April 30, 2010

There is Man's Shows then There is God's Show's

Central Oregon Show Case dress rehearsal 2010
Madras Dance Arts Unlimited Group

Man's Shows cost money to watch and are planned into the schedule.........


God's Shows are all around us daily AND we don't plan them. They don't cost money most of the time!  We just have to be open and ready for what God has to show us !



                               
Sunset picture from Ford Lane over looking farms and grass land 4/30/10.
"But he has given proof of what he is like. He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven. He gives you crops in their seasons. He provides you with plenty of food. He fills your hearts with joy."  Acts 14:17 (NIRV)


"He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth." Psalm 104:14 (KJV)

"Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains." Psalm 147:8 (KJV)


(I took the first two pictures ---- Brandie took the picture below! )


East Lake I believe!

"For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands."                      Isaiah 55:12 (NIV)



                                                     Bend Oregon
"The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season."  Psalm 145:15 (KJV)

Ok I threw in that picture and verse because I think it is cool.  Three bucks in the middle of town WOW now that was a show!

Are your eyes open to what God wants to show you???

Smith Rock MFCC Youth Group Rock Climbing Trip

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."  Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)

"Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is."
Jeremiah 17:7 (KJV)


Prayfully Yours
Debbi



























                                          

April 29, 2010

Things about me you may not know!



I want to be an open book to my readers so here is a list of things about me that you may or may not know about me.  All of this is true and was written in fun to show you that I do have a sense of humor and not serious all the time, although some things are extremely important and shouldn't be taken lightly. 

1) I am a wife of 22 years to my high school sweetheart and a mom to two teenage boys and One teenage girl.  I had four miscarriages and I will see those children in paradise.  

2) I have to work outside my home. I miss being a stay at home mom!

3) I am a dresses or skirts only person unless we are out on the boat.

4) I am a klutz, I trip over my own shadow.
(this is why I wear jeans on the boat -- not to modest if my dress or skirt goes flying over my head and believe me that would happen!)

5) I like animals! My pets are my other set of kids!

6) I love Babies! 

7) Teenagers Crack me up!

9) I love to learn more about Jesus and God's plans for my life.

10) I argue with God a lot!

11) I can make mountains out of mole hills

12) I like jumping to conclusions - It is my favorite form of exercise

13) I like taking pictures of nothing!

14) I don't like writing that much LOL (then why do I have a blog??? Ask God!)

15) I hate not being in control of things.

16) I am not a big fan of change.

17) I have a warped sense of humor

18) I like corny Jokes.

19) I like shiny sparkly things like diamonds and gem stones.
(I don't have the "not adorning yourself with gold and pearls or costly array" down yet!)

20) I am not a proverbs 31 woman nor do I want to be one, I like who I am now!

21) Stew and Soups should never fit in one pot and should always over flow onto the stove!

22) I hate my disease! But I control it now it doesn't control me!

23) Because of my disease I get tired and wear out easily so I don't have a whole lot of energy on the weekends.

24) I love reading Amish stories, and my Bible.

25) I taught my self how to crochet!  I haven't mastered it but I can make a scarf in a day or so!

26) I love fishing, camping and campfires.
(As long as the restrooms are close by and have running water, I have stomach issues and spend a lot of time in bathrooms I don't want to spend it in stinky outhouses I am soo glad I have indoor plumbing! )

27) I love to travel, and take pictures of nothing or scenaries.

28) I love a Chick Flick for a good cry and a Stupid funny no real reason for this movie, 
 movie to lift my spirits.

29) I love to play my flute even if others have to plug their ears.

30) I was physically, mentally, & Sexually Abused from the age of 11 to 16 and I have forgiven my abuser and want to help other over come their abuse issues.
 Through Jesus All things are possible!  

31) I believe that 1Corthians 11 is for today's women and I wear a head covering at home.
(I used to wear one all the time, as a reminder God is control, my husband is the head of the house, and I need to submit myself to both! Not perfected yet but I am getting there!)

32) I am not perfect and I have issues God is dealing with that I may or may not agree with but in time I will see things His way.

34) I haven't cut any length off my hear in over 7 years but I do have bangs.

35) I am a KJV person who uses other versions as study guides and to make God's word easier to understand when I write.

36) I love to text people exspecially those who are either sitting next to me or in the same room.

37) I love a good practical joke (as long as it isn't on me!)

38)  I talk in my sleep and wake myself up a lot!

