!

Paul said we should be "content" with what we have and not worry about the rest. Wanting "things" and "stuff," isn't a happy investment of our time, so we should be grateful for what we do have and not complain about what we don't.

In my current situation, I'm totally blessed. I have a roof over my head and it's a new roof with 4 new tube skylights in it at that! We also replaced our entire HVAC heating and air system and had new dual pane windows installed as well, which really helped reduce our energy costs. We're still thinking about what color the house should be painted. 

My husband has 2 pensions coming in from the USAF and the Carpenters Union and he's still allowed to work 482 hours a year. That keeps him busy and the rest of the time he piddles around the house and he's really into the landscaping thing. He's really improved our lawns and our back yard. It's no longer just "mud!" He also has done some beautiful brick work around my rose bushes in the front yard, and a whole row of pavers next to the bushes that divide our driveway from the neighbor next door and he also rebuilt the mailbox post, built a new fence on the west side of the house and rebuilt both gates, ours and the neighbor's. 

You know that old saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it?" Well, I was told I was "broke" and needed "fixing!" I'm hoping that by working out, eating better, (I can't get enough FRUIT!), that I'll be on my way to being the old me, just a little lighter, leaner and maybe even ready to go back to work!

I could have stayed in my pity pot, letting the devil rob me of my life, but somebody flipped a light switch on somewhere and gave me the gift of playing the piano by ear back! I lost it 34 years ago. I thought it was gone forever, but someone turned the combination lock in my brain, and there it was. Good as new! I've done several covers of other artists songs, and I've written about 13 of my own and I'm getting ready to pay to have them recorded in a real recording studio! 

I have a roof over my head, plenty of food to eat, a nice car to drive, great books to read, a TV and computer, a new routine and I've become very content. There are other things I could want, but when I think of how little others have, and how much I have that they don't, I am humbled and at times even ashamed for not realizing how blessed I am sooner.

God has been very good to me and I am grateful! It's time to count your blessings folks. Jesus is coming soon to take us all home. There, we'll have everything we could ever want or need. It's going to be AWESOME! 

So become content. Jesus will hoist more blessings upon you when you do!

No Matter What

Sorry I've been absent from the blog, but I'm really struggling with the pain in my back and I have to go through a second MRI of the cervical and thoracic spine on the 29th. When I had just the lumbar done, I came out of the machine, came home and have been flat on my back ever since. Spinal Stenosis is a progressive disease of the spine. If left untreated it can cause paralysis, even death. I just need a few more weeks, and an awesome pain killer that I can take before and after the test, because this scan will take double the time it took to do my lumbar spine. 

After the infections I got in the hospital in 1990,1993 and 1995, I was really afraid of going forward with this thing. Then one day, I was in deep prayer with God, and I had a word of knowledge! I heard, "I got you through the first 3 infections. What makes you think I couldn't do it a 4th time?" I immediately realized God was speaking to me! He was telling me, "Stop limiting me! I am God and I can do whateve I want!" So it has taken awhile to stare that demon of fear down but I was victorious! I've been going through grief as well. Grief for my failed marriage and grief for my kids who are grown and don't need me anymore. 

At the bottom of the heap of my life, I found myself. I found my soul again as well. I started hearing chords one day, and now I'm able to play a few songs by ear. I also write music, but I haven't heard a chord for over 33 years! Being able to play a song by ear again has given me so much joy it's unbelievable!

My hope is in Jesus. My health is in His hands, and even if this doesn't work, I will still sing from my bedroom to the heavens! So, whatever God's will is, I'll accept it and then follow through with what He says, not what the devil whispers in my ear! I may have a chance to make the next 30 years the best of my life! 

I'm being held to the fire. I'm being tested. I'm being sifted like wheat, but even so, I will always love Jesus, even if He is unable to wave a magic wand and cure me, I'll still love and trust Him, no matter what!

Friday Funnies!

It's time once again, for "Friday Funnies."  

Enjoy!

