FAKE

This post was written for Five Minute Friday

Word prompt--FAKE

Five minutes to free write about it

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Fake plants and flowers look so real these days I often have to go over and feel the leaves to try and determine whether they are or not. 

To add to the illusion, some flowers (like my white roses in the picture) even come in vases that appear to have water in them.

There seems to be no limit to the incredibly real looking fake things advances in technology have made possible. Sometimes it's a good thing, sometimes it's not.

Items such as faux furs and imitation jewelry, for example, can be a delightful blessing to people who are unable to afford the real thing, but what a shocking nightmare they could turn out to be for those who spend a small fortune for what they think is genuine, only to discover down the road that they have been duped.

In our world today there are many intangible fakes as well, such as fake news, fake IDs, cyber hijackers who fake their way into computer systems to gain control, and con artists who phish the vulnerable by sending them fake messages or emails made to look like they're from a reputable source in order to get them to reveal personal information such as passwords and credit card numbers.

I'm basically a trusting person, and don't like having to always be on my guard, but I guess that's part of living in a fallen world and being in the midst of a spiritual battle  for control of our minds.

I am so grateful that God is in control and that He is always faithful and true. I am grateful that He can be trusted one hundred percent of the time, and that He has not left us helpless or hopeless. I am grateful for the spiritual weapons of warfare He has given us to fight with, and for the instructions and admonitions in His Book. Most of all, I am so grateful that He loved us so much that He sent Jesus Christ, His only Son, to die on the cross for us so that we could be forgiven of our sins and receive the gift of eternal life (John 3:16).

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Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. -- 1 Peter 5:8, NLT

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. -- Ephesians 6:12, NLT

For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. -- 2 Corinthians 10:4, ESV

The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. -- John 10:10, NLT

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. -- James 4:7, ESV

These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. -- 2 Corinthians 11:13-14, NLT

For there will be greater anguish than at any time since the world began. And it will never be so great again. In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive. But it will be shortened for the sake of God's chosen ones. Then if anyone tells you, "Look, here is the Messiah," or "There he is," don't believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God's chosen ones. See, I have warned you about this ahead of time. -- Matthew 21-25, NL

AN EVERGREEN THAT ISN'T

This is something I meant to write about in the fall when the colors were at their peak, and I came across this golden beauty that I thought was a pine tree, except that pine trees don't change colors in the fall.

Blog friend, @Mari, commented that she thought it was a larch tree. Jake's Nature Blog (which I found on Google) confirmed this to be true.

Larch trees are evergreens that change color in the fall and shed their needles (sounds like an oxymoron to me, haha). They are the only conifer trees that are deciduous. Another distinguishing feature is that they have a very thick bark that helps protect them from fire.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Did you know that you were not a mistake? 


• Did you know that you are fearfully and wonderfully made and that the Lord determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live?


• Did you know that you are a Divine, one-of-a-kind, original, created for a special purpose no one else can fulfill?


• Did you know that you are God's treasured possession and that He loves you with an everlasting love?


• Did you know that His love for you is so great that even if you were the only person on this earth, He still would have sent Jesus to die for you so that you could be forgiven of your sins and reconciled to Him?


• Did you know?



(For Scripture references click here to read The Father's Love Letter). 

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This is a copy of an old post from 2010 that I came across when I searched my blog to see if I had used the title before. Maybe it's something someone needed to hear or be reminded of today?

DOUBT

This post was written for Five Minute Friday

Word prompt--DOUBT

Five minutes to free write about it

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This week's prompt is most timely. As is Rishie's post, Reflecting on Doubt (FMF #2), in which she wrote a simple, but beautiful poem that depicts the struggle I've been going through in a way I was unable to find the right words to express myself.

Why I have these doubts, I do not know. No matter my challenges, no matter the hurts, God has always had my back. He has always been faithful and trustworthy. The one person I could always depend on, and who has never ever let me down. So why do I doubt?

