Convictions

Posted July 17th, 2017 by Lora

I am a Christian.  What does that mean?  Does it mean I am perfect?…Uh…NO!  Does it mean I do not sin?…Uh…NO!  Does it mean I try to live each day in a Christ honoring way to the best of my ability…YES!  I saw a Facebook post earlier today from a friend who was talking about his convictions and a TV show called Game of Thrones.  He spoke about how within the first few minutes of the first episode of the first season it had nudity, profanity, and violence.  He spoke about how it bothered his conscious and how it convicted him so much while watching that he turned it off and decided to never watch it again.  He then proceeded to discuss how we should recognized that the convictions that we feel are sent from God.  I so agree.  Should we continue to watch things that are not Christ honoring?…Uh…NO!  Some would say that doesn’t leave very much to watch…well, I disagree.  I have found that you can watch many old wonderful, clean, family oriented, God honoring TV shows and movies online at sites like Hulu, Netflicks, Kodi, etc.  There is a children’s song that says, “Oh, be careful little eyes what you see…Oh, be careful little ears what you hear…Oh, be careful little mouths what you say…Oh, be careful little hands what you do…Oh, be careful little feet where you go…for the father up above is looking down with love…”  Steve Green took that song and incorporated it in a song of his that I love also, called: ” Guard Your Heart”…that is what we each need to do every day…Guard our hearts again sin and guard our hearts for God.  Is it easy?  NO!  Is it necessary?  YES!

“Guard Your Heart” Lyrics

Steve Green

Guard Your Heart

Oh, be careful little eyes what you see
Oh, be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above
Is looking down in love
Oh, be careful little eyes what you see

What appears to be harmless glance?
Can turn to romance
And homes are divided
Feelings that should never have been

Awakened within
Tearing the heart in two
Listen, I beg of you

Guard your Heart
Guard your Heart
Don’t trade it for treasure
Don’t give it away

Guard your Heart
Guard your Heart
As a payment for pleasure
It’s high price to pay

For a soul that remains sincere with conscience clear
Guard your Heart

The human heart is easily swayed

And often betrayed at the hand of emotion
You dare not leave the outcome to chance
You must choose in advance
Or live with the agony
Such needless tragedy

Guard your Heart
Guard your Heart
Don’t trade it for treasure
Don’t give it away

Guard your Heart
Guard your Heart
As a payment for pleasure
It’s high price to pay

Guard your Heart
Guard your Heart
Don’t trade it for treasure
Don’t give it away

Guard your Heart
Guard your Heart
As a payment for pleasure
It’s high price to pay

For a soul that remains sincere with conscience clear
Guard your Heart

For a soul that remains sincere with conscience clear
Guard your Heart

12 Things I See Happy People Do

Posted July 15th, 2017 by Lora

12 Things I See Happy People Do (that unhappy people do not)

May 22, 2017

I have been thinking a lot about happiness of late, partially because so many people seem unhappy.  I think that was my first epiphany upon entering the world of Social Media; people are unhappy and there are a lot of them.  Now don’t get me wrong, we all know some people who wouldn’t be happy, were they not unhappy but I am not talking about them.  We will just let them be.  I am also not thinking theologically here (i.e. juxtaposing happiness and joy), today I am going to err on the practical and pragmatic side of things.  With that being said, let’s get going.

I think most people want to be happy; they are just not quite sure how to get there from their present location.  Many people honestly believe that happiness is a lucky bounce; a sunny disposition or favorable circumstances but I disagree.  Happiness is a choice.  I believe the best route to happiness is found by following the footsteps of those who have already arrived.

Here are my observations on the topic that have been formed by watching happy people for decades.

