Living in the Moment

A author friend of mine, Ethel Herr, said something a few days ago that was profound, and she agreed to let me share with you...


I've learned the importance of living in the moment. If we live in the past, which cannot be changed, we destroy the present and leave no possibilities for the future. Living in the future, where we have no control, only weird imaginations and wildness, also robs us of the present. God introduced Himself to Moses as the I AM. Not the I WAS, or the I WILL BE, but I AM. He did appeal to Moses to remember what He had done and promised that He would go with him in the future. But He is the great I AM. I amness builds a past for examples and assurance for the future. But we can never live any place but the present.

Isn't that awesome?

I don't know about you, but when she shared that I SO needed to hear it. My husband and I have been going through a lot of 'stuff' this past year--much of it financial stress that's worn us down. So many times I've been tempted to look back into 'better days' wishing we could go back, or find myself longing for the future when I hope life will be brighter. And in doing so, I've realized I'm robbing myself of where I am now.

God isn't caught by surprise by anything that happens to us--so I have to ask myself--if I'm in this situation that's hard right now, what does He want me to learn? What is He trying to say? Is there are a reason I'm here now, and if so, I need to discover what it is and be obedient, if He's asking something of me.

How about you? Are you living in today, yearning for the remembered tranquility of yesterday, or wishing away your life hoping for something better in tomorrow? Let's make a decision to live in the present, learn the lessons God wants us to learn NOW, and let yesterday and tomorrow take care of themselves. After all, we're only promised the time we have in this moment. I've decided I want to make it count!!

Letting Go

LETTING GO

By Carla McDougal

Do you remember the last time you opened the door to your junk closet? You know, the place where you put things you don’t want left out in the open. Maybe an item is old and worn out, so you throw it in this closet. Or, possibly it’s broken, and you don’t know what to do with it.

In my Bible Study, Reflecting Him, I invite readers to take a guided tour through various rooms in our homes, and compare these areas to our spiritual lives. The first day of the tour focuses on the closet—that hidden, dark place no one enters but you. “Out of sight, out of mind” might describe those items tucked away in that small space; but couldn’t the phrase also depict the things we hide in the backs of our minds and hearts? Broken, worn out, or sinful thoughts weigh heavily on our souls, and we need to let go, so they can be replaced by God’s light of love, grace and mercy.

June 23rd is National “Let It Go” Day. I encourage you to find something in your spiritual “junk closet” and let it go.

Do you harbor bitterness for past hurts against you? Does sin linger in the crevices of your heart and mind? Are you in need of God’s forgiveness? We are all sinners, but we can be free from the closet of sin if we confess and ask for His forgiveness. Let go, and let God shine His light on you.
Just like cleaning out the junk closet, once you let go of those spiritual messes in your life, you’ll be left with room for the new.

God’s all about making things new. A new heart. A new life. A new you. It all starts with letting go of those things that fall short of His plan.

When you organize a junk closet, you might choose to use special organizers or aids to make it all work together better. Or perhaps you even hire a professional organizer. In your spiritual closet, don’t forget that you can find all the assistance you’ll ever need through the help of the Holy Spirit and God’s Word.

Are you ready to let God take the tour through the various rooms of your spiritual “house”? When you open the closet, what mess falls out? Give it to Him and see what happens!


CARLA MCDOUGAL is founder of Reflective Life Ministries headquartered in the Houston,
Texas area. Her true passion for her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, shines brightly, whether
she is speaking or writing. She shares experiences from her own life to encourage women to
live every day for Him. God is sending Carla around the world to speak to women from all
walks of life—those living in the best of circumstances to those who have hit rock bottom.
Carla’s book, Reflecting Him: Living for Jesus and Loving It, pulls back the veil so you can
see yourself and your Lord more clearly and reflect Him with transparency when interacting
with others. This 10-week study exposes the dark corners of your life, opening your eyes and
heart to what Jesus wants you to see. Carla’s refreshing authenticity and humorous style will
lift you up from a heaviness you didn’t even know weighed you down.
For more information on a growing number of products from Reflective Life Ministries go to:
www.reflectivelifeministries.org

This article content is provided free of charge by the author through Kathy Carlton Willis Communications. You are welcome to place this article on your site or in your publication as long as 1) it’s used in its entirety, 2) the full bio is also used, and 3) you previously request permission through KCWC at russ@kathycarltonwillis.com. All other standard copyrights apply.
PO Box 677, Brenham, TX 77834
kathy@kathycarltonwillis.com
www.kathycarltonwillis.com

When a Simple Prayer Wasn't Answered--Or Was it?

Trusting God--Even in the Little Things!

