Goodbye to 2011

I have not spent one second on coming up with any New Year's resolutions this year. I never stick to them - probably because I have never came up with a real plan to accomplish them. What I did do this year is reflect on this past year.

All in all, God has really blessed me last year. In 2011, I am proud to say that I did not lose anybody close to me. Even though Rex has suffered with some health problems, most of them of manageable. My health is good, even though some days, I feel like I am 80 years old. We both still have jobs and can pay our bills. Our girls are healthy. Even though we had a lot of storms around us causing quite a bit of damage, God protected my home. No major crisis came into our life in 2011. I struggled in a couple of things this year, but out of that, my faith and prayer life grew. I am still not where I need to be, but I think I am further ahead in my walk at the close of 2011 than I was at beginning of the year. Yes, 2011 was a good year for me and the Floyd family. I am excited to see what 2012 holds for us!

Take it to the bank

Today, I had to take my car in for it's 10k mile service check. We bought the car in Clanton, so I have about an hour drive. About 30 minutes into my drive, I stopped at a convenience store to get a drink and a bag of pretzels. To my surprise, when I got to the register, I did not have my wallet. I was in a panic mode! I run out to my car hoping that it had fell out, but there was no sign of it. I told the cashier that I would put the pretzels back, but there is no way I can put back a fountain drink. As I was scrambling around in my purse to find some change, the cashier told me to go home, find my wallet, and just stop back in and pay later. I explained that I lived 30 minutes away, but she had my word that I would come back and pay. She told me she trusted me, but luckily, I was able to find enough change to pay for my drink and pretzels. Thank goodness, when I got home, my wallet was on my couch.

I don't know why this cashier was taking a chance on trusting me. She didn't know me - so there is no way she could know if I would make good on my word. Maybe it was the panic that she saw in my eyes or my willingness to put back what I could and scrounge for change to pay for what I couldn't return. Maybe she felt like she could handle losing $2.68 if I didn't return. Maybe I have an honest face. I don't know, but she took me at my word.

What this woman didn't know is that when I tell someone that I am going to do something, you can take it to the bank. I don't say that boastfully, but unless I am providentially hindered, I do my very best to keep my word. Keeping your word is the easiest way to build creditability and also, the easiest way to lose it. We live in a time where there is a need for contracts because a lot of people's word is useless. There was a time where a handshake was just as good as a contract. In fact, the mention of a contract was probably an insult because a person's word was their bond.

Keeping your word is a sign of integrity. Integrity is a requirement for trust and if people can't trust your word, they won't trust you. Our word should be sacred to us and trustworthy to others. We need to honor our word even when it is difficult, expensive, or inconvenient. It may be costly sometimes, but in not doing so, it is more costly to your character.

Love Unconditional

Okay, so this post is going to make me sound like one of those crazy pet people...but I guess I am sorta am becoming that person.

I have been having a really stress full couple of days (weeks) at work. Between being off a couple days last week, having auditors (yes, again) in, and just the normal year end preparations, work has just about put me over the edge.

But then, I come home. Each and every single day that I pull up, I have my own welcoming committee just waiting on me. No matter how bad my mood is from work, I always smile at the sight of these two dogs. They can be dead asleep, but when they see my car coming down the driveway, they immediately jump up as though they don't want to miss the opportunity to let me know how much they have missed me while I have been gone. I can be gone for five minutes, five hours, or five days. They are just generally happy to see me. Their love for me is just so unconditional. Gosh, I wish I was a lot more like my sweet dogs. They love me no matter what. It doesn't matter what kind of day they have had. They are always happy and want to spread that happiness to you. They don't judge me and they sure don't care what I look like. They listen to me and never talk back....well, Fred sorta does. My singing doesn't bother them or even all my flaws. In fact, if anything about me bothers them, they sure never let it affect their love for me. They just love me for who I am with little expectations of anything but some hands on attention from me and the occasional table scraps.

Imagine if we acted and loved like that?

No Vacancy

Over 2,000 years ago, Joseph and his wife Mary made the long and tiring trip to Bethlehem. I can only image how uncomfortable the trip must have been on Mary. Being nine months pregnant is uncomfortable in the best of circumstances. I imagine all Mary wanted was a nice warm bath and a comfortable bed to rest in. What she got was the message that there was no room for them in the inn. I don't know, but I am sure Joseph probably frantically went from place to place trying to find somewhere where his wife could rest before delivering her baby. Maybe the innkeeper, seeing Mary's condition, had sympathy on them and offered up his stable for them to spend the night. In the lowliest of conditions, Jesus, King of Kings, was born that night.

