Jerry's dad, Willard, passed away last year. Jerry's mom and dad got divorced when he was around 10 years old so Jerry did not spend much time with his dad. He saw him a few times before he graduated from high school and then after high school he lived with his dad for a year. He learned many skills from him. You may have heard me say, "Jerry can do anything. If he doesn't know how to do it he will learn.” These are the jobs that Jerry remembers his dad having:
Prison guard
Police officer
Chief of Police
Photography Store owner
Marine Supply Store owner
Welder
Fire Extinguisher Maintenance Company owner
Building engineer
High School Teacher
General Contractor
Painter
Carpenter
Roofer
Construction Foreman
Electrician
Minister
These varied and valuable skills came at a cost. Willard quit his job and moved often because he was dissatisfied with what he was doing. That created instability in his family. In contrast my father, Roy, stayed at the same job for many years. He was unhappy with it but wanted a stable home and medical insurance for his family. He and my mom were married for over 60 years before he passed away.
Married life can be very interesting when you add in both families, personalities, values, strengths & weaknesses, male and female! God has a plan! He will always show us His way if we are willing to listen.
Stability…check, fun…check, deep abiding love…check, faithfulness…check
God prepared us for the best job ever!!!! Mom & Dad
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
I am Changed
I am changed from the inside out!
God is healing my heart, capturing my heart every day. I let Him in asking Him to fill me up. Make no room for evil there. Fill my heart with your goodness, your power, your love and self discipline.
I see the fruit of your work! My heart is glad, happy, overjoyed and overflowing! No worry that you cannot take care of, no hesitation that you cannot overcome, no relationship that you cannot heal.
The chains have been severed, the bars that I have pushed against are gone. Digging up, up, up to level ground, climbing higher and higher to a place of freedom and self expression. I love your work in me. Healed, forgiven, transparent, giving, loving. I welcome the change only You can bring.
I am changed from the inside out!
Who is willing to see? People with their own agendas rarely see the truth. They see what they want to see. They see their version of the past and with blinders on forge ahead to their version of the future. Who am I to them? The same as I have always been. I will continue to reach out to people, bless them, strengthen them, love them for who they are, constantly taking the blinders off and taking a good look around at the beauty of the earth and the beauty inside every person I meet.
You want to change me Lord? Bring it on! I welcome change. Mold me, stretch me, push me down, lift me up! I am yours.
God is healing my heart, capturing my heart every day. I let Him in asking Him to fill me up. Make no room for evil there. Fill my heart with your goodness, your power, your love and self discipline.
I see the fruit of your work! My heart is glad, happy, overjoyed and overflowing! No worry that you cannot take care of, no hesitation that you cannot overcome, no relationship that you cannot heal.
The chains have been severed, the bars that I have pushed against are gone. Digging up, up, up to level ground, climbing higher and higher to a place of freedom and self expression. I love your work in me. Healed, forgiven, transparent, giving, loving. I welcome the change only You can bring.
I am changed from the inside out!
Who is willing to see? People with their own agendas rarely see the truth. They see what they want to see. They see their version of the past and with blinders on forge ahead to their version of the future. Who am I to them? The same as I have always been. I will continue to reach out to people, bless them, strengthen them, love them for who they are, constantly taking the blinders off and taking a good look around at the beauty of the earth and the beauty inside every person I meet.
You want to change me Lord? Bring it on! I welcome change. Mold me, stretch me, push me down, lift me up! I am yours.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Share Your Story
Sermon from “The Rock” 9-16-10
1. Share your story with respect and seek common ground – people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. Acts 22:2-5 “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus, but brought up in this city…”
2. Share the gospel relationally, truthfully, and transparently -“When Jesus entered this world, He didn’t use the Word to distance Himself from the people. Instead, He Himself was the Word, the eternal Son of God now putting on flesh, incarnated, and living among sinners.”
3. Share your unique story personally-The simplicity of Paul’s story “I have not always been a Christian, but God showed me my need of Jesus Christ. I committed my life to Jesus and now my life is different.”
