Why not me?

Why Me Lord
Alan Ladd, Gospel Country Singer

May 26, 2016
Thursday

Dear Readers,

I woke up this morning at 3:30 to my alarm clock buzzing. I REALLY don't like alarm clocks and rarely use one since retirement. I'm normally an early riser but if I get over tired, it's nice to sleep until 7:30. To be truthful, my alarm clocks now have fur and don't like their morning chow time to be late!!

It's been quite a process getting my body back in working order. Motored into Dallas in the wee hours of the morning to get a nerve block on the right side of the L3. The past few days I've been grimacing in pain so, believe me, I was ready. I am supposed to be quiet and rest for a couple days. I can't just lay still with bags of peas icing my back so I'm writing...

Oh, for you Readers struggling with snails and slugs: Home Depot sent me a notice that the Sluggo I ordered was at the Cleburne store. Sluggo down, zip bye-bye snails. It works great and leaves are growing back on roses.

For several years, I taught a class called The Power of a Praying Wife. At some point I would ask my ladies to virtually put on the armor of God as they sat on the edge of their bed in the morning. I often do this myself and, for some reason, it sure makes a big difference.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." ~Ephesians 6:10-17

When I experienced believer's baptism, I prayed and asked God to put me on the front lines. My mother used to tell me I was tough as a little Banty Rooster and, over the course of my life, people have told me I was strong. Independent? Yes Stubborn? Yes Determined? Yes Focused? Yes What's more important to me was that Jesus tapped me on the shoulder and said, "I want you." I signed up and life has never been the same.

Don't you like my hairdo in the photo? Probably one of those times I did it myself. One of my first favorite sentences? "I do it myself!!!"  

I have no idea who wrote this' but I saw it, liked it, and want to pass it on:

The Soldier's Creed: I am a soldier in the army of God. The Lord Jesus is my Commanding Officer. The Holy Bible is my code of conduct. Faith, Prayer and the Word are my weapons of warfare. I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity and tested by fire.

I am a volunteer in this army, and I am enlisted for eternity. I will either retire in this army at the advent or die in this army; but I will not get out, sell out, be talked out, or pushed out.

I am faithful, reliable, capable and dependable.

If my God needs me, I am there.

I am in place, saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His name and building His kingdom!

And it went on but I think you get my gist.

When I was little, I attended Vacation Bible School. One of my favorite songs was ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS. We would march and place and sing. I got so into it one morning, that my teacher asked me to tone it down. (Yes, I was one of "those kids.") I do remember giving her the look of __________.  I laugh now thinking that I had the passion of worship in me wayyyy back then in my reverent Lutheran upbringing. (Smile)

So when I think about the "why me, Lord" times of life, I remember my prayer. The wounds and battles of life are upon me. I served on prayer teams that covered Christians as they went into areas where Christians were persecuted. I learned very quickly that the prayer warriors covering those Christians also needed prayers covering them. Boy, howdy, Satan was MAD, mad as hell and those tentacles reached out into all areas of our lives. It got real LOUD in my prayer room sometimes.

Our country is at a crossroads. The political players are girding themselves for a nasty fight. Believe me, mud will be flung nationwide. As Christians, it's time we became soldiers in God's Army and did battle, praying for discernment.

Even Jesus, picked up a whip and drove out the money changers from the temple. In fact, did you know Jesus cleansed the temple twice during his ministry? Jesus challenged ungodly practices and urged the people to obey God rather than convenience. Sound familiar in today's world?

 

The United States is no longer a Christian nation. Liken to Biblical times, we have called those into leadership who do not follow God's law but the laws of other religions and are making themselves like gods. I know, I know, I probably will ruffle some feathers but that's okay. I'm used to doing that.

Who will join me, sharing your voices as Christian soldiers? Who will stand up for what God says even if it doesn't follow man-made laws? Just because a majority of people want something, it doesn't make it right. Parents, will you keep quiet when boys are allowed into girls locker rooms and girls into boys locker rooms at school? What about the protection of our rights as Jesus followers? Aren't we being discriminated against?

Believe me, I believe in free speech. If you want to stand on a corner praising a rock as your savior, then you go right ahead. I'm not going to berate you or kill you for believing different than me. Just don't persecute me for voicing my beliefs.