That is just the way we are today. Nobody has room for the King of Kings. We stay so busy in the busyiness of life, that we just don't have the room for Him. We have just entered into one of the busiest holiday seasons. Everybody loves the Christmas season and goes all out in decorating their homes. We spend hours trying to find the perfect gifts for our loved ones. Oh sure, we know what the real meaning of Christmas is, but we don't take the time to really put the focus on Him. I know I don't. Outside of Christmas, most people give no thought to Jesus. Who He is and what He has done. For us. We don't find the time to read the Bible or to pray. By doing so, we might as well be putting a no vacancy sign across our hearts.

I wonder if had the innkeeper had known who was about to be born that night, would he have made some different arrangements for that night? I am sure he would have. We know who Jesus is, which is all the more reason for us to never put out a no vacancy sign across our hearts and lives.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:7

Unclaimed gifts

Christmas season is upon us! Moms everywhere are instructing their kids to make of a list of what they want for Christmas. I remember my girls giving me a list and as their mom, I tried my best to get most of the things they wanted. It never fails though, once Christmas comes, there is inevitably something they wanted that was left off the list. Maybe it was an oversight, but you can see the disappointment in their face.

I wonder just how many gifts we, as Christians leave up in heaven. Never to be received and unwrapped?

Yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

James 4:2b

The Bible tells us that God only knows how to give good gifts. How many blessings have we missed out on simply because we did not ask Him? How many good gifts did God want to pour out on us if all we would do is ask? I am not suggesting that when you pray, you recite your "give me" list, or even to ask for things that He could not approve of. I am talking about the desires of our hearts. There are so many verses that God instructs us to ask and it will be given. Just as I want to give my kids the desires of their hearts, God wants to do the same. God knows the things on your list, whether we ask Him or not. But by asking Him, you are showing your complete dependence on Him. I don't know about you, but I don't want to leave any of my gifts unclaimed or unwrapped. I am like a small child when it comes to the gifts of God, I want them all!

Ask, and it shall be given you.

Matthew 7:7

What is your impossible?

While reading through Luke, I came across this verse and it jumped off the page!

For with God nothing shall be impossible. Luke 1:37

This was a response to Mary who had just been told that she was going to conceive a child. She was wondering how that was going to happen since she was a virgin. Mary, like us, questioned God based on what she could see. On her circumstances. On her own wisdom. On how much she could understand. To Mary, conceiving a child without knowing a man was impossible.

We all have impossibles in our lives. The circumstances in our lives that seem, well, impossible. The things that we view that has gone beyond any hope of repair. We look at these things with no hope and that can leave us in a state of despair. The problem with that is we don't understand when God tells us nothing means NOTHING. What we are doing is putting limits on what God can do - oh, we have intellect knowledge that He can do all things, but deep down in our hearts, we still doubt. We doubt because we don't understand how He can fix it. Some things humanly speaking are impossible. We all have limited wisdom and we just have to get to the point where we have to look to God to do the impossible. To have faith that He will do the impossible.

What is your impossible?

Following your heart

I have a friend that has recently gone through a break up after dating long term. While listening to her as she gave us all the details, I was shocked to all the other women giving this poor girl the same bad advice: "Follow your heart." This old cliche is by far some of the worst advice you can give to ANYONE! Oh, the words sound comforting and endearing, but they are far from harmless.

The heart is deceitful above all things, and is desperately wicked. Who can know it?

Jeremiah 17:9

Following your heart has led many a people (especially women) down the wrong paths in life. Our heart will have us basing our decisions off emotions rather than principles, values, or the word of God. This kind of thinking turns a blind eye to cheating, manipulation, lying, character flaws, or any other kind of red flag in the name of following your heart. It causes you to ignore the facts by claiming "but I love him." Problems will occur when we trust our feelings or emotions every single time. Most of the time our heart will lead us into choosing what we want instead of what is best for us or what God wants for us. Our natural instincts are to be selfish and getting our way. We basically weren't born with a desire to choose what is right for us. Our parents had to instill in us how to not be selfish. They had to instill in us how to make the right decisions based on morals, values, and the word of God. The advice of following your heart is pushed on us by the world as a valid way to approach most of life's decisions. I am a huge fan of chick flicks where all the female characters are lured into relationships/marriages based on their emotions and feelings. Just because I enjoy them doesn't mean I buy into that malarkey any more than I buy into believing there really is a Superman or Edward Cullen. Feelings of love and passion are great and are not to be dismissed. But they are just that: feelings. By following your heart, you let that feeling trump integrity, honor, selflessness, hardworking, and the list goes on. Most of the time, love should not be based on a feeling, but off a choice. My pastor gives the best advice to the unmarried: do not give your heart completely to anybody before you are married. He says that because once the heart gets involved, chances are you will follow your heart when it is best to really walk away.

