Better or Bitter?

Posted on

Think On These Things: TRUE

Philippians 4:7-8 –  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Let’s begin with verse 7…

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

The Peace of God is a quiet rest that dwells in our soul.  This peace keeps our hearts and minds focused on Christ.  It is that peace that causes no anxiety or excessive care about things of this world when we commit wholly to the Lord.

Verse 8 gives us a list of things we are to keep our minds and hearts focused upon. 

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8

The first one is – TRUE.

The King James Dictionary defines TRUE as being in accordance with the actual state of things; conformable to fact; as a true relation or narration; a true history; genuine; pure; real; not counterfeit.

We can only have an effective personal relationship with Christ as a believer if we focus our eyes upon Christ.  We do this through prayer, meditating on Scripture, and submitting our thoughts and imaginations to Christ.  We are encouraged to yield every thought to Christ (Romans 6:13, 2 Corinthians 10:5).   Let our minds dwell on Christ and not allow our hearts to control us.

Righteous living depends on keeping our minds on Christ.

When anxious thoughts begin to flood our minds, we should immediately STOP what we are doing, THINK “Is this pleasing Christ?”, and PRAY asking for God’s help.  Yet too often we allow the anxious and fretful thoughts to take over and bog us down.

Let’s choose to focus our minds on things that are true.  Forsake the lies of the devil and allow the Lord to control our thoughts. 

Fill your mind with the truth of God’s Word.

Posted on

Zacchaeus’ Change

Image by Hans Braxmeier from Pixabay 

Luke 19:1-5
​ And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.

Zacchaeus was a tax collector. The Roman Empire had imposed steep taxes on everyone. Tax collectors were some of the most unfavorable people in Israel.

Jews who chose to work for the Romans were considered turncoats. This made Zacchaeus a very unliked man. In every society, there are people who are unloved or deemed untouchable because of their behavior or lifestyle.

In spite of his disposition, Jesus loved Zacchaeus. Jesus loves you. Jesus loved the whole world enough to give His life that we may be able to go to heaven with Him one day.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him so not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Zacchaeus heard that Jesus was coming through Jericho. He wanted to see what the fuss was all about. But because of his short stature, he had to climb a tree to see above the crowds.

Little did he know that he would not only meet Jesus, but Jesus would also be coming to his house. What a difference it made in his life the day he met the Saviour!

Have you met the Saviour? If so, has your faith caused a change? If not, what changes do you need to make?

I will ever be grateful for the day that Jesus entered my life and changed it forever. Thankful for His redeeming grace.

Posted on

Journal Entries 16-18 Nov 2018

Nov 16

Well today didn’t exactly go as planned.

I intended on canning pumpkin to make pies, cakes, etc for the holidays & beyond.
Around 8:30am, I started cutting up the pumpkin, but after cutting off top and 3 chunks I started hurting horribly. Had to ask my daughter to help cut rest of pumpkin up in chunks.

Prepped jars, lids, water, & supplies. Got pumkins cubes in jars and pressure canner wouldn’t seal & leaking water. Ugh!

Ended up calling my mom for advise. We ended up changing out every possible part. All the while praying for help.

It’s 11:55 pm. I still haven’t figured out the problem. I’m beyond pain, exhausted, ready for bed. Hopefully, I’ll get a decent amount of sleep.

Did I mention that both kids are sick too? Thankfully, one is on the mends while the other is just coming down with it.

Thankful tomorrow is another day & the Lord’s mercies are new every morning.

Finally got it to seal after turning lid around, but rocker still won’t jiggle.  I’m perplexed, beyond hurting, exhausted, over it all. Decided to give up for night. Lid on canner got stuck and wouldn’t come off!!  Ugh!! After following internet suggestions to no avail, I ended up unscrewing one handle to get lid off.  My entire body is throbbing!!! Center of chest hurts like the dickens. Been using pain rub all day & taking more pain rx than normal. Stomach muscles hurt deeply. Back throbbing. Stuffy nose. Toes clod (cold).


Nov 17 – no entry

Nov 18

1202a Took me all day to make sweet potatoe pie & pumpkin dump cake for tomorrow. Bulletin almost finished. Waiting on proof. Have to finish printing in morning. Lord we have needs please supply. Legs are throbbing. Stomach innards aching off and on all day. Hands ache. Rash on left hand worse. Feet cold. Using heating pad to warm them up. Extremely tired. Skin dry & itchy. Female itch bothersome.

1120a Having neck issues. Hurts to turn too far either way. Bones pop easily. Constant pain at base of neck. Swollen lymph node on sides of neck. Dry skin. Headache. T rouble focusing especially on faster tempo song. Stomach inards hurt. 