Bill Engvall - "Here's Your Sign."

Here's Jeanne Robertson, 
"No Ma'am! I don't smoke!"

Here's Chondra Pierce 

with "Manuopause Parking."

Here's Juanita Lolita with

some really funny stories!

The Christmas Flu

My husband has been working in cold and damp conditions oustide. He's now got a monster of a cold!

I've been keeping my distance, as I haven't gotten the flu in several years, and don't want what he's got. I'm glad I got the pneumonia vacine when I did! I got a little cold around Christmas 2 years ago, and it only lasted for a week and 1/2. The time before that, I had bronchitis for a year and a half. That one started on Christmas day, so I spent two Christmas's in a row, sick!

So, if your sick and singin' the blues, don't feel bad. Everybody is a bit cranky when they don't feel well. I live that nightmare every day with the pain from the spinal stenosis, so I can commiserate. 

So, if you're a bit run down, have some hot chocolate by the fire place with your family and enjoy the coming weekend! 

Knowing a lot of people have the bug, I thought I'd share a funny song with you this post. I hope you get a chuckle out of it and that you all feel better, real soon!

Sweet and Simple

There is a simple sweetness about the Lord Jesus. All we must do to be saved is to call out His Name. (Romans 10:13). Accepting Jesus as Savior is key to eternal life! "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16).

We know "grace" as we are all sinners saved by grace. (See Ephesians 2:8-9). We are given grace every day. Lamentations 3:23 states, "His mercies are new every morning. Blessed be the Name of the Lord." 

Jesus gave us what I call "Mega Grace" because I always seem to need it so much! Jesus also sent us the Holy Spirit to comfort us in times of trouble, sickness, disease, etc. Jesus had to do His Father's will, showing obedience unto death. Jesus took our place to pay for our sins. We should want to start living for Him, like I haven't been lately, and tell the world that He's the only way into heaven. John 14:6 makes that very clear. (Sorry Oprah fans).

It's disheartening to see so many people turning away from the faith. I am burdened for the lost, who need to meet Jesus. God placed that burden on my heart on 4/29/12, and I'm not going to stop sharing my faith, my testimony, etc., on this blog,

Thank You for your grace Lord Jesus. Your Amazing Grace has shaken the chains right off of me! God Bless and have a terrific day!

The Power of the Tongue

We've all done it, whether we know it or not, and should repent and ask God's forgiveness and ask Him to show us when we're being unkind, pushy, disrespectful, etc., with our words! It requires a Godly "attitude adjustment." We're going to be judged on every idle word we say! (Hint, hint: I think that's why we have 2 ears and only one mouth?).

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." (Proverbs 18:31). How about this one? "By your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." (Matthew 12:37). 

There's just one thing we all need to remember.

Words DO matter so please?

SPEAK LIFE!

God's Not Done With Me Yet!

"Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you is faithful to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6).

Everything is beginning to change, and the inertia is unstoppable. It's like going full bore at a brick wall and your brakes are out!

I was greatly encouraged by President Trump recently. I've also begun to see people going back to work and continuing to rebuild their lives after 8 years of redistribution of wealth. 

What really lit me up was how he spoke of our Creator. He was modest, reverent and respectful. I've heard several scholars say that every prophecy about the return of Jesus from Matthew 24 and Mark 21, have all occurred already, so the rapture could happen in the next minute! Time to get on our faces, pray and humble ourselves, seek Him and you will find Him! Pray to be found worthy!

As Billy Graham says "I'm a wretched sinner, who needs Jesus' forgiveness every day." I feel exactly the same way. It's time to get right with God because His son, who died for our sins, is coming soon to snatch the church right off the face of the earth!

I know I've been away, but there's a very good reason for that. I've been having severe short term memory issues & I also sometimes start a sentence and then forget what I was going to say. It's begun to happen a lot more. It's not just "writer's block"  anymore.

It happens so often now, I never even try anymore, so please forgive and pray for me? I know God's still at work on me. He's working on all of us. 

