Weeding the Garden

Rain, rain, rain. We haven't had this much rain in about two years. Our yard is so green and is growing faster than we can cut it. It's nice not to have to water flowers every day.

But along with the flowers and grass we want, we also get culprits we don't want. Weeds. I spent part of my weekend pulling weeds out of all my flower beds and putting down new mulch. Hopefully, that will help curb their growth.

We get weeds in our lives sometimes too. They can creep in unaware and unless we get rid of them while they are small, we can have a full blown problem. Just like weeds in a garden can take over the plants, weeds in our minds can take over our lives.

So how do we get rid of those invaders that pop up in our thoughts?

1. Recognize a weed as soon as it appears. A bad thought, attitude, bitterness, unforgiveness, etc. are all weeds in our minds.

 2. Take control of our mind because that's where the seeds get planted. 2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

3. Realize that when something pops into our minds it's not a sin unless we act on it. We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (Romans 8:37)

What other scriptures do you stand on to keep those weeds out of your life?

Navigating Sick Computers

We do things for our bodies to keep them healthy like eating right, taking vitamins, and exercising. We try to protect ourselves from bacteria and viruses by avoiding places where they are and by cleaning surfaces and washing our hands. Sometimes that is not enough and we still get sick.

Unfortunately, the same is true in the computer world. Viruses are out there and we can contract them even when taking all the known precautions. Recently one of our computers obained a virus that totally wiped out the hard drive. After several hours of work, it was restored.

One of the computer programmers we had on the phone told us this little trick to get your computer restored back to its original settings. It finally worked on ours so I would like to share it.

When turning your computer on, before the screen even lights up, tap the F11 key repeatedly. Then your blue screen should come on with a menu asking if you would like to restore your computer to its original settings. As far as I know, this works on all brands of computers.

Maybe you will never need to do this, but if you do I hope this helps.

Do you have some other tips to share on bringing a sick computer back to health?

Salute to Dads

Dads come in all shapes, sizes, and personalities. Where would be without them? In honor of this special day I would like to share some humorous quotes about fathers from some famous people over the years.


Ken Latta

"She got her looks from her father. He's a plastic surgeon." Groucho Marx

"When I was a kid, I asked my father, 'Will you take me to the zoo?' He answered, 'If the zoo wants you, they can come and get you'." Jerry Lewis

"I have found the best advice in raising children is to find out what they want and then advise them to do it." Harry S. Truman

"Spread the diaper in the position of the diamond with you at bat. Then fold second base down to home and set the baby on the pitcher's mound. Put first base and third together, bring up home plate and pin the three together. Of course, in case of rain you gotta call the game and start all over again." Jimmy Piersal



Lloyd Watson

"To have be a successful father, there's one absolute rule: when you have a kid don't look at it for the first two years." Ernest Hemingway

"Human beings are the only species that allows their children to come back home." Bill Cosby

Kenneth Latta

Happy Fathers Day to all the dads out there, especially the three in my life: my husband, Ken; my dad, Lloyd Watson (who went to heaven this year); and my father-in-law, Kenneth Latta. Thanks Dads for all you do.


Do you have some Dad stories or quotes you would like to share?

Hacked

"Something is wrong," I told myhusband after checking our bank account online. The balance of $17.00 told me I had spent more money than I thought, or someone else had.

We had been hacked. While we were enjoying a leisurely lunch with my friends at East Metro Atlanta Christian Writiers, our bank account was being emptied by someone in another state.

We immediately contacted the store where the transactions took place and the police departments of the respective cities, as well as our local authorities. Our debit cards were cancelled by our bank and we were left wondering how this could have happened.

We are always careful, but now we will need to take stricter precautions when making purchases. For example, I will not pay restaurant bills with a debit card any longer if it requires the card leaving my presence while it is run. I will use cash or a credit card. I don't store card information when paying a bill by phone or debit card, but now I think I will just mail them a check. Even when they say the information is secure, someone seems to find a way to hack in.

What are some ways you protect your finances?

Dogs, Dogs, Dogs

I love to watch re-runs of "The Andy Griffith Show." I grew up during its era and can identify with the small town atmosphere because my home town was like Mayberry. One of the episodes was about Opie finding a dog he wanted to keep. When Andy asked why there was a rope around its neck Opie replied, "Well, that kinda helped him to follow me." More dogs kept appearing to join the first one until the courthouse was full of various breeds and sizes of dogs.

Peanut, Buster, Kato, and Weenie

Our house was like that this week. We have two dogs and our son and daughter-in-law came to visit and brought their German Shepherd and Chiweenie. (That's a contrast, I know.) Well, when they arrived in the middle of the night our dogs announced the news with a barking frenzy and door clawing welcome.

After that, it was scheduled mayhem. Three dogs have to be walked on a leash to keep them from running away, one is not completely potty trained, and the other one wants to bark all the time. Poor Kato, the German Shepherd is so old he just doesn't care anymore as long as the other ones leave him alone!

Despite all that we have a good time together.We love our dogs and laugh at their antics and cry when we lose one of them. Our family's visits together always involve our pets.

We wouldn't have it any other way.

How do you navigate your life with pets?

Remember

Andersonville National Cemetary

Memorial Day. A time to pay homage to those who have paid with their lives for the freedoms we enjoy. It takes only a visit to a national cemetary to see the evidence of the cost. As we enjoy the benefits of their sacrifice, let us never forget to appreciate what we have.

In honor of those who have lost their lives fighting for the founding of this nation and the continued defense of its freedoms (military, police, and fire departments), I dedicate this poem.

A Hero's Tribute

Andersonville National Cemetary

The plane's engines hum as it rolls to a stop

The rear hatch opens and the door slowly drops.

Uniforms march two by two, side by side,

Gloved hands raise to salute those who died.

Flages drape the coffins as they are carried away

Comrades in arms they will be to this day.

Heroes of war who have paid the price

Coming back home to their loved ones cries.

They are moved to the grave as the bugler plays taps

Young children watch from their mother's laps.

The rifles' repeat echoes off the banks

Our heroes are resting as the nation says "thanks."

 

Do you have a Memorial Day story to share? Remember your hero here.



Construction vs. Destruction

Construction barrels. It seems they are everywhere. No matter where I go,

the road is being worked on and all the traffic is re-routed and hazards have to be navigated. But where would we be without progress, right? We would still be on the old broken down, pot-hole filled asphalt we were complaining about before.

When we come across these road projects in our vehicle, we have to slow down or mayhem will result. You cannot navigate a highway full of concrete barricades and heavy machinery while traveling at high speed without a tragedy occuring.

The same thing is true in our decisions. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."

If we plunge ahead when making decisions, whether large or small, we can run into a lot of trouble. For example, if I am facing a decision about a major purchase and I rush into it because it sounds good, but I don't have peace about it, I just ran into a construction barrel.

Just as those warning signs are on the highway to slow us down because of danger ahead, that check in our spirit is a warning sign to lean on the Lord and not our own understanding. Doing things our own way if we don't have God's peace about it can lead to destruction.

After road repairs are completed, all the barricades are removed and we travel on a smooth surface free of potential hazards. All the warnings and slow travel were worth it now that it is over and we can enjoy the benefits of the new highway. Likewise, once our decisions are made in with the light of God's reflection, all the carefulness and time we put into it will be worth it.  We can enjoy the result of making choices according to our trust in Him.

What are some hazards you have faced when making difficult decisions?