A Little Christmas Humor

This poem has been a prized possession of my family for many years. I am sure we are not the only family that fits this poem and if we are it will give you a good laugh, which we all need. "THE BOX QUEEN" Heaven help me, I am turning into my mom !! It's something you pray will never happen to you. For as long as I can remember, she has stood at an elbow while a package is being unwrapped, when the contents are held up, the box never touched the floor. Mom has it squirreled away in a closet somewhere. If you are giving someone a hard to wrap chain saw, she has the box for it. If you have an oversized velvet Elvis painting, she can put it under wraps for you. Christmas, however is her finest hour. We learned early that Christmas packages were never what they appeared to be. A rectal thermometer box always gave a recipient pause until it revealed a fountain pen inside. A small jewelry box with the promise of a drop-dead diamond held a fishing fly. Mom tolerates Christmas, but what really brings a smile to her lips is the class of boxes that are distributed. We added a new relative to the family one year who put a Tiffany box under the tree. Mom could barely contain herself. We were to see that Tiffany box for the next 10 years. Once it held a bird feeder, another time a smoke alarm and and last year, a beach towel. I was reluctant to admit I was turning into a "box junkie" when my daughter pointed it out to me at her birthday celebration last June. I found myself in a tug-of-war with my Mom over a Nordstrom box. She said it was hers originally, I said she had never stepped foot in a Nordstrom store in her life, and it was mine. She said she had traded me 2 Sears boxes for it and I had just forgotten about it. My daughter intervened at that moment and asked if we would mind postponing the argument until she opened she opened the contents of the box. She said that I needed help, but believe me when I tell you that I am nowhere the fanatic about saving boxes as my Mom is. Her closets and storage spaces hold nothing but boxes inside of boxes, I'm not THAT far gone. I was ironing the other afternoon when Mom dropped by, "What are you doing?" , she asked."I'm ironing old tissue paper and ribbons. See ? They are like new." She looked at me a long time and said,"YOU NEED HELP !!!"  

From My House To Yours -- Merry Christmas

For the first time in years I am not stressed from thinking and worrying about Christmas.

I was determined this year to "keep it simple" and remember what Christmas is really all about.

So in November I sat down and made my list of those who would receive gifts. Then I proceeded

to shop online for stores who would still be around after Christmas, then I purchased gift cards or wrote checks to everyone on my list. These were mailed to out of state recipients last week.The remainder I will see Christmas day when the family celebrates, and not at my house.

So I do not have to get ready and then clean up afterwards. I can bake a cake and 2 pies and go to someone else's house and eat a big dinner that someone else cooks !! Is this not the greatest gift a Mom and Grandma could ask for ?? Cookies and candy all made, parties all taken care of, only sent a few cards to relatives and closest friends. E-mailed some last week , here I sit this week no rushing and fussing over what still needs to be done and what will not get done. Today I almost felt guilty as I enjoyed reading and doing a computer game. I have learned that I do not have to make an ungodly amount of baked items for every aquaintance, everyone does not need a card from me, most will probably not even realize I did not send them one. I do not have to shop and shop for the perfect gift. Let them take their gift card to their favorite store and get something they really want and will fit and not have to be returned in the after Christmas crowd.Why has it taken me so long to figure this all out ?? Romans 12 v 2 comes to mind, "Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind", I have let go of what the world thinks Christmas is about and am attempting to bring some joy and peace into my life in the days between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Thank you Lord for helping me to succeed this year, I pray I will continue to do so for years to come. Thank you for helping me to see how worldly my Christmas had become, that I often forgot the true gift that was already given . I have only to receive, help each of us to put aside the rush and stress of this time of the year and remember what the day set aside as Christmas is really all about. You sent your Son to come to Earth in human form, He was born to die, to save the World as only He could do.

Let each of us put THE CHRIST back in CHRISTMAS !!