In the case of my friend, she should really walk away. The red flags are there ( and there are a lot). The other women might as well be telling her to ignore ALL those facts and red flags and just do what feels good right now. What is easiest right now. They should insert "but you will pay for it later" at the end of it though. My advice would be: Run, don't walk. He has ruined your makeup, don't let him ruin your life. You are so much more deserving than what you are getting. You tried and you have tried, but it just isn't working. Of course, mine isn't going to be all warm and fuzzy, but she would thank me later.

The world says follow your heart, but God clearly says not to follow your heart. God said it, so that settles it.

An Empty Pew

I attend a small church and sit on the same pew each and every service. Most people that are regulars tend to do that. On "my" pew, it is just me and on the other end is a sweet older lady and her 4 year granddaughter. I am sorry to say that I didn't really know her that well. I spoke and shook her hand at fellowship time, but I can't say I really knew her. I just always knew who I would be sharing the pew with each service. So I say goodbye at the end of the service and tell her I will see her next Sunday, as I do all the older crowd that I sit around. Fast forward to next Sunday. Our pastor announces that this dear saint fell and died sometimes during the week. They don't know if the fall prompted a heart attack or the heart attack prompted the fall. Either way, she was gone.

Why did this older woman's death bother me so much? While I cared for as a church member and hated to hear of her accident, I didn't really know her well enough to get all emotional over it. I guess her death was just a ever constant reminder that our lives are as a vapor that appeareth for just a little while. We do not know what the next 24 hours will bring into our lives. We never know when it will be the last time we see our family, our friends, or even our fellow church member. Every day when we walk out the door, we never know if we or our loved ones will ever make it home. For whatever reason, we all tend to forget that. We will leave the house in a huff and forget to tell people we love them. We take for granted that we will make it right the next time we see them or apologize when we get home.

Take the time to let your family and friends know just how much they mean to you. You just might never get the chance again.

Boast not thyself of tomorrow: for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

Proverbs 27:1

Loss

My husband is the type of friend anybody would love to have. He is always more than willing to lend a helping hand. So when a co-worker needed Rex's expertise to help work on his boat, my hubby was only too happy to help. He asked me If I wanted to tag along. I could drop him off and shop and when he was through, we could both go out to dinner. I am always willing to shop, so off to Prattville we went.

When we pulled up in this man's driveway, I noticed his co-worker's big truck had a memorial across the back windshield. He also had a memorial painted on the back of his tailgate. I looked at the name of the mailbox and it matched the name of the memorial. I dropped my hubby off and hit the stores. I just couldn't stop thinking about that memorial though.

When it was time to pick my husband up, I sat and waited for Rex to say his goodbyes...which can take upwards of 15 minutes. I studied that memorial and the picture of the young man on the windshield. One good look at the co-worker, and I knew it was a memorial for his son. The resemblance was uncanny. The age on the memorial put his son at the age of 18 at the time of his death. My heart was pricked as my eyes filled up with tears. As soon as Rex got in the car, I began asking questions about his son. He was a good kid, about to head to college when he died in a tragic motorcycle accident. In a split second, this father's life was forever changed. His son was gone. All the hopes and dreams he had for his son, just vanished that day. Three years had passed, but I can only imagine the pain has not. I bet a day does not go by where he is not missing his son and wondering what he would be doing now.

I left that day feeling sad for this man and his family who I didn't even know. I also left grateful for my two girls. I don't know why God allowed this family to go through this and so far, has spared me of this kind of pain. While we all know in our hearts that God does not make mistakes, it doesn't mean we always understand His ways. This man's loss made all my burdens and cares seem very, very small and trivial. I have nothing to complain about, yet I do.

Thank you Lord for all that you have given me - and forgive me when I don't always appreciate it!!

