Famous Quotes

• Once you say you're going to settle for second, that's what happens to you. John F Kennedy

• Good actions give strength to ourselves and inspire good actions in others. Plato

Review of "A Pup Who Helps to Heal"by Dr. Marty Becker & Mikkel Becker Shannon

There was an article in the Parade section of the Tampa Tribune called “A Pup Who Helps to Heal” by Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker Shannon. In this article it told of a dog that had been found seriously abused. He had suffered from chemical burns all over his body. A passerby saw him and called for help. The officer that brought him in was thinking it might be more merciful to put him to sleep so the little dog would not have to suffer anymore. He visited the dog the next morning to see if he was still alive and one look into the dog’s eyes let him know they needed to try to save him.

The article says that over a year later, that little beagle dog had healed and that he was a message of hope to others every day.

In the article it told of Janice and Mike Martin. They are volunteers at the animal rescue organization and have been nursing dogs back to health for 15 years. When the dogs are well they find good homes for them. But when they saw Champ, the little dog, they knew taking care of him would be different. His flesh was red and raw. The little dog seemed to have no will to live at first.

Janice’s husband was suffering too. He had recently overcome kidney cancer when he had a massive heart attack. He had to go on disability and became very depressed. But he says he dedicated himself to Champ’s care. The dog cried out in pain as Janice and Mike put cream on his burns.

Slowly the little dog got well but he was very mistrustful of people. Mike helped him trust people and taught him how to play. He put his heart into helping Champ get well, and was getting well himself along the way.

When Champ was ready to be adopted they could not let him go. Today, the little beagle has a career helping others as a certified therapy dog. He goes to schools, hospitals and nursing homes. He has become a celebrity especially with children who have suffered burns.

Mike says that although he is still on disability, and Champ will always have scars, they refuse to let anyone keep them from experiencing a full life. He says he wants to show everyone that second chances are possible and the power of love and friendship is unlimited.

I really love articles like “A Pup Who Helps to Heal”. It shows that there are good people in the world. I think it encourages others that are going through adversity to not give up. There are second chances. As the article says, everyone can have a second chance. In reviewing this article I give it an A+.

When Things Are Tough

When things are tough it is hard to keep from being upset and blue. But don't let things get you down. We all go through tough times. But sooner or later things will get better.

The Lord knows what you are going through. He really does care. Think of someone else who is having a little bit rougher time than you are and pray for them. Think of two things you can be thankful for.

Forgetting the Past

In the Book "Loving God With All Your Mind" the author says that forgetting the past is essential in having peace of mind.

The past will stagnate our growth. It keeps us focused on pain and unhappiness. The past is not what is happening today. It has already gone. It is like when a child gets a balloon and the wind snatches it away. It is gone. The child will cry because it is gone but only for a short time.

We are allowed to grieve over the past for a short time. Then we need to say, "O.k., it is done. I am not going to think on it anymore."

When something painful comes to mind, think about something opposite to that. If you keep thinking about something your husband has done to hurt you, make yourself think about something good he did. Thank the Lord for the good thing that your husband did.

Love Chapter of the Bible

"Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;
does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails..."1Corinthians 13: 4-8a NKJV

This is the love chapter in the Bible. If we could remember to live by the chapter about love we would save ourselves and those around us a lot of heartache.

I find it hard to remember these words of wisdom. I can remember many things but the words from the Bible are the hardest for me to remember.

I Agree with Dr. Phil's Article "Make Your Family Stronger"

Dr. Phil wrote an article in The Tampa Tribune Parade. I don't always agree with what he says but I agree with him on this subject.

He talked about how families can draw closer together during these tough economic times. But this does not always happen. When money pressures start building up it causes a person to get worried and stressed out. This can cause someone to explode at who ever is around. Usually it is a loved one that is the line of fire.