Christmas Card

Want to share an e-card I received from a very good friend. It is so weird how everyone want the gifts and the day off, BUT they do not want to recognize WHY we celebrate the day. I will be making a conscious effort to wish everyone a Merry Christmas this year ... My way of saying that I am celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. So I am asking my email buddies, if you agree with me, to please do the same. And if you'll pass this on to your email buddies, and so on... maybe we can prevent one more American tradition from being lost in the sea of "Political Correctness". So let's encourage everyone we know to say, "MERRY CHRISTMAS", especially to those who say, "Happy Holidays". We as Christians must help to "KEEP THE CHRIST in CHRISTMAS" My Grandson informed me that posting in all capital letters was like yelling and I should not post in all caps soI will only YELL at the words that I want to place emphasis on. Jesus Is The Reason For The Season !!!

Another Opportunity To Share Jesus

I had the priviledge to minister at a local Baptist Church this weekend, an awesome priviledge as this particular church frowns on Women in ministry, but God can open doors that are usually closed. I prayed for several days for direction as to what to speak on. I began be telling how the local Domestic Violence Program works, how we are helping change lives through using Bible principles. Then I told some of my own testimony how Christ has changed me on the inside.

The turn around process my life has taken over many years, allowing Jesus to not only be my Saviour, but my Lord. How He took the hurts and pains of my childhood, the mistakes I made as an adult and used them to enable me to minister the TRUTH to women who were and are where I once was. I talked of how God has a call on our lives and a ministry for each of us. I challenged them to ask God what He had for them to do to further the Kingdom. That is all we will have at the end of this life, what we have done to add souls to the Kingdom. So I also want to challenge those of you who are reading this, have you answered the call ?? Have you said, "Here I am Lord , USE ME !! "

The TRUTH Sets Us FREE !!

I saw this on another blog and wanted to share it with you. There is SO much TRUTH in this !! The road to success is not straight. There is a curve called Failure, a loop called Confusion, speed bumps called Friends, red lights called Enemies, caution lights called Family. You will have flats called Jobs. But, if you have a spare called Determination, an engine called Perseverance, insurance called Faith, a driver called Jesus, you will make it to a place called Success. God determines who walks into your life....it's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go."When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out that God is all you need."Happiness keeps You Sweet, Trials keep You Strong, Sorrows keep You Human, Failures keeps You Humble, Success keeps You Glowing, But Only God keeps You Going  !!! Till next time KEEP your eyes on Jesus !!

It Is That Time of Year ??

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Christmas is almost here, I have finished decorating, sent the baked goodies to me Grandson at Fort Polk,La., to my son in San Diego, and my Mom in Ohio. I was very wise this year, if I must brag on myself, I have no gifts to wrap, no bags to stuff. I got online and ordered gift cards for most everyone on my list and am sending checks to the rest. Last year I spent hours wrapping presents. I guess my age is showing, since the g-kids have gotten older, Christmas has lost some of its fun of shopping. I do not like getting caught up in all the hype of the commercial side of Christmas. If we as Christians are not careful we will be right in the mix with the rest of the world, forgetting what we are really celebrating. Everyone seems to want the gifts and the day off from work, but they do not want to recognize the birth of Jesus as the reason this day is set aside. How can they take the "Christ" out of Christmas ?? Without His birth the day has NO meaning. Like Joshua, as for those in my house we choose to recognize Christmas as a day to thank God for the Greatest Gift ever given to man. The birth of a baby in a lowly stable in Bethlehem that fulfilled a prophecy foretold by the Prophet Isaiah. Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, whose birth, death and resurrection would give mankind eternal life. I have been asked WHAT IF the Bible is not true and there is no Hell or Heaven ?? My answer is, I win either way, my life after Jesus has been one of peace when the world is going crazy, love for those who are unlovable and a joy that surpasses all understanding. If the Bible is true, I not only have lived a better life now, but I escape Hell and will live in eternity with Jesus and all those whose lives were changed by my witness to His Saving Power. If they are wrong and do not except Jesus they most likely have lived life on earth always seeking for that "Something", will miss Heaven and go to that place of torment, Hell. Si I will keep telling of His Power, His Grace, and His Mercy that is Forever and Forever, How about you ? Do you know Him as Savior, and if you do is He Lord of your life. Don't get caught up in all the trappings of the worldly Christmas, seek out the real reason we celebrate Christmas !! Until next time, KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS !!