The Lord gave, and the Lord taketh away; blessed be the name of the Lord.

Job 1:21b

The Golden Rule

Tonight me and my husband went out to eat. We sat by a party of five that was having a good time. They were a little loud, but I imagine if five of my best girlfriends went out, we might would get a little loud too, so I really didn't pay them much attention. When they left our waitress came to us and apologized for the rudeness. I honestly did not pick up on any of that, although my husband did. She said they were rude from the time they sat down to the time they left.

Most of us can recite the golden rule - do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This seems to be a rule that has been pushed by the wayside. Society now tells us to do unto others before they do unto you. Basically to get them before they can get you. Has this rule become so outdated that it belongs to the prior generation? It surely seems so. It seems now, if someone does something to tick you off, it seems "okay" to put them in their place. But deep down, we know that is not the case. Their is no clause in this rule that allows rude behavior based on the situation we find ourselves in. I know when I am in the mall and one of the sales people that are pushing lotions tend to get on my last nerve. I always give them a look that basically says no thanks, but sometimes that is not enough to deter them from asking me to show me something. I always say no thank you and sometimes they will ask me why. I want to scream BECAUSE I don't want any!! Of course I don't, because well, they are just trying to do their job and make a living. I could only imagine in their job how much rejection and rudeness they encounter just to make a living.

What about the people that are really rude to us? Maybe a random stranger was rude to you. Or maybe the check out lady was short. While their behavior is not right, you never really know what is going on in their lives. Maybe it is a single mom who has been up all night caring for a sick child and had no choice but to come in to work on no sleep. Or maybe someone just buried a husband, mother, wife, or child and life is just a little tough right now. Maybe they are going through financial or marital problems and the stress in just below the surface. Or maybe it is just their personality - but we should always strive to still apply the golden rule to them as well. My motto to people with that kind of personality is to "kill them with kindness." Can you imagine the impact you might have one someone when they are rude to you and you just smile and showed them kindess?

Maybe our enemies. Maybe someone that has talked about you? Back stabbed you? Lied about you? Bullied you? God tells us to love our enemies. Wow - that is a tough one for anybody. It is hard to have a heart to love someone that has genuinely hurt you and then apply the golden rule to them. I think the only way we can truly show love is by praying for them. A lot of times when we pray for the ones that hurt us, God doesn't always change their heart, he changes yours. He allows you to see that person in a different light. This change allows you to love them and not be rude or retaliate in response to their rudeness. You start seeing that person as someone deserving of the love and kindness you bestow upon them, just as we are undeserving of what Jesus bestows up on us. In the end, you will give an account of YOUR actions, not theirs.

I have always made a point to overly thank my cashiers and waitresses or anybody that is "serving" me. One night I was in a store and it was just about closing time. I paid for my purchase and thanked her. She responded that I was the nicest customer she had all day. Seriously???? She told me that I thanked her several times over helping me and again several times when checking out. My point is not to pat myself on the back, but to point out that she noticed. Noticed that someone was thanking her for helping them. Yes, it is her job, but she is still serving me. How sad is it that a couple of "thank you's" set me apart from ALL the customers she waited on that day. I must admit I don't always live by the golden rule. I let my tiredness or emotions step in and take over.

Nobody like to be on the receiving end of rudeness, backstabbing, gossiping, lying, bullying, or any other type of bad behavior. Yet, we justify it when we are on the giving out side of it (and we all do.) We feel like our response was somehow provoked, but we ultimately decide for ourselves how we are going to respond to any kind of rude behavior. Believing anything else is nothing short of lying to yourself.

Society may see the golden rule as out of date, but I say kindness never goes out of style.

Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matthew 25:40

Just be....

Kind

Loving

Loyal

Honest

Committed

Compassionate

Content

Determined

Helpful

Happy

Friendly
Fair

Forgiving

Devoted

Humble
Flexible

Encouraging

Gentle

Hopeful

Respectful

Self Controlled

Trustworthy

Hard working

Soft spoken

Satisfied

Patient

Long Sufferening

Humble

Responsible

Obedient

Pure

Reasonable

Repentful

Tender hearted
Considerate
Loving

Thoughtful

Family oriented

Godly

On time

Appreciative

Prayerful
Hospitable

Strong

Faithful

Joyful

Authentic

Righeous

Thankful

Service minded

Submissive

Giving

Wonder how much pleasant we would be if we practiced most of these on a daily basis.