Our church starts every year with 21 days of prayer and fasting. This year the theme is "Our Father." Each week focuses on a different aspect of our relationship with our heavenly Father. This week's was on hearing God's voice. 

After listening to one of the live daily devotionals, I felt led to take the book, Experiencing God, out of my bookshelf and go through it again. It's a study I've done many times in the past and, to be honest, I really didn't want to do it again, but then, reluctantly, I obeyed.

In a nutshell, for anyone not familiar with the course, it's about how God is always at work around us and He invites us to become involved with Him in His work. But rather than tell us what He wants us to do and have us go off and do it ourselves, He wants us to have an intimate, personal relationship with Him and allow Him to mold us and shape us into instruments of His choosing so He can accomplish His work through us. Then, as we obey Him and see how He accomplishes His work through us, we come to know Him and experience Him in an even deeper and more meaningful way.

The section I was reading today said that when God is about to do something through you, He has to get you from where you are to where He is,  Flipping through an old notebook I found in the book, it was most discouraging to note that the two major things in my life that I knew could not be accomplished unless God intervened back then in 2014, were the same two issues that I'm dealing with today. 

That led to many more doubts as I pondered why nothing had changed, and what, if anything, God was preparing me for, and why He wanted me to do this study yet again. But then God's ways are not our ways, and His timing is not our time. Like it says in Psalm 90:4, to God a thousand years are as a passing day or as a few night hours would be to us. 

Finally, I'm not sure what this has to do with anything, but maybe this Scripture that's been running through my head is God trying to tell me something?  But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly and despised things of the world and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast in His presence. (1 Corinthians 1:27-29, BSB).'

RECEIVE

This post was written for Five Minute Friday

Word prompt--RECEIVE

Five minutes to free write about it

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At first I drew a blank, but thoughts of all the many blessings I've received quickly flooded my mind after reading these words in one of my devotionals: Are you having a bad day? I mean, a really bad day? Are you ready for the rain to stop pouring down on your parade? Look up!

From the breathtaking sunrises I can see from my window, to miraculous provision when there seems to be no way, the gifts I receive every single day are innumerable. Not to mention the ones so often taken for granted such as being able to see, hear, walk, talk and breathe. All have been freely given, as has the greatest gift of all--the gift of salvation through the death of Jesus on the cross. 

Eugene Peterson wrote, "Christian consciousness begins in the powerful realization that what we had assumed was the truth is in fact a lie." This rings so true for me. I think of how grateful I am that God did not leave me where I was, convinced that I had all the answers and that the lie I believed in was the truth. He came to my rescue by way of an improbable journey I documented in my memoir Sincerely Wrong. I am thankful beyond words that I received this gift instead of turning it away.

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For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. -- John 3:16, NIV

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. -- Revelation 3:20, ESV

CHRISTMAS HIGHLIGHTS 2022

A family outing to Cirque De Soleil's "A Magical Cirque Christmas" at The National Theatre in DC. 

My seat was dead center, with no one sitting in front of me. Short as I am, what an unexpected blessing that turned out to be.

A very generous early Christmas present from my daughter--an iPhone to replace my Android, so I can Facetime with my great-grands who I don't get to see very often. It also has a great camera, which I'm hoping will motivate me to get out more and start taking pictures again.

The first couple of test photos did not disappoint.

Last year we had to cancel Christmas because my daughter, son-in-law, and a couple of grandkids came down with Covid. This year, however, we all managed to stay healthy, and by God's grace, the weather forecast turned out to be wrong. They were calling for a large snow storm, to be followed by icy rain, which would have made travel treacherous if not impossible, but we were spared, and with the exception of one very cold day, the rest were beautiful and sunny. 

This is my grand-doggie, Oliver, who likes to chew things. He was grounded to the sofa the one day he was here, but he did not protest. Just watched us wistfully as we ate and opened gifts. (There were gifts for him too.)

There are many cute pictures I would have liked to share, but I am not allowed to post pictures of my two little great-granddaughters--except for facelesss ones like the one towards the end of this post. However, here is one of my daughter who was quite surprised to find her Christmas stockng filled with money, all the way down to the toe, and a couple of an older cousin showing her younger ones how to play with their toys.

