Three secrets to make your day shine. 

4 Mar

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

A group of friends and I chatted during lunch at an Asian restaurant last Sunday. After we finished, the usual thing happened.

A waitress approached the table with a tray. “Fortune cookies for you,” she said with a lovely accent.

Although I don’t believe in that stuff, I took one. And it read: The worst lies you hear are those you tell yourself.

Oh my, for the first time this silly cookie contained a true statement. How many times have I done that? Have you? We goof at something and what comes out, “Oh, what an idiot!” we say to ourselves.

If that becomes a habit, what happens then is those negative words we utter turn to the attitude we embrace. And that attitude turns to the course we take. And sadly, the course can take us to a not-so-pleasant destination.

But here are three secrets to change that in order to make our days shine.

  1. We acknowledge the harm in those lies we say about ourselves. And recognize where they come from.

Jesus said: “He the devil was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44)

  1. We ask God to transform our words.

“Set a guard over my mouth, O lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Psalm 141:3)

  1. We commit to change our words to reflect who we truly are.

“My tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praises all day long…” because as the psalmist says, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 35:28 and Psalm 139:14)

Next time we open a fortune cookie, we might find silly nonsense. But when we open God’s Word, we’ll find His truth, powerful truth worth replacing the negative words we’re tempted to say about ourselves.

Let’s celebrate the change because when praises, edifying words and positive comments flow from our lips, the enemy is silenced, our attitude is transformed, resulting in pleasantly sweet days.

What words have you been telling yourself lately?

Janet

Source: Three secrets to make your day shine. | Janet Perez Eckles

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It’s the Voice You Don’t Want to Hear

3 Mar

From the Heart

Louise Gibson

Louise Gibson

 

 

The voice of negativity is despairing to your spirit.
Don’t listen to its message.
It has discouragement in it.

 

The spiritual world is like a classroom.
Love or Fear?
God is love.
It is His voice you need to hear.

 

Don’t let doubt rob you of your peace.
Stand on the promises of God.
“I write these things to you who believe
in the name of the Son of God so that
you may know that you have eternal life.”
(1 John 5:13)

 

That is the voice we need to hear.
We already have eternal life
and this life is in His Son.
Trust in His promises-
The battle has already been won!

 

Our spirit is the part of us that is drawn to hope.
It will not give in to despair.
It is the life of us.
God’s promise is always there.

 

What is the difference between others betraying us
and us betraying our self?
When our own choices harm us,
we are betraying our self.

 

That is why we hold the Lord’s Prayer
deep in our heart.
Begin your day with our Savior.
He promises never to depart.

 

sunset-horse-rider-puerto-rico

 

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Just Twelve Items

2 Mar

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

Just twelve items per family. That is all our church food pantry is able to give to families in need and it breaks my heart. And yet, the women and men who come are so darn appreciative of just twelve items. One woman was thrilled to get a dozen eggs. She was wanting to make her family a caramel cake. I asked if she had a recipe for it and she pointed to her head. “It’s all up there, if i can remember it, I haven’t made it in so long.” Eggs are a new addition since I worked in the food pantry last winter and they seem to be a big success.  The face of a child lit up, when he saw the eggs. “We get real eggs!”

My job this week was to greet people, assist them in choosing their items by answering questions, then bagging the groceries up and offering help to their car. I was fascinated watching them make their choices. Some knew exactly what they needed, while others browsed. I enjoyed the woman who was planning meals as she put items on the table. She exceeded the limit on soup, but there was no way I could bring myself to disrupt her plans. Imagine planning your meals for the week around just twelve items.

One of our regular ladies brought someone new. As she was showing her around, she placed an arm on her friend’s shoulder and said, “this is not food from the government, this is food from the people.”  We are a small church and went three years without a permanent pastor and many members left. Last December our food pantry ran out of money and our shelves were bare. We are working hard to connect with business in the community to help us serve our neighbors. Another option is asking friends to consider setting up a food donation box in their workplace. It may not seem like much, but just twelve items make a difference in someone’s life.