This week I had a super busy day. First, a doctor appointment which ran late and put me behind schedule. I'd hoped I wouldn't be pushed making the next leg of my journey--lunch on the go as I drove to Portland, OR. I had an appt. at the Apple Store as my phone had quit working. By the time I hit the freeway I only had an hour and ten minutes to make my appt., and it was a full hour drive to where I'd park and catch the Max rail system going into downtown.

Once I finished at the Apple Store, I still had to make my way back to my car and rush to the airport to pick up my mother from an incoming flight. Have you ever prayed for a parking space in an area you KNOW can be difficult to find one? Well, I did. For the five minutes or so before arriving at the large parking lot near the Max stop I prayed. The trams run about every 6-8 minutes and catching one right after I arrived would make the difference in my making my appt or being late--and Apple doesn't hold your appointment more than 5 minutes. You're late, you miss your slot. Too bad.

I pulled into the lot, continuing to pray God would open a spot close to the crosswalk and not far from where I needed to board. I didn't understand WHY I found one at the farthest edge of the lot. I ran, literally, as I saw the train pulled up and loading. I got there about 30 seconds too late.

That meant at least a 6 minute wait. I'd be late. I waited, wondering if I should catch the red train coming next, instead of waiting for the green one 6 minutes later. Both were heading west, surely the red would be fine? A young man--college age--was waiting a few feet away, so I asked him if he knew if I should take the red line, explaining where I needed to go. Nope. I'd end up zipping right past my stop, as that car went non-stop to a destination farther west.

I got on the correct car and we headed out, but I still wasn't certain about my stop. The store told me 5th and Morrison. Several stops later I saw the sign flash saying 5th was coming up. I checked with the young man again who sat nearby--did he think I should take that stop, even though it didn't say Morrison. Nope. I'd be walking at least a mile if I did. 5th ran east and west, and we were following it west. We chatted all the way to my stop--his name is Omar, I learned--and a student at a nearby college getting his teaching degree. He showed me where to get off, right across the street from the Apple Store.

Yep, I missed my appt., but it didn't matter. They had an open slot 6 minutes after I arrived. If the Lord had answered my prayer and given me that parking place, I'd have either gotten on the wrong train and ended up miles past my destination, or gotten on the right train, and exited a mile or so early, and been walking. God knows what I need even when I don't think he's listening. I'm so glad He's God and I can trust Him with every detail of my life!!

Dumping the Fat

Isn't that what we'd all love to do? Get rid of those awful fat pockets stored all over our body? Shudder!!! And where in the world did they come from? I'm 5' 5" tall, and up until I hit about age 40 or so, weighed 120 or under....in fact, in my 20's and 30's I averaged around 115, a bit too light for my height, but my metabolism burned calories faster than I could pack them on.

Then, the dreaded 40's snuck up on me, and my fat burning ability slowed to a crawl. Unfortunately, my eating habits didn't change. I'd spent my entire life eating anything I wanted and never paying for it. It boomeranged with a vengeance. I got up to 130 and didn't think much of it, as that was just a couple of lbs more than what I should be for my height and frame. Then 5 lbs more, and then another five....and...well, I'm not telling. Let's just say, I gained too much in the next 15 yrs.

Yes, I changed my eating habits. Yes, I started to exercise more, although I've always been fairly active. But it's been a constant battle. Now, however, I'm determined that's going to change, and I'm publicly stating....and hoping my readers will help keep me accountable....that I'm GOING to lose weight. At least 10 lbs before Thanksgiving!!

I started yesterday on a diet that's worked for several of my friends and I'll let you know it goes. I'll post one every 7-10 days with an update, if even one person leaves a comment showing that they care to know. Otherwise, I guess I'll just rejoice (or moan and groan) alone, LOL!

Wish me luck, pray for me, bless me, and lend your support. My cholesterol is too high, and my clothes don't fit well, and it's TIME FOR A CHANGE!!!!

In fact, if I'm brave and this works, I may even do a before and after picture in a month or two!

Feeling Sappy

The pine cones are falling off the trees right now, but they're different somehow than I'm used to seeing them. They're very green, rather than the fully formed, prickly, brown ones typically scattered across the lawn. While mowing a few days ago I started grabbing green cones and pitching them, only to discover my hands covered in the stuff....pitch, that is. Every single cone was oozing the nasty sap and I had to use fingernail polish to remove it.

Fast forward a few days to yesterday. We were getting ready to go to friends for dinner and our daughter and hubby already had our two dogs at their house. Lacey, or little 6 lb Chihuahua that you see in the picture with their puppy, is one of our two.

