Ahhh Spring... it's about time.

The other day we welcomed sprummer which is what I'm calling the week we had here that was around 90 degrees F the entire week. I even had to buy my oldest daughter new shorts ahead of schedule because it was that warm. It was a fantastic week. Now that spring has officially returned with warmish days and cooler nights I look back on that week with gratitude.

Since we are creating a race of humans that are solely dependent on computers for almost everything I have started to drastically limit the time my children spend on electronic devices, with my husbands full cooperation and approval, love that man. They must play with their toys that have been sitting around collecting eye space in my already cramped apartment or go outside. However, that sole week now has all three of them begging me to open the patio doors so they can play in the little side yard just outside our apartment. Then when it is time to come in for meals or just a good ol' fashioned bath/bedtime they stomp their feet and shed fake tears while they beg to be allowed more time outside. I smile inside while I keep on my 'Mommy said so, now march' face.

A creeping fear of mine is that they would by pass all those wonderful memories that I made growing up as I played outside during the nicer weather, whether it was by myself or with friends. That fear has been squelched. During that week we even kept our oldest out of school one day just to buy her a new bicycle and take a day trip to my parents house. Granted mom and dad weren't home, but they have a beautiful house and plenty of room for the kids to play and even woods for them and their daddy to explore. It was a great day. Sunshine, fun, and playing hooky with the permission of mom and dad and even grandma and pap.

As a society, not just our own country but globally as well, we have sped up our lives and added too much too fast so that we don't have time to stop and enjoy this beautiful planet that we have to enjoy. We say this all the time, however, it's very true. I've come to enjoy the slower pace. I don't like going a million miles per hour. Shoot, my smart phone is probably upset with me because all it gets used for is the occasional text or phone call (really I don't use it a whole lot) and for when my son plays cut the rope on it. Other than that is spends most of it's time sitting on a counter with a mostly dead battery waiting to live to it's fullest potential. Good thing it's not really feeling useless it might have left me a long time ago. Smily face.

To sum up, I'm glad I have children that remind me of the important things in this short life we get. We shouldn't try live in the moment or for the moment because then we are too busy trying to enjoy it that it's over and forgotten before we even remembered why we were trying in the first place. I feel like we need to slow ourselves down. Take some stuff off our plate so that when the moment to be enjoyed comes we won't be trying to live in it we will be living in it because those slow recaptured moments will begin to mean more than the rat race we fell into when we tripped over our smart phones.


Don't be silent
Leigha

*Sigh* I'm gonna do some footwork

I was speaking with my newly acquired soon to be sister-in-law yesterday and she has suggested I be more diligent with my blogging. I'm not someone who feels affective in my blogging and I don't have a large audience, if any. However, I want to be a published author and have at least a cult like following. Just enough to supplement our income so my husband doesn't feel the money pressure all by himself. I will honestly try this time. Last year I was a bit more successful, but not really.

This I will say. Throughout last year I have been challenged and changed. I'm not who I was at the beginning of last year and even though we are a full 3 months in to this one I'm not the same woman I was on January 1st. So many good things are pulling together to the same purpose for me right now I need to allow myself to be pulled that direction. Finally I feel like I'm moving forward in my life. For the first time in 30 years (yes I'm 30) I know I'm better. I feel better, I act better, shoot I even look better. THANK YOU ZUMBA!

It isn't just doing zumba on a regular basis that has pushed me in the direction I'm going. Although it has helped. In January I was feeling particularly down and during a moment of prayer I cried out for God to change me and keep me from feeling depressed. I hated feeling that way and now after decades of feeling depressed periodically I've started becoming more diligent in what I put into my body and how active/productive I am. The conclusion I've come to is that I was too sedentary. I wasn't allowing myself to function and I sat around feeling sorry for myself, which is REALLY depressing. Then as I was reading 'Farmer Boy' from the 'Little House on the Prairie' books I've noticed things that they did on a daily basis and things his father said to him as he grew up line up with what I've learned lately and light bulbs are turing on all over the house that is my brain. His father is always pointing him the direction of most resistance in order for him to grow into a productive responsible adult. He offers both the harder and easier road and then let's his son choose for himself. The son almost always chooses to work for the greater result instead of the instant pleasure. SO here is the long and the short of it. I'm going to do the hard work in order to gain the greater result. I don't know how, but if it works with me doing zumba and slowly chipping away at the weight I never lost from my pregnancies then it will work with everything else too, right?

My parents taught me this growing up, but I forgot it somewhere along the line because I was too busy getting what I wanted all the time. I'm just happy I was reminded before it was too late to teach it to my children.

Don't Be Silent
Leigha

btw please check out my brother and sister-in-law Emy&Ethan. They are highly talented and fashionable to boot. :)

Pearls before swine...

I know I already posted today, but I had to share what wasn't being reported by the media. However, I have something deeper that I want to impart to whomever stumbles upon this post.

I was reading in Matthew today, Matthew 7 to be exact, and God stopped me at verse 6 'Do not give to the dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do they may trample them under their feet and then turn and tear you to pieces.'

