Friday, November 28, 2014

Counseling - Tell Me a Story

True Stories Make me Happy !!
 
Tell me a Story has a new format.  I will be telling one of my true stories here.
You are invited to follow by e-mail. The e-mail follow box is on my left side bar.
Monday evening, the TRUE STORY Blog Party will open.
Please return Monday to enter YOUR TRUE STORY.
Please also follow by e-mail my other blog:  A Joyful Noise 
View the notice ON THE "BLUE BACK GROUND above" for
Other Blog Hop Suggestions that request "Anything goes."
 
Counseling 
I'm Listening !!

 
I heard the frantic cry of my husband, “Hazel, Please come in here quick,” was his plea.

We were assisting a small church in their Christian Educational department, but my husband was often asked to perform other duties. 

On this day, a distressed woman had asked for counsel as she was having a problem coping with her distraught husband.  The gentleman had recently suffered the loss of one of his arms, and feeling that he was less of a man, he ending up by pushing her away. 

Arriving to answer my husband’s call of concern, I entered the office to find the woman dressed provocatively in mini shorts, a deep cut blouse and heavy make up. 

One important thing they teach you in any Bible School is to protect yourself against gossip or suspicion that could end in slander.  Here was a typical example in full view. 

Ministers should be careful if at all possible not to council the opposite sex with the door shut, and if available to invite their mate, or another person to sit in on the session. 

Sobbing, the woman poured out her story, and it was extremely evident that she did not actually want direction and guidance.  She was searching for someone to agree with her and comfort her in her decision to leave her husband. 

A few months later, we saw her again, and this time she informed us that she was happily engaged to be married to a fine gentleman.  We offered our congratulations.  What else could we say? 

I am reminded of the wedding vows, so easily forgotten by some, in times of illness, accidents, or even when angry, “Forsaking all others; until death do us part.”  

Many times, the grass on the other side of the fence that appears so inviting will soon surprise you, because it has been sprayed with weed killer, and will quickly wither and dry up.   

Not all exchanges are for the better.   

Only one is; The great exchange.  This is when you give Jesus your old life and you receive HIS everlasting life to live inside your heart. 

When it comes to counseling, for myself, I have discovered long ago, that a little talk with your best friend, Jesus is safe, and He does not pass on to others, what you have shared with Him. 


Tell Me a TRUE Story Blog Hop will open Monday evening at 5:00 PM for your TRUE Story entry.
 
 

Sunday, November 23, 2014

True Story Week 11-24-14 "Listen for That Signal"


I Love a True Story
 Tell me a Story has a new format.  I will be telling one of my true stories here.
You are invited to follow by e-mail. The e-mail follow box is on my left side bar.
 
Each Monday evening, the TRUE STORY Blog Party will open.
Please return Every Monday to enter  YOUR New TRUE STORY.

Please also follow by e-mail my other blog:  A Joyful Noise 

View the notice ON THE "BLUE BACK GROUND" for
Other Blog Hop Suggestions that request "Anything goes." 
 

Listen for that Signal


Mother would blow three long blasts on her Police whistle!

Tw-e-e-t! Tw-e-et! Tw-e-e-t!

That was our signal to leave the school yard where we played after school and head for home. Dinner was on the table and we knew we had to obey that warning.

The Bible tells us that on that last day, the Angel Gabriel will blow his horn and signal all those who have accepted Jesus as their personal Savior to come home to the Heavenly banquet table.

Involved!  Yes, we are all involved in business, in school, or in various activities, but when that signal comes, we WILL drop everything and fly away to glory, as the old song says.

As we wait here on earth, we are to continue with daily activities, living life as if that glorious day is still hundreds of years away. The catch is that we must live prepared - - as if that trumpet will sound at any second.

Mother also had other signals to alert us. One was the street lights. If we were playing outside close to home, when the street lights came on it signified the end of our play. It was time for us to come home.

Today there are many signals to which we must be alert. These tell us that the return of Jesus may be sooner that we realize. The Bible speaks of wars and rumors of wars. It also comments about signs in the earth and in the heavens.
Some people shake and quake over the things occurring today.

It is not time to fear or to be worried. Rejoice! It is time to rejoice and to understand what is happening when we see these things come to pass.
 
The Bible says, there is a great cloud of witnesses watching us. I always thought it meant our loved ones who have gone before and that they are interested in us even now. That could be it.
 
Perhaps it is the host of angels watching and protecting us.  The angels are probably already setting the table for the feast that God is preparing for his children.


You know, I can imagine that they have one eye on us, while casting glances at Gabriel to see if he is ready to lift his horn to his lips!

