Sharing your Faith.....

When is the last time you shared your faith??? Do you find it hard to do? Do you only feel comfortable doing it around certain people. Funny how we sometimes feel alittle more Christian than others so we find it easy to share with those people. WE SHOULDN"T . IT's sorta like my job, I can always find someone who is a better Photographer than me and as a Christian... I can always find someone who's walk is stronger than mine.

Read. Philemon 6:7 I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith so that you will have a better understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.

When we share Christ with others God allows us to gain a deeper and better understanding of every good thing in Christ. Can you see a direct correlation between sharing your faith and your own spiritual growth??

Ask for God's boldness today to say a prayer for someone... I challenge you as well as myself.

Daily Living

I tell ya its tuff sometimes living day to day as being a good Christian. You want to do good, you try to do good but some days you just struggle. At least I do. I think back over all the years that I have wasted not following God's lead and sorta living my life like I wanted to. Thinking I was in control. I'm ashamed to say that the closer I move towards God the more I realize the time I have missed with him.

A new friend of mine shared a verse with me today and I want to share it with you. It just sorta clicked in regards to my every day life. See how it affects you.

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20

If we could only remember that each and every day..

I promise to get back to the boat on Thursday.

GET OUT OF THE BOAT!!!!

If you want to walk on water, you've got to get out of the boat..... Think on this ... More tomorrow.

RAINBOWS.....

We were driving to dinner last night with some friends and all of the sudden a rainbow showed up in the sky THEN.... when you looked closely there were two. It's was so cool. I looked out the back glass and thought, "how in the world does God do that?" It's like 5 colors just swooshed across the sky, always in an arch. Remember when you were little and your grandmother would tell you there was a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. I love to color, always have and always will. I can remember when I was a little girl ( not so long ago (ha)) and my mom would take me to the doctor, we would always stop at the ole drugstore and get me a color book and some crayons while they were filling my prescription. GOSH, it was almost worth getting sick. ( NOT) but you know what I mean. When I had some surgery a couple of years ago I actually got me a color book and some crayons then too.

God must like coloring too cause he sure shows it in his rainbows. Whens the last time you stopped long enough to color???

Come on.... break out of the box, it's okay to be a kid sometimes.....

YOUR TALK.....

Ephesians 4:29 " Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

Is this hard for us to do??? I think so. In our nature we say things without thinking. Sometimes we just say things cause we think we know what is best for someone. Sometimes we get caught up in a conversation about someone that we never intended to be caught up in. I have this verse taped to my desk. It is a daily reminder to watch my talk. Am I always successful? Well of course the answer is "No". I'm ashamed to admit that but I think we must admit our failures in order to conquer them.

What about you. Have you checked your Talk lately????

What's your State????? Of Mind...

"The state of your life is nothing more than a reflection of your state of mind."

Dr. Wayne Dyer

I've had this little quote posted next to my computer for some time. I am often reminded that our minds are the center of our battles. What we think, pours out and therefore allows others to know what we think.

Think on that.

Does he ask you to take action?????

I was reading this morning and came across the story of Jesus first miracle. He was attending a wedding. They were just about to run out of wine and his mother came to him and said, "Oh Jesus, please make some more wine for us." He told her that it was not his time yet. ( having not performed any miracles yet) Mary must have known different. As in most miracles Jesus performed, he involved the faith and obedience of others. The servants were an important part of the miracle as they did just what Jesus told them to do.

Have you ever asked Jesus to get involved in an unusal problem? No matter what problem you have, Jeus invites you to seek him as the solution to your problem.

Usually when we have problems we just want them fixed and we want them fixed quick. Isn't that the way of the world these days. Everything has a microwave mentality. DO it now..... I want it now..... seems to be everyone's agenda...

Sometimes Jesus wants us to wait on him. To rest in him. To seek his face. If we will do that our problems will seem smaller than they are, not as heavy as we thought and in the process we will find someone who loves us more than anyone else and wants the very best for us.

Have you been Neutered????

I'm sure that question got your attention???? We took our Boxer to be neutered yesterday and it really got me to thinking. About half way there we thought," Are we doing the right thing?" We concluded that we were and continued on. We picked him up late yesterday afternoon and he was feeling Terrible.... I mean capital T terrible. I got his bed fixed and checked on him all night long. I petted him throughout the night trying to show him some comfort. THEN about 4 am this morning it hit me. "What if I had been neutered?" Not in the sense of a dog but in life. Have you ever been Neutered. Something taken away from you that left you sick, broken-hearted, feeling despair. I'm sure we all have. What do we do when we lose something?? What if it is simply that job that we wanted and did not get, what if it was that bonus or raise we thought we were gonna get and didn't, what if it was that cute fella we just knew was going to be ours but turned out to be someone elses OR maybe, just maybe, we lost our spirit. ( our power and desire to praise and worship) Have any of those things happen to you??? TODAY.. let's press in to the one who gives us all things, blesses us with all things and who takes care of us in ALL THINGS.....