We're just Unfinished!                                                             

Merry Christmas to Me!

I'm done with pain so I'm giving myself a wonderful Christmas present! I've got an appointment to see a neurosurgeon on December 21st, to schedule a surgery that could get me back up and walking!

I've been running scared for 9 1/2 years due to 3 infections that nearly killed me in 1990, 1993 and 1995. All of them occurred after being hospitalized but I'm hoping that if I get the surgery done at the same hospital, they'll know exactly what to do if I spike a temp! Seems I always do that when in the hospital, which is why I'm scared stiff! I've decided however, to feel the fear and do it anyway.  

This whole thing started when God whispered to me one day, "How is it that you were willing to trust Me with your daughter (who had cancer), all those years ago, but you won't trust Me with you?" 

That one hit me like a ton of bricks! So, it's time to stop running and deal with my fear. The bible says specifically that fear is associated with punishment. "There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." (1 John 4:18).

The devil works us constantly when we have an irrational fear such as this one? It is kind of a risky surgery so he's workin' me double time right now. I wish this wasn't happening but I know that God is in control, which does bring a certain amount of peace to my soul. 

I appreciate and pray for everyone who reads this blog and I apologize for being away for so long. Thank you for being so patient with me.

God bless you all. I hope you all have a terrific weekend!

When God Steps In

Fear can make you feel very alone. Even worse is when you say you're trusting God for everything in your life, when what you really mean is "everybody in your life." 

I was telling my little cancer survivor who is now 28 years old, that she needed to be on high blood pressure meds and that she should go and get a physical. She told me no. When I began to "complain" about it to the Lord, I heard a little voice inside, as clear as day, say "How is it that you trusted Me with your little girl all those years ago, yet you don't trust Me with you?" 

Talk about God's timing? I just had the lumbar and cervical spine MRI's this afternoon. By the time I got home, my doctor had already scheduled me for next Monday, but I have another appointment I simply can't miss for another malady that popped up recently.

I really like my new doctor. He researched the furuncle situation, which is just another nice word for "MRSA" or Medically Resistant Staph. He put me on an antibiotic that nobody put me on before, and it was gone within one week! That now frees me to get the Enbrel shot I need for the Psoriatic Arthritis as well as the two surgeries I'll need for decompressing the lower spine, and the more dangerous surgery, which involves the upper spine, or the neck? It's a cord nightmare, or so I've read.

After I got home, I turned on the TV, but quickly got bored. I decided to listen to some Christian music from my iTunes play lists. When I heard this song, I began to cry. God has always had control over this situation. This song reminded me that He will never leave you or me, nor will He ever forsake us, the way we do Him! 

I need to get well, so I can get out there, get a job, feel some self respect again, gain back my dignity and start to live for the Lord, and I mean, live out loud for Jesus!

I hope this post will help the hearts of others who are facing difficult surgeries with uncertain outcomes. If you need prayer, please send me your prayer requests at BeABarnabus@Gmail.com.

Remember, when we see "broken beyond repair," God see's "healing beyond belief." I have a feeling the timing of all of this is just perfect, because God never makes mistakes. That means my testimony will be just crazy amazing!

God bless you all and thank you for reading this blog. I pray for all of you because even though I may not know you personally? God does!

The Final Warning!

"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth." (Revelation 3:15-16).

I've never heard a preacher say it, but I believe that this is the "final warning" to us as Christians who have one foot in Christ and the other in the world. Our God is a "jealous God!" (Exodus 34:14). He wants ALL of us, not just half! I believe this verse is a WARNING & time is growing short! "Let him who has ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the Churches." (Revelation 3:22).

God wants to be in the center of your life. There's a saying that goes, "When you put God in the center? Everything else comes together." I love that quote, though I don't know who originally said it. 

