Star-fish

      As I was mindlessly scrolling through Pinterest pins the other night, I came across the following quote by Warren Buffett, the famous multibillion dollar investor, "You will continue to suffer if you have an emotional reaction to everything that is said to you. True power is sitting back and observing things with logic. True power is restraint. If words control you that means everyone else can control you. Breathe and allow things to pass." This is good advice. I wish I had spent much less time over the years concerning myself with the words of others about me. I would have been wise to remember, "What other people think of you is none of your business," (Regina Brett).     In James 3:13 (NIV), the author reminds his readers that "power" comes in another way, "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom." Humility, not power, aligns with wisdom in this qu...

    I try to do things in my own strength much of the time, even when I don't have the strength to do it! If I can't get it done, then I look for tools and levers to help me make the situation work according to my expectations. Often, I get frustrated with my limited abilities, then I get mad, then (as a last resort) I end up praying. With few exceptions, God sends help, ideas, or exit plans to resolve the problem. Why don't I just start with prayer?      Ephesians 1:7-10 is a great reminder that everything, including eternal life, is in Him, Christ Jesus. There is nothing that I can do to save myself, except trust Him and have faith in Him. I can't manipulate my way into heaven by being extra nice, helpful, giving, or pious. Truly, God's grace is enough and He has "lavished [it] on us." God has done it all, provided it all, and Christ gave it all for us. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.      Ephesians 1:7-10, In him we have redemption through...

    I have a good friend retiring from many years at her job today. She is ready to move on to her next steps on this journey called life. I retired over and over as family and health commitments necessitated me to do so, but now during the pandemic, there's just not a good reason for me to return to work. I'm mostly concerned about bringing COVID home to my husband who has underlying conditions. But, I also don't know what I'd do, if I don't do, what I used to do.      That's the thing about getting older, it doesn't seem like a good time to try new things, since you have less life to live. Why start something new, when you may not be able to keep it up due to healthy concerns or even death? Sounds awful doesn't it, but I know people who seem to have this mentality, "It's too late for me."      I've seen this phrase on coasters and coffee cups lately, "Do what you love. Love what you do." Can you do that at any age? Can you d...

       With all the horrible news on the television and internet, sometimes it's hard not to fret about all the evil in the world. I went to a little branch library the other day to simply drop off my books and as I was browsing the isles looking for a new book, I heard a big bang. I peered through the book shelves and heard the librarian telling a large man that he needed to leave for today, but could try again tomorrow. Apparently, they had had encounters with him before. He left, but soon, he entered again and they asked him to leave and he said nothing, but continued to walk to the back of the library. As I again peered through the shelves to check on his whereabouts, he appeared to be removing his shirt! I put the book I was looking at back on the shelf and made my way out the front doors. A side look at the librarians showed me one was punching numbers into her cellphone.      After watching all the craziness on TV about stabbing and shootings, I...

       Our 11 month Cocker Spaniel is full of joy in the morning. When she gets up and sees us, it's as though she's been given a year's supply of doggie treats. She dances and wiggles and cries "hello"! Abraham Lincoln was quoted as saying, "Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." Our cocker has a mind full of happiness.      I, on the  other hand, don't always exhibit the joy that I should, especially in the morning. I read a note from Dr. Charles Stanley, saying that "comfort" can become as much a sin as the need for success or money. I had never considered that idea. Could I seek comfort to the point where it becomes a sin? Thinking about times I didn't step out in faith to accomplish a task I knew God wanted me to do, because it made me feel "uncomfortable," now made sense.      Sometimes I think I confuse "joy" with "happiness." A woman in one of my past Bible study groups ga...