251p Multitasking  is nearly impossible. Can’t hsrdly (hardly) see straight. 

3:00 feel like I’m gonna crash. Need to lay down for a while.

6:24 that was long nap. Woke with headache & cold.

11:10p chest hurts with sporadic icy sensation. Feet cold. Pain at base of neck worse. exhausted. Fingers tingly. 

Posted on

Journal Entries 12-15 Nov 2018

Nov 12

7:00am- woke to notification sound on phone forgot to put it on silent. Ugh! Muscles in legs fluttering. Upper chest throbbing. Put phone on silent.

8:30am- woke again muscles in legs still randomly fluttering. Upper chest and back throbbing. Neck hurts. Headache. Hands & fingers ache. Stuffy nose. I haven’t even gotten up and I’m already tired. Eyes watery.

10:30pm- kind of lazy today…upper chest & back still hurting. Any movement using upper body makes it hurt worse. Used heating pad several times to ease pain. Headache twice today. Rainy most of day.

Nov 13 

6 a.m.  fell asleep around 2 a.m.  woke at 6 a.m. an hour for the alarm.  stomach hurting  couldn’t go back to sleep 

12noon fell asleep on the chair while waiting for Jordon to cook lunch.  1 p.m.  no  energy  today  feel like being a bum 

10 p.m. started  not  feeling  good  all of a sudden stupid voice to text isn’t working it’s irritating me  I just want to go to sleep have a headache.  head hurts. Necks hurts… still  can  only move it so far without causing neck muscle pain. Low back throbbing. Feet hurt. Random periodic stinging needle pain in back and front upper chest. Stuffy nose. Eyes watery. Indigestion. Post nasal drip. Rt hip hurts. Hands swollen and achy. Very tired. If only I could get inflammation gone. Red dry patch on left hand and parts of face.  Not retaining what I read for long. Memory issues. Feel like I’m forgetting something but can’t remember what it is.  Lord we need you to provide our needs. I am but dust you are the Potter. Please mold me and use me for Your will alone. I know I cannot fix my brokenness. Please give me a song. Amen.

Nov 14

Only got 4 hours of sleep last night.  Trying not to stress out over lack of income. Joe not getting 40hrs yet. Can’t pay bills this way.  Bible study went well with friend. She had car trouble today…think it’s dead battery. At least she made it to co-op. Chapter 3 is about worry & trusting Lord. Proverbs 3:5-6 

Nov 15

Scatter brained today. Started several things without completing them to start with. Dezirae giggled bc I kept saying “Oh my, I forgot I was doing…” (homemade chicken noodle soup, wash clothes, wash hair, pack things for church, can’t remember the other things). While She was doing school at kitchen table, she began reminding me what I was doing.  Chest feels tight and achy today. Entire back aches.  Pack computer, sewing items to work on Christmas gifts, decided what to have for supper & pack items to make it at church, Joe’s clothes, get ready for church, leave by 3pm to pick Joe up for work. I loathe driving on interstate even more so since my trauma. It cause great anxiety. Lots of traffic!! Boxed in by trucks!!  By time we arrived at church I was broke out in hives from neck up. It was hot and itchy too. Husband says that I’m scared of things a lot more since lightning strike.

10:00p- saw on news tonight lots of people hearx to loud “boom” noise this afternoon. Speculations of sonic boom. Low back throbbing, upper back aches, hands achy, feet ache & freezing, neck hurts especially if I bow it too low or turn too far sends shooting pain down back, sensitive to bright lights & loud noises, messing out sayings & using wrong words in sentences (used a boat term where it didn’t apply for traffic), tired but wide awake

838p Chest feels heavy and heart beating hard. Feel like I’m out of breath. Headsche. Hands swollen and tingly. Tired.  Necks hurts. Turned neck & it popped loudly. Ouchy! Headache now worse.

Posted on

Journal Entries 8-11 Nov 2018

Nov 8 – no entry


Nov 9 – no entry


Nov 10

https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/understanding-migraine/magnesium/

Wellness Mama Migraine info

“Triple Therapy” Migraine prevention

  • 800mg Mg
  • 400mg B2
  • Feverfew

Take this twice daily 1/2 in am & 1/2 in pm

Dehydration can cause migraines. Average person should aim to drink eight 8oz glasses of water or other fluids a day.

Nov 11

7:30am Joe woke me up gently. I still hurt but not like last two days. Have to take it easy for a while or I can easily get back there. Muscles in neck and rt shoulder still very tense. Can’t rotate by neck very far on either side.  

