BULLY CACTUS

I never thought a cactus could be a "bully" but the thought came to my mind recently when one of our barrel cactuses bit the dust (or actually it was rocks). A dear friend, a cactus grower and cactus expert gave us several cacti when we first moved here 22 years ago. She and her husband planted them for us. They grew a lot, the ones that survived. Some didn't make it beyond a few years, but the saguaro and two barrel cactus plants plus a couple of others have been growing all these years.

See the one laying on the ground? The one like it was leaning into it and evidently it put too much pressure on the other one and it fell. I kind of expected the leaning one to fall but I thought maybe the other one would hold it up and keep it from falling. Instead of holding the other one up, it fell. It seems I'm always trying to draw spiritual applications for events like this. The following scripture came to my mind. I looked it up in Bible Gateway.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

So what is the message? Don't discourage each other. Don't be a bully and push someone down. Of course the cactus didn't do this maliciously. It was just doing what a cactus does. We have a choice. We don't have to drag or knock someone down. We have the choice to help them and build them up. One more reason I'm glad I'm not a cactus. lol

If you did not come here from Spiritual Sundays, I hope you will click HERE, go there and check out that blog. Many wonderful inspirational posts are shared there each week. 

PENNIES FROM HEAVEN?

A Facebook friend shared this story on his fb page. I thought it was good. Gave me something to think about and I thought it would also be of interest to those who read my blog. So here's the story― and I'm sharing it for Spiritual Sundays. 

You always hear the usual stories of pennies on the sidewalk being good luck, gifts from angels, etc. This is the first time I've ever heard this twist on the story. Gives you something to think about..... 
Several years ago, a friend of mine and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the husband's employer's home. My friend, Arlene, was nervous about the weekend. The boss was very wealthy, with a fine home on the waterway, and cars costing more than her house.

The first day and evening went well, and Arlene was delighted to have this rare glimpse into how the very wealthy live. The husband's employer was quite generous as a host, and took them to the finest restaurants. Arlene knew she would never have the opportunity to indulge in this kind of extravagance again, so was enjoying herself immensely.
As the three of them were about to enter an exclusive restaurant that evening, the boss was walking slightly ahead of Arlene and her husband. He stopped suddenly, looking down on the pavement for a long, silent moment.

Arlene wondered if she was supposed to pass him. There was nothing on the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped, and a few cigarette butts. Still silent, the man reached down and picked up the penny.He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure. How absurd! What need did this man have for a single penny? Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up?

Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her. Finally, she could stand it no longer. She casually mentioned that her daughter once had a coin collection, and asked if the penny he had found had been of some value. A smile crept across the man's face as he reached into his pocket for the penny and held it out for her to see.. She had seen many pennies before! What was the point of this? 'Look at it,' he said. 'Read what it says.' She read the words ' United States of America .' 'No, not that; read further.' 'One cent?' 'No, keep reading..''In God we Trust?' 'Yes!' 'And... ?' 

He explained, 'And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin. Whenever I find a coin I see that inscription. It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it! God drops a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him. Who am I to pass it by? When I see a coin, I pray, I stop to see if my trust IS in God at that moment. I pick the coin up as my response to God; that I do trust in Him. For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold. I think it is God's way of starting a conversation with me. Lucky for me, God is patient and pennies are plentiful! '

When I was out shopping today, I found a penny on the sidewalk. I stopped and picked it up, and realized that I had been worrying and fretting in my mind about things I cannot change. I read the words, 'In God We Trust,' and had to laugh. Yes, God, I get the message.

It seems that I have been finding an inordinate number of pennies in the last few months, but then, pennies are plentiful! And, God is patient..

Thank you, Dave, for sharing this story. Just a thought from Charlotte:  I wonder if dimes would 'work'. Yes, I think so. Maybe 10 times as much. I think I find more dimes than pennies. I hope I remember this story next time I see a coin and I stop to pick it up.

Now you can click "like" to like this post on Facebook. How about that. 

FACEBOOK CHANGES

I don't remember when anything caused as much controversy as the recent facebook changes. Seems like everybody is talking about it and many facebook users are threatening to quit facebook altogether. Does facebook care? It doesn't seem like it. They're going full steam ahead making lots of changes. And then there are the rumors. Like facebook is going to start charging for being a member. People are assured that facebook is not going to start charging but they are still a little worried about that.

