You Know What Day It Is!

Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Do you know what day it is?

Yep it is…

1DAB84F5-E2AF-400D-9D37-AA547AFB62BC

Let’s take a moment to rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice! (Philippians 4:4)

Here are my gratitudes for this week.

1. I had a hard day, but my students stepped up and kept me smiling.

2. I got to come home, get in my jammies and due NOTHING!

3. I am currently reading a good book

4. I have so many wonderful friends in my life that have offered to help my family out over the next few weeks as we face my father’s surgery

and number 5…

2206FB4E-D7C3-45E0-BCBB-13DABB0E5F88

 

There are some days there isn’t a cup big enough in the world to get me through, but I am always thankful for coffee!

Your turn! What are you grateful for this week?

Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

Anxious! Who’s Anxious?!?!?! ME!

I recently read on a blog by Joe Miller that according to Amazon, the most highlighted book by Kindle readers is the Bible. And Philippians 4:6-7 is the favorite passage. Here it is from the New International Version:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

These verses are actually part of one of my all-time favorite passages in the bible.

Philippians 4:4-9
Final Exhortations
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

I recently started reading Max Lucado’s book Anxious For Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World. I was so excited when a few pages in, he also quoted this passage as one of his all-time favs!

I am having a hard time putting the book down so don’t mind me if my next few blogs talk about what I am learning.

My father is about to go through a long rough surgery with an even longer and rougher recovery. To say that I am anxious is like saying oxygen is sometimes helpful. I will admit I am ANXIOUS!!!!

What are some of your go-to passages when you feel anxiety creeping up on you? Post in the comments below. You just might have the one someone needs to hear. I know I could use all the verses right now.

frazzled

Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

Hang on! Call on! Move on!

First I would like to apologize for not blogging the past couple of days. I have been battling the stomach flu.

It is amazing just how horrible you can feel from a little itty bitty microscopic thing! This dude can bring you to your knees in a matter of minutes! I am not ashamed to say I found myself in the fetal position praying God heal me or take me now, don’t leave me like this!

I was physically in pain, but have you ever been in so much emotional pain that you felt this way. Well, I know a couple of guys in the bible that did!

Jonah was:

Jonah had gone out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city. Then the LORD God provided a leafy plant and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the plant. But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the plant so that it withered. When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.”

But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?”

“It is,” he said. “And I’m so angry I wish I were dead.”

But the LORD said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”
–Jonah 4:5-11

Elijah also had his issues:

Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the Gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.
Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die.

“I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”

1 Kings 19:1-4

If these two great prophets can have issues that make them feel overwhelmed and distressed why don’t we think it is OK for us to feel that way sometimes too?

We are all going to go through periods of our lives that seem like too much to carry. The important thing is to hang on, call on and move on.

Hang on…James 1:12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Call on…Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Move on…Philippians 3:14 I run straight toward the goal to win the prize that God’s heavenly call offers in Christ Jesus.

Don’t give up! Never Surrender! Simply Hang on, Call on and Move on!

large

Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

Give Thanks

1 Chronicles 16:34
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Give thanks!

It has been a long week and it is has been too long since I took a look at the bright side!

So here we go, 5 gratitudes:

1. I get to spend the next 4days with my beautiful granddaughter
2. I have a 4 day weekend away from work
3. Fall weather is finally here!
4. My husband has a new job pastoring a small local church and we don’t have to move.
5. The several friends I have at work that keep me smiling.

Your turn! God has shed some light in your life. Let it shine bright!

Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son

And now let the weak say, “I am strong”
Let the poor say, “I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us”

Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son
Give Thanks!

(Give Thanks by Don Moen)

829A3C43-E895-4B44-B1B4-FD7FC2769ABF

 

Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

God Shops at Walmart

Proverbs 18:16
A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.

I wasn’t sure what I was going to say tonite. Then I went to the store!

Going to Walmart can bring anyone to Jesus. He always seems to find great teaching moments there…like patience. Did I mention I was born without a shopping gene? LOL!

Tonite was not a patience lesson night. Tonite was actually a fun trip.

I got my stuff and headed to the checkout. All the lanes were packed. OK, maybe there was a little lesson in patience.

Anyways…

I was behind this cute couple with an adorable little boy of about 2 years old. He immediately started getting excited over my service dog. He then started telling me about the chips and dip and canned pears they were buying.

The checker rang them up and the young father looked in his wallet clearly nervous. He leaned to his wife explaining they didn’t have enough. She started trying to decide what to put back when God reminded me of the $20 I had in my pocket and of days gone by.

You see my husband and I raised five kids on a shoestring budget. Heck, lots of times we were so poor we couldn’t afford the shoestring for the budget.

I told the family I had this and go ahead and take the groceries. They started to protest but I told them I had been there, done that and I wanted to help. They couldn’t thank me enough.

I don’t say all of this to pat myself on the back. I am telling you this because I wanted to share my high. I was the one who was truly blessed. I looked back at my life and smiled at how God was always there when we needed him. I was honored that he used me to deliver those same blessings to someone else.

Tonite God used Walmart to usher this giver into the presence of the great.

EC69EDC6-3662-44B4-A2FD-EE339B518730

Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

Don’t Write Me Off

Titus 2:11
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.

Do you ever think of people as evil?

I know during election years, people love to vilify candidates. As we all know, it never stops there.

If you look back in history, there are names that pop up and most classify them as good or evil. But should they?

Did they do anything good?
Should we write people off as just evil?

My brother was taken from me. He was murdered execution style. It is pretty hard to not look at those who were in on it as not evil.

However, God never said forgive those who deserve it. Titus 2:11 doesn’t say He offers salvation to those who deserve it.

I am working very hard to stop putting people in categories as deserving or not deserving of me. I am trying to not deem a person as entirely good or evil.

