Quote For Today...

"Nothing happens by happenstance. I am not in the hands of fate, nor am I the victim of man's whims or the devil's ploys. There is One who sits above man, above Satan, and above all heavenly hosts as the ultimate authority of all the universe.That One is my God and my Father."

~Kay Arthur ~

Our Times...

" My times are in Thy hand."

Psalm 31:15

It never ceases to amaze me how the days can just click by. I have been gone for awhile and I so appreciate many of you asking about me. I have had a little rough spell with not feeling well, but I mostly didn't have much to say, or maybe I had so much I wanted to share I didn't know where to start first! I'll just look at it that it was a time to be still. For the most part I want to share a just a couple things that have been on my heart the last month.

Our world is changing and it is changing fast. I feel that the only way we can hold on is to hold on tight to the Lord and know that our times are in His hands. I read other peoples blogs and they explain the politics and what it means for our country and how we are to deepen our pantry's, simplify our lives, prepare for the unknown...I am doing all that, but I don't know how to write about it. I found myself getting a little anxious a few weeks ago...then on Sunday my pastor said, When we say, Come quickly Lord Jesus, we must be prepared to walk through the rough times and trials that present themselves in these last days. It made so much sense to me all of a sudden. You can't ask for one without experiencing the other. If we are truly in the the last of the last days, or even at the beginning of the last days...we can't ask for one without experiencing the other. Difficult days usher in Jesus' return. Just think... we have been chosen by the Father Himself, to be living in these days. We are told to occupy until He comes. So amidst all the uncertainty we must try even more so to be examples for Christ, let our lives reflect His to all we come in contact with. That's why we are still here, God has work for us to do!

The last time I posted on my blog I was on my way to a prayer meeting. I shared that day that I had started a devotional and would this group of ladies hold me up in prayer as I sought the Lord as what to write. I don't even think about it being published, maybe just spiral bound booklets to give to people. Since that day that I asked for prayer..I haven't written a word anywhere..not even here on this blog or my recipe blog. That just dawned on me the other day. I have felt under such attack from the enemy and hadn't put it all together.

Isn't it comforting to know that God does hold us in His hands? That what we go through is so important to Him that He holds those things closely. It's almost hard to take in at times, that the Father cares so much about all the things of our lives, but He does.

This turned out to be a hodge podge of thoughts, but I wanted you to know I was alive and feeling better.

It's the first day of Spring and here in Southern California the sun is shinning... new beginnings, buds popping out all over and a freshness in the air. Sweet Sweet pollen. Achew!

Have a blessed day, everyone!

Prayer...

I am off to my intercessory prayer meeting today. I look forward to meeting with these ladies every other week as we lift the needs of others, our church and needs of our country before God's throne of Grace. I pray you'll have a blessed day in the Lord!

Trust Jesus......

I am always mentioning in my posts that we live in changing times..sometimes I say perilous times. I am going to add the word uncertain to the mix. I never want to scare anybody but I think we are headed for rough times. Our new president is making choices that will affect our great grand children's great grandchildren. People are out of work and there isn't anyone that could be above losing their job. Am I scared? NO, but I get a little anxious sometimes thinking what could be before us. I am taking steps to deepen my pantry, buying what I feel is necessity rather than luxury, encouraging those I love to do the same.

When my heart gets overwhelmed I have to remember that all these things have to take place before Jesus returns. Prophecy has all been fulfilled...Jesus could come at any time. In these uncertain times I know the only One that is certain is Jesus. Trusting Him and doing what I can as a homemaker to deepen my pantry and save money is my goal for now.

I have been reading some very good blogs on how to deepen our pantry's during this economic crisis.

Brenda at Coffee Tea Books and Me has very helpful information on emergency prepareness and deepeening your pantry. She also has links in her side bar to other valuable recources. I'll be posting more blogs and websites at another time.

TRUST JESUS

Work To Do...

"God did not save us so that we could look attractive on Sundays. He saved us and left us here because He has work to do...very specific work. He has a mission to accomplish for kingdom gain in every generation...all planned in advance and perfectly timed. In His sovereignty, God has chosen to do His work through us. If we miss our ministry, we will miss our entire purpose in remaining here."

~ Beth Moore ~

Living Beyond Yourself

What is our purpose, what is our ministry? Each one of us have been called and left here on this earth for very specific reasons...to fulfill the ministries that God Has entrusted us to do. Each one of us has a mission to accomplish for kingdom gain and eternal benefits.When our work on earth is done, then God will take us home.

God doesn't call everyone into full time ministry. For the most part our ministry is centered around our daily lives and those people we come in contact with. There is kingdom gain in anything God places before us to do. When those things are done to the glory of God, there is a ripple affect that reaches beyond our four walls. It could be that silent witness to unsaved family members in your home or extended family. If we are dong what God has placed before us to do, to the glory of Him..He will produce the kingdom gain. We need only do what he has called us to do.

