I was reminded today that I promised to explain the meaning of each letter in SIFT, my word for 2024. I posted an explanation of the “S” meaning to simplify, but then my life got complicated!
I neglected WordPress for a week or so and then wrote about my desire to eliminate negativity in my world. I used Bob Goff as a perfect example of someone who exudes POSITIVITY! Thank you, dear friends, for the positive comments you left on that post!
Now, on to that “I” in SIFT. To simplify my life, I need to Inventory and Identify what is Important and what is not.
So, as I attempt to simplify my life, I question the need for all this stuff!! Finding honest answers to all that questioning takes wisdom! That’s my word for today!!
… and I need to add to that, “If it’s yours and you don’t need it, GET RID OF IT!”
When you experience a challenge (like trying to simplify your life) and you’re not sure what to do, stop what you are doing and ask God for guidance, seek the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, and then WAIT to hear the answer.
It’s easy to get distracted (like I did on this SIFT acronym), but the task of simplifying requires that “I” message: Itemize and inventory, determine what’s important, in an effort to prioritize and ultimately simplify.
It’s a work in progress. Are you trying to simplify your life? How are you doing?
God bless you – and me – and, please Lord, give us wisdom!
I hope that link opened for you – and I hope you were inspired to sing along!
What does the Bible say about singing?
Singing is part of our human experience. Songs have been used to express some of the deepest human joys and sorrows from the beginning of time. Of course, the Bible has a lot to say about music and singing. You may wonder what God thinks about that toe tapping song you sing every Sunday morning. What does the Bible actually say about singing? Here are a couple of m favorite scriptures:
“Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!”
Do go back up to that youtube link, if you didn’t click on it before… and this time, do sing along! Nothing will lift your spirits quite like that! Sing to the Lord… He’ll lift you up and you’ll smile in spite of yourself. Really!! Try it!
1) Time with family & friends is so precious! That time heads the highlights. I hope you had quality time with your loved ones last year, too
Bob’s the middle brother – time with brothers Bruce & Bill can’t be beat!
We love visiting family – like my cousin, Adrian & his dear wife, Laura.
When friends/colleagues from the past take time to share with us, we feel so blessed. This is sweet Suzette Stavrianoudakis who taught with me back in the 80’s-90’s.
The opportunity to go to worship with our son,Ty, his wife Monika, her parents, and our granddaughter & her hubby & Mable, one of our 3 our great-granddaughters, was a very special highlight. Ty& Moni visited us in Montana, and we are enjoying the beginning of 2024 with them.
I loved visiting with my college roomie, Sue Booth, who also was a bridesmaid in our 1962 wedding!
Nothing beats the highlight of seeing your 85 year old birthday boy holding his one-day old great- grandson.
But very close to that best highlight is the privilege of praying for 5-yr. old Eli as he experienced brain surgery and had an amazing recovery. Our last picture of him showed a happy 6-year old smiling as he sat on his surgeon’s lap. Praise God! Answered prayers (too numerous to mention) always are highlights!
It’s hard to beat visits from people like Peter Martin (and Victor Salazar) former 1970’s wrestling students of Bob’s. They came from states away to spend time with their old coach. What a treat!!
When our daughter, De, & her hubby showed up from Switzerland surprising us with our 1980-81 AFS son, Christian Zufferey, and his wife, Célia, the surprise was the greatest one imaginable!
A week before that our oldest Swiss grandson, Mike & his wife, Tania, came with friends for a week. Like I said, time with family & friends we’re our greatest highlights.
Mike’s younger brother, Nick, visited with his sweetheart, Céline, also. Goodness, how blessed can you get, huh?
We love having time with friends and family. When will you come to Ennis, MT to visit us?
July is a great time to be in Ennis. Put it on your list, ok? Make it a highlight of your 2024!
In a world filled with war and hate I can shine a light of love from me In a world filled with animosity and division I can shine a light of unity
In a world filled with hopelessness and despair I can lift the light of hopefulness In a world filled with fear and worry I can shine a light of faithfulness
I can be a light in the darkness Because the love of Christ shines through The grim shadows of despair And that light also is in you
As a wonderful God-created child You are part of a magnificent whole So let that Spirit buried in you Shine forth from your blessed soul
Your light shines from your creator Just as mine sparkles brightly, too So fill this world with the light of love Let’s let Love’s Light shine from me and you!