39) I like to talk to my best friend (long distance) for hours and hours about nothing and everything.

40) And lastly Hubby said I had to write something about him so here it is !  JK

Seriously ----  I like it when my husband baits my fishing hook for me. He does it because he knows if bait my own hook it would either be in my flesh or someone else's near me, and nobody would get to fish but spend the day in the ER getting the hook removed!  

 There is a lot more I could write but my fingers are stiff and sore so it is time to quit.  I hope you had a laugh or two getting to know me.

Prayerfully Yours,

Debbi






April 28, 2010

Dealing with Behcet's Disease and Learning Forgiveness.......

 I have a very rare auto immune disease called Behcet's.  It was a long, long road to get a diagnoses.  I was told my symptoms where all in my head, I had Crohn's disease, IBS, Lupus, RA, Mental Illness, some other rare connective tissue disease.  So when the doctor got the last set of biopsies back and it came back "consistent with Behcet's Disease",  I had a little trouble excepting that as a true diagnosis.

For the last 7 or 8 years I have heard you have Crohn's, you don't, you do, you don't , and going through many Upper GI scopes, Colonoscopies, Biopsies,  CT scans, x-rays,  many blood tests.  To taking drugs that cause cancer yet helped some.  To the many years of on again off again Prednisone (a steroid),  I am just a wee bit leery of all doctors.   I am not celebrating my diagnosis like I did when they thought I had Crohn's disease.  I was extremely happy and relieved  to have a name and answers to my symptoms,  I felt like a human with an illness not a nobody, with something always wrong, and then have it torn and ripped away (figuratively) over and over again, I just don't want to go through that again.

So now I have this "new" diagnosis that makes sense, biopsy report to back it up and out of whack blood work to suggest an auto immune disorder. But I had all that with my Crohn's diagnosis.  The thing that is different this time is that the skin biopsy didn't come back with Crohn's or Lupus but suggests Behcet's.  Is that really going to be enough from the doctors to not change their minds again???   I hope so. 

My drug therapy consists of: 
                                             Methotrexate once a week (a chemo drug)
                                             Vit. D once a week
                                              Folic Acid supplement everyday but Methotrexate day
                                              Immuran (immune suppressant) daily
                                              Propanolol daily (migraine control)
                                              Protonix daily (stomach acid controller)
                                              Oracea (for the skin issues)
                                              Flexeral (a sleep aide)
                                              Non Aspirin Pain reliever (for Joint pain) daily
So As you can see I take a lot of medications.  I have a list just as long of stuff I can not take because I am allergic to them.  I am a big wimp when it comes to pain but will only seek ER treatment when I can't control things myself.

 So today after waiting two weeks for yet another test result to come back  to find out why all the sudden I have kidney stones, I find out that one of the drugs listed above is causing kidney stones to form because my potassium levels are low.

I am in this place where I am glad they found out that I have kidney stones and how I am getting them, but this another part of me is like,  "Oh my word another thing that has gone wrong with my body."  

 I  wanting to scream at the ER doctor who yelled at me she almost (not quite) called me a drug seeker a few weeks ago told me my pain was nothing more than I constantly had, she screamed at me and now I want to say SEE I WASN'T FAKING IT!!!!!!.   To back up a few steps a couple of weeks ago I went to the ER my second trip that weekend because I was in pain, the type where I was doubled over puking because of the pain.

Instead of reaching for my phone,  I am here searching the scriptures on forgiveness, letting go, compassion, humility,  because who knows, that ER doctor probably had a ruff night that night, but I so want to hold onto this and not let this go but I know I have too.

"Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘ Execute true justice,  Show mercy and compassion everyone to his brother." Zechariah 7:9 (NKJV)

"Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience" Colossians 3:12 (ESV)

"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8 (NIV)

And those are just the verses on compassion I came across,  here are the forgiveness ones:

"The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him;" (Daniel 9:9 NIV)

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." ( 1 John 1:9 NIV)

"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."  (Colossians 1:13-14 NIV)

Whoa --- hold on a minute this is talking about my sins, what about the wrong that I suffered, I was the one that was wronged wasn't I .... Then I hear God's gentle voice telling me that if I hold on to this bitterness towards this ER doctors, I am sinning,

"Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; And before honor goeth humility." Proverbs 18:22 (ASV)

"You rescue the humble, but you look for ways to put down the proud." 2 Samuel 22:28 (CEV)

Ouch that last verse hit home.  I was trying to put down this doctor because of her smug know it all attitude she gave me that night, but if I let go let God, Forgive then His peace is mine.

"Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall."
(Psalm 55:22 NIV)

"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
Matthew 6:14-15 (KJV)

"Get rid of all hard feelings, anger and rage. Stop all fighting and lying.put away every form of hatred" Ephesians 4:31 (NIRV)

So why is letting go so hard??? Because I am human who is a sinner forgiven by God's merciful grace.  Praying for my heart not be hardened by this is the easy part, letting go of the hurt this situation caused not so easy.  But Jesus is here helping me step by step.  Letting GO, and letting God isn't easy for me.  I love control. But my faith and trust lies with God's love and not my own selfish ways.  As soon as I asked for God's help in this HE was faithful and my load got lighter!

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 NIV

"Cast your cares on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall."
Psalm 55:22 NIV

When I am honest with God telling Him I can't let go without His help, He was faithful and took my burden upon himself.  My load is lighter now. My heart isn't as bitter as it was and I know God is carrying me through this trial.

As I posted yesterday God's light shines even when a storm is coming or in this when the storm has come and gone.
 I took this picture yesterday (04/27/10) at one of the over look pull outs near the Cove Palisades in Central Oregon. I was out taking pictures for the fun of it a new passion of mine.  I was hoping to get a pretty sunset with vibrant colors.

As it turns out another storm had just come over the Cascade Mountains and was about to dump more rain and hail on us!  To me this is just as  pretty as the sunset I hoped to capture. Because it reminds me that even in a storm God's light will shine through! 

HOW AWESOME IS THAT!


I hope that these posts encourages you in some small way. 

Debbi


April 27, 2010

God's Creations At Lake Billy Chinook, The Cove Palisades

I want to encourage you to stop and take time to look at all of God's creations around you! It is hard some days to let it all go and reflect on His handy work.


   


But even with a storm coming God's
 beauty shines through.







I love spring time!  These pictures were taken 04/27/10.

 

April 23, 2010

SPRING IS HERE !

 


Flowering Red Plum Tree

Darwf  Pear Tree


Dwarf Purple Plum Tree.
These are my fruit trees flowering in my back yard
Taken April 22, 2010!

Our First Thunderstorm Of this year. 
John took this with my camera facing south east from my driveway!

I can't wait to take pictures of my roses when they start to bloom.

April 19, 2010

DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF!!!!


In my profile are two of my kids, Brandie and John (I am in the middle.)
This >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
is my Oldest Larry, he is now an official volunteer fire fighter for our local fire department! Go Larry III! Yes there is someone under all that stuff and yes he is old enough. He also got accepted into COCC!!!!!! I can't believe it but he will be 20 in Sept. Wow where did the time go.

Now I am not just bragging on my kids.


I spent a lot of the kid's childhood years sweating the small stuff. Battling them over just about everything. You know the shoes, the dirty dishes, the hair, not taking out the garbage, doing their homework.

I did get them to go to church willingly most of the time . But for some reason I didn't get through to them that I don't like them wearing jeans to church!!!
That's not how I was raised and that's not how I am convicted why can't they see that ???
Then I hear this question:
Really, does that matter, as long as they hear My Words??? Should it matter for now?

Some denominations like parents get so caught up in what one should wear that they forget about the convictions, and teachings, and the love that needs to be spread.
It is not the clothes that makes a man, It is a mans integrity and soul that makes a man a man.

Yes the bible says we should dress modestly, that woman should not wear what pretanethith to men. But do we really need to make a big issue when someone who hasn't ever heard God's message before only to alienate those who don't see what is wrong with their ways and turn them off to God completely?

My clothes are my witness to where God has led me, not because my church dictated to me what I have to wear. Not because my Grandmother or Mom forced me to wear them. As a matter of fact my mom was so anti dresses at church it drove my Grandma and Grandpa nuts.

So why am I so upset about how my kids look in church??? In truth I don't want to look like a hypocrite, or get in embarrassed because my kids don't comply with my images, my wishes, or my convictions.

My kids are just trying to fit in with their crowd, and as my daughter showed me this weekend on stage in worship in her jeans playing the guitar, she was witnessing to her peers the way God called her to. I have grown past that stage of life to I really don't care if I fit in a certain mold. But my kids that is life to them right now. They want to fit in and not stand out. Why should it bother me so that my kids choose not to follow in my footsteps?? In the bigger picture I have learned it doesn't matter. They need to follow God's calling in their lives and obey God convictions when God asks them too.