What we all deserve is death and eternal separation from God. As believers in Jesus Christ, we'll receive a Crown of Life in heaven, which we will cast at His feet as we kneel before Him. He died a horrible death to save us! God sent Him here for that one purpose alone and "God made Him who had no sin, to be sin for us so that in Him, we might become the righteousness of God in Christ." (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Do you have one foot in the world and one in Christ? It's time to get rid of the "grey area's" in our lives and be fully committed to Jesus Christ! 

My prayer for all who read this post is that the Holy Spirit will convict you of your sin so so you can ask God to forgive you. There is an old saying, a quote, actually from A.W. Tozer."Complacency is the death to all Spiritual growth." So don't wait! He's waiting on you. God loves you and wants the best for you. Eternity!

You see, when we get stuck, with one foot in Christ and the other in the world? It puts us "Somewhere in the Middle."

Sunday Funnies!

It's Time for Sunday Funnies!

Remember: Laughter is the Best Medicine!

Enjoy David Farrell!

If you like this post, please share it on Twitter, 

FaceBook or G+1! Thanks for checking out 

the blog! Hope you'll be back very soon!

Have a very happy Sunday!

God Bless!

Christian Videos of the Week!

Hope you enjoy these terrific video's and that the music melts your heart, and allows you to talk to Jesus like you never have before. He is always near. Just reach out for Him. He is with you! God Bless you all and have a terrific day/night, depending on where you are in the world and please share this post with your friends!

"Hurricane," by Natalie Grant

"The One I'm Runnin' To," by 7th Time Down

"Fix My Eyes," by for King and Country

"Always Enough," by Casting Crowns

"Through All of It," by Colton Dixon

9/11 - Never Forget

To this day, 15 years after the fact, I still break down and cry over the attacks on this country on 9/11 which killed close to 3,000 people. 

As for this photo? You may or may not remember it. They found two beams that were in the shape of the Cross in the debris of the Twin Towers.

The metal hanging on the left side made me think of a large wooden cross we used to put up at our church on Easter. We had a long purple sash that hung over each side with lilies all around it as do most churches during the Easter season.

With all the turmoil in the world, I've begun to turn to God's Word to help me figure out where we are on the timeline of Jesus coming for us, and it's going to happen at any time. All prophecies regarding Jesus and His return have happened. I urge you, if you're fallen away or have never met the Lord, get right with Him now? I wouldn't want anybody, not even a mortal enemy left behind to go through the living hell that God is about to pour out onto this earth out of His wrath. 

This song was written at the request of President George W. Bush. Michael W. Smith tells how the song came about in a video on YouTube and was asked to play it at the 2004 Republican National Convention.

I hope you will remember this great country's heritage as being the greatest country on earth and making her great, once again. 

In his speech in 1964, entitled "A Time for Choosing," Ronald Reagan said, "If we lose freedom here, there's no place to escape to. This is the last stand on earth." Reagan gave this speech on behalf of Barry Goldwater who was the Republican nominee for President. Every American should watch this speech!  "A Time For Choosing". It's amazing that the things he spoke of in this particular speech in 1964? Well, they're all happening again!

Please pray for our country. We're more divided than ever, and we need another "Uniter in Chief," like Reagan. I loved him, and wish he was still here running the show. I doubt that I'm the only one. We miss you Ronnie.

God Bless you all and may God, once again, Bless the United States of America.

"If my people which are called by My Name, shall humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and I will forgive their sin and heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Ezekiel 38 Right Before Our Eyes!

Today, I wanted to share with you a few of the latest episodes of "The Hal Lindsey Report."  I've been thinking about the episode on 9/18 since I saw it, and now, I finally have what I feel is the perfect "Part II" to go along with it. 

This is from Ezekiel 38. God is speaking to "Gog" (Putin), of the land of "Magog" or Russia.