I don’t take pictures at the food pantry so I decided to share one of DiVoran’s lovely paintings.

mockingbird

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A 2016 Dawn Patrol Rendezvous Trip~Part 9

1 Mar

A Slice of Life

Bill Lites

Bill Cross Plane

 

Day 9 (Friday Oct.7, 2016)

After a few direction problems with Greta, my first stop this morning was to visit the National Automotive & Truck Museum located in Auburn, IN. This museum consists of 200+ vehicles, located on two levels, representing mainly cars from the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. The cars were packed so close together that it made it difficult to get a good photo of any individual car or truck.

 

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In the same block, was the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Automobile Museum. This was one of the most fascinating museums that I’ve visited. It has 7 galleries which display some 125 beautifully restored 1903-1937 cars. I was surprised to learn from one of the roving docents that, during these years, the Auburn was what today we would have considered the Chevrolet of its time; the Cord was considered the Oldsmobile; and the Duesenberg was considered the Cadillac.

 

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Each of these cars was beautifully designed, and technically advanced for its time. What little I had known about these cars, over the years, had led me to believe that each one was to be considered at the top of its class for its time.

 

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    1935 Auburn Boattail Speedster

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                                                     1936 Cord Convertible Coupe

 

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1932 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe

 

These two museums were among several auto museums, in the Auburn area, that had put together a “Museum Passport” type brochure, to advertise each of their museums. When I showed my passport, each museum would give me a discount on their admission price and stamp my passport. This handy passport had the name, address, and phone number for each of the eight cooperating museums in the Auburn area.

 

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This really helped solve the rest of my direction problems with Greta, in Auburn. When I arrived at the next museum location, I discovered that four of the other museums, I wanted to visit there in Auburn, were all located in this same museum complex.

 

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First on the list was the Kruse Automotive & Carriage Museum, which features a variety of vehicles, including beautifully restored Classic Cars, Custom Hot Rods, TV/Movie Super Hero cars and costumes, Indy race cars, and Monster Trucks. There were also early antique horse-drawn carriages of all types (including several British Royal Carriages) dating from the late 1700s.

 

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Next was the National Military History Center, located in the same building. This museum has a great display of military vehicles, equipment, and memorabilia to help present future generations with a better understand of the unique role of the U.S. Military Armed Services.

 

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Located there in the same Museum Complex, was the Gallery 326 Antique Mall which was closed the day I was there. However, it appears from their web site, that this is an auction center which boasts of over 100 dealers of high-quality collectibles including vintage automobiles.

 

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Next I visited the Early Ford V-8 Foundation Museum, also located there in the Museum Complex. This small museum consists of the history of the Ford Motor Company vehicles produced from 1903 to the present, with emphasis on the 1932-1953 Ford cars, utilizing the flathead V-8 engine and its many variants.

 

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Next I visited the Hoosier Air Museum, located a short distance from the Auburn Museum Complex. This was a very small museum, with about a dozen aircraft in one hanger. The tour guide was, I believe, the curator and part owner of the museum, and had lots of details about each of the museums aircraft.

 

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By now I was getting pretty tired and decided to head for tonight’s motel, located on the outskirts of Montpelier, Ohio. After checking in, I asked the desk clerk for recommendations about a good restaurant in the area and he said, “Try the Four Seasons Restaurant next door, they have good food.”  Well, the restaurant next door looked to me like a pretty small Mom-&-Pop type place, so I drove down the highway into Montpelier and found no restaurants. I turned around and drove the other way down the highway for a ways, and found no restaurants. So, I gave up and went back to the Four Seasons Restaurant, and had one of the best Lasagna dinners I’ve ever had. I should have known. Right?

 

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I had saved half of my Shoofly Pie from last night, and had that for dessert again tonight back in the motel. That really went well while I watched TV. Yuuum!