Sowing the Word -- Reaping a Harvest

Thanksgiving has come and gone, for the first time in several years I did not do the turkey and I loved going to someone elses home for dinner. The only down side is no leftovers, which I enjoy. Want to share an awesome testimony with you. Occasionally I write articles for the local papers on the Domestic Violence Program in my County. About 15 months ago a lady called me after reading one of the articles and said she wanted to talk to me as she was thinking about divorce. I talked with her several times, met with her and her husband and suggested they seek some Bible Based Counsel. They took my advice and he began counsel with a minister and she continued to see me and come to Support Group meeting. They became active in church and this past Sunday they renewed their vows in church and I had the priviledge of standing with them as they renewed their committment to each other before God and their church family. It is sad that this is not the usual ending to my counsel, as most of the time one or both are not willing to work out their differences. I praise God that another family has been saved from a broken home.

A Little Thanksgiving Humor

MAY MAY YOUR STUFFING BE TASTY,

MAY YOUR TURKEY BE PLUMP. MAY YOUR POTATOES 'N GRAVY HAVE NARY A LUMP, MAY YOUR YAMS BE DELICIOUS, MAY YOUR PIES TAKE THE PRIZE, MAY YOUR THANKSGIVING DINNER STAY OFF OF YOUR THIGHS. Happy Thanksgiving !

Thank You Lord !!

"HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM MY HOME TO YOURS!!" Has been a very busy week in the Threet household, I had two new clients call for help, had

a luncheon to go to, a letter to the Editor, study for Support Group meeting, plus my chores at home. My husband is able to come home every night now, after 20 years driving in and out of Texas and being gone most of the time. I always have said that is what enabled us to have a good

marriage, two people who came together after a lifetime of hurt from and to others. I THANK GOD for a GOOD man who ia a hard worker and supports me in my ministry, not only financially but also emotionally.

As we enter this week of the day set aside by our forefathers to celebrate the time of harvest

I believe we have lost the true meaning of this holiday. To truly thank God our Father for his

many blessings. I have thought of a few things for which I am truly thankful.

Norma's Top Ten of Thanksgiving Blessings For 2008

1. I Thank God for a relationship with Jesus, how this has totally changed my life.

2. My husband, Bobby, as I said in the preceding paragraph.

3. My children, who thank God at the present time are all healthy and self supporting.

4. My Grandchildren who are growing up way too fast for this Grandma.

5. To live in America where I am FREE to worship JESUS.

6. A church family of loving people serving the Lord, who are but a phone call away, if needed.

7. Pastors who not only preach the WORD, but live by example of what they minister.

8. The priviledge God has given me to lead abused women from the Victim mentality to that of

a Survivor living a full life for Him.

9. To have both parents alive and in fair health is a blessing at my age.

10. Thank God we are out of debt, He showed me several years ago, there would be lean years

ahead, we listened and today we are debt free.

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving ?? Even if you are not in the place spiritually, mentality,and physically you desire to be, you need only

SEEK, ASK, BELIEVE, and RECEIVE, He has an abundance of ALL you need !!

May you be truly Thankful for what you have and always be moving higher in Him.

Until next time, "Keep Your Eyes On Jesus" !!

Getting To Know More About Me !!

This posting will be different from the others, I wanted to share some personal things that I like to do, outside of my ministry. Let you see what I do when I am not being a Goodlistener and Sharing Jesus. What I do in the natural to relax, to use the gifts and talents that God has given me,

that not only bring pleasure to my life but to those around me. I believe it is important to utilize every gift and talent God gives us. It has only been in the last 10 years I have had time to give to my creative side,

this is one of the great advantages to growing older, children grown,

no high stress job to go to, no debt hanging over me, I always say,

"This is the best time on my life and I would not Go Back, even if Icould Been there, did not always do as I should have. So no looking back, only going forward with Jesus, living life to the fullest for Him !!

I have just finished reading a Christian Fiction Book, "The Shack" by Wm. Paul Young.

It is unlike any Christian novel I have read and I have read many as I do not usually read secular books. Winter will soon be here, if you are a reader and do not have a good book, I recommend you get this book from your library or buy it at Walmart as I did. It will give you

a new perspective of God's unconditional love for mankind, those who choose to follow Him and those who don't. It was an eye opener for me. I was still hanging onto some of my "Religion".