So the thing to remember is NOT to be afraid, but to just stay watchful and to be prepared. Keep listening for that signal that will let you know it is time to come home!
 

This is a Blog Hop and is open for your entry.

Saturday, November 22, 2014

True Story Blog Party will open on Monday night


 
Tell me a Story has a new format.  I will be telling one of my true stories here.
You are invited to follow by e-mail. The e-mail follow box is on my left side bar.

Enjoy a True story today - scroll below

Monday evening, the TRUE STORY Blog Party will open.
Please return Monday to enter YOUR TRUE STORY.

Please also follow by e-mail my other blog:  A Joyful Noise.

View the notice ON THE "BLUE BACK GROUND above" for
Other Blog Hop Suggestions that request "Anything goes."

 
Clean Dishes - Clean Feet

As is my practice, I rinsed off the lunch dishes and placed them in the dishwasher. What I did not notice was that there was water standing on the tops of the cups.

In a few minutes I heard my husband emptying the dishwasher.

OH No, I exclaimed. I just put some dirty dishes in there.

He protested, “Well it is too late now because I am almost done putting them away.”

It is just the two of us living here, and when something like this happens you just make the best of it. If we were out camping who knows how those dishes might have been washed. Perhaps they might have even been washed in cold water or only rinsed at best.

As I reflected on this incident I was reminded when Jesus said “He that is washed doesn’t need to wash again only to wash his feet, because he is every bit clean.”

He meant that once we receive Jesus into our heart, we don’t need to get saved all over again. We are clean and each day as we follow the Lord he keeps us clean.

It is only when we knowingly step into a place where “our feet get dirty” that we need to repent and get our feet washed so to speak. Jesus also said in another place that “You are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you.”

That is why it is important to read our Bible daily because it is the Word of God that washes over us and keeps us clean.

So next time I rinse the dishes, and start to place them in the dishwasher I will pay better attention to see if there is water standing on top of the cups.

This is a Blog Hop and will open late Monday evening for your entry.

Sunday, November 16, 2014

True Story - Gloria and Ann



I Told You - - I Don't Like Change !

Tell me a Story has a new format.  I will be telling one of my true stories here.

You are invited to follow by e-mail. The e-mail follow box is on my left side bar.

Each Monday evening, a new TRUE STORY Blog Party will open.
Please return every Monday night to enter YOUR TRUE STORY.
Please also follow by e-mail my other blog:  A Joyful Noise.  

Note the notice ON THE "BLUE BACK GROUND above" for
Other Blog Hop Suggestions that allow "Anything goes."

Be sure to read a couple of posts near you and when you comment, please tell them you are their neighbor at "Tell me a Story."

 Gloria and Ann ( a true story)
Gloria was a Mean Girl and Her Words hurt
 
My first grade teacher asked my reading group to arrange our small chairs in a circle at the back of the room. I sat between Gloria and Ann. Gloria leaned across me and spoke to Ann in a voice loud enough so I could hear.

She said, “Do you like Hazel?” Ann replied, “Yes.”

Gloria laughed and forcefully said, “I don’t like her at all. In fact I hate her.”

I felt like crying! The color in my face drained and so did my spirits! Even though I had been taught not to hit, I was tempted to slap Gloria’s face!

Attitude is a Choice
In my six year old mind, I knew I had a choice. I quickly decided that I would pretend that I had not heard Gloria’s remarks.

Those Sunday School lessons on loving your neighbor had paid off! I would treat her with kindness.

Years later, I realized that Gloria had been teasing and joking. Some families enjoy pranks and playing those ugly games, but it is not a good practice.

Children can be injured by the words they hear and remember. Scars can be left that often cause insecurity and feelings of rejection leading to emotional and even physical illness.

“Dear Gloria, I thank you for allowing me the opportunity to learn to exercise the practice of walking in forgiveness.”

“I HATE YOU!” Yes, I said those words once when I was very upset with my Mother. Mother quickly responded and instructed me that there are some words to which a person should never give a voice. The word hate is one of them. She let me know that the person to whom I had spoken these words would always remember what I had said!  Ouch! Thinking back I still remember the first grade incident.

Mother continued, “No matter how much you beg forgiveness and say you are sorry, they will continue to remember those words you spoke in haste.”

“Yes, Mother, I love you and I believe I have never told a person since that time that I hated them.”

The Bible was Mother’s tool for emphasis. It made an impact on me! Mother explained that the Bible tells us not to stay angry. While it is not a sin to be angry, it is our obligation to make things right with the other person before the sun goes down.

“Ahhhha Thank you dear Mother....”You taught me to forgive even when I did not feel like forgiving! You also taught me to keep certain words unspoken.