  1. Focus on what you have and not on what you don’t Unhappy people are unthankful people. The practice of counting your blessings is a great start.  Get out a legal pad and write down all the good things in your life.  Often unhappiness sneaks in when we lose sight of all the good things in our life and become focused on one or two difficult things.
  2. Question the sources of your expectations Most unhappy people want things they don’t have…and they want them bad. Are these expectations realistic?  Who is selling them to you?  I hope not the media.  Having a miserable existence because you are not living into a pipe dream, is really tragic.
  3. Be Generous Study after study has come to the same conclusion. Selfish people are miserable.  Happy people give of their time and resources to a cause greater than themselves.
  4. Remember happiness is not a destination The happiest people I know are those least conscious of their own happiness. Happiness is learning to enjoy the ride, not reaching your destination.
  5. If you don’t like your life, change it Take control of your own life. Do want to learn to play the piano?  Take lessons!  Do you regret not getting a college degree?  Get one.  Do you want to improve your spiritual life?  Start going to church.  There is really no one holding you back but you.
  6. Slow down You just can’t smell the roses at a full sprint! If you, like me, are a workaholic type, build time into your Outlook to do nothing.  Get a hobby.  Enjoy your friends and family.  Happy people have learned how to occasionally chill.
  7. Realize there are no shortcuts If you were honestly disappointed you didn’t win the billion dollar Power Ball, you are not getting it. Getting your education, working hard, putting in the hours, pursuing your dreams, saving and giving are always in style.
  8. Stop feeling entitled No one owes you anything. Just assume you are not going to get any help, that you will receive no inheritance and that no one is going to give you a break.  Now go make your life happen!  If anything else comes (and it probably will), it is all bonus!
  9. Think significance Significance is achieved by leaving the world better than you found it. People who feel their lives really matter are the happiest people of all!
  10. Forgive Forgiving those who have hurt you, breaks their power over you.  Forgiving yourself for your failures, frees you for future success.  Ask God to forgive you.  Ask those you have hurt to forgive you.  Make restitution where you can.  Move on.
  11. A great attitude is a choice, not a disposition We can control our feelings or we can be controlled by them.  Happy people CHOOSE to have great attitudes.
  12. Speak life When you speak, choose words that uplift, encourage and bring positive energy into every situation.  My mom was right, “If you don’t have something nice to say, you shouldn’t say anything at all.”  People who speak life are like human air fresheners.

As you begin a new week, you have an opportunity to invest in your own happiness or to make yourself miserable.  If you choose the former, you will make others happy as well.  If you choose the latter…well, you know.

 -Rev. Shane L. Bishop is the Sr. Pastor of Christ Church in Fairview Heights, IL

2013…a new year…a new era…

Posted January 31st, 2013 by Lora

It has been a long while since I posted anything, not that anyone reads this blog anyway…

Today is the last day of the first month of 2013…the year my oldest son graduates high school…so many bittersweet memories are being made this year….

Trying to get him to get his college stuff and senior stuff done is like pulling teeth!!!  I have threatened cattle prods, dog shock collars, etc…nothing seems to work!!  My co-worker, Carla, is having the same problem with her son who is a senior…I have come to the conclusion that it is a MALE thing!!! UGH!!!!!

I titled this a new year/new era because now I have an adult son (Rob turned 18 on Jan 4th)…and he is going to be heading to college this fall…we have lots of lasts and firsts for him and us this year.

I love my new job in the Neurology Clinic which I started March 26, 2012!  Still learning lots, but still enjoying it…and I got an excellent review with my supervisor!!  Haven’t had one of those for the last several years while working in the OR….that supervisor never gave anyone excellent reviews for their yearly review…just her pets ( she did not have very many of them!).  She is a person who is not happy with her life and tends to take it out on everyone else…a major Negative Nancy.  Very sad!  My new supervisor is a Christian and truly acts it every day!  It is wonderful having a supervisor who is a saved believer like me!!!

My boys are all growing up….they are all involved in Choir (course that means I am too!)…I have always loved to sing, but went for Band since I knew I couldn’t sing that well….glad my boys all inherited their voices from Tim’s dad’s family and my mom’s family!!!!  Need to post some video of them singing…wait I know…I posted the boys you tube channel on here….Indiana Keesling Boys.  The videos are on there!

Well getting late, gotta get Jon and Dan on their homework and Rob on his audition request for U Indy!!!  Must go!

See you later.  Keep Smiling! 🙂

Easter Sunday 2012

Posted April 8th, 2012 by Lora

Been awhile since I was on here.  I am still on weight watchers online and last Sunday, my hubby Tim joined too!!  So, we are dieting together.  Since I have started I have  yo-yo’d some but am down about 8 lbs.   🙂  Went to church this morning and then the boys and I went to my parents home for Easter dinner….Tim stayed home….wasn’t feeling good enough to go anywhere.  🙁  Sometimes it is difficult for him to go places due to his burns.  Had a great time and was careful to only eat low point foods..  🙂  Rob twisted his ankle yesterday, so took him to the ER and xrayed his ankle…diagnosis: sprain….yeah!!  Will be better in a few days.  🙂

The New Year is Coming….

