Making It Plain

Tony Orlando and Dawn was a singing group back in the 70's. Tony Orlando was singing well before then though. During that time, the hit, Tie a Yellow Ribbon was on the rise, and so was his weight. By the mid to late 70's, everyone noticed how he started to slim down. It looked effortless. He was on a talk show when the subject came up in an interview. Mr. Orlando explained that as a child and well into his adult years, he would always have a particular snack of a well known brand of chocolate cookie and milk. It seemed innocent enough when growing into his teen years and really wasn't noticing the weight gain until an adult. He didn't change much of his diet, he just stopped the seemingly innocent snack of milk and cookies. This is how the concept of trust has been used, something as simple as a childhood snack. When reading about relationships or studying about marriage and counseling couples, this concept is paramount in all aspects of the dynamic. Having the support...

 It’s been a few years since I’ve heard that sermon ("I'll Never Be Broke Another Day In My Life") across the pulpit and the congregation gets all emotional thinking about those meager days when food wasn’t plentiful and laboring more than your share of hours at work seemed like the answer. Exhausted with sore feet, we still believed that we were going to come out of it smelling like a rose by giving our family the best life they could have. It all seemed worth it when there was something to give for birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, and affording a new Easter outfit for the children allows sighs of relief and satisfaction. Thank you Jesus. So, why did you have to go through that? God saw you struggling. God saw you when you were frustrated and about to give up ( Philippians 4:6-8 AMP ). What were the words that came out of your mouth when you didn’t think anyone cared and it felt like you were doing this all by yourself? Did you stay positive believing there is a ram ...

The head needs direction for the body to do anything. God is the head of all. Jesus kept in constant relationship with God to complete the tasks He was called to do. He said it is finished ( John 19:30 AMP ). Now it is up to man to be able to fulfill his part. Where was he going to get that direction? Who was he going to speak to now that Jesus received His reward in heaven as we are all supposed to be doing? He stayed in constant relationship with God. We are to be in constant relationship with Him. So we begin by denying ourselves and fulfilling the destination He has mapped out for us ( Luke 9:23 AMP ). We learn through the Word...just like Jesus did. His parents came to find Him and He said He was about His Father's business at age 12 ( Luke 2:49 KJV ). This is the instruction and direction for men. He cannot teach himself. Therefore, he attends church services where the pastor, preacher, minister, teacher, and/or evangelist has done nothing but stay before God to know and unde...

I suppose this thought came to me as I watched women grunt (myself included) when trying to be unleashed from the back seat of a 2 door sedan. She pulled herself up by holding onto the back of the passenger seat and then had to be assisted while bent over and stepping out of the car. It didn't look pleasant to watch or experience. It is the reason I will never purchase a 2 door vehicle. I recall when dating and visiting my date's church, I had to excuse myself to go to the ladies room. I was seated on his right and he was sitting on the aisle seat. So I whispered to him that I had to get up. He said, "oh," and put his knees together while straightening his back up against the back of the seat. I looked at him while in the position of standing up....as if that was supposed to make it easier for me to pass by him to get to where I needed to. We stayed that way until the Holy Spirit slapped a clue in him. Then he sucked his teeth before standing up so I could pass hi...

There is a myriad of reasons why you would think this is a good idea; but let's face it, if God is not a part of that idea, its not a good idea at all ( Luke 18:19 AMP ). Wait! before you get upset and click onto something else thinking, "this woman doesn't know my situation," keep reading. Let's make a list as to why someone would do such a thing: 1. The ex is the biological parent to your children. 2. The children will be happy with the family back together. 3. Both of you have grown and changed since the last time you were together. 4. The feelings have not gone away for each other. 5. Your financial, social, and economic status would be better. 6. Other prospects for you are slim. 7. You don't like being alone anymore. 8. Maybe your decision to break up was too impulsive. 9. Forgiveness is the key for reconciliation. 10. Everyone deserves a second chance. These are the top 10 reasons that come to mind as to why anyone would marry or remarry t...

I recall in the Autumn months when I used to live in Utah, there was this abandoned apricot orchard that my brother and I discovered. A neighbor suggested that we gathered as much fruit as we can because she was used to canning. She had her son come with us and it was the first time my mother made apricot preserves. But before we actually got the product she instructed us which of the fruit we should pick. We, as children, enjoyed going to the orchard to have our fill of the apricots. We didn't pick the hard ones because experience taught us that the hard ones weren't as sweet and delicious. So we left those. We also learned not to be so tired and reconcile to the fruit on the ground because it was more than likely spoiled or the bugs weren't finished with it. I recall the ick dance when picking those apricots from the ground. I thought it would be easier and they looked fine from the top. It was where the ground connected with the fruit when I turned it over did I see the ...