What did Jesus mean when He said.........

What did Jesus mean when He said, "Have faith in God?" I would like to share the great reminder I had this week, to really Believe not only that God can, but that He really will.

As most of you know by now, I am in the process of becoming a foster mom for pregnant teens. It has been a world wind of things to do and paperwork to complete since the week of Christmas, and in the beginning, I had no problem feeling that God would provide all that was needed. I'm sure that many of you can relate to that feeling of everything is going to be just fine......that is until the rubber starts to meet the road and things get tough.

I have a bedroom that is a lovely neutral paint color, with 3 windows that brings in lots of sunshine and is large enough for crib, 2 dressers (mom’s and baby's) a twin bed, rocking chair, bookcase, night table and lamps. And it still will not be overcrowded to say the least. Only thing though.....I don’t have the furniture or the monies to buy any of it. But I must have most of these things in order to pass inspection and certification before my new foster daughter comes to live with us. Now here is where it got a little sticky. I gave away my nice living room set (per instructions of the Lord, because I wanted to put the furniture in storage) and I have yet to get a sofa and tables almost 2 years later being in our new home. So in one of those deep crevices of my heart, I wasn't completely sure God would furnish the room, even though there is no doubt that He can.

Two weeks ago I started my mandatory training and the first day was so intense that my head was swimming. This was a great opportunity for doubt to creep in. My dear sisters I tell you....when God has given you something to do make sure you fight off doubt the moment it rears its ugly head, or it will consume your fire to do what the Lord has said. The second day of training was not as intense, but again, doubt was crouching at the door waiting for me as I exited the building. But God's provision of me encouraging a woman who was also taking the training (she is a believer) as she gave me a ride home, lifted any doubt I was entertaining myself. I later received a call from a friend of a friend offering me a bedroom set. She had not planned to let it go until April, but will give it to me the first week in February. I have not seen it yet, but I know this person and feel it will not be junk. Also, I know that God is the giver of good and perfect gifts.

Wednesday of last week was my last training day, and by then I wasn't sure about being a foster mother. We live in a society that gives young people the legal right to make decisions they are not ready to make and I left feeling that I might become a prisoner to this person....and that I know I couldn't take. So, I really had a heart-to-heart with the Lord and asked Him to please show me that this is really what I'm supposed to be doing. I wasn't going any further until I heard from Him. Well, He knows that time is of the essence for whomever He has picked for me so He didn't waste anytime in erasing the doubt and fear I seemed to be succumbing too. The very next morning at 9:10am, I received a call from Tovah's doctor's office. (I had left a message the week before on her voice mail that I was running into a problem scheduling an appointment without keeping Tovah out of school.) The person that called me had only gotten a little information from her doctor and wanted to know why the appointment was necessary since Tovah had just had a physical in August and was up-to-date on all her shots. I explained that she needed a TB test and I had forms that had to be filled out by the doctor because I was becoming a foster mom. She said, "That is wonderful!" I said something like, "I hope so?" and then I went on to explain how the training had left me with doubts. She asked if she could share something with me and when I gave her that opportunity she told me she had been a foster child. She loved her foster mother and was now a Believer. She also encouraged me that there are many girls out there who will be glad to be in my home and will welcome all that Tovah and I have to give. Now who but God could have orchestrated that?

When I got off the phone with her I had the peace and reassurance I was looking for. Then less than four hours later I received a call that someone was giving me money (an amount that will really help with the many other things I need quickly). I don’t even know this woman. A friend of mine told her about me and she wanted to be a blessing.

I have spent the last couple of days reflecting over the past few weeks and I can see now that because I hadn’t gotten things when I would have liked them, or it seemed that maybe I wasn't going to get them at all, my faith began to waver. But most of all, I had forgotten that 16 years ago when I had a 2 month preterm baby and had nothing for her, how God had provided everything she needed and more. My sister got a beautiful secondhand crib, and playpen (the real kind, not those little things they have now) for her, and friends and coworkers went out and bought everything from crib sheets, blankets, preemie outfits, bottles, car seat, and my brother-in-law even bought her a bunch of toiletries, hairbrush and comb. I am not proud to say that I had forgotten this wonderful truth that He is the same God of miracles today, as He was back then. But I am happy that through love the Holy Spirit reminded me of my oversight.

