Author: Shelia's Notes

FALLL COMES TO THE BIG COUNTRY 11-7-2009

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It is hard to believe that Fall is in full bloom here. We drove out south of town yesterday and saw some beautiful colors of Fall in this area.

As I look at them I am reminded of the power and might of The Almighty God whom we serve.

As I got up yesterday and moved around I realized I just didn’t feel right. I felt cranky and irritable. I just started to pray and all I could get out was Father…..I heard a voice in my mind that said “Shhhhhhhhhhhhh” “Just be still………..” I tried to be still but the thoughts wanted to fly in and out of my mind. Everytime I heard, “Just be still……” Then finally I heard “Just be still and know that I am God. Nothing is impossible for me. I am the Almighty God. Just be still.”

You know what? It worked, before long I was experiencing

the Peace that Passes all Understanding.

“Shhhhhhh, Let’s just be still this week and really listen to the voice of God in His word and in our hearts.

Peace to you this week.

Where has the time gone?

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I can’t believe it has been so long since I posted. School started and now a semester is gone. We are nearly finished with January 2009. Can you believe that?
I have so many things I want to do and yet I just keep getting behind.
My main commitment for the time being is to read through the Bible in 365 days. That means I have to stay commented to read every day without fail. Last year I read the entire Bible in 90 days. That was a real commitment! It sure felt good when I completed it. It turned out that I completed it on 4-07-08, which was exactly one year to the day when my Mom had died.
I am also studying the Purpose Driven Life book and a Daily Devo that Linda gave me for Christmas.
I have started a bucket list.
My Number One Bucket List
To make God’s will my will. I want to completely and wholly submit my will to His will.
I got an embroidery machine for Christmas. I am slowly learning how to use it. The thing is the machine is much smarter than I am. But that can be a good thing. When I see the cute little face with a tear on the screen I know that I have made a mistake. He gladly tells me what I need to do to correct it.
We are prayerfully planning my third trip and Tommy’s fourth trip to Zambia. How blessed is that? I prayed to go one time and now we are hoping to go a third time. That is the best thing I have ever done in my life.
Maybe I will post my bucket list soon. I am still adding to it. Some of the things I have accomplished. Some I am still thinking of.

Until the next time. Romans 8:28 and following.
Shelia

WHAT GOD HAS TAUGHT ME!

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    First posted 11-17-2008 Revised 3-5-2012

What has God taught me from failure?
That failure often turns out to be the greatest blessing. Like the time I thought I was hired to teach at one school and found out that I was not.  If I had been, I would have missed out on the job at the school where I have been teaching the last nineteen years.  It was were God knew I needed to be. Doing exactly what He wanted me to do.
What has God taught me from a lack of money?
Money is over rated. When we have more than enough we tend to trust in ourselves and the abundance of money. When there is not enough to go around we should trust God to provide what we need and He does. Just as He tells us He will. Having traveled to Zambia, Africa twice, I realize we have very few needs, most everything is a want. Hebrews 13:5(NASB) Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,”
What has God taught me from pain or sorrow or depression?
Pain can stop one dead in their tracks. With a severe pain one soon learns that there are a lot of things that will wait. It can lay you flat on your back and you have no where to look but up. So God becomes your best friend. Revelation 21:4(NASB)  and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will now longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first thing have passed away.”
Sorrow brings me to my knees because my heart is so heavy I can no longer stand. My head bows low but I soon realize that God is the only way out of this sorrow. He can lift my heart back to where it allows me to stand again. 2 Corinthians 7:10 (NASB) For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.
Depression-I hate depression but I have learned how to control it so it doesn’t rear it’s ugly head like it used to. I believe depression can sometimes be a choice like an addiction. It is an escape. I also believe that certain things in our diet can cause depression. Like sugar and wheat. Sugar and wheat really causes me to slip in to an ugly depression. People need to do everything they can to break that addiction to depression. Seek good quality help. Change their diet. Seek God to help you out.
What has God taught me through waiting?
Waiting is the hardest for me. I want it and I want it now.Jude 1: 21(NASB) keep yourselves in the love of God,  waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.  I have learned that if I will just be still and know that God is in control everything will work out for the best. Romans 8:28.
What has God taught me through illness?
God has taught me that there is more to life than the everyday get it done list. People are the most important thing and not what we get done today. James 5: 14 (NASB) Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord;
What has God taught me from disappointment?
Oh this one hurts. Like I said about failure, God works out the details and things work out like they should.
What have I learned from my family, my church, my relationships, my small group, and my critics?
That we are all human and we have to give each other a break.Ephesians 4: 2 sit all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,
ROMANS 8:28
These questions were taken from :Adapted
© 2008 Purpose Driven Life. All rights reserved

The Beauty of Fall

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The Cross on an Egg.

Little Chapel in the Cedars.

What beauty we see as the weather turns cooler and the days grow shorter.
I really enjoying watching the seasons change. We have just enough of the leaves turning to remind us that they will soon fall to the ground. The slight shades or orange and red are pleasing to the eye. What comes next is hard for me. The naked trees are the saddest season for me. It is so like death. Somber and still. However, we know that this too shall pass and the green shades will soon enough return.
Just remember Romans 8:28. I have tried to think of that as we have gone through a difficult time this past week. Just an added trial on top of the other trials we have faced.

No matter what, we know that God is in control and He will win. We just have to figure out how to stay the course and allow Him to do what He needs to do in our life.
There again, I see the trees starting to turn and I realize He will bring them back to life after a season. So I have to believe He will see me through whatever I have to go through.
Just be still and know that He is God. Until next time I will focus on Romans 8:28 and the other scriptures that bring The Peace that Passes all Understanding.