4:00pm Joe woke me up gently. Laid down after lunch for just a bit…ended up sleeping for about two hours. Had ttrouble getting up. Felt like I was in a daze & kind of spinning. Woke up from nap in a sweat.

5:30pm Dezirae & I started figuring out how to make pumpkin pin cushions.  

6:25pm unexpected bloody nose while sitting in church. No notice. Thankfully, Yanna was sitting with me and I could ask her to get me a tissue. Had to go bathroom bc I had blood all  over my hands.  Took 5 minutes to get it slowed down enough to go back to seat.  Wish I could get to root of cause. 

9:00pm- neck muscles tense. Used heating pad for a bit.

11:57pm- exhausted. Sides feel bruised and hurt to touch. Hands swollen and achy. Headache all day. Eyes sensitive to light. Stomach aches. Tired. Back aches. Beginning to get chilling sensation in center of chest. Left ear ringing. Went to move and rt upper arm popped didn’t feel too good either.

Posted on

Journal Entries 4-7 Nov 2018

Nov 4

6:56am  Joe woke me up gently this morning thankfully because I was in the middle of a bad dream. It was weird.  I told Joe about it he said he thinks my brain is trying to heal itself cuz it’s going through events in my life I’m trying to figure things out

Symptoms:   left arm had shooting pain from shoulder to fingertips,  lower back hurts,  bags crampy and achy,  slight headache

9:38 muscles twitching and spams in left arm near elbow. Its bad emough its jerking my arm

11:43am- spams in left arm near elbow continue and are bothersome. Red spot on left hand bright red and inflamed

11:59 rt ear ringing

Nov 5 – no entry

Nov 6 – no entry

Nov 7

6:30am Rough night. Woke several times. Head aches. Eyes watery. Leg muscles spazing.  Stuffy nose. Feet tingly. Hands ache and tingly. Skin itchy.

11:49am – 3rd-5th Choir kids practicing for upcoming Christmas program. Singing little bit with them. Starting to hurt in upper chest and back region. Had to spot (stop). 

2:00pm – son lost his phone. Spent an hour stressing & praying that we’d find it. Found it in grandma’s car where it slipped down crack.

3:00pm- thundering and raining outside. Pain levels increasing. Body tensing every time the thunder roars. I can feel it rumbling in my bones. Son tries to reassure me that everything’s going to be okay. Headache is gwtting worse. Try peppermint under tongue first. 

4:00pm – Took tension headache & 250 mg magnesium.

5:00p- ate dinner. Headache starting to ease. Rest of body hurts horribly. It’s thundering & lightning with periodic rain. Joe’s drving is scaring me tonight, but I’m already tense from storm.  Prayer is absence of fear. Lord, please help me not to fear. 

Prescription for Worry & Fear

“The reasons our problems often seem overwhelming is [that] we allow the things of time to loom larger in our gaze than the things of eternity. The tiniest of coins, when held close to the eyes, can blot out the sun.” -Selwyn Hughes

Philippians 4:6-7
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

God’s prescription for worry & fear is to be thankful in all things. Sometimes that’s a hard pill to swallow.

Worry tends to cloud our minds. Fear tends to immobilize us. Both make our problems seem like a mountain, not the molehill they are. Both have no room for God.

Thankfulness is an important key to have in our lives. For when we are thankful for what God has done in and through our lives, it gives us the power to change not only our attitude but also our perspective.

Prayer is also another important key. When we allow the cares of this world to occupy our minds, we cause static in the communication lines making it difficult to hear when God is trying to speak to us.
Prayer is our lifeline to God.

Take time to talk to the Lord in prayer. Thank Him for all He has done past, present, and future.
When we choose to pray, we decide to have a thankful heart regardless of our circumstances, this allows God to guard our hearts and minds. Prayer & thanksgiving not only magnifies Christ but also delivers us from fear (Psalm 34:3-4).

Posted on

Journal Entries 1-3 Nov 2018

Nov 1 2018

1:30 woke in extreme pain. Took naproxen

5:30 woke in more pain

7:00 stormy weather tornado warning power went out hurt  so bad it’s hard to move rain rain go away you make my body hurt

750 Days like this cause extreme pain in this earthly body!! Thankful to be alive and for His tender mercies (Lamentations 3:22-23). Looking for the blessed Hope of His appearing.

10:30 still no power. Joe wants to go to church to check on things there. Contacted church people to make sure they’re all okay. They are.

11:00 – heading to church…surprised at damage around us in even our neighborhood. Two neighbors mailboxes were either knocked over or completely missing. Branches and debri all over the place. We had limb knocked down & Jordon’s BBall goal mangled😢 just in time for bball season. 

