Workmates are Family

What a beautiful day it was for a picnic! And it was our work picnic -- THQ, that is. It's always great to see the families of the people we work with -- and the employees always like to see us in private clothes -- seems a like a treat -- and it is for us!! But our workmates are really like family. We know the joys and the sorrows. We ask about personal concerns and are genuinely interested in all the pieces of their lives. Life is truly about relationships. It's not about power or position. It's not about the money we make (though it helps). It's not about the "toys" we have. My father-in-law -- now heavenly -- used to tell us that in our beloved Salvation Army -- all that really matters is your family!! When all is said and done . . . it's your family who'll still be there. Wonder if our workmates will still be family then ? God has gives us a wonderful life!

Passwords

I've just about had it with passwords. Who knew ten years ago that you would need at least 200 passwords just to get up in the morning. Paying bills, blogging, shopping, doing research, etc., etc., etc. So we need lists of passwords -- because . . . as everyone knows -- people have already chosen our passwords. Does it seems like I'm going in circles ?? And then . . . at work -- we must change our passwords periodically!! And . .. the combination of numbers and letters must be exact! Yikes -- can I do anything without a password ? I can pray. God needs no passwords from us -- He knows the very number of hairs on our head. So happy -- I'm just done with a scattered identity. God loves me as He made me. Yahoo!

My identity

There are days when my identity is lost. I am lost in my uniform . . . I am lost in my job . . . I am lost in my own thoughts. Today I took some time to myself. And while reading some blogs . . .I was drawn to one by Ed Young of Fellowship Church in Texas. His blog was about taking time to yourself. Imagine! Now . . . I'm extra cautious about this -- lest some mis-use it and run away from work -- but today . . . I had some fun with friends and found myself again.

Whew!

It's difficult to explain how I'm feeling! After planing, and planning, and preparation and preparation and committee meeting and more committee meetings -- it's all over! -- the family enrichment conference in Hershey, I mean. It was totally worth all the prep and planning, but now I'm feeling a bit "wind out of my sails." How to get over that ?? I guess talking about it makes it better -- but then no one ever reads my blogs .. . so most times I'm talking to myself -- which isn't a bad thing . . . but I love input (others, that is) and that element is missing. God certainly blessed the event, and I loved just a couple things especially. I loved watching an officer dance with his 8 year old daughter on the floor of the Giant Arena during Salvadore's concert. And I loved the Llama in the parade -- he was very cool. And the finale . .. on Saturday morning -- with NYSB, dancers and vocal!! Yahoo -- and confetti streamers, too -- this is praising for me. Hallelujah !

Off Again

Today half of our family left the country. It is another opportunity for the New York Staff Band to do ministry in other lands -- this time . . . Norway, Denmark and Sweden. Sure wish I could be with them. It is a proud moment to hear our band in another land. Nothing like it! It is a great fellowship among the band itself and trips create memories that are shared and shared and shared again -- even into alumni. Please pray for them. It is hard to sleep in a different bed every night. It is hard thinking of things to say to complete strangers. And it is hard to live with each other for this kind of extensive, pressurized and exhaustive time. I miss them already and they're not even there yet. God bless and use them. We love them.

Tons of Fun

While I am swimming in work . . . running to catch up . . . and jumping with joy -- I'm REALLY exhausted. But it is tons of fun. My work is overwhelming right now, but it is for the Master. I ever must keep that in mind. I am working to inspire. I am working to invigorate . . . and I'm working to witness. Jesus will reign in all things. I pray for strength and for fortitude. I pray for inspiration and creative new ideas and I pray for all who may benefit from a gathering in His Name. It's something like the feeding of 5,000 in Bible days . . . with a BBQ in mind.

As the Deer . . .

I am not a television fan. I'd rather explore or research the internet . . . or today because it was so nice I took our family dog to a park for a walk. Dogs are permitted in the park -- but not on the walking path, so we had to find our fun elsewhere. But God always provides. As we entered the park at about dusk . . . you guessed it . . . there were several deer grazing on the edge of the woods. Gentle and serene. Now usually our little terrier (like Toto--only her name is Rigby) is ready to "take-on " the world or any larger or smaller creature in her pathway. She thinks she's fierce. But there was no barking . . . there was no sense of "let me at them." She was calm and gentle . . . as the picture she was seeing -- the deer on the edge of the trees. Funny how God connects creatures -- human and not.