Mother vs Mama

I have a good friend that just returned to work after having her first baby. As it goes with new mothers, she told of all the things her sweet baby girl is doing. From her first smile, to the colic, to the sleepless nights. Trying to get her on a schedule so hopefully, work won't be as hard. Talking about how hard it was to leave her that first day to come back to work.

While I didn't tell her this, I was thinking - yep, you are earning your "mama" stripes. See, most anybody can become a mother in 9 months. That's the easy part. The minute you give birth, the term mother applies to you. The title of mama though is earned. Earned through the years as you give of yourself to your children. You earn it when you get up for those midnight feedings. When you get up all night long with a sick child and change the bedsheets yet again from either sickness or wetting the bed. When you get up and check to make sure there are no monsters under the bed or hiding in the closets. When you take the time to read the book again, even when you want to say enough already. When you stop what you are doing because they want to show you their latest new dance routine. And yet again when they have "improved up on it." When you put your book down because they want you to "watch them" just one more time in whatever new they have just learned. When you have to punish your children for wrongdoing because you know they need to learn right from wrong. When you have to say no, because it is in their best interest. When you say yes to going somewhere because their excitement over-rides your tiredness. The list goes on and on and on.

The title of mom does take many years to earn - it is not always easy, but it is always satisfying. Our children are bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh. As moms, we fail, we falter, and we disappoint - but I think the one thing we do right is love unconditionally. I have alot of titles - wife, sister, friend...but one of my favorites is mama.

Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain tht build it.

Psalms 127:1a

For crying out loud

I am a cryer. Always have been and always will be - but I must say, I cry for so many different reasons now than I did say 20 years ago. I can remember when I was a newlywed, the first real argument I had with my husband. I don't remember what it was about, but I do remember how hard I cried afterwards. And if he ever hurt my feelings, well, the make up was ruined for the day. Fast forward 20 years, and I would not even get misty eyed over Rex hurting my feelings. Mad maybe, but no tears. While I don't have full fledge crying spells very often now, I am more prone to get misty eyed. It doesn't take much - I can read a feel good story, hear a sad story, reminisce over things, listen to a song, or just be watching TV. It doesn't take very much to stir my tear glands into production. Even my kids will be like, "mom, are you crying?" For some reason, crying makes a lot of people uncomfortable. I have a friend tell me not too long ago that she had not cried in over five years and she worried about what that said about her. I did the research and it says that women cry an average of 47 times per year. I don't know if that was a full fledge crying spell or just getting teary eyed. I do know that after I have a good ole crying spell, I always feel 100% better. It helps you release some of whatever is bothering you. Sometimes when things get to be too much, I just can't help it. The emotions I feel turn my tear glands into a water faucet. Not too long ago, as I was having one of these episodes, I was talking to my besty about it. She told me something that I don't think I will ever forget. She reminded me that tears are prayers too.

God sees every tear that we shed. He knows the reason behind those tears. Just as a parent is moved to comfort a crying child, our Father wants to comfort us in our tears. The bible says He bottles some of our tears and records them. I have no idea why He records them, but it is comforting to know that He notices and takes the time to record the tears. See, most of the time when I have my good cry, I do it in private. Just another reminder that no matter who we think we are hiding stuff from, we can never hide anything from Him.

Put thou my tears into a bottle: are they not in thy book?

Psalms 56:8b

Oh patience, where art thou?

This has been a rough week at work. Scratch that - it has been a rough couple of weeks due to an ongoing tax audit. I am thinking (and hoping) that soon, I will see the light at the end of the tunnel. On top of that, I did not sleep good last night. Tonight, I am unusually tired and my house is extremely messy. As I was moving along making myself do a little light housework, I saw it. A pile of my husband's work clothes just piled up by his side of the bed. I have been super busy this week, so I did not take the time to pick them up every day. You see, I gave up that battle years ago. So most days, I just swing by and pick them up and put them in the hamper, which by the way is just a few feet away. No biggy. Tonight though, as I stooped to pick them up (and murmur under my breath), I Corinthians 13:4 popped into my head.

Charity (love) suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaulted not itself, is not puffed up.

Basically, this verse is saying love is patient and kind - it does not envy, it does not boast, and it is not proud.

