Habakkuk

Have you ever had questions that no one seems to know the answers? Or only to find more questions instead of answers?  That can lead us to feel frustration, that can cause destruction on the inside of us. Which will cause us to start doubting our beliefs & our way of thinking. Some of us will choose to move forward pass our doubt, some will become cynical & harden hearts, but there are some who will pick to dig deeper for answers. 

Habakkuk is one who picked to go deeper for answers. He was troubled with what was going on around him & took it to God for the deeper answer.  Habakkuk went to God for God's answer & waited for the answer. How long did Habakkuk wait for the answer, I do not know.  I do know he waited till he got one. 

When Habakkuk received God's answer, he then prayed.  He didn't just run off, back to his business. He prayed.  Habakkuk Chapter 3 is his prayer,
Habakkuk’s Prayer

^" Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy. God came from Teman, the Holy One from Mount Paran. His glory covered the heavens and his praise filled the earth.  His splendor was like the sunrise; rays flashed from his hand, where his power was hidden.  Plague went before him; pestilence followed his steps.  He stood, and shook the earth; he looked, and made the nations tremble.
The ancient mountains crumbled and the age-old hills collapsed—  but he marches on forever.  I saw the tents of Cushan in distress, the dwellings of Midian in anguish. Were you angry with the rivers, Lord? Was your wrath against the streams? Did you rage against the sea when you rode your horses and your chariots to victory?  You uncovered your bow, you called for many arrows. You split the earth with rivers;  the mountains saw you and writhed. Torrents of water swept by; the deep roared and lifted its waves on high. Sun and moon stood still in the heavens at the glint of your flying arrows, at the lightning of your flashing spear.  In wrath you strode through the earth  and in anger you threshed the nations. You came out to deliver your people,  to save your anointed one.
You crushed the leader of the land of wickedness,  you stripped him from head to foot.  With his own spear you pierced his head when his warriors stormed out to scatter us, gloating as though about to devour  the wretched who were in hiding.  You trampled the sea with your horses, churning the great waters. I heard and my heart pounded,  my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled. Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us.
 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails  and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,  yet I will rejoice in the Lord,  ^{I will be joyful in God my Savior.}   The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights."

In verse 19,"The Sovereign Lord is my strength;  he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights." God is his strength, God gave him surefooted confidence through his troubles.  God will do the same for us.  It's not us with our own doing. Habakkuk did not get answers from himself. But he went to God & waited for them. Habakkuk trusted what God told him.   

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Marriage Part 1

Marriage what is it?  After all it is the goal for most people, some are driven to do it.  Some cultures have prearranged marriages. Some folks go to the court house to get hitched, some have large weddings to start their marriage, some have a small wedding & some are done outside at a park, on a boat, on the shore or in a back yard.  All that is not marriage but a ceremony that takes place in front of a pastor, priest or whatever you have for your religious leader, judge, family & friends. 

Marriage is a covenant, that is  between God, man & woman.   Marriage is a relationship between God, man & woman.  Marriage is a family institution rather than church & state.  In Genesis there was only God, Adam & Eve, this was the first marriage.  This was a plan for unity with God.  God created all it, this is where it is started, the foundation.   

Marriage has steps that must happen before marriage happens.  The steps help lay a foundation for marriage.  Marriage is an on going effort by both people involved till the day they die.  Sometimes days marriage is less effort than others that's a given.  Whatever your marriage vows were, you entered in to a covenant that is made to be everlasting.  I'm not here to past judgements on any marriages that may have failed.  That is none of my business. That is between God, the man & the woman.  

There will be more posts on Marriage.  This one is just the start.

If what I offer here is relevant to you in any way, please consider donating. As I tend to my family (disabled hubby and homeschooled kids) I write in my free time. No knitting here but I love Taco Bell now and then and your donations help keep the spicy food coming. Every donation is appreciated!!!

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Sleep Apnea Part 2

I had the sleep study.   It all boils down to yes, I have Sleep Apnea.  It took a bit to get the Sleep Apnea machine due to all the paperwork with my insurance.  Each insurance is different.  Little did I know there is a man's machine & a women's machine.  One is plain & one has a design on it.  I like the design on mine.  Winner, Winner!!! 

At the study when they had to put me on a machine I had no problem adapting to it.   The added pressure was no problem.   The mask fit just fine.   At home completely different story.  My husband was there to help me get the mask adjust to fit my head comfortable, there to help me when I had multiple panic attacks when the high pressure kicked on & he stayed by my side till I was able to be comfortable with the pressure & the mask.  

Some of the things I had to adjust to with the mask om my face & the pressure pushing up my nose: the air rushing up my nose with great force, swallowing my own spit &  having my ears block up & hurt & then not able to breath (panic attack happened had to turn machine off & regroup),  once high pressure was up & pushing could not inhale (another panic attack, had to start over), panic attack from having something on my face & having to itch my face where the mask was on.  This all went on for an hour or so before I adjusted to the mask & the pressure.   

