To each their own

Romans 14 NIV

The Weak and the Strong

14 Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. ² One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. ³ The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. ⁴ Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

⁵ One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. ⁶ Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. ⁷ For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. ⁸ If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. ⁹ For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.

¹⁰ You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. ¹¹ It is written:

“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bow before me;
every tongue will acknowledge God.’”

¹² So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.

¹³ Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. ¹⁴ I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. ¹⁵ If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. ¹⁶ Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. ¹⁷ For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, ¹⁸ because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.

¹⁹ Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. ²⁰ Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. ²¹ It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.

²² So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. ²³ But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.


This verse goes through my head so much.  This basically says that if the Bible doesn't say it is bad to do this or that, get over it.  If it is not black and white in the Bible, you need to not judge over it.  I am trying so hard to teach my kids at Sunday School, that it doesn't matter the denomination you are.  It doesn't make you a good Christian or a bad Christian.  There are probably very few people that could fit 100% into a certain denomination without any contradiction.  There is NO denomination I fully agree with 100%.  You have to look at the person and their personal beliefs, not the overall beliefs of the church they attend. 

Please don't think I am saying that you can go through life believing what you want.  You have to go by the Bible in order to go to heaven.  I am talking about the things people quarrel over and men have made rules over because the Bible doesn't address the issue.  I don't think any man should make rules for us to live by that aren't in the Bible.  If you can think of one, let me know.  I am sure I am going to offend some people and I am sorry, but by now you should know I speak my mind. 

I guess Galatians 5 is a good place to go to get an overall picture of how to live a godly life.  My kids at Sunday school were asking when we were going to go over the Fruits of the Spirit again.  They know it is important to keep reminding themselves of the good things to focus on.  They were also discussing ways to raise money for the church.  I love the way they think.  They are independent thinkers for sure. 

On the way of personal life, Steven is being about 20 handfuls.  He is going up and down with behaviors.  It is getting worse on the way to school again and I ask that you keep our morning trip in prayer.  Thankfully, God talked me into spending more on a computer than usual the last time.  This one has been thrown so many times and is holding up like a champ.  Bryan is exhausted with his allergies.  I am doing so-so and am looking forward to my time with the trainer tomorrow. 

Blessings-
Good computer
Loving family
great friends

Take care and God bless
Sherri

 I know some people who read this blog like Duck Dynasty and some don't. But I couldn't resist putting this on after being involved in a conversation about the show tonight. I don't like the show much, but Bryan showed me this and it is funny.  Also, it is nice to know you don't have to bleep out every other word to have a popular show.

Conclusion

30 Days of Dealing Living: Conclusion

1 John 5:14-15

¹⁴ This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. ¹⁵ And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.


I am so glad that God answers prayers.  I have felt that so much in the past 30 days.  I have such a different outlook on life it is amazing.  Small prayers and large prayers alike.  Of course, you have to pay attention to the according to his will.  It may not be his will to give us what we ask for, but that is what we have to live with.  You know as in the old tv show, Father Knows Best.  God does know best.  It also may take longer than we want for the answer also, but we will live on.  I have been blown away by where God has lead me in the past 30 days.  I have touched lives I never would have imagined.  It is a blessing to have access to the internet.  These are the stats of people that have viewed my blog in the last month.

United States	892
Germany	15
United Kingdom	5
Ukraine	5
Sweden	2
Czech Republic	1
Kazakhstan	1
Portugal	1
Venezuela	1

It blows my mind that I have people from different countries reading my blog.  I thank God for the opportunity and pray that I have touch them in a good way.   I will continue to do blogs 2-3 times a week to keep up with my life and helping me stay focused.

Steven had a so so day.  This afternoon was a wild ride.  He was so would he literally couldn't calm down.  He eventually did and fell asleep at a decent time.  Did pretty good with my diet.  I did buy puppy chow at Casey's and didn't eat the whole container.  Before that would be gone in 20 minutes.  I had a good session with the trainer and was exhausted at the end.  I will be working with him next Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  I am really looking forward to being challenged to push myself. 

Blessings-
Good workout
Steven fell asleep easy
Godsippers

Take care and God bless,
Sherri



The view of God's beauty

Day 30

30 Days of Dealing Living: Day 30

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

¹⁹ Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; ²⁰ you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.


Well today was a better day for Steven.  He was pretty happy all the way over until we pulled up to the door.  He walked all the way to his classroom door and then flopped and wouldn't go in.  So close, yet so far away.  We had a pretty good night except for the last 10 minutes before he went to sleep.  He decided he was going to hit and kick me.  Not overly bad even on that though.  I went to the gym today and when I was done, I talked to a trainer.  I am going to do some sessions and see where it goes.  I don't know how much I can afford past the initial 4 sessions, but it will happen if it is supposed too.  I have to get my self in shape and take better care of myself.  I thought about coloring my hair with my b'day money, then I thought about pre ordering Los Lonely Boys tickets for a concert in June.  Then I decided on the trainer.  (Honestly I might have settled on the tickets, if I knew for sure what June held.)  Bryan and I both did good on eating today and stayed out of the snacks.  I am feeling pretty good, but would really like to crash, but I do have housework to do.  I think I will go do some things and watch/listen to the Big Bang Theory.  I love that show.  It is so funny.  This is my last day of the 30, but it will not be the last day of my journey.  I am going to summerize the 30 days tomorrow with some things it has contained that I don't think I have shared. 

