Soldiers in the Battle

Our family listened to a wonderful message on Sunday by Dr. Scott Pauley about Enduring Hardness          In that wonderful message was this poem, a wonderful reminder that we Christians are indeed in a battle daily, and that we are Soldiers in the army of GOD.                       I am a Soldier

Cindye Coates I am a soldier, a prayer warrior, of the army of my God. The Lord Jesus Christ 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 Rapture or die in this Army; but I will not get out, sell out, be talked out. I am faithful, capable, and dependable. If my God needs me, I am there. I am a soldier, a prayer warrior.   I am not a baby. I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up, pumped up, picked up, or pepped up. I am a soldier, a prayer warrior. No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me, or lure me. I am a solider, a prayer warrior.  I am not a wimp. I am in place, saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His name and building His Kingdom! I am a soldier, a prayer warrior. No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy, or give me handouts. I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to. I am committed. I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around. I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside. I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit.

Choosing Thankfulness

I've learned a lot of lessons over the last year of my illness.

But, one of the biggest things I learned about myself, is that I lacked thankfulness!

Another thing I learned, is that I really do have a lot to be thankful FOR!

Not only that, but, I also learned that thankfulness to God is a command--and, a choice.

So now, I purposely try to choose to be thankful daily.

I started keeping a thankfulness journal last year, and now I'm up to over 1300 thankfulness entries!

When I feel down, I can pick that journal up, and have a tangible reminder of all the blessings that

God has bestowed on me. :)

November is such a wonderul month--kind of dedicated to thanksgiving.

I hope it's a wonderful time of reflection for us all as we consider the blessing God has poured forth on us!

There's always something to be thankful to God for!

Are You Bored?

Someone sent me an email with the title Are You Bored?

And, it reminded me of when my kids were young...and they said that they were "bored". :)

Well, they found out quickly that you weren't allowed to say that in our home.

We should never be bored!

My remedy?

I made up a list of Productive Activities and posted it on the frig.

If all of their school work and chores were done, they could choose something off of

this list to do.

If they didn't do this--and slipped and said that they were bored--they got a really crummy job to do instead. I had a list for those also for me to choose from. :)

Like...cleaning the grout with a toothbrush :)

Some ideas from the list:

• Write/make a card for a grandparent
• Read a book
• Gardening
• Memory Verse
• Play with Legos or Lincoln Logs
• Walk the Dog
• Play the Piano

I had quite a few items on the list, so that there should be plenty to choose from even over a period of time.

It solved our problem, and helped them to develop a good habit of using their time wisely.

I try to apply this to myself too. I try to have plenty of things "waiting in the wings" for me to do, so that I never feel bored.

Hope this inspires you today to find some new, creative things to use your time.



CHECKLIST FOR ENCOURAGERS

The command to “encourage” others is found throughout the Bible. In I Thessalonians chapter 5 Paul gives many specific examples of how we can encourage others.

I Thessalonians 5:11

Build each other up.

“Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”

Christians are to encourage one another. A word of encouragement offered at the right moment can be the difference between, finishing well and collapsing along the way. Look around you. Be sensitive to others’ need for encouragement, and offer supportive words or actions.

I Thessalonians 5:12

Respect leaders.

“And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you.”

Look for ways to encourage and cooperate with your pastor.

I Thessalonians 5:13a

Hold leaders in highest regard.

“And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake, and be at peace among yourselves.”

Express your appreciation, tell them how you have been helped by their leadership and teaching, and thank them for their ministry in your life. If you say nothing, how will they know where you stand? Remember, they need and deserve your support and love.

I Thessalonians 5:13b

Live in Peace

Search for ways to get along with others.

I Thessalonians 5:14

Encourage the timid

“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.”

Encourage those who are timid by reminding them of God’s promises.

Help the weak

Support those who are weak by supporting them and praying for them

.

Be patient

Think of a situation that tries your patience and plan ahead of time how you can stay calm.

I Thessalonians 5:15

Resist revenge

“See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves and to all men.”

Instead of planning to get even with those who mistreat you, do good to them.

Be joyful

I Thessalonians 5:16

“Rejoice evermore.”

