Happy New Year, Simple Livers!

Well, it's almost here. I can't believe it is December 30th already. God has blessed me graciously this year in so many areas. He is so good to me. I am humbled and awe struck. Thanks, Dad.

For this new year, God has placed on my heart to downsize. So, starting on January 1, 2009, I am going through every box, every closet and every dusty hidden shelf to go full throttle "out with the old, in with the new." I need to clear the air and by getting rid of some clutter, I feel I am on my way to truly a simple life. I can't breathe in all this mess, and if I can't breathe, I can't think and I can't be all that God has for me to be. So, here I am Lord. Use me.

And, as a good steward of God's stuff, I am donating everything to charities that is still worth using. All the clothes I wish I still fit into. All the novels I've been planning to read since 1989. All of it is going to where God tells me to send it so someone else may be blessed by all that God has given to me.

Now, with more space, Dad can give me more stuff. LOL Okay, maybe that is not quite what He had in mind, but I'm am still human after all. :o)

May God bless you richly in 2009. May His desires be your desires, and may all your wildest God dreams come true and may He receive all the glory.

To be used by Him in 2009 and always,

DMM :o)

Jesus' Simple Love

Hello, Simple Livers!

A good friend of mine sent this to me today. She felt as a fellow writer, I needed a dose of encouragement. Who doesn't, right? The words are so simple, just as God's love is for us. We make it so complicated, yet He offers us peace, love and the desires of our hearts if we put our lives in His capable hands.

The passage is from the book Jesus Calling, written as though Jesus us speaking to you.

I am working on your behalf. Bring Me all your concerns, including your dreams. Talk with Me about everything, letting the Light of My Presence shine on your hopes and plans. Spend time allowing My Light to infuse your dreams with life, gradually transforming them into reality. This is a very practical way of collaborating with Me. I, the Creator of the universe, have deigned to co-create with you. Do not try to hurry this process. If you want to work with me, you have to accept My time frame. Hurry is not in My nature. Abraham and Sarah had to wait many years for the fulfillment of My promise, a son. How their long wait intensified their enjoyment of this child! Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses.

I know I need a reminder that Jesus is my bestest friend, so I wanted to share this reminder with all of you. Enjoy. :o)

To be used by Him,

DMM :o)

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr, Simply Spewing

I seem to be a spewer. When I get mad or frustrated, I come unleashed. I yell, vent, and say some ugly things. And, if I don't say them, I'm most likely thinking them.

Anger is a nasty, nasty thing.

In November, our pastor spoke on the Seven Deadly Sins. And, yet again my eyes were opened to just how human and unworthy I am. I'm not writing today to get us all depressed about how grumpy we can be at times. I am writing to help us all with some little frustrations that make us less of the Simple Living Christian we try our best to be.

The Bible does not speak too highly of anger (major understatement). Ecclesiastes 7:9 states, "Don't let your spirit rush to be angry, for anger abides in the heart of fools." I definitely don't want to be considered a fool. Do you?

Proverbs 14:17 explains that "Fools have quick tempers, and no one likes you if you can't be trusted." And the kicker for me:

Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish. ~ Proverbs 18:13

This one was a double-whammy Ouch! for me.

So, today we will look at some simple ways to curb our anger.

First, let's look at the frustrator. (That would make us the frustratee) :o)

For me, it's my little white puffball. Do not let his sweet little picture fool you. I tell him often, "Thank God you're cute!" He has a way of getting on my very last nerve. I've been told by numerous people throughout my life that I must have the patience of Job. But, for some reason with my sweet little doggie, I can't seem to control my temper at time. Let's just say he has a few psychological doggy issues such as barking incessantly to get my attention and flat out throwing a temper tantrum when he doesn't get a carrot fast enough. The Dog Whisperer would be utterly ashamed at how well-trained my dog has me. Sorry, Cesar. ;o)

Anyway, he gets me boiling sometimes. So, these are my new steps to turn my anger into dancing and turn my weeping into joy.

1. Pray. Simple right? But, in the midst of anger, this is the last thing I think of doing. From now on, I will turn to God first.
2. Breathe. I will take three deep breaths as I pray and tune out the barking.
3. Love. Remember how much I love my Little Man regardless of what he is doing right now.
4. Have carrots ready. LOL

At times I feel this is a dress rehearsal for when I have children. Lord, help me. LOL

So, I pray God's peace flows over all of you. That your anger is extinguished, and that God's glory can and will be seen in every situation. Even with an OCD dog, crazy drivers, or teenagers. :oP

As James puts it, "My dearly beloved brothers, understand this: everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man's anger does not accomplish God's righteousness." (Chapter 1, vs. 19-20)

To be used by Him,

DMM :O)