These are my three New Jersey grandchildren who drove down (with my son and duaghter-in-law) to join us for a second celerbation the day after Christmas. I had not seen them in person since the pandemic. Well, I do see the granddaughter on a family book club Zoom every six weeks, but the boys--I hardly recognized them. They have changed so much.

Little Nico, my youngest geat-grandson, was the hit of both days. He got lots of cuddles as he was passed around from person to person. Everyone wanted a chance to hold him, including his big New Jersey cousin who was in awe that he actually did get a turn. It was the first time he had ever held a baby, he said, and I love this picture of the two of them. 

While the older kids ended the day playing games around the table, the two little great-grand girls went out to explore the woods behind my daughter's house. Soon they were back knocking on the door excited to show us what they had found. Wish I could show you the priceless looks on their faces, but I need to honor their paents' wishes, so this will have to do.

I am so grateful for my family, and that we were able to get together this year (except for the ones in Florida). Lots of happy memories were made.

And now it's time to wish you all a very Happy New Year. May the Lord bless you with the gifts of peace, joy, favor, and GOOD Health!

THE DIFFERENCE AN INSTANT CAN MAKE

This post was written for Five Minute Friday

Word prompt--INSTANT

Five minutes to free write about it

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To be honest, it took me much longer than five minutes just to decide which way to go with this prompt. INSTANT meaning the desire for instant gratification? Or INSTANT meaning living in a rush-rush world where technology has made so many things instant, where we have grown impatient and want everything now? Or, INSTANT meaning the things that can happen in the blink of an eye? 

I decided to go with the latter, because the unexpectedness of life has been much on my mind lately. I've been pondering how it only takes an instant for our circumstances to change. Sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worst. I personally have experienced many wonderful surprises, but also some challenging and even tragic ones when things I had taken for granted could not be taken for granted anymore. 

I think Albert Einstein had it right when he said, "The only thing we can be certain of in this life is that we can be certain of nothing." 

Well, he almost had it right. There is one thing we can be certain of, and that is that God is faithful and His Word is true. We can be certain that even when it may not look like it in the natural, He is in control, and we can put our trust in Him. We can be certain that He loved us so much that He sent Jesus to die for us on the cross, and that in the instant we chose to accept His gift of salvation, we are forgiven of our sins and receive the gift of eternal life. 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.-- John 3:16, NIV

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. -- Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. -- Romans 6:23, NIV

COUNTING MY BLESSINGS

in every situation [no matter what the

circumstances] be thankful and continually

give thanks to God; for this is the will of 

God for you in Christ Jesus. 

(1 Thessalonians 5:18 AMP)

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This year has brought many unexpected challenges my way, but I've learned that no matter how bleak things may look, there is always something to be grateful for. God has been faithful and true, and has blessed me beyond measure.

When I wake up in the morning, I no longer just take it for granted. I am thankful for the gift of this new day, and that despite the pressure a hiatal hernia puts on my diaphragm, causing me to sometimes be short of breath, my oxygen level is good and I can still breathe unaided. I also thank the Lord that l can see, and hear, and walk, and that despite my aches and pains, I am not confined to a wheelchair or in need of a cane or a walker. 

What I've learned is that sometimes all it takes is a little change of perspective to find something to be thankful for in a frustrating circumstance. When I start feeling upset about no longer being able to drive at night, for example, I think of what a blessing it is that I can still drive during the day. And when I feel tired and overwhelmed and wishing that I didn't have to work anymore, I remind myself of how blessed I am to have a job, and that at my age I am still able to live independently on my own.

On this Thanksgiving day I felt very grateful that the weather forecast turned out to be wrong. Instead of rain, we had a beautiful sunshine day with temperatures in the high 50's. 

My grandson offered to pick me up and give me a ride to and from my daughter's house so I wouldn't need to leave early to get home before dark. I was very grateful for his offer, and sitting in the car I thought of what a blessing my family is, and how grateful I am to have lived long enough to see seven grandchildren and six great-grands added to the two children I started out with. Who would have thought.

