MudFlaps

Lori Beth · Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2016 3:07 pm Post subject:

Just like many people that profess to be Christians have a false Jesus, so do Catholics. The Catholic Jesus is very mean and not approachable by mankind, and thus, must seek to go through Jesus' mother Mary. There was a Catholic woman at the vitamin store who wore a Jesus hat all the time. She would profess to love Jesus, but when I gave her a copy of my '34 Reasons Why I Am Not A Catholic' she got very angry because she loved her Catholic religion, and the Catholic Mary more than she loved the Bible or the real Jesus. If a Catholic person got truly born again then he/she would come out of the Catholic Church.

Victor McCleskey published a note.
September 23, 2015 ·
34 Reasons Why I Am Not A Catholic
1. I believe the KJV Bible over what the pope says.
2. I believe the KJV Bible over what the Catholic Church teaches.
3. The Catholic Church has a history of torture and murder of people who believed the Bible rather than their false church doctrines. (Jesus never taught his church to persecute others.)
4. Salvation is a gift from God, the Catholic Church teaches salvation must be earned.
5. Jesus said to call no man father on the earth and the Catholic Church teaches its people to call the priests "Father" and the pope "Holy Father". These are titles given only to God in Heaven, in the Bible.
6. The Bible teaches baptism by immersion only, and the Catholic Church teaches baptism by pouring or sprinkling. Thus, destroying the meaning of the picture of baptism. Water baptism is to show a picture of a person dying to self, buried, no longer to return to past life, and resurrected to live for God: pouring nor sprinkling can show this picture.
7. The Bible teaches that baptism is for believers only, and the Catholic Church baptizes babies.
8. The Catholic Church teaches water baptism washes away sins, and the Bible teaches that only the blood of Jesus Christ washes away sins.
9. The titles and positions of popes, cardinals, and nuns in the church are not found in the Bible.
10. The Lord's supper is to be done only in remembrance of him and not as a repeated sacrifice that can save souls.
11. The Catholic Church teaches Mary Worship. (If you bow down before a statue or picture then that is worship. See the second commandment for the details.)
12. The Catholic Church teaches that Mary is the mediatrix between God and man, and the Bible teaches Jesus is the only mediator between God and man.
13. The Catholic Church teaches that Mary is a perpetual virgin, and the Bible teaches Mary had natural children after Jesus.
14. The Catholic Church teaches the assumption of the body of the "Virgin" Mary into Heaven. The Bible does not teach this. Mary's body is in the grave until resurrection day, when Christ returns to this earth in the clouds of glory. Then she will be resurrected with the rest of the believers.
15. The Catholic Church teaches people to pray to dead people "saints", and the Bible is clearly against necromancing.
16. The priesthood of the Catholic Church is a copy of the Jewish priests of the Old Testament. The New Testament, which promotes the true Church teaches all true believers in Christ are the priest of the Lord.
17. Saints are made by the Lord and not the Catholic Church. All true believers are saints according to the Bible.
18. The Catholic Church is known for hiding and protecting its priests who have sexually abused children.
19. The Bible teaches that repetitious prayer is ok, but vain repetition (like praying the rosary, taught by the Catholic Church) is discouraged by Jesus. Prayer is vain when people think God will hear them by the number of times the prayer is said.
20. If there would of been a pope of the apostles it would of been the Apostle Paul and not Peter. Peter was the Apostle to the Jews and Paul was the Apostle to the gentiles. The Catholic Church is not a Jewish church. Peter was not the first pope. Actually, Constantine was the first pope and called together the second church council in 325 A.D. Jesus said that upon Peter's statement "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" would Jesus build his church, and not on Peter himself.
21. Pope John Paul II said that Hell is not a real place. The Bible teaches Hell is a real place in the center of the earth.
22. Pope Francis said that a relationship with Jesus Christ is dangerous, and the Bible teaches that true salvation is a relationship with Jesus Christ.
23. Pope Francis said that the Bible and the Koran are the same. Upon comparison anyone can see that the Bible and the Koran are very different, and the Jesus of the Koran (prophet only) is a different Jesus than who is in the Bible (God the Son). The God of the Koran is a one person God, and the God of the Bible is a three person God.
24. Pope Francis said that "Atheists who do good will go to Heaven", and the Bible says unbelievers will end up in the lake of fire.
25. Pope Francis thinks homosexuals could go to Heaven if they seek the Lord in good faith. The Bible says homosexuals will not go to Heaven, and Jesus basically said "Except ye repent, ye shall perish". The Bible teaches no salvation without turning from sins.
26. The Catholic Church teaches that salvation can be lost, and the Bible teaches that those who truly believe in Jesus Christ are eternally secure.
27. The Catholic Church teaches "Purgatory", the Bible teaches only Heaven or Hell.
28. The Catholic Church teaches that salvation can only be found in the Catholic Church, and the Bible teaches that salvation can only be found by faith in Jesus Christ. The Church has no control over one's salvation. Cults teach they have control over one's salvation.
29. The Catholic Church is part of the Christian church that was hijacked by the devil and driven to apostasy.
30. The word Catholic, with a capitol "C" has not the same meaning used by early church fathers when they wrote the word catholic with a small "c" to mean the Christian church in general. The capitol "C" is the denomination, and the small "c" is a general meaning for all the Christian churches.
31. The Catholic Church is responsible for the corrupt manuscripts used for modern translation of the Bible as a counter reformation attack against the protestant churches. The Catholic Church used the Jesuits to corrupt the Bible with obvious mistakes so people would have to trust the church history of the Catholic Church and what the pope says as the final authority of what God has said.
32. The Catholic Church, as a denomination is a pagan church that uses Christian names and symbols to appear Christian.
33. The Catholic Church today is the head of the New World Religion which allows and accepts anything except biblical Christianity. The One World Religion and the New World Order are hand in hand with evil agendas.
34. The Catholic Church is Mystery Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots spoken of in Revelation chapters 17 & 18, and God says to come out of her.