My husband has been on his own Sleep Apnea machine for a year now. His is different since his Sleep Apnea is different than mine, but he still was by my side to help me through it. And to make any & all adjustments.   I did not start this right at bed time.  But an hour & a half before I would normally go to bed. I knew there were be some fitting of the mask & a small adjustment time.  I'm glad I started when I did.  If I started at bedtime when I was completely exhausted, it would not have gone successful.  

After each panic attack, I had to regroup & get back to peace before trying again.   My husband was very patience with me during this all.  I'm very grateful for his help during it all.

I slept for 11 hours.  Did not move the whole night.   My body was able to finally get some will needed deep sleep.   I did feel refreshed a little the next morning.  I'm hoping the more I use the Sleep Apnea machine the more energy I'll have.   Besides all the other added health reasons.  Looking forward to a health life!!!

If you or a love one might have a sleep problem please talk with your doctor & get it checked out. You matter & your health is worth it!  If anyone in your family has Sleep Apnea, you may have it too!  It is hereditary.  

If what I offer here is relevant to you in any way, please consider donating. As I tend to my family (disabled hubby and homeschooled kids) I write in my free time. No knitting here but I love Taco Bell now and then and your donations help keep the spicy food coming. Every donation is appreciated!!!

Donations are not tax deductible.

Car Shopping

Thinking about buying a new car or used?   There is so much to think about!!!  More than what color you want or what bells & whistles you want.   Different types of cars will increase your car insurance, how much does  the car weigh will affect the price of the tabs for your license plate.   How many miles on the car, what type of weather will you me drive in, are you taking the car off road?  

There are so many different makes & models of cars.  I was shocked to learn of all of them.  My head almost explode from all the new info that I was learning!!  Once you make a list of what you might want, you now need to look at prices.  What do you want to pay, what can you pay & what are the prices are out there for what you want.   That may lead you to reviewing your list to see what will be taken off.   

Now do you want to buying a used car from the owner or go to the dealership to see what they can offer?  All things you need to think about.   Are you going to take what ever vehicle you pick to your own trusted mechanic to look it your choice over?   Do you go in debt over the car or do you pay cash?  All choices you will have to make.  

Let the hunt start!!!!   It can take take some time to find the right car for you.  how long or how far will you look for the perfect vehicle for you?   I know what I went through.  Man a long road of thinking of what  wanted, then looking into the different types of vehicles out there, the pros & cons of each, how much everything is, revisiting my list of what I needed in a vehicle & what I want in a vehicle & the main thing is how much I was willing & able to pay for this vehicle.  

 How long did I want the vehicle to to last?  That changed everything for me!! Did I want to invest in a cheaper vehicle with a lot of miles & might have repairs on it right away or invest in a vehicle that cost a bit more with a lot lower miles & not have car repairs right away?   That is a game changer.  Almost had to restart my list  of what I wanted & needed from the vehicle to fit my budget.   No matter how long it takes me, I know when I finally have that next vehicle, I will be happy with no regrets of my choices.   

As of right now, I'm still looking for my next vehicle, I'm getting closer to what I might like & own.  
    

If what I offer here is relevant to you in any way, please consider donating. As I tend to my family (disabled hubby and homeschooled kids) I write in my free time. No knitting here but I love Taco Bell now and then and your donations help keep the spicy food coming. Every donation is appreciated!!!

Donations are not tax deductible.

High Horse

Here's a definition from Merriam Webster Dictionary of high horse:  an arrogant and unyielding mood or attitude.

How many times have you looked at another person or group of people, you may know them or not even know them, or do you know about them & passed judgement on what they do or who they are or what they do in their lives without any true facts of proof that they did it?  I'm not talking about the gut feeling you get when you may be faced with harm.   Have you judged a person on the color of skin, what they are wearing, their age, the way they talk?   

When you start making opinions, judgements, comments about a person without interacting with them & getting to know them as a person, you are on a high horse.   You can then be compared to the Pharisee in the Bible.   The Pharisee did just that, they thought very highly of themselves & very less about the people below them.  Remember Jesus came for the people below the Pharisees.  The Pharisees did tell Jesus they did not want him.  They thought they were above Jesus.   

When people tend to "look down", "frown upon" or scorn people who they feel are different, doing wrong, or don't even measure up to their standards.   Remember not everyone has the same standards as you.  Doesn't make them wrong or less of a person.  It does make them different. Different is not sinful.  Are you afraid of different?  

Self-righteousness is what the Pharisees excelled in it.  Pharisee had their own insecurities that made them get on their high horse so they could feel better & secure.   With their attitude towards Jesus the people around picked up on & followed in it.   In Mark 2:18-22 gives example of that.  
  