I have heard people say when someone dies that their work on earth was finished. It always seemed like just words to me, but I have really thought about it lately. Every day that we get up and take a breath we have the opportunity to influence someone's life. Raising children to love the Lord and supporting our husbands is a part of kingdom gain...being a reflection of the Lord, wherever we find ourselves out in the world, is used for kingdom gain. God wants to work through us..that is our purpose for being here.

There are different seasons in our lives where we are used in different ways. At different times in our lives, God gives us different things to do. I taught women's Bible studies for years, now I write a blog and teach a little here and there. The opportunity that God puts before me more than anything else, is encouraging women. Ministry doesn't always stay the same. God uses us in whatever season we are in, if we are open and surrendered to His purposes. These are trying times, please don't miss the purpose God has chosen just for you, for kingdom gain.

"Whatever you do in word or deed,

do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks through Him to God the Father."

Colossians 3:17

Rainy Days and Mondays....

I thought I would take minute and catch up with everyone. I know I have been gone for weeks. Usually if I am gone this long I am just not up to par. I have not been up to par..not quite 100% my husband would say. I did so well for months, we had a glorious Christmas and we did so many wonderful things. I held up really well. I guess, I got a little tired when it was all over... a Fibromyalgia crash you could call it. Last week I went to Urgent Care, a Saturday wouldn't you know, when everybody and their brother is in there sick!! I have a kidney infection...geesh.
So as I have been home, not quite 100%....let me ask you this? Does anybody ever feel 100%? My husband does..isn't that wonderful? I just wondered if that was normal. (: Back to what I was saying..since I am home I have been sorting through stuff, again. Watching movies, listening to iTunes..just puttering and knitting...

I have been working on my Beth Moore study, Living Beyond Yourself..a study of the fruits of the Spirit. This is my second time doing it..I didn't pass the first time. (: Love it and highly recommend it. Anyone would love this study.

I have sorting through pictures too. We bought a fire proof safe to store pictures and some of my journals and other things that I have written. Friends of ours lost their home to fire on Christmas night. Sure makes you think..

Well, this is where I am...home. I am waiting out the winter weather.One day it's 85 degrees..another day 38 degrees...my muscles are confused so they rebel in what I call a fibro flare.

I think I'll go get dressed and make my bed. If I get dressed and my bed is made, I won't crawl back into it. Good thinking... wouldn't you say?? Have a good day!

Our Journey...

"God doesn't always take us on the shortest route on our journey."

~ My friend, Honey ~

Amen, Amen Amen....

But God...

There seems to be so many Christians that I know that are going through really hard times. For some, the heartache is unbearable. But God...

He sustains them.

He encourages them.

He fills them with strength.

He provides.

He restores.

He gives HOPE.

He carries them.

He holds them.

He goes before them.

He listens.

He wipes away their tears.

He gives JOY in the midst of their circumstances.

He comforts.

He loves unconditionally...

But God....Who but God could do these things and more, for hurting people?

But God...

Dear Lord...

"Dear Lord, Thou knowest better than myself that I am growing older and will someday be old. Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every occasion. Release me from craving to straighten out every body's affairs. Make me thoughtful but not moody, helpful but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom it seems a pity not to use it all, but thou knowest, Lord, that I must have a few friends at the end."

~ Ruth Bell Graham ~

What Matters...

"The God who created names and numbers and the stars in the heavens also numbers the hairs of my head.....

He pays attention to the very big things and to the small ones.

What matters to me matters to Him, and that changes my life."

~ Elisabeth Elliot ~

What matters to me matters to God, no matter how big or small a thing is. Like any parent, when I think of my children and grandchildren it is the same thing...if it matters to them, it matters to me. Makes it easier to comprehend when I think about it that way.

There are things I am trying to change in my life and because they align with what God's Word says for me....my life will change because I matter to God. It is hard to comprehend that the God who created the universe would care about the little things in my life. But he does! What a personal God we serve and love. I can just imagine God saying, "If it matters to you, then it matters to me." Now, that's love!

"The LORD will accomplish what concerns me;

Your lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting; Do not forsake the works of Your hands."

