Good grief people, the sky is not falling, and there will always be evil in the world. Somehow we are totally missing the point of what it is we are to do in every situation. Say it with me...

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

I have watched a lot of the Hurricane Harvey survivor's testimonies and not one that I heard was whining about this or that. They were so thankful for everything. We can learn a lot from them.

This morning I was whining about an issue that I'm struggling with, and then I was reminded of others who are facing bigger battles. GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES!

The bottom line in giving thanks is trusting God when he says he is there for us, and then us living out the joy that comes through that peace. We all are facing or will face a battle, a struggle, a valley, an alligator, or the belly of a whale. At that moment we must decide, we must choose happiness or become a whiner.

I'm thankful that God uses his people to encourage and bring his truth message.

We are missing the point if we are dwelling on our weaknesses. We must find ourselves deep into God's work so that there is no time for such nonsense.

The road we travel may be long, but it has purpose. 

Fresh Find: This light is an amazing art piece! Pricey, but in the perfect spot, stunning!

Here is my mother's genealogical line. I don't see that any of us look similar. It is fun to look back and remember this part of my family and the good times.

What do you think? Similar or not?

Fresh Find: Love this scripture pillow!

In Galatians 6:2 we read these words, Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ. With Harvey's wrath, we are witnessing the burdens of many, and we want to help in any way we can. Of course, we must pray and have been praying, and I believe we are witnessing God at work in many lives. How we carry our cross through the valley is a witness to the Nations. We have seen many with burdens, too big to comprehend, speak the truth and reach out to help others in this darkest hour.

Two of Plainview's "kids" that we love dearly have lost everything. Lacy (Lass) and Carey Watson along with their four children and pets are experiencing something far worse than any nightmare they have ever had. Even in this though, they have remained faithful, helping others and looking for everything positive in the situations. They are blessed because they are together and unharmed. They are in shock and have no clue what the future holds, except they know God holds their future. He is revealing his provision even in this time.

Carey, Lacy and their family just recently moved from Cincinnati, Ohio to Houston to continue his medical career. They may be Houston transplants, but they will always belong to Plainview. Here is a way you can help them.

Many have messaged me or contacted me asking what we can do to help the Watsons. For those who feel led to help, you may drop by the bank or mail your gift to: 

Centennial Bank Plainview

201 West 6th Street

Plainview . Texas . 79072

Write Carey & Lacy Watson on the memo line.

 May God bless the gift and the giver!

I have always prayed for wisdom. As I got older, I felt I was just shy of the wisdom for whatever situation I found myself in.

Wise people understand that life is connected. Every day may be a new day, but the choices we have made prior determine how the following days are delivered to us.

When we think about time, we think about how truly valuable it is. We are time poor. We need to invest in our time, not just spend it. Remember, like money; we can't take it with us. 

When we do important things, things that are not about us, then our time is spent with important people. These are the people who allow us to live a drama free life. Through this type of time management, we mature in wisdom.

We each have a past a present, and we have a future. When we look at how we gain wisdom through these phases of time, we reflect on the past experiences in order to wisely choose the best circumstance for the story we desire to write for our future.

God has shown me much wisdom as I have matured physically, mentally and spiritually. Life is not only connected; it is intricately connected and designed by the God of my Salvation.

Fresh Find: Awesome bar stool!

Today we had a sweet reception for our beautiful friends, Carolyn & Danny Andrews. As my friend Peyton Bradshaw says when the Rangers lose, "I don't want to talk about it!"

The Andrews have been in my life since, forever. They are special to so many people. Here are just a few pictures.

And, these guys had a blast catching up! It was funny!!!

Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver, and the other is gold. Thankful for our Andrews friends! Good-bye, friends!

Fresh Find: Love embroidery work! Love this quote.

Okay, I stayed up and watched the live feed of Hurricane Harvey. I saw some crazy weather people doin' their thang. Cra-cra, but fun to watch. Any-who, in one live feed there was a man who saw a woman sitting in the Corpus Christi gazebo. He got out of his car and went to her and asked her if she was aware of the impending danger. He came back and said that she said that she was where she needed to be. He got in his car and drove off.

She has been on my mind. Did anyone save this lady? Where is she? Is she out to sea? Is this where she needed to be? I pray she found her peace.

Fresh Find: Fun, fun metal art.

My grandfather, Hugh Robert Etter, enjoyed boatin' and fishin'! He built boats as a hobby, but sold many, too. In his electrical business, Hugh R. Etter Electric, he was an Evinrude dealer.

