Always Looking up!

So Long, PNN--Visit Us At Blogspot

Karen & gerard — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:48:43 GMT

After a year of trying to keep up four blogs, I have decided to let this one go. There is a lot of good stuff in the archives so I'm not deleting the whole thing, but would love for you to follow our other blogs instead as I will no longer be posting over here for the following reasongs:

(1) I can't schedule posts ahead here.

(2) Sometimes I can't get in to even create or edit a post.

(3) It doesn't seem like I get much traffic here.

(4) I like the voting thing but do not like the comment set up.

Here are my other blogs;

Right Where We Belong: We write about our pets, our life, our experiences and our faith.

Grab A Book From Our Stack: Our book reviews.

My Funny Dad, Harry: Things about my dad and memories to promote my book which is now available on Kindle for just $1.50.

Sure hope you will visit us!

Managing God's Resources

Karen & gerard — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:18:01 GMT

I am enjoying our Pastor's sermon series on Financial Fitness. The Bible has more to say about money and money principles than it does about heavn and hell. Tht surprised me when I first heard it. As Christians (Christ followers who have trusted Jesus as their personal Savior), we must realize the God owns everything we have. He owns us and all we have is from Him, even our ability to work and earn money.

Once we realize this, then it makes sense to act as God's resource manager or a good steward who uses what God has given us for His purposes. (This is prinicpal is illustrated by the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30.) The question we should ask ourselves then is How can I manage God's resources in a biblical manner so that I may be found faithful?

Here are 3 steps to follow:

1. Earn diligently. The diligent worker is hard working, purposeful and grateful. (Col. 3:23; Deuteronomy 8:18)

2. Save wisely. Don't spend what you don't have. I liked that our Pastor pointed out the difference between saving and hoarding. Saving is putting money aside for appropriate goals which is Biblical. (Proverbs 21:20; Proverbs 6:6-8) On the other hand, it is sinful to hoard as illustrated in the story Jesus told in Luke 12:16-21. Hoarding is continuing to put money aside AFTER our goals are reached.

3. Diversify your holdings. We hear this all the time about investing. Set up a budget based on your net income and then stick to it. (Ecclesiastes 11:2)

As we spend, we need to consider if God would want us using His money in that way. At least 1/10th of our income should to our church (the storehouse) which is called tithing. Remember though, God owns it all and we are his stewards so we should save wisely to meet our future needs and the needs of others. Certainly we need to take care of our family.

When it comes to what charities to support, we try to give to those that are doing God's work and/or furthering His kingdom. Just ask God what He wants you to give to and see how He leads and what passion he places in your heart.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:19-21, Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth . . . But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (NIV)

You can actually to to our church's website to hear the whole sermon for yourself at phbaptist.org.

God's Power

Karen & gerard — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 10:38:59 GMT

I found this little gem in my dad's things. It's by Rev. William Whiteman, my dad's Pastor way back in 1949:

GOD'S POWER

Longfellow could take a worthless piece of paper, write a poem on it and make it worth $6,000--that is GENIUS.

Rockefeller could sign his name to a piece of paper and make it worth $1,000,000--that is CAPITAL.

Uncle Sam can take silver, stamp an imprint on it, and make it worth $1--that is MONEY.

An artist can take a fifty-cent piece of canvas, paint a picture on it, and make it worth $1,000--that is ART.

God can take a worthless, sinful life, cleanse it, put His Spirit io it, and make it a blessing to humanity--that is SALVATION.

Praise God He is still actively transforming lives today!

Romans 12:1-2:

I Beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mrecies of god, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy acceptable unto God, which is your resonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.

II Corinthians 5:17:

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

God With Us

Karen & gerard — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 10:55:58 GMT

In Sunday’s sermon about “God With Us,” our Pastor pointed out that Christians (Christ Followers) are in dwelt by the Holy Spirit so we have God with us. The fruit of the spirit listed in Galatians 5:23 is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Now, who wouldn’t like someone with those qualities? What’s not to like? Yet, so many times Christians do not display these qualities that should be the norm. Why not? The answer is that sin (disobedience) in our life impedes the work of the Holy Spirit.

The illustration used by Pastor Dan was that an ink cartridge in a printer may have ink, but it can’t come out onto the paper until that plastic strip is removed. I thought that was a good way of looking at it. We need to come before God and surrender to Him each and every day, asking for forgiveness and repenting of the sin that He shows us.

He challenged us to give Jesus away this season by letting the world see God through us and gave us three things we could do:

(1) forgive someone who has hurt you because God is forgiving;

(2) show compassion to someone in need because God is compassionate and

(3) give an extravagant gift to someone you love because that is exactly what God has done. He gave His only son, Jesus, to be our Savior so we can be reconciled to God. Wow!