Okay, patience is not what I am feeling when I am this exhausted. Kindness is not what I feel like showing as I take the time to pick up HIS dirty clothes. Here's the thing though, this was not a suggestion that God inspired Paul to write. It was not given based on your circumstances you may find yourself in. As I picked them up, instead of losing my patience, I remembered just how early my husband gets up to support his family. I think about the long hours and injustices that he has recently met on his job. I thought of how he has knee problems because of the constant getting up and down on a bread truck for over 25 years. So instead of losing my patience, I found myself thankful for my hard working husband. Just by changing my way of thinking, my nice quiet Friday night remained just that.

It only happens once in a lifetime...

I have a co-worker that just became a first time dad. After taking the week off with his baby mama, he came in to work today, noticeably tired. He was a proud papa though...he talked about how sweet his new little girl was and how much he couldn't stand it when she had to go back to the hospital and be put under a light for her jaundice. He said watching her cry tore him up and he was ready to go grab her and comfort her. Yep, he now gets it.

You only become a first time parent once. Most couples go into parenthood having read all the "how to" books and feel like they are prepared for the job that is about to be put on them for the next, well, for the rest of their lives. Parenthood is a job that you never retire from, take a vacation from, or quit. They have no idea how their world is about to be turned upside down. I remember when I had my first child - she was wanted, she was planned, and she was loved....but I had NO idea how much work was involved into tending to a baby. I was clueless! The first 30 days are probably the hardest as you ride the roller coaster of emotions mixed with fear, anxiety, and doubts about your abilities. Then add lack of sleep and the feelings of being overwhelmed.....but can I also add that you soon learn the true meaning of unconditional love. You are amazed at how much more you love your husband and you are in awe of how much you can love this little person in such a short time. You hear other moms say this, but you just don't "get it" until you have your first one. All of a sudden, you have this new found respect for your own mom and realize all the sacrifices she made for you.

As he was talking about wanting to protect his little girl from having to lie under the lights, I wanted to tell him that it will get much worse than this. Wait until she comes home the first time and she didn't get picked for a team. Or maybe she didn't make the cheerleader squad. Maybe she was snubbed from a birthday party. Or somebody hurts her feelings. Or gets her heart broke the first time. It even gets worse than that. What about when they are grown and you see them making a mistake and you just have to let them. Or watching your child go through a divorce. All that comes with the title and their is no pain medicine to take to take away this kind of pain.

Motherhood is the most wonderful, terrifying, fullfilling, excruciating thing life has to offer and everybody should experience it at least once. Lucky for me, I got to experience it twice.

Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord.
Psalms 127:3a

Motivation

I have a very good male friend at work who I view as my little brother. We love to talk family, politics, religion, and the latest world events. He is seriously one of the most well read man I have ever met. We have the same views on most things and he has the keenest sense of humor. He always come up with a way to see something in a new light that I often overlook. The only thing we don't agree on is music. He also has the best memory ever - he can recall any theme song to any sitcom from the 70's until present time. He is a good person to have around when you are stumped with a question and the answer is on the tip of your tongue....99% of the time he can tell you the answer. We were talking the other day about different people's personalities and the conversation turned to one certain co-worker. One who misses the mark most of the time at work - basically a low performance employee who seems oblivious to the fact that he is causing problems with other people getting their job done. He asked the question "I wonder what motivates this guy?" Wow, I never thought of it like that. Most people are motivated to do a good job for self satisfaction (me), bosses approval (me),to support a family ( he has none), or maybe to move up the corporate ladder. (Ain't gonna happen.) He is not motivated by money or success or even a good review by his boss. I seriously don't think anything motivates him, but he will probably outlive us all with his "could care less" attitude. Well, unless somebody at work goes postal on him.

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord.

Colossians 3:23

The Trial - Part Deux

So Casey Anthony walked on Sunday. For the first time in over three years, she became a free woman. Over 1,000 people showed up to protest her release at 12:00 midnight. She was ushered into a black SUV heading to who knows where? Where does she have to go? Her defense team is probably going to put her up for awhile, but how long does anyone expect that to last? The best of company gets old after awhile, and a non working liar would get to stinking quicker than dead fish in the refrigerator. Then where? I am sure she will get one offer to tell her story and that will be it. Nobody wants to touch her with a ten foot pole due to the public out lash. Even the classy porn company, Vibe Entertainment, reneged their offer to make a movie. I guess porn watchers have standards too. She will be broke, no friends, no family, and no job. Seriously, what kind of job could she get?