So my friend, here is my challenge to you. Are you setting a watch before the words of your mouth? Do practice telling those who are close to you that you love them?

Do you use words to show your love even as you show love by your actions? Take special care to use words of respect that build up and not words that tear down relationships. Words can hurt or words can heal – it is your choice.

And, last of all, are you also acting out the Lord’s Prayer and forgiving those who you think are sinning against you? Just do it! It’s a lot easier to forgive the more often you do it.
 

Friday, November 14, 2014

New Pups and Top Dogs

I Don't Like Change !!

Tell me a Story has a new format.  I will be telling one of my true stories here. 
You are invited to follow by e-mail. The follow box is on my left side bar. 
Each Monday evening, the TRUE STORY Blog Party will open. 
Do return every Monday night to enter YOUR TRUE STORY. 
Please also follow my other blog:  A Joyful Noise.
 
Note the notice ON THE "BLUE BACK GROUND above" for
Other Blog Hop Suggestions that request "Anything goes."


New Pups and Top Dogs
I noticed our neighbors new 6 month old German Shepard puppy was limping.

He seemed to be accepted by the two older dogs as they ran the yard. Our neighbor told me the pup would get in the box with the other dogs and cuddle. In the night our neighbor would hear a yelp and the next day it was the pups other leg that was limping.

Did you even feel like you were the new pup at work?

New jobs often create jealousy if you do your job faster or better than the ones who have been there awhile.

Or did you ever feel like the new pup at your church?

Were you being accepted as long as you sat down – shut up and put your money in the offering?

Give it more time and keep your humor. The older dogs will soon realize you are not one to bully and you should just keep smiling and praising the Lord.

Of all things do not stoop to snippiness or treat the other dogs with bites back. (back biting.) 


The Blog Hop will be on the next post !
 

Monday, November 10, 2014

Welcome - Week of November 10, 2014 True Stories Party


We all Enjoy a True Story !!
 
You are invited to enter YOUR TRUE STORY here at our Party.

Please READ and COMMENT on several posts near you to encourage your fellow bloggers !  

We all love comments!
~ ~ ~ 

You might enjoy these words by Mike Bickle

 
Deepen Your Intimacy with God – by Mike Bickle
 
In the last days, God says ... I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. ... And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. —Acts 2:17, 19-21

Signs and wonders in nature are not to be taken lightly, because they are not given for trivial reasons. Don't expect God to show a sign in the heavens concerning which car you are supposed to buy.

Fire fell from heaven and consumed Elijah's sacrifice, the Red Sea parted, and a star led the wise men to Bethlehem. These were not insignificant events in the progress of God's plan and purpose.

God's power displayed by signs and wonders in nature in the last days will be unprecedented because it will serve to confirm and signify one of the greatest events of all time—the last ingathering of souls and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

The purpose of the outpouring of the Spirit, the increase of the prophetic ministry, and the signs and wonders in nature is to awaken the church to passionate Christianity and to bring people to salvation.

{ PRAYER STARTER }
Help me to understand Your work in these end time days, dear God. Let me always remember that Your Spirit is being poured out upon man to awaken Your church and to bring people to salvation.
 ~ ~ ~
This weeks posts from my Blog: A Joyful Noise



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Monday, November 3, 2014

Welcome - Week of November 03, 2014 True Stories Party


I Love a TRUE Story !!
 

You are invited to enter YOUR TRUE STORY here.

Please READ and COMMENT on several posts near you !  

We all love comments!
~ ~ ~
 
You might enjoy this amazing true story about John Lake written here by Rod Parsley
John Lake an Apostle of Faith
The Spirit of Life by Rod Parsley 

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. —Romans 8:2

John Lake was a missionary in Central Africa when an epidemic broke out. Thousands of people were dying.

One of the doctors sent by the local government asked him what he used to inoculate himself with against the virus.

Lake directed the doctor to put a sample of the living virus under a microscope, and view the masses of living germs. He then took the sample in his hand for a moment and then returned it to the microscope. To the doctor's amazement the germs were dead.

"That is the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus," he declared. "As long as I keep my soul in contact with the living God-.-.-.-no germ can attach itself to me. My spirit and body are so filled with the blessed presence of God, it even oozes from my pores."

The "law of the Spirit of life" is the regulating, activating power, and life of the Holy Spirit that has set us free from the power of sin, hell, and the grave.

Fill me Lord with Your Spirit of life.
Empower me to overcome the
power of sin, hell, and the
grave in Your mighty
Name. Amen.
~ ~ ~ 

This weeks post from
my Blog “A Joyful Noise”

 
Please link back to this community, either by using the code for my button on my side bar or simply a text link.