Time to Reflect on How I'm Doing:

(1) I don't have any bad feelings toward anyone.

(2) I held the door open for a co-worker yesterday, hold the elevator for people and ive generously to many charities regularly so I got this one.

(3) Here is where I fall short. I got my husband lots of pratical gifts--things he really needs but nothing extravagent yet. Guess I better look for one more item for him . He does way better at this one than I do. He's always buying me nice things tha I don't think I really need.

Merry Christmas to all as we celebrate Jesus birth! Show Jesus to your world!

Source: Sermon notes from Pastor Dan on December 11 at Parma Heights Baptist Church.

The Big Surprise Was A Success

Karen & gerard — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 23:05:40 GMT

This is a follow-up to my previous post, "Is This Too Much To Ask." I decided to see if I could get the 8:15 service people to all sit in the center section today to surprise our Pastor.

I wrote up a little note and handed to the people as they arrived. Here is what it said:

LET' SURPRISE PASTOR DAN TODAY

Several months ago he asked us to sit in the center section at the 8:15 service so let's all do it today. He'd be shocked and encouraged, don't you think? It'll be fun o see his reaction and would be a cool surprise that doesn't cost us anything! --Karen Zemek

8:15 service on Dec. 11, 2011

I was thrilled to see the people agreed with me and cooperated. The Pastor was surprised and kind of shocked. Unfortunately, one guy showed him the note, duh, it is a "surprise." He wasn't supposed to know what was going on and who was the instigator. Oh well, I could tell when the choir came in at the end, they were surprised too!

It was actually nice sitting in a closer group. The singing sounded much better and people were in a good mood and friendly. It was just a very cool and fun simple thing to do. Now, of course the next question is will people continue to sit in the center or go back to their old patterns. I hope at least some will return next week. It's not a hardship, just a matter of making a little adjustment.

Is This Too Much to Ask?

Karen & gerard — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 00:09:47 GMT

Sometimes people can be very stubborn. A few months ago, our Pastor nicely asked the people who attend our 8:15 a.m. service to sit in the middle section because we are so spread out. We have a fairly large sanctuary and only about 50 people in the early service who sit all over. My husband and I used to sit on the right side near the doors, but moved to the center the week after he asked and have sat there since.

I don't understand why people refuse to move. This seems like such a little request to me and yet, very few have cooperated. I would think this would make him feel so discouraged and unappreciated. Isn't it sad how people get so set in their ways that they refuse to budge? I feel like standing by the door and reminding people that the Pastor would like for us to sit in the center and so I think it would be a nice surprise for him if we all did it today. Do you think they would?

I also find it very odd how church goers like their own row. See how some rows have only one or two people in them? This seems like such a strange thing. Even people who know each other still don't sit together. I find this very odd. Guess we are just a bunch of lone wolves.

Is your church this way too? Why do you think our people refuse to sit in the center?

I Quit Teaching Sunday School

Karen & gerard — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 11:36:13 GMT

This is not the first time I took a break from teaching Sunday School and most likely, won't be the las. I've enjoyed teaching the fifth grade boys class at Parma Heights Baptist Church for the last five or six years. It was the highlight of my week and I looked forward to it. We usually had a good time and the boys seemed to like coming.

However, this past year I did not have that same joy and don't really know why. Usually, the boys get me pumped up and I look forward to teaching them but this year was different. The attendance was more sporatic and it just seemed like more of a chore than a joy. We had good classes and the boys were cooperative with only a couple getting on my nerves a bit now and then.

I was disappointed though when I tried planning a class party and only one or two were going to come. Perhaps this was when I began losing some of my excitement. Anyhow, I believe that if we are in the center of God's will, doing what He wants, we will have joy in our service. That's why I think it is time for me to resign for a bit and see if God has something else for me instead.

I've received lots of positive feedback from parents and our children's minister about being a good teacher and connecting well with the boys. After making this decision though, I felt a sense of relief and am comfortable with this decision so believe I am doing the right thing. I certainly hope so.

Another confirmation for me was knowing that it only took two weeks to find a replacement for me. I believe that God does guide us and directs our path when we acknowledge Him and ask for his direction.

One of my favorite verses is I Cor. 15:57-58 which says:

Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord forasmuch as ye know your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Our Pastor just had a series on having faith that goes the distance. There are many ways to serve my Lord (which is a privilege by the way) and teaching is just one of my spiritual gifts. I am open to God's leading and wonder what has next for me.

It seems odd only taking my Bible to church this morning. I'm used to bringing two tote bags every week and a purse with a camera and white board markers. It was nice though not thinking about how to teach my class all week. I used to start looking at the next lesson on Monday so I could think about it all week long and try to come up with ways to keep their attention.

What Translation Do You Use?