The top boat is one of his speed boats. Fast.

Taking the kids out for a spin.

Even caught a few fish.

 

She did, too!!!

Fresh Find: If I wore bow-ties...

Some things just break your heart into a million pieces. In time, God in his glory puts things back together again with pureness.

Kintsugi or golden joinery is an ancient art form. In Japan, kintsugi or wabi-sabi is the embracing of the flawed or imperfect. In this philosophy, the aesthetic value is found in the wear. So to repair any damage brings value to the piece.

Psalm 34:7 “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” 

I am not the only one in the entire universe which continues to break over your sadness, your sorrow, your trial, your loss. You are not alone. Your pain is carried and buried with Christ through prayer. He is near you.

This day is his to fill with the purity of Christ; to increase your value for Kingdom work.

In John 16, verse 33, we read, “I have told you these things, so that you can have peace because of me. In this world you will have trouble. But be encouraged! I have won the battle over the world.”

If you are struggling today, there is one who delivers peace; his name is Jehovah shalom.

Lord, you will give perfect peace to those who commit themselves to be faithful to you. That’s because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3

You may not know or feel a perfect peace right now, but stay in Him and you will!

Fresh Find: I seriously love this toilet paper holder!

I find that there are three areas of friendship. 

There are friends who are there for a reason. The reason may be to fulfil a need for us, or it could be that we meet a need for them. Either way, God brings us together for a reason.

There are friends who are there for a season. A season can be just that, a few month or many years, but these friends are the outgrowth of the "reason" friendships.

Then, there are lifetime friendships. These are season friendships that no matter how divided geographically they become, they create a way to continue their friendships.

We have lifetime friends who have been in our lives for many seasons who were there for a reason, and now, we will be separated geographically. I've shed my tears over coffee with my forever friend, Carolyn Andrews. She and Danny are moving. I'm super excited for them to be so close to two of their three children and their families.

I can honestly say when I saw Brad & Kayla's kid's faces light up when we talked about their new grand-neighbors, I was sold. They will have such fun following them to their activities.

We wish them many years of blessings, good health and ministry opportunities as our friends create new friends for a reason, a season, and a lifetime!

What a fun little cup ornament. We think it is us, Carolyn & me!!! Adorable! 

Follow your heart friends!

Fresh Find: Awesome fire pit!

As Believers, are we topical, sectional or strongly defined by our faith. It is funny sometimes how the Holy Spirit will bring people from opposite ends of the community spectrum into my life and how they will define someone's actions. It isn't that names are dropped, or any judging is going on it is just the simple fact that we have a lot of people who talk the talk, especially on Facebook, but do not walk the walk. People are watching us and we watch others.

It is funny sometimes how the Holy Spirit will bring people from opposite ends of the community spectrum into my life in a short period and how they will define someone's actions. It isn't that names are dropped, or any judging is going on. It is a discussion of how we have a lot of people who talk the talk, especially on Facebook but do not walk the walk. People are watching us. 

It got me to thinking about my own life. Our lives are the only ones we can do anything about anyway so...might as well examine it.

Are we topical where our faith is on the surface, but it isn't real deep. It soothes, but it doesn't help heal the wounded and weary.

We may be sectional Christians, where we are good on Sundays or within a particular group, but then we act differently depending on what section of friends we are with, our faith is pieces put together.

Or, are we so defined by our relationship with Christ that we talk the talk AND walk the walk because it is our joy? Are we action figure Christians who stand for the Word of God and the love of Jesus Christ?

Hebrews 12:1-3 A huge cloud of witnesses is all around us. So let us throw off everything that stands in our way. Let us throw off any sin that holds on to us so tightly. And let us keep on running the race marked out for us. Let us keep looking to Jesus. He is the one who started this journey of faith. And he is the one who completes the journey of faith. He paid no attention to the shame of the cross. He suffered there because of the joy he was looking forward to. Then he sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. He made it through these attacks by sinners. So think about him. Then you won’t get tired. You won’t lose hope.

We fall, we get back up, and God helps us through every valley. It is important though, to remember that we are witnesses for Him and when we stumble or find ourselves in the depths of despair, others are watching to see how we overcome. 

Being kind is a habit. Showing Christ's love through kindness is our testimony.

Let's be a bunch of grapes that deliver great wine to the vineyard owner! 

Fresh Find: Love, love this coffee cup!