I do hate that word, especially since I learned what true Relationship with Jesus is.

My next book is, "23 Minutes in Hell" by Bill Wiese, "One man's story about what he saw, heard,

and felt in that place of torment" to quote the book cover. Both of these books have been on the New York Times best seller list, this is rare for Christian Fiction.

If you are a reader and have some suggestions for winter time reading, let me know.

I always have more time to read in the winter as I do not have to mow my LARGE yard.

I also do stamped cross stitch and embroidery, I am now doing coffee table runners for my adult grandchildren for Christmas. For High School graduation I gave each of them a Wall Hanging.

I hope to be able to finish one for each of the 15 and still counting, I do 2 a year and am working on # 12 now. Praying they do not have many more babies. I hope they enjoy my hand work as much as I enjoy the pieces I have from my Great Grandma, Grandma, and my Mom.

My Mom does Crochet and I have many dollies, rugs, dish clothes, afghans made by her.

Hand work of most any kind is becoming a lost art as most everything is done by machines run by computers. My work may have a crooked or mismatched stitch, but as my daughter says they are made with love. The last 2 winters I also made some knotted comforters, these I did on my 1941 White sewing machine. They will not take a prize at the county fair, but they are warm

and pretty and I am proud to carry on the family traditions of my Mom and Grandma.

I also love to cook and bake, though I do not bake as much now, I tend to eat too much, sugar

is my weakness. So if it not in the kitchen, well you get the idea !!

I have many houseplants and also flower beds around my house. I often wonder WHY I made myself so much work ? What was not so hard 10 years age, now seems to be a chore, this year we did cut back by not planting a garden, I did miss the fresh veggies and I have no home canned goodies for winter.

So I guess you could say I am one of the last of the true homemakers. You might say a dying breed. My friends are always asking me, "Where do you find the time to do it all?".

We all have the same 24 hours a day, it is what we do with it that makes the difference.

I often think, maybe because I give so much of my time to Sharing Jesus with others, God multiples my time and enables me to have time for those things I enjoy.

After all He did say, "Give and it shall be given, pressed down shaken together and running over." Well there you have it, a peek into the life of a very busy lady, who at one time could not or would not carry on a conversation out side of her job.

Who by God's Mercy and Grace, leads women from a victim mentality to that of a survivor, teaching them WHO He is and WHOSE they are.

Speaking to Women's Groups and Ministering in Churches to the saving Power of Jesus Christ, how He took the broken pieces of my life and put me back together for His Honor and Glory.

IT IS ALL ABOUT HIM !!!

Till next time, "Keep Your Eyes On Jesus"

Jesus said, "Do Not Worry"

Today has been a long day of phone calls. A couple of times I was on the phone, call waiting was beeping and the call phone was ringing. This was one of those days when I want to cry out,"Lord, why did you call me to be a goodlistener ?? During the day God gave me a message, seems so many are WORRIED !! Losing jobs, too many bills, not enough money to go round, Obama is President, what will happen ??

Jesus admonished us to not worry, he even said it was a sin. At one time in my life worry consumed me, I would become worried if I was not worrying about something.

When we worry God can not help us, as worry is a condition of the mind and does not mix with faith. How did I condition myself to not worry ? It was a time of learning to trust Him.

One day as I was reading Rom. 12 v 2, Paul talks about renewing our mind to the Word and not being conformed to this world. I had a Holy Ghost moment and saw clearly that as long as I was always worried my mind could not become renewed to His Word.

I have heard it said many times 90% of worry never happens and the 10% that does we could not stop or change the situation. It is our attitude and how we react that will weaken or strengthen us. I want to share a couple of things that I have used that have helped me to overcome worry.

1. Take worry apart, do not let your thoughts run away.

Find a scripture for the worrisome thought, memorize it and when you worry attack it with the verse, use it consistently, you will begin to see the thought fade away and come less often. This becomes a lifestyle and over time you will become victorious in this area.

2. There is no worry/problem/situation/trial bigger than God and His Word unless you allow it to be so. The Word is the TRUTH and the TRUTH sets us FREE !!

3. Rise above the worry by using Bible principles, apply Scripture to your problems. Worry will lose its power over you. If you dwell on the problem too long you will become confused.