"Thus says the Lord God, 'It will come about on that day, that thoughts will come into your mind, and you will devise an evil plan, and you will say, 'I will go up against the land of unwalled villages, (the land is Israel & unwalled refers to Israel's protection, which they will no longer have because under the nuke deal with Iran, America is required to defend Iran against Israel if they try to attack). God continued, "I will go against those who are at rest, that live securely, all of them living without walls and having no bars or gates, to capture spoil and to seize plunder, to turn your hand against the waste places which are now inhabited, and against the people who are gathered from the nations, (the establishment of Israel as a state in 1948, began a mass exodus of Jews back to Israel, which continues to this day), who have acquired cattle and goods, who live at the center of the world. Sheba (an ancient Semitic civilization in parts of Ethiopia and Yemen), and Dedan, (Tyre/Lebanon), and the merchants of Tarshish (Great Britain), with all it's villages/young lions (Colonies: The United States), will say to you, "Have you come to take a plunder? Have you assembled your company to seize plunder, to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods to capture great spoil?" (Ezekiel 38:10-13). Obviously, America IS mentioned, it just points out that we will stand by and do nothing, which is EXACTLY what the US has already been doing. Nothing.

There are a lot of different countries listed in Ezekiel 38, that will make an alliance with "Gog," or Putin, the prince of "Rosh," Russia, of the kingdom of "Magog," again Russia, who is preparing to lead a great army from the north against Israel. "Meshech" is Moscow, "Tubal" is Tobolsk NE of Siberia, Tubal is also possibly a baltic state such as Ukraine? "Persia" is Iran, "Gomer" is Germany, or all of eastern Europe, all of whom could be overthrown and taken over by jihadi terrorists who are currently and have been, growing in number in their midst for decades, not to mention all the Syrian refugee's Germany is about to absorb. Continuing with our list,  "Beth-Togarmah" is Turkey, (who was just bombed by two suicide bombers last week, so they could get pulled into this thing soon. They're listed?). "Cush" is Sudan, and "Put" is Libya. 

Some of the countries listed above, have changed names and area over the centuries, so they were marked by following the sons of Noah, and where they settled. There could be more countries I missed, but we got the most important ones. Some of these names listed above, as you noticed may be in two different regions, or countries. For instance, if you do a search, you will find that the birthplace of all terrorism, "Assyria," is now located in 4 different countries. Syria, Turkey, Iraq and Iran. How about that one? Kinda spooky ain't it? 

Please, if you are worried about the end, don't be? If you believe in Jesus, He's got you covered! He said, "DO NOT let your hearts be troubled! You believe in God, believe also in Me. Trust in God, trust also in Me." (John 14:1). So stop worrying about your kids or family? Just remember what it says in Acts 16:29-31. Memorize it and draw on it when you need it. It's one of the greatest promises in the New Testament, especially to us mom's, because let's face it, fear of the unknown which causes anxiety and "worry?" It all comes with our job description. But, when you truly believe it, with all of your heart, your faith will grow and your worries will shrink! 

Isaiah 45:11 is such an amazing verse of scripture, a really huge promise from God to those who believe in Jesus! This verse is an amazing promise, and I believe that it is all tied in with our faith, or lack thereof? The bible says "without faith, it is impossible to please God." (Hebrews 11:6). Isaiah 45:11 says," Thus says the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, 'Ask Me about the things to come, concerning MY sons, (meaning "all of God's children"), and you shall commit to Me, the work of My hands." (In the KJV it says "Commandeth ye me."). That is my new favorite verse, because the promise itself is just such an amazing promise of protection! 

Please, watch both of these video's when you have the chance. They may help you with understanding why Russia is in Syria and what's going on with emigrating refugees too, there's just a lot of great news information, that you wouldn't see on a network like MSNBC, CNN or any other main stream media outlets. So please watch & if you agree, please share with family and friends, especially those who need Jesus, for the days are short!

May God bless you all and may we all be peaceful with and prayerful for each other, and other's outside of our circles as well?

Thanks for the reminder Hal, that not only are we close? We need to be like one, crying out in the wilderness............ 

"Prepare ye the way for the Lord. Make straight paths for Him."                               

Prepare Ye the Way!
Michael W. Smith LIVE!