And facebook is really going to change big time in a day or two when the new look is available to everybody. Two of my fb friends are not worried about it. In fact, they're ready to jump in and embrace the new look. With all the angst about the changes, I can't help but wonder how many would want to go back to the original format when facebook first started. I really doubt if anybody would.

Many times when I'm reading a post on somebody else's blog, usually one that linked to Spiritual Sundays, I think I would like to click "like" and then I realize I'm not on facebook, I'm on someone's blog and there is no "like" to click. I just found out today that now facebook is changing that too. There is a code you can put in a post that puts facebook "like" button on your blog. Look at the bottom of this post. I'm putting the like button on this post. I wonder - will anybody "like" it? I know one person who will like it. Me.

OPEN MY EYES

A FAVORITE PRAYER OF HELEN STEINER RICE

God, open my eyes so I may see
And feel Your presence close to me.
Give me strength for my stumbling feet
As I battle the crowd on life's busy street.
And widen the vision of my unseeing eyes,
So in passing faces I'll recognize
Not just a stranger, unloved and unknown.
But a friend with a heart that is much like my own.
Give me perception to make me aware
That scattered profusely on life's thoroughfare
Are the best gifts of God that we daily pass by
As we look at the world with an unseeing eye.

I pray God will open the eyes of my heart to see others as He sees them. Even more important is to have eyes that see Him. This is also my prayer and I think the video expresses it very well.


To everyone who came here from Spiritual Sundays you have my heartfelt thanks. If not, I hope you will visit Spiritual Sundays. I promise you that you will be blessed.

IN HIS FOOTSTEPS

Following In His Footsteps

When someone does a kindness

it always seems to me

That's the way God up in heaven

would like us all to be.

For when we bring some pleasure

to another human heart

We have followed in His footsteps

and we've had a little part

In serving Him who loves us . . .

for I'm very sure it's true

That in serving those around us

we serve and please Him too.

- Helen Steiner Rice

The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer up somebody else.

- Mark Twain

Matthew 25:40
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ 
Matthew 25:39-41 (in Context) Matthew 25 (Whole Chapter)

Today is the first time I've hosted Spiritual Sundays by myself. I'll have to admit it feels a little lonely. But all the encouraging comments from so many has really helped. I know Ginger appreciates all the encouragement she has received also. You have blessed both of our lives so much.

TRANSITIONS

Life consists of many transitions. I'll be 75 years old next month so I have witnessed many many transitions. Some have been good. Some have been not so good, but transition is just a certainty of life. Words from an old hymn just came to my mind. I'm not sure of the exact wording, but it is something like this. "Time is filled with swift transition. Naught of earth unmoved can stand. Build your hopes on things eternal. Hold to God's unchanging hand." I haven't sung that song in many years but I think it has a great message. That is the key. Hold to God's unchanging hand. What a blessed assurance―God doesn't change.

If you read Ginger's introduction to Spiritual Sundays for this week you know that she will not be co-hosting that blog with me. At least not for now. I have mixed emotions about it. I totally understand her situation and I think she made the right decision. But I almost feel like I've lost a good friend. Of course I have not lost Ginger. She is still my niece and she is still my friend. But it will just not be the same with her not sharing the hosting on that blog.

We who share on Spiritual Sundays owe so much to Ginger. If not for her influence I doubt I would even be blogging today. Clif had been blogging for a couple of years and had encouraged me to at least write a post on his blog once in a while. I really wasn't at all interested until one day Ginger was at our house and she showed me her blog on my computer. She was so enthusiastic about it and seemed to enjoy it so much that I thought I would give it a try. Until then I had thought that blogging was more of a guy thing. So I started a blog and that led to another one, and another one, and . . . . Then one day Ginger suggested we start a blog that others could link there and share spiritual posts. So we worked on it together, and came up with Spiritual Sundays. That was over three years ago. In that time it has grown from about 20 links to between 70 and 80 each week and sometimes more. When we started it I had no idea what a great blessing it would be for me. I thank each one of you who share there for that.

Thinking of "friends", I decided to look the word up in Bible Gateways. There were 423 references in The Message. I want to share some of them with you here.