What's Holding you back????

At church last night we were ask this question. "What is keeping you from being 100% with God?" At first I thought well nothing..... BUT is it??? I want you to ask yourself that question today. What might be holding you back from having the fullness of Christ in your life??? We say, oh yes, God can do anything, he is all this and all that, BUT do we live each day truly believing that??

We have all issues, some bigger than others ( or so we think they are bigger or smaller than others) Some of us battle depression, addiction, anxiety, fear, financial issues, sickness, and the list goes on. How much control do you really have over those battles??? 50% of the time, 70% of the time. What we learned last night is it all comes down to a "self" problem. We are so absorbed in ourselves that we simply can't give it all to God. The world says it's okay to go out and drink on saturday night and then praise God in church on Sunday.... BUT. is that what God's word says???

So I ask you ( and me) again does God have 100% control of your life?????

DO NOT RUST.... ( quote for the day)

"It is better to wear out than to rust out." Think on that for the day.. Have a great week.

What's that NOISE?????

This Fella is looking to buy a saw to cut down some trees in his back yard. He goes to a chain saw shop and asks about various chain saws. The dealer tells him, "look, I have a lot of models, but why don't you save yourself a lot of time and aggravation and get to the top-of-the-line model. This chain saw will cut a hundred cords of wood for you in one day."

So the man takes the chain saw home and begins working on the trees. After cutting for several hours and only cutting two cords, he decides to quit. He thinks there is something wrong with the chain saw. "How can I cut for hours and only cut two cords?" the man asks himself. "I will begin first thing in the morning and cut all day." the man tells himself. He got up at 4am and did just that and still only 3 cords of wood were cut.

The man is convinced this is a bad saw. " I will take this saw back to the dealer," the man says to himself. The man brings the saw back to the dealer and explains the problem. The dealer, baffled by the man's claim, removes the chain saw from the case. The dealers says, "HMMM, it looks fine."

Then the dealer starts the chain saw, to which the man responds, "what's that noise?"

ISN"T that just like us with Jesus. We don't really listen for his noise, we just pound away at things with our own strength. Not really seeking the power of Christ. Let's cut our saws on today guys and get after it.....

Can't Sleep.....

Are any of you like me. Wake up all during the night. Get up, go back to bed, Get up , go back to bed. Sometimes I wonder if my mind will ever shut off. Like now it's 4am and I"m up and ready to go as if the sun is shining and the birds are singing. ( neither are happening) I've gotten where I get out my bible and read in hopes of calming my heart. I just know that God has a word for me??? The thing that he has been showing me lately is about relationships. Those that enrich your life. I talked about basement people and attic people awhile back and I think the two go hand in hand. Do you have a relationship with anyone that is broken. Has a relationship that you have sent you to the basement lately?? It can send your heart into a tailspin. At least it does mine. Jesus was all about relationships. He enriched the lives of those he came in contact with. Why is it that those who are the closest to you seem to be the very ones to hurt you and do we do that to them as well??? Maybe not consciously. We should ask ourselves, "what are we doing to enrich the lives of those we have relationships with." Everyone is so busy doing 'Their" thing that they don't have time for others these days. Its really sad to me. Being SO busy that you don't have time for others is simply the devils workshop. He loves it when you can't be Christ like. Call someone today that you haven't talked to in awhile, send a written note to someone you haven't written to in awhile. DON"T email... anyone can do that. Go the extra mile. REACH OUT.... Have a great weekend.

What would the Devil think of You???

I love sayings and quotes and a friend of mine sent me this one this week. It just sorta got me, right in the heart. I wasn't sure what to think of it at first... I had to step back and read it again. Then I thought... HUM.... what does the devil think of me. Is he scared of me, does he know that i'm out fighting against him, would he say, "oh no, she's up." What are you doing today that would scare the Devil. Think about it.

The Power of a Woman's Words

I am reading a book right now called, "The Power of a Woman's Words"... I picked it up one day just at random in the Lifeway store. For some reason it just sorta jumped off the shelf at me. I must admit that my husband will say to me, " you just don't hear how you talk to me." My first thought is always, "what do you mean, I love you, I don't talk to you in any bad way." BUT DO I. As I began to read this book and what God has to say about our words , my heart was crushed. then touched. If we only realized just what our words truly do to our men.