Dear God, As I have matured in my faith, I realize that I am one of those so called fanatics ... not a religious fanatic because I'm not big on religion but a personal relationship with Jesus kind of fanatic. I pray that you will bless our country and unite us with a leader who has your heart. Forgive us for our complacency and our fear of being politically correct. I'd much rather be correct in your eyes. Help us to open our hearts and minds to what is pure, good, and pleasing in your sight. Lord, my prayer list grows by the minute and I am lifting those people with maladies, cancers, loss of mobility, family troubles, financial woes, relationship hurts, and depression up to you. Father, you are Jehovah Rapha - the Lord who heals. I know you long to heal us of resentfulness, bitterness, and pride if we will but trust You and are obedient. I pray that the Holy Spirit would examine our hearts and heal us of the diseases that ravish our bodies and souls. For those reading my blogs in Russia, Germany, and China, please know you are being lifted up. In Jesus precious name I pray... Amen

Miss Dottie

PS    
God may not protect our country; however, He WILL PROTECT his people. Just sayin'...

Tales of a Six Year Old Adventuress

May 13, 2016
Friday

Dear Readers,

It looked like rain when I got up this morning but it ended up being a beautiful sunny day. The Sensational Six and I spent a good amount of time in the garden this afternoon. The boys love to sit in the hammock with me and sway back and forth, back and forth. I've been fertilizing the trees and they've really started to perk up giving me a wonderful canopy of filtered sunlight.

As a kid did you ever have a secret place that you called your own? I was born adventurous and loved finding places to crawl into or sprawl out in. One of my favorites was near the ski chalet next to Lake Minnewaska. There was an open thicket where the bees buzzed, the flies swarmed, and butterflies were everywhere. I would lay on my back, chew on some grass, and visualize animals out of the billowy clouds in the sky. I did my best thinking when I was alone on one of my adventures.

There were old rail cars in the hills, tree roots near streams, campfires left by hobos in the sand pit, and miles of sandy beach perfect for wading and stomping. One day I took an old orange sack and started at the top of Soo Hill. I gathered treasures all the way down into town ending up at Miller's Grocery. Outside their store was a heavy grate over a hole. Odds and ends got blown into the hole and that was my last stop. I gazed into the hole and lo and behold there was a Dairy Queen sundae dish (you know, the blue plastic kind). I just had to have it. I looked around for a big stick to pry the grate off the hole but couldn't find anything. I ended up pulling the grate up and pushing the grate against the building. I snarfed up the dish and oops, the grate came crashing down on my toes.

I started yowling like a stuck pig and Mrs Miller came running out to see what the commotion was. By the time she reached me, I had pulled my red tennis shoe off and was sitting on the ground holding my toe together. (The tennis shoe saved my toe for sure!). She picked me up and took me into the store and put my foot under running water. She pushed my toe back together and bandaged my entire foot. Mr Miller carried me (and my orange sack full of treasures) home and propped me up in my bed.

My clothes were a mess, my tennis shoe had a hole in it, my toe hurt awful bad, and my face was streaked with tears. I wondered what my mom would say especially about my shoe. Mrs Miller thought I needed stitches but there was no way anyone was going to touch my foot. My mom got home from work, fixed supper, and called me to come downstairs. I couldn't walk so I shouted that I wasn't hungry
.

Miss Dottie at 6 (with brother, Roger)

After everyone had eaten, my mother came to check on me. There I was cradling my foot in my hands and sniffling. I told her what happened and she told me to be more careful next time. Phew! I nursed my toe until it healed not wanting anyone to see it. The grate had nearly taken my toe off and left me with quite a scar.

As an adult, I still like adventures and hideaways. I enjoy the hunt of a special treasure even if it takes me years of looking. I have my own special hideaway ~ Miss Dottie's Cottage. I also have my own Secret Garden that unless you know it's there, it's pretty well hidden from the street. Michael thinks I should show my garden off more ~ I tell him that it's my own private garden, a place where I can experiment and drink in the colors of serenity.  It's a place where I am happy and content when the world about me seems so crazy.

Father God in Heaven, I thank you for my fellow travelers on this earth. I pray that each and every one of them would have their own sense of adventure and secret hideaways where they are able to think, regroup, pray, and know they are safe. I thank you for taking me through times when you kept watch over a venturesome little girl, teen, and adult. There are lots of kids like I was so watch over them too. Father, today is wear purple for those fighting autoimmune diseases. You know me and purple: I think purple, wear purple, plant purple, and today I pray about purple. Go God!! I have friends facing cancer surgery and treatments. Provide them with what they need Lord going before them and seeing to every small detail. Please watch over little Finn as he heals from lip surgery and being neutered ~ watch over my granddog, Teddy, too. He's in tough shape, Lord. The whirrrr of the air conditioning sounds so comforting tonight. I will sleep well. Thanks for listening ... thy will be done.

