Lessons Learned

 In the four weeks or so that I've been on a journey to health --and actually being serious about enough to try and change this time around -- I've learned a few things about myself.

• Water isn't all that bad. Granted, I rarely drink it "straight" unless its from a bottle.  I tend to doctor it up with lemons or lemon juice. I've also used other fruits at times.
•  I'm competitive and impatient, not always good things. This has also led me to realize that each person's journey to health is different. This is one instance where it's okay to take different roads and still end up (hopefully) at the same destination. I may not agree with some of the paths I've seen people on, but all I can do is express concern and move on. I suppose this can also be said of our spiritual path as well. Hear me out on this part, because I know what you're thinking and you're right. The bible tells us that there is one path to God, and it's a straight and narrow one. But, I'm realizing there are side roads that get to that point. You have to start somewhere. And we all know there are detours that sidetrack us but prayerfully we find our way back to the right path. But that's a blog post for another time.  As far as the competition goes, a journey to health is not a race. It's a lifetime of changes and tweaks. Same for the impatience. The weight didn't get piled on overnight, and it won't (shouldn't) come off overnight. What works for one may not  work for another.
• I eat semi clean and I'm okay with that. For now. I try to eat a whole foods diet, which horrifies some. I drink whole milk and I wish I could get it raw. I try to stay away from processed foods when I cook at home. But I'm at a point where fast food is going to be part of my life at the very least a few times a month due to scheduling, lack of planning, and the occasional craving.  I'm not quite ready to make my own bread or my own cheese. Will i ever be? Don't know, but I'm leaving the possibility open for now. The main point is, no matter what or where or when I eat, I need to be responsible enough to make good choices. Whether that be choosing more locally grown food, organic over conventional, or a simple cheeseburger versus a deep fried fish sandwich, it's up to me. It should always be that way. 
• The most surprising lesson learned? I like to exercise. Right now I walk twice a day most days. In the morning is my alone time. It gets me in a better mood and I can think better. Night time is family time. I enjoy the slower pace with my two men. It's a way to connect. I want to add more exercises but an injury prevents that at this time. It will happen though. I'm in this for the long haul.

A Morning Cup of Tea: A Study of Ruth part 2

Good morning! We are looking at chapter 2 of Ruth today. If you missed yesterday's post you can find it here.   

Ruth is now in Bethlehem with her mother in law, Naomi. Because they are both widows and have no male children to provide for them, it's up to Ruth to go out to the fields to glean from the harvest so they would be able to eat. God had commanded his people to leave the corners of the fields when harvesting so that poorer families could come in and take  what they needed. 
   It turned out that the field Ruth ended up at belonged to Boaz, who was related to Elimelech, Ruth's deceased Father in law. Once he found out who Ruth was, he instructed his workers to let her alone, and even told them to 'drop' some of the barley so she could get to it. He wanted her to have plenty to take home with her. And at dinner time she was given food so that she would not go home hungry.
   Ruth asked Boaz why he was so kind to her. His reply was that because she trusted God enough to come to a land that was unfamiliar to her so that she could continue to care for her mother in law, she was being rewarded. 
  In our own lives, we may not know what is in store for ourselves, whether we go to a foreign land or step out in faith to do something that is pressed upon our hearts. If we trust God, he will take care of us.    

A Morning Cup of Tea: A Study of Esther Part 5

Good afternoon! While we were late getting to worship, we were there this morning. I don't know about you, but my day, my week even, goes so much better when I'm able to connect face to face with my sisters and brothers in Christ. 
            Because Sundays are filled with family and worship, this one really will be tried and true. Today we are focusing on chapter 7 of Esther. Ahasuerus and Haman are attending the second feast that Esther has prepared for them. The king once again asks Esther what is it her heart desires, and he is prepared to give her anything, up to half his kingdom. She asks for her life, and those of her people, to be spared. She told the king that someone had decided to kill them. When Ahasuerus asks who would do this, Esther points to Haman.
  The king, understandably, is furious. The whole story probably came out during this. The king leaves the feast and goes out into the garden, I'm assuming to calm down so he doesn't take Haman's life right then and there.  Haman realizes the situation he's in so he takes after Esther to plead for his life. But the king sees Haman on the Queen's bed and assumes Haman is trying to force himself on her. It is revealed that Haman had built a gallows in which to hang Mordecai. In a case of letting the punishment fit the crime, Haman is hanged on his own gallows.
    We will finish up the book of Esther in the next day or so, but I love Esther's story so much. God is able to use each of us, whether we are a young orphan girl turned queen or a mother of a young adult with autism, or the bride of a preacher, or any other role you find yourself in. Esther was timid at first, but she had much faith.  