by Baptist pastor Victor McCleskey
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2016 5:32 am Post subject:

~ ARE YOU READY, IF NOT REPENTANCE IS AT HAND FOR JESUS IS SO SO CLOSE ,
ARE
YOU
READY!
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Tue May 23, 2017 5:00 am Post subject:

~ We don't need to walk softly and carry a big stick, we just need to walk with the Lord, He carries the big stick.

{ people on earth hate to hear the word REPENT! Exclamation

those in hell wish they could hear it just once more }
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2017 8:01 am Post subject:

Story Time….
The view from Heaven
Author: Timothy McMeans
A large tear fell from his eye. Not many people know or believe that the Master sheds tears, but let me tell you he does. Sitting on his throne in heaven he sees all that happens in this world, the good, the bad and the downright ugly.
Being a third class angel, my main duty is being a messenger. I take and receive messages from the Masters to His children. On this day the Master called me to his throne to give me my next assignment. I opened up the packet and the instructions were as follows: Bring Me back a report of the good things that my children are doing. In this angel's humble opinion evil grabs too much of the headlines.
With a bow, I headed out of the throne room to prepare for my Journey. Just before I reached the door, I heard the Master call out to me. He asked me to try not to dent my halo on this assignment, as it had taken two weeks in the shop for Einstein and Da Vinci to fix it after my last job. It’s true, I tend to be a little rough on my halo, but what else can you expect from a third class angel?
Where to start, where to start? IHOP. That’s right, what better place to start? Being that I am a lover of pancakes bares no weight on this choice. Wait, did I just hear a ding on my halo? Ok, ok, so maybe it does bare some weight! (The lengths an angel has to go to keep his halo in good shape, sheeeez!) Closing my eyes I concentrate on an IHOP just north of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, and presto I am there.
Taking a table near the front, I sit down and look at the menu. Hmmm, blueberry pancakes, hash browns, and sausage, along with a fresh glass of orange juice seem to fit the bill today. Soon a waitress comes over and takes my order. There’s nothing for me to do now but sit back and relax for the time being. That’s when I noticed the man standing at the checkout.
He wore a ragged and dirty looking camouflage coat that was two sizes too big with some noticeable holes in it. He also wore an equally dirty looking red tossle cap that had wisps of silver hair peeking from beneath it. By the look of his eyes, I could tell that he had not eaten a good meal in quite some time. Being that I have angel hearing I eavesdropped in on the conversation that was going on between the cashier and the man.
I could tell from his low voice that was almost a whisper, he was embarrassed. He was offering to wash dishes in exchange for a small bite to eat. He even offered to eat his meal out back if that would help. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the cook in the back also watching the exchange, almost as if he expected trouble. Just as the cashier started to explain that what he was proposing was not possible, the cook showed up with his wallet in hand. He told the cashier to charge whatever the amount of the meal was to him. He then bought two gift cards for the restaurant and put fifty dollars on each and handed them to the man. He then escorted him to a table and personally took his order.
I wasn’t the only one who witnessed this act of kindness and love. In the table next to me sat four tough looking construction workers who were also taking notice. After paying for their meals, the four of them made their way back to the kitchen and each of them personally handed the cook a fifty dollar bill, and would not accept his protest that he did not need it. Don’t tell me the Master doesn’t shed tears.
After finishing my meal and paying for it. I walked outside. It had just begun to snow. I love it when it snows like this when it comes down in huge white flakes. There is just something down right cheery about it. Anyhow, I don’t have much time to enjoy it as I have work to do. Where to next?
Mercy Hospital is on the other side of town. That is my next destination. Closing my eyes, I picture it in my head, and in a flash, I am there.
Walking in through the front doors I feel my spirit being pulled to the chapel inside. Opening the door, I notice that the lights are turned down low and that it is absolutely silent. Well, maybe not absolutely silent, as from around the corner I hear the soft sounds of someone crying.
