Why do we compromise our Godly standards?

A troubling question.

I see brothers and sisters who have been Christians for decades compromising their Godly standards....... for who? for why?

I read this interesting article :

It was talking about Jesus and how He handled the temptation to compromise.

Luke 4:5-7 says, "The devil led Him up to a high place & showed Him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to Him, "I will give you all their authority splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So, if you worship me, it will all be yours."

Boy, that was temptation!

You know, every week people line up to buy lottery tickets, fantasizing about buying new homes, and new cars. Doing all the things that they couldn't do otherwise.

"Here it is, Jesus", Satan says, "I have control over the people of this world. They're serving me. So, let's make a deal. Don't set your standards so high. Just compromise with me, and all this can be yours."

Is Satan using the same temptation on you?

Are you playing fast and loose with the truth, cutting corners, compromising with that which you know to be wrong? All this just so you can get more & more? More of what?

I don't think there is anything wrong with material things.

God gave them to us. But who is really the owner of the things that we have ? (Including our family members?)

Is God the owner, or am I? If God is the owner, and He's just loaning all of this to me, then my responsibility is to be a good steward of it and to make sure that God is exalted by the way I use it.

Jesus did the right thing. Vs. 8 says " Jesus answered: It is written: Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only."

He did the right thing for the right reason. He DID NOT COMPROMISE!

Pray about it.

THE DELICATE WORKINGS OF THE BRAIN

My Dad has dementia with a "trace" of Alzheimer's. He is 85 years old and though he has been able to keep his mind as sharp as possibly can at 85 but he has a lot of other issues going against him ...... peripheral neuropathy plays a big factor in his brain function as well.

Changes and disturbances in his routine really throw him off. Mom and I have gotten use to being able to work very hard at keeping him "safe" from changes etc. but now that he is in the nursing home things are out of our control. It's hard to watch what it is doing to his mental status.

He has been "acting out" these last couple days and it is hard for Mom to sit there and listen to him accuse her of seeing other men, of dating some of the nursing staff etc. It is my prayer today that God will touch his mind and restore it to a functioning level.

God is able to do just what He said He would do!
GOD IS ABLE!

Only God can make such beauty.........

So after writing yesteday's post, I came out this morning to get into my car to head to work and I looked down at my dark blue coat and was totally taken back by the beauty that God had created for me! There, gently drifting down from the cloudy sky came individual snow flakes ....which landed on my coat and thru the contrast on the dark blue it showed God's wonderful handywork. I smiled from ear to ear!

Who doubts that the Lord Jesus exists? Take a look at that snowflake!!! Each one different....awesome is what I say! And leave it to my Heavenly Father to "toy" with me this morning....... knowing full well that I am "not comfortable" with this whole snow/white stuff........ at all. So He sprinkles my coat with these beautiful snowflakes....... and I am, of course, totally blown away!!!!

He is amazing and HE IS ABLE!

Thanks for loving me even when I grumble Jesus!

Tired of it already..................

Some people love winter (skiiers, snowboarders, etc.) and love to see the snow fly. Some love snow just around Christmas because it makes the season so "romantic" and "festive". Bah. Bah-humbug.

I loved winter when I was little...... not a care in the world. I didn't shovel --- my Daddy did it all. I just got in my little old snowsuit and off to school I WALKED. Didn't worry about my Dad who drove dangerous country roads in pieces of junk milk trucks/bread trucks. I didn't pay attention to how upset and worried my Mom was until he came home safe and sound...... no cell phones back then.

Then I moved out of the house, moved to the city and lived on my own.........and suddenly the snow wasn't a "cute" as before. But, I still was young, had no fear and drove as such.

Then I became a wife (now I had a husband to worry about coming home late on bad country roads.....) and a mother....... and suddenly ...... snow and the cold winter months became hell on earth to me. Lack of sun light, always cold in the old drafty farm house, shoveling, hauling wood, furnace always breaking down, shoveling, cold fingers and feet while trying to clean off cars and shoveling. Then always my favorite..... shoveling. lol

Now the hatred has peaked with me being older and easily exhausted after ....... you guessed it.....shoveling and hauling wood. Now my darling toddlers are full grown women, working and driving in this "winter wonderland" - --- Making the process of trying to tolerate the white stuff almost unbearable.

Some people have told me that I have to love the snow because God created it....and He would not create anything bad. I agree 100% that He created it, and that He would not create anything bad...... but the Bible does not say I have to love snow. It says that I have to give thanks in all things................. And to that I say "Thank you Jesus for the snow that waters the earth." (By the way Jesus, I hate the stuff!!!! )

So, there my winter vent for today.

Okay, I am getting buried in knitting projects!!!

This is my first time using lace weight wool - and I think it will be my last. lol It is a simple enough pattern and it is going along good enough - but it is a Christmas present for a co worker and I hope I get it done in time for Christmas! I can hardly wait for the purple to turn in to the sof green color!

Now you see that I am definately keeping myself too busy!



This is what I call a pencil scarf - a pattern I got from my Mom. I like it because it makes a long thin little scarf - I make it about 90 inches long so you can wrap it around your neck about three or four times and still have long tails hanging down. It is a real simple pattern and one you can do with your eyes closed!!!!

This little gem is going to end up being a Toadstool Rattle! I found it on a blog and since I have a passion for all things having to do with mushrooms (I even love eating them!) I am knitting this up for a soon to arrive baby! Hope I get more knitting time in so I get it done in time!

A trip home...............

I went home to spend the weekend with my Mom and Dad. I left early this morning and driving by the lake on my way to get to the thruway, the lake called out to me!

You know, growing up on the end of one of the Finger Lakes - you take for granted the beauty of the lakes. I spent many many hours at friend's lake cottages, sailing, swimming, and always fishing with my grandpa on the old pier (which is now gone).

So I stopped at the Lake Park - put on my coat and walked and walked and walked......... it was GREAT! The waves were white caps and splashing so hard on the shore that most of the time I was getting a shower! It was so early that there were not too many people out there. It was a refreshing walk and really, I was not alone......... I asked Jesus to come with me!!!

Just wanted to share.

MY CURRENT CHRISTMAS PROJECTS .....shhhhhh

Finished a snood hat and pencil scarf for one co-worker and now I am working on a lace scarf for another co-worker. In case they find my blog, I will keep names out of this entry!!!!

I have never used lace yarn before, but I fell in love with Paton's lace!!! The color I am using is the one with shades of purple and green. I started it last night and go very frustrated, not with the yarn but with the needles I was using. I used my clover bamboo needles, my fave stand bys ------ but the lace pattern calls for lots of yarn overs and k2tog and it was near impossible to accomplish that with the fat pointed wooden needles I was using. So I pulled out the couple rows I had started and got out my Knitpick's needles (they have super fine points) and will start it over again this afternoon after work. I don't know that I will ever be a big fan of lace work, but thought this was a good thing to try it out with.