Miss Dottie

PS Ever heard of Dale Carnegie? He said, "One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today."

No one can ever say my life has been without adventure or boring. It's been quite a ride and the ride isn't over!!

Always remember you are loved and prayed for ... YA YOU!!

Miss Dottie's Ramblin' Thoughts

May 10, 2016
Tuesday

Dear Readers,

Well hello there. It's nice to be outside blogging and enjoying listening to the birds chirp. Yesterday, I picked up a tree face at Outdoor World. It glows in the dark and makes me smile every time I look at it. He adds a certain whimsy to the gardens, don't you think?

I got up early this morning to do some minor gardening and discovered that the big tree in the center of the lower garden had another huge limb break off. It's wedged in the crook of the tree but if it fell, it could do major damage. Gotta get that taken care of pronto. Seems like there's always some little emergency going on. The microwave blew it's last breath too...no more zapped food for awhile.

Been thinking... I like traveling light and keeping life simple. I have a conscience and know the difference between truth and lie ~ right and wrong. Common sense rules.

Am I the only one who sees the craziness going on in our country? So often I feel like I live in a strange place similar to Sodom and Gomorrah. Yes, it's gotten that bad. We save the pets, save the trees, and get all up in arms about the climate change. In the meantime, we abort babies; think old people are burdens; and, in general, if it feels good, we change laws to match those feelings. There are those who are offended at the least little thing.

As I have grown in my Christian walk, I think about truth marching alongside my ability to think biblically.

But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that

which is good; abstain from every form of evil.

~I Thessalonians 5:21-22

KISS - either you believe the Bible or you don't. For many years I didn't read the Bible. Why? Well, I didn't want to know if I was sinning. Ouch! Once I began to own up to what I was doing, life became more difficult because I knew what God was asking of me. According to the New Testament, discernment is not optional for the believer-it is required.

Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. ~I John 4:1

God's Word provides us with the needed discernment about every issue of life. We live in a fallen world where what once was holy is no longer deemed so. We pick and choose based on our feelings and our own sense of right and wrong ... justice or injustice.

I'm a pretty black and white thinking person. My heart may be mushy but I tend to think logically. All these people getting so bent out of shape over this and that. For example, this bathroom issue. If you are dressed like a woman and go into a women's bathroom and shut the door to the stall who is going to know? We've had unisex bathrooms for quite some time ~ most commonly a small bathroom with a lock on the door. We've had family bathrooms for both sexes. Now, all of a sudden, we need laws to go along with what has been okay? Craziness...

Growing up, I met a young girl by the name of Janet. Her mother and father came to town and Janet was enrolled in the elementary school I attended. Janet's father was from Scotland and preferred to wear a kilt. Seemed odd to me but he also had some bagpipes standing in the corner of their apartment ~ when he played them it sounded like a goose honking. One afternoon, I stopped by to see Janet because she hadn't been to school. Her mother opened the door and I ran to Janet's room. I think my eyes got big as silver dollars because her father was dressed in women's clothing and had on make-up. Janet told me her father liked to act silly and dress funny. I didn't think it was so funny and left. Soon after that Janet and her family moved (Janet said they never stayed long in one place).

Why am I telling you that story? Well, I guess because I had several choices to make. I could have run home and told my parents about the strange behavior going on. I could have stopped the policeman on the corner and told him that I was totally offended. Or, I could accept the fact that some people thought and acted differently than I did. I chose to remain Janet's friend and decided (in my opinion) that her dad was a kook. End of story... 

Maybe I am too easy going and don't get my knickers in a knot over every little thing. I learned very early in life that life was not fair and that failure was a part of learning. I accept people as they are and let them be (unless they are breaking a law or hurting other people). Abuse elders, women, children or pets and you will see fire coming from my nostrils!!

I am a Jesus freak. Not ashamed of that. However, I know there are lots of folks who aren't. I share my story and testimony, that's all. The rest is up to them.

I'm not going to apologize for ranting a bit today. Michael told me to cool my engines but sometimes, I need to say what I need to say.

Mrs Cardinal visited as I prayed...

