I attended a Ladies Day event at church this past Saturday. There were 3 guest speakers, and one was a 17 year old young lady. All 3 speakers were interesting, but there was something special about hearing a message of faith's perseverance from a teenager. I was impressed with her because of her poise, sincerity, and because of the way her message came through.
She spoke of how she faces life's temptations and how she repents when she falls short. She told us of how she prays for strength and asks for forgiveness when she needs to do so. She encouraged the young ladies in the audience to listen to their parents because they really DO know what they're talking about, since they have more experience with life. Her spirit was humble and her message was clear. She was refreshing. It was wonderful to see a positive view of life from a teen girl's eyes. I pray that God will continue to bless her and all of our children.
Thanks, Miss G!
Take care,
Sylvia Brown-Roberts
http://www.nikkimacproductions.com
Monday, April 29, 2013
Monday, April 22, 2013
A Conversation
I'm trying to take more advantage of opportunities to do good to others. This includes sharing the Good News. You may know some people who do not have an active religious life, but they notice that you worship regularly and attempt to live a faithful life, by grace. Have any of these people asked you questions about your faith and the Bible? Did you feel comfortable enough to answer the questions?
I had a surprise conversation with a business contact recently. He brought up the topic of religion and asked me questions. I prayed silently that I would answer the questions in the right manner. He seemed interested, so we talked for about 30 minutes before his next appointment. The next day, I decided to mail him more information about our topic: a couple of religious tracts and a sheet with the location of some congregations in his area. The following week, I received the business packet he'd prepared for me in the mail. The tracts I sent him were attached to the work he'd done for me, but not the church addresses. I thought,"Maybe I did too much by sending him the tracts. Maybe I offended him."
Two more weeks went by before I heard that he'd been hospitalized in critical condition, unable to communicate. He's still hospitalized.
I'm thankful he and I had that conversation about faith and salvation, and I continue to pray for him.
Keep the Faith,
Sylvia
I had a surprise conversation with a business contact recently. He brought up the topic of religion and asked me questions. I prayed silently that I would answer the questions in the right manner. He seemed interested, so we talked for about 30 minutes before his next appointment. The next day, I decided to mail him more information about our topic: a couple of religious tracts and a sheet with the location of some congregations in his area. The following week, I received the business packet he'd prepared for me in the mail. The tracts I sent him were attached to the work he'd done for me, but not the church addresses. I thought,"Maybe I did too much by sending him the tracts. Maybe I offended him."
Two more weeks went by before I heard that he'd been hospitalized in critical condition, unable to communicate. He's still hospitalized.
I'm thankful he and I had that conversation about faith and salvation, and I continue to pray for him.
Keep the Faith,
Sylvia
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Channel Change
Have you ever noticed that something changed when you entered and/or left a room? I'm not talking about being paranoid or overly sensitive. I'm talking about a simple fact.
When I went to the dentist this morning, I entered the foyer and noticed that the television in the adjoining waiting room was tuned to the show called Cheaters, and a male patient was watching it. (Cheaters is a type of reality show where unsuspecting, unfaithful partners are exposed on camera. A while ago, at the urging of a young person, I watched it to see why it appealed to the young person. Of course, we had a long conversation about the concept of cheating, but that's another story for another day.)
I signed in at the desk in the foyer and headed for the waiting room. When the man saw me come into the room, he immediately changed the channel to a show that had religious songs and people in robes on the screen. I don't know if he didn't want me to see he was watching Cheaters or if he thought the religious music was more appropriate for me. I wasn't dressed for church; I had on my gym clothes because I was going to the gym afterwards. Maybe he was just being considerate. Maybe it was a coincidence. But, when the hygienist called me and I followed her out of the waiting room, I heard the Cheaters music again. Interesting, huh?
Smiles,
Sylvia
When I went to the dentist this morning, I entered the foyer and noticed that the television in the adjoining waiting room was tuned to the show called Cheaters, and a male patient was watching it. (Cheaters is a type of reality show where unsuspecting, unfaithful partners are exposed on camera. A while ago, at the urging of a young person, I watched it to see why it appealed to the young person. Of course, we had a long conversation about the concept of cheating, but that's another story for another day.)
I signed in at the desk in the foyer and headed for the waiting room. When the man saw me come into the room, he immediately changed the channel to a show that had religious songs and people in robes on the screen. I don't know if he didn't want me to see he was watching Cheaters or if he thought the religious music was more appropriate for me. I wasn't dressed for church; I had on my gym clothes because I was going to the gym afterwards. Maybe he was just being considerate. Maybe it was a coincidence. But, when the hygienist called me and I followed her out of the waiting room, I heard the Cheaters music again. Interesting, huh?
Smiles,
Sylvia
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Delayed Gratification
Okay. This is my confession.