Psalm 138:8

~~~~

"I will cry to God Most High,

To God who accomplishes all things for me."
Psalm 57:2

God's Curriculum...

"God's curriculum for all who sincerely want to know Him and do His will, always includes lessons we wish we could skip...With intimate understanding of our deepest needs and individual capacities, He chooses our curriculum."

~ Elisabeth Elliot ~

We have all experienced things in life that we wish we could skip right over. Maybe you are in that place right now. When I look back over the difficult things that have happened in my life, those very things I thought would kill me, actually made me stronger. I never realized it at the time that I was growing stronger, but when the next trial came a long..I was stronger and it was then, that I saw the growth in me.

God has a curriculum written for each one of us. He alone knows what it will take to do that deeper work in us and to be an example to others. If all we do is grumble at how hard life is, we will be missing those deeper things He wants to teach us.

Part of the curriculum that God has chosen for me is living with several chronic illnesses. I can't even list all the things that He has taught me the last 16 years as I have made the journey through illness and pain. I have been discouraged more times than I can remember. God has always faithfully picked me up and and encouraged me in one way or another. He's been faithful at every turn and every trial. The trial or illness didn't always go away, but He was faithful to give me the strength to press on and press through each and every time. If you think about it, what choice do we have? We can either go through the things in our life with God or without Him. We can choose to grow closer to Him or to be mad at Him.

I only want to go deeper with the Lord. Things are difficult enough in this life... I don't want to go through things more than once to learn the same lesson all over again because I missed it the first time. I have done that before. Things were almost more painful the second time around. My prayer is, "Lord, don't let me miss what it is you are trying to teach me. Pleassssseeeeeee I don't want to have to do this again." (:

God loves us so much that He writes individual curriculum for each one of us...pretty cool when you think about it!

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Romans 8:28

Godly Character...

Godly character...to react to people NOT according to how they act towards me.

~ Pastor Greg Laurie ~

Slow Down...

The holidays are over, do you feel like you need to slow down and concentrate and focus on tending to things around your home? I do. I have shared many times that I love a simple life. I don't do well when I am busy all the time. My home doesn't do well, my health doesn't do well..nothing seems right when I am on the go all the time.

I can't help but think that God does not want that fast paced life for any of us, well, me for sure. When I'm busy, my mind is busy thinking of the next thing that I have to. When I get up in the morning and my feet hit the floor running, my quiet time is the thing that gets neglected. Or how about...when I get up in the morning and the first thing I do after I have said good bye to my husband... I turn on the computer. I have decided that I will not turn on the computer until I have a quiet time and my bed is made.

When I am too busy to hear when God whispers to me, it's time to slow down. Even children don't have to be as busy as they are these days. Most kids are run from one activity to another. They don't have time to slow down and be a kid. A lot of kids don't know how to entertain themselves without the TV or DVDs or someone entertaining them all the time. I love it when I see my granddaughters play with dolls or dress up. Kids need to slow down too..how will they learn to be still before God when they are older, if all they know how to do is be on the go when they are young?

Nurturing takes stillness, both physically and spiritually. We have to be still before God at times to be nurtured by the Holy Spirit. We have to slow down to hear the direction God wants us to take. People get sick with colds and flu because they are so tired and run down from being so busy. People have to work, it's all the added busyness that we need to re-examine to see if we need to slow down.

My Grandma told me once, "If the devil can't get you with idleness, he'll get you with busyness." That is so true! It's subtle too...we don't even recognize that some of our busyness is a distraction from the enemy himself, to keep us from the things of God. I know I have found that true in my own life from time to time.

So many people have said that they want peace. The only true peace is a relationship with Jesus Christ. For those that do know Christ and still cry for peace, maybe they are just too busy to recognize that they already have it. I am slowing down, how about you? Selah....

I read this book a few months ago. I am not very good at book reviews, so I won't try and give you an overview of what this book is about. I will step out and say that I personally will not recommend to it anyone. I read it out of curiosity and to have an opinion of my own, if anyone asked me about it. Many of my friends have read it and have felt their lives were changed by reading it. I personally didn't feel that way and forced myself to finish it. The argument ~for~ this book is that it is only fiction. I don't feel that way, but that is what people have said.

I am all for Christian fiction. I read a lot of fiction and have my favorite authors. When I read Christian fiction I want the the Trinity.... the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, portrayed with reverence and accurately to what the Bible has recorded. A book can really stretch my imagination, but don't mess with what I know to be Holy. That's where I draw the line.

It's only fiction....a new believer or a nonbeliever would definitely not get the correct information about our Heavenly Father, our Savior Jesus Christ and our Beloved Holy Spirit. So, maybe somehow this book can lead someone to the Lord. But who would they be led to? The black woman that this book refers to as Papa?? (She is the Heavenly Father portrayed in this book.)

Oh my...we live in such perilous times. The enemy Satan will try any way he can to water down the Word, distort Who our Heavenly Father is, Who Jesus Christ is and the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives and Who He is. He may even use a book that millions of people are reading.

