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This from the Fly Lady did me good this morning. Perhaps it will you as well.

Finding Peace in my Home and Heart
flylady, 11/16/2012 3:18 am

Dear Dear FlyLady,

I live in the part of the world characterized right now by violent conflict, armed struggle and terror. Lots of terror. So what a gift to have found you and to have found you now. You have helped my to create a haven on the inside to where everyone can enjoy a welcoming and loving place to come home to.

Used to be, as soon as anyone walked in the door, they were greeted with a long list of complaints and chores to finish up, get on with and do better. Thank God you taught me that housework done imperfectly still blesses your family. I’ve learned that I can do fifteen minutes a day, and develop healthy and effective routines to lighten our load, and make the day to day life around the house less stressful, no, even nice, pleasant.

There is no need to pressure anyone else to do the chores, because most days I get them done myself. In fact they hardly feel like chores anymore. And when I get up off my franny and stop yelling at everybody else to get things done, they pitch in far more than I expect. I have six kids, aged 3 – 19, work at a demanding payrolled job with ridiculous hours. I came home the other morning after working all night and found my sinks shining??!!  

But what I really need to thank you for today goes even further than all of that. In our current situation I have grown to regard my enemy with hate. Nothing more nothing less. I saw this message, and thought how could I possibley begin to pray for my enemy. I want to hate them. They are horrible. But then I thought, if I continue to hold on to hatred, my kids will probably hold on to hatred, and their kids will, and so on, and it would never end. I figured that everything else that you say makes sense, I’ll give this a try. So I began to pray to God to soften the hearts of my enemy. To make them see my good side, to endear me to them. To let them want peace. I don’t know what its doing for them, but Suddenly I find that MY heart has been softened. My hatred is melting, I am able to see their good side.

Thank you sweet FlyLady for helping me let peace into my home and into my heart.

Starting to get off the ground in Israel.

(emphasis above is mine)

Matthew 5:43-45

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

via Matthew 5:43-45 NASB – “You have heard that it was said, – Bible Gateway.

Blessings of Joy and Peace,

Assurance - Promise, Celebrations, Christian Living, Giving Thanks, Uncategorized

Many – A Little Bits

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Thank you to many friends who through various social medias have sent us heart warming condolences.  We appreciate you so much! We are comforted. Jerry’s request is for composure as he returns to the office today. Walking from the back door to the car door was not without tears for the both of us this morning.

Susie was special. She is still teaching us even now.

Yesterday we said Life is Fragile. If you missed the post click HERE. And it is. And none of us get out of this life unscathed by grief. And when grief comes it brings gifts. Gifts of memories, reflections and encouragement. It encourages us to seize opportunities to be a little kinder. A little more thoughtful. And slow down just a little bit more. There were a few times, not many, but still too many, that I rushed past Susie either to get to the truck or in the house without saying hello to her and giving her a pat on the head.

She was so smart. Outspoken. She knew what she wanted and she was not shy in asking. Why do I say that? Glad you asked. You see weekends were often outside work days for Jerry. Susie watched from the backyard. Often I’d step outside to lend a hand or watch too; and when I did Susie would notice. She’d wait a moment or two and then she would bark, looking square at me. That was her outspoken request. Come pat me. And I would. And she’d be satisfied. And I was blessed to be so loved by such a smart and loving creation.

Oh to be like Susie. To know our own needs and desires. To make them know to our MASTER and be content with what HE gives. And to know HE was blessed by His smart and loving creation.

Philippians 4:6 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

via Phil 4:6 NASB – Be anxious for nothing, but in – Bible Gateway.

Regrets? Yes. But refusing guilt. And embracing good memories, reflections, and encouragement.

Perhaps there is a friend, canine or human, that you might not rush pass today. Perhaps there is a need to lay before our DADDY GOD and when HE responds, be content.

Joy to you,

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You(s) Too?

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I am eager to get to my James study for today before my local world finds that I am awake. :)   So I am borrowing this morning to wish you a quick good morning. This comes from my YouVersion devotion for today.

CONDITIONS

Richard Wurmbrand tells of the joy believers knew while confined in Nazi prison camps. Although many were cursing their lot, hating their captors, and plotting revenge, believers were serving their Christ faithfully, sincerely, and with great joy. Both the believer and unbeliever were subjected to the same conditions. However, one reacted as a saint while the other reacted as a sinner.

Viktor Frankl reminds us that true happiness in life depends not on conditions but on decisions. If our hearts are firmly turned toward Christ then we can and will joyfully worship Him–in good times and bad. This seems to be the essence of Psalm 148. Wherever we are, with whatever we have, we should still praise the Lord.

When our praise is based on God’s goodness, rather than the conditions of our lives, then we have reached the state of true faith. No matter what the conditions, we will remain true. Like Paul, we learn both to be abased and to abound. Circumstances do not dictate our happiness–that is a result of a living relationship with Christ. And when He is in our hearts, we cannot help but sing–whether it be from the mountaintop or from the cellar.

11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

via Philippians 4 NASB – Think of Excellence – Therefore, my – Bible Gateway.

We (HE and I) are still working on this and no doubt we (HE and I) shall be till I see HIS face.

You(s) too?

Psalm 146 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

1 Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord, O my soul!

2 I will praise the Lord while I live;

I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

via Ps 146 NASB – The LORD an Abundant Helper. – Praise – Bible Gateway.

(emphasis mine – I will)

May the emphasis be my experience and yours too.

Joy to you,