A GREAT Miracle

Wow . . .is God great or what ?? Today . . .God's handiwork was shown to us all -- in the pictures of our new friend Jake. He's actually our GREAT nephew . . .since God placed us in a bigger family. Miracles of salvation. Miracles of love and miracles of new life are all so evident to us in the birth of Jake. Praise the Lord for every part of him . . . his hair . . . his grown-up size and -- never to forget . . .the dimple in the chin. This is a fine touch of the Master's hand.

Injustice for all!

I'm ever amazed as the injustice that lurks around every corner, stop light and roadside. Just because you have a nice car . . . are under 30 years old and are a male -- you are ready to write the check. Why does injustice leave its trail of blood on the side of the road? Why are some people targeted for bad things? Why do some people get all the praise . . . and do little work ? Why do some folks just naturally fall on their feet -- never a fall -- and others . . . .whoa . . enough of this.

God's Hand

I'm praying for a friend and their family. It's a difficulty to understand why bad things happen to good people. What is in God's plan ? How can we find out ? How long will it take to know ? Sickness is overwhelming and medical procedures are difficult for us to undertand. But I do believe that God will be in it all. Perhaps there is more to learn. Just when God reveals Himself in someone -- and sickness comes -- then God is revealed even clearer in the stronghold on faith. Please pray for Fred. There is no cure . . . but hope is in God and the revelation of His plan.

How Lovely is the Day

I am energized by the warmth of the sun. I am hopeful of many things just at the sight of green grass . . . and I am earth-bound when I'm planting flowers. Today is one of those days. My personality is a bit "high". Can't help it. And it's hard to understand why others who are a bit more mellow than I am -- (that's half of the population) -- aren't right up there with me. My husband doesn't quite understand -- and my kids have developed a survival technique. They can't hear me. But God hears me and sends along people who make me smile. People who are like me and want heaven to be a continual musical . . . dancing and singing in the streets. God always sends people my way. Perhaps YOU are one of them.

Who Are We ?

I am ever intrigued by what makes people the way they are -- or respond the way they do. Basically I have always thought firstly of the childhood environment and influences. But people have bad stuff happen as children are never apparently affected by it. Other people have great things happen to them and find themselves in emotional turmoil and distress. In the words of my old friend, Bug -- what's up Doc ? What gives ? What makes the difference ? Who decides the outcome ?? I am ever amazed at God's design in our freewill. And it is God who rescues us if we let Him. If we can ever get out of our own way - and follows His . . . whew, a novel idea!! And a book would do, too! It's already out there. It's the Bible.

A Very Bad Day

Yesterday was a bust!! It was really bad -- all around me. There was sadness. There was pain. There was whinning. There was complaining. Yikes. But today the air was different. The sun was shining. Lots of work got done. People were happier. (and the Yankees won!) God worked in my life, and I felt his protecting Hand. But why is satan's voice so VERY LOUD ?!? Why is God's still small voice, masked by the sadness. Masked by misunderstanding. Hidden by human frailty and weakness. I want God's voice to be loud, clear and ringing in my ears. I guess I control the volume, really . . . .and if I'm paying attention I can turn the knob.

The Open Net

In reading a recent blog from a dear friend . . . I began thinking about an open net -- rather than the internet! This whole idea has opened up our lives . . . our bank accounts . . .our accessibility . . .and our vulnerability! I really can remember Pre Net . . .and I really never want to go back there . . .but is there a vulnerability that has just rocketed with the internet ?? His blog was about evangelism and and using it as an "open net" rather like the fishing nets of many, many days gone by. The "open net" idea is rather scary to me -- makes me think of the circus and a chance of falling. I rather like to remember the Scriptures of the fishing net -- !

A Painful Passion

Love isn't always joyful. There is painful passion. I've not seen Mel Gibson's Passion of Christ movie as yet. I may be the only one who hasn't, and I do intend to do so, but in thinking today about Christ's painful passion, I am reminded that the intense depth of His love is so uncomprehensible to the human emotion. But I do know that even we limited humans are hurt by love at times. I find it very intriguing that some of my friends and family who I love -- are in pain by human love. Thank you Jesus . . . for love divine. Love divine .. .. all love excelling!!

A First Time for Everything

What a very interesting way to "read my mind." Since being out of school for a couple of years now . . . and completing my MA in an on-line degree program from Seton Hall, I've missed "postings." Here's a new way to expand my horizons. Please be patient with this new blogger . . . I'll try to explore and create . . . and even be interesting at times. Thanks to my friend . . . the Chiefspeak . . for passing on "the blog."