4. This is a process, as you make it a lifestyle it becomes easier to apply, you will begin to see your life take a turn, where you were once full of fear and worry you will now be able to find a place in the Word to fit your problem, pray and know the He is able to see you through no matter what it looks like in the natural. God works in the Supernatural !!

My favorite Scriptire is John 15, Jesus said,"Without Me You can do nothing,". It took me years of worry to realize how true these Words are. My prayer is you will learn to attack worry with the truth of the Word.

Till next time,"Keep Your Eyes On Jesus", He has the answers

We Must Continue To Pray

The election is over and even though my choice did not win, I will continue to pray for our Nation. That America will remain strong for family values and moral issues. We must continue to stand for the rights of the unborn and the issue of marriage between one man and one woman.

I still believe that most of Americans believe in this and we have allowed other issues to be

in the forefront : ecomomy, war, immigration, and global warming.

Can we expect God to bless America when we are killing the unborn by the thousands and allowing our children to be taught that it is "OK" to have two Mommy's or two Daddy's. We must continue to pray, II Chronicles 7 v14 over our land so that we can ask: "GOD BLESS AMERICA !!! "

Happy Grandma !!

This has been a great day for me as my Grandson Jonathan is home on leave and is spending the day with me. It is hard for me to look at him all grown up without remembering that little baby who came into this world too early and was a fighter from the beginning. He has grown into a fine young man that I am proud to call Grandson. Don't misunderstand, I am proud of all of my G-Kids, but for today Jonathan has that special place in my heart and thoughts. When you have so many G-kids, (# 16 on the way), a day with one alone is special. God has blessed us with a large blended family, Bobby and I each have 2 boys and 2 girls, and then came our grandchildren. Life is always full of surprises when you have a large family. I know today's posting is a little different, just had to share my joy with you.

I Can Be Creative

I have a daily devotional intitled,"Meditations For Women Who Do Too Much".

I am sure that will fit many of you who like me tend to think, I can do it all, just ask me !!

Being raised the oldest 0f five, in a home with an alcololic Dad and a controling Mom, I always

was the one who wanted to fix everything. Even in my life now, which I like to refer as to

"After Jesus" I continue to catch myself trying to fix it for my family. When you have an immediate family as large as mine that can become a full time job.

Back to today's devotion, I tend to get off track, blame it on age !!

Creativity : Mary Daly describes it as,"The creative potential in human beingsthat is the image of God". Pondering on this I thought how true that is, especially of women as we create the atmosphere in our homes. We have all heard the saying,"If Mama ain't happy, nobody is happy."

The devotion says if we do not express our creativity, we are blocking the potential of the flowing energy of image God. For most women who do too much creativity has a low place on our list of things TO DO. We do not take time, we will do it later and later. Then there are those of us who do not feel we are creative. We look at other women as being so, but not ourselves. Only special women have real creativity and we are afraid we may not be one of those women.I have thought for too many years, if I can not do something and it be outstanding, it is better not to do anything at all. This is what the enemy want me to think and has been successful at it for years. I have found I am creative, I can be a leader, I can do what God calls me to do, not in myself, but in Him. He has given me the boldness to speak out for Him and one of these creative ideas is this blog. It will not be as fancy as some, but it will carry a message that will help you become the person God intended you to be.

When I think of my creative potential as the "image of God", I am in awe of how magnificent He is. Till next time "Keep Your Eyes on Jesus". He has all the answers !!

Psalm 91 A Weapon Against All Attacks

I have a Support Group for victims of Domestic Violence, at the present time we are studying

Psalm 91 and I am using a book by, Peggy Ruth Joyce entitled "Psalm 91". If you are bombarded with fear and worry, I encourage you to get this small paperback book.

We are going through it several chapters at a time and discussing what we learn and how the Holy Spirit is speaking into our lives. This Psalm covers every evil known to man: Terror

by day or night, Arrows that pierce us spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally, Pestilence which covers every sickness and disease that attacks our body,(this is mentioned two times) and Destruction, any natural disaster which those ignorant of the Word call Acts of God.