When Jesus said, "Have faith in God" or as another translation says, "Believe God!" He meant for us not to doubt even when things look impossible. As Believers we often have no trouble believing that God has the power to do anything He says He can, but I think we get into trouble believing that He will do it for us.

I will be taking pictures of how the room looks now (full of junk and a portable closet) and what it will look like at the end of my faith in God. ~Smile~

Be encouraged my dear sweet sisters to keep listening to the words of our Lord..."Believe God!!" Please feel free to share your experience where you knew it could only be God directing things, so that we all may be encouraged or share that you are experiencing a tough time believing God right now so that we can pray for you.

Blessings & Love
Ponnie
A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find her.

Heart Healthy Diet......anyone?

Phew....the holidays have come and gone and now with the New Year upon us we are faced with a barrage of commercials from all the weight loss centers with their products, the quit smoking aides, fitness centers, gym memberships and so on! Ever since last year when I started eating differently and walking 6 days a week, the one thing that has really stuck in my mind is a "Heart Healthy" way of eating or diet. I use Diet not in the sense of dietary changes to lose weight for a given period of time, but as to eat food. We all have some type of diet, but that does not equate to eating a special diet for weight loss. A heart healthy diet is a daily diet (to eat food) that is high in fiber, fruits, vegetables, and low in fat.

We should be very concerned what effect our lifestyles and diet have on our hearts. Our stress levels, alcohol consumption, foods high in fat, sodium and sugars, not enough sleep, lack of or too much exercise, and obesity, which puts a great strain on our hearts and sets us up for high blood pressure and strokes. Once the heart has a problem it affects your entire body, well being and state of mind. Guess what my dear sisters? So does the spiritual heart of man when it has problems. That is what I want to talk about today. How good are our spiritual “Heart Healthy” diets?

Have you ever had to take a stress test on a treadmill? If so then you know that if you are out of shape all sorts of things happen. For one, your blood pressure can raise to dangerous levels, you may not be able to catch your breath and you heart rhythm starts to race, which is far from normal. The end result will usually lead to recommendations from your doctor to change your diet (foods that you eat) and lifestyle. The same goes for our spiritual hearts. Trials and tribulations become our treadmills in life and out of our hearts will flow the issues of life and they show us (and others) where we are spiritually on handling life's disappoints and tests.

Just as in the natural we are told to watch what we eat to protect our hearts and cholesterol levels, so the Word of God tell us to protect our spiritual hearts against the wickedness of this world and our old ways. In the natural we are instructed that in order to receive great benefits from a heart healthy diet we must exercise and eat the right foods on a daily bases, so also dose the Bible tell us the same thing for our spiritual hearts. Matthew recorded Jesus as saying, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” The Bible tells us that we are to meditate on this Word day and night. And after we meditate (think on those things) they should be written on our hearts so that when we have a spiritual stress test, we have a spiritual heart that will fear not, will trust in the Lord, leaps for joy (no matter what the circumstances) is full of song and praise and does not give into the fleshly way of handling things.

Sometimes in the natural we may require open heart surgery, a bypass, a pace maker inserted or even a heart transplant to help correct problems such as heart disease, clogged arteries, irregular arrhythmias and other aliments which can affect the heart. Well, in the spirit realm we often need surgeries that only God and His word can perform. Some of the most common ailments we suffer are, a proud heart; a heart that is harden, a grudging heart, despairing heart, a disobedient heart and a heart that has turned away from the Lord. And to top it all off Jeremiah tell us, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Hum!

I would have to say a good remedy for a deceitful heart is one of David's prayers, "Create in me a clean heart oh Lord" or "Let the meditations of my heart be pleasing in your sight.” God promises that He will turn the heart of stone into one of flesh and also promises that if we delight ourselves in Him, He will give us (place in us) the desires of our heart (those things that will please Him). He also heals the broken and downtrodden heart too.