 

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—–To Be Continued—–

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Just be Happy and Live

28 Feb

A Time to Live

Melody Hendrix

Teach us delight in simple things. Rudyard Kipling
Be happy for no reason, like a child. If you are happy for a reason, you’re in trouble, because that reason can be taken from you. Deepak Chopra
When you try to control everything, you enjoy nothing. Relax, stop worrying, let go and just live.  unknown
zen

 

 

 

I am retired and enjoying life. My hobbies are my 5 grandchildren, son and daughter, and my loving husband. I am a photographer and extreme nature lover. I love spending time in my garden or in the wilderness connected to God my Creator.
Melody

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31 Days of God’s Comfort~Day 15

27 Feb

fear-not

 

Picture and paraphrase by DiVoran Lites

 

Day 15

Fear Not

Isaiah 43, Revelation 1:1-6

 

Beloved,

I’ll tell you how and why you’re afraid.

Then I’ll tell you how you are redeemed from fear.

You’re afraid when you don’t know what to do.

It may be difficult to admit that you are helpless and know nothing.

You start figuring. What will happen next?

How can you protect yourself and others?

This is how the world, the flesh, and the devil think and act.

Their thoughts are damaging.

You look at the past. Has anything like this happened to you or to anyone you know?

You go online to read everything that remotely applies to the problem.

You listen to the opinions of many counselors.

Some have solid ideas, but some harbor false perceptions,

You try to sort them out.

You remain in a state of the hyper alertness as though you were standing on a highway with cars whizzing by.

You fantasize about crashes, falls, accidents, hospital visits, and dying.

You invite guilt: what did you do to deserve this?

You ask if I am angry with you.

You slip in the miry clay and fall into self-pity.

Fear and worry kill your joy.

STOP

Breathe in Spirit

Be still and know that I Am God.

Thank me immediately.

That is my signal to go into action.

That is how I know you want my help.

You can do it from the start and skip all the nonsense.

It’s how I know you value kinship with me more than anything else.

I am able to make everything fresh.

I light your path, one step at a time.

It is the day of freedom, truth, and abundant life.

Watch for miracles. Give and receive love

Rejoice and be glad.

I give all the strength and wisdom you need.

I impart understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, reverence, and obedience: the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

Taste and see that I am good.

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Memories of New Mexico~Part 2

26 Feb

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

JUDY

 

 I have some mementos of New Mexico, and I would like to share them with you. Some of the Native Americans that lived in the pueblos out and around Albuquerque, made some wonderful black pots. I’m sure that originally, they were actually used within the house for some household chore, but these little ones are just for sitting on a shelf, and to be enjoyed by all. At least I’ve always enjoyed them. However, they were quite expensive, and I was unable to purchase any.

My wonderful sister-in-law, DiVoran, had this little pot sitting on her shelf for as long as I can remember. We made a trade one time – she got some gold earrings, and I got her little black pot! It was an even-trade for both of us.

 

 

And Fred’s parents had this black pot, that I admired so much. So when they passed away, I was able to inherit the pot, and have enjoyed it ever since.

 

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They both sit on a shelf, along with this adorable brass road runner that I also inherited from Fred’s parents. They had him a long time, and I admired him for all that time. He appealed to me because the road runner is the New Mexico state bird.

 

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Some newer art forms from New Mexico also have appealed to me. The last time we were in Albuquerque (Fred’s brother still lives there), I purchased this little glass cactus. I thought it was really cute – and it is almost a prickly as a real cactus!

 

4

 

For some reason, Kokopelli has become a favorite Native American icon of mine.

I just think he’s cute – and he’s playing a musical instrument. From Wikipedia, I gleaned the following:

Kokopelli is a fertility deity, usually depicted as a humpbacked flute player (often with feathers or antenna-like protrusions on his head), who has been venerated by some Native American cultures in the Southwestern United States. Like most fertility deities, Kokopelli presides over both childbirth and agriculture. He is also a trickster god and represents the spirit of music.