My point to this blog though is the public out lash against the jurors. Having watched every aspect of this trial, I have no doubt she is guilty of something. Even the female defense attorney that never left her side during the trial and was often seen hugging her, stammered and evaded the question when asked would she trust Casey Anthony with her children. She talked about the Casey she knew from prison or the Casey she became close to, but not one time did she say yes, I would trust Casey with my children. Nobody would.....but, a jury of her peers found her not guilty. Sure, I was mad and thought justice was not served. Maybe it wasn't, but the jury spoke. I heard on the news that one of the jurors had to quit their job and go into hiding due to death threats. Some of them are being rejected from eating in certain restaurants. All they did was answer a call of duty and came to a decision. Sure, it sounded like they didn't listen to the same testimony that I did. Sure it seemed like a common sense no brainer slam dunk case for the prosecution - but at the end of the day, they voted on what their gut told them, or at least I hope they did. Most of them said they knew she was not innocent and it made them sick to give the verdict that they rendered. They felt like they needed more evidence. Our forefathers designed a judicial system for everybody to have their day in court. Innocent until proven guilty no matter how guilty one appears. Sometimes it will fail us, but more often than not, it works. Yes, I hate that Casey probably got away with murder, but I can't help but think if I were on trial ( totally innocent of course ), I would hope I could have 12 people that demanded to have enough evidence to convict me.

Vengeance is mine: I will repay sayeth the Lord.

Romans 12:19b

Happy birthday Daddy!!

Today is my daddy's birthday - he would have been 76. We lost him 4 years ago - just 11 days after his 72nd birthday. Our tradition after my mom died was to have my dad a birthday celebration. Most of the time we all went out to eat, but in the past couple of years, we usually had a cookout. I remember the last cookout very vividly. I took several good shots that day of my dad and of my dad and my girls. If only I had known that would have been our last celebration, I would have spent more time sitting by him or taking more pictures.. I remember sending the pics to a friend by e-mail and she remarked how great and healthy my dad looked. I guess looks can be deceiving. We never really know what the cause of death was. He went to bed one night and just never woke up. Even in death, God is good. My dad never wanted to go in some traumatic way, he always wanted to go peacefully and he did. The sad way about that kind of death, is that it is sudden and no time to prepare like when my mom died....although, I never really prepared for hers even though I knew it was coming. My dad had become our focal point after my mom died. He liked for the entire family to get together to go out and eat a couple of times a year. Even with our busy schedules, most of us always carved out the time to go. So while he is gone, I can look back with no regrets in spending time with him....although I wish I had called and checked in on him more often.

I remember when my dad died, I had the feeling of being an orphan. I know how that must sound because I was 45 at the time with a husband and two grown children. The thing is nobody ever loves you like your parents. No matter what happens in your life, you can always count on them. And when it is gone, it is gone forever.

Happy birthday daddy - you are gone, but never forgotten.

Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.

Proverbs 23:22

Strongholds

The dictionary defines the word stronghold as a place of security or refuge. In ancient times, a stronghold was built to protect from invasion of the enemy. They were usually thick walls built up around them for protection. They were highly guarded and hard to break through.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.

II Corinthians 10:4

Spiritual strongholds in our life often are built for the very same purpose. They start out as a lie from the devil as he softly whispers it into your ear. It is probably one of Satan's most used tactics. Once the seed has been planted, it gets lodged into our imaginations, our arguments, and our intellect. They begin to gain influence over a person and sets itself up against the knowledge of God. They are lies that within our intellect that we claim as truths. Sadly, they don't leave us once we get saved. They are usually formed over years from our parents, our teachers, society, fears, and life's experiences. Some of the strongholds we probably aren't even aware of. They can be born out of lack of understanding or knowledge of the scriptures.

