What I Was Reminded of In Church Today

Jude 24 and 25: Whatever the events of my life, I am in the presence of God and can have the favor of God. That is joy.

I John 2
a follower of God = sacrificial love for others
sacrificial service for others is not equal to being a follower of God.

an antichrist is a deceiver, a liar, went out from among believers, and denies Jesus is God.
Many talk of God or god, but the conversation changes when you speak of Jesus.

My parents always talk of the marriage triangle, but the Bible study leader today used the triangle in any relationship especially in referring to fellowship of believers. Place two people at the bottom of the two points of a triangle with God at the top point. The closer the two people get to God, the closer they get to each other. I kind of liked it just being a marriage triangle because then it didn't apply to me!

Church today was strong on teaching but very practical to try to live out this coming week.

Thankful Thursday 07/28/11

1. So thankful for safety in the many times we don't realize how close we are to being in a serious accident.
2. Thankful family is all safe after various car mishaps and accidents.
3. Braves won last night, and Phillies lost.
4. Picked first tomatoes of the year. Oh that BLT was good, good, good!!!

The July Challenge

In a previous post, I talked about the challenges of a local business during July since there are 3 payrolls to meet but also 5 Sundays so only 26 days to make money to meet an extra payroll. I decided to go in an extra time or two this month, and my sister said to go get a cup of coffee too. One morning this week I got a caramel latte "on" her. Last night Renae said to stop and get a coffee for her on my way to house this morning to work in the garden.

This morning I talked to the owner and told him about my sister in SC and my friend here wanting to help meet the challenges of July. He was quite thankful and encouraged.

As I walked out he said, "Keep sending them in!"

So, if you are in Hudsonville area stop at Mocha 'n Music and tell them Rhoda sent you.

Thankful Thursday 7/21/11 pt. 2

Forgot to mention

Friday evening while eating on the deck at the lake cottage we saw an eagle swoop down twice to get a fish. He wasn't a very good hunter!

Thankful Thursday 07/21/11

1. Air conditioning.
2. A great weekend get away at the lake. Caught a lot of fish, kayaked, spent a lot of time on the boat in the afternoons reading, swimming, sleeping.
3. Air conditioning
4. Tomatoes are starting to ripen--I'll pick the first one tonight!
5. Air conditioning.
6. Did I say air conditioning?

A New Look Going the Same Way

The westbound lanes of one of my routes to work has been rerouted to the right lane of the eastbound lanes due to construction. It's amazing how a different direction makes the drive to work completely different as I saw many different things and things in a different perspective. Apply this to life, work, relationships, etc. and think about looking at the situation from a different view can change perspective and ideas.

A 3 Paycheck Month

I have loved being on a bi-weekly payday which means twice a year there are three paychecks in a month. It doesn't really change my daily spending but kind of nice to have a little extra lump of money those two months.

The other day I was in a local business and never thought about the issues this presents for the owner. He meets a payroll every other Friday. July 2011 has three Fridays that are paydays. His business is closed on Sundays. There are 5 Sundays in July 2011. This means he has only 26 days of the month to meet the 3 payrolls. There next July like this will occur in 300+ years according to him.

So I plan to stop and buy an extra coffee or two from him this month. I like his shop, and I want him to stay open in my hometown.

Thankful Thursday 7/14/11

A lot has happened since last Thursday to be thankful for:

1. No traffic issues driving through Chicago last Friday. Either I didn't have to leave work as early as I did or it's a good thing I did.
2. It was wonderful to see many Klopfenstein family members over the weekend.
3. Thanks to Cousin Judy for hosting me in her home.
4. Had an good and interesting time at the Normal Cornbelters game. "Let's Go Corn!" sounds like "Let's Grow Corn!" or "Let's Go Home!" when many people are chanting it.
5. Co-workers who cover me when I'm gone who are flexible with my plans. I wanted to be at the cottage on Monday and Tuesday but when we woke up to a thunderstorm I said I was going into work. I worked on Monday and will take Friday off instead.
6. I caught 7 bass in just one day of fishing!!!
7. Safety driving back from the cottage last night especially after dark when the deer are more difficult to see.
QUESTION: Why do deer not move when they see you coming? Why do they stand there until you stop and then move?
8. Watermelon--one of my favorite fruits of the summer!

Thankful Thursday 07/07/11

Mostly I'm thankful that when a process finishes running-hopefully soon--I'll be able to leave work. It's been a 10+ hour non-stop day.

Thankful I get to see extended family this weekend.

Thankful for friends to share 4th of July fireworks. (And I'm thankful Allendale is as good or better than Grandville fireworks!!!)

I'm tired, and I'm out of here.