Happy New Years

I am not a big fan of New Years Eve, partying, drinking, and driving where you know others have been drinking is not my cup of tea. I have told my kids for years to stay wherever they are on New Years Eve.   However. I do love New Years Day. The first day of the year gives you a fresh start.  A new year, where you can start over and do better and be better than ever. I love early mornings, before you get out of bed , knowing that you have not sinned today .......yet..  I  try to start every  day by saying,"good  morning  Lord, thank you for this day, please  help me  to do your will , and to bless some one today.  I love the beginning of the month, when I gert a new journal, fresh new, clean white pages, no mistakes.  When we play tennis we say fresh before each new game.  Maybe it is like the Bible say, " Forgetting the past, I press toward the mark of the high calling of Jesus Christ my Savior."

Have a great year

Proverbs 31 the last one of the month

Here we are at the last day of the month and I am reading about the virtuous women.  I know that I have a long way to go to come close to the way she is described.  I take comfort in the fact that God does require me to be like her or any one else.  He just wants me to be the best Connie that I can be. So, for next year and the rest of my life I am going to strive to do just that, nothing more and nothing less.  Stop comparing yourself to others. or you may become vain or develop a complex according to who you choose.


Have a happy and save New years eve.  We will be sitting here by our campfire until late.....really late like maybe even 10:15 or 10:30.

My week by the numbers

Christmas is over and we really enjoyed having the family together for the Holidays.  It is great having Drew back home but he is a big boy and has his own agenda.  So, about the  time Sara left home, heading  to a party and then to Atlanta, we were packed and on the road again.

This is our week by the numbers
5 days and 5 nights in the same camp ground in a state forest in  central Florida
3 camping neighbor the first 3 nights....so quiet
33 camping neighbors for this weekend...looks like tent city around here
20 miles hiked so far this week
2 times we have been lost in the woods (don't tell the kids)
2 flea markets, so far, another one tomorrow morning  and more next week
2 Auctions..bought box deals and table deals.....Mark just found another for 3 p.m. tomorrow
9 boxes that we donated to a thrift store after sorting and pricing
8 hours that it took to price stuff today
37 christian books that I bought to read and to share with Mom and her friends
5 camp fires..every night
14 meals eaten outside on picnic tables
10 days to go on this working vacation.

Proverbs 30 favor from an awesome God

Proverbs 30 :4-5 describes our one and only God who is worthy of praise and worship. He is our creator and  and He is in control.  His name is way beyond every other name. His every word  is true and pure.  He protectors and shields  all who put their trust in him...

Proverbs 30: 7-9   Two favors I ask of God before I die..
1) remove from vanity , falsehood and lying
2)give me neither poverty or riches
give me just enough to satisfy my needs
Lest I be full and deny thee or
be poor and steal and violate God's name

Romans 12:2

And be not conformed to this world : but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable  and perfect will of God  Romans 12:2

I really enjoyed Brother Wayne's message on Christmas day. He talked about the power of the good news to transform lives.  I have been thinking about that this week and this verse in Romans  came to mind. I can not think of a better way to transform my life than to transform my mind through the word.  That  is going to take more studying  of  His word  and applying it to my live daily. This happens to be another resolution that I plan to work on this year.

Romans 12:1

Romans 12:1  I beseech you therefore brethen, by the mercy of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

David Jeremiah  said that our inward and outer man is important because our physical effects the spiritual  and the spiritual effects the physical.  Our body is important because it is indwelled by the Holy Spirit and is a gift of God that He uses to do his will. Therefore we should take care of our body.  He said that we can choose to wear out, rust out or live out daily.  He suggest 3 rules for health and stress release.  Seems so simple.
1) regular exercise  walk daily.... in biblical times that was the major way of getting around.
2)eating right and no fad diets..there are dietary laws in the Bible that still work today.  Find what works for you
3) relaxation and escape...aka hobbies, sports, playtime, reading or what ever helps you chill out.  Nature happens to have two very good places to relax,  the beach and the mountains.  Get outside and rediscover nature.  This happens to be one of the resolutions that I have chosen for this year. Thanks to David Jeremiah's radio sermon and apology for any quotes or misquotes. I was listening while I was driving to Florida.

Think

Thinks about your thoughts...see if they are worth thinking....If not, don't dwell on them..instead think about something more positive.

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