With so much out there that is untrue..New Age..the Emerging Church...one of the most important things that we can pray for, is spiritual discernment. We have to know right from wrong, watered down as watered down and untrue to be untrue. We can only do that with discernment that comes from God.

I had to write my thoughts on this, they have been burning in my heart for months. It would not be my intention to insult you in anyway if you liked this book. I have always tried to write my heart on this blog and that's what I have done here today.

"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."

2 Timothy 4: 3-4

Our 39th Anniversary!....

Today is our 39th wedding anniversary. Once again, I'll say it.."Where does time go?" We we were both grocery checkers when we met. Love at first sight..almost. Six weeks later we were engaged and six weeks later..married. We really sent our parents into a head spin a week after Christmas. It still sets our heads spinning when our anniversary comes so close to the holidays. Some anniversaries it just feels good to stay all cozy at home rather than do much after the hustle and bustle of the busy holidays. Whatever we do today, we will do it together and be thankful that God has blessed us with another year of loving each other and being together.

Happy Anniversary, my Love!

Over Our Heads...

Girlfriends, Jesus is so worthy of our trust no matter what has taken us by surprise. Picture that, when the enemy asks for a little extra access to you, the only reason why God may have given him permission is because He knew you'd prove faithful. Do the thing. In the unseen realm, angels are cheering and demons are jeering. You are in the stadium and the bleachers are full. (Hebrews 12:1) Take one for the team if you have to. Be strong and courageous. Be willing to show people how it's done. Don't look for a leader. You are the leader. People are looking to you. Be deliberate. Make sure they see Jesus. We're not here all that long and then there's BLISS. Forever bliss. Till then, we're over our heads. But we can dang-well decide what kind of over-our-heads we're gonna be.

~ Beth Moore~

Resolutions VS. Obedience...

"Now I declare new things;

Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you.

Sing to the Lord a new song,

Sing His praise from the end of the earth."

Isaiah 42: 9-10

Is there something God wants you to do? Is there a new challenge or task that He is asking of you in this new year ahead? Is there something stirring in your heart that only God could have placed within you to do? It doesn't have to be a BIG thing..maybe just be more organized, or prepare healthier meals...things that have to do with our everyday life.

Maybe He has placed a BIG thing before you to do. I do know that be it big or everyday things..God will equip you to do it. When we are obedient, He will take us one step at a time to fulfill what He asks of us to do.

I am so thankful for God's grace and His mercy. They both are never ending and new everyday. What an awesome God we serve. We don't ever have to wait for a certain day to begin anew. Each breath that we take is a new breath, given only to us by our Heavenly Father. The thought overwhelms me.

I have turned my thoughts from New Year's resolutions to thoughts of obedience. There is such joy in obedience and not the dread and drudgery of fulfilling resolutions. Not only is there joy, but there is freedom. Freedom that only Christ can give. He bought and paid for it...it's ours, we need only walk in it.

Don't get me wrong, I have some goals written down. But I truly believe they are Holy Spirit inspired, so if I work on those things that He has shown me, I will be obedient. Because of the baby steps I have taken, I already feel joy and freedom! Hallelujah!

Let's each one of us look expectantly to what God has for us in the New Year. May God bless and keep you..

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Simplicity...

“This week, aim for simplicity. The last few weeks may have been filled with baking, shopping, concerts, gift wrapping, and dinner parties, but today, celebrate simplicity as you fix your eyes on Jesus.”

~ Joni Eareckson Tada~

Random Thoughts...

We had a great Christmas! It was cold and rainy and there was a fire in the fireplace....not the usual Southern California Christmas! Yesterday it was 82 and it felt good too. I haven't taken down all my Christmas decorations, just a few little things here and there. We have friends coming over New Years' Eve so I am leaving the big things up until New Year's Day.

God was so faithful to me during this busy season of festivities. I felt good all month and was able to do so many things that I have wanted to do for years for the holidays. Thank you, Lord! As soon as the Christmas decorations are all packed away it will be back to figuring out what a normal routine is again. It seems like thoughts of Christmas keeps my mind so busy for months. This is when I want to go through my entire house and just start purging all the excess that we have. I think I may just do that.....again.

I wanted to say hi....and post a few random thoughts. Have a blessed day!

Merry Christmas...

I am going to take the remainder of this week off from blogging. I had some things I wanted to write about..but for now they will have to wait. This has been one of the busiest Christmas seasons that we have had in years. I guess that tells me that I have felt better this year. Praise the Lord! As all of us probably do, I have some last minute baking and things to finish up before Thursday and a trip to San Diego in the midst of those days.

Merry Christmas to all of you who visit me here at Beside Still Waters. Thank you for your encouragement to me.

As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, we must remember that He was born for one reason... and that was to die. He died so we may live, forgiven and free from our sins. If you find yourself reading this blog today and you don't know how you came to be here...maybe it was so that I could tell you that the Babe born in a manger was born just for you. His love is the greatest love you will ever know. Embracing Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, asking Him into your heart, is the greatest gift there is. He died to give you the gift of eternal life. It's a gift you need only reach out and accept. I am praying if you have never done this before that you will today.

Merry Christmas,

Patty

More Winter...

Stater Bros. truck on it's way to the mountians...

Winter Has Arrived!

~San Bernardino Mountians~

