'Kimmie Sue's "LIFE LESSONS"'

     Yesterday was 'Memorial Day,' "2018," and, I thoroughly enjoyed it, despite so many things, because,  I decided that I would, so, I asked God to help me, then, HE did, and then, I DID!  Every 'Memorial Day' since "1991," I have struggled between, being celebratory with family and friends, and, being sad, due to thinking about all of the soldiers who have lost their lives in the service of our country, especially, one very special man, who was one of my dearest friends, who gave his life in 'Saudi Arabia,' during the 'Desert Storm' mission.  With this post, I pay tribute to, honor, salute, THANK (them, and, their loved ones), etc., each and every one of them, and, most of all, my, dear, dear, friend, Tony, who died, a TRUE 'HERO!'  He did not instantaneously become a hero the day that he passed away!  He was always a heroic type soul!  He was a real friend to me!  He, watched over, defended, protected, me, a lot!  I pray t...

     LET the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.  - Psalms 19:14.  Words (plural)...word (noun):  a single distinct meaningful element of speech or writing, used with others (or sometimes alone) to form a sentence, and typically shown with a space on either side when written or printed. (Verb):  choose and use particular words in order to say or write something, example..."He words his requests in a rude manner."  Multiple things can be "SAID" about WORDS, therefore, I am asking 'The Lord' to continue to lead me, as I attempt to WRITE posts on my 'blog,' in a positive "light," to honor HIM!  The Bible tells us that God spoke WORDS, and created the heavens, and the earth (Genesis chapter 1...God said, "LET there be...")!  So, needless to say, HIS WORDS are supernaturally, extraordinarily, POWERFUL, therefore, they remain powerful whenever HIS children,...

     "INFLUENCES" in our lives come in many forms, and, they begin shaping us into who we're becoming, even while we are in our mother's womb (Jeremiah 1:5, Luke 1:41, Psalms 58:3, 139:13)! From the moment of our conception, we are incessantly being bombarded with "INFLUENCES," good, bad, positive, and negative!  We are continually influencing those around us, too! I can't help but think of the various types of "emotional energy (happiness, excitement, etc.), that is generated by the acknowledgement of a pregnancy, and the many lives that are affected by it, for an example's sake!  And, a pregnancy is just one example of the numerous "INFLUENCES" in life.  We sway, and are swayed by, our family, the people with whom we socialize, the folks with whom we work, etc.  While one is living his/her life, he/she, generally, is not consciously dwelling upon how he/she is being pressured by one's culture, etc., and/or, how he/she is pressuri...

     A "Christian" without EMPATHY toward someone else who is in PAIN (of any kind) is PATHETIC (take the "EM" off of the front of the word, "EMPATHY," and you have the beginning of the word, "PATHETIC" - ha!)!  Here are a couple Bible verses on the subject:  Romans 12:15, 1 Corinthians 12:26.  {'EMPATHY' (em-pa-thy), (the dictionary meaning), (noun):  the ability to UNDERSTAND and SHARE the FEELINGS of another.}.  There is a wide variety of types of PAIN with which people deal.  Just because one person is ABLE to DO A LOT despite her pain, at this point in her life, does NOT mean that someone else shall automatically be ABLE to DO the SAME things as that person, at this point in HER life!  Maybe her pain is totally different, and possibly worse, or maybe, she is dealing with circumstances in her life that the other is not, that, make her "LOAD" heavier for her!  The variations of people's painful scenarios of life are endle...

     As I sit out here on my back porch at 6:32 a.m., the most dominant thought that I have pressing my mind, and mixed emotions pulling at my spirit and soul, is a sincere prayer of thankfulness and gratefulness to my 'Heavenly Father,' for allowing my mother, Ann, to continue to be with us here on this earth!  For 6-7 months we have been in a "nightmare" with her as the "victim!"  'Thanksgiving Day,' "2017," she had her first heart attack (1st. of 3-4 in 6-7 mos.)!  Shortly after that, she had "open heart /3-way bypass surgery."  Post surgery, she has not yet recovered.  Over and over again, it would "seem" that she was starting to begin her journey of healing, but, would have setback after setback, with the main culprit of her trouble being 'Diabetes.'  She has been in and out of the hospital, since that first heart attack, and surgery.  Today, if all goes as planned, we plan on transferring her to another hos...

     Having this 'blog' is "therapy," of sorts, for me, especially in this difficult "SEASON" of life in which I find myself .  It does my heart good to "share" experiences, lessons, etc., that I've learned, so far in my life!  I sincerely, hope and pray, that it encourages, ministers to, or in some other way-helps, AT LEAST ONE reader!  The subject matter that is on my heart today is, "seasons in life."  Just as nature has 'seasons' (Spring, Summer, Winter, Fall), so do we as humans experience seasons on our life's journey (ex. - child, young adult, adult, mature adult).  However, these are not the kind of "seasons" about which I'm writing, but instead, I'm writing about the types of "seasons" that individuals go through which are very personal, and, personalized!  These seasons vary in ALL ways, from person to person, and, season to season, because each individual has her own history, family, ...

     After living fifty four years on this earth, there's one thing of which I am certain, and that being;  GOD'S THOUGHTS AND WAYS ARE NOT MINE (supported by Isaiah 55:9), and for this fact, I am forever grateful!  Furthermore, HIS ways are more often than not...MYSTERIOUS (Ephesians 1:9)!  I see God's usage of mysterious methods very clearly whenever I consider many of the people whom HE chooses to represent HIM in 'The Ministry,' ESPECIALLY, MYSELF (1 Corinthians 1:27)!  A good example of this is, whenever David and I were married, almost thirty five years ago, I DID NOT know that he was going to be a PREACHER, and neither did he!  However, when he shared with me, a few years later, that God had spoken to his heart, and called him to preach, I was ignorantly excited!  I had NO idea of what lay ahead!  We were both SO happy to be "called" to serve Jesus, as a couple/family (Jeremy was about 3 years old, and C.C., around two)!  It ...

     Have you ever QUIT, or really wanted to QUIT, something?  I'd say that most of us have!  I have!  Usually, when one begins something, her intention is to finish it.  But, every now and then, for whatever the reason, she "FEELS" as though she can't continue with it.  I don't think anyone 100% desires to QUIT an endeavor with which she chose to be involved!  Sometimes there is a legitimate reason to consider, and/or, actually discontinue a thing, however, oftentimes, a person is simply, discouraged, tired, confused, or is leaning toward some other kind of rationale, etc. What I try to remember to do whenever I get to the point of contemplating quitting something, is to, first of all, PRAY about it, and put it in God's hands.  Then, I think about WHY I even chose, at its beginning, to get involved with "it!"  I also try to imagine quitting, and how I may "feel" afterward, and to think about some of the possible consequences (short...

     This post is going to be in "Dear Diary" style, and, I'm drinking a strong, black, hot, cup of coffee,  as I write!  So, here goes!  Dear Diary,  It's been a "blessed" day, as ALL are!  However, this does not mean that there have not been disappointments, trials, tests, and frustrating circumstances!  I chose to not go to church all day today (forgiven!) for several reasons, with the back pain level being pretty high, being the most prominent one.  I thank God for HIS comforting Spirit, Word, back pain medicated pads, ice packs, stretching, a large whirlpool style bath tub, and most of all, knowing that people pray for me, and that God answers, and graces me with HIS mercy, love, and so many other blessings, provisions, ETC.!  "Anxiety" tried, once again, to torment me, but, God answered my cries for help, as always!  At HIS perfect time, HE healed me of the "depression" with which I had struggled and suffered for years, t...