Are you green with envy ?

Good Morning, 

It has been AGES since I've written anything on this blog, but I've started a devotion on Spiritual Growth and I want to share it with you. 

Today's verse 

Philippians 2:3-4Good News Translation (GNT)

3 Don't do anything from selfish ambition or from a cheap desire to boast, but be humble toward one another, always considering others better than yourselves. 4 And look out for one another's interests, not just for your own.

As I read this verse I also thought about my word of the day from the day before : schadenfreude which is ": a feeling of enjoyment that comes from seeing or hearing about the troubles of other people ."  For some reason this got me to thinking about the Wicked Witch of the West.   Call me crazy but  the scripture that says  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.. 

So here is my point.  The Wicked Witch is green.....green with envy.  She is not just jealous, she has a bad attitude from the first time we are introduced to her in The Wizard of Oz. That kind of personality took a while to cultivate and did not happen just by chance. 

Yes her sister was killed by a falling house but as we find out, she had a bad attitude for quite some time. She was a known terror in her world.    Is the Wicked Witch a modern day image of what envy looks like? Of what the living embodiment of selfishness looks like?    She wasn't just jealous, she had moved on to full blown envy. She resented Dorothy & Toto.  What was that she called out?  "I'll get you my pretty and your little dog too!" .  She did not show any reason or kindness or tenderness or compassion.    Do we have the love of God in us?  Are we selfish and puffed up with pride?  Or are we servants in the image of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ?  Do we look out for our neighbor? Not just the person who lives next door but the person who sits next to us on the train? or in the next cubicle at work or in line at the grocery store or the next row of bleachers at the ball game?    Paul tells us in the scripture to be humble and look out for one another.  How do we do that?  Meditate on the Word of God, ask Him to show you His vision for you.  Don't let jealousy take over in your life and turn into envy.  Be the servant He has called you to be. 

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Behind the scenes......

Okay, I haven't posted to this blog in ....... wow it's really been a loooong time.  So, I was watching American Idol and came across this vid online..... very nice. Sincere and good encouragement.
American Idol - the cameras are still rolling

Enjoy.

American Idol ....... hopefuls?

Do the contestants who don't make it on American Idol know how they sound to the rest of us?  I mean, I'm no great singer, but seriously.  Maybe they are just auditioning to get attention. I'm not sure..... but take a look.

Playing with my "paints"

I love to play with make-up. Always have.  BTW, this post may not have anything to do with my Christian walk or anyone elses, it's just what I was feeling at the time.

Anyway, back to the makeup, right now I am loving Smashbox, Too Faced, Stila and the classic Maybelline mascara in waterproof of course.   I don't know what it is, but I cannot pass a make-up counter without looking at every eyeshadow and every lipstick on display.  And like most  black women, I am always on the lookout for the perfect foundation.  Right now, I am wearing Too Faced St. Baarts Bronze and Smashbox Halo as a setting powder.  When I'm out on the weekend, I just go with the Halo, blush, mascara and lip gloss.

I just love being a girl!

Jill Scott

 

Beyonce

What's love got to do with it?

Hello again,

My husband sent me the picture you see below.  Yes, it is a BBQ grill sitting on top of walker.  The person who the walker belongs to was waiting for a bus to take him to the Labor Day BBQ at a friend's/relative's home.   When I first saw the picture, I asked my husband, "Wasn't there anyone at his destination with a car that could bring the man and the BBQ grill to the event?"   My husband's response was, "that's what I want to know."

I know this story could be considered here say.  I don't have all the facts and I'm sure there is much more going on that the small bit that I've been privileged to know, but...... and there is almost always a "but" in these situations,  when people look out for one another, someone isn't left trying to catch a but with a walker and carrying a BBQ grill.

Now it is true that, perhaps none of his friends nor family could have access to the use of a car.  But, where we live, it is highly unlikely.  The gentleman should be commended for working things out on his own.  He wasn't going to let a lack of personal transportation slow him down.  But, I still say a little love from friends and/or family would have gone a long way.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 5:22 NIV-   But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.   We should all remember to show, love, kindness and goodness, just as Jesus Christ taught.   Only good things are gained by showing one another the love God equips all human beings with.

The end of Summer?

Hello,


It's been a while since I've written, but today I'm in a writing kind of mood.

My son has started middle school and it's Fall.  This is the time of year when a lot of families start new projects.   Kind of "back to school" for adults.  Get things going around the house, integrate them into our lives.  My brother's family has made the transition into our Mom's home.  Their kids have started new schools.  He and his wife are taking on projects around the house.  Life is moving right along.

I have to say that I have been looking forward to the Fall season.  A friend of mine is having her first child and my husband and I will be the Godparents.  Huge responsibility and huge honor.  I am praying that the Lord will order our steps. Buying baby stuff is fun, personally, I prefer toddlers.   The so called "terrible twos" just aren't terrible to me.  Little ones really start to develop their own personalities and the family has a part in that development.  I'm looking forward to our Godchild. Play dates with a two year old! Bliss!



Well, it's time to sharpen the pencils, get out the blue ink pens and load up the back pack.  Fall is here and it's time to  go "back to school".  I'm sure The Lord has many lessons to teach us. 

The Great Recovery

 

Are you having a season of "financial messiness" ? If you answered yes.... then check out The Great Recovery from Dave Ramsey..... handling your finances God's way. I promise, your situation will only get better if you follow the Financial Peace plan. My husband and I are on the plan and things are going very well.

There are always adjustments to be made, but it has been well worth it. We know where our money goes and we make it behave.

http://www.thegreatrecovery.com/home/