dailyprompt

Searching for a Light

/ The WheatandTares / 4 Comments

What was the last thing you searched for online? Why were you looking for it?

These questions are always so interesting to be answered, and it’s even more intriguing to wonder if the answer is completely true or maybe just one of the recent searches in the the day.

When asked what was the last thing I searched online, my first thought was so I really want to answer that prompt? Because sometimes, the search can be so random, and something I wouldn’t normally search.It can be something someone brought up into a conversation, or a word I heard but didn’t know the meaning, or even a place I hear mentioned, and I’m wondering its location.

So, when I’m asked what’s the last thing I searched online and why were you looking for it, I secretly sneak over to my history tabs to see what I might find before I choose to answer. And then, I wonder do you want to know the last, last thing, or rather do you want to know the last interesting thing?

The last lady search is a bit random because I saw some friends advertise other acquaintances in a play locally; so, I searched the characters of Steel Magnolias to see what characters they might be playing. It’s been so long since I actually watched that movie, I couldn’t even remember the whole storyline, much less the characters’ character.

Then, the last thing before that, which would be what I actually answer as my prompt was something I was researching to speak about in a meeting: Matthew 5:13-16.

This is the Scripture about salt & light. If you’re a believer like me, we have this directive, to be salt and light to the world around us. And this scripture is so descriptive and so instructional that when I read it and then, think of where we are today in our world, it almost makes me sad…and convicted.

Now, if you’re not a Christ believer, as I am, this might not apply to you, but if you call yourself a person of faith in any way, this has our names written all over it! This was Jesus speaking to his disciples and all those who chose to listen to Him on the Mount of Olives. This is the same time frame when He gave us the famous Beatitudes that everyone loves to quote and preach to others of how we should live.

But these scriptures get a little more pointed, a little more laser focused on our personal lives and how we should be living them. This word brings it home to where all of us live.

We are to be salt. Salt of the earth. Salt brings flavor. Salt brings preservation. Salt brings health. Salt can also bring destruction. If you do more research, there’s lots of debate on what Christ meant when He told us to be the salt.

Instead of debating, I’d say He might have meant all of the above. Let me break it down a little…

Be salt that brings flavor to the world around you. Bring kindness, love, faith and hope.

Be salt that brings preservation. Preservation of the Truth. Preservation of His Word. Preservation of His Name and of all that He is.

Be salt that brings health. We, as humans, must have a measure of salt to be healthy. We, as Christians, must bring a measure of hope to bring health to those around us.

Be the salt that brings destruction. Not destruction of good but rather of evil. Bring destruction to lies, hypocrisy and evil intent against the innocent. Bring destruction to the deconstruction of faith, holiness and all things right, true and good.

Be the salt.

Being the light is a bit easier to comprehend. But for sake of congruency, I’ll break this down a little, too.

We are to be the light that shines in the darkness. We are the light that sits on a hill. We are the light that cannot be hidden. We are to be the light that transform the dark.

Light shines in the dark to protect from predators; so, protect the innocent and those without a voice.

Light shines in the dark to brighten a path; so, bring joy to someone else.

Light shines in the dark to lighten a room and dispel a fear; so, bring peace to another.

Light shines in the dark to expose the shadows; so, bring confrontations of truth to break deceptions and lies.

Light shines in the dark to lead the way; so, guide all you find to a better tomorrow.

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men,that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:13-16

Sweet or Salty, but Baked All the Same

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What’s your favorite recipe?

When I think of my favorite receipts, I guess I have two that pops up in my mind immediately. I’ve made them both, but one is passed down, and one is my own. One is something I love to eat and reminisce of days gone by, and the other my whole family and I love to enjoy.

The first would be pecan balls made by my late grandmother. She passed along this recipes to me some years ago, and I’ve made them a handful of times. Mine are good, but hers seemed to have a little extra goodness mixed in. Maybe it was the extra love of those 94 year old hands…

The second would be my lasagna. My guys absolutely love this dish. I make it different than most would possibly because it has double the cheese and double the meat, no veggies, and only cottage cheese mixed with Parmesan (no ricotta). I make a big 9×13 pan, too. So, there’s quite a few leftovers. And I have found that lasagna tastes even better the next day!

Let’s Go to the Movies

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What are your top ten favorite movies?

I’m not a huge movie goer; so, when I’m asked what are my top ten favorite movies, my list is probably going to be for an older crowd, or at least, for those old souls among us. Lol.