I waited until the day after the recent holiday. Then, I went to one of the finest chocolate shops in this area and bought 2 medium-sized boxed chocolate covered eggs. I waited because I knew they would be half price the Monday after the holiday. I bought one that had a coconut cream filling. I bought another that had a fruit and nut filling. I ate them both, one piece a day until they were gone. They were delicious.
I added two extra days to my gym workouts during this chocolate-eating phase.
You see, I can delay chocolate gratification until it's on sale for half price.
Smiles,
Sylvia Brown-Roberts
Visit me at www.nikkimacproductions.com
I waited until the day after the recent holiday. Then, I went to one of the finest chocolate shops in this area and bought 2 medium-sized boxed chocolate covered eggs. I waited because I knew they would be half price the Monday after the holiday. I bought one that had a coconut cream filling. I bought another that had a fruit and nut filling. I ate them both, one piece a day until they were gone. They were delicious.
I added two extra days to my gym workouts during this chocolate-eating phase.
You see, I can delay chocolate gratification until it's on sale for half price.
Smiles,
Sylvia Brown-Roberts
Visit me at www.nikkimacproductions.com
Friday, April 5, 2013
Saving Blueberries
I have rediscovered a taste for breakfast oatmeal. While I haven't graduated to the steel cut oats version, I like the instant and the basic versions. My favorite flavor right now is the reduced sugar with apples. Coincidentally, I found that I like to add blueberries to this oatmeal, and I discovered this when I saw some blueberries in the fridge that my husband must have purchased and forgotten. Some of the blueberries were starting to lose their plumpness. Some were wrinkled. Some looked like raisins. I felt sorry for the forgotten berries, so I counted out ten of the less pretty ones, rinsed them, and put them in my oatmeal. Delicious!
I've done this every day this week, and as yet, my husband hasn't seemed to notice. When he does, I'll gladly admit to this practice. He'll likely shake his head. Meanwhile, the nicest-looking blueberries remain in the container. I'll probably rescue them next week.
As for me, I'm getting antioxidants and a sweet taste while saving blueberries from mold and the waste can.
Smiles,
Sylvia
I've done this every day this week, and as yet, my husband hasn't seemed to notice. When he does, I'll gladly admit to this practice. He'll likely shake his head. Meanwhile, the nicest-looking blueberries remain in the container. I'll probably rescue them next week.
As for me, I'm getting antioxidants and a sweet taste while saving blueberries from mold and the waste can.
Smiles,
Sylvia
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
No You Didn't!
I wasn't planning to blog about this today. I had a totally different piece in mind, but I got distracted by something I saw in a no-frills food store today. You know, the kind of store where you bring your own grocery bags and bag your own food. (Please don't judge me because I like a good bargain.)
Anyway, as I pushed my shopping cart down the aisle and tried to decide on pretzel rods or low fat chips for my snack tonight, I noticed a neatly-dressed man hovering by the cookies. He kept moving back and forth near the cookies and looking around. Well, as soon as I see a person looking around, I automatically pay attention, because maybe there's something about to go down that I need to know about.
The man mumbled to no one in particular, opened a bag of chocolate chip cookies a little bit, slid a cookie out, and ate the cookie! He carefully replaced the bag on the shelf. He looked around some more, walked away, walked back, and did the same thing again!
My first impulse was to say,"You're not supposed to do that." But, something kept me quiet. Then, he noticed me looking at him and moved on to another part of the store. I heard him later speaking to a store worker in a very intelligent manner, asking where some other product was in the store. He even had money, I saw later at the checkout.
I'm not usually caught off guard, but today I was. I would feel so guilty if I opened packaging and ate food I didn't pay for, but this guy was totally at ease.
What would you have done?
Take care,
Sylvia
Anyway, as I pushed my shopping cart down the aisle and tried to decide on pretzel rods or low fat chips for my snack tonight, I noticed a neatly-dressed man hovering by the cookies. He kept moving back and forth near the cookies and looking around. Well, as soon as I see a person looking around, I automatically pay attention, because maybe there's something about to go down that I need to know about.
The man mumbled to no one in particular, opened a bag of chocolate chip cookies a little bit, slid a cookie out, and ate the cookie! He carefully replaced the bag on the shelf. He looked around some more, walked away, walked back, and did the same thing again!
My first impulse was to say,"You're not supposed to do that." But, something kept me quiet. Then, he noticed me looking at him and moved on to another part of the store. I heard him later speaking to a store worker in a very intelligent manner, asking where some other product was in the store. He even had money, I saw later at the checkout.
I'm not usually caught off guard, but today I was. I would feel so guilty if I opened packaging and ate food I didn't pay for, but this guy was totally at ease.
What would you have done?
Take care,
Sylvia
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