* Words can break a Man
* Words can Debilitate a Man
* Words can Make a Man
* Words can Motivate a Man
* Words can Captivate a Man

The book of Porverbs has much to say about wives and words:

* Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion (prov. 11:22)
* A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping (prov. 19:13)
* Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife (prov. 21:19)

Are you living in a desert and don't know it. Is your husband living in a desert and looking for an oasis???

Now read Proverbs 31: 10-12,23,28-29

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life....Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.....Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her; "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all"

We always say, "who in this world could be the Proverbs 31 woman??" I actually think with God's help it could be quite easy.

Here are some things we might say to our Husbands:

I told you so
What's wrong with you
I can't do anything to please you
All you care about is yourself
That was stupid
You never help me around the house
If you don't like it, you know where the door is

Here are some things we should say to our Husbands;

I've been thinking about you today
You look handsome today
I love spending time with you
I can always count on you
You are my best friend
Thank you for taking such good care of me

I challenge you today to speak kindness into your husbands' life .

Attic People or Basement People????

Have you ever noticed that there are certain people who bring out the best in others, and then there are certain people who tend to bring out the worst??? I've heard them referred to as "attic people" and "basement people." One lifts you up; the other pulls you down.

Jesus was the Master of believing in the best in others and encouraging them to reach beyond their own limited view of their abilities. His disciples had witnessed Jesus command a lame man to walk, restore the rotting skin of a leprous outcast, remove fever from Peter's mother-in-law with a touch, calm a raging storm, deliver a man from demons, and raise a litle girl from the dead. But Jesus wanted more from his friends than to remain spectators in the gospel. He longed for them to be participants and partakers.

During the passover celebration Jesus retreated to the north shore of the Sea of Galilee. Crowds of people quickly pursued this miracle worker to witness his teaching and healing power. One of his disciples remarked that the people were growing hungry. Jesus turned to Philip and asked. "where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" Jesus was not concerned with a lack of provisions. Rather, He was taking this opportunity to invite the disciples to share in His ministry. He didn't need their help. However, He wanted to invite them to participate in a miracle to boost their confidence and faith. It was a gentle breeze in their sails.

Philip was smart. In a matter of moments he calculated that it would take eight months' wages
to feed the ten thousand people gathered on the hill. But Jesus wasn't looking for facts; He was looking for faith.

Andrew was practical. He canvassed the crowd to see what resources were available... and he came back with five small barley cakes and two small fish. But Jesus wasn't looking for practical; He was looking for powerful.

THEN something powerful happened. He told the disciples to have the crowd sit down in groups. He took the loaves and fish, blessed the food , and gave it to the disciples to distribute.

Did Jesus need the disciples' help? No, but He chose to include them in the miracle.

Read Matthew 10: 6-8 and read Matthew 28: 19-20 He saw potential in them. Like a coach he who belives in his team HE BELIEVES IN YOU.... He is the wind beneath our wings.

The Ugly Truth

OH, this is a reminder that the new Katherine Heigl movie starts today TOO.. The Ugly Truth. I watched both of them on Good Morning America this week. It is sure to be CUTE.... Check it out.

YOUR COMFORT ZONE

OKAY, here's your weekend assignment. What is your comfort zone??? What makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside?? What makes you feel safe???

I'd love to hear some answers. Share time, share time. Let it all out. (ha)

Have a great weekend. k

Detour...

Mark 5: 21-43 ( Jesus) said to her, "daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease."

Ever been traveling and come up on a "detour". I'm sure you have and we go, OH WHY??? They send you through some other route because the streets are torn up or impassible. The route to faith in God can be just as challenging to navigate. I sometimes think that i will find God in deep prayer and meditation, or in times of great joy, but sometimes those roads are closed off and inaccessible. Often I get to God through a route I had not planned, often a road that looks too treacherous to survive.

I receive emails each week from people who are hurting, they are alone, they have taken a detour. How do we get back on track when life takes a detour??

The woman who came to Jesus for healing wanted to get well, and surely she would have preferred to enounter God through more positive circumstances. WIth preferable routes closed to her, she found God amid her suffering. Instead of simply being cured of her disease, she found her soul and spirit healed so that she could "go in peace."

It's easy to think, when life goes well, that God is with us more fully, showing approval by the success we find. But that way of thinking is dangerous, as it implies that those who fall ill or experience tragedy are being punished by God. That is NOT true. The truth is that God remains with us in success and in failure, in good health and in illness. We may even find God more quickly when the road is closed.

What about you. Is there a road closed to you right now??? If so... seek God.

EXERCISE.....

To show movement, to bend, to stretch, twist,, pull and hurt like the devil. GOSH... it's tuff adding exercise to your daily routine. First we say, "well i just don't have time". i've decided however if we don't make time, we might not have any time. ( get it) When you get old like me it's just tuff. We started back this week to the gym and i know that as i continue i will begin to feel much better.