11:30 – arrived at church. Trim on mission house messed up some but fixable. No other damage. Worked on bulletin board for a while. Took me two hours just to take it down and put up a fall border…worked until pain got more than tolerable then took break until it subsided. Now to decide what words. Tried to lay down in nursery to rest, but remembered the broken brain docu series…tried for a while to watch & take notes…had trouble with feed as well as understanding words being said…had to repeat sections several times to get what was being said…ran out of time. Ugh!

11:53p- in lots of pain…stinging needle pain in upper back, feet freezing, neck hurts, neck cramping when I yawn, fingers stinging, eyes watery, low back throbbing, legs feel thight, headache, sharp pain in tip of tongue Took night supplements, naproxen, and melatonin. Hope to fall asleep not only but also stay asleep. I’m exhausted. 

12:43 3 things I’m thankful for Christ’s love for me, my family, my salvation

Nov 2 

I didn’t fall asleep till after 1:30 a.m.  woke up at 8:15 tired right arm was numb left hand was tingly legs all back hurts exhausted whole body hurts nose stuffy  eyes watery hot  but my feet are cold my tongue hurts horribly  melatonin last night but didn’t fall asleep until shortly after I thought of three things I was thankful for time to see what the day will bring

8:50  checked my tongue in the mirror it has weird round white looking circle e bumps  and it hurts really bad.

10:00 coconut oil pulling to help heal my tongue.

10:39 friend called to ask question ended telling her about tongue suggested theives or clovers. Brewed cup of hot tea with thieves. Enjoyed immensely. Pain diminished almost immediately 

12:00 took walk with sister, mom & kids enjoyed talking with neighbors. Came home and sat a while to rest. 

4:45 went to friends house for dinner date. Enjoyed the sweet fellowship. Benefits of red raspberry herbal tea It’s leaves are rich in vitamins and minerals B,  C, potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron,  and more.  benefits include… balancing hormones, ease menstrual discomfort, aids in digestion, treats cardiovascular issues, boosts immune system, reduces inflamation, etc.

11:23 I’m tired and hurting. Back is throbbing. Rt hip aches a litre. Hands swollen and achy. Slight headache. Light nosebleed. 


Nov 3

7:00 – slept good last night. Don’t hurt as bad today. Tongue still splotchy, but doesn’t hurt as bad. 

10:00 soulwinning  today we went today we went to the area of Pecan Festival today we went to the area of Pecan Festival to pass out tracks.  was able to walk but then had to sit on the ground to rest because my right hip started throbbing and legs started feeling like LED balloons

1:00p  I’m  exhausted feel like I need to crash for a while I’m going to go lay down for an hour or so  ringing in my left ear eyes hurt right hip throbbing extremely exhausted

2:00  nap only lasted half an hour

3:00  kids went with grandma and Aunt to a Trump  rally in Pensacola I decided to sweep the front porch now I’m out of breath and exhausted. Worked on bulletin for a little bit

6:20 Joe came home from work. We went on dinner date. I enjoy when I get Joe to myself for a little bit. Tried to go on hospital visit bc someone had emergency surgery today, but we’re told no visitor’s right now. We’ll try again another day. 

12:00am shouldes hurt, jaw hurts, chest hurts especially rt side, rt hip throbbing, low back aches, hands hurt 

Posted on

Journal Entries 29-31 October 2018

October 29, 2018

6:00a- woke from nightmare. Woke in angry mood. Not able to go back to sleep.

8:45a- Dr apt

9:30a- good report at Dr’s office today. Blood pressure 108/82 in office. Given rx for headaches, eczema, and yeast infection. Need to research healing my gutt. Wish I could afford plexus – I know that would help.

225p-

“Any concern too small to be turned into prayer is too small to be made into a burden.”

~Corrie Ten Boom

Philippians 4:6-7

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

“O what peace we often forfeit,

O what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer!”

(Excerpt from “What A Friend We Have in Jesus” by Joseph Scriven)

3:30p- Jordon & I went to store. Walked behind buggy in both.

4:00p- Jakob calls his daddy to ask for prayerz bc his car broke down on way to work. Guy at work is mad and not being nice. Jakob upset. I message friend that lives up there. They will call him to check on him to help. I’m trying not to stress, but it’s already wreaking havoc with my nerves. Lord, please protect him & help him.

5:00p- My body is hurting. Legs cramping. Feel like I walked marathon. Exhausted. Slight headache. 

6:00p- Finally have truck back at dorm. Got alternotor? Not able to work on it tonight maybe tomorrow. Might have to get ride to work. Lord, please help my boy. 