When we do God’s will we will find it easier to be joyful and thankful. Remembering that even in the midst of turmoil, God is in control.

Pray continually

I Thessalonians 5:17

“Pray without ceasing.”

We cannot spend all our time on our knees, but it is possible to have a prayerful attitude at all times. This attitude is built upon acknowledging our dependence on God, realizing His presence within us, and determining to obey Him fully. Then we will find it natural to pray frequent, spontaneous, short prayers. A prayerful attitude is not a substitute for regular times of prayer but should be an outgrowth of those times.

Give thanks

I Thessalonians 5:18

“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

Paul was not teaching that we should thank God for everything that happens to us, but in everything. Evil does not come from God, so we should not thank Him for it. But when evil strikes, we can still be thankful for God’s presence and for the good that He will accomplish through the situation.

Make a list of all the gifts God has given you, giving thanks to God for each one.

Count on God’s constant help

I Thessalonians 5:23

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Realize that Christian life is to be lived not in our own strength but through God’s power.

I pray that I can be an encouragment to others!

This was sent to me by my sweet and dear friend Marie. (This could have been written about her!) Thanks Marie!

Beach Road Trip!

Last week I was blessed with the opportunity to spend a few days with my mom down at the beach. We both just love the beach, and were so happy to go!

The hotel mom booked was at the end of the Rehoboth boardwalk. It was great, we

could walk right out of the hotel and right on the boardwalk!

Below is the view from our balcony. We left the patio doors open at night

and slept to the sound of the surf!

Below is a pic of the hotel from the beach.

We found this great restaurant - "Big Fish" that caters to

gluten-free diners. Yum!

It rained the first couple of days we were there, but, we didn't let that stop us!

We went around to all the thrift stores in the area and shopped--fun!

Our last day was gorgeous-here is my mom sitting on the beach just relaxing.

Not a lot of people on the beach, but the seagulls kept us company :)

If you look closely at the pic below, you can see on the left a dark spot--a dolphin!

There were lots of them swimming back and forth for hours--we loved it!

I treasure the sweet memories I made there with my mom.

Time is fleeting and short, and you never know what tomorrow holds.

I'm glad we had our "get away"--just laughing, shopping, playing cards...

it was a precious and special time.

A Lot Can Happen In a Year...

On this day last year, I had the blood test that revealed that I was very, very sick.

It has been a challenging year, frought with physical illness, financial stress, emotional distress, and 

lots of adjustments.

(And did I mention surgery, CT scan, MRI, countless blood draws, iv's, bone marrow test, colonoscopies, endoscopy and too many dr appointments and specialists to count!?)

However, it has also been a learning time.

A time full of surrender, reflection, prayer, quiet time,

contemplation, and relinquishment.

I have seen that God can take something bad, and make something good out of it.

That our lives are full of His purpose, and plan.

That He doesn't have to explain everything to us--He doesn't need for us to

understand, nor does He need our permission.

He is GOD.

I learned how much I don't know.  That there is much for me to learn.

I have also learned that I am a much weaker  person than I thought I was--we all are.

And that I need God for every single thing--including my next breath.

I have also learned that each day of life is a gift.

This has been a struggle at times-as I often have "down days".

But it is still true!

Every minute needs to be enjoyed and savored.

I no longer take laughter, breezes, rain drops, the smell of cut grass, and

lots of other things for granted.

Am I better?

Well, physically I'm a lot better than I was...

And for that, I am thankful!

Spiritually, well,  I have a long way to go yet. :)

I don't know what the future holds,

but I do know Who holds my future.

Thank you Lord for another day!

Enjoy yours too :)

“Boast not thyself of to morrow;

for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”

 Proverbs 27:1

Silver Celebration!

This is a big week for us--yesterday was my birthday...and today my honey and I celebrate our...

25th Wedding Anniversary!

What a short time ago this seems to have been!

\

God has blessed us with a wonderful family through this marriage!

We have had so many good times and made so happy memories that make up our love story!

We've endured hardships and difficulties too--but, together!

God has been good to us beyond measure--I am so thankful!

Happy 25th Anniversary Dear--looking forward to the ones to come!

I love you!