In Southern California we don't have weather...it's usually hot, or not. After months of dry weather and really not any measurable rain, to have rain and snow this week has been wonderful. To have a view like this from my house, is a sight to see. It's been raining for days and it's COLD. I have lived in California for a long time and cold weather and Christmas usually doesn't happen. I am originally from Michigan and we would have a White Christmas quite often. I still associate cold with Christmas, even to this day. I think a lot of people do. I thought I would share a little piece of my world today. I will enjoy this because it could be 85 next week...hope not.

Is My Heart In Stable Condition?

The stable. I always thought it seemed like such an unsuitable place for the birth of the King of Kings.

The stable did not offer the same comforts as the inn, but it had one thing the inn lacked. Room. There was room in the stable where the Son of God could be born.

At times I wonder, " Is my heart like that inn...so crowded that I miss the presence of the Son of God? Am I so filled with the cares of life, stress, busyness and selfish desires that no room is left in my heart for Jesus?"

As I have watched theChristmas story reenacted through the years, I have often thought of the innkeeper. Why didn't he make room for the expectant mother, then allow others a place? I realize the innkeeper did his best to accommodate Mary and Joseph.

Each day I am faced with opportunities to allow God's blessing and power to fill my heart. When I have meditated on His Word and communicated with Him in prayer, then as the events of the day unfold I am able to handle each situation in the wisdom and strength that He provides. If I fail to read His Word and pray, then my life becomes packed with overwhelming circumstances and Jesus is crowded out.

My busyness and cares can be put in their proper place as I pray, "Lord, keep my heart in stable condition so that I have room for Jesus."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have used this devotional by Judy Seabaugh for many many years and each time reading it, I am shown I have let too many things creep into my heart during the Christmas season. Not so much physical busyness, but the busyness of my heart and mind. My mind goes a million miles an hour this time of year. You too? There can't be any room for Jesus when we are too busy to open the door to let HIm minister to us in only the ways He can. If you feel your stable doors have been closed, open them up and let the Son come in!

God of All Comfort...

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

There are so many people this time of year walking around with discouraged and hurting hearts. One may even be you. I think sometimes, we feel the need to hide how much our hearts are wounded and hurting. When we do that, we only allow that heartache to hurt all the more. There are other people that have gone through similar circumstances and trials and God wants to use them to minister to you.

Last Tuesday night I was able to share the same comfort God had given me, to a sweet sister in Christ, who just found out her son and his wife were having a baby with a cleft lip and palate. Our little granddaughter Rachel was born 4 years ago with this and I was able to encourage and tell her it would be a journey....a journey of God's faithfulness. The other thing I was able to tell her was, that I never would have dreamed all that God would do for Rachel. I never ever thought the Doctors would be able to do so much to repair her little face. God is so faithful in the journey, any journey we might find ourselves on right now. He does exceedingly abundantly more than we ask!

God comforts us in times of discouragement, heartache and grief....in all things, if we let Him and look for Him in the midst of the circumstances. Many times He will use someone that crosses our path to comfort with the same comfort they received in their time of need. If we don't want to be comforted and want to stay in that place of despair.. then we will. But when we look to God, and we earnestly seek Him, we will find Him.

What we go through in life will never be wasted... unless we choose to squander it in self pity. God will bring opportunity after opportunity to us, to use us in the lives of others, who now walk down familiar paths that we have walked down. We can share the love and faithfulness of God, to those who need just a glimmer of hope, to endure what is set before them. If our hearts are open, God will bring those in need to us to share the same comfort that we received from Him. To God be the glory!

"Bear one another's burdens..."

Galatians 6:2

The Night That Changed Everything...

People Pleasers...

"When we are set free from the bondage of pleasing others,
when we are free from currying others' favor and others' approval....then no one will be able to make us miserable or dissatisfied. And then, if we know we have pleased God, contentment will be our consolation."
~Kay Arthur~

I'd like to comment more on the quote I posted yesterday. I believe once we have been in bondage to always having to please others, it is so easy to slip back into that mental stronghold. We struggle with saying no when it isn't always God's best for us.We think we always have to say yes to everything because were Christians. It's not so. . If we want to please man, we run the risk of being disobedient if it isn't what God has asked of us. It's a daily walk in the Spirit to know the difference.

I still struggle with being in bondage of wanting to please everyone. I must say to the detriment of my own health through the years. I want everyone to like me and if they don't I beat myself up wondering what I did wrong. Maybe I didn't do anything wrong, we just have different personalities. It may not be me at all. I must admit...I am so much better than I ever was in the past..so I see growth in my life. Obsessing about pleasing other people steals any contentment in our life. Like Kay Arthur said in this above quote, when we seek to please God contentment is our consolation. So, instead of striving to please everybody, be all they want you to be, always saying and doing the things we think we should say to please someone...if we look to be pleasing to God and what He wants us to do ...we will not be miserable and dissatisfied. Sounds like the pressure would be off to be perfect or people pleasers.
Hmmmmm...something to think about!

The holidays are upon us. I encourage you to seek God and what His best is for you...make it your gift to Jesus this Christmas to live to please Him with obedient lives, rather than be in bondage of pleasing others. There is freedom and joy in pleasing others when it's what God is leading you to do. Putting on the mind of Christ and pulling down those strongholds of being a people pleaser...brings VICTORY, OBEDIENCE and CONTENTMENT!