 

A Morning Cup of Tea: Lazarus

 Good morning! I'm so sorry I'm late. On the first day of Hubby's weekend things tend to go topsy turvy around here. It takes a little bit to get back on track. 
  Today we are reading chapter 11 of John. This is the account of Lazarus, brother of Mary and Martha. Lazarus was sick, and he was ill enough that his sisters called for Jesus to come. But Jesus stayed where he was for two days before he journeyed to Bethany. He already knew that Lazarus had died, but he was going so that others might see the glory of God and believe.
  When Jesus arrived at the house, Martha came out to meet him, but Mary stayed in the house. Martha showed her faith by telling Jesus that if he had come earlier Lazarus would be alive, but "whatsoever thou wilt ask of the God, God will give it thee." (v22)
  Jesus assured her that Lazarus would rise again, to which she replied she knew that he would in the resurrection. 
  25. Jesus said unto her,  I am the resurrection, and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
 26. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
 Martha confessed that she did believe, she believed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God.
  Mary wasn't quite as happy to see Jesus as Martha had been. Her sister had to come to her and tell her that Jesus wanted to see her. He was not yet in town, but nearby. Nevertheless, Mary went to him, and cried at his feet. She was very brokenhearted that her brother was dead and told Jesus that if he had been there, Lazarus would not have died.
  Jesus asked to be taken to the burial spot. Jesus wept. He had great love for his friends, Martha and Mary and Lazarus.  At the cave where Lazarus lay, Jesus asked that the stone covering it be moved. Martha wasn't sure what to think because she told Jesus, He's been dead for four days. He stinks by now!
  When the stone was taken away, Jesus prayed to God and then he called in a loud voice:LAZARUS, COME FORTH.
  Lazarus, bound head to foot in burial clothes, came out of the tomb. He was alive once again! Many who witnessed this miracle believed on Jesus. Some went straight to the Pharisees, who decided that Jesus must surely die. They couldn't have all the people believing in Jesus.
   If I hadn't believed that Jesus was the Christ, I think I surely would have believed right then and there, having witnessed a man dead 4 days come out of his grave. I probably would have fainted right there on the spot as well. I can't grasp the emotions that must have been in Martha, Mary, the others who witnessed this, and Lazarus himself.  What are your thoughts on this?    

A Morning Cup of Tea: Just a Touch

Good morning! Today we are finishing up chapter 8 of the book of Luke, beginning with verse 40. Jesus and his disciples are now back across the lake after being sent away from the people of the Gadarenes. Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue, came to ask Jesus to come to his home. His only daughter was ill to the point of death. On the way there, a woman who had suffered from an issue of blood for many years, and had seen physician after physician with no change in her health, determined that if she could just touch Jesus' clothes all would be well. When she touched the hem of his garment, the flow of blood stopped. 
   Jesus stopped also. Who touched me? he asked. He knew what had happened and knew that some of his virtue had gone out of him (v46). The woman had tried to hide, because first of all she was simply a woman, and second of all, she was considered unclean and should not have been in public. But Jesus saw her and told her Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.
 Back on the way to Jairus' home, someone came from the house to tell Jairus not to bother with bringing Jesus there; the girl was dead. Jesus told him, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole. 
  At Jairus' house he only allowed Peter, James and John, plus the girl's parents inside. He told everyone to stop weeping, she isn't dead. They were scornful of him. But Jesus held the girl's hand and commanded her to arise. Luke tells us in verse 55 that her spirit came again and she arose straightway.
  In both instances, with the woman, and with the girl, they were healed with a simple touch. Jairus had faith that Jesus could heal his daughter, and the woman with the issue of blood had faith that just a touch of his garment could make her whole. However, had either of these people stayed home and not approached Jesus, nothing would have happened. They had to step out in faith and do something to get the healing they desired.   
 

