Morning Cuppas With Glenys

When the fog clears, tea's on the list.

Recently I have been having trouble remembering things. At nearly 70, I worry about dementia and think that maybe I am going down that path.

But in talking with people who suffer from fibromyalgia like I do, I realise that fibro brain fog can make one forgetful. Especially during flares.

Having just moved house about 6 weeks ago, I am just starting to recover physically. I have a flare that is pretty constant with no spoons and I do forget things. And words mid sentence.

I don't think me forgetting to order tea in the online grocery order really means I have dementia. I guess fibromyalgia flares can do that.

Looking through Marketplace the other day, someone was selling a bassinette identical to the one I had for my 4 children. It brought back memories like they were only yesterday.

But that didn't make me feel very at ease about my forgetfulness because dementia robs one of short term memory. But then so does fibromyalgia.

Considering all my previous times of brain fog during a flare, and my subsequent good memory, I surmised that it was not dementia, but brain fog from said flare.

I believe when the flare abates, and the fog clears, I will remember the tea in next week's shopping list.

We all live in glass houses

It never ceases to amaze me that most people, (myself included in the past), have judged others yet haven't given much thought of the actions and sin in their own life.

I well remember a neighbour friend of mine who was sharing a cuppa with another friend and myself. We shared that we were both pregnant at the time we were married, and she sniffed and declared that she was a virgin at the altar. We felt resentment because this woman had an affair at work and nearly put the end to her marriage. We rightly felt who was she to judge us?

If we say we haven't sinned, then God says we are a liar. We have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God. That's why we need a Saviour and that's why we need to extend grace to all. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 1 John 1:16

Pre-marital sex or extra marital sex is sin: just as is gossip, pride and unforgiveness. Sin of all kinds sent Jesus to the cross. Jesus took our sin upon himself. And not one of us is sinless, save Jesus. "There is none righteous, no, not one." Romans 3:10

Jesus Christ is our Advocate and Judge. We have no right judging another. Our job is to pray for them.My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 1 John 2:1

As long as we live, we will sin. Not willingly, but we will all fall at one time or another. So it would behoove us to refrain from throwing stones at each other when we all live a glass house.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 3:23

Of apples and rosy cheeks

This weekend we had our 10 year old granddaughter, Taylah come and stay with us. We had a lot of fun and part of that fun was making apple roses.

My fibromyalgia was really bad and I explained my need for a nana nap by relating the meaning behind the spoons. She totally understood and in fact told me to go have a nap and she would call me in half an hour.

True to her word, she woke me in half an hour, but my body whimpered and said, "No way!" However, because we had made a "pinky promise" and I wanted to keep it, I dragged myself out of bed.

We stayed up until 11 on Saturday night because it wasn't a school night, and we slept until midday. I couldn't believe that I had slept that long. Tay must have needed it too.

We baked apple roses and kept some aside for when her mum and sister came to pick her up. It was the first time they had seen our new house. I rarely see them these days.

I was happy that we had made more memories when I said goodbye to them and so was my little Tay, looking lovely and rosy cheeked, clutching a few more apple roses for them to enjoy later.

It lights our path to Him

Over the last 42 years, since I have been a Christian, I have underlined, highlighted or commented on nearly every page of my Bible.

The pages were coming apart and it has been repaired, but I don't want to get another one because there are a lot of sermons, prayers and answers to prayers in it. It's like an old friend.

These days, when I read it, those marked verses still speak to me, or remind me of key truths in a sermon heard years before. It is in fact, like a journal of my faith journey until today.

Some of my comments seem basic and show how my faith has now matured and how bit by bit, verse on verse and precept on precept, the Word has grown me and sustained me.

My favourite version of Bible is the King James Version as I find that has been translated most accurately. When I quote scripture in my writings, you will find it is New King James because a lot of people say they cannot understand the thees and thous, hitherto and forthwith in it.

Whatever version you prefer, the basic message is still the Word. We would all do well to study it and learn from it regardless of version. Because precept upon precept, verse on verse, we will grow and find it lights our path to Him.

