I guess about all of you know I work at Wal-Mart on the third shift. You would not believe some of the things that happen during the night, while you are sleeping. I was amazed to see parents in the store during school time, with their children at 1 am til about 3 am. Mine had a bed time and it was not varied by much. What are these parents thinking? I would guess those kids are not on the honor roll. I don't even want to get on that road. Anyway, back to the people at Wally World. I had no idea until working here that many people stole stuff. Small kids to past retirement age will steal. An elderly couple was in there, she had a bottle of Maalox in her hand with her pocketbook open. Her husband (or man friend) ask her if she was going to get it. She saw me and said not right now, somebody is watching me. They both looked to be in their 70's. The biggest items in the pharmacy area for stealing are: 1. condoms 2. pregnancy test. Go figure. Who in their right mind would steal either of them? I would have to say---if you have to steal one or both--chances are you are going to get or be pregnant. I want to make a sign and hang it over the area of these products:

Do not steal!!!!! The Anderson Health Dept. will give you all the condoms you want
for free. And in case of a problem, pregnancy test are given free and are kept confident.
Thank you for your support.

But, it is not that they can not pay for what they want. I think it is to show off and see what they can get by with. I wasn't allowed to even touch anything in a store. I thought mama was mean. Thank God mama was mean, at least I never stole.
Then, you have the kids that come in and they are so polite. They say excuse me, ma'am, thank you, and they behave. They are the ones you know their mama is probably like mine was. If you touch something and you was not suppose to - - - she would slap you in the store with people looking.

Some nights are more active than others. Some of the workers laugh and say it must have something to do with the moon. If you are older, you know what I mean.

I just want to thank all the parents who are rising up children to know right from wrong. It is so important. Have a good day and God bless.

Do you sometimes do something just because of the people you hang with? Or you think it is cool? I quite smoking almost 3 yrs. ago. The other night at work one of the girls who has "said" she was trying to quite, bummed a cigarette from someone else. She saw me and she laughed. She told me she was trying to stop so she had not bought any. That was when I told her I understood, I smoked for about 30 yrs. That caught her attention quick. She come running to me and ask how did you stop. So I got to tell her. I had prayed and ask God to take the taste away from me and He did. (Thank you, Lord). I told her I did not want a stick to controll my life any longer. Especially, since it was going to do harm to my body and in the long run make me sick. And that my body had to be clean from trash so I could do the Lord's work. I have noticed she is still smoking but at least I had the opportunity to witness to her. Who knows ---- you plant a seed and water it and it will grow. I am not giving up on her. I am just going to pray for her. And smile and speak to her every time I see her. Because one day she might want to come talk to me some more. God Bless.

Standing Up for Jesus

Standing Up for Jesus. That was the title of my lesson in children's church yesterday. It was not an easy lesson for the kids on comprehend. We done a bowling game with a child's game, using the pins and the ball was a can of crushed pineapple. I did not tell them how you win. So they played as anyone would, you get a point for every pin you knock down. But the team with the lowest score was the winner. See, you don't always get rewarded for doing the right thing. Then, the can was banged, dented, and scratched. It hurt the can to be used for something it was not designed to be used for. BUT, when you break the seal on the can, the pineapple was still good.

If you get persecuted for Jesus, it hurts the outer shell. But, when that shell cracks it iswhat is on the inside of us that will flow out. And it will still be good, pure, and sweet. It will be the Jesus we have put on the inside of us, flowing out to witness to others. Amen.

Time

Does time seem to move too fast for you? It does me sometimes. My parents came down to see us Thursday morning and they left this morning. It seemed time just flew by. Then I started thinking on the years. My parents are 70 years old. To me they just do not seem old. I know it is because I am getting older. But when I was younger (6-10 yrs) I never remember thinkg my grandparents were old. Now days kids think everybody just about it is OLD. Don't let all the preconcieved ideas now days get to you. We are not OLD. We are getting better and getting more wisdom. That is right. The Bible tells us if we live a godly life and ask for His wisdom and knowledge we will receive it. I do just that. So I know I can give my children sound advice and not foolish advice.
Since time is passing so quickly for us, let's live like this is our last day. How do you want to be remembered? As a nice person. Or someone who lived life to the fullest and was someone who impacted a single life so strong they made a Godly change, who was always happy, and so excited to be with others, who went out of their way to help someone else. I could go on and on, but you get the idea.
If everyone lived like it was your last day--WOW--just think how different life would be. Not just for you but for everyone around you.

Things We were Told when We were Young.

Do you remember some of the stuff your parents told you to do or not to do? Stand up straight, don't drag your feet, chew with your mouth closed, keep your fingers out of your mouth, don't flop down on the furniture, do not pick your nose, the kitchen is the only room you can eat in tio name some off the top of my head. We were told these things so much, we gradually just started doing them or not doing them and it just came like second nature. It is amazing how things stick with you. I noticed someone in public eating with their mouth open and my first thought was--Didn't their parents teach them anything. Then I thought, evidently they didn't.
I am reading the Bible through again. As I have been reading, I have noticed some things I have read before, which I remember(believe it or not, I do remember a little bit) and I have changed or I do things differently because of it. I am excited about this. As time goes on and I read the Bible again and again, how much more I will change. And this change is for the good. It is not a bad change. It will make you more conscious of how you talk, live, your actions, your reactions, and your effectiveness to the unbelieving world we live in.
I encourage everyone to start reading your Bible through. You do not have to be in a rush to have the whole Bible read by a deadline. Just start reading. It will make a difference in your life. When your life changes, you will see a change in people and things around you. I certainly have. Partner up with someone that way you can ask each other questions--make it fun. God Bless each of you.