Posted December 29th, 2011 by Lora

Well, I am trying to start something new BEFORE the new year.  I joined weight watchers online.  I  weigh 100 kg or 220 lbs (sounds better in kgs…unless you are a medical person like me and know without thinking about it what that coverts to…..UGH)  Today, I took care of a young lady who was very scared….she said that she had never had surgery before….in her ENTIRE life!…I made her laugh by saying “that is ok…I have worked IN SURGERY your entire life!….I am OLD!!!”

Christmas Eve Eve

Posted December 23rd, 2011 by Lora

I had a wonderful suprise visit from an old neighbor and very good friend!  Rhonda Bumbalough!  She brought her three grandchildren and her two nieces over and brought us some goodies.  I truly have missed her.  She is such a wonderful person!  I really need to plan on seeing her more….we only live a few blocks from each other!

A CHRISTmas Story

Posted December 22nd, 2011 by Lora

This is a sweet CHRISTmas story written by a very nice man who graduated from the same small high school that I graduated from….just a few years ahead of me.  He is a real author.  His books can be bought on Amazon!  Wow!  Someone from little Tri High!

He posted this on his Facebook Page:

As a treat for my friends who have young children and grandchildren I present this as second annual tradition: Little Mouse and the mystery of Christmas
By
Bill Craig

Little Mouse and The Mystery of Christmas
Once upon a time there was a Little Mouse who lived in the Great Big Barn with Daddy Mouse and Papaw Mouse…
It was snowing hard outside the Great Big Barn and the snow was too deep for Little Mouse to go outside to play. No, today even Little Mouse didn’t want to go outside. It was so cold near the doors that he could see his breath, so Little Mouse had decided the best place to play was up in the hayloft where it was warm and cozy.
Over on the far side of the hayloft a spot was cleared and a pine bough stood, decorated with strings of popcorn and grain and nuts gathered during the fall. Daddy Mouse had told him it was their Christmas tree. Little Mouse thought about that for a long time.
He wasn’t exactly sure what Christmas meant, being only 5 yrs old. Little Mouse decided to go and ask Papaw Mouse who was napping in his chair. Papaw Mouse was very old but he had helped care for Little Mouse since he was born. Little Mouse knew that he loved Papaw Mouse very very much, though he wasn’t sure he would tell anyone that. “Some things,” Little Mouse thought, “were better kept to one’s self!”
“Papaw Mouse, what does Christmas mean?” Little Mouse asked.
“You want to know what Christmas means, Little Mouse?” Papaw Mouse asked, smiling.
“I do, Papaw Mouse,” Little Mouse replied.
“Hundreds of years ago, to the humans, a child was born. His name was Jesus. He was the son of God who created us all. He grew up and gave his life for everyone so that they could enter the kingdom of heaven, like your Mommy did when Barney the barn cat got her. She went to heaven then,” Papaw Mouse explained.
“So what about the tree and presents?” Little Mouse asked.
“We give presents to celebrate the birth of the Baby Jesus. Long ago there was a man called St. Nicholas who delivered presents to good little children as a reward for being good. He delivered them once a year on the night celebrating the birth of the Jesus child,” Papaw Mouse explained.
“Will St. Nicholas come here tonight?” Little Mouse asked, expectantly.
“Perhaps, Little Mouse. Have you been good this year?” Papaw Mouse asked.
“I have,” Little Mouse replied.
“Then you have nothing to worry about,” Papaw Mouse smiled.
Little Mouse nodded and walked back to where he had been playing earlier. He had a small ball and he began to bounce the ball as he thought about what Papaw Mouse had told him. He wasn’t sure about the Baby Jesus, but St. Nicholas sounded pretty cool. He wondered if he would be able to see St. Nicholas. He had never seen a Saint before, nor the Son of a God. Little Mouse wondered if this would be the night.
Daddy Mouse arrived home from work in the grain elevator and they all had supper.
“Daddy, will St. Nicholas come and bring presents tonight?” Little Mouse asked.
“Perhaps,” Daddy Mouse replied. “If you have been a good Little Mouse and have not gone on the naughty list.”
“The Naughty List?” Little Mouse asked, looking confused.
“Oh yes, Santa Claus, another name for Saint Nicholas, makes a good list and a naughty list and checks it twice to make sure who all is naughty or nice,” Daddy Mouse replied with a smile.
“Santa Claus?” asked Little Mouse, puzzled.
“If you have been a good little mouse, Santa will bring you presents,” Daddy Mouse said.
Little Mouse sighed. It was all so confusing, this talk of God and saints. Far too confusing for one little mouse to manage. Little Mouse went back over by the window and looked out at the snow. It was getting dark but it was still very bright. Up the hill he could see two field mice and a rabbit working their way down through the deep snow.
“They must be very cold,” Little Mouse thought, so he went and told Daddy Mouse what he had seen.
“Then we should help them, Little Mouse,” Daddy Mouse told him. Little Mouse thought for a moment and then nodded his head in agreement. This could be a grand adventure with Daddy Mouse and that would in itself make it worthwhile!
“Yes, Daddy Mouse we must. I shall get my coat and boots at once,” Little Mouse replied, heading off to gather the things he would need.
“Don’t forget your cap and gloves,” Daddy Mouse called after him. Daddy Mouse had his own preparations to make. Finally, they were met at the front door by Papaw Mouse who had packs with blankets and a food and a warm container of coffee.
Daddy Mouse lit the lantern and they opened the door and stepped out into the wind and snow. Papaw Mouse had also provided them with walking sticks to help them make their way up the snowy hillside to where the other two mice and the rabbit were stranded.