Just as eating a high fiber diet loaded with fruits, vegetables and low in fat, will render a healthy heart and body that will give you more energy, a better outlook on life and sense of wellbeing, so will a daily diet of the Word of God. Being around people who love the Lord, brings added joy too. Proverbs tells us that (NIV) “A cheerful heat is good medicine”, (KJV) “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.” So get into your Bibles every day, get around people who make you laugh until tears roll down your checks, and above all else, diligently guard your heart (keep it from those things that make you doubt the Lord our God)!

There is nohting more important than our spiritual heart, and the reason I say that is because Romans 10:9, tells us that if we “Believe with our Heart” that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, we will be saved. Wow! That says it all.

If you have a moment, share how you plan to make 2009 a more heart healthy year for you. I would like to hear spiritually and naturally. It is all good and we can inspire each other to make change.

If you want to read some of the many things the Bible says about our hearts, start with the book of Deuteronomy and Psalms. You will be inspired and corrected at the same time. ~Smile~

Love & Hugs
Ponnie

When Life Isn’t Perfect…..then what?

Recently Tovah and I tried to take that perfect picture of my three grands to use on the cover of a photo album the middle one bought her mother for Christmas. As you can see in the photo I posted, is far from perfect. Just as Tovah was about to snap the picture, one of our cats decided to run down the stairs and see what was going on which triggered the baby closing her eyes and the cat being in the photo. We did get a really nice one for the cover, but as I pursed them to pick just the right one, I couldn’t help but be inspired by this photo. It reminds me of how we try to orchestrate perfect lives and how in an instant it can all fall apart. And when that happens….then what?

The “Then what?” really translates to, “How do we respond, how do we handle things, or how we really perceive them to be?” How many of us have experienced trying to get that perfect baby photo or family snapshot? Probably all of us at one point or another, so we know that it can be a nightmare (especially with a cranky or crying baby) or it can be fun with a happy ending. It is a lot like life can be….moments of joy that we wish we could hold onto forever, or seasons of disappointments and trials that seem to go on forever.

With the end of our current year quickly upon us, I’m sure that many of us are looking ahead for what we would like to see happen in 2009. I have been looking at the goals I set on January 4th, my 55th birthday. And at first I was a little disappointed as I viewed my list, until the Holy Spirit had a word with me. He was quick to point out just how many things I had accomplished and the many ways the Lord had blessed me on an every day bases.

I wanted to celebrate my birthday every month in the year 2008 by doing something special. I wanted to do things like go to the movies every month if there was something I wanted to see, have lunch with friends once a month, buy myself a mp3 player, have a makeup party, etc., etc. Hum, I still don’t have that mp3 player, didn’t have a party and there were a couple of movies I wanted to see this past year that came and went before I got to see them. He showed me that though I may not have gotten to see those movies when I desired, there wasn’t one day of this year that I did not have eyes to see. I may not have the mp3 I wanted so I could listen to music as I walked in the mornings, but He reminded me of all the mornings I had a song in my heart and used my walking time to talk to God. And as far as the party goes, if I hadn’t wanted it to be a set way I probably could have had one. As I began to look at my list of goals through the eyes of our Comforter, I could see that my year had been one of great measure.

Of course with 56 on the way, I am setting new goals and transferring some from this year that I want to continue to work on. But one big difference from this time last year is that I’m not trying to setup things so that I have that perfect picture. Just as the picture of my grands is not the perfect picture pose, in the upheaval it turned out to be a great moment of laughter, with a good memory to boot. One thing we often do as women when we conceptually plan or design things, we strive for perfection. The truth is….. there is “No Perfect” in this world other than the love of God for us….

….So my dear sisters, when at first glance the picture does not seem to be perfect, take a second look and see what you missed. You might be pleasantly surprised at what you find.

Please share some of your insights about how to handle life when things aren’t perfect. And how these insights will help you enjoy 2009 in a new and different way.

Love & Hugs
Ponnie
A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find her.

Worst Week!