This little statuette sits on one of my shelves for me to enjoy. I have forgotten what this type of metal-work is called.

 

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I also have another type of that art work – it is a turtle. I saw this the last time we were in Albuquerque, and it appealed to me. I think it’s cute.

 

6

 

Those of you old enough, and interested in car racing – especially the Indianapolis 500 – might remember the Unser brothers. They were New Mexico boys, and back in the 1960’s-1980’s had an auto shop in Albuquerque, designed for maintaining race cars. Al Unser won that race four times, his brother, Bobby won it three times, and Al Unser, Jr. won it twice! You might say it was in the family’s blood! There is a Unser Racing Museum in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque that is open to any and all.

 

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Credit Google search and Rita Wechter

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The three secrets of a real winner. 

25 Feb

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

 

We all want to win, to triumph and reach success. But if you fail in these three areas, winning might not come your way.

The lady in this picture with me is sweet as can be. But inside, there’s a tenacious, driven woman. Not only is she a mechanical engineer with a successful career, but she happens to be a NASCAR driver.

“Tell me,” I said, “what did you have to worry about the most while on that racetrack being the only woman driver?”

“Other drivers,” she said. “I had to guard myself against drivers who were aggressive; against those who were vicious and against those who sometimes were spiteful.”

Not only that, but under those freckles and red hair, is a wise woman who knew the three secrets of a winner:

  1. Know your enemy.
  2. Be prepared.
  3. Be aware at all times.

With this simple strategy, she took home many trophies.

And so can we. During our own race of life, the Bible says, “Take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”

Devil’s schemes? Goodness gracious the battle isn’t against that relationship that ended in heartache? It’s not against the husband who walked away? It’s not against the conflict that divides the family? It’s not in the stress that drains us each day? Or the illness that brings on fear?

Not at all! “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12)

Although this sounds intimidating, there’s no need to fear. With a dance of reassurance in our step, we move forward as we know the enemy and his schemes, we’re prepared, and we are aware. Thus, we go ahead and pick up our trophy.

Driving the vehicle of confidence when fighting against those forces of the dark world, God almighty and powerful, brings on the victory. As we battle against all the unseen evil forces, His power shields, protects and guards against the influences of fear, loneliness, worry and sorrow.

We then head to the finish line, winners, triumphant and victorious.

No matter what you’re facing, are you boldly declaring your victory?

Janet

Source: The three secrets of a real winner. | Janet Perez Eckles

Be sure to check out Janet’s Amazon author page.

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It’s Not About You

24 Feb

From the Heart

Louise Gibson

Louise Gibson

 

 

 

God loves you because of who God is.
not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
He can give you a peace this week
that surpasses all you ever knew.

 

Life does present its challenges-
of this we are all aware,
but the Lord is there throughout it all
to comfort in our despair.

 

Seeing past the pain of the present
is a recommended state of mind.
God lifts us up above our circumstances
and gives us “vision” of a special kind.

 

Are you going through a rough place?
Don’t give up in despair.
Look to Him who created you.
His presence is always there.

 

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything
by prayer and supplication, with thanks-
giving, let your request be known unto God,
and the peace that passes all understanding
will keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus,
our Lord.” Philippians 4:6

 

ocean-lighthouse

 

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A 2016 Dawn Patrol Rendezvous~Trip Part 8

22 Feb

A Slice of Life

Bill Lites

Bill Stars Plane

 

Day 8 (Thursday, Oct.6, 2016)

Last night was a little hectic. DiVoran and the rest of my family were all dealing with hurricane Matthew, as it heads for our homes in East Central Florida. And here I was, trying to do my part to help them by remote control in Indiana. It was after midnight when I finally got to bed. I was only able to sleep until 3:30, when I had to get up and make notes about more things I needed to remember to tell DiVoran about house preparations.