Bob Hastings did a great job on this lesson. I am able to apply it to my spiritual life as well as my business. Being real and transparent with people gives them the sense that you care. If I am passionate about my business, really believe in it, people will feel that as well. Can someone be truly successful if they don't believe in what they are doing? God gives each of us a gift. It is up to us to find it and use it!
In my business I am committed to seek common ground, share my unique story in a personal way, share relationally, truthfully and transparently. I love the Pre-Paid Legal membership. I sold a small business plan this week. The business is the salon where I get my hair cut. The owner was thrilled to be protected and get some issues off of her mind that had been worrying her for over 2 years! It was fun helping someone get that peace of mind.
My simple story: God gave me a gift of helping people. I will help people in whatever way I can. My life is changed daily by learning & growing through God's word: God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7
1. Share your story with respect and seek common ground – people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. Acts 22:2-5 “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus, but brought up in this city…”
2. Share the gospel relationally, truthfully, and transparently -“When Jesus entered this world, He didn’t use the Word to distance Himself from the people. Instead, He Himself was the Word, the eternal Son of God now putting on flesh, incarnated, and living among sinners.”
3. Share your unique story personally-The simplicity of Paul’s story “I have not always been a Christian, but God showed me my need of Jesus Christ. I committed my life to Jesus and now my life is different.”
Bob Hastings did a great job on this lesson. I am able to apply it to my spiritual life as well as my business. Being real and transparent with people gives them the sense that you care. If I am passionate about my business, really believe in it, people will feel that as well. Can someone be truly successful if they don't believe in what they are doing? God gives each of us a gift. It is up to us to find it and use it!
In my business I am committed to seek common ground, share my unique story in a personal way, share relationally, truthfully and transparently. I love the Pre-Paid Legal membership. I sold a small business plan this week. The business is the salon where I get my hair cut. The owner was thrilled to be protected and get some issues off of her mind that had been worrying her for over 2 years! It was fun helping someone get that peace of mind.
My simple story: God gave me a gift of helping people. I will help people in whatever way I can. My life is changed daily by learning & growing through God's word: God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Challenge calls me
We always grow through obstacles and challenges. So uncomfortable sometimes! What is the alternative? I really can’t even imagine what it would be like! I love this scripture: God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7)
My life is full of learning. Landmark Education has expanded my thinking and continues to do so through a seminar I am taking. Pre-Paid Legal is expanding my life in so many ways: speaking in front of people including groups, memorizing, building relationships, self confidence, passion, letting go of the past, setting goals. I would like to get involved with Toast Masters and really learn to speak well. It scares me to death! But I want to do it anyway. I will stretch and grow. Reading God’s word and going to church helps put things in perspective and gives me God’s power to move forward.
Part of my learning experience has been to grow in my attitude about money. It is hard to move forward with a “poor” mindset. I heard Dr. Laura Schlesinger say one time that some people start off life on a flat surface and are able to build their life from there. Some people start life in a hole that they have to dig out of to get to the flat surface that a lot of people start building from. Digging out of the hole takes a lot of hard work, strength, commitment and self discipline.
We learn by growing, we grow by overcoming obstacles and challenges. Who would I be without the challenges in life? I don't even want to think about that! It's not comfortable for sure but I am definitely a better person because of it!
My life is full of learning. Landmark Education has expanded my thinking and continues to do so through a seminar I am taking. Pre-Paid Legal is expanding my life in so many ways: speaking in front of people including groups, memorizing, building relationships, self confidence, passion, letting go of the past, setting goals. I would like to get involved with Toast Masters and really learn to speak well. It scares me to death! But I want to do it anyway. I will stretch and grow. Reading God’s word and going to church helps put things in perspective and gives me God’s power to move forward.
Part of my learning experience has been to grow in my attitude about money. It is hard to move forward with a “poor” mindset. I heard Dr. Laura Schlesinger say one time that some people start off life on a flat surface and are able to build their life from there. Some people start life in a hole that they have to dig out of to get to the flat surface that a lot of people start building from. Digging out of the hole takes a lot of hard work, strength, commitment and self discipline.
