The Domino Effect

Pastor Troy Gramling

Pastor Troy Gramling has been doing a teaching series on the domino effect of our decisions. It's a pretty easy and logical concept but for some reason, we forget that all of our decisions have an impact on those around us. Pastor Troy says that we don't mean for our bad decisions to have a bad result for other people - but it does. The enemy is waiting for us to make a bad decision and once that is done, the domino effect begins.

How do we master sin and surrender to holiness? Pastor Troy relates instruction from Mark 12:30 (NIV) "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength."

The heart is the part of us that feels and creates our desires which make us make bad or unknown decisions. The soul is the part that makes us aware. We like being in control and we are afraid to let God direct us in decision making. When we exclude God from our decisions, the enemy will win. But if we let God fight the enemy who is trying to control us, God will win and our decisions will have a good effect. The mind is the part that thinks and determines input and output. Our thoughts will affect our actions from what we watch, read, past experiences, etc. Our strength comes only from God because by ourselves, we can't defeat the enemy. We have to surrender to God and let Him fight the enemy and win the battle for us.

Once we surrender to God, Romans 6:11-14 says, "From now on, think of it this way: Sin speaks a dead language that means nothing to you; God speaks your mother tongue and you hang on every word. You are dead to sin and alive to God. That's what Jesus did. That means you must not give sin a vote in the way you conduct your lives. Don't give it the time of day. Don't even run little errands that are connected with that old way of life. Throw yourselves wholeheartedly and full-time - remember, you've been raised from the dead! - into God's way of doing things. Sin can't tell you how to live. After all, you're not living under that old tyranny any longer. You're living in the freedom of God." (Message Interpretation)

Of course, my synopsis of Pastor Troy's teaching is pretty weak. But luckily, all of his recent teachings are archived and you can watch and hear them on video. Also, all of teachings are broadcast live on the net each Saturday at 5:00 and 6:30 P.M. and Sunday at 9:30 and 11:00 A.M.; 12:30 and 5:00 P.M. If you hear Pastor Troy teach these important lessons, I can guarantee you won't be disappointed. You will come away feeling that you have just received a good life lesson that will benefit you for the rest of your life. http://www.flamingoroadchurch.com/

Chic

Is the above picture chic or what? This is an idea for those of us who love flip-flops but want to stay warm in the winter. Now, keep in mind that this idea of being chic is for in home use only. If I decide to go out or if someone drops by, of course, I would put on other shoes. But the socks keep my feet warm without having to wear big bulky winter shoes. When I want to snuggle up in my recliner or under a blanket on the sofa, it is easy to take off my shoes and put them back on. I understand that for many of the fashionable, in vogue people - socks with flip-flops is a terrible faux pas. Please forgive me while I get comfortable. By the way, I promise I will wear my five inch heels when I go out - Not!

Share The Germs?

Well, today is Thanksgiving and I had to celebrate alone. I got up and gave thanks to God for my family, friends, and all of the many blessings He has bestowed upon me.

Now, I'll go back in time (just like in the movies) to explain why I'm spending Thanksgiving alone. Several months ago, I was invited to spend Thanksgiving with some of my wonderful family and friends at the lake. I was really looking forward to the long, relaxing weekend with some of the nicest and most generous people in the world.

During the afternoon of day before yesterday, my nose started feeling a little stuffy and my muscles started to ache. By evening, I was sneezing and my nose was continuously buried in a Kleenex. O.K., this was not good. Yesterday morning, I woke up with a full-blown cold and needless to say, I realized that this was going to put a damper on my Thanksgiving plans. I was disappointed that I had to call my family and friends and tell them that I wouldn't be able to make it for the festivities. I realized that sharing my germs with my loved ones was not the best idea.

Now, back to the present (just like in the movies). The weather is overcast but warm. I really sound worse than I feel so I decided that since there is little human activity on the roads today, I would get out, do some errands and go through the drive-thru at Lizard's Thicket and pick up some turkey and dressing and bring it home and eat it. I needed to do things that would not put others at risk of catching my cold. So, here are my activities and my observations for today.

I had prepared an arrangement to put on the grave of my youngest daughter, Erin. So my first stop was the cemetery. I noticed some others there also. As I drove in, I noticed an older man and a youngster and guessed that they were probably grandfather and grandson. They both stood with their heads nodded - peering over a grave. As I drove further into the cemetery, I noticed other people alone - staring at graves. The people there brought sadness to me. I realized that there are so many people in this world that are hurting. Again, I prayed. I gave thanks for my wonderful family and prayed that the people still hurting from the loss of a loved one will find peace and comfort through God's love.

I left the cemetery and proceeded down a little two - laned road lined with beautiful trees displaying their brilliant colors. This is a good day for riding and looking. Few cars and few people. I always enjoy riding by churches and reading their signs. I noticed one that brought meaning to me. "A heart filled with thanks has no room for bitterness". How true!

I arrived at Lizard's Thicket and got my plate to take home: turkey, dressing, giblet gravy, rice, collards, yams and cornbread. Sounds great doesn't it? Lizard Thicket's food is always good but it would have been better if I could have tasted it. Don't you just love what a cold does to your taste buds?