A Morning Cup of Tea: The Fig Tree, Cleansing the Temple, and Prayer

Good morning!
 On the same day that Jesus cursed the fig tree, he went into the temple and threw out all who bought and sold there, and overthrew the tables of the money changers (v15 of chapter 11).
 17. And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written,  My house shall be called by all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.
 The scribes and chief priests did not like his teaching one bit. They wanted to destroy him. They liked the way they had things going before Jesus showed up! Most likely overcharging people for doves to sacrifice, paying more attention to the doctrine of men than the law of God. 
 The next day Jesus and his disciples went by the fig tree once again. This time it had withered, all the way to the roots. Peter pointed out the tree that Jesus had cursed. 
 22. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
 23. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
 24. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. 
 25. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
 26. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
 Jesus told the disciples to have faith; to believe without doubt that they would receive what they asked in prayer and they would receive it. Not necessarily a Mazzarati (sp?) when a more practical car would do better. But do ask God for what you need and want.
  Don't forget the warning he also gave. If there is a problem between you and someone else, you need to take care of it first. If you do not forgive others for what they do to you, God will not forgive you of your wrong doings. Why would we let personal grievances keep us from heaven? 
 Have a wonderful day.   

A Morning Cup of Tea: Faith and Speaking Up

Good morning! Today we are finishing up chapter ten of Mark, verses 46 through 52. As Jesus and his disciples were coming out of Jericho, a man by the name of Bartimaeus , son of Timaeus, sat by the side of the highway, begging because he was blind.  When he understood that it was Jesus of Nazareth passing by, he began to call out to him. Others tried to get him to be quiet, but he persisted: Jesus, thou son of David have mercy on me! he cried. 
  Jesus stopped and spoke to the man. What would you have me to do? he asked.  Bartimaeus asked to receive sight. 
 52. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight,, and followed Jesus in the way.
 Immediately Bartimaeus received his sight! Not hours, or days, or weeks after, but  immediately. Because of his faith, and asking, he was rewarded with what he wanted most: to be able to see. And afterwards, did he go back about his day as if nothing spectacular happened? No. He followed Jesus in the way. He lived his life as a follower of Christ. 

A Morning Cup of Tea: Jesus and Children

Good morning !  I hope you slept well last night. For the first time in a long while I slept through the night without a single wake up, and I am very thankful for it. I feel well rested and ready to meet the day. I'm bad, however, at planning productive things to do on Saturdays, so I guess I'll just play it by ear and see what happens.
  Today we are focusing on just three verses in chapter ten of Mark. Verses 13 through 16. Some people brought children to Jesus to touch and bless. The disciples tried to stop them, probably thinking that Jesus had more important matters to deal with to bother with little children.
 14. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God.
15. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
16. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.
  As mothers of very young children, sometimes it can be a little discouraging to bring a baby or a toddler to worship. They cry, they fidget, they are loud, they ask questions, etc. If you add autism into the mix, it can be even more discouraging. The temptation to stay home until the child(ren) are older can be strong. I plead with you, don't give in to it. Just being there you may be an encouragement to others. And the children are learning: how to behave during worship, about Jesus and the love of God, and they are learning that the first day of the week has a special importance.  Yes, it is hard to think fully about why we take the memorial bread and fruit of the vine, and yes, it can be hard to get much out of the sermon when you're taking a little one to be changed or calmed or whatever. I've been there more times than I can count. Sometimes my son still has excessively fidgety moments and we deal with them. 
  Ladies of the congregation who don't have young children or children with autism,  please hear me: your help and encouragement is greatly needed. I have been in congregations where my son's exuberance was met with frowns or standoffishness (perceived) and at some points I stopped attending. While the responsibility is ultimately mine, no one called. No one checked to see why we weren't showing up. That is very discouraging to a young mother. 
  I have also been blessed to be part of congregations where there was (is) much encouragement. The congregation we worship with now has been such a blessing. The first Sunday we were there J was loud. It was a new place with new faces and although he understands there are certain rules we follow for church, he was dealing with the newness in his typical manner. I took him to a classroom where I could still hear and he could relax a bit. After service, I was a little shy because of how loud he'd been. I needn't have worried. Several of those precious women stopped to say hello and welcome us, and some looked directly at J and spoke with him. That meant so much to me. It still brings tears to my eyes to think of such love.
  We should encourage our young mothers and fathers. Be understanding when a child cries out. Jesus didn't forbid them to be near. He said let them come to me. 
 Our faith should be like that of a child: honest, forgiving easily, trusting fully that they will be taken care of and loved. They love others fairly easily too, and until taught differently see no difference in color of skin, dialect, or mannerism. The innocence of a child is a wonderful thing. Bring them to church. Continue teaching them. If you have no children at home, encourage the younger ones in the congregation. These are our future teachers, song leaders, preachers and preacher's wives. Our future missionaries. Bring them.