Quote For The day...

"When we are set free from the bondage of pleasing others,

when we are free from currying others' favor and others' approval....then no one will be able to make us miserable or dissatisfied. And then, if we know we have pleased God, contentment will be our consolation."

~Kay Arthur~

Broken Pieces...

"He heals the brokenhearted and heals up their wounds."

Psalm 147:3

The box dropped...I heard the clinking of broken pieces. I knew what was in that box...of all boxes, it just couldn't be that box. I opened it carefully hoping it was minor..maybe something that wasn't my favorite. Sigh, it was my collection of Christmas tea cups. I have had them for years, given to me from special friends and some I bought myself.

A few days passed and I was putting out two adorable houses that friends had given me for my birthday one year. My fingers just gave out, and it was only the size of a shoe box. Oh my gosh! The damage was minor this time, only a chimney broke off. But still. I was disappointed about all the things that had broken this season and we are barely into it.

I was reminded it's just stuff. Indeed, it is just stuff. This made me think upon the broken people who live in that broken state every day of their life. What about the people who have broken hearts this time of year as they remember the losses in their lives as a result of losing someone, or even the people here in California who lost everything recently to the California fires, and the terrorist attacks... there is heartache all around us. Broken people, broken pieces...brokenness that only the Savior can put back together.

This second day of December...can you think of anyone that needs a touch of the Savior because they are broken. They aren't just stuff to be tossed away. The Lord will show us those people who need that touch that only He can give. Let's all be on the lookout with our Holy Spirit eyes, looking for opportunities to be part of the solution of helping mend broken lives. People don't always look broken on the outside. it's not always obvious to others when one is broken. Some people may just need a smile to get them through the day or a kind word to ease their pain just a little. Each thing we do can possibly be the building blocks leading that person to finding wholeness in Jesus Christ.

~People are not just stuff.~

Pearls Of Wisdom...

This is another change to my blog list. I created this blog, Pearls Of Wisdom to post all my favorite quotes on. Anyone that reads my blogs knows that I love to use quotes. I think we can learn so much from what others say. So, come over for a visit once and awhile and see if a quote will minister to you...or even make you laugh!

Changes...

There a two new things at Beside Still Waters that I wanted to tell you about this morning. You can now email me or you can make a comment on a post. Some people who are not bloggers have said they want to comment but they just can't figure out how to do it. If you want to comment on a post and you don't have a blog..post under anonymous and sign your name at the end of your post. Or email me, you see my link in my side bar. Patty at besidestillwaters dot org. I didn't want a lot of spam so I wrote it like this...

You can still find me through the blogspot address but you can also find me by using this new address. Besidestillwaters.org. Both addresses route you to here. This new address is much simpler to remember and pass on to others. I am excited about this, as I have at times couldn't remember the changes I had to make when my blog disappeared. My son set this up for me this week. My daughter helps me figure out blogger things when I get in a jam. Oh, how I wish I knew how to do all this myself.... but so thankful I have them to help me. But wait...if it weren't for them talking me into half this stuff, like blogs and Facebook...I wouldn't need to know,would I? (:

The Hard Thing...

"Unparalleled joy and victory come from allowing Christ to do the "hard thing" with us."
~ Beth Moore~

I had to stop and be still before the Lord when I read this quote ...was there a "hard thing" in my life that I was to learn from right now? Oh yes, I really didn't even have to get all that still to know. It came right down to OBEDIENCE. Such a word. DISOBEDIENCE..ouch, another word. Sometimes we find ourselves in those hard places because God has asked something of us and we fail to obey. We can obey for awhile and then find ourselves slipping right back to where we were before. Forgetting all the while that it was God who spoke these things to our heart in the first place.

Through the years in my walk with the Lord I have found that nothing can bring more joy than being obedient to the things that God has asked of me. Walking in the things I know to be true, obeying when I hear the whispers from Him in my heart, surrendering those things He asks of me...sometimes walking in those things means they become the "hard things". It all comes down to allowing Him to have His way with us, all for His glory.

Victory is mine in Christ, bought and paid for by His blood. At times, I don't always feel it or walk in it. When I have been obedient, I feel victorious. Oh what a feeling! There is unparalleled joy and victory in the hard things when we allow Christ to have His way with us.

Are you experiencing a "hard thing" right now? Is there anything God is asking of you while you are in this hard place? It can be ever so small and doesn't have to be a big thing. I think of when my kids were young and I would tell them to do something and there would be that, "Why." Because I said so, I might reply. Even in the small things God has a reason for asking us to do or not to do something. Why? Because He says so. We don't have to always understand, we just need to obey, and then....joy will follow!

"For it is God who is at work in you,
both to will and to work for His good pleasure."

Philippians 2:13

Patty's Pantry...

I have started posting my holiday recipes on Patty's Pantry. I have been slow getting all my recipes back on my blog since I deleted it...but I am slowly getting there. I hope you'll pop over and see if there is something that sounds good to you and your family. Enjoy!

Quitter Or Obedient?

" The enemy tries everyday to get us to quit...then he calls us a quitter."

I was going through my night stand next to our bed and I found this slip of paper that I wrote the above quote. I don't remember writing it. I had to be watching a DVD of Beth Moore's or listening to the radio and jotted it down.. I really needed that encouragement the day I found it. God knows when we need those special touches.