James 2:23
And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.
James 2:22-24 (in Context) James 2 (Whole Chapter)

James 4:4
You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
James 4:3-5 (in Context) James 4 (Whole Chapter)

1 John 4:7
[ God’s Love and Ours ] Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
1 John 4:6-8 (in Context) 1 John 4 (Whole Chapter)

1 John 4:11
Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1 John 4:10-12 (in Context) 1 John 4 (Whole Chapter)

Psalm 34:15

God keeps an eye on his friends, his ears pick up every moan and groan,

Psalm 34:14-16 (in Context) Psalm 34 (Whole Chapter)

We see that friendship is very important to God. I thank Him so much for all of my friends, but most of all I want to be counted among God's friends. 

BLOG CHANGES

I've decided to change the name of this blog to Charlotte's Weblog. I hope it won't be too confusing. Right now I'm planning to primarily post here instead of the WordPress Charlotte's Weblog. I think jumping back and forth in posting on the two blogs is also confusing. I may do it differently at some time in the future, but for now this is my plan. I appreciate all my blogging friends who are so loyal to visit and comment on all my blogs.

I hope everyone is having a good holiday weekend.

LOVING AND CARING

Are you familiar with the little book entitled A Touch of Wonder by Arthur Gordon? It contains a collection of heart warming experiences. It is a little paper back book that we have had at our house for years but I just recently discovered it. 

In Arthur Gordon's book he recalls an occasion when he and his siblings were going through the attic of the home where his family had lived for generations. They were to clean it out and get rid of a lot of stuff that had collected there through the years. He thought there might be some treasures there that were very valuable but it turned out to be a lot of junk. He did, however, find value in some old letters he found there. That value was value of the heart which is the best kind. He describes so much better than I ever could, so I'll use his words here.

Speaking of value, he says, "I found it in the letters, a whole trunkful of them. Most of them were written in faded ink and grimy with the dust of decades. . . .  It was like listening to voices, faint and far away, echoing down the corridor of time. The letters were never about great historical events. They weren't passionate love letters either. They simply chronicled the lives of ordinary people. . . . The people of those generations cared about one another, enormously and intimately. . . . In a hundred different ways they spoke of their love and admiration for one another, and you could feel their sincerity warm on the brittle paper:

You don't know how much your visit meant to each of us! When you left I felt as if the sun had stopped shining.

The courage with which you are facing your difficulties is an inspiration to all of us. We haven't the slightest doubt that in the end you will triumph over all of them.

Have I told you lately what a wonderful person you are? Never forget how much your friends and family admire you.

 I'm afraid that in our hurry up, hustle bustle, TV, internet, etc. etc. etc. world today that we have lost some of the "caring" that former generations demonstrated. I'm happy to find that a lot of that warmth and caring is demonstrated here in blogland. This was especially evident in the interest that was shown in Charlie and the Miracle Makeover blog party. I was really touched by all the wonderful comments that were made.
We know how important love is to God. These are just a few of the scriptures pointing out that fact.

1. John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
   John 13:33-35 (in Context) John 13 (Whole Chapter)
2. John 13:35
   By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
   John 13:34-36 (in Context) John 13 (Whole Chapter)
3. Romans 12:10
   Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
   Romans 12:9-11 (in Context) Romans 12 (Whole Chapter)
4. Romans 13:8
   [ Love Fulfills the Law ] Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.
   Romans 13:7-9 (in Context) Romans 13 (Whole Chapter)

Please click HERE to go to the Spiritual Sundays blog. It continues to be a blessing to many. I'm happy that so many are sharing there.

BLOG ENHANCEMENT

I'm sure some if not most of you know about Shabby Blogs where you can go to get cool backgrounds for your blogs. Did you know you can also find tutorials there for how to customize your headers, add page dividers, and more. I customize my headers a different way, but if I didn't, I'd definitely do it the way she suggests. I did follow her instructions for adding my post dividers which I've been trying to figure out for months.

When I figure out how to make my blogs better, I like to share it with my friends, so that's why I'm posting this info. I hope it will be helpful to someone. (You can click on the Tutorials graphic to go there.)

Happy Blogging.

MIRACLE MAKEOVER UPDATE ! ! !

