Back It Up, Baby!

Have you backed up your Blogger Blog lately?  If not, Funky Junk Interiors gives you step-by-step instructions on how to back up your "blog and comments". It's so easy to do and it only takes about two minutes!

How To Back Up Your Blogger Blog

 

Thanks to Brenda over at It's a Beautiful Life for the reminder!

Like An Ant...

Several weeks ago, while waiting for church to begin, I flipped through the hymnal and found the prayer below. It gave such a great visual that I had to write it down (on my bulletin).

A Refuge Amid Distraction
Like an ant on a stick both ends of which are burning, I go to and fro without knowing what to do, and in great despair. Like the inescapable shadow that follows me, the dead weight of sin haunts me. Graciously look upon me. Thy love is my refuge. Amen. (Trad., India. Taken from United Methodist Hymnal, 1993)

I, like anyone, can get caught up in putting out fires or the problems of life, but I need to focus on God, my refuge and strength. 

Lord, help me avoid the "to and fro" behavior. Do not let the world drag me down. Guide my steps. Let me dwell in you...the only sure refuge. Keep my eyes and heart and mind focused on you. Amen.
 

Un-Friended for Jesus

Recently I was un-friended on facebook (by a former close friend). I'd like to say that I don't care, but that wouldn't be true.

The person who un-friended me is an atheist and blames Christians for all the problems of the world, so my general posts about Christ would have been unwelcome and I was quietly "un-friended".

I am comforted, though, because Jesus didn't come here to make friends. Matthew 10: 35-38 says:

Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

So, what do I do about this? Well, I will continue to pray for salvation for my friend. The "un-friending" hurts, but it would hurt more to not see my friend in heaven. 

Have you ever been un-friended by a close friend? What did you do?

Lights in Winter

Photo by Dawn M. Hamsher, 2013

This house in our neighborhood is decorated year round with brightly colored lights and spheres. At Christmas, the roof features Santa's sleigh pulled by a team of flamingos. The lights and decorations are whimsical and fun and I grin every time I see them, especially during the winter.

Winter drags many people down. It's easy to let the cold and dark and bleak landscape rub off on our outlook, but we don't have to let it. 

The lights of this house remind me that there is beauty and joy even in the dark, we just need to be open to seeing it.
 

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, 

on them has light shone. 

Isaiah 9:2

A Blog for Widows

Do you have a friend or relative who is widowed? A friend of mine, Virginia, who is a widow two times over, has started a blog called "The Widow's Mite: Encouragement for Widows". 

Please share her blog with someone who could benefit from the shared experience. Widows need to know that they are not alone and that they can make it with God's help. Virginia offers encouragement from someone who has been there. 

Her blog is: http://encouragementforwidows.blogspot.com