Turning the corner, I see a young woman sitting in the front pew with a small book in her hands. The page she is on is stained with tear drops. On the front of her scrubs, I see a name tag. It reads Angie Williams. I take my phone out of my pocket and pull up the Angelpedia website. (For those of you who don’t know what Angelpedia is, it is a website for angels whereby we can look up information on anyone who is currently alive on Earth.) Looking up Angie’s name I see that she is a nurse in the Neurosurgery wing of the hospital. Reading a little further I see that Angie, on her lunch breaks, comes to the chapel each day. The book in her hands contains the prayers that people have written down asking my Master for help and healing. Each day she comes down to pray for the people who have made entries for that day. I look over at Angie and I hear her whispered a prayer. “Dear Father in heaven, please send your healing hand and touch to Tommy’s Daddy. He is very sick, and there is not much hope. But with you Father, all things are possible. You are the creator of the human body and soul, and one touch from you, the Great Physician, and he will be made well.” Don’t tell me the Master doesn’t shed tears. I wipe my eyes because angels shed tears too.
Walking out of the chapel and out of the hospital, I notice that it has stopped snowing. Everything is covered in whiteness. It makes the world look fresh and new, and the world definitely needs that from time to time.
Turning and making my way down the street I happen to notice two young boys with snow shovels. It appears that they had just finished shoveling the sidewalks of the house on the corner and were making their way to the house beside it. As they started to work on the driveway, an elderly woman came out and called them over to the porch where she was standing. I could see that she had a twenty dollar bill in her hand as she offered it to them. The boys politely declined the offer, and instead accepted a hug from her instead. They finished the work on her drive way and sidewalks feeling much richer inside than a twenty dollar bill could have ever made them.
By this time it was late in the afternoon, and the sun had started to set. My time for this assignment was just about up. As I thought about my day and the report that I would hand into the Master, a quote from one of my favorite characters came to mind. Gandalf, a wizard in The Lord of the Rings says the following. “Some believe it is only great power that can hold evil in check. But that is not what I have found. I have found that it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keeps the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.” That is what I have found this day, and I could not put it any better.
A few hours later I find myself back in the throne room, handing my report to the Master. He takes it out of my folder and starts to read it.
A large tear fell from his eye. Not many people know or believe that the Master sheds tears, but let me tell you he does. Sitting on his throne in heaven he sees all that happens in this world, the good, the bad and the small acts of kindness that keep the darkness at bay. - Country Wit and Wisdom
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2017 11:02 am Post subject:

Contentment...We like the apostle Paul must in all circumstances be content...that is the desire of our Heavenly Father....and we might say: "that is so difficult", and yes it is!!!,
But, in everything we must also give thanks, because is by trial that the lessons are learned. We learn to have patience, we learn to have self worth, we learn to wait on God's perfect timing...True contentment is found in the peace and love of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ...true contentment is found at the Cross, and in the empty tomb...true contentment is found in salvation and the forgiveness of our sin...

“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” - Philippians 4:11.

"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18.
_________________
We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2017 11:39 am Post subject:

~ I Wish We'd All Been Ready ~ https://youtu.be/X1FcTKNXlO0

Life was filled with guns and war, and ev'ryone got trampled on the floor, I WISH WE'D ALL BEEN READY! Children died, the days grew cold, a piece of bread could buy a bag of gold, I WISHED WE'D ALL BEEN READY!

There's no time to change your mind, the Son has come and you've been left behind.

A man and wife asleep in bed, she hears a noise and turns her head, he's gone, I WISH WE'D ALL BEEN READY! Two men walking up a hill, one disappears and one's left standing still, I WISH WE'D ALL BEEN READY!

There's no time to change your mind, the Son has come and you've been left behind.