Mark 2:18-22 (NIV)^" Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. Some people came and asked Jesus, “How is it that John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting, but yours are not?” Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them.  But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast. “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. Otherwise, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse.  And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins.”

People were making judgement why was Jesus disciples different?  Like they were wrong.   Jesus clears it up for them.  John's disciples & the Pharisee's disciples had their own standards then Jesus' disciples. Yes, they were different.  I'm not looking to point if one was wrong or right.  But the point is a group of people seen a differences & looked at it as wrong.  The passed a judgement on people that were different.   Jesus cleared the matter up.  If the group still felt the same afterwards, I don't know.   Were they set in the decision? Or did they hear the words & change?   

How do you interact with people? Are you on a high horse, feel more holy then another?  Do you deal with religious snobbery?   Jesus gave us the greatest command of all, Love God with all our heart mind & soul, Love your neighbor as yourself.   Love your neighbor as yourself, so how can you be more holy than your neighbor, how can your neighbor be less than you?  

Are you a Pharisee or the people that Jesus came for?  Jesus came to love people & share the knowledge of who God is.   Love first then knowledge. 

If what I offer here is relevant to you in any way, please consider donating. As I tend to my family (disabled hubby and homeschooled kids) I write in my free time. No knitting here but I love Taco Bell now and then and your donations help keep the spicy food coming. Every donation is appreciated!!!

Donations are not tax deductible.

Sleep Apnea

Are you feeling like you don't get enough sleep even if you go to bed at a normal time & sleep for at least 8 hours a night?  Do you wake up in the night?   If you think you may have Sleep Apnea talk with your doctor right away.

 Sleep Apnea can lead to different health problems.   Besides being exhausted all the time, it can be hard to stay a wake during the day.  It can effect your relations, education & or job.   Your doctor can help you with setting you up with a sleep test study.  It's painless & can help the doctors know how to care for you better.  

When I talked to my doctor about it, I was shocked at all that is connected with sleep & my health.  The small warning signs that I over looked to the hello bigger signs.  I thought I might have moderate Sleep Apnea.  After talking with my doctor he said I was looking pretty severe with Sleep Apnea.  Onward for the sleep testing & may have to do a study during the day too.  All depends on how the sleep study test goes.    

If what I offer here is relevant to you in any way, please consider donating. As I tend to my family (disabled hubby and homeschooled kids) I write in my free time. No knitting here but I love Taco Bell now and then and your donations help keep the spicy food coming. Every donation is appreciated!!!

Donations are not tax deductible.

Pressure

Pontius Pilate had Jesus as a prisoner.  Pontius Pilate had to make a choice, either Jesus was innocent & Pilate let Him go or find Jesus guilty & crucify Him.  Pilate had tons of pressure from the religious leaders, the crowds (which the religious leaders were stirring up) & Rome (whom wanted peace in the territory) plus what his own gut was saying & his wife's dream.   Talk about being surround by pressure from all sides!!!

Pontius Pilate tried to get Jesus to defend himself so Pilate did not have to make the choice.  Jesus stood in silence.   Pilate then thought he would give the crowds a choice, to get away from the pressure of making the wrong choice.  Pilate did not want to put an innocent man to death.  Pilate brought out Barabbas, who was part of a rebellion against Rome & was a murderer, & Jesus.  Pilate offered to release one of them.  He thought the crowd would pick Jesus.  But the religious leaders kept stirring the crowds.   

Pontius Pilates wife had a dream that she shared with Pilate while he was sitting in the judgement seat, "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him."  (Matthew 27:19 NIV). Pontius Pilates wife even had a dream to warn Pilate to stand against the pressure.  

Pontius Pilate let the crowd pick.  They picked Barabbas.   Pilate released Barabbas & washed his hands from the innocent man's blood.  Pilate did not want to take responsibility for making the choice. He did not  stand up to the pressure from the crowds, religious leaders & Rome.  

Washing of the hands only gives a false sense of peace.  Pilate was still responsible for his actions of not standing firm against the pressure of the crowds, religious leaders & Rome.   When faced with right & wrong, we all get to pick & live with what comes next.   There is no washing of the hands to keep yourself free from consequences.    

When you are faced with peer pressure, or any choice of right & wrong, how do you handle it?  Do you stand firm in your beliefs & what you know is right?  Or do you fold under pressure?

Remember Peter thought he would never deny Jesus & stand against the pressures of knowing Jesus, but he fold too. (Matthew 26:69-75).  Jesus still loved Peter. 

How can you stand firm when faced with pressure?

If what I offer here is relevant to you in any way, please consider donating. As I tend to my family (disabled hubby and homeschooled kids) I write in my free time. No knitting here but I love Taco Bell now and then and your donations help keep the spicy food coming. Every donation is appreciated!!!

Donations are not tax deductible.