“The wind is very cold, Daddy,” Little Mouse said.
“It is, Little Mouse. Are you sorry you came?” Daddy Mouse asked.
“No, Daddy. Those other mice and that rabbit need help. There’s no one but us to give it,” Little Mouse said.
“That’s right, Little Mouse,” Daddy Mouse said as they climbed up the path made by the cows when they had been out earlier in the day. Finally they heard tiny voices on the wind crying for help. Daddy Mouse and Little Mouse hurried faster.
“Hello,” Daddy Mouse called loudly.
“Here, here!” came a cry back. Suddenly the rabbit stood and they could see his ears. “Over here!” the rabbit called. Daddy Mouse and Little Mouse hurried to the rabbit. The rabbit was providing warmth and shelter from the wind for the two field mice who were not dressed for the weather at all.
The wind howled over the hilltop and drove clouds of icy snow before it. “What brings you out on such a night?” Daddy Mouse asked as he pulled blankets from the pack and wrapped them around the two field mice. He poured them both warm coffee to drink to help them warm up from the cold.
“My wife,” said the field mouse. “She is going to have a baby. We were trying to reach Doc Mouse who lives down by the creek.”
“You’ll never make it that far tonight. Come with us to the Great Big Barn and spend the night. We can send for the Doctor in the morning,” Daddy Mouse said firmly.
“Thank you,” the field mouse said.
“What are your names?” Daddy Mouse asked.
“I am Joseph and my wife is Mary,” the field mouse replied.
“I am Jericho,” the rabbit introduced himself.
“I am Daddy Mouse and this is Little Mouse, we are both glad to meet you all. Jericho, can you run fast?” Daddy Mouse asked. Little Mouse watched in awe because Daddy Mouse seemed very much in charge.
“I can, but I am afraid they are not able to hang onto my fur without being thrown off,” Jericho shook his head.
“They won’t have to hang onto your fur,” Daddy Mouse said, removing bailing twine from his pack. “Can you carry us all?”
“Certainly,” Jericho the Rabbit replied with a sniff.
“Good,” Daddy Mouse said as he quickly wove a harness from the twine and tied it onto Jericho. He looked at Joseph. “Can Mary ride?”
Joseph looked at his wife and she nodded. Joseph helped her onto Jericho’s back and Daddy Mouse secured her in place, putting Joseph on Jericho’s back behind her. Then Little Mouse and lastly himself. “Can you see the Great Big Barn?” Daddy Mouse asked.
“Of course,” Jericho Rabbit replied.
“Then run for it as fast as you can,” Daddy Mouse told him. Jericho took off like a shot, bounding down the hill towards the barn. They reached it in just over a minute and Jericho was panting hard as Papaw Mouse opened the door and invited them all in. Papaw Mouse had cooked supper and they all ate, including Jericho for whom a carrot had been found.
“Where shall we sleep?” Joseph asked.
“You may have my bed,” Little Mouse told them. “I will sleep in the hay in the loft.”
“Are your sure,” Joseph asked him.
“It is my Christmas gift to you,” Little Mouse smiled.
“Thank you,” Mary Field Mouse said and she kissed him softly on the cheek, making Little Mouse blush. Little Mouse went up into the hayloft to sleep. Daddy Mouse tucked him in and kissed him on the forehead and said sweet dreams, Little Mouse, Daddy loves you.” And Little Mouse was fast asleep.
The next morning, Little Mouse discovered that Mary Field Mouse had delivered a baby boy mouse. He was quite amazed by it all. So much so that he ignored the presents waiting for him under the Christmas tree. Instead he went and got a teddy bear that had been given to him by his mommy before Barney the Barn cat had got her and he took it to the new baby mouse.
“I want you to have this,” Little Mouse told the baby.
“Why does it mean so much to you?” Mary Mouse asked.
“Because my Mommy gave it to me before she died. I want him to have it so he will know he is loved,” Little Mouse told her.
“That is a very nice thing,” Mary mouse smiled at him.
“That was a very nice thing to do, Little Mouse,” Daddy Mouse said.
“That is what Christmas is all about, Daddy,” Little Mouse said. “It is not about what you get, but about what you give.” And with that, Little Mouse knew that he had solved the mystery of Christmas!

