year the life of Dez....day 11

Outside influence...


From a child we are taught not to be negatively influenced by others. We are taught...Just say not to drugs, just say no to pre-marital sex, just say no to negative things your friends want you to do and just say no to letting people affect your self image. Sometimes people told us why they wanted us to follow the "just say no's" sometimes we were just told to listen without explanation. Most of the time I was never told WHY I should just say no... just SAY NO already.

As adults I think sometimes our friends and family influence us too much. I really believe that everyone operates different. A situation that might be handled a certain way by one person might be operated an entirely different way by another. Sometimes we might witness something... let me give an example... I live a mile away from the post office and sometimes I let my babies ride in the front seat of the car. Now if I lived in the South still I am MORE THAN CERTAIN that if someone saw me do that they would no doubt be on the phone in a nano-second reporting me to 911 for child endangerment. So I wouldn't let my children do that if I still lived in the South because of what someone else might do or say about it. That makes me "wishy-washy".

So what am I trying to say today? Well I think mostly it's this: Stick to your convictions, stick to your decisions and always always always follow your heart... and pray about it. Make decisions with GODS help because he is the only one who truly matters.

I Corinthians 12:31- But earnestly desire the best gifts, and yet I show you a more excellent way.

Year in the life of Dez...day 10

Do you do what you do?

As I was taking Jakub to school today I couldn't help but reflect on picking him up yesterday. As I was standing in the hall waiting on him I witnessed an interaction between a student and teacher. Now this particular teacher has never seemed incredibly pleasant to me so I wasn't terribly surprised at her interaction with this freshman girl.

I wasn't listening to the conversation, I try really hard not to listen in on peoples private matters. It is one of my weaknesses. But I do pay attention to body language and reactions.

We all know how flaky teenage girls can be...so there really is NO TELLING what the child was saying, the thing that urked me is the fact that this particular teacher was acting more flaking than the teenager. This grown woman, a woman who put herself in school to work with kids, who also signed up to work with teenage girls on an extracurricular basis was acting MORE Catty than this 14 year old.

The child was talking to her...she looked at the girl...rolled her eyes and in the girls mid-sentence walked away and left the girl standing there GAPING with her mouth wide open. I have seen this woman do it before...she HATES her job...or she at least acts like it.

So, what is my point may you ask?

I see it just about daily if I am out. People at Wal-mart act like it isn't their job to help you when their tags read "customer service". A teacher doesn't listen to a child... no matter how trivial the childs needs may be... then they complain that kids don't respect them...or complain about having to help kids. The kid at the fast food window can't believe you drove thru on their shift... Do you get what I am saying here? Doctors complain about their waiting rooms being overloaded... and then treat you like you are a nuisance when you are paying THEM BIG DOLLARS to treat you... HELLO, I am employing you!!! If you have a job...DO THE JOB to the very best of your ability and be GRATEFUL that you have people that help you out by paying your salary!

If you don't like what you are doing, then make a change! BE JOYFUL instead of sour.

James 1:2 My Brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trails, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

year in the life of Dez...day 9

God's favor, God's Will

Earlier this week we had an argument over what we are supposed to pray for. There are so many different people out there telling so many different things. One preacher will tell you that you are ONLY to pray for God's will in you life. There is no choice in the matter...if you pray for the things YOU want then you are not in accordance with God and you are being selfish. Then you have others that tell you you should ask for God's Favor..."ask and ye shall receive". So what is it really? Is anyone besides me confused on the matter?

I don't even have a bible verse to support my confusion today...so maybe y'all can help me.

year in the life of Dez...day 8

I'll make today simple... Go to Church, Study the Bible or switch on the T.V. and listen to something inspirational. Be happy today...just make up your mind and do it! LOVE YOURSELF!!!!

year in the life of Dez...day 7

I'm sorry really means...


There are times my dog really drives me crazy. We bought her a shock collar that apparently doesn't work because she is constantly barking. I know it drive my neighbors batty so I am up and down all day sticking my head out the door telling her to HUSH. I can't help that the big bad chipmunk might get close to the house... or the deer... skunks... or from wrapping herself around a tree 15 times. Sometimes I think Willow is missing some matter up in the cranium.

So as Willows "mother" I am usually the one who has to get her out of her predicaments, I have to correct her and explain away her faults. Willow can't say she is sorry...she can't talk. I know she tries...sometimes. Willow is the prime example of what I think God must feel sometimes after we constantly make mistakes.

When you do something that requires an "I'm Sorry" what you are really saying is "I won't do it again". So many times you see people apologize just to turn right around and do the exact same thing over and over. That is NOT how "I'm Sorry" works.

Same goes for repentance. When you pray for the Lord's forgiveness it doesn't mean you run out and do it again and again because you know that God will forgive you. That isn't how repentance works...and if you are truly sorry...would you really WANT to do the same thing over and over? I think some people pray for forgiveness to clear their guilty feeling, but never actually change the way they function. That is just speculation on my part...and I don't know for sure if God doesn't just clear it off every time you pray.

All I know is if someone apologizes to me and asks for my forgiveness I will certainly give it. Yet, how would you feel if that same person ran out and committed their fault again... then asked for forgiveness for it again...and again...and again. I really don't think I would be inclined to forgive over and over and over. Part of me would feel jilted I think and would lose trust in the person. Maybe that is my human fault.

How do you feel when people hurt you and apologize? What if they did the same thing over and over and continued to ask?

Acts 26:18- "to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me."