It's so true..he, Satan does everything he can do to have us quit the things that we do in obedience to God. He puts every obstacle in our way that he knows will discourage us. Sometimes those things come right after another like waves, knocking us down so we can hardly catch our breath. We have probably given in and quit before so he knows what tactics will work in our defeat. He whispers, You can't do this." "You have never succeeded before, why try again." "Your life is too busy to do this." "Everyone is smarter than you." Oh my gosh, the whispers that he plants in our minds continues, sometimes until he wears us down and we quit. Then...he calls us a quitter. How fair is that? Remember, the enemy doesn't play fair. He comes to rob and destroy us. He is such a deceiver.

Is there something in your life that you want to quit? Are you hearing whispers from the Lord or the enemy? If it is the Lord telling you to quit, He will call it obedience. If it's the enemy...he will call you a quitter. Then he lays on the guilt. See what a vicious circle it is?

We have to walk in the Spirit everyday to recognize the tactics that are individually designed just for us. When we do, we won't walk in the flesh and be tricked by the enemy. This quote stirred up my righteous anger...to think he would chip away at me day and night and when I had been pecked enough, to then think he would call me a quitter! Grrrrr.

Be wise and be aware of whose whispers you are listening to.

Veterans Day...

~Thank You ~

Beside Still Waters...

"He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters."

Psalm 23:2

I have been pondering for days what I wanted to write after the election results on Tuesday. I believe in God's sovereignty in allowing Barack Obama as our next president. But my heart is saddened and heavy. I will out of obedience pray for this man, that God would touch his heart, that he would be transformed, that he would have godly wisdom, that he would lead our country back to the ways of God. It's a big request, but I will pray those things because it is right to do so.

I really believe that God has allowed this to happen for several reasons.One...this is what the people wanted. Like in the days of Saul, the people wanted a king and God gave them Saul. The people of the United States wanted Barack Obama and God allowed them to have their way. Two...these are the final days before the Lord raptures His church and this plays into those end time events. There will be a great falling away in those days. Just look at the Emerging Church and the power sweep it has on so many, including mature Christians. Even the elect shall be deceived, the bible says.

This has happened, what do we do now? We can't change anything, this is just the way it is. Things could get really rough for our country. I don't think the word "could" is accurate...I believe they will. It's already happening, we need only look around. For the election we prayed and we voted. Now, we must pray and walk the walk that God has put before us as believers in Jesus Christ. People are losing their jobs, homes and their life savings. All the things that made them feel secure. Here is the opportunity for all of us to be encourager's to those who will be caught up in the chaos of change. We have to witness like we never have before to anyone that will listen. Millions of people have put their hope in Barack Obama...we need to share with them that their only hope can be..in the Lord Jesus Christ.

If I let myself think of all the chaos and uncertainty that lies before us, I can get fearful. But if I am fearful, what good will I be to others who need to be encouraged? The rain falls on the good and the bad. We have to put the umbrella of God's Word over us and remember that He is faithful. God has always delivered His people from His wrath and He will do the same for us.

These are exciting times in which we live. We have the opportunity to watch God's plan unfold. Each one of us have been placed at this time, this generation, for such a time as this. He thinks we can handle the adversity before us, including the changing of a country that once was based on God and His truths. Yes, these are uncertain times, but think of those whose hope lies only in a man who makes promises that tickle their ears.

So, here we are, for such a time as this, to pick ourselves up, to do the work we have before us to do, to reach out and to pray for those who are lost. God will use each and every opportunity that comes before us to reach out to a hurting person caught up in the winds of change. We can't walk around with a down cast spirit, all doom and gloom....we must be the light that people see. We have to be their example like never before. We can do it!

My prayer is that God will lead us beside the still waters and we will find comfort for our souls and be refreshed..because we have work to do!

Halloween...

It's Halloween today. I have never liked Halloween, even though my birthday was yesterday and growing up it was always celebrated with a Halloween theme. Churches have alternative things for the kids to do...Trunk or treat from their cars, Hallelujah Night, what ever it may be called. I just don't think we need alternative things for our children to do. It's an evil night, the history behind it is evil..so why would we have alternative things for our kids to do? We give our children the sense that they are missing out on something when we have alternatives to something the world offers that is so evil and full of the occult... It was hard as a parent to know what to do and what to let my children do, as far as the day was concerned.

I went to Disneyland the day before my birthday to celebrate my daughter's birthday with my brother and youngest granddaughter. It was decorated beautiful for fall..as well as the ghosts and goblins. I don't know if I have ever seen Disneyland decorated this much for Halloween before. It's become this huge holiday...I don't get it.

My four grand girlies dress up..One is a Jedi Knight, Hannah Montana, Princess Belle and Tinkerbell. They look adorable and they have no idea what sort of things go on in the occult world around them this day and night.
All the while the enemy delighting in what Christians are doing today as an alternative. It's still his day...

So, for now I will pray that all will be well around all the "little one's" out there tonight. This is just my two cents worth..and thought I would share it today.

Roots That Go Deep...and Flourish

"But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.

They are like trees planted along a riverbank,with roots that reach deep into the water.

Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought.

Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit."

Jeremiah 17:7-8

This verse really spoke to me last week when I was preparing a devotional that I had to give. We live in perilous and uncertain times. We don't know how this next Presidential election will affect us, the economy is going down, jobs are lost everyday with almost sure promises of more people losing their jobs. Foreclosures on homes are taking place in every neighborhood. Yes, these are uncertain times.

This verse in Jeremiah says that if we put our hope and confidence in the Lord, we will be like a tree planted a long a riverbank. Trees by a riverbank have roots that go deep in the waters edge.. They are strong because of the foundation that they have holding them up. They are constantly nourished from the river's water.

These same trees will not be bothered by heat or long periods of drought. They are connected to the living source of water. They will stay green and never stop producing fruit. Some fruit trees just never seem to flourish and produce delicious fruit. But once they get the proper nourishment they produce quality fruit.

What's this mean for us in these perilous times of uncertainly? It means that we must put our trust in God, take the time to drink in the Living Water of His Word. And like those trees planted by the river bank, our roots will go deep.When our roots go that deep we can't be shaken or stumbled by the chaos of uncertainty. We can flourish amidst that uncertainty. This verse says when we put our trust in God, we will bear delicious fruit. Isn't it a wonder thought that during times of hardship we can still bear fruit? Delicious fruit! This is because of the nourishment we take in from the water of His Word.

It's a choice for all of us to make that decision for or roots to go deep. Having that deep rooted foundation in Jesus Christ is what will get us through any rough roads ahead. To get that deep foundation we must drink in His Word letting it fill us up and give us all we have need of.

This is fruit that we can multiply it forward into the lives of those around us...friends family and those who are struggling in an uncertain world.

We don't know what is ahead of us in our chaotic world of change. But we do know when our hope and confidence is in God, the winds of change will not blow us over or cause us to wither. Drink in...and flourish it's a choice we all have to make.


Heavenly Father, in these uncertain times draw us to yourself, cause us to drink from your Word that we might be a source of encouragement and hope to those who live with uncertainty in their lives. We want to flourish in whatever circumstances we find ourselves in. To God be the GLORY!

Three Reasons...

Time really does fly, doesn't it? It was summer when I last posted and now it's Autumn. So many things have happened in our world since my last post. I mentioned in my previous post that I had a tile man here . He was tiling my master bathroom shower. It looks beautiful, but it took three weeks and he brought his wife with him everyday. Now, don't get me wrong, I am grateful...but there wasn't anywhere I could go in my own home. That's reason number one that I haven't posted. My back was out for a few weeks..that's reason number two! And I kind of lost my zeal after I deleted my blog. Very few of my readers can find me and some still have my old address on their side bars. It's like losing old friends. That's reason number three. (:
But I have my home back in order and feel enthusiastic about blogging again.

The winds are blowing so hard today. In the night things kept hitting the windows. It is our first Santa Ana winds of the season and we have fires already. And it's COLD. I never thought I would feel cold again after the heat we have had. But the week isn't over either..Santa Ana winds are usually hot dry winds.

I have some Monday chores to do and a devotional to write for our first night of Bible study tomorrow night. So I'll close for now and be back tomorrow!

I'm here...

I know it's been almost two weeks since I posted. I must have slept wrong and with fibromyalgia, that's all it takes sometimes to be out of commission for days and days. I have a tile man working here in the house and that is difficult when all I want to do is lie down on my bed and he's working in the master bath. It will be over soon, but when you don't feel good, you want your house and space to yourself!

I'll be back in a few days when I can sit at the computer longer...

Blessings,

Patty

Bring The Rain...

This song serves as a reminder that no matter what the circumstances of our lives are..God is worthy of all our praise. Be encouraged and comforted as you listen today...

Grace Multiplied...

Pictures from Pismo Beach, Central Coast California

This is our favorite vacation place. One spring we had to cancel our trip because I wasn't up to the trip.We had cancelled vacations many times, but this particular time I learned a special lesson.

It had been a long winter of not feeling well. I have mentioned before, that I have chronic illnesses that deplete me of a good majority of my energy. That's fine, I am very accepting of that. But there are times, I feel bad for my husband, that he has to relinquish things as well. But he always takes it in stride and never shows his disappointment. He knows most things are penciled in. At one time, it really bothered me that he was on this roller coaster ride with me. Why did he have to suffer just because I did? He never complained and was and still is, very understanding. But I felt bad for him.

One day years back, I must have been grumbling to the Lord, letting the enemy have his way with self pity. Feeling like I was a burden..yep, I was really into the thick of this self pity stuff! It was then I heard that still, small voice say, "Grace." I thought, "Grace, what's that have to do with it? We just canceled our vacation plans again because of me."

What I came to realize was God choose my husband for me, gave him an extra measure of grace to be understanding, caring and loving towards me. He knew when He chose my husband for me, that I would need a man with patience and compassion and with a personality that doesn't complain about much.

Not only is God's grace sufficient for me...but it is for my husband. Only, I think he was given multiplied grace to be my husband.

So,that week we didn't go to Pismo Beach, the drive was too far. But we did do some day trips, one was to a Southern California beach. Just spending time together would be enough.

Grace, how would we survive without it?

"My grace is sufficient for you,
for power is perfected in weakness."

2 Corinthians 12:9