Lord God in Heaven, holy is your name. I pray for a settling of discord in our country. I know all this craziness started with well-meaning people whose intention was to help and make life fairer and easier for others. Things have just gotten out of hand.  A good leader is able to unify and I pray that the next President of the United States could do that. I also pray for all of those in authority positions to make godly decisions and bring cities, businesses, and families into harmony. Bring forth truth no matter how hurtful. We need that, Father. We need a clearing of the air. No man or woman is perfect and we all fall short ~ forgive us our sins. Saying that, history of character is important because history tends to repeat itself. Bring forth peace ~ the peace I feel as I go into my gardens to pray. Be with those facing cancer ~ testing, surgery, treatment. Help me to be a beacon of light not a damsel of doom. In Jesus holy name I pray...Amen

Miss Dottie

PS  "When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you." ~Winston S Churchill

Today, I go to the garden alone

May 3, 2016
Tuesday


Dear Readers,

I hope you will close your eyes and listen to the old hymn I have included in my blog. This is my favorite of hymns and speaks to my heart. Every time the Open Range Band plays it at church, I tear up.

In my garden there is a large place for sentiment.

My garden of flowers is also my garden

 of thoughts and dreams.

The thoughts grow as freely as the flowers,

and the dreams are as beautiful.

 ~Abram Urban

You know one of the things God did in Creation was plant a garden. Then, he added man to care for it. I was thinking about this the other day as I was sitting in the midst of heavenly scented roses. I wondered why a garden was so important to the Lord and why in the world was man's first job to tend a garden?? My own garden has supplied answers.

In every gardener there is a child who believes in The Seed Fairy.

~Robert Brault

I have enjoyed gardening ever since the early 1990's. I'd commissioned a landscaping company to create a garden for me alongside my zero lot home. I watched in amazement at how they built this small wonderland from a blank space of dirt. The boss man taught me so much and I was hooked. I learned from the best of the best. When I think about it, I've always admired people who are at the top of their game ~ those that have put in those 10,000 hours of work to turn an interest into greatness.

My green thumb came only as a result of the mistakes I made

while learning to see things from the plant's point of view.

~H. Fred Dale

The beginning of Miss Dottie's gardens

My gardens have been living works in progress. Sadly, I've never lived anywhere long enough to see my own gardens mature but now? I am seeing plants mature and my vision come to fruition. I began to work in my garden here 5 years ago. I started by thinking I would just built a small garden next to the back wall of the house. I soon learned that what I started with wasn't going to work ~ plants got moved to other areas. Finally, it is now finished and plants/trees are happy.

God made rainy days so gardeners could get the housework done.

~Author Unknown

God wanted man to tend the garden because the garden is a living teacher. It starts with a vision, a creation and evolves over time. Without fertilization and water, it withers and dies of neglect. Our jobs, our relationships, whatever we do, are like that. Not all plants grow and flourish in the same soil and neither do we. Some of us require more watering and attention than others. Some need more sun; others need shade. Some of us are brightly colored; others soft and shy. For sure, it takes all things beautiful to create a mysterious wonderful garden. In the workplace, home, or at church, each "flower" comes together to make a business, relationship, or church complete. God loves variety!!

My garden is the place where you, my Readers, are thought about and prayed for. It is the place I go when I feel troubled and dirty from the nastiness of the world. So often I look down at my muddy feet and wash them off thinking about how grateful I am when Jesus washed me clean at Calvary. My garden is the place where my furry kids romp and play without fear of being hurt. I often gather them all up and we rest in the hammock under the trees. Peace...

Today, I am praying for many of you. Three special ladies are going through mastectomies this week and another is fighting brain cancer. Another friend has been taken off life support.  I'm grateful for Facebook because it allows me to keep abreast of what's going on. What strength it takes to take on that dreaded diagnosis. There are those of you who are experiencing the breakup of relationships, wondering if you should commit to a marriage, or have children who are out of control. It's been several days now that Tom has been missing ~ where is he Father? May Dr Jesus hold you in the palm of his hand granting you that extra measure of hope, strength, courage, and wellness. I pray for those experiencing joy and who are in the best days of their lives. Savor those times for there will always be peaks and valleys. I pray for those who are caretakers ~ those who care from the bottom of their hearts and don't think of it as a burden. Once I was young and the world was my oyster. Oh to have had the wisdom that I have now... He touched me and motioned me to follow Him. I did and that has made all the difference.

Miss Dottie

PS  What is life? We are born and we die and in between those times, we do the best we can to leave a legacy of love, hope, and a fulfilling of God's purpose for our time on earth. What is courage? I like what John Wayne said, "Courage is being scared to death ... and saddling up anyway."