It doesn't have to be that way. Don't let the stress and worry and money overcome you. Dr. Phil gives these tips:

1. Forgive yourself. You got caught in a storm of conditions. You did not do something terrible.
2. You're not alone. Don't draw into an emotional cocoon, stewing about your misfortune.
3. Focus on the present. You may feel an almost overwhelming grief at all you have lost but this is the time to live in the here and now not yesterday.
4. Make the hard decisions. If you need to sell the house or find a different type of job to stay afloat then do it.
5. The silver lining. What if this financial crisis we are all facing is not all bad? What if it is like a fire which consumes what is in its path but sets off a new beginning? Seize this opportunity to use this to improve your life, your family bonds, and your feeling of self-worth.

These tips from Dr. Phil will help us all to grow closer as a family and survive this financial crisis. It will make us stronger if we let it.

When You Feel Guilty

When you feel guilty is it conviction from God or is it accusations from Satan? When you have sinned God will convict you of that sin. But if you ask the Lord to forgive you and you still feel guilty it is Satan accusing you. God promises to forgive you and that your sin is forgiven and forgotten by Him. So if you are still feeling guilty after you have asked forgiveness it is Satan making you feel bad about yourself.

Of course, if you have hurt someone you need to ask their forgiveness too.

I found a blog post about this that is very helpful. If you would to go there click here.

Fear Robs You of Joy

In the book "Loving God with all Your Mind" by Elizabeth George, she writes about a woman that she met at a conference. The woman barely raised her head to look at her. She was gripped with fear. She said that this woman's face was robbed of the smile lines God meant for her to have. God's desire is that she might live an abundant life yet fear was robbing her of joy. I can relate to this woman. I am so fearful and afraid. I am afraid of people, I am afraid of the future, I am afraid of failing and so many other things.

But God does not want me to live this way. What can we do to overcome our fears? How can we keep fear from robbing us of peace and happiness? Remember that fear is rooted in thoughts. The thoughts of things that are not real. What we think must be true. As we think on the truth in God's Word, He will calm our fears about the future and about the past.

We should not think "what if" but what is reality. Not what will happen in the future. What if is not real but a guess. The future is in God's hands. He will take care of us. He will help us.

Today is real and God gives us grace for today.

My Mom

I have such good memories of my Mom. She was the best. She was not perfect but pretty close.

Mom passed away about five years ago and I still miss her. I still miss talking to her. I miss confiding in her. She always helped me when I was down or did not know what to do.

Mom loved everybody. Everyone was welcome in her home.

I never knew the heartache I caused her until I went through the same things with my own kids.

I wish she was still here. She could always make things better. She loved her grandkids and her grandkids loved her.

Mom and Dad were always close. They did practically everything together. They were the glue that kept our family together.

MOPS, Mothers of Preschoolers

Mops is an organization that helps moms. Moms with preschoolers get together and encourage each other and support each other. They talk and laugh and sometimes cry. They know that mothering is important. It seems that Mothers don't get the respect they once did.

Mothers are important. The job of mothering is not easy or glamorous. You just do what you have to do.

My daughter has a little one and another one on the way. She loves her MOPS meetings. She says they keep her going. They have fun and at the same time learn about being a better Mother. They also do things to help the community. Thank God for MOPS.

If you are interested in a MOPS meeting click here.

When Life Gets You Down

When life gets you down it is hard to think clearly. If you have made a mistake or if someone has hurt you it can cause you to spiral down. There are three things to think about when that happens.

1. Ask yourself what is true.
2. Remember God created you and has a plan for you. Psalm 139:14
3. Remember that you are always loved and accepted by God. Romans 8:35

If you stop and make yourself think on these things it will calm you down and help you see things straight.

Knowing Our Own Selves

Verses from the Bible will tell us things about God. We can learn to know Him. But verses also can help us see ourselves as God sees us. We tend to think untrue things about ourselves. Things like: we are dumb, worthless, no good or we can't do certain things. But God's Word says we are valuable and that He loves us. He says we can do anything He asks us to.

I have a hard time with this. I know the only thing that will help me is to keep thinking on the truth. I keep forgetting. So I have to keep starting over.

But I can do it and so can you.