How many of you go to the gym or have some type of regular exercise program??? i'd love to hear about what you do.

SO MUCH ON MY MIND

How about you, do you have alot on your mind. I have so much i want to share with you today that I don't know where to start. So much has happened this week..... I'm going to make these post in separate posts so you'll have to scroll down and catch them all. COMMENTS ALWAYS WELCOME.

Bread Puddin' Recipe- Contribution by Ashley Faulkner

WELL... I promised a new recipe today and here it is. It looks scrumptous..... Remember to email me with your contributions as well and Please, Please take the time to comment on things..

White Chocolate Bread Pudding
16- slices of bread ( I use bunny bread) torn into pieces and placed in casserole dish
1- stick butter melted
2- c- sugar
3 eggs
1- quart milk
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
mix and pour over bread
Bake for 1 hour on 350 degrees

Topping:
1- stick butter ( make sure its REAL butter)
1- cup powdered sugar
6 oz white chocolate ( I use the whole bag)
6 (+) teaspoons heavy whipping cream
Melt all on stove and pour over pudding

Hope u enjoy!!!!

OH, how could you not. Can't wait to try it.

A NEW BEGINNING

"It is because of the Lord's mercy and Loving kindness that we are not consumed, because his (tender) compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

Hopelessness is a burden none of us needs to endure because, with God, it is never too late to begin again. He is the God of new beginnings. Jonah went in the opposite direction of the one God instructed, but God let him have a fresh start once he admitted his mistake. It is never too late to pray and ask for God's help and forgiveness. The devil wants us to feel hopeless. He loves words like "never" and "the end". He says "this is the end, you have messed up and you can never overcome your bad choices." We must remember to look to God's Word for the truth, because the devil is a liar. The bible even says in Ephesians 4:23 that we must be constantly renewed in our minds and attitude. Life gets a lot sweeter and easier if we live with the attitude that says, "I will do my best today and I trust God will do the rest. "

Hope you have a great week. Watch for a new recipe TOMORROW.

God's Peace

Good Morning... Well you made it, It's Friday. I remember when I worked an 8-5 job and made the count down every week to the ole weekend. Now on Fridays, my week is just starting.

I want to talk to you about God's Peace this morning. All this week I've had some sleepless nights. Dropping off early in "the ole chair" only to wake up at 11 or so and then restlessly staying up for hours. A couple of nights I simply couldn't get to sleep. Last night was one of those. Had all kinds of things going through my mind and some other things heavy on my heart. Normally I would just watch TV or grab a photography book but last night I grabbed another book...... THE BOOK. God led me to a devotional which led me to a verse.

Paul tells us that we will face the storms and stresses of life ( that is guaranteed) but that we can turn out worries into prayers and present our needs to God. ( have you done that lately?) Know what will happen??? You will experience God's peace. Your heart and mind will be blanketed with it- guarded against any unwanted intruders. ( got any of those in your life?) Your stomach will stop churning, you will be able to sleep, you will be able to get through the crisis intact. It comes from knowing the one truth that matters most: GOD IS IN CONTROL. That alone is the foundation of our peace and only that. The journey may be long ahead of us, the light at the end of the tunnel not yet visable but God is here with us. Place your hand in his and walk forward with him.

OH, yeah the scripture verse. It comes from John 14:27 It says," I am leaving you with a gift- peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give, So dont' be troubled or afraid."

There it is..... Jesus said it all. He gave us peace of mind and peace of heart.

Have a great weekend.

PRAISE.....

What does praise mean to you??? Psalms 22:22 says " I will declare Your name to My brethren; in the midst of the congregation, I will PRAISE you."

Praise- Halal- to be clear, to shine, to make a show, to spin around, to rave, to boast, and thus to be clamorously foolish, to celebrate. This is the root word for Hallelujah, and is the most basic and widely used word for praise in the Old Testament.

Ponder over this for a moment and then ask yourself, "Have I praised the Lord today?"

Hope to get some comments back I welcome your thoughts..... kathy

Welcome.......

I would like to say Welcome. This Blog has been established to send out words of encouragement, laughter, favorite sayings, diet tips, new receipes and just plain "ole girl stuff". I hope you will sign up to follow us each day and that you will join in with your comments and send in emails with your ideas and contributions for this blog.
( email address is queeniescafe@gmail.com)

Oh, for those of you who don't know the reason for "Queenie". That's what my husband calls me. Yes I am the Queen of this house. Or, so I like to think I am. (ha)

Come on don't be shy... We need you to be a part of Queenie's Cafe.