There's no time to change your mind, how could you have been so blind? The Father spoke, the demons dined, the Son has come and you've been left behind! ...you've been left behind...you've been left behind.

~ *BRiLLiANT* ~ I look at the world and it's so clear..
The end is near..
~♡~♡~♡~
The world is falling..
Falling fast..
How much hurt..
How long will it last..
~♡~♡~♡~
The children are dying..
The people are crying..
The world is falling fast..
We need to pay attention..
Look to a new direction..
Jesus is coming soon..
~♡~♡~♡~
Time to turn your path..
Before Gods wrath..
It's not too late to begin..
~♡~♡~♡~
Arise from the shadows and look for the light..
He's waiting for you, never far from your sight..
Not sure what you believe and I'm not sure where you stand..
But redemption is at hand..
Allow His grace to guide you..
Let His love retrieve you..
The world is falling fast..
~♡~♡~♡~
Not clear on your direction?
Afraid of the world's reaction?
It won't matter in the end..
The walk that awaiting..
Is truly captivating..
It's nothing what you think..
~♡~♡~♡~
Take hold of His hand..
Allow Him to guide you to a promised land..
The world is falling fast... *Birds of a Feather*
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 6:49 am Post subject:

~ "The sunrise is God's greeting- the sunset, His signature."
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 9:29 am Post subject:

⊰✿░M░O░R░N░I░N░G░⊰✿░T░H░O░U░G░H░T░S⊰✿

If God knows your thoughts, your heart, when you stand up, sit down and how many hairs are on your head, then you can rest assured that He knows where you are at this very moment.
He sees your circumstances, He knows how your feeling right now and He feels your pain. So remember sweet friends, just because you can't see what lies ahead doesn't mean He can't. He can and does.
He knows where you've been.
He knows where you are right now.
He knows where your supposed to be going.
And He knows how to get you there. For you have Him, and He is all you need ♥

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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2018 10:58 am Post subject:

⊰✿░M░O░R░N░I░N░G░⊰✿░T░H░O░U░G░H░T░S⊰✿

... Not to Temptation

This is what Paul says about temptation:
It happens to everyone, so we don't need to feel like we're being signaled out; others are able to resist it and so can we because God will help us to resist it. He helps us to resist it by helping us recognize people and situations that give us trouble, by running from wrong, by choosing what is right, by praying for His help and by seeking out those friends who love God like we do and can be there for us when we're tempted.

~ "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." - 1 Corinthians 10:13.
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2018 6:54 pm Post subject:

~ Evening Blessing: You don’t have to know the whole plan to be okay. You don’t have to have a detailed map to enjoy the journey. You don’t have to do everything perfectly for a perfect God to intervene. Rest assured that He has a plan, He knows the road, and He’s made provisions for your imperfections. He’s kind, gentle, and compassionate. He’s faithful, mighty, and true. And He enjoys you. So lighten your steps and lift your eyes. You’re in great hands.
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2018 6:54 pm Post subject:

~ Evening Blessing: You don’t have to know the whole plan to be okay. You don’t have to have a detailed map to enjoy the journey. You don’t have to do everything perfectly for a perfect God to intervene. Rest assured that He has a plan, He knows the road, and He’s made provisions for your imperfections. He’s kind, gentle, and compassionate. He’s faithful, mighty, and true. And He enjoys you. So lighten your steps and lift your eyes. You’re in great hands. - author: Susie Larson.
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2018 9:53 am Post subject:

~ Maybe today you are still overwhelmed with that 'thing' from yesterday or the day before ... so how about this, maybe God won't change that 'thing' but He will change the way you look at it, if you are willing to let Him.
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2018 2:19 pm Post subject:

There are far better things ahead than anything we leave behind..
- C.S. Lewis

I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
Mark 9:24
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2018 5:25 am Post subject:

~ “Dawn comes after the darkness, and with it the promise that what has been torn by the sea is not lost. All of life is breaking and mending, clipping and stitching, gathering tatters and sewing seams. All of life is quilted from the scraps of what once was and is no more- the places we have been, the memories we have made, the people we have known, that which has been long loved but has grown threadbare over time and can be worn no longer. We keep only pieces. All colors, all shapes, all sizes.
"All waiting to be stitched into the pattern only you can see.
"In the quiet after the storm, I hear you whisper, 'Daughter, do not linger where you are. Take up your needle and your thread, and go see to the mending...”
― Lisa Wingate, The Prayer Box

~ "Blessed be God, even the Father of our LORD Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; " - 2 Corinthians 1:3.
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2018 7:03 am Post subject:

~ A LESSON LEARNED...... The Tea Cup Story

There was a couple who took a trip to England to shop in a beautiful antique store to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. They both liked antiques and pottery, and especially teacups. Spotting an exceptional cup, they asked "May we see that? We've never seen a cup quite so beautiful." As the lady handed it to them, suddenly the teacup spoke, "You don't understand. I have not always been a teacup. There was a time when I was just a lump of red clay.