One kind of stronghold is the way we view God. It is probably one of the most popular strongholds within our society. You can view God as this large tyrant ready to stike at a moments notice at the minute of wrongdoing. If this is your view, it would be hard to run to him or trust him. Our most natural reaction would be to see him as a cold, distant, and uncaring God - none which is true. How many times have you heard - "if God was a loving God, why does he send people to hell?" Or "if God loves everybody, why does he allow children to be hurt or killed?" The truth is that all that is because of the fall of man. We brought it on ourselves. So this stronghold once viewed against God's word doesn't hold up. It is a stronghold you have allowed in your mind. Another stronghold is thinking you are too bad of a person to be saved. God's Word clearly states he isn't willing that any should perish. Or how about the child that was brought up in a household where he was unloved who now has the "I'm useless" stronghold in his imaginations - but for God so loved the word debunks that. Maybe it's the couple that thinks they can not afford to tithe? The truth is you can't afford not to tithe. The Bible clearly states that you are robbing God. Or maybe the young couple that is madly in love geting involved in premarital relations? They build up a stronghold that God understands because we will one day be husband and wife. Maybe you have been wronged and you have the stronghold of unforgiveness. You can justify it, you can rationalize it, but you can't find God's blessings of it in His Word. I could go on and on but you get my point.

Spiritual strongholds are just as strong and hard to break through as the ancient strongholds. The problem with strongholds is that they cause you to compromise your sin and they keep you from repenting from them. Strongholds breeds hopelessness and paralyzes our faith. They cause us to go through situations in our lives without guidance from God. This leaves us on our own to draw our own conclusions without consulting the Word of God. We devise ways to handle life's problems that contradicts the Word of God. Strongholds also hinder our prayers and cause us to double minded. We pray for God's will all the while holding on to our Plan B in our mind not realizing or trusting God that His Plan A will be enough.

The truth is we all struggle with strongholds in our minds. It is part of our flesh and the only way to pull them down is to bring the stronghold and measure it against the truth. No vain imagination or stronghold can stand up to that.

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.

John 8:32

The trial

It's been awhile since I have posted anything. The reason is because of the Casey Anthony trial. I have taped the 6 hour court session faithfully every day since it began. On top of that, I have watched Nancy Grace and Dr. Drew listening to their opinions as well as the opinions of the professionals. I have followed this story since it broke back in June 2008. I was at the point that I was ready for it to be over, so I could get my evenings back. The state of my house has been has taken a toll since the trial has started. Maybe it's because I am a mom to two daughters, but this case captivated me like no other case with the exception of the Natalie Halloway case. It came in at a close second. Both involved missing daughters.


I listened to each expert present the facts for both the defense and the prosecution. While they didn't agree on a lot of things, they both had to agree to some of the facts, like the presence of human decomposition and chloroform in the car. The defense brought up things in their opening statements that they did not / could not prove, even though they promised they would. They changed their story about some things. I almost felt sorry for Jose Baez ( not really ), because honestly, he didn't have much to work with. He even called his own defendant a lying slut. Really???



The prosecution did an outstanding job with their closing arguments and their rebuttal. They nailed it. They presented Casey's web of lies leading up to the disappearance up until her being thrown in jail. I really thought it was going to be a slam dunk for the prosecution. They did not have to prove motive or cause of death. Seriously, the child was found triple bagged with duct tape over their skull....I really didn't need to know HOW she died, but knew enough facts to know it was a homicide. Nobody would make an accidental drowning look like a murder. That doesn't even make sense. They only had to believe it with reasonable doubt, not NO doubt. I think the state did prove that. After all the facts were presented, it really came down to me as a common sense trial. If you used your common sense, all the pieces of the puzzle fit perfectly. Sadly, common sense is not so common.


Twelve people saw it differently. It makes me livid. Mad as heck really! I suspect they will see things differently once they get out and hear all the facts they did not hear in court. They may soon realize they let someone get away with murder literally. But did she? Nah....she may have gotten away with it in this lifetime, but nobody gets away with wrong doing. One day, she ( and all of us ) will stand before the only Judge that really matters. Her lies won't hold up there. She won't have a defense team to defend her there. She won't get away with murder at that time. The punishment that will be given out then is far worse than what the state of Florida can do.

One thing that really bothers me is the celebration the defense put on afterwards. I understand, that they "won" their case and after three years of hard work, they deserve a time to relax - but to do it openly where all can see, is just down right disrespectful. They should have taken it privately where the world could not see. They may have won a case, but a precious little girl is gone forever and nobody is paying for her death. I see no reason to celebrate.

What's next for Casey Anthony? After falsely accusing her dad of sexually molesting her and hiding the body, it will he hard for her to go back home again. It will be hard for her to get a job - I doubt she even wants one. I have a feeling, that Miss Anthony is going to get her a nice little book deal and get paid to give interviews. Yeah, life may be good for a short while, but she will go through the money as quick as she comes into it and we will be hearing about her again in the news real soon. Probably sooner than later.