You know for weeks now, there have been ads for all of these wonderful deals on Christmas gifts that will be on sale starting tomorrow. As I drove home, I passed another cemetery and noticed that they have a sale going on also: 50% off of ground plots and 30% off of crypts. Now, I know it is important to prepare for our final rest but I don't believe this would be a Christmas gift that would bring me joy and make me feel gleeful. I think if it would bring me any emotion - it would be paranoia. I would wonder if the person that gave it to me knew something I didn't.

I plan to spend the rest of the day kicked back in my recliner checking the back of my eyelids for holes.

Have A Wonderful, Blessed Thanksgiving, Everyone!!!

Hair Salon Revisited

A Picture of Debbie and Me Through A Mirror

I visited the hair salon again today. Of course, the shampooing was relaxing as usual. (See my first post about the shampooing in my "older posts".)

Today, I thought I'd write about the sweet lady who colors and styles my hair. Debbie has such a beautiful, vibrant personality. I know you've met people like this sometime during your life - those who are positive and uplifting and make you feel great just because you are around them. Well, that's Debbie. I did not know Debbie before she started styling my hair but I consider it a blessing to have met her.

Several months ago, I felt like I needed to have an updated hairstyle with some color. Age had greyed my hair and my hair style was totally outdated. A dear friend of mine recommended Debbie to me and helped me get my first appointment. I had the same hairstyle for many years and I was having a hard time making a change. Debbie was patient with me and let me make the decision on the amount she cut off the length of my hair. I really didn't get much cut off. But I was thrilled with the color she picked. The second time I got a little braver and let her cut more. I now have a short hair style with a brownish blond color. It is quite a change from the long grey "do" I had worn for so long.

Isn't it amazing how a trip to the hair salon can be so relaxing and revitalizing?

Amazing Grace

As long as I can remember, Amazing Grace has been my all time favorite hymn. I know I always felt inspired and comforted by the lyrics of the song but I never knew too much about its origins and composer. This weekend I watched the movie titled Amazing Grace and learned about English history, a great Christian humanitarian, and the writer of my favorite hymn.

By the way, one of the extras on the DVD was one of my favorite contemporary Christian artists, Chris Tomlin, performing his rendition of the song. That was really a treat.

The movie was touching and compelling. It was about William Wilberforce, a great Christian man who lived his life as a politician and humanitarian during the 1700's and early 1800's. He was determined to stop England's roll in the African slave trade and after many years of opposition and disappointments, he was able to accomplish this wonderful act.

Wilberforce had a wonderful mentor named John Newton who composed Amazing Grace. Newton was a ship's captain on one of the slave ships before he became a Christian and preacher. Some say that his song was based on 1 Chronicles 17:16-17 and others say that it was based on Ephesians 2:4-9.

"Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said: 'Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And as if this were not enough in your sight, O God, you have spoken about the future of the house of your servant. You have looked on me as though I were the most exalted of men, O Lord God.' " 1 Chronicles 17:16-17 (NIV)

"But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -not by works, so that no one can boast". Ephesians 2:4-9 (NIV)

It is my uneducated guess that the verses from Ephesians match the lyrics of Amazing Grace more than the verses from 1Chronicles. So, I think that the song is based on the verses from Ephesians. But then again - maybe not. I already told you that I was poor at making decisions. I'm really bad on true and false quizzes.

Nevertheless, thank you John Newton for one of the most beautiful and inspirational songs ever written.

Meet And Greet

Goldie Pansy, I would like for you to meet my blogging friends. Yes, this is one of the surviving pansies that I planted earlier. Unfortunately, I lost 4 of the 12 that I planted but the survivors are just beautiful. I do enjoy the beauty that God has given us. The following quote is reassuring and makes me feel that I must be doing some things that are pleasing to God.

"If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy. If the simple things of nature have a message that you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive." - Eleonora Duse

That's My Final Decision

I added some dark red poinsettias that match the base of the candlesticks, removed the apple picks and two pine cones from the bucket. I added the silver balls to match the top of the candlesticks. The lighting in the room does not make the best pictures but I wanted to share my final decision. (Drum Roll) All for under $25.00. I just love sales!!!

I Do Not Like Making Decisions

O.K. - I've tried the arrangement several different ways. I don't know if I like it without the greenery or not. It looks a little bare. Within the next couple of days, I know I'll change it over and over. Maybe, I'll say - yeah, that's my final decision. I will keep you informed. Suggestions are welcomed.

It's Beginning To Look Alot Like .....?

I hate making decisions. Should I make a Thanksgiving arrangement or a Christmas arrangement? Well, this is how the decision was made.


1. Found cinnamon-scented pine cones (Could be either Christmas or Thanksgiving)

2. Already had the greenery (Not golds and browns but green)

3. Stopped by Hobby Lobby and found all these wonderful 50% off sales
(more Christmas than Thanksgiving stuff left)

4. Found a pretty "antique like" red tin bucket to put the pine cones in
(O.K. - I'm headed toward red and green)

5. Found apples and greenery on a pick that would slide right in my existing greenery. (More red and green)

6. Found two tall "reddish" candle sticks that matched the tin.
(O.K. - It's starting to look a lot like Christmas)

Well folks, it looks like I skipped decorating for Thanksgiving and went straight to Christmas. Oh well, I will be able to enjoy my Christmas decorations a month longer. Is that a good thing?