This book is simple to understand and will open your eyes to the Secret Place of Shelter that God

has provided for us. It has helped me in my personal walk and strengthened me to impart the Word to others. It is the Word that sets us FREE.

Refreshed and Renewed

Just returned from a Women's Retreat, one thousand women praising and worshiping Jesus. It was an AWESOME experience. It has given me a renewed fire to continue to Share Jesus with women who are hurting and lost or have strayed away from where they once were with Him. Want to share a couple of thoughts that I have recently received from the Holy Spirit. I pray this will bless you and be of encouragement to continue on your journey with Jesus or to begin your journey. He is but a call away and never too busy to answer. Our daily walk with Jesus is about the journey and not just the destination. Recently I have felt like I am crawling and not walking and certainly not running as Paul so aptly likened called our journey to a race. I see Christians in every phase of their journey going through a major trial/test of one kind or another. My prayer time is spent in praying for physical healing and emotional restoration for those I love. We have been studying on Psalm 91 for several weeks on Wednesday evening and in light of the turmoil in our lives in the natural I know Pastor is RIGHT on track with his teaching. I am learning that God has provided protection for us no matter what trial/test pops up in my life. It is not so much the trial/test as to how I react to them. My response, I believe can extend the situation or bring about a testimony of God's power in my life. I often think HOW would I react to these trials/tests, IF I did not have a personal relationship with Jesus? I only need to look at a world spinning out of control on most every level in the natural and see how those who do not know Jesus react to what they hear and see on a daily basis. So whether you are crawling, walking, or running in this journey of life, "KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS". Paul said those who finish the race are the victors, so I will see you at the finish line. In reflecting on my last posting I have been seeking for some spiritual answers to the our response when all seems to be spinning out of control. I will share with you the what the Holy Spirit has been showing me. We need more 3 R's in our life and I am not speaking on the old adage,"Readin, Ritten, and Rithmetic". God spoke these 3 R's into my spirit. " REGROUP, REFRESH, and RELAX." REGROUP -- Get my priorities into proper perspective. Pray before I commit myself to projects. Just because it is a Good idea does not mean it is a God idea. I do not have to say YES to everything asked of me. I can be too busy ministering that I may miss the ministers plan for me is. Do not feel guilty if I can not do it all. When I take on a project that He has not chosen for me I am most likely taking it away from the person He planned to do it. REFRESH -- Take time out to renew my spirit daily, do not wait until I am in a dry place and then ask , "Where Are You God ?" I can not give out what I do not have. Set aside a time for prayer, praise, and study. Seek out women who are uplifting and know how to come into agreement with me when I have special needs. Always be available to pray : anytime, anywhere, anyplace. Be prepared for those Holy Ghost moments, to help another. Always remember, "IT IS NOT ALL ABOUT ME !!" RELAX -- When I am walking in His will and doing what I know He has called me to there will be peace in my spirit. This does not mean everything will be ,"Coming Up Roses ", I am still living life which brings brings all kinds of trials and tests, without them I will never GROW to my fullest potential in HIM. I can relax in Him knowing when I walk through the trials and tests, Keeping My Eyes on Jesus I will come out the Victor, giving Him the Honor and Glory. So, at the present time I am activating these 3 principles into my life. Regroup -- Check out my commitments, making sure they are ordained of God. Refresh -- Daily in taking time out to seek His perfect will for me in this season of my life. Relax -- In the comfort of knowing I am not out of control, because I am giving my all to Him. Until next time, LOOK TO JESUS !! He has ALL the answers you need. Jesus said, "Without ME YOU can do NOTHING !"  

I am a grandma to soon to be 16

I love Jesus and have a Ministery to victims of Domestic Violence.

I counsel from a Bibical perspective and attempt to teach victims how to become survivors by applying Bible principles to their everyday life. I know this works

as it has moved me from a Victim to a Survivor. He is an Awesome God !!

New to Blogging

I am new to this form of the internet. So I will say Hello to all you bloggers out there and hope to make some new friends via the internet. I live in a small rural area of Texas and am retired from a worldly job. I now work full time for Jesus. I have a ministery to victims of Domestic Violence and hope to be able to share Jesus with others through this blog. So anyone have any ideas hoe to help me do thid I am open to suggestions Thanks Goodlistener