Long Time No Posts…..

Posted December 21st, 2011 by Lora

Wow!  Has it ever been a long time since I was on here.  Alot has happened since my last post…way to much to state at one time.  Some good and some bad….overall things are pretty good for us right now.  I am off work this week on vacation.  Christmas is on Sunday…just 4 days away.  I have all the presents bought and some of them wrapped.  I go back to work on Monday the 26th and am on call that evening….so I will probably be working a long day that day…UGH!  Thinking about looking at changing jobs…going to pray about it and see what happens.  I know that if I don’t get the job, then it wasn’t what was best for me….cause God is never wrong!!!  🙂

It’s Spring In Indiana!

Posted March 26th, 2010 by Lora

Wow!  What a day.  Woke up this morning to ICE and SNOW!  Car quit just after leaving for work, luckily I was only a few blocks from home at 5:30 am!  My dear hubby got up, got dressed, and came and got me.  Thank you, Sweetheart!!   I took the truck to work and barely made it on time….but I wasn’t late!!  Yeah!  Had a good day working with Dr. Turner and crew today.  Got cases done about 1:00pm, cleaned and stocked OR room and then went home about an hour early.  Not sure what is wrong with car.  My dad is trying to figure it out.  Thanks, Dad!!  Rob says that he has broke up with his girlfriend and isn’t going to prom with her.  That is ok.  She is a senior and he is a freshman.  He is upset right now.  She is a nice girl, but really isn’t even sure what she wants to do after high school, so I am sure she is also unsure about relationships.  Rob said he made Choral!  Next tryouts for him will be Jazz/Mads and Show Choir.  This year he was in Festival, Jazz/Mads, and Show Choir.  Jon has his first baseball practice tomorrow at 4:00 pm.  He is on the same team he was on last year and he is happy about that.  Danny hasn’t heard what team he is on, yet….and it is driving him nuts!!

  Did I say that it is spring?  I just saw that some of my Hyacinths and Daffodils are coming up!

A Wet Cold Day

Posted March 25th, 2010 by Lora

Today was a cold rainy day here in central Indiana.  I had a good day at work and then came home to my men.  I found two very muddy dogs, a cat that is in season, Jon and Dan playing the Wii, Tim working on the computers, and Rob wanting to go to a Choreography practice for choir at school…Took Rob to school, checked email, went to the grocery store, picked Rob up from school, made chili for supper, helped Dan with Math homework, worked on this blog site, and went to bed.  So very glad that tomorrow is Friday and the start of Spring Break for my boys!!  Have a good day, all!