Marnee called about 45 minutes before we were due to leave with a frantic plea for help with Lacey. Somehow she'd managed to straddle something covered with pitch...whether she lay down on a bed of green cones, or what, we'll never know....but the inside of her back legs and tail were covered. She has a very plumy tail and 'feather's down her back legs, and very fine, soft hair.

I took a few minutes to search the internet hoping for a household solution and found it. I grabbed a jar from the fridge and raced down the driveway to their house. Marnee and Brian were a bit horrified as I started slathering my poor dog with mayonnaise, and rubbing it into her fur, but I read two different posts that said it worked for them, so I figured it couldn't hurt.

Ten minutes later we rinsed her off and shampooed her, and every bit of pitch was gone. Unfortunately, Marnee had cut her feathers and part of her tail before I got there, as it was so balled up with sap, and she didn't think there was any way of getting it off. In fact, poor Lacey's back legs were almost stuck together and some of the hair was pulled out. She's fine now and we know what to do next time one of our pets (or ourselves) gets in a sticky situation!

So What's Your Vote?

Summer Vs Winter...Are you a snow bunny or a sun lover?


This is a typical summer day at our house. My dogs are outside enjoying the sun and the grass, and I'm working in my flowerbeds and garden. It's warm, beautiful and enjoyable.



Now, jump to the picture below......









I don't take many pictures in the snow, so this is the front yard up against the fence, not where the flowers were, but about 30' away.

Now you tell me, which is more enticing for you?

A few days ago we had very cool weather for our area. It should be in the high 80's and 90's all through August, with an occasional day or so over 100. We spent 3 or 4 days in a row in the low 60's, dropping into the high 40's at night. And it felt like fall.

Can you tell I'm dreading winter? Yep. Don't like it. Not since grade school when snow was fun. When winter arrives I start counting the days until spring.

If I could vote, I'd have three season. Spring, summer and fall. No winter.

How about you? What's your favorite season and why?

Ladders, Part 2

I don't have a picture of this one because, well....I was lying flat on my back and in no shape to take a picture.

It started with my decision to stop at a U-pick orchard to get a bucket of cherries. It's at the tail end of the season (that's already running late due to a delayed summer/heat). So, all the fruit that could be picked from the ground was gone, leaving only what could be reached from a ladder.

I was the only one in my section of the orchard, although I'd walked past a mother and her two teenage girls not too far away. I set my ladder (the type with a pole you set apart from the legs in a triangle). My dad had a small orchard while I was growing up and I'd set these ladders many a time. I could hear his voice in my head reminding me to check it to make sure it was square. It wasn't, and I reset it. But this time when reminded again, I disregarded it, sure it must be fine.

Bad decision.

I climbed up and picked a half bucket of luscious, dark purple cherries and had almost cleaned out the area I could reach. A few big handfuls were a little farther away, but I could reach them by leaning.

Another bad decision.

The ladder went one way in slow motion, tipping off to my right. I saw and felt it going and knew there wasn't a thing I could do to stop it. I remember thinking it was going to hurt when I hit. I also had the presence of mind to holler for help on the way down, as I knew I might not be in any condition to do so once I hit.

Good decision.

I bounced off several rungs, impacted the side panel with my thigh and calf, and landed on my tailbone, then flat on my back, then my head whipped back and connected last.

Thankfully, on grassy ground.

No broken bones, but LOTS of big bruises and a separated tailbone that's also bent to the side.

The woman and girls came running, as did the orchard owner. I lay on the ground getting my breath, then when I felt able, they helped me up. After determining I didn't have any broken bones, I bemoaned the loss of my cherries, scattered across the ground. The owner scooped them all up and offered to help me to my car.

Nope. I came to get cherries, I wasn't leaving without them. I had company coming and wanted those cherries! I climbed back up the now stable ladder (half way this time....my feet were on the 6th rung the first time) and proceeded to finish off my gallon bucket.

Then I called my chiropractor and made a beeline for his office. I've been back about 5 times since, and he's got my tailbone almost back in place. The bruises are healing, I'm still sore and it's still hard to sit. But I'm sure enjoying those cherries!

Ladders, Gates and Other Assorted Dangers

What a day! It started out innocently enough but by bedtime I felt as though a cyclone had hit, upsetting my emotions and pummeling my body.

See the little dog in the foreground? That's my 7 lb. Chihuahua, Lacey, and her sister Bella (with the floppy ears). My two cats are in the background. Two weeks ago today Lacey decided to escape and run down to my daughter's house whose property adjoins ours.