You Missed IT

If you were not in CIOC's service yesterday for Father's Day. AllI can say is you just missed IT. We had the up-rising CMT award winner singing, and a drama from Hollywood's newest actors and actress. You just cannot get that in just any church. I noticed alot of people were affected by the whole service too. Which is the greatest blessing of all. I just want to Thank all the ones who participated in the service. A lot of hard work was put into this. We have the best group of people at our church. Oh, and the drama was written by 2 famous authors who have also written some songs. See, we got some kind of TALENT in our church. But, what else do you expect from CIOC> Love you all.

Father's Day

Sunday is Father's Day. I am so excited about what CIOC is going to be doing that day. If you don't have a church home, come and join us for the service. It will be great. To all the father's out there, I salute you for being the "Man of God" you were designed to be. Taking care of a family, making sure the bills are paid, being husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, big-brother, and whatever your profession is. That is a tall job. Alot to live up to. But you have done it, and done it well. I want to honor Tony for all he has done. He has also been electrician, plumber, cook(he cooks pretty good too, by the way), and house-cleaner. We both work so he has always tried to help around the house too. I really appreciate all he has done over the years. His help has made things easier for me. Tony says he has me spoiled. (Who ME?)
I just want to wish all dad's a Happy Father's Day with special honors to my daddy, Tony, and Pastor Scott King, my pastor.

What People Tell You

Do you believe everything people tell you? I hope not. I don't. Believe me. I really DON'T. I had a yearly check up last week. Because of some past problems, the Dr. ordered a test. Well, I prayed about and forgot it. The call came in this morning, the test came back fine, but the Dr. don't understand. I do. I understand just fine. God has taken care of the situation. See, I refused to believe what the Dr. originally believed to be wrong. I did not talk about it alot, I did not dwell on it. I let God handle it. If my God can heal me from one thing, He can heal me from something else. I want you to believe on the positive and not the negative the next someone tells you something. If you speak the positive and turn it over to God, you will be amazed at the relief you will feel. Be positive at all times. Look for the positive in every situation and in everyone you meet. As you do this, it will become a habit. Then, things will start to change in your life.

Cancer

I did not think anyone was really reading my blog. I have just been writing(typing) as things come to me. I was surprised to see comments. Thank you. It is an encouragement.

I have been in contact with a lot of people over the last few years come into my life that has had cancer or they know someone with cancer. My grandfather died about 5 yrs. ago from cancer. Papa died in November. The following spring my cousin, Mark, died from cancer. Mark and my brother, Sidney, were the only boys on that side of the family. Sidney stayed with Mark some while he was sick, and he took it sorta hard. Then, my mother's sister had breast cancer. She had to have a mastactomy, chemo and radiation treatment. The next year my grandma had to have a mastactomy. Two years ago I got the news my mammogram had to be re-done. The first one tumors showed up. I prayed. I mean I prayed. When I went back, the nurse said she had both doctors look at the x-rays and nothing was there. Since, there has been several others that I have prayed for because of cancer. A couple of weeks ago I found out my brother has skin cancer.
Cancer is a dark disease that will destroy a life. It actually eats away at a living thing. That is not from God. God has to allow it in your life. I believe God allows things in our lives to change us. To mold us into what He wants for us or otherwise we would not submit to God. Because of what some have had to go thru they are now able to help others that are going through the same thing they went through.
Don't let things like fear and depression turn into a cancer in your life.
Speak positive things in your life today for the future. I spoke like that over myself before I had the second mammogram. I do not accept sickness and disease in my body. I am healthy. I break all generational curses now in the name of Jesus.
The Bible says we can do more and see more miracles than in the days of Jesus because we have been given the power. I have the power in my tongue and in my hands to heal. Not to bring death into my life or the lives around me.
If you would like for me to pray for you leave me a message. May God richly bless you and the lives of the people you come in contact with, for that is your witnessing.

Do you have regrets?

I think we all have regrets about things we have done or said, or maybe an action to a certain situation. I know I have. It is okay to have regrets, But do not let those regrets get you trapped into a depressed state. What is in the past, is in the past. Let it go. The past is a learning tool for the future. It is okay to remember but not to dwell. I thought I had really let go of the past until a certain situation came up. Then, I found out I had not let it all go. I still had somethings bottled up inside of me. It is okay to take a moment and cry about the past, as long as you are praying and crying to God to release you from the past. God gave us all a past. But He also gave us all a future. As long as we are looking and living toward the future we are moving forward. If not, you are stagnant. You see, stagnant waters do not move in any direction. It is still and gets a nasty film on top of it. Then it will start to have a bad odor. Fish can not live in stagnant waters. As humans, you will become the same way. So take a moment, and pray for god to release you from the regrets you are holding onto. Move forward into the future with a learning experience you can help someone else with. I did and I feel so much better. And I know you will too.

Pastor Appreciation

Tomorrow we will be honoring our pastor, Pastors Scott and Tyra King. Anyone who knows them know they are an absolute delight to be around. So of course we are going to honor them. They are our spiritual mother and father and our spiritual leaders. I have the honor of praying for them on a daily basis. We have a surprise for them tomorrow I know they are going to enjoy. I hope and pray everyone shows up to honor them. Our pastors have done so much for the people in our church. They have given time, money, thoughts, prayers, and themselves to help all of us. There is no way to repay them for all they have done. So come, join us tomorrow and have some fun with our church family in honoring our Pastors. See you Sunday.