My master took me and rolled me pounded and patted me over and over and I yelled out, "Don't do that." "I don't like it!" "Let me alone," but he only smiled, and gently said, "Not yet!"

Then. WHAM! I was placed on a spinning wheel and suddenly I was spun around and around and around. "Stop it I'm getting so dizzy I'm going to be sick!", I screamed. But the master only nodded and said quietly, 'Not yet.'

He spun me and poked and prodded and bent me out of shape to suit himself and then... Then he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat. I yelled and knocked and pounded at the door." Help! Get me out of here!" I could see him through the opening and I could read his lips as he shook his head from side to side, 'Not yet'.

When I thought I couldn't bear it another minute, the door opened. He carefully took me out and put me on the shelf, and I began to cool. Oh, that felt so good! "Ah, this is much better," I thought. But, after I cooled, he picked me up and he brushed and painted me all over. The fumes were horrible. I thought I would gag. 'Oh, please; Stop it, Stop it!! I cried. He only shook his head and said, 'Not yet!'.

Then suddenly he put me back into the oven. Only, it was not like the first one. This was twice as hot and I just knew I would suffocate. I begged. I pleaded. I screamed. I cried I was convinced I would never make it. I was ready to give up. Just then the door opened and he took me out and again placed me on the shelf, where I cooled and waited and waited, wondering "What's he going to do to me next?" An hour later he handed me a mirror and said 'Look at yourself.' And I did. I said, 'That's not me; that couldn't be me. It's beautiful. I'm beautiful!"

Quietly he spoke: "I want you to remember; then, he said, 'I know it hurt to be rolled and pounded and patted, but had I just left you alone, you'd have dried up. I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel, but if I had stopped, you would have crumbled. I know it hurt and it was hot and disagreeable in the oven, but if I hadn't put you there, you would have cracked. I know the fumes were bad when I brushed and painted you all over, but if I hadn't done that, you never would have hardened. You would not have had any color in your life. If I hadn't put you back in that second oven, you wouldn't have survived for long because the hardness would not have held. Now you are a finished product. Now you are what I had in mind when I first began with you."

The moral of this story is this:
God knows what He's doing for each of us. He is the potter, and we are His clay. He will mold us and make us, and expose us to just enough pressures of just the right kinds that we may be made into a flawless piece of work to fulfill His good, pleasing and perfect will. So when life seems hard, and you are being pounded and patted and pushed almost beyond endurance; when your world seems to be spinning out of control; when you feel like you are in a fiery furnace of trials; when life seems to "stink", try this... Brew a cup of your favourite herbal tea in your prettiest tea cup, sit down and think on this story and then, have a little talk with the Potter.
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2018 6:43 pm Post subject:

~ *The Spoon Theory* - Christine Miserandino.

My best friend and I were in the diner, talking. As usual, it was very late and we were eating French fries with gravy. Like normal girls our age, we spent a lot of time in the diner while in college, and most of the time we spent talking about boys, music or trivial things, that seemed very important at the time. We never got serious about anything in particular and spent most of our time laughing.

As I went to take some of my medicine with a snack as I usually did, she watched me with an awkward kind of stare, instead of continuing the conversation. She then asked me out of the blue what it felt like to have Lupus and be sick. I was shocked not only because she asked the random question, but also because I assumed she knew all there was to know about Lupus. She came to doctors with me, she saw me walk with a cane, and throw up in the bathroom. She had seen me cry in pain, what else was there to know?

I started to ramble on about pills, and aches and pains, but she kept pursuing, and didn’t seem satisfied with my answers. I was a little surprised as being my roommate in college and friend for years; I thought she already knew the medical definition of Lupus. Then she looked at me with a face every sick person knows well, the face of pure curiosity about something no one healthy can truly understand. She asked what it felt like, not physically, but what it felt like to be me, to be sick.

As I tried to gain my composure, I glanced around the table for help or guidance, or at least stall for time to think. I was trying to find the right words. How do I answer a question I never was able to answer for myself? How do I explain every detail of every day being effected, and give the emotions a sick person goes through with clarity. I could have given up, cracked a joke like I usually do, and changed the subject, but I remember thinking if I don’t try to explain this, how could I ever expect her to understand. If I can’t explain this to my best friend, how could I explain my world to anyone else? I had to at least try.