Karen & gerard — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 14:35:34 GMT

I was brought up using the King James Version of the Bible and so memorized my scripture from that. I was always hesitant to read other versions but over time, I have come to accept the New International Version (NIV). I just think part of the charm and uniqueness of the Bible is the old English. It reminds me how old the scriptures really are and how God has protected his word throughout time.

However, here is an example of how some verses can really be more powerful when put into plain English.

Here are three examples of Proverbs 18:15:

KJV:

He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.

NIV:

Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent--the LORD detests them both.

International Children's Bible:

The Lord hates both these things: letting guilty people go free and punishing those who are not guilty.

For my personal devotions, I have been using the International Children's Bible. It is especially helpful when reading through the Old Testment law and history books. This particular verse really jumped out at me and then I looked it up in my KJV Bible to see if I had it marked. I did, but oh, how much plainer is the last one.

If you have children, The International Children's Bible may be worth looking into!

It's nice to know God hates injustice as much or even more than we do. I am glad He is the final judge in the end.

Related post you might like: Wouldn't It Be Nice

Lending to the Poor and Feeling Good!

Karen & gerard — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 23:40:50 GMT

He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD, and that which he hath given will he pay him again.—Proverbs 19:17

Mountain Woman, one of my blogging buddies, gave me a $25 gift card for being her most frequent commenter in June to a really cool site called Kiva. It’s a place where people from all over the world who need a loan are listed. You can loan as little as $25 to help people in a wide range of categories. These are people who banks consider high risk although Mountain Woman says, “I've been with Kiva for years and I've really enjoyed the experience.”

There are so many needy people; I felt overwhelmed trying to pick just one to help. Since the gift came from Mountain Woman, a farmer in Vermont, I decided to pick someone in agriculture. That narrowed it down some. I just said a little prayer, “Lord, who should I pick?” and chose Jose Ever, a farmer in El Salvador, a home owner and father of three, who needed $500 to buy agricultural supplies to help his crops grow better.

Many people chip in to reach the total of the loan requested. Then, if/when you get paid back, you can use that same amount to help someone else or not, it is up to you. It also tells you how close to reaching their total loan amount that they are. When I donated the $25 gift certificate the farmer was at 80% and the next day, I got an email saying the total amount of the loan had been reached! It was just a good feeling to know I helped a poor farmer.

And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? For sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind untothe unthankful and the evil. –Luke 6:34-35

If I get paid back, great! I’ll re-loan it to help someone else.

Take a look and see if there’s someone you would like to help: http:/

/kiva.org/invitedby/karen7242

I entered this post in Saturday Samplings.

Go and enter your best post of the week and read other tops posts of the week!

7 Ways To Respect Your Husband

Karen & gerard — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 11:36:57 GMT

Last week our Pastor spoke to the wives saying more than anything else, a husband needs respect from his wife. Here are my sermon notes which list seven ways to show respect to your husband. I think I’m doing pretty well on these.

1. Pray for him daily. Be his champion prayer warrior and thank God for him.

2. Remember that God has put your husband in a position of leadership. Don’t be controlling—let him fail sometimes so he will grow.

Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church.—Ephesians 5:22, 23

3. Make a list of his qualities that you appreciate and respect. Include character qualities, things he does well and areas in which he treats you well.

4. Tell him what you respect about him. I came across a blog that had a nice gift idea (Sorry, can't remember where it was or I would link to it): Put all the things you can think of on separate pieces of paper and place them in a jar so he can pick one out every day.

Encourage one another and build each other up. I Thessalonians 5:11

5. Resist the temptation to criticize, nag or belittle. Compliment his work!

6. Respond to his loving advances with enthusiasm.

7. Focus your attention on his respectable qualities.

Love is the thing wives most want from their husbands and respect is what husbands most need from their wives. I guessed right when my husband asked me what I thought the Pastor would tell the wives! Here's the link to the post to Husband Advice: What Women Want.

Recommended reading on this topic:

The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace

Marriage On The Rock: God's Design For Your Dream Marriage by Jimmy Evans

How To Respect Your Husband (Even If You Think He Doesn’t Deserve It) by Cyndie Hanley

(The last two were sources that our Pastor used for his sermons in this series.)

Comment For Charitiy!

Karen & gerard — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 23:31:55 GMT

We donate 50 cents for each legitimate comment we receive on all our blogs to charity. We donated $126 for December to The Cleveland Pregnancy Center thanks to the 252 comments we received.

This month (Jan. 2012) we will donate 50 cents per legitimate comment on all our blogs to KIVA to help poor people change their lives.

Why not visit their website and make a donation yourself?

We invite you to visit our other blogs as well.

Advice For Husbands: What Woman Want

Karen & gerard — Tue, 24 May 2011 00:29:58 GMT

Women want love from their husbands. Pastor Dan is currently preaching a series on marriage at Parma Heights Baptist Church. In Ephesians says: “Husbands, love your wives even as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it.