For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little.” Isaiah 28:10

Ready for your crown?

Prophecy is being fulfilled before our eyes every day at a frantic pace. We who are looking for the soon rapture or snatching up of the church, are expecting to see our Saviour very soon.

Not only has Jesus gone to prepare a place for us, but He is going to give us a crown of glory that doesn't fade away. What an honour!

Throughout scriptures, we are often told of crowns speaking of righteousness, obedience, honour and rewards. Those of us who love the LORD, will each be given a crown.

Some verses that speak of this are:

The Crown of Righteousness: - Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:8

The Crown of Life: - Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him James 1:12

The Crown of Glory:- And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 1 Peter 5:4

The Incorruptible Crown:- And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 1 Corinthians 9:25

The Crown of Rejoicing:- For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? 1 Thessalonians 2:19

I am not only looking for the signs of Christ's coming for the Church, I am waiting for the sound of the trumpet. That is going to be a magnificent time when believers get to see Jesus, but also get to live with Him for eternity.

There's still work to be done until that time- we must tell unbelievers of the salvation of the LORD and the impending end times.

We must continue to witness, live a holy life, stay close to Jesus through worship and prayer, and fight the good fight.

The trumpet is about to sound: are you ready for your crown?

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Between my nana naps!

Today is Saturday morning here. I have had a busy week with doctors appointments and physio for my daughter who is doing really well.

My son had a possible cancer in his bowels, but the first test was a false alarm and to be honest, it made me anxious. I didn't realise how anxious until he was cleared.

This son was born with a forceps injury to his eye- it looks normal but he has very little sight in it. He has developed a pterygium or sun damage in his good eye and has surgery next Friday to remove the growth because it is growing across his eye and may interfere with his vision. I will be glad when it's done and his eye has recovered.

All this has given me the Mother of all Flares. My fibromyalgia is killing me at the moment and I am taking frequent naps to cope with it. I have a few housework chores to do and some folding up of clean washing. I will do it- in between my nana naps!

She won't be happy in Heaven!

Today we were watching The Blessing on YouTube. I was blown away by the beauty of all the different Christians singing in their own tongue.

What impressed me was that all of them were aglow with the Spirit and clearly in love with Jesus.

Jesus said that He would draw all men unto Him- people from every tribe and nation and watching this, I remembered an incident at a church I went to many years ago.

It was a big congregation which packed the church hall out and even packed the balcony. Faces of every nation were definitely as one worshiping the Saviour. It was a sight to behold.

I had friends from many backgrounds, colours and countries. I learned about their cultures as we grew closer to the LORD. It was a happy time.

But not everyone was happy with the many nationalities represented each Sunday. I recall the wife of one of the deacons commenting with a wrinkle of her nose and a sniff, that the Church had become a league of Nations! I was shocked!

Someone should have informed her that Christ died for all men- not just Anglo-Saxons like her. The gospel was for all nations. Christ is for all nations. But she obviously wasn't.

Globally all nations have been reached- or most have- and the response generally has been wonderful to see. So many brothers and sisters in Christ to meet in glory! Hallelujah!

I can just imagine from The Blessing video that it will be a glorious time of being many in Christ, yet one in the Spirit! And I am so looking forward to it.

It goes without saying that the deacon's wife will be unhappy in glory because she has elevated herself to a position of superiority and has allowed racism to colour her view and stifle the Holy Spirit.

To assume that Christ only came for Anglo-Saxons is wrong on so many counts, not only theologically, socially, morally and intellectually, but it will curtail any chance of true happiness now and for eternity.

Unless she repents, and of course she may have by now, but if she doesn't, I would imagine that she would stunt her growth in the LORD, as well as hurt Him and those she has rejected.

She really has to embrace the sacrifice of the Saviour Who died for all men, and come to love those of differing cultures, or she won't be happy in Heaven!

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. John 12:32

Hanging on by a thread revisited

We chronically ill women always have times when we feel that we are barely holding it all together. We are literally becoming unravelled and we feel like we are hanging on by a thread.