At that moment, the spoon theory was born. I quickly grabbed every spoon on the table; hell I grabbed spoons off of the other tables. I looked at her in the eyes and said “Here you go, you have Lupus”. She looked at me slightly confused, as anyone would when they are being handed a bouquet of spoons. The cold metal spoons clanked in my hands, as I grouped them together and shoved them into her hands.

I explained that the difference in being sick and being healthy is having to make choices or to consciously think about things when the rest of the world doesn’t have to. The healthy have the luxury of a life without choices, a gift most people take for granted.

Most people start the day with unlimited amount of possibilities, and energy to do whatever they desire, especially young people. For the most part, they do not need to worry about the effects of their actions. So for my explanation, I used spoons to convey this point. I wanted something for her to actually hold, for me to then take away, since most people who get sick feel a “loss” of a life they once knew. If I was in control of taking away the spoons, then she would know what it feels like to have someone or something else, in this case Lupus, being in control.

She grabbed the spoons with excitement. She didn’t understand what I was doing, but she is always up for a good time, so I guess she thought I was cracking a joke of some kind like I usually do when talking about touchy topics. Little did she know how serious I would become?

I asked her to count her spoons. She asked why, and I explained that when you are healthy you expect to have a never-ending supply of “spoons”. But when you have to now plan your day, you need to know exactly how many “spoons” you are starting with. It doesn’t guarantee that you might not lose some along the way, but at least it helps to know where you are starting. She counted out 12 spoons. She laughed and said she wanted more. I said no, and I knew right away that this little game would work, when she looked disappointed, and we hadn’t even started yet. I’ve wanted more “spoons” for years and haven’t found a way yet to get more, why should she? I also told her to always be conscious of how many she had, and not to drop them because she can never forget she has Lupus.

I asked her to list off the tasks of her day, including the most simple. As, she rattled off daily chores, or just fun things to do; I explained how each one would cost her a spoon. When she jumped right into getting ready for work as her first task of the morning, I cut her off and took away a spoon. I practically jumped down her throat. I said ” No! You don’t just get up. You have to crack open your eyes, and then realize you are late. You didn’t sleep well the night before. You have to crawl out of bed, and then you have to make your self something to eat before you can do anything else, because if you don’t, you can’t take your medicine, and if you don’t take your medicine you might as well give up all your spoons for today and tomorrow too.” I quickly took away a spoon and she realized she hasn’t even gotten dressed yet. Showering cost her spoon, just for washing her hair and shaving her legs. Reaching high and low that early in the morning could actually cost more than one spoon, but I figured I would give her a break; I didn’t want to scare her right away. Getting dressed was worth another spoon. I stopped her and broke down every task to show her how every little detail needs to be thought about. You cannot simply just throw clothes on when you are sick. I explained that I have to see what clothes I can physically put on, if my hands hurt that day buttons are out of the question. If I have bruises that day, I need to wear long sleeves, and if I have a fever I need a sweater to stay warm and so on. If my hair is falling out I need to spend more time to look presentable, and then you need to factor in another 5 minutes for feeling badly that it took you 2 hours to do all this.

I think she was starting to understand when she theoretically didn’t even get to work, and she was left with 6 spoons. I then explained to her that she needed to choose the rest of her day wisely, since when your “spoons” are gone, they are gone. Sometimes you can borrow against tomorrow’s “spoons”, but just think how hard tomorrow will be with less “spoons”. I also needed to explain that a person who is sick always lives with the looming thought that tomorrow may be the day that a cold comes, or an infection, or any number of things that could be very dangerous. So you do not want to run low on “spoons”, because you never know when you truly will need them. I didn’t want to depress her, but I needed to be realistic, and unfortunately being prepared for the worst is part of a real day for me.

We went through the rest of the day, and she slowly learned that skipping lunch would cost her a spoon, as well as standing on a train, or even typing at her computer too long. She was forced to make choices and think about things differently. Hypothetically, she had to choose not to run errands, so that she could eat dinner that night.

When we got to the end of her pretend day, she said she was hungry. I summarized that she had to eat dinner but she only had one spoon left. If she cooked, she wouldn’t have enough energy to clean the pots. If she went out for dinner, she might be too tired to drive home safely. Then I also explained, that I didn’t even bother to add into this game, that she was so nauseous, that cooking was probably out of the question anyway. So she decided to make soup, it was easy. I then said it is only 7 p. m. - you have the rest of the night but maybe end up with one spoon, so you can do something fun, or clean your apartment, or do chores, but you can’t do it all.