6:30p- asked grandparents to pray. Mom says, “now you know how we felt when y’all were at college and we couldn’t help you.”  Not helping! 

Headache, nerves hurting throughout body, hands hurt, low back hurts, legs ache, toes feel frozen & feet ache.

8:17p -Praising the Lord for a good report at Dr’s visit today. Usually I have “white coat syndrome” and my blood pressure is elevated more than at home. Today my blood pressure was 108/82 in office! Thank you, Jesus!!!
I can’t even remember when it was last that low. One symptom under control by God’s grace. Now to concenrate on the plethora of other symptoms. God’s got this!!!!

“It is no secret what God can do
What He’s done for others He will do for you
With arms wide open He’ll pardon you
It is no secret what God can do”

October 30

7:00a- woke groggy and sluggish. Hurt all over. Neck hurts. Brain hurts.

7:30a- watched Broken Brain video on Traumatic Brain Injury. So much good information. Taking notes. Only able to watch 20 minutes at a time. Brain overload! Need a break or I’ll have to take pain rx. 

8:30a- Need to get kids grades completed and on proper form so I can turn them in by tomorrow. Been working on it for two weeks at least. Starting year out better than last year, but oh so much information causes blurred vision, headache, brain fog, & pain throughout body. 

10:00a- almost forgot to take morning Vitamins/RX – Edarbyclor, Alpha Lipoic Acid, B Complex, MSM, B-12 melt tabs

10:41a- managed to fold 2 loads of laundry. Pain is 8 throughout body! Brain hurts. Neck hurts. Nerves painful tingling throughout. Back throbbing. Exhausted. Taking a break.

1:00p- drank a plexus slim to give me enough energy to get project done at church (not suppose to bc of caffein free diet, but I need extra energy)

2:20p- it’s taken me all day to try to listen to brokenbrain.com video about TBI. Shared link on Fb. Took notes. Could only watch in 10-20 minute increments as it was information overload. Gave me a headacke. Took notes. 

Thankful for God’s grace and mercies (they are new every morning Lamentations 3:22-23), and for His direction. I have been researching how to heal my brain as naturally as possible. Thankfully, through no direction of my doctors, I’m already doing a lot of what these specialists are suggesting…just need to research some new information and figure out how to work it all in. God is good.  

2:30p- went to church with sister & daughter to work on mission closet. Got shelves up & doing good hanging clothes. Without warning anchors let loose and one shelf comes crashing down. By this time, I’ve done what I can do and pain is too much. Need rest. Sister n daughter feel bad. I say I know but we learn through trial and error. If at first you don’t try again. We’ll try again another day. Besides Joe will probably know better than I how to fix it. My brain’s done thunk today.  My upper body and arms are throbbing.

5:00p- heading home I noticed a red light flickering on dash, but couldn’t see it long enough to figure out what it was. I almost ended up in accident bc I was trying to focus on that instead of car in front of me! Had to slam breaks. Stopped in time. Red light flickered again…it’s the oil light. Decided to stop at dollar store to get oil. Daughter checked oil in parking lot…definitely low on oil. Sister asked if I waz going to add oil. No I’ll wait and have Joe check when we get home.

5:30p- Dezirae asked to make dinner. Thankful because I was wore out and not really up to making dinner. She did great. Made tuna patties, corn, and mashed potatoez.

10:45p- it’s been quite eventful day and I’m feeling repercussions of it…headache, neck hurts, ears hurt, ringing periodically in left ear, entire back hurts, rt hip throbbing, hands swollen, achy, & tingly, toes freezing, upper arms ache, legs throbbing, exhausted, eyes hurt, lights bright, noises too loud, can’t think anymore…must try to fall asleep and get rest. Kids have co-op classes tomorrow. 

Vitamins/Rx – pm – zyrtec, calcium w/ D3, Magnesium, Probiotic, Turmeric, Melatonin, & Naproxen

October 31

No entry

Posted on

Journal Entries 27-28 October 2018

October 27

8:00a- rough night. Woke up late. Had to do devotions in car on way to church. Visitation. Had kids help me moved stuff in SS bldg to make room for desks out of primary room. At church til 3pm. 

3:00p- finished making rolls. 

5pm- dinner at Mom’s

8:00p- bulletins for church

10:00p- did too much today. I’m in pain to tears!!! Nerves stringing horribly throughout body. Stuffy nose. Hard time breathing. Skin itches. Indigestion.

October 28

Magnesium

Types of Magnesium: The Best and Worst

11:45 rt hip cramping. Feeling kind of sluggish today & shaky. 

Verified by MonsterInsights