I’ll give my list, but I’ll have to say also that because of my own personal beliefs, I’ve watched a ton of these edited via television or some other sort of processing that takes out a lot of foul language or inappropriate/sexual scenes or even violence. *So please, if you take my list and then start watching without these safeguards, you might get shocked or offended, particularly if you know me, follow my testimony or are even wanting to see what kind of character I have. 😉 I like it more cleaned up for my eyes, heart and soul; that’s just how I roll.

Top 10 Favorite Movies:

1. The Princess Bride, 2. The Wedding Planner, 3. Little Women (w/Katherine Hepburn), 4. White Christmas, 5. The Lord of the Rings, 6. My Fair Lady, 7. Conager, 8. The Hobbit, 9. Top Gun, 10. The Sound of Music

Honorable Mentions: Mrs. Congeniality, Casablanca, How to Steal a Million

Yeah. You could say I’m a sucker for a good love story. haha.

What about you? What’s your top 10?

Peace is a Key

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What positive emotion do you feel most often?

As I noted in another blog, peace is the one thing I carry with me at all times, and it is the positive emotion I try to have and to feel most often.

Peace is a key to unlock so many more positive emotions.

I’m usually not a real dramatic person, not a person of high emotion; so, this emotion might seem to come to me more easily than some. However, I work on it as well.

If you’re a person of lots of drama or a person of high emotion, it might take a little more work to get to a peaceful state, but it really boils down to your thought life.

What you think, you become.

If you dwell on fear, you’re gonna deal with lots of anxiety and fear.

If you dwell on sadness, you’re going to be sad and even depressed.

If you dwell on anger, you’re going to live in a state of anger and rage.

If you dwell on doubt and never ending questions, you’re going to be consumed in a cloud of confusion.

You get my point.

Negative thoughts breed negativity.

Positive thoughts breed positivity.

The beautiful thing is we get to CHOOSE what we think about.

Some would say, But thoughts just pop into my head. Yes. You are truthful in that.

However, it’s the thoughts you choose to keep that produce the outcome.

The thoughts you choose to nurture, strengthen and continually go back to, these are what you become.

So, I ask you: What positive emotion do you feel most often?

And maybe a better question would be:

What positive emotion do you choose to feel most often?

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.

Proverbs 23:7

You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.

Isaiah 26:3

Peace Like A River

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What brings you peace?

Things in this life that bring me peace are waterfalls, and a child’s laughter, and mountaintop sunsets, and the breeze rustling through the trees.

But truly, there is only one thing that can bring me true inner peace.

And it’s not found in a magazine, or a shopping center, or material possessions.

It’s not discovered in a song or a conversation or an atmosphere of friends or family.

It’s not even realized in a moonlit stroll or an early morning city run.

Truthfully, it’s not recognized in these things because it’s not a thing.

My peace is revealed in the One who created peace, in the One who designed those mountains, sunbeams and starlight that can swirl around in our moments of peace.

My peace is unveiled by the One who IS peace.

His very name is The Prince of Peace.

And when I have Him within, I find that peace is wherever I go.

You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.

Isaiah 26:3

For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Peace, Peace, Wonderful Peace

/ The WheatandTares / 9 Comments

What is the most important thing to carry with you all the time?

The most important thing I can carry with me at all times is peace.

But peace can be hard to come by in a culture that is full of chaos, in people who are full of flaws, and certainly in a self that can be up and down like a yo yo.

Material possessions can come and go. This world cannot be counted in for my security.

People whom you thought were dependable can let you down, both intentionally and not.

Family and friends are wonderful, but they are still people, still human.

They’re not meant to be my stability.

Anything of this world can fail tomorrow. Nothing is truly perfect or reliable.

But I have found One.

There is One who is ever faithful, ever dependable, and ever stable in all His ways.

Jesus.

Some hate Him. Some love Him. Some choose not to know Him.

But I have found He is all I need.

He has peace beyond our imagination that will surpass our circumstances.

He has love that is unconditional and will sustain us in spite of ourselves.

He has joy beyond our emotions that will consume us regardless of our environment.

And all that He has is free. It costs nothing. It requires no work. It demands no sacrifice.

All we have to do is believe.

…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of theLord shall be saved.”

Romans 10:9-13

You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.

Isaiah 26:3

I’d Like to Teach The World

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What change, big or small, would you like your blog to make in the world?

Immediately when I read the question, what change would you like your blog to make in the world, I thought of that old song, “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing.”

I hadn’t thought of that song in ages.

If you’re a child of the 70s or 80s, you might be hearing the jingle chime in your head right now. (You’re welcome. Lol.)

If you’re younger, you’ll get the pleasure of hearing it in the video below.

I’d not actually want my blog to buy the world a coke or to teach it to sing, per se, but rather I’d like to convey those kinds of feelings and thoughts to all those who take the time to read something in the Grizzle Grist Mill.