I rarely see her emotional, so when I saw her upset I knew maybe I was getting through to her. I didn’t want my friend to be upset, but at the same time I was happy to think finally maybe someone understood me a little bit. She had tears in her eyes and asked quietly “Christine, How do you do it? Do you really do this everyday?” I explained that some days were worse then others; some days I have more spoons then most. But I can never make it go away and I can’t forget about it, I always have to think about it. I handed her a spoon I had been holding in reserve. I said simply, “I have learned to live life with an extra spoon in my pocket, in reserve. You need to always be prepared.”

Its hard, the hardest thing I ever had to learn is to slow down, and not do everything. I fight this to this day. I hate feeling left out, having to choose to stay home, or to not get things done that I want to. I wanted her to feel that frustration. I wanted her to understand, that everything everyone else does comes so easy, but for me it is one hundred little jobs in one. I need to think about the weather, my temperature that day, and the whole day’s plans before I can attack any one given thing. When other people can simply do things, I have to attack it and make a plan like I am strategizing a war. It is in that lifestyle, the difference between being sick and healthy. It is the beautiful ability to not think and just do. I miss that freedom. I miss never having to count “spoons”.

After we were emotional and talked about this for a little while longer, I sensed she was sad. Maybe she finally understood. Maybe she realized that she never could truly and honestly say she understands. But at least now she might not complain so much when I can’t go out for dinner some nights, or when I never seem to make it to her house and she always has to drive to mine. I gave her a hug when we walked out of the diner. I had the one spoon in my hand and I said “Don’t worry. I see this as a blessing. I have been forced to think about everything I do. Do you know how many spoons people waste everyday? I don’t have room for wasted time, or wasted “spoons” and I chose to spend this time with you.”

Ever since this night, I have used the spoon theory to explain my life to many people. In fact, my family and friends refer to spoons all the time. It has been a code word for what I can and cannot do. Once people understand the spoon theory they seem to understand me better, but I also think they live their life a little differently too. I think it isn’t just good for understanding Lupus, but anyone dealing with any disability or illness. Hopefully, they don’t take so much for granted or their life in general. I give a piece of myself, in every sense of the word when I do anything. It has become an inside joke. I have become famous for saying to people jokingly that they should feel special when I spend time with them, because they have one of my “spoons”.

https://butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/

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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2018 9:00 am Post subject:

Ronald Reagan’s lost private letter written while President to his dying atheist father-in-law was found and published in the Washington Post this week. There could be no better words penned to a dying doctor about discovering hope and salvation. A great inspiring read if you have 4 minutes.

Aug. 7 [1982]
“Dear Loyal,
I hope you’ll forgive me for this, but I’ve been wanting to write you ever since we talked on the phone. I am aware of the strain you are under and believe with all my heart there is help for that.
First I want to tell you of a personal experience I’ve kept to myself for a long time. During my first year as Governor you’ll recall the situation I found in Calif. was almost as bad as the one in Wash. today. It seemed as if the problems were endless and insolvable.
Then I found myself with an ulcer. In all those years at Warner Bros., no one had been able to give me an ulcer and I felt ashamed as if it were a sign of weakness on my part. John Sharpe had me on Malox and I lived with a constant pain that ranged from discomfort to extremely sharp attacks.
This went on for months. I had a bottle of Maalox in my desk, my briefcase and of course at home. Then one morning I got up, went into the bathroom, reached for the bottle as always and some thing happened. I knew I didn’t need it. I had gone to bed with the usual pain the night before but I knew that morning I was healed. The Malox went back on the shelf.
That morning when I arrived at the office Helene brought me my mail. The first letter I opened was from a lady — a stranger — in the Southern part of the state. She had written to tell me she was one of a group who met every day to pray for me. Believe it or not, the second letter was from a man, again a stranger, in the other end of the state telling me he was part of a group that met weekly to pray for me.
Within the hour a young fellow from the legal staff came into my office on some routine matter. On the way out he paused in the door and said: “Gov. I think maybe you’d like to know — some of us on the staff come in early every morning and get together to pray for you.”
Coincidence? I don’t think so. A couple of weeks later Nancy and I went down to L.A. and had our annual checkup. John Sharpe, a little puzzled, told me I no longer had an ulcer but added there was no indication I’d ever had one. Word of honor — I never told him about that particular day in Sacramento.
There is a line in the bible — “Where ever two or more are gathered in my name there will I be also.”
Loyal I know of your feeling — your doubt but could I just impose on you a little longer? Some seven hundred years before the birth of Christ the ancient Jewish prophets predicted the coming of a Messiah. They said he would be born in a lowly place, would proclaim himself the Son of God and would be put to death for saying that.
All in all there were a total of one hundred and twenty three specific prophesys about his life all of which came true. Crucifixion was unknown in those times, yet it was foretold that he would be nailed to a cross of wood. And one of the predictions was that he would be born of a Virgin.
Now I know that is probably the hardest for you as a Dr. to accept. The only answer that can be given is — a miracle. But Loyal I don’t find that as great a miracle as the actual history of his life. Either he was who he said he was or he was the greatest faker & charlatan who ever lived. But would a liar & faker suffer the death he did when all he had to do to save himself was admit he’d been lying?
The miracle is that a young man of 30 yrs. without credentials as a scholar or priest began preaching on street corners. He owned nothing but the clothes on his back & he didn’t travel beyond a circle less than one hundred miles across. He did this for only 3 years and then was executed as a common criminal.
But for two thousand years he has ... had more impact on the world than all the teachers, scientists, emperors, generals and admirals who ever lived, all put together.
The apostle John said, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that who so ever believed in him would not perish but have everlasting life.”
We have been promised that all we have to do is ask God in Jesus name to help when we have done all we can — when we’ve come to the end of our strength and abilities and we’ll have that help. We only have to trust and have faith in his infinite goodness and mercy.
Loyal, you and Edith have known a great love — more than many have been permitted to know. That love will not end with the end of this life. We’ve been promised this is only a part of life and that a greater life, a greater glory awaits us. It awaits you together one day and all that is required is that you believe and tell God you put yourself in his hands.
Love Ronnie”
—
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2019 11:40 am Post subject:

~ That's My King, Do You Know Him? ~ https://youtu.be/2OR2Q9vieI4
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2019 7:44 am Post subject:

~ Choose joy: As mama’s we have the choice to be a nurturing, patient, loving presence in our home. A cozy glowing light in a dark world for our family. But how can we choose joy when life is sometimes so hard? Ask God to be your strength and to help you. He will, dear sister. Think about what you have been blessed with. You woke up this morning. You’re blessed Sugar. You can see to read this. You’re blessed Honey. There are people who love you. God loves you more than you can imagine! YOU ARE BLESSED DARLIN’! The key is being thankful. We need to lead the example for our family and talk about what we are thankful for instead of complaining. Choose to speak kind words in a loving tone. Be an encourager. Hug a lot. Plan ahead for things so you’re not running around like a headless chicken becoming stressed and agitated. It’s the mama that sets the tone for the home. Change your thoughts, change your life. Proverbs 3:27 says “As a man thinks in his heart so is he”. Make up your mind to be the kind of mama and wife that blesses your loved ones, lifting them up instead of tearing them down. Choose joy, so that your home will be a sweet place to be. What things do you do to set a cheery tone in your home? ~ Wink

~ Create a Welcome Home feeling: Make your house a place your family wants to come home to! There is no doubt in my mind that our emotions are affected by our surroundings. Gal's, we were born with a nesting instinct. When our home is in a mess, it irritates us. It’s hard to be irritated and welcoming at the same time! We don’t want our family to feel like they have to walk on egg shells around us! Start in the kitchen, it’s the heart of the home. The Flylady, Marla Cilley, author of Sink Reflections, says in her book on housekeeping, to begin the task of cleaning your home at the kitchen sink. It’s a simple concept but it will get the ball rolling. ”If the sink is full of dirty dishes, empty the sink and scrub it clean and shiny”. Just that little task alone will bring a feeling of accomplishment that you’ll want to proceed by washing the dishes and clearing the clutter off the counters. Isn’t it a great feeling when the kitchen is shiny clean? Can I get an Amen sistah? How do you get yourself motivated to get your home looking good and smelling sweet? And where do you start cleaning first? Smile

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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2019 11:27 am Post subject:

·
Morning Blessing: May you cherish this truth: The Lord is your very dear and precious Shepherd. In Him, you have everything you need. He’ll lead you to still waters and sacred spaces to restore your soul. He’ll lead you in paths of righteousness for His Namesake. Even when you walk through the deepest valley, He’ll be right there with you, close beside you. He’ll correct and direct, guide and provide, and He'll never forsake you. He’ll establish you and honour you in front of your enemies. He’ll anoint your head with oil and fill you to overflowing. His goodness and mercy will chase after you all the days of your life. God invites you to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of your life. - Susie Larson.
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.