This weekend our church was filled with over 100 kids in Jr. High School and High School. They knew 1 Corinthians and @ 2 Corinthians front words and back words. Many of them had those two books of the bible memorized word for word from the N.I.V. version. It was truly amazing to watch these kids quiz.

I got to wondering though. How many of their coaches asked these kids to apply these scriptures to their lives or if they where going to apply the scriptures to their life? How many coaches where out just for that win. I heard one adult tell one child they needed to step up their game because they were hurting the teams average. While others said no worries it is the last meet of the season have fun and learn. Did these kids get the true meaning of the message that they were memorizing?

How many of these kids were just going through the motions? How many of the kids are just as lost as they were at the beginning of the Quiz year. Do they truly get what is being said in God's word and the meaning behind it? OR is it just something they have to do to win a prize or just to make the coach/mom happy. Many of the kids got it!

How much time did I lose forcing my kids to dress nicely for church. Just to have the kids grudgingly go to church mad at me, because Mom didn't like what they were wearing and how many Sunday School lessons weren't heard, or Sermons taken in? What if my kids missed the real message that day because they were stewing over something as trivial as clothing, that I their mom forced them to wear because of my beliefs my convictions? Aren't we all called to do Gods work differently? Does this not apply to the kids. How stronger of a Christian would they be if I wasn't so up tight over a pair of jeans??

Yes it is still going to bother me to see my kids in church in jeans. But I will bite my tongue and ask God to open my heart to the message that needs to be heard that day, I will pray that my kids will be a witness to their friends, and that they too hear God's word, no matter what they wear. And then I will worship with a pure heart.

Debbi

April 16, 2010

This weekend Metloius Friends Community Church is hosting a Bible Quiz Meet. What is that you ask? Well I know that JR High and High School kids from the Northwest Yearly Meeting study different chapters and books in the Bible. And watching my daughter study they learn the scriptures frontwards and backwards and word for word from the NIV Bible.


I volunteered to help with the Quiz meet and was asked to familiarize myself with 2 Corinthians especially chapters 7-13. I have read these particular passages twice now and below are the verses that have stuck out and touched me today.


10Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death, 11See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.
(2 CORINTHIANS 7:10-11 NIV)


7But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us[a]—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. (2 CORINTHIANS 8:7 NIV)

[2 Corinthians 8:7 Some manuscripts in our love for you ]


6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
(2 CORINTHIANS 8:6-8 NIV)

8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 CORINTHIANS 12:8-10 NIV)


This is what I got from these passages, God has let us suffer to have us grow to repentance and to lean on Him. We are not to take God's gift lightly but to seek His wisdom to guide us in the right direction. He has given us thorns to prove to us that His grace is sufficient enough, and He has all the power we need. We need to be faithful and spread Gods message through our trials and triumphs and through His grace we need not be ashamed of our past. Through the seeds we sow His kingdom will grow, and depending on how strong our testimony will be the true test on how strong His kingdom will be.



I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Good luck to all the kids this weekend. My God bless this time together.



Debbi

April 15, 2010

RANDOM THOUGHT FOR TODAY

APRIL 15 2010
HAPPY TAX DAY ------
Why do married couples compromise and then get mad because they didn't win? Duh it is a compromise there are no winners or losers.

April 13, 2010

Hi there welcome to my new blog! The title of my blog stems from my childhood when I was abused physically, mentally and sexually. I created walls that left my heart bitter, angry and unforgiving. My angry, bitter heart, and my control attitude that almost destroyed my adult life and led me to actions that I am not proud of.

God came in broke that bitter, angry heart, taught me how to break my controlling attitude and gave me a forgiving spirit.

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old is gone,the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

The tiltle also comes from the fact that I have a rare auto immune disease called Behcet's Disease I have struggled with Behcet's for many years but only recently got a diagnosis.

Broken Spirit, Broken Body all which I lean on God for direction and healing.

I want to used these things in my life to Glorify God and His Kingdom, to encourage, give hope to those who have and are struggling with issues I am really familiar with. To show folks that through Christ's love, He has changed me for the better I think.

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Philippians 4:13 (King James Version)

This is a continuation from the myspace.com blog that I deleted. I am not going to re-post those entries from that blog. I am going to keep on as the Spirit of the Lord leads and I hope you find a blessing in my posts.