“All is grist for the mill.” — a Proverb

I chose that old Proverb as the theme of my blog because I believe that’s just what it is. I have a lot of thoughts, words, stories and even strong beliefs I share here, but in the greater scheme of life, they may just be as sand on the seashore, or grist for the grinding mill.

This blog may not change the world. It may not even change a nation, or a race, or even a whole gathering of people. I’d love for that to be the case, but I’m not foolish enough to believe my words can be that impactful; although, every true writer has that dream.

Yet, if something I’ve written might leave you with a feeling of hope, of love, of joy, and of peace, then I will believe they have been worth something.

If these words might create a memory to hold onto, or a thought of things to come that you can run toward, or maybe a faith that keeps you coming back for more, then I will know I’ve done a good job.

If these letters converged together by pen and paper (or rather by computer and keys these days), if they mean anything to you, the reader, if they make an impression in any way, then I will consider my time, my effort, and my desire to make a difference can be effective, even if it’s only in my little corner of the world.

These heart notes may be as small as the grains of sand, but when piled up in one place, they might just make a beautiful sand dune to be enjoyed or an intricately designed sand castle that will capture a picture in your memory for a lifetime…

It’s funny. I never remembered the beginning of the song until I replayed it today…

Oh What A Day That Will Be

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Describe your life in an alternate universe.

In that alternate universe, I will not grow old. And in this current life, hitting half a century this year has been one of both joy and a slight irritation.

In that alternate reality, I will not feel pain, sorrow, or grief. I will not deal with disappointment, aggravation or even the threat of disenchantment.

In that new world, there will be no anger, no hatred, no violence, no death.

Can you imagine?

The tears will be wiped from our eyes, and we will never experience agony again. We will never feel heartbreak, regret or brokenness.

Everything will be made new.

Everything will be healed.

Everything will be refreshed, revitalized, restored to it’s beginning.

I will have no failures, no blemish, no flaw.

I will be made perfect, and you will, too.

Can you even imagine?

Oh, won’t it be grand?

And it will all last for eternity.

And to top it off, it won’t be an alternative.

It will be true reality.

You want to come?

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.”

Revelation 21:1-5

And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.

Revelation 21:6-7

Don’t Worry. Be Happy

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List 30 things that make you happy.

Here’s a list of 30 things that make me happy. Some are in specific order but some are not. You can probably guess which ones are which…

1. My Savior, Jesus Christ

2. My husband

3. Holding his hand and saying, I Love You.

4. My boys, both of them.

5. Hugging our boys.

6. Family

7. Friends who stay and stand the rest of time.

8. Worship music that lifts the soul, connects me to Him or just reminds me Whose I am.

9. Coffee, flavored, with cream

10. The little things often more than the big things.

11. A rosebush blooming.

12. A walk in the woods.

13. Sunsets and waterfalls.

14. A hike up a mountain.

15. Having a hope in an eternal life in eternity.

16. Walking along the beach.

17. My cat purring and wanting to be loved.

18. Watching someone give their heart to Jesus.

19. Watching someone’s life being transformed for good.

20. Giving orphans Christmas presents.

21. Holding a sweet baby, no matter the age.

22. Preaching and seeing that someone actually connected with Him.

23. Listening to our almost grown boys talk about God, life, and things they will do, and realizing they have made good choices.

24. Hearing my husband and sons tell me they love me.

25. Having coffee with a good friend.

26. Cooking a good meal or delicious dessert for my family and knowing they enjoyed it.

27. Traveling to distant lands, flying in a plane, or just taking a road trip.

28. Antiquing in a small town.

29. Having deep conversation, light hearted fun, or anything in between with my love.

30. Being able to bring a smile to someone else.

There’s a ton more I’m sure I could share. And probably tomorrow, I’ll look back over this and realize I’ve forgotten to list something oh so very important.

So, please don’t judge. Just enjoy. And maybe take a moment to think of your own listing.

I wonder if you can now tell me your 30 things that bring such joy?

Think Right. Live Right.

/ The WheatandTares / 2 Comments

What strategies do you use to maintain your health and well-being?

There are probably several strategies I use to maintain my health and well-being and many more that I truly need to implement.

Like exercise and eating right. I need to do better in these categories. Eating is alright, and my saving grace is most likely that I do eat a lot of salads, try to make sure I’m getting good fiber, making better choices throughout the weeks, and I eat one big meal most days (lunch) and a protein bar at the other two meals. So, better than some, not as good as others.

However, I’d say the thing I work hardest at is keeping the right mental attitude, and that contributes to a ton of my well being.