There were eight of us around the table today. My daughter cooked a most delicious meal, and there were more than enough left overs for all. As I prepared a care package to take home, I thought of how blessed we were to have such an abundance of food and to never have known what it's like to go hungry or to lack shelter or clean water to drink.

I hardly took any pictures today, but my daughter took this one of me getting in a cuddle with great-grandson #6, Nico.

Nico has a two-year-old brother, and although this picture was not taken today, it's one of my favorites of the two of them.

For me, this has been a very blessed day, and I hope that all of you who also celebrate Thanksgiving on November 24th have had a happy Thanksgiving as well.

FALL FAVORITES 2022

The fall colors have been so spectacular this year, they gave me some much needed incentive to take some short walks with my camera.  

Most of the shots were taken around my parking lot and the outside of our property...

...except for the pumpkin display in front of our local Giant grocery store and these fascinating (to me) trees bordering the Harris Teeter parking lot that I don't recall ever seeing with colored leaves on them before. 

Does anyone know what they are? Evergreens that decided they were tired of being green and decided to try some color this year? How is that even possible?

The bike park that was being built next to my complex was finally completed. These pictures were taken from my parking lot, but I can watch the kids doing their tricks from my balcony as well. 

A few more favorite sights are these colorful patios in my development, a little boy's car parked in our parking lot that always makes me smile every time I pass it by, and the scarecrow sitting on a bench outside our library who I almost forgot to include. He also makes me smile.

WELCOME HOME

This post was written for Five Minute Friday

Word prompt--WHILE

Five minutes to free write about it

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Livestream opened up so many new doors at the beginning of the pandemic that I didn't miss going to church. Being able to attend a service in the comfort of my home was very appealing, and since distance and location were no longer issues, I was also able to visit other churches that I could never have done before the advent of this techology.

Eventually, lockdowns were lifted and people started drifting back, but I wasn't one of them. I had many excuses. Our old pastor had gone off to pastor a different church shortly before Covid, and many of my friends in the congregation had moved on to different churches as well; my home group had disbanded; so much had changed I no longer felt connected. Every now and then I did feel a tiny stirring to go back, but it never lasted long

While I rationalized, the Lord was patient; while I questioned what difference it made if I attended in person or virtually, the Lord was longsuffering; and even though I kept dilly-dallying, the Lord never gave up on me. 

This morning I was awakened by a text from a friend. I tried to go back to sleep, but no sooner had I rolled over when there was another text. This one from a prayer partner who no longer regularly attends our church. He said he was going to visit the prayer room during the first service should I care to join him. 

As I quickly threw on some clothes, I thought of how before Covid and before our old pastor left, there was always a group of prayer team members who would gather in the prayer room to pray during the services. Apparently that is no longer the case.  Still, I decided to go.

When I got there, I was surprised by the new look of the room. Someone did a great job of redecorating. It had a very warm, inviting look. The old furniture was all gone--all of it except for the one chair I used to sit on and that had become known as "Sandy's chair." It looked so out of character now in the midst of the rest of the decor and, given its condition, I wondered what it was still doing there. Did the Lord know I would eventually be back and this was His way of giving me a personal welcome home and letting me know that He was not done with me yet?

You see, that chair had become much more to me than just a chair when I had a near death experience and it was found lying on its side with a broken leg and a crack in its back shortly after I was admitted to the hospital. Someone had put it in a corner to be discarded with the trash. However, before that happened, it was rescued and restored by one of the maintenance guys. My friend told me about it when he came to visit, and said he strongly believed it was symbolic of my total healing as well.

Today felt like old times even though it was just the two of us. After reminiscing about the chair for a while and examining the scars it still bears, we prayed for the pastors and the congregation, for revival, and for the Spirit of the Lord to fill this house. We also prayed for the prayer room to be filled once again with prayer warriors praying, and with people coming in for prayer.