Thoughts on Life

Its a fairly quiet day today; at least as quiet as you can get with J. He's chattering away in his language, watching me and teasing me. His personality peeks out more on some days than others. Today I noticed that lately he's paying attention to which side of his shirt is the front and which is the back, and wearing them properly. This is huge for him. I know most people won't "get" that, but when you have a child with autism or another form of different learning abilities, it's major. 
  I got to see his playful side again. He used to play "ghost" a lot, where he covered his head with a sheet and howled, or just sat pretending he wasn't there under the sheet. He did that today some, along with placing a small plastic storage bin on his head. He's exploring his world again and I rejoice in that. 
  While he goes in and out of the room doing his thing, Dad is in the bedroom sleeping. He works tonight. I am grateful that he works hard. We don't have a lot of money, but it pays the bills for the most part and keeps a roof over our heads. It's not always easy but God provides. 
  There are times when I really wish I could work and provide an income to help out the family. In order for me to be able to have a "regular" job, I'd have to put J in some sort of care, possibly a residential home. I'm not willing to do that. I know we will have to come up with a plan for him soon. Hubby and I won't live forever --not here, anyway. At this point I don't know if anyone in the family would be willing to care for J the way we do. It's a lot of work, a lot of responsibility. At the same time, I cringe at the thought of him languishing in a residential home. I know there are some good ones out there, but will they give him the love and attention he needs?
  There is so much going through my mind these days. I know there is much housework to be done, a lot of repairs to be made. There are projects I'd like to work on, books I want to read. Yet here I sit, reading blogs, making lists, writing, wanting a nap but staying up because J needs me. 
     I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
     2. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
                                                              Psalm 121:1,2

A Morning Cup of Tea : Faith

Today's reading is from Matthew 17: 14 -21
  Where ever Jesus and his disciples went there were many who found him there. They came to listen to Jesus' teachings and they came to be healed or have a loved one healed. They knew with utmost certainty, that all Jesus need do is speak or touch and they would be whole again. 
  A man came and kneeled at Jesus' feet, asking Jesus to heal his son. His son was described as "lunatick and sorely vexed", and fell into fires and water a lot (self harm). He said that Jesus' disciples couldn't heal him.
  Jesus rebuked the devil and it came out of the boy and he was healed that very same hour. Afterwards the disciples came to Jesus privately and asked why they had not been able to cure the boy.
  20. And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
 21. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
  If you have faith as a mustard seed...  those things are very, very tiny. It takes only that much faith to move mountains. Yet sometimes when we (I) try to move the mountains in our lives, how often do we allow doubt to hinder our prayers? But notice verse 21. If we are going to move mountains --a better job, a loved one's healing, we must do something. We can't just sit back, and passively think that God is like Santa with his magic sack of toys or a genii in a bottle. Ask and its yours. We must have the faith and we must pray. And if the prayer is for something we really want in life, we must also do our part. If we pray for a job yet never move from the couch, I can just about guarantee the answer to that prayer is going to be no.  A young man from another country became a Christian. His life is in danger in his homeland if his family finds out he is a Christian. He has wanted to come here to study in college and be able to freely and openly speak of his new life. He worked hard on his studies there so he could pass the tests he needed in order to come here, and he went to the appointments to apply for the visa. If he had just hung out with friends and not done these things, he might not have gotten the answer that made many of his friends here very happy. He will soon be here in America.
 