We learn by growing, we grow by overcoming obstacles and challenges. Who would I be without the challenges in life? I don't even want to think about that! It's not comfortable for sure but I am definitely a better person because of it!
Monday, August 2, 2010
Before & After Life
When we come into the world as a baby we do not know what we are coming into. We do not have a clue. We come from darkness into light, from unawareness into awareness, from warmth into surprising cold air, from spirit into humanity, from comfort into striving. What do we bring with us: A God given personality and a choice of who we will become.
When death arrives we leave this world and we have no idea what we are going into. Will we be going from darkness into light, from relationships back into spirit, from cold back into warmth, from striving back into what God intended? What do we bring with us: All of the love that we have gathered on this earth and our developed personality that God can use for His purpose.
"Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life." Galations 6:5 (The Message)
When death arrives we leave this world and we have no idea what we are going into. Will we be going from darkness into light, from relationships back into spirit, from cold back into warmth, from striving back into what God intended? What do we bring with us: All of the love that we have gathered on this earth and our developed personality that God can use for His purpose.
"Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life." Galations 6:5 (The Message)
Monday, July 26, 2010
Weeds
I love gardening! We are having a big birthday party for my mom in October so I figure if I start now, working a little every day, I can be ready with a beautiful home and yard. We have let the yard go because of other pressing matters. Wow, what a lot of work but I love to be outside working in the dirt, thinking.
We have these ferns growing in the front planter. They are green and beautiful. As I start to pull some of them out I realize that they are choking out the other pretty plants and more delicate ferns growing there. They are very invasive. When I pull up a clump there are huge roots and these balls attached. I am sure there are more of these under the ground and know that I will be pulling these ferns out forever. The roots are so deep and the core so big that I fell on my rear pulling one out. But I got it!
It looks like these ferns don’t need as much water as the other surrounding plants because of its deep roots. So as they grow larger the other plants get less water, air and sun. Now the area looks a little bare. With patience and some tender loving care I will bring out the California Poppy seeds that I have planted and nurse back to health the other plants in the area.
Like the invasive fern, sin can creep into my life. I don’t always see it at first. Sometimes it is even beautiful. But when I see the results of the goodness in my life being choked out I know I have to do some gardening! I ask God into my heart every day, to fill it so there isn’t room for anything else. He helps me identify the weeds and sometimes I fall trying to pull them out! But He is there to help me back up. I dust off and begin again with renewed hope and trust. I nurture the Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness and Self Control that God has put in my heart. Then I can say “I got it!” I understand your goodness Lord.
We have these ferns growing in the front planter. They are green and beautiful. As I start to pull some of them out I realize that they are choking out the other pretty plants and more delicate ferns growing there. They are very invasive. When I pull up a clump there are huge roots and these balls attached. I am sure there are more of these under the ground and know that I will be pulling these ferns out forever. The roots are so deep and the core so big that I fell on my rear pulling one out. But I got it!
It looks like these ferns don’t need as much water as the other surrounding plants because of its deep roots. So as they grow larger the other plants get less water, air and sun. Now the area looks a little bare. With patience and some tender loving care I will bring out the California Poppy seeds that I have planted and nurse back to health the other plants in the area.
Like the invasive fern, sin can creep into my life. I don’t always see it at first. Sometimes it is even beautiful. But when I see the results of the goodness in my life being choked out I know I have to do some gardening! I ask God into my heart every day, to fill it so there isn’t room for anything else. He helps me identify the weeds and sometimes I fall trying to pull them out! But He is there to help me back up. I dust off and begin again with renewed hope and trust. I nurture the Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness and Self Control that God has put in my heart. Then I can say “I got it!” I understand your goodness Lord.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
The Best I Have to Give
I heard a preacher tell this joke from the pulpit: A woman came into a room and saw a man looking at her. Every time she looked over there he was staring at her. She finally went over to him and asked, “Why do you keep staring at me?.” He said, “You look like my 3rd wife.” She asked, “How many times have you been married?.” The answer: twice.