Why this verse, well, it's simple. This verse comes after the verses that talk about not judging or you too will be judged according to how you have judged. Then it directs you to remove the plank from your own eye before you removed the sawdust from your friends. It is then piggybacked by the verse above... again why? Because Christ wants us to work on US and seek our faith in him for OURSELVES and not for someone else. A Christian should not go throwing their righteousness about willy nilly. Nor should they expect others to live as they do. However, I believe, Christ wants us to work on US and be the light unto the world through not only what we say but what we do as well. If we walk and talk like a duck then guess what the world will think of us. And if that is how we are living what then will happen when we try to suddenly interject Christ into the equation? They will 'trample our words under foot and tear us to pieces' You CAN NOT act like everyone else and claim Christ. Be set apart. Your actions and deeds should mirror Christ (and you will fail). If people see Christ in you in word and deed you will be a force to be reckoned with.

Please remember Christ did not treat people like he was better than them, instead, and the bible says this, he made himself a servant. Do like wise. Pray for teachable moments, beg God to reveal anxious ways in you so that you can get rid of them. Christianity is not easy. God is not a bank. We will be faced with trials, we must lean on Him who created us in love and saved us by grace. We must not try and throw the first stone. He didn't and he's the only one who could have.

Don't be Slient

Leigha

Sandy's wrath and God's path.

My sister has been on the phones coordinating with pastors in churches in New York finding out what all needs to be done and donated to help out. This is an update she recived this morning. God is alive and sees all! Praise Him! Praise Him from the highest mountain to the depths of the sea! 

Via Briana Nei:

I have spent some time on the phone with pastors and volunteers on the ground in New York. In Staten Island, there are thousands of volunteers coordinated from churches, feeding 20,000 people a day and mucking out houses. Just on Sunday, they got 200 houses done and sanitized. In the past 2 weeks they got the work done that would normally take 6 months. This is the power of Jesus Christ when the people of God are unified and working together to help those in need. They were the first responders before FEMA or the Red Cross. They were already there, in their neighborhoods, serving God and were on the ground from day 1. I spoke with the coordinator of Staten Island churches today. The director of FEMA visited him this week. He was told that there was no way FEMA could have pulled off the incredibly detailed and volunteer-based effort they have on the ground. Truly a blessing to see the work of God! So proud of everyone working there.



So thankful that Americans of all creeds and colors are receiving help from those who are more than willing to give. We can't count on the government alone. The swath of the storm was huge and yes some places have yet to receive aid, but it's not because they are being ignored. It's for lack of help and because the storm affected so many. Please, if you have the time and means find a local church or charity that is coordinating with organizations within the affected areas donate time, money, food, etc etc. We have so much in this country we can definitely share with each other. 

Also before I go I just want to let all those who are actually reading my posts that I have a friend who drives a tractor trailer and today he was stuck behind a line of trucks carrying transformers to repair the electricity disaster up north. ALL THE TRUCKS had transformers on them! 

Don't be Silent

Leigha 

Why So Outspoken Against Your Own?

Election season is over. The nation voted and the results are in. We are divided and I'm not just talking about America. Matthew 12:25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, 'Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.' Our Savior hit the nail on the head! POW! That's us. Church. That's us. We are not standing. I read and heard so MANY Christians call each other out, using the words of Christ against each other in a blame game. 'He who casts the first stone... do not judge.... etc etc' Why? It's simple. We lost the plot. We forgot. We are the sleeping giant. The bride is second guessing her choice. It's so sad. We just shluff off society and have decided to pray that God comes quickly. It doesn't have to be that way! Stop, please stop! Think of who you are talking to. Think of what you are saying. Think why are you saying it. No one likes to be told that we are broken and need to be fixed, but we are. Every human is so broken. The issues shouldn't be issues for us. We should talk to each other with respect and love. Listen to each other with respect and love. We can't name call. If someone's opinion is different we can't 'jump down their throat' and call them judgemental because indeed none of us can cast the first stone. When that case arises we need to ask why and not be offended when our own views are challenged. Maybe, just maybe, God is using that encounter to edify you. Being a Christian is about being free in Christ and trusting him, but it's also about digging up all the gunk inside of you and letting him clean you. Submitting to his will and asking for his assistence. We can't do this on our own and He desires greatly to help. 

Now our society is changing rapidly. People are now calling things that are evil in the eyes of God good. Sex before marriage, drunkeness, gambling, homosexuality, greed, dissention, factions etc etc etc. There is no moral compass anymore. God was deemed a story and it's now no holds barred. If you can't see it, then ask God if it is or not, he'll tell you. If you don't think you'll recognize his voice ask him to give you ears to hear it... he will. As His voice in this darkened world we need to first and foremost go inward and allow God to clean us out. Restore the full uncompromising truth so that we can serve Him best. Next we need to get out there and start to shine really shine. People notice. Now I'm not saying get in their faces, i'm saying be an example and pray that God send you to people or people to you in order that they might be given the chance to know him. He'll guide you and your words. We have to save as many as we can. Set the captive masses free. Satan wants our fellow brothers and sisters of the human race to burn with him in hell. Christ wants his beloved children in heavan with him! Greater is He that is in us than He that is in the world! We can do it. Get into your prayer closet and let God sort you out. It will not be pleasant, but we were told that this was not going to be easy. Next get out there and start a revival. We can change people and the world. It starts small, but like the ripples in a pond it grows. 