Yes, people make bad choices. Yes, I do not agree with everyone all of the time. But it is time for me to stop writing people off because of one part of them.

I want to see the whole person. Then, I can see the deserving part. The hurting part. The beautiful part.

Because…
I am not always deserving. I don’t always have it together. I am not always beautiful. I make bad choices. I do things others don’t approve of. Yet, I am included in Titus under all people. God has not written me off. It is time for me to stop writing people off.

157A930C-E43A-4D3C-8DF2-1701604D3604

 

Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Children Listen

Titus 2:8
Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.

Wow! I really need to vent! Do you know what she did? Do you know what he did? I can’t believe they did that!

When does venting become gossip?

Why do women always get called on the carpet for gossiping?

Do men ever gossip?

Actually, my husband reminded me of an episode of Andy Griffith, where Aunt Bee told Andy something and he ran with it. All the guys in town blew it way out of proportion. She proved her point! Men do gossip.

Now, I am not man bashing here, I promise. I just want to point out no one is safe. I mean have you seen or read the news. How about looked at all the magazines while waiting to check out. I mean seriously we dedicate whole television shows to “telling all” about the stars.

And don’t get me started on social media!

In Titus, God is giving instructions for older people to pass down how to act to younger generations. He stresses how important it is, to tell the truth. When we speak the truth we are trusted. When we speak the truth no one can lie about us.

As adults, we must be very careful what we say, even on social media because just like they sing in the musical Into the Woods

Careful the things you say
Children will listen
Careful the things you do
Children will see
And learn
Children may not obey
But children will listen
Children will look to you
For which way to turn
To learn what to be
Careful before you say
“Listen to me”
Children will listen

A4DE7F92-08F1-4E01-B2C4-9B7C84D3C73C

 

Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

My Very Cold Cup of Coffee

Luke 10:38-42 (TLB)

38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem[a] they came to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed them into her home. 39 Her sister Mary sat on the floor, listening to Jesus as he talked.

40 But Martha was the jittery type and was worrying over the big dinner she was preparing.

She came to Jesus and said, “Sir, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

41 But the Lord said to her, “Martha, dear friend, you are so upset over all these details! 42 There is really only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it—and I won’t take it away from her!”

First, I want to apologize for not blogging on Friday. I had a jam-packed day and honestly did not even remember until I was falling into bed at 1:30 Saturday morning.

That brings me to today…I have felt like I have been chasing myself all day long and I am a quick little sucker! I have been at least 10 steps behind the entire time. I would just feel like I was making ground and BOOM! There I go taking off again into twenty different directions.

My day started at 6:00 am. It is 2:50 in the afternoon and I just sat down to take a breath and enjoy my now very cold cup of coffee. However, I can finally see my desk. My emails have been answered. Copies are made and lesson plans are done. Whew!

I think I know how Martha felt. I have been that jittery type all day long fretting over all the details of my day. I unfortunatly also know how Martha felt. I did not take time this morning to just spend time with God. I rushed through my morning and didn’t even say good morning God.

I wonder if I had been a little more like Mary at the beginning of my day, I wouldn’t have ended up like Martha the rest of it. I am pretty sure my to-do list would not have gotten any smaller or magically disappeared. But maybe, just maybe, I would have caught up with myself and wouldn’t have felt so jittery. Maybe I wouldn’t be “enjoying” my very cold cup of coffee right now.

21110350-F241-4D95-AFBF-3AA1FF66DD43

 

Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

Know Whose You Are

Isaiah 43:1b
Do not be afraid — I will save you.
I have called you by name — You are mine

My granddaughter will come running from anywhere in the house if she hears Moana. I have to admit, I have become quite addicted to the songs too.

There is one song in particular that is very short, but almost brings me to tears everytime I hear it.

Know Who You Are

I have crossed the horizon to find you
I know your name
They have stolen the heart from inside you
But this does not define you
This is not who you are
You know who you are

***SPOILER ALERT***

The song comes when Moana faces the angry being you are led to believe is the villain of the story. However, Moana has figured out her secret. She is the lost goddess who only became that way when her heart was stolen.

Moana knows who she is and she reminds her this evil is not the real her. She calls her out and replaces her heart. She restores her.

Now this is truly a moving moment. However, I am brought to tears because I can’t help think about God calling me out. Telling me this is not who I am. Restoring my heart. Reminding me whose I am.

God knows who you are and he comes looking for you. He will restore you. Just take a moment and don’t let your circumstance define who you are. Remember whose you are!

1AB5B130-2DAF-4F1C-BC4B-3C033C5C0E26

Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

Not Today Satan

Proverbs 14:23
All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

It has been a long and rather discouraging day. However, I did not want it to end on a bad note. So, I spent the evening working on a project and totally lost track of time.

It was nice finishing my project. I have recently learned to create digital planners. It has taken me a couple of days to finish this last one, but I love it! I was able to incorporate Snoopy all over it.

For those that don’t know, I am obsessed with Snoopy and the whole Peanuts Gang!  I am excited to start using my digital planner tomorrow.

It feels good when we finish something. Specially, when we had to work hard at it.

Another project I am working on, my doctorate, is not going as well. It is at a very frustrating part, right now.

A friend reminded me of something today when I was in tears over the most recent set back. She told men:

“Every writer has setbacks! How many times was Stephen King rejected?  Nothing that is worth anything is ever easy. You are a writer. The best ones have setbacks and they say “NOT TODAY, SATAN” and push forward kicking and screaming..”

She is a very wise friend.

God was saying the same when he inspired our verse today:

Proverbs 14:23 All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

I stepped out in faith when I quit talking about it and actually started this journey. It has been hard work, but I will succeed.

So, you know what?

A0542FFD-1339-473A-9FF9-D222BEF4AEDD

 

Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.