I don't know if any of you have seen the comedy show "Worst Week" or not, but to me it is hilarious. The main character is such a klutz, that he even started a fire in the swimming pool on his wedding day. He reminds me a lot of Jerry Lewis. But unlike the show that is laced with laughter and at the end it somehow works out for him, when we have a Worst Week (where everything seems to go wrong) there is little humor to be found. I had one of those weeks, and that is why I used this particular picture of my middle grandchild Christina, I'm sure that's kind of how I must have looked to God for a few days.


There are seasons in our lives when we have to ask "What in the heck is going on? Where did this come from?" Especially when the unexpected happens. Sunday morning I got up feeling really good after spending Saturday at a "Kids EE" clinic at a Chinese church outside of Philadelphia. Tovah and I got to spend time with a friend that we have not seen in 4 years and the focus of preaching the Good News was just what I needed. We both came home happy and content. Tovah stayed home Sunday to do schoolwork, and I went to Sunday school. And right after Sunday school and just before service started that is when all hell broke loose. I won't go into too much detail because if you want to get over a wrong or injustice done to you, talking about it only keeps it fresh in your mind and in your heart....so lets just say that a sister-in-the-Lord, was an easy instrument for our enemy to use against me. And since she was such an easy mark, it was pretty bad. In fact when I left after service I told my pastor, "I’m not ever coming back to this place!" Of course we all know that saying, "Never or Not Ever" is the biggest setup to make you a liar. ~Smile~

It took a couple of days for me to even begin to hear God or anyone else. I needed time to lick my wounds and feel sorry for myself. I'm sure in those two days as the Holy Spirit was quietly speaking to me; I looked a lot like Tina in her picture. Whinny, cause things weren't going my way. But praise God for His great love for us, because Tuesday morning during my morning walk, He spoke gently to my heart in a way that helped me to really begin the process of forgiveness and healing. He told me to remember that no weapon formed against me shall prosper, no matter who it is. His words made me feel better not because of what I would like Him to do to that sister, but they reminded me that He was there and had seen and heard it all. The battle is not mine, but His.....if I allow Him to handle it.

Though I had taken all this to the Cross and laid it at the feet of Jesus, I still felt a cloud over me. Because of all the commotion my co-chair and I thought it was best to cancel our Women's Breakfast for this coming Saturday, and though it was the right thing to do, there was no joy in the cancellation. So, I could feel the spirit of sadness lingering, trying to make this a Worst Week for me. A week where I just can't wait for it to be over. But we serve the most awesome God, and He knew just what I needed and I would like to share with you an email I received yesterday. And this person had no idea what this week had been for me.

"The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings."-Eric Hoffer
According to legend, a young man while roaming the desert came across a spring of delicious crystal-clear water. The water was so sweet he filled his leather canteen so he could bring some back to a tribal elder who had been his teacher. After a four-day journey he presented the water to the old man who took a deep drink, smiled warmly and thanked his student lavishly for the sweet water. The young man returned to his village with a happy heart.

Later, the teacher let another student taste the water. He spat it out, saying it was awful. It apparently had become stale because of the old leather container. The student challenged his teacher: "Master, the water was foul. Why did you pretend to like it?"The teacher replied, "You only tasted the water. I tasted the gift. The water was simply the container for an act of living-kindness and nothing could be sweeter."

Self-motivation without gratitude is impossible. Our energy is "sapped" when our entire focus is on what's wrong instead of what is right with our lives. One of our greatest challenges is to live and love in spite of pain and disappointment...to find gratitude in the midst of it all.

Reflect for a moment on this beautiful quote from Melody Beattie:
"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.

After reading this I could see with a clear heart that I had nothing to really be sad about, but so very much to be grateful for. So I began to speak words of Gratitude to our Father, for all that He has done for me and my family and the spirit of sadness had to leave.

Because of the Christmas hustle and bustle, we are often consumed with our own plans and agendas without realizing that maybe someone we know and love could be having a Worst Week and really needs an encouraging word from us to push them on. If you are experiencing a Worst Week, sit down and write at least 30 things you have to be grateful for. Trust me; it will take your mind off of whatever is dictating your Worst Week. And if you know someone who is in the midst of a Worst Week, encourage them as the Lord has encouraged you.

