A Fun Evening and Internet Cafe Chat

Last night I finally made it to a square dance. We had such a wonderful time. It was a lot of fun, a lot of laughs, and I know I'll definitely go again!! I don't know exactly how many people were there, probably about 50. One fellow there was so enthusiastic about swinging his partner that I thought she was going to be swung off her feet by the end of the evening!

As I was leaving last evening, I noticed this in the sky. Luckily for me, I had my camera along because I haven't seen one of these in a very long time.

The picture is a little dark because it was almost dusk. But, can you see the rainbow? I was so thrilled to see this. I can't tell you the last time a saw a rainbow!


And now, on to Internet Cafe Chat:




Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

This is the verse for contemplation this week. And here is the question that Kim asks:

In what ways have you “conformed to this world” in your own life? Then, share the story of how God worked through you to “renew your mind” in that situation.

I have to say that God speaks to me often about this--is this acceptable in MY eyes? Is this good and perfect in MY eyes?

As I travel in my journey with God, I have changed in so many ways. I used to swear like a sailor in a storm. I thought nothing of taking the Lord's name in vain and dropping a few (now, let's be honest here--it was WAY more than a few!) choice words randomly in a sentence. Make me angry--watch out--words that have no business in my vocabulary would fly!!

Once I accepted Christ into my life, this behavior disappeared overnight--literally overnight!! God just took this away from me. People around me know that I find this type of language offensive now and tend not to speak in this manner around me. And, if someone would say the Lord's name in a manner that is not appropriate, I will tell them that I do not want to hear that--in no uncertain terms.

God continues to speak to me in regards to this verse. He has spoken to me about the friends I make--what kind of company should you be keeping, He says. Are these people who are acceptable in my eyes? Do they exhibit behavior that I (God) want to see in you? Are they going to draw you back into unacceptable behaviors?

Even down to my choices in reading materials: Is this something that I (God) would want you to immerse your mind in? Is that book glorifying MY Name? Is this book drawing you closer to Me or farther away from Me?

I rarely watch television or go to the movies. When I see most of the choices that are available or hear people speaking of shows on television or movies that they have seen, I know that the majority of them are not glorifying God.

I have made many changes in my life by listening to what God is saying to me, and it is a very simple question:

Is this behavior good and acceptable in MY eyes?

If I can very easily answer "no" to this question, then I am assured that this is not a place I should be, not a behavior I should be practicing, not even a book I should be reading.

I know that there are many more areas of my life where God has work to do in me. I will continue to listen and obey in my journey, and God will be there for me as I sometimes struggle to make these changes.

Read more about change........

Wondering??

Today, I am wondering about myself. I walked into church today, and someone said to me, "We missed you last night!" My reply was, "I was supposed to be somewhere last night?"

And yes, I was. I was supposed to be at "Dinner and a Movie" being held at church. There was going to be a dinner and then a viewing of "Phantom of the Opera". I love that movie, too!

I have this marked on my calendar for next Saturday. I don't know why. For some reason, I am having trouble remembering where I am supposed to be when. And here, I sat at home all evening when I could have been out doing something. Kind of upsets me when I do things like this, and now I'm wondering what I'm really supposed to be doing next Saturday!

I can tell you exactly why this is happening to me, too. I really don't even need to wonder about this. I have again overextended myself. I'm praying about what I need to let go, have been praying about this for several days now.

I'm involved in a lot of activities that I love and consider each of them to be important. But, I have to listen and let something go. There are just not enough hours in the day to complete everything that I have committed myself to.

When I do this (overextend and over commit myself) I have a tendency to fall back and not do anything! I just get overwhelmed and don't accomplish much at all.

I need to examine where I am in all of this and drop a few things. Right now, I basically feel as though I have no time to "just be". But, what to let go?

As Christians we are called to
balance, not imbalance, even
in the area of our work for God.

Please stop by and visit "The Power of Your Love". This is a new venture that we're embarking upon. If you like would like to be involved as an author, please drop me an e-mail so that I can add you to the list of participants.

I think that you will enjoy this--an opportunity to share your joys, sorrows, concerns, praises, prayer requests. I've added a video today that has a lot of meaning to me.

K--That's all for a while!

Beth

So, here it is Sunday already, and what did I get accomplished this weekend?? Did I clean like I told myself I was going to do? Of course not!! A a couple of loads of laundry this afternoon, and that was about it into my ventures of housecleaning.













What I did accomplish was the first part of my very first sock. Now, realize that I have tried this before and failed. I've never gotten so far as past the ribbing for the cuff.













Here's my SAL:

As usual, my picture isn't very good. But, there are cables down the back of heel flap, which is what this is. When I came home from church, I finished this, turned the heel, and now I'm working on the instep of this sock, which also has a cable design. I can hardly believe that I've come this far on this sock!!

I'm almost finished both of my KAL's. I have the instructions for both of them to be finished today, but I put them aside in favor of working on this sock.

And, here's a picture of my little kitty, Miles. Remember, Miles??

He's very hard to take a picture of because he's always on the move. I just happened to catch him waking up from a nap! He is a very actice kitty, but he learned early on that yarn is not a playtoy!

I just received a weather bulletin that we're going to have severe thunderstorms. I can't wait!! I love a good thunderstom. All that power unleashed--reminds me of the fact that God is in power and He is the one in control, not me. No, not me--never. And what happens when I try to control things--that is when they begin to come unraveled!!

K-that's all for a while!

Talk to you tomorrow!

Beth

Saturday

I received a nice surprise in the mail today--a card from a friend of mine. On the front it says:

You are a daughter of the King, a holy princess, the bride of Christ! That means no matter what your story might be right now, then ending is still "happily ever after"!

The inside says: Be encouraged, God loves you so much and He has a wonderful plan for you!

"I know what I am planning for you," says the Lord. I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future." Jeremiah 29:11

And I think this says it all.

Beth

A Christmas Dishcloth Story

Now, I know that it's not Christmas or even close to Christmas. But, I saw this dishcloth on someone's blog. She had made it for her mom for Christmas, and it's a dishcloth made to look like her mom's house.

I fell in love with this, so I had to make it! I don't know yet who will be the recipient of this cloth--maybe I'll do something different and keep it for myself!!

On another note, I've located a website called Newborns in Need. Since I have a TON of baby yarn that isn't being used at the moment, I've decided to contact our local chapter of Newborns in Need so that I can use my God given talent to help His smallest ones stay warm. I've just sent them an e-mail, so I'll keep you posted on that topic.

Our church service today was awesome!!! We're starting a new series called "iGod"--what would God be saying to you if He were in your iPod? And today--today I learned that God is my everything. I already knew that, but hearing it spoken to me, sung to me--well, this message just reinforced this in my heart and soul. God is always present, always powerful, always loving.

Our God is an awesome God!!