A Morning Cup of Tea: Jesus and the Canaanite Woman

 Today's lesson is from Matthew 15 : 21 -39. Jesus at this time was going into Tyre and Sidon. A woman from Canaan came out and asked him to heal her daughter who was possessed by a devil. Jesus didn't answer her and his disciples said send her away! She's bothering us! (Paraphrasing) Jesus said he was sent for the house of Israel. This woman did not give up. She came and worshiped, still asking for help. 
 26. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.
27. And she said, Truth Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.
28. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith; be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
  During this time, their customs placed women on a different level than men. Men didn't normally speak to women during this time, particularly women who weren't Jewish. Women usually were not really educated. Yet this woman was persistent and she had great faith. She knew who Jesus was.
  Jesus was teaching his disciples here. He was showing them that although the main focus at that time was the Jews, they were to eventually reach out to the rest of the world as well. Also, he was showing them her faith. They had seen how some of his own people scorned his message, yet here was this gentile woman who was willing to take what little scraps of compassion he would give to her. She was unwavering in her faith. He rewarded her faith by healing her daughter.  
 She did not give up. And she didn't sit at home waiting for a miracle. She had faith that her daughter would be healed by Jesus and she acted on her faith. 

A Morning Cup of Tea : Losing Sight of Jesus.

Have you ever begun to do something, then let something distract you to the point you couldn't do what you had planned in the first place? Say you wanted to go to college, and you found the right classes to go to, you looked into financial aid, the whole bit. But then the baby gets sick, the car won't start, and hubby decides he doesn't like your turkey lasagna and hey, could you iron my uniform for me?
  Okay, so that's an extreme example. But in today's  reading, Matthew 14 : 24 -36, Peter lost sight of his goal. I'll be paraphrasing the story a bit, but please take the time to read it.
  Jesus had already sent out the multitudes, and the disciples were on a boat, so that Jesus could go up on a mountain to be alone and pray. Sometime during the night, the wind picked up and sea started tossing the boat a little. About the fourth watch of the night (somewhere between 3 and 6 am) Jesus walked on water to meet the boat. The boat at this time is nowhere near the shore. His disciples see someone coming toward them, walking on water and their first reaction is fear. It's a spirit! But Jesus calls out to them. It's okay, he says. It's me, Jesus.
  Peter says Lord, if it's you, call me to come to you. Jesus says come. Peter steps out of the boat and begins to walk on water. As long as he keeps his goal in mind --reaching Jesus, he does fine. But then he starts noticing the wind blowing real hard, and the waves crashing, and he lets fear creep in. Peter began to sink. Lord save me! he cried. Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him.
   O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? (verse 31b) Jesus said to him. Jesus and Peter got into the boat and immediately the wind and the waves calmed down. If the disciples had doubted before, they understood now that Jesus was the Son of God. (v33)
  In our day to day lives things will always be there to distract us. Those things usually work themselves out with prayer and patience. In our spiritual lives, we do well when we keep our eyes on Jesus. We sometimes have to get out of the boat for things to happen, but if we trust, its going to be okay. If, however, we get distracted and worried like Peter, we're going to sink. But as with Peter, Jesus is there to pull us out of the water. When we commit our lives to serving Him, we learn daily to trust Him. 
  Now the boat has taken them to Geneseret. Like other places, once they knew Jesus could help, they brought to him all who needed healing.Some had such faith that all they had to do was touch his garment and be healed. And all that did were made perfectly whole. Do we have faith that Jesus can take care of us? 

A Morning Cup of Tea: Chapter 9:1-5

Good morning! We are in chapter 9 of Matthew today and I have J already awake and rarin to go as they say, so we shall see how far we get. I apologize for any inconvenience.  If you read this series and have any questions, comments, whatever, I'd love to hear from you.

At the end of chapter 8, Jesus had gone over to the gergesenes where he cast out devils from two men who were possessed. The devils went into a herd of swine, who promptly dove over a cliff and drowned themselves. The keepers of the swine ran to tell the whole town. The towns people weren't so sure what to think of Jesus so they invited him to leave.
  In chapter 9, Jesus is back in his own town. Some people brought to him a man sick with the palsy. He could not get up out of his bed so they had to carry him wherever he went.  In verse 2, Jesus tells the man Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
  Scribes heard this and said to themselves that Jesus was blaspheming. Jesus knew their hearts.  He asked them (paraphrasing here) What is easier, to tell a man his sins are forgiven or to tell him to arise and walk? And then he told the palsied man to arise and walk. The man stood up and took his bed with him. He was healed because of his faith and the faith of those who brought him to Jesus!
  Jesus healed the sick and made the blind to see so that others might see the glory of the Father. These days we have the bible to tell us of these works and of God's love for us.