My pastor and I had a long talk, (I am blessed because he loves the Lord) and girls I just want to remind you to "Never" say, "Never”...guess where I'll be Sunday morning, God willing? Yup, in church looking at my pastor and friends. As tomorrow ends this week and Sunday starts a new one, may you find peace of heart and peace of mind in all that Jesus has done and continues to do for you at the Throne of Grace.

I would like you to feel free to share some of your "Worst Weeks" and how you got through them. Please share.....after all this is a blog.

Love and hugs.
Ponnie
A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find her.

How to Experience Holiday Laughter & Joy!

Hello Great Women of God!!!

Oh my, the Holiday rush is upon us. With Thanksgiving coming so late in November it seems to have short changed us on time to do everything on our list. NOT!!! Let's help each other have a wonderful holiday by sharing the ways we can scale things back and still have a wonderful Christmas or Hanukkah celebration.

Patsy Clairmont posted this on her blog last week and I wanted so much to share this with you:

Here’s mine. I call it my Too-Too Plan…one size fits all......by Patsy Clairmont
Don’t spend too much. Guard against unnecessary “bargains.” (Lists help) Debt depresses.
Don’t do too much. Holiday exhaustion leads to pity party’s and who needs anymore events to attend?
Don’t eat too much. One stuffed turkey is enough.
Don’t set expectations too high. Expectations lead to drama and life gives us enough of that without whiny curtain calls.

Remember you can never be too grateful. Here’s where a list really helps. It gives us deliberate focus, which directs our minds to a higher place. Gratitude protects our health, our hearts, our homes, and our conversations.... http://www.patsyclairmont-blog.com/

My dear sisters, I want to encourage you to stress down for the upcoming days and come up with ways to enjoy family and friends without spending monies you really don't have, and putting expectations on yourself and your family that will only cause you heartache.

Tovah (my youngest daughter) has never been allowed to ask for any gifts for Christmas. By the time she came along I was wise enough to be out of the world system and in God's Kingdom, so I always made Christmas a focus on the celebration of our Savior's birth. We have done many different things over the years such as, adopting a young mom and her baby that lived in a shelter, doing boxes for the "Samaritans Purse, hosting Christmas Eve dinners for singles, but basically just using the premise of giving to Yeshua Jesus. She is a teen now and knows that we are to give in His honor every day and not wait for one particular time of year to do that which is a command for our daily lives, but now I had the challenge of still not allowing her to get caught up in the current that runs wild this time of year. So our solution to her having fun and being with her friends was a cookie party. We did it for the first time last year and it was such a big hit with her and her friends that we are doing it again.

There is more than one way of making cookies the focus of a great time. Tovah and I make the cookie dough a couple of days before the party and her friends bring cookie cutters and extra cookie sheets. Last year two of the girls even brought cookie dough. The girls have a ball baking and decorating dozens and dozens of cookies. Then we order pizza and everyone gets to pick what they want on their half (that made for some interesting combinations) and they sit around laughing and talking and everyone gets to take home a large tray of cookies at the end of the evening. The best part for her is that one of her seven guests gets to spend the night and the next day we go downtown to the Christmas light show at Macy's and hangout and have lunch. This year, I will be leaving them after the light show so that they can have fun by themselves. It is simple, yet so much fun for Tovah and her friends.

With younger children you can bake the cookies before hand and just have a cookie decorating party that is 2 hrs long and send everyone home with a nice plate of cookies.

Hosting a cookie exchange is a great social event for women. The host supplies beverages and dip, and all the guest bring cookies, cookies, cookies, and everyone swaps cookies to take home. You can bake them, or buy them by the pound from your neighborhood bakery. Either way it's a fun time to get together and its not a lot of work for anyone.

Yummm, I'm getting hungry just thinking about homemade cookies and how great the house smells when they are baking!

Share with me some of the things you have come up with that are fun get togethers that don't take a lot of effort to coordinate and won't hurt the budget. With money being tight for many, lets share our ideas for good family and friend times that will boost us spiritually. There is nothing like sitting around with those you love, laughing and having a good time.

Love & Hugs
Ponnie