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
2 Peter 3:18
Today’s post was inspired by an entry in All God’s Creatures, a Guideposts publication. Shirley Raye Redmond wrote a commentary titled, “Keep Growing” for the November 27 entry.
She ended her thoughts with this quote by Oswald Chambers:
“Spiritual maturity is not reached by the passing of years, but by obedience to the will of God.”
Isn’t it interesting that when I search for photos related to obedience, the pictures all are of dogs? Not us human beings. No, the word conjures up obedient dogs! Would that we could be as responsive to discipline as a dog is! Or as committed to growth as a lobster!
Bee like a lobster Or a dog – Committed and Obedient…
No, seriously, The question should have been “What bookS…” I can never limit myself to just one at a time! I love reading!
So, what bookS am I currently reading? Let me list a few:
The Bible (always … daily)
Devotionals that help me understand better and apply the Bible lessons to my life: a. In Touch by Charles Stanley b. Ever Faithful by David Jeremiah c. Mornings with Jesus and Walking in Grace and Strength & Grace by Guideposts d. Today in the Word by Moody Bible Institute e. These Days by Presbyterian Publishing Corp.
The Last Caretaker: A Novel by Jessica Strawser
I have Jessica Strawser’s book on my Kindle reader. I prefer having a paperback or better yet, the hardcover book, but Kindle books are so affordable – – – and I can enlarge the print to make deciphering easier. So I am getting used to reading from my laptop. The Last CareTaker is a gripping story about a lady who agrees to be the caretaker at a remote nature preserve, but finds herself in the throes of a secretive shelter for battered, abused, and at-risk women. I’m enjoying it.
How about you? What bookS are you reading right now?
Bye for now… I’m off to read some more.
(Oh, and by the way, Happy Birthday to my mom. 11-15-15 Elizabeth (Betty)Totten DeAngeles She would have been 108 today!)
Here we are when I was about 2 or 3. Quite the hairdo, huh? Sweet!
In my devotional yesterday, “All God’s Creatures” by Guideposts, the writer, Jerusha Agen, reminded me of the importance that unconditional love be exhibited. She wrote about “Simon’s Love” telling about a cat who acted like a dog.
Jerusha’s favorite pet had died. It was the first time in her life She was without a dog to cuddle. But her cat took away the strife.
Her cat started acting like a dog, Meeting her at the door when she got home, And sitting in her lap to comfort her. Letting her brush him with a comb!
Her cat, Simon, knew to mourn with her. Simon seemed to know what she needed. In grief, Jerushah had been neglecting him, But Simon forgave that sin; with joy conceded.
“Rejoice and mourn with others, According to what they need,” Jerusha wrote to her readers. Ask Bob for forgiveness – with speed!
I’ll ask God to help me be more Loving and responsive to Bob. Help me with my impatience, Lord. Help me show genuine love to my heart-throb!
1959
Here’s my heart-throb when I met him He was in the army at the time. Happy Veteran’s Day on Saturday. Ours is a long-term love sublime.
That doesn’t mean we don’t argue Or make each other mad at times. But, God tells us sinners to forgive… Just as He does – ALWAYS, not just sometimes!
You can probably relate to my “Faux Pas” – You’ve probably blundered some, too. But, God is calling us sinners: Let love fill the dog-shaped void in you!
Let forgiveness be your guiding star, Since we all forget to be compassionate – ’tis true. I’ll look for ways to show love like Simon. And God’s calling you, my dear sinner, too!!
God will send you beauty In the skies and on the land Look for His surprises everywhere Many of them really are quite grand
It’s hunting season here in Montana So the deer and antelope are convinced If they come here to our yard They’re protected as if they’re fenced
Something good happened here today The doe and the buck stuck around I enjoyed their company – you would, too Shhh… don’t scare them. Don’t make a sound!
They see me; they hear my steps Off they go – but they’ll return Good things happen here You’re safe, my friends. Come and learn!