I went to a seminar where the speaker spoke kindly of his “1st wife”. He said that he called her that because they have been married for 52 years and they weren’t sure if it was going to work out yet. Ha!
I have been married for 31 years to the kindest man. He shows that he cares about me in so many ways. He says “I love you” every day, lots of hugs and kisses. He likes to bring me things to see the smile on my face. He has poured out his heart in poems for me, built me things and has tried to keep up with my “needs”:)
The most challenging thing in my marriage has not been Jerry. It has been me. Who am I? Not only that but who am I with HIM? When you are single you can figure out who you are by yourself. When you are married you have to figure that out together. I have had a great need for peace in my life. I have let some things go in our life to honor that need for peace in my life. I have acquiesced about money, relationships, how to spend our time…who am I when we are together? I gave my feelings of inadequacy to God over and over and He helped me through many difficult times. I felt that I was lacking in many areas of my life. I felt a need for more education, my BA was not that far away, but I didn’t feel that I could be a great parent AND a great student. So I chose being a great parent!
If I would have chosen to live as a single woman I would have missed out on a lot. I would have been much more selfish than I am now and maybe gone to school but I would have missed the education of a life time learning about people and relationships, raising children, being ME with HIM. I wouldn’t have the pleasure of knowing the most amazing people on earth! Jerry who has given more than he had to give in so many ways, always stretching and growing. Phil, who is the most creative thinker I know with a willingness to share his gift of harmony and be authentic with others. Joella, who has a bright spirit that brings strength and joy to others and a heart that keeps on giving. Paul whos intelligence is outweighed only by his gregarious nature and genuineness that draws people to him. Katie, who blesses others through her gift of writing, her strength of character and intelligence. Cortney who has a strength and maturity beyond her years but is always humble, wise and Gods light to so many people. And of course my four granddaughters: Belle, Gabby, Lily and Juliet – perfect in every way.
I am who I am because of these precious people. And they are who they are because of me. Who could ask for more?
I went to a seminar where the speaker spoke kindly of his “1st wife”. He said that he called her that because they have been married for 52 years and they weren’t sure if it was going to work out yet. Ha!
I have been married for 31 years to the kindest man. He shows that he cares about me in so many ways. He says “I love you” every day, lots of hugs and kisses. He likes to bring me things to see the smile on my face. He has poured out his heart in poems for me, built me things and has tried to keep up with my “needs”:)
The most challenging thing in my marriage has not been Jerry. It has been me. Who am I? Not only that but who am I with HIM? When you are single you can figure out who you are by yourself. When you are married you have to figure that out together. I have had a great need for peace in my life. I have let some things go in our life to honor that need for peace in my life. I have acquiesced about money, relationships, how to spend our time…who am I when we are together? I gave my feelings of inadequacy to God over and over and He helped me through many difficult times. I felt that I was lacking in many areas of my life. I felt a need for more education, my BA was not that far away, but I didn’t feel that I could be a great parent AND a great student. So I chose being a great parent!
If I would have chosen to live as a single woman I would have missed out on a lot. I would have been much more selfish than I am now and maybe gone to school but I would have missed the education of a life time learning about people and relationships, raising children, being ME with HIM. I wouldn’t have the pleasure of knowing the most amazing people on earth! Jerry who has given more than he had to give in so many ways, always stretching and growing. Phil, who is the most creative thinker I know with a willingness to share his gift of harmony and be authentic with others. Joella, who has a bright spirit that brings strength and joy to others and a heart that keeps on giving. Paul whos intelligence is outweighed only by his gregarious nature and genuineness that draws people to him. Katie, who blesses others through her gift of writing, her strength of character and intelligence. Cortney who has a strength and maturity beyond her years but is always humble, wise and Gods light to so many people. And of course my four granddaughters: Belle, Gabby, Lily and Juliet – perfect in every way.
I am who I am because of these precious people. And they are who they are because of me. Who could ask for more?
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