' This post is from my sermon notes which include very practical ways husbands can show their love to their wives and strengthen their marriages.

L OYALTY. A husband can assure his wife he is loyal to her in the following ways:

--Speak highly of her in front of others.

--Be involved in things that are important to her.

--Make her and your marriage your top priority (after God).

--Don’t look lustfully at other women.

--Tell your kids, “Don’t speak to your mother that way” when they are disrespectful.

--Keep your commitments.

OPENNESS. Be open with your wife by doing the following:

--Sharing the details of your day with her.

--Asking her for her opinion and feelings. (Women like to talk.)

--Share your thoughts and concerns about issues.

--Take time to be together.

VALUE. You can show you value or treasure your wife by:

--Making a big deal out of big days like birthdays, Valentine's day, anniversaries.

--showing appreciation for all she does.

--Choosing her and family activities over “guy things.”

--Making her feel important to you.

EMBRACE. Here are three ways to embrace your wife:

--Be affectionate without expecting intimacy.

--initiate time together.

--Do something fun together regularly.

I must say my husband does most of these things and I do feel loved. Next week, the sermon will be directed to the wives. I look forward to it because I want to be the best wife I can be for my husband. What do you think? If you are a wife, would you want your husband to do these things? If you are a husband, did you find this list helpful?

Find more Saturday Samplings (best posts of the week) at Half-Past Kissin' Time.

Where’s The Easter Music?

Karen & gerard — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 12:11:29 GMT

Christians celebrate Christmas to remember and honor the birth of Jesus Christ and Easter to celebrate His death and resurrection from the dead. Both are important and certainly His death for us and His resurrection is what gives believers victory over the grave and eternal life! To me that is worth celebrating big time!

Yet, do we hear any Easter hymns played in the weeks preceding Easter? No. Not like we hear Christmas carols being played in stores and restaurants as well as churches around the world for weeks before Christmas. I love singing the Easter hymns and think we should sing those in our churches year round. After all, supposedly the reason most Christians worship on Sunday is because Jesus rose from the dead on a Sunday and so the early church made that their Sabbath.

So, to satisfy my desire I went on YouTube to find videos of people singing my favorite Easter hymns and will post one each day at “Right Where We Belong” at http://www.zemeks.blogspot.com the week prior to Easter and even some days after Easter!

What is your favorite Easter hymn? My favorites are “At Calvary, ”He Lives,” “Christ Arose” and “And Can It Be.”

Cancer Journey Update--All Is Well!

Karen & gerard — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:22:45 GMT

I am now having radiation treatments which really are nothing. I am in and out under 15 minutes and it's only a ten-minute drive from my home which I am very thankful for. All I do is lay on a narrow table very still while a big round thing first aims from one side and then the other. I hear a buzzing noise for 30 seconds on the one side and then 15 seconds on the other and I'm done. The only slightly uncomfortable thing is that I have to raise my right arm above my head and grab on to something but it's only a short time and I'm out of there.

I have started back to work part-time. I just go in the mornings, leave at 12:30, have a bite to eat for lunch and go for my treatment. Then I come back home while it's still light and have three hours to enjoy my pets and go on the computer. Some days I'll run an errand.

I feel good so far and have 18 treatments to go yet. I haven't really experienced any side effects from the radiation but have been using the special cream I was given to help prevent redness and burning.

I give praise and thanks to God and to those who prayed for me and are continuing to pray for my full recovery because I truly believe that is why things are going along so smoothly.

No Chemo--Thank God!

Karen & gerard — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:30:19 GMT

For about two weeks I've been waiting for the results of the Oncotype DX test which gives a cancer recurrence score that determines if one needs Chemo or not. With some, Chemo helps lower the risk of recurrence but not with all. If the score is low, Chemo is not recommended because it's been proven not to make any difference in that situation; however, if the score is high, then Chemo is recommended because it has been proven to help lower the risk of the Cancer returning.

My medical oncologist went ahead and made arrangements with the radiation oncologist on the assumption that I would not need Chemo. So, when I got a call from her office that she wanted me to come in to discuss my treatment plan, I was pretty sure it would be bad news. I was very relieved when I found out that I don't need Chemo after all. Even though my score wasn't in the lowest range, it missed by only a little bit which put me into the intermediate range where it really hasn't been proven if chemo helps or not in that range. My recurrence was 12% but with radiation and the 5-year follow-up pill, that cuts it in half. The doctor told me that MAYBE with Chemo, it could lower the risk by an addition 3-4%. She let the decision up to me.

Of course, I chose not to have the Chemo. A possible 3-4% benefit didn't sound like it was worth it to me so on to my radiation treatments! Why did she scare me like that?