 

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So, this morning after I talked over my list with DiVoran, I got ready and headed east to visit the Studebaker National Museum, located in South, Bend IN. This was an absolutely fabulous museum, consisting of three levels of beautifully restored Studebaker automobiles and associated vehicles/products, which the Studebaker Corporation has manufactured over the years.

 

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The chronological history of the Studebaker Corporation, there at the museum, begins with the original hand-built Conestoga type wagon that John C. Studebaker designed and built, around 1835, to move his family from Pennsylvania to Indiana.

 

3

 

By the time I got finished looking at all of the fabulous Studebaker cars and associated vehicles/products, the morning was almost gone. So, I decided to skip The History Museum there in South Bend (which was just around the corner from the Studebaker Museum), and head straight for the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, at the Notre Dame University located in Elkhart, IN. To my regret, I discovered that vehicle access near the Basilica area was restricted, so this photo, from a distance, was all I could get.

 

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Next I checked out the National New York Central Railroad Museum, also located there in Elkhart, IN.  This turned out to be a very small museum with mainly local historical railroad memorabilia and a few pieces of well-worn rolling stock. I didn’t stay long.

 

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Yesterday while visiting the Old Michigan City Lighthouse, a couple I met there, mentioned that if I was heading to Elkhart, I should be sure to visit the National RV Museum while I was there. So, that is where I was headed next. This turned out to be a very interesting museum, consisting of examples of RV type vehicles dating from the early 1920s to the present day. It has always amazed me how creative people have been, when it comes to designing and building mobile recreational vehicles over the years.

 

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By now time was getting short, and I headed for my next visit at the Hall of Heroes Museum, also located there in Elkhart. This amazingly small museum was really fascinating (Check out the “Hall of Heroes” website for the amazing details of this unusual museum). The owner and curator, Allen Stewart, gave me a private tour of his museum, which houses over 60,000 comic books, 10,000+ toys and figures, and tons of other superhero related memorabilia. Allen’s collection includes a copy of the very first Action Comics comic book, which introduced the Super Hero, Superman, in 1938.

 

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Recently I’ve been watching the “Fast N Loud” TV series, on the Discovery channel, and was surprised when one of their episodes happened to be when Richard Rawlings (Owner of the “Gas Monkey Garage” in Dallas, Texas), went to Elkhart to buy Allen Stewart’s ”65 Iron Man Shelby Cobra” from the Hall of Heroes Museum collection.

 

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I had been told that this area contained a large population of Amish and I was anxious to try some Amish food at a local restaurant. As it turned out, I had researched this idea before my trip, and had decided to try the Amish Acres Restaurant Barn, located some 15 miles south of Elkhart, in Nappanee, IN. This restaurant is part of an 80 acre Old Order Amish* farm, homesteaded by Moses Stahly in 1873, and whose nine original buildings have been relocated and restored to create an attraction. The Amish Acres attraction includes a restaurant, the Round Barn Theatre, a one-room school, a blacksmith shop, an apple cider mill, a maple sugar camp, a mint distillery, an ice house and bank barns.

 

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* Wikipedia: The Old Order Amish are a North American ethno-religious group consisting of some 2000 local churches. There is no formal church organization to bind them together, but they are linked by common faith, traditions and ancestry. In 1693, led by Jakob Ammann, the Amish separated from mainstream Mennonites.

 

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I was pleasantly surprised with the food, but disappointed because it was served family style. There was way too much food for me to eat, but I was not allowed to take any of their delicious food back to the motel with me. They did however let me take a slice of their wonderful Shoofly Pie with me for dessert. Go figure?

 

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So, with a full tummy, I headed for the motel to check on the status of Hurricane Matthew, see how DiVoran was doing, record today’s activities, and prepare for tomorrow’s adventures.

 

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—–To Be Continued—–

 

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