Blessings-
Steven was better
pretty sunny day

Take care and God Bless,
Sherri

Day 29

30 Days of Dealing Living: Day 29

Romans 8:15

¹⁵ The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”



Well, today was not a good day on the way to school.  Actually it started before we left home.  It has been a while since he has hit and kicked about going to school, but it came back today.  Which was weird because it was YMCA day and usually it is a better morning.  So much for understanding my son at all.  Diet hasn't been the best today.  I am proud of myself though.  Girl Scout cookies came in on Saturday and I still have half of them left.  Before, they would be gone in 24 hours.  Had a Blimpie wrap for lunch and a good supper, so hopefully it all evens out. We did make it to the gym today and I tried the elliptical machine today and it all but killed me.  I could only do about 4 minutes on it before my knees were ready to jump off of my body and kill me.  I spent the rest of the time on the treadmill with a 0 incline.  Tonight went pretty good at home, Steven didn't want to go to sleep.  I think he was trying to make up for the time he lost his computer on the way home.  Which comes to the fact I forgot to tell you he threw his computer while pulling up to the school.  So he didn't get to play his new Mickey Mouse game on the way home.  Which he didn't like and we heard about it most of the way home. 

Blessings-
ICA, they are so supportive and good to my boy

Take care and God bless
Sherri

I must remember to be happy happy

Day 28

30 Days of Dealing Living

James 4:13-15

¹³ Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” ¹⁴ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. ¹⁵ Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”

This is one verse that I think of often.  I never know what the next day will hold.  Whether Steven will be happy to go to school or if it will be a knock down drag out fight.  It wasn't the latter today, but he wasn't happy.  Of course, he was awake again during the night, so that doesn't help.  He had a decent day at school, but it didn't start out that way.  Bryan and I skipped the gym as we were both exhausted.  We went to a bird sanctuary and then to Lone Star Steakhouse.  I did pretty good on eating.  I got a bowl of chili (which is killer) and a baked potato.  I did have to go back to the doctor yesterday because of the bite and got differnt meds again.  Doctor says that it could be another month before the actual bite area is completely gone.  The night wasn't too bad and was pretty relaxing.  I worry that a good bit of the last days of my 30 I will be dealing more than living.  Just please keep us in prayer as we do have to make some decisions about Steven and his future.  Those type of decision always make me stressed and I tend to only deal and not live. 

Blessings-
Nice day with my hubby

Take care and God bless
Sherri


A beautiful place to go and see birds and nature.  I will have to go back when it is warm and can go on the trails.

Day 27

30 Days of Dealing Living: Day 27

1 Corinthians 14:33
³³ For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.



I am going to use this verse above to say that the time change thing isn't from God.  It was a rough night with Steven being up and then losing the extra hour.  We got up about 8:00 for church at 9:00.  These are the days that I am extrememly glad our church is literally in our back yard.  Steven actually got up about 8:30.  Church went good and fun with the girls in class.  Afterwards, we went to Hardee's for lunch, so I wouldn't have to cook.  Yes, I know there will be screaming but I had a Red Burrito chicken taco salad.  Oh the fat, but oh it was good.  We mainly layed around the house playing computer and watching tv.  We didn't watch much of the race, the announcers seemed to be rather annoying.  I felt myself dealing a lot today, I think because of being tired.  Steven fell asleep at a decent time and I slept in bed.  All in all not much to talk about, but a good day.

Blessings-
church
my girls in class
wonderful hubby and son

Take care and God bless,
Sherri

Day 26

30 Days of Dealing Living: Day 26

Acts 20:35 NIV

³⁵ In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’


I was way to tired last night to sit and type up a blog last night.  It is amazing how a blessing can make you so tired you can't see straight.  I left the house about 6:45am and went to the clothing giveaway.  I was there until 4:00 pm with the exception of about 30 minutes to eat lunch.  We helped 106 people yesterday with the clothes and had a wonderful time.  My hands, arms, legs and back hurt extremely bad last night when I left.  It was amazing not just to work with the people that I helped personally, but also watching the interaction of everyone.  You could see God's love everywhere.  It was also great to fellowship with the ladies that came and helped out yesterday.  I did text Bryan yesterday and Steven had a good day.  After I was done, I went to the Master's Hands to attend service.  It was a blesssing to be there as well.  Then it was time to get my boy from Grandma's house.  He went there because Bryan had a gig last night.  I guess Steven missed me, because Kathy said Steven was a little warpy asking to go home.  We went home and played in the house for a little bit and then went out and slept in the camper.  First time in a lot of months.  Steven was a happy boy.  Until 2:30 (or 3:30 I guess with the time change), then he decided he wanted to go in the house.  He did go back to sleep within 30 minutes even with Bryan coming home right after we got in the house.  I on the other hand was awake for a couple of hours.   All in all a wonderful day filled with love and fellowship. 

Blessings-
the giveaway
a wonderful husband to keep an eye on Steven
Master's Hands
Elm Street Christian Church for letting us use their property for the giveaway

Take Care and God Bless
Sherri

Some of the clothes from Saturday.