Flares, unrelenting pain, immeasurable fatigue, depression and lack of restorative sleep can all add to the feeling that we can't go on. Even breathing seems like an effort.

It is in those times that we must reach out to God and ask Him to give us the strength to get through each day- or especially the night which seems the longest when we long to sleep but can't.

We need to try to listen to the Word or put on some Christian worship music, and give ourselves over to relaxing as much as is possible for someone in the grip of pain or depression. But we have to focus on something positive, or else we will be getting a one way to the Pit of Despair. We don't want to go there.

By focusing on something positive, we can actually release endorphins, those chemicals that reduce pain and increase a feeling of well-being.

Reaching out to God during these times is critical to our staying in control emotionally. But we must do it, in faith.

If the woman with the issue of blood hadn't reached out to Jesus by touching the hem of His garment, she would not have been healed.

I am not necessarily saying that you will get healed, even though it is possible of course. But you will be lifted up to a higher level of coping with it all.

Worship and praising God whilst suffering is the most exquisitely beautiful act of trust and reverence. It will lift us up and set the enemy of our souls to flight.

So, next time you are feeling you are hanging by a thread, make sure it's the hem of Christ's garment.

And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. Matthew 9.20

For me, it's spoons!

It's Sunday morning here. I have brought in the online groceries and checked them off and put them away.

I will soon be taking Chris's bloods and doing breakfast. Breakfast will be eggs and bacon and a cup of tea. Lunch will be ham and salad sandwiches. For dinner, I am doing a vegetable intensive beef stew. Fresh fruit for desert.

There's a hamper of clean clothes to fold and then I will be up to date with washing. Later I plan to make some coleslaw, if spoons permit.

That's about it for today, except for cooking dinner. I don't want to put myself into another fibromyalgia flare or I won't have spoons to help my daughter tomorrow. As I always say: most jugglers juggle balls, for me it's spoons!

Leave it there!

I honestly don't know how people cope without holding Jesus's Hand. The world often makes us anxious. We need to stay close to Jesus during a trial.

I have had horrid things happen in the family recently and I have learned now to give it to the the LORD and I have a mantra "Into Your Hands, Father!" I just tell Him I can't change whatever, only He can and I hand it to Him.

It is true that once you realise you can't do anything but pray for that person and situation, and surrender it to God, that it results in your own peace.

Often we try to fix a situation that is impossible- after all, that's what mothers and grandmothers do- but of course we can't usually.

It has taken me a lifetime to realise finally, that most times all that's required of us is to pray. I was feeling uneasy about blogging about anxiety as I have had people comment on my blogs about me being faithless etc and I have had to delete those comments. They are not edifying or helpful..

Then of course, the self condemnation one feels about suffering produces anxiety that we can't even suffer correctly and the next step is to fall into despair. You certainly don't want to go there.

Overcoming anxiety is difficult and it simply must be handled with prayer and faith. We must realise that we can't often fix things but God can.

Next time we find ourselves getting anxious about something, let us run to God and give it to Him to fix. But most importantly, instead of believing everything is our responsibility to fix, let us lay it at Jesus' Feet to fix- and then leave it there!

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

He is the Son of God!

“I did not know him but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down & remain, he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ Now I have seen & testified that he is the Son of God.”-John 1:32

Bushed but satisfied.

Today we have no physio or doctor appointments so we can stay home. I am ploughing through 3 loads of washing and I have to clean my kitchen.

I am cooking a pork stew in the slow cooker. Chris is feeling unwell and is sleeping a lot. I would be if I could with my fibromyalgia flaring, but I am waiting for the cleaner to come.

I have finally found a cleaner who can fit both DD Dianne and my homes in for a clean once a fortnight. They are doing hers at 2pm and ours at 4pm today.

Although my Roomba is doing a great job, it needs someone to get into the corners it misses so I will ask the cleaner to do that. Basically it's my floors and bathrooms that need cleaning today with the beds changed starting next Wednesday week.

We only have Chris's "man cave" to sort out now- the rest is done and the place looks nice. We are totally bushed, but it a satisfying feeling to look around and see it all come together.