See the crack between the wood post and the metal gate? Bella is standing just a few inches in front of it. Narrow, huh? You'd think too narrow for any of these four critters to get their heads through it, right? Wrong.

I heard loud crying/yipping and raced outside. Lacey's head was jammed through the crack and she was stuck. Body on one side, head on the other. bove the bottom hinge that you see in the picture, so she was standing on her hind legs to keep her balance. I held her body up and tried to gently work her head back through. She screamed, quite literally, both times.

I sat praying and trying to figure out how I could free her, and thought maybe her collar was impeding her release. I had to let go of her and run to the house for scissors. When I returned she was wheezing and panting. It was in the 90's that day and her throat was against the hinge. Not good. Cut the collar and tried again. More crying and screaming and still stuck.

By this time I was close to crying. My daughter and her hubby were gone, as was my husband, and I don't know any phone #'s of neighbors. We're 9 miles out in the country and no one close besides our kids. I ran back in, grabbed the phone and a bottle of cooking oil. I figured if you can get a ring off your finger by making it slick, it might work with her head. It didn't. More crying and struggling. By this time I was crying.

I called my husband in a near panic, sure my dog was going to die before anyone made it home to help. He calmed me down and I finally explained what happened. He instructed me to lift up on the gate...hard...that it would pop off the hinges. I gave a hard yank, and the gate went flying. I grabbed Lacey, cuddled her to my chest, thanked him and ran in the house to get her some water. She didn't want to do anything but stay in my arms for the next 20 minutes. Poor little thing was too scared to even shiver, which is her normal reaction when she's afraid.

I'm hoping she's learned her lesson and stays away from the gate, but at least now I know what to do.

Tune in tomorrow to hear about the rest of my day....and the episode with the ladder. Bruises, bruises, everywhere!

Catching Up or Procrastinating-- How About You?

The summer is flying by and so much has happened that I've put several projects on hold. For weeks now a couple of obligations have stared me in the face, taunting me with their need to be finished. Each day I promise myself I'll work on them, and each evening near bedtime I realize I've once again put them off for another day.

I'm not sure why I torture myself this way. Why not just get it over with, even if it's something (paperwork) that I hate doing? Wouldn't it be easier not to face the same thing day after day, and keep dealing with the dread, stress and guilt that comes with not getting it done?

Yesterday I sat staring at the stack of paperwork and resolved that another day wouldn't go by with the pile on my desk. I'll bet you're thinking.....she put it off again and has to face it today. Nope. I actually got it done, faxed it off and am now facing a relatively clean desk. What a huge relief! And just think, I could have experienced this joy and satisfaction weeks ago had I followed through and not procrastinated. Sure, I had a book deadline also pressing me that I felt was more important. I had a garden needing tending, family to visit and a tailbone to nurse after my fall from an orchard ladder. All good excuses. But if I were totally honest I'd admit there was time for the project, I just didn't want to do it.

Anyone else have the same problem as me? Do you get projects that you dread done first, or drag your feet and put them off till the last possible minute? If so, why? I'd love your input!

Setting Goals--Or Not?

Goals--A Dirty Word or a Big Help?

For years I avoided writing down my goals, figuring I knew them in my head and didn't need to. That was fine at the time, as my life was relatively organized and not overly busy.

Now however, things have changed.

Five years ago I started writing Christian fiction and three years ago my first book released, with three more following and another coming next February. What has that meant in my life? Unorganized chaos.

Don't get me wrong. I LOVE writing, but the entire package takes a lot of work. You write, you edit, you rewrite, you market your books, attend book signings, speak occasionally, keep active on social networking sites, answering an increasingly heavy load of email, all while still trying to maintain a life outside of writing. I'm often up till midnight working and tired the next morning. Almost like when I had little ones at home, LOL!

So what's a gal to do? See the picture above of my flower bed last year? Well, this year it needs weeding and bedding put down, my lawn needs mowed (hubby will probably take care of that, thankfully) and I have a huge garden to tend. I also have two dogs that need walked, a horse that I LOVE to ride on the trails with my grown daughter and her horse, and I must get some exercise or all this sitting at the computer will make me a blimp.

Sigh. So, I decided it's time to set goals and WRITE them down. I also contacted a friend & asked if I could give her my weekly goals. She agreed to hold me accountable each week and she does. She calls me twice weekly to see how I'm doing and encourage me to keep going.

As a result, I'm staying close to my daily writing goals, have cut Pepsi consumption by 75%, am walking/jogging with my dog 3-4 days a wk, and have lost 7 lbs.

How about you? Are you a goal setter or like I used to be, just hoping I'd get it all done. I'd love to hear from you. Has setting goals made a difference in your life?