A note from Kelee Katillac:

Comments Closed: WE ARE THERE!

Thank-you to each and every one of you that commented, posted on Facebook, wrote a blog story or added a link. Maybe you clicked "like", emailed a friend, or embedded the video. We thank-you for helping with this heart-felt effort. It is because of these kindnesses that we can report that we received over 5,450 responses to Charlie's MiracleMakeovertm video and story, in just a few days time. Isn't that fantastic?! See what you accomplished! (Cue jumping-up and down! Go ahead and whoo-hoo!) Congratulations and thank-you, thank-you! Team Design Gives Back has triumphed and each of you played a valuable role.

A few interesting facts: That total included 150-plus blog stories averaging 20-60 comments each. Each blogger also earned a $5 donation (5 comment equivalent) for creating the post. There were over 550 Facebook page posts and"likes", over 200 side comments, other assorted responses we are still counting. The DGB team will have a final total next week on Friday, August 26; and, also announce our giveaway winners in that same post. You will want to stop by and pick-up your blog badge signifying your participation in this great event.

Our four MiracleMakeovertm blog hosts pulled in hundreds of comments each. They averaged 200-400 comments and some went way beyond. They were tireless! Be sure and thank them, too. One passionate and big hearted blogger, Marydon of the Blushing Rose Blog brought in nearly 700 comments! Bless you Marydon. I know how hard you worked for this. Thank-you.

Because Design Gives Back committed to donate $1  per comment from you, Friends of Kids with Cancer will be receiving a check to help serve families with seriously ill kids.  Also, another Miracle Makeover for someone in-need now has the wings to take flight. 

Thank-you to all of our sponsors. Most of which we have featured previously. Especially, though, thank-you to Guideposts Magazine that brought Charlie's story  to eight million readers in the August issue. For the past 50 years Guideposts has been committed to publishing  true stories of hope and inspiration. At www.guideposts.org you can now see inspirational video stories, as well.  

                                        Approximately 5,450!

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

I want to add my "Thank You" to all who participated. You're the greatest! And thank you Kelee for initiating this wonderful occasion and for all your encouragement.

P.S. I'm sharing this for Pink Saturday. I changed my blog to feature even more pink. I do love that color you know. I want to also acknowledge Beverly and the wonderful job she did encouraging and commenting on the Miracle Makeover. Beverly is such a blessing to so many who share on Pink Saturday and also Spiritual Sundays. 

MIRACLE MAKEOVER FOR CHARLIE

The big day we've been waiting for has arrived!!! We can now share the wonderful makeover video featuring Charlie Grady. Please take a few moments to view it here if you haven't seen it elsewhere. It will make your day.

Please click HERE to go to Design Gives Back  to learn more about the makeover and find out how you can earn money for the next makeover just by commenting.

 Design Gives Back will donate $1.00 for each comment on the following blogs between August 12 - 18. 

Pink Saturday @ at How Sweet the Sound/ Beverly 

         Spiritual Sunday  @ Spiritual Sunday /Charlotte & Ginger

      Country Wings in Phoenix @ Country Wings in Phoenix/Sherry

   Metamorphosis Monday  comments on Monday Only   

If you are a blogger, find out how you can make extra money for the next project by posting about this on your own blog. Design Gives Back will give you the information .

As Christians we are told to love your neighbor as yourself. I believe Design Gives Back is doing a very good job of doing just that. 

Miracle Makeover

I posted about the Miracle Makeover for Charlie Grady on my other blog and wrote about it on the Spiritual Sundays blog. The makeover is featured in this month's issue of Guidepost Magazine. Click HERE to see that article.

We're trying to get the word out to all of blogland to participate in the Miracle Makeover party the week of August 12-18. And --- that is coming up in just a few days. Be sure to visit the Spiritual Sundays blog and make a comment that weekend. Each comment will be worth $1.00 toward the next makeover. Kelee is making such a difference in many lives with the makeovers she does. Her website is called Design Gives Back. Her latest post tells how you can contribute up to $5.00 for the next makeover and it won't cost you a penny. Plus, you will be entered in a fantastic giveaway and who knows, you may be a winner.  Read all about it at Design Gives Back. Ginger and I are featured on the latest post along with others who are participating in this wonderful event. Be sure to check it out.