Don't be Silent!!

Leigha

The Giant

There once was a Giant. He stood tall and proud clothed in armour, ready for battle. In his right hand a sword and his left a shield. His head and breast were covered to protect from any attack. His eyes looked at his enemies with no fear. He knew his Commandar's order's and carried them out, no questions asked. To light his way his Commandar lit a lampstand and placed it in the ground next to him. 'As long as the flame shines bright, your fight will be affective.' This was the most important instruction. So day and night he defended against the enemies that attacked and always found time to tend to the lamp. He didn't waiver or move, but kept on fighting. His eyes always searching for any sign of his Commandar. 

As time grew on the Giant grew weary. His enemies grew more and more numerous and their attacks more devisive and harsh. The Giant began to forget his training and would lash out haphazarly hoping to hit a target. All the while the lampstand grew dim until one day, the Giant laid down, weary from battle. 'I must rest. I can not go on. My Commandar will understand. He has left me too long, he must have forgotten me.' The Giant fell asleep under his lampstand.

Time passed. The Giant slept. The lampstand faded until all that was left was a flickering flame, defying the wind that blew around it. The enemies of the Giant and his Commandar began to chip away at the armour trying to find weak spots where they could wound the Giant further, and they wounded him greatly. Yet, the Giant slept, seeminly unaware of the attacks. 

Finally, the Giant awoke. His body weakened and wounded his armour in tatters his sword rusted and his shield cracked. In the distance he heard the sounds of his Commandars return. He looked to the lampstand, a small ember remained. The enemies were now numerous and growing. They showed no mercy nor would they relent. Their attacks grew more and more vicious now that the Giant was awake. The Giant remembered his final instruction, 'As long as the flame shines bright, your fight will be affective' 

A messenger appeared in front of him out of the chaos. 'A message from my Lord.' The Giant read it, it was not plesant. His heart lept at the thought of seeing his Commandar, but just as quickly it sank because he had utterly abandoned his mission. The messengar waited for the Giant's reply. Should he go when his Commandar calls? Should he send word for the Commandar to tarry as he makes another stand? What would the Commandar do? Was he that kind of soldier? He looked to the lampstand, it still burned, even if it was dwindling, there was still time. Was there still time? 

What should the sleepy Giant do? Oh church, what should the sleeping Giant do?

We don't have to accept that this is the end, God can and will bring about a change. We just need to clear out the temple with a whip!

Don't be Silent!

Leigha C.

*sigh* this world

Over two thousand years ago a man was declared a heretic and a threat to society. He was tried, beaten almost to death and then forced to carry the final instrument of torture that would result in his death to the place where they deemed this final act would take place. He committed no crime. In fact, all he did was question the moral compass of the day and lived his life by the law, but lived for the love he had for mankind and following the instructions of his teacher. His name translated to English is Jesus. He foretold the events of this day and age thousands of years ago. Then reminded us to not worry because these events must take place in order for the Glory of God to be revealed. He summed up the law of the prophets by saying, 'Love the Lord your God and serve Him only' and to 'Love your neighbor as yourself' there is so much more going on in this world than what has been in the media lately. Christian, little Christ, do not waver or stray from the path God has laid before you. Take everything to Him in prayer. Remember we are in the world not of the world. Our neighbor is everybody and they have His precious breath of life in their lungs as much as you do. Treat everyone with respect and pray for teachable moments and that you can address these moments in the same spirit that He did when He walked the earth. Proverbs 15:1 A kind word turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger. Stay strong in your faith, do not turn to the right or left. Don't be ashamed.
Everyone seems to be sticking to their guns when it comes to what they believe and want out of this life and society. Christians, because we feel threatened, will make allowances to try and smooth things over so we don't look like villains. What most people don't realize is that we aren't villains. We SEEM like it simply because we try to live our life by a set of rules that society dictates as judgmental. These rules do not bend or sway, but they lead to a very peaceful existence here on earth simply because we take all of our problems and issues to God and leave them at his feet. We ask that he finds anxious ways in us and that he leads us through them and once we have conquered them through Him we find more strength and peace. A TRUE Christian will lend a helping hand to any and everyone. We find SIN despicable not the people involved in them. A person is a person and they are created in God's image as much as the next person. God loves every man woman and child on this planet, but not all of us love him. He gave us this choice. I can't live your life for you, but I know what has happened to me since I became a Christian and I would love for you to experience the same peace and happiness, but I can't make that choice for you. We are both members of the human race. We were designed with a purpose and created in love. We choose our lives on earth. Christian's only want to share what we know, not judge you because of who you chose to be. There is a difference.
Now there are those who use the name of Christ to serve their own agenda. How can you tell the difference? If they sound like pushy hate mongers and use phrases like 'You're something something this  because something something that' or 'God hates you because of this and that and no hope for you' or 'if you live like this than you're better off that.' Please do not define Christian's by those who spread hate and fear. A Christian will give you the shirt off their back before you smack them in the face and the shoe's off their feet after that.