Avoid stinkin’ thinkin’ for a good and prosperous life!

I am naturally introspective, and because I’m a reviewer (there are doers, dreamers and reviewers in life), I tend to automatically see what will go wrong in a given situation. Over the years, with the help of my “optimistic-big picture,-always seeing what can go right-amazing leader” husband, I have learned to not only see the problem but to also work hard to see the solution, too.

So, that’s what I do.

I strive to look at the good, the solutions and the HOPE in any given situation. I don’t always get it right, but I can proudly claim I am light years ahead of where I was 25 years ago.

A couple of things that help me do this:

1. Daily Scripture reading. Yeah. I read the Bible. For some, you’re already tuning me out because you think I’m going to get all religious on you. However, hold just a second, please, and just read a few more lines to see what I’m talking about…

I have found that the Bible is a great big story of incredibly amazing people, and it’s beyond interesting. It has mind-boggling miracles and mysteries, intriguing family dynamics and dysfunctions, and all kinds of battles and victories. It’s a great history book as well. And it’s certainly led me to a greater level of understanding, knowledge and insight. So, beyond the soul refreshing relationship I’ve found through knowing and talking to the ultimate Hero of the Book, it’s an incredible piece of literature. And it’s no wonder it’s been the #1 Best Seller for centuries. (I challenge you to just try reading it sometime.)

Then, the added bonus for my reliance of daily Scripture reading is that I find it gives me peace of mind, restores my joy, and fills me with more love than I could ever imagine. So, this would be the first and foremost reason for my daily reading plan of the Bible.

2. I strive to THINK right. Too many people will just let your mind wander all over the place, or maybe be consumed with so much reasoning that it lends itself to confusion, or even allow yourself to be so overwhelmed with thoughts of fear, anger, bewilderment or just plain chaos, doubt and confusion that you never have a clear thought about anything.

There’s another great book I’ve come across that has helped me learn to think right: Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. She teaches you how to retrain your mind to have the right thoughts, no matter how messed up it might be right now. It’s a really good book! I highly recommend it.

3. I’ve learned to forgive and forgive again. This is huge. Unforgiveness can eat away at your health and well being before you know it. And when you’ve let unforgiveness fester so long that it’s turned into bitterness, it can literally destroy you!

I read an article once that talked about the scientific benefits and dangers of unforgiveness and negative thoughts. It described how these cause neurons, atoms (or something?… it’s been a while since I read it. Lol) or something in your brain to actually develop little spikes on them. And because your brain is the communication to the rest of the body, these little spikes start poking and prodding the various areas of your body and begin creating toxins and miscommunications, which then develop into sicknesses, diseases and even terminal illnesses.

Now, maybe someone wrote that article, and it was more theoretical than proven, I have no idea. And I really don’t care. It makes perfect sense, and it made a huge impact on me. So, I work hard to avoid harboring unforgiveness and negative thoughts.

4. I’ve embraced positivity and try to avoid negativity. (See explanation above.) I’m not always the best at this, but I try, and try, again. Being positive is really good for you mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally. Plus, it’s so much more enjoyable to be around someone who’s more positive than negative.

Now, this doesn’t mean I always have my head in the clouds and never see anything bad. That’s honestly a dumb way to live, too. And I’m a bit too much of a realist to be that way. But if I can choose positivity, I will work really hard to do so.

5. I don’t do drama. I don’t do OPD (other people’s drama), and I don’t do my own. Drama just works everyone up for nothing. If you’re going to fight a battle, there better be spoils, and good ones. But when everything gets dramatic, and especially when it’s someone else’s problem and solution into which you are inserting yourself, there’s usually absolutely no good pay off. So, why do that to yourself?

6. I strive to keep peace in my heart. This doesn’t mean that there’s never a storm of life that I’m not walking through. It just means that I’ve learned to embrace peace no matter if the circumstances around me are chaotic or not.

And truthfully, I can’t do this in my own strength. None of it. Whether it’s being disciplined to read Scripture, thinking right, being forgiving, being positive, avoiding drama or seeking peace, I really don’t have the ability to maintain all of this by myself. I’m not passionate enough, strong enough or even wise enough to know how to do all that, but I’ve met Someone who works it all in me and through me: my loving Savior, Jesus.

He is truly my Rock, my Shelter, my Peace, my Provider, and my Source for all I need for health and well-being. And often, those who don’t have a relationship with Him will say, “That’s just a crutch.” And I have to admit. Yes. I have found I can’t even walk without holding onto His hand. For when I’m leaning on Him, I can do all things well…

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.

Isaiah 26:3

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 18:2