What Are You Absorbing?

There are many times that I wish that I was a better writer. There are so many blogs that have wonderful writers. And when they have a message they are able to say it in such eloquent ways. Anyway here is what I have been thinking about today.

First of all, we absorb what we spent the the most time doing. Are we spending our time watching TV and reading secular magazines and watching the news? Well if we are spending most of our time in those areas- then we will be absorbing worldly view and secular ideas. I think that slowly our views, ideas, and morals change as we devote so much time to secular input.

But if we want to reflect God's character, then we need to devote more time studying the Bible and in prayer. And we need more quiet time, when the TV or Radio are going all of the time and it is always noisy around us - we don't have the ability to hear what God has to say to us.

I mean think about it - the only place - yes the ONLY place that we can find truth is in the Bible.
When we read the newspaper, or a magazine - are we reading something that is true? Who knows - I know that just this week I spent a few minutes reading a magazine that my sister had giving me and I was amazed at a few things that I read - just from the knowledge that I have have I recognized it as error. And when we watch TV and the News - is it truth? It is more than likely propaganda - some of it might be true but there is no telling.

I am challenging myself to spend more time in the Word of God, more time listening to Christian music, more time listening to Christian Radio - I want more of God in my life - not more of the world. :o)

The Reading Corner

I am reading through the Little House Series. No - I did not read through the series as a child so I am making up for it now. It has been so much fun. I am on book 6 of the 9 books. "The Long Winter." I have been thoroughly enjoying this book. It just amazes me how the families and communities worked together through the hard times. Somewhere along the way it seems we have lost a lot of that spirit. We are so worried about ourselves that we don't even see those around us that are hurting.

I am about 2/3rds of the way done with this book and it has gotten me to the point of wanting to make time every day to read it to see what is going to happen next. I love that it takes me back to a time of more simplicity but along with that there is a lot of hardship. And as I read it helps me to appreciate my life much more. And I think if a book can do that - then it must be a very good book.

I am so glad that my husband bought me this set of books. I have enjoyed then and I am sure that my granddaughter and other grandchildren to come will really enjoy them as well.

I was just thinking that when I was a girl, I used to go to our church for a special story time in the afternoon. And it was so cool to hear a story - and then it would always be continued the next time. So I am thinking that maybe if my grandchildren don't want to read the books on their own - maybe I might have to have a story time for them. Sounds like a great idea to me. It will help them to understand our history so much more and appreciate what they have. And that is always a good thing.

As I was looking for an image of the book to put on here - I saw this photo of Laura Ingalls Wilder. It was amazing to me how much the "Laura" that the TV show had playing her really did look like her.
I hope you all have a good week end. :o)

Special Memories Shared

As you all know - we went to my Uncle Perry's Memorial Service this week-end. It was probably one of the best ones I've been to in a long time. I know that might sound weird, so I will explain. My heart goes out to his 5 kids and all of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. But what I loved about this service was the personal touches that were given to it. Several of the children had written out special tributes to their Dad. The ones that did not write it out told stories of their Dad. And they opened up the mic for anyone who had memories of Perry to share. And there were a lot of different people that shared special memories they had with him.
Three of his siblings who were there at the Memorial Service told special stories about him. My Mom shared how amazing that this tough teenage brother of hers at age 17 bought her a girls bike. This was a special memory for her, since up until that point she had only had boys bikes- probably hand me down bikes from her 3 older brothers.

I loved how the Pastor led out in the service in a special way. Not shoving religion down any ones throats. Don't get me wrong - I love the Lord and I want everyone to accept Jesus into their hearts but I also am old enough to realize that many people will only put up walls when others are trying to push their religion onto them. So there was no talk about Perry being a saint - No she said - God is the judge of that and we will let him do his job. She also was able to share that even though he did not go to church, he did have a relationship with Jesus and that he had accepted Him into his heart and that he would want everyone there to do the same.

The Importance of Your Legacy

Lately I have been thinking a lot about the importance of leaving a legacy and the importance of what kind you leave.

As you all know, my Uncle Perry passed away a little over a week ago. It made the whole thing a lot easier for me - being able to share this story of what he had done for me. Then today a lady from my church said that she was writing something for our church newsletter about him, that "he had a burden to help those in need the best way he knew how." You would have to understand that he was a very poor man himself. He lived in a small shed that had been renovated enough to have a small living area, bathroom and bedroom. So with all this information - it really helps you understand that even though he did not have much he did his best to look out after those around him that had needs that he could fulfill. What a blessing that is to know.

So I have been thinking about the importance of living your life in a way that affects those around you in a good way. Taking the focus off of yourself and doing for others. By reading the Bible, we are able to learn that the way Jesus ministered to others was by taking care of their needs. Then he was able to win their hearts - once he had taken care of their needs.

The more I think of this, the more I realize that the choices that we make and the things we do and say really are important - not only for now but also in forming the Legacy that we leave.