Patricia's Principles for Living

From time to time I'll start reading something that starts to fascinate me. This time it was ants. They are in just about every corner of the earth, but we barely take tme to notice them. They are industrious creatures that don't care if you notice them. They just keep going about their duties living out their lives with purpose. I'd ;like to sgare with you the lessons I've learned form God's little instructors. Ten Lessons from the Ants Interesting the Scripture states that the ants are not just wise they are extremely wise. 1. Ants look at the job they have to do and keep busy. They start early on the monumental task of storing food for the winter. Start early on big tasks and keep at it. 2. In the summer ants are preparing for the winter. In times of abundance don’t neglect preparing for the future. 3. Ants build a storehouse of food even though they may not be the ones who will eat it because their life expectancy is only 45 to 60 days. Prepare for future g...

Even at jeopardy of being late for an important  appointment  I refused to go above the posted  35 miles per hour speed limit.  I may not be as righteous  to adhere to posted signs on other roads when I'm in a hurry. However this stretch of the Martin Luther King Highway descending into Renton always got my respect. At least it did, after that day in 1980, when to my chagrin I found myself being stopped by one of our friendly Officers of the Peace, otherwise known as a policemen.  I was completely unaware that I was being followed by a police car. It wasn't until I noticed the flashing lights that I pulled over. I had been so intent on being on time for a meeting at First Baptist Church that everything else clouded my judgement and the speed limit. When the policeman asked me about my great hurry I explained I didn't want to be late for my meeting at the church. When he came back with my well deserved ticket  he jovially said, "Just say the devil mad...

The Bible records the first horrific act of family violence in the story of Cain killing his brother Abel. God saw the anger that Cain was mistakenly harboring towards Abel.  God talked with Cain. God told Cain that he had an opportunity to correct his mistake. Consumed by jealousy Cain refused to change his attitude. . Cain continued to make Abel the target of his wrath. Cain chose rage over reason. He overpowered and killed his unsuspecting and innocent brother. Everything in creation was affected by Cain’s solitary action. Cain’s violence brought death to Abel, the disapproval of God, grief to the parents and a disillusioned life of hardship to himself. Even the earth found itself an unwilling participant as it was forced to receive Abel’s blood. Family violence has never been a confidential matter between the abuser and the abused. It disrupts life on so many levels and causes physical, mental, emotional and social pain to everyone. The injured party is no longer able t...

Last fall I could feel the chill of winter creeping into the atmosphere. What would happen to my beautiful red velvety  geraniums that brought me so much pleasure during the summer? I hated to say good by to them.  I wondered could they possibly live through the winter and bloom again  if  I brought  them in from the approaching  frost,  I was willing to see if they could. The wooden pot was very heavy so I enlisted some help to bring it into the unheated pool room. All winter long I watched indifferently as they began to shed leaves.  For months they lived without one drink of water from me, their neglectful owner. I began to ask myself why did I  even bother bringing them in if I wasn't going to care for them?  The dying brown leaves still did not move me to water the plant. One tenacious geranium kept  hanging on for dear life. Five months later spring arrived....

“Solange, Beyonce’s sister captured on elevator camera beating JZ,” screamed the headlines. None of us know what led up to this seemingly outrageous event. However I do know that all of us have a friend or family member who will go gangsta on someone who they think did us wrong. Even Jesus had a "Ride or die buddy" though his ride was pretty short. His name was Peter. Peter went gangsta in the Garden of Gethsemane. Remember Peter took a sword and cut off Malchus’ ear. King David, writer of the Psalms, had two first cousins, Joab and Abishai that he could not control. David said, “These sons of Zeruiah are too violent for me.” They were willing to cut off anyone’s head that they thought threatened David. Also Moses, in Numbers 11, had to quiet down Joshua from going after people who Joshua thought were out of line. Now whether you have a relative or friend like this, or you are the one like this may I offer a word of advice. Well it actually comes from Jesus, not just to...

My childhood home in Philadelphia shared the property line with one of the city’s trolley and bus terminuses. The old mustard yellow and green iron wheeled Route 23 trolley’s last stop was a child’s skip and a jump to our first step. Our miniscule side yard was a few feet from the trolley tracks separated by a sturdy black wrought iron fence. The protective iron vertical bars were less than six inches apart. A tangle of lilac and forsythia bushes completed this urban oasis. I learned that a quick escape from this dead end peninsula could be accomplished by squeezing through the iron bars. The key to this feat was to put my head through first. If my head could go through sideways the rest of my body would follow. First time pursuers were baffled. They thought they had trapped me in the side yard only to find out I had mysteriously escaped. As I ruminated on this long ago pleasant childhood memory I thought isn’t this like life. If I can get my head through a problem or a challenge ...

All of us have areas in our lives where we are weak. The Book of Proverbs gives us insight on what to do to compensate for our weak areas. Strength and size do not have to doom one to always being in last place. We must learn to compensate for our weaknesses. Proverbs 30:24 There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: 1. 25 The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer; If you have been given only a little strength carry a little at a time out of season and start earlier. 2. 26 The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks; If you are weak without a coat of armor take advantage of the free natural resources around you. 3. 27 The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands; If you don’t have a natural leader, at least agree to march in step with others. 4. 28 The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces. Work quiet...

Some battles leave no outward marks. Samson fought a lion, but he was not injured or bruised. He was able to go back to his parents without a scratch or anything to identify that he had dueled with the lion and won. This was a private battle between the lion and Samson. There are some things we battle in life and get the victory over that not even the closest to us know anything about. They happen in secret places. When Samson goes back to where he left the lion there was nothing bitter left of the battle. His place of victory in battle became a sweet spot where bees had done their work. You may wonder why this or that teacher or preacher, or sister or brother in the faith is able to bring you that sweet word of God. It’s because they have done battle in those secret places, the times when ordinarily the lions of this world would have rent them to pieces. However the Spirit of God came upon them and they defeated that enemy with time in prayer and God’s help. Don’t despise those t...

It is 7:06 am on an early fall Sunday morning. The sun has not risen and though light is visible no vegetation has dressed in their colors for the day. Nature’s palette is muted in shades of gray and black. There are thousands of people living around the peaceful Lake Washington which spans at this point from Mercer Island to Seattle. My house sits about a quarter mile above the lake. I relish the solitude as the Cascade Mountains begin to peer at me through my window. Quiet and serene the undisturbed mantle of the water bursts with a roar. One lone person in one loud and noisy motorboat shatters the morning’s stillness forcing those in its’ vicinity to stumble from their slumber in an undignified exit from their dreams.

One of the benefits that provided by my employer is health insurance. Once a year they allows us to change our insurance provider from among several different companies. We are given a list that compares what each company provides, and the co-pays. Mostly every plan has a co-pay. Hospitalizations can costs thousands of which some plans pay 100% and others only 80%. I was thinking of Psalms 103. It reminds us to remember the benefits God gives us. In God’s plan there are no co-pays. Jesus paid it all. God’s plan is not just a health plan it is a life plan. God forgives our sins, heals our diseases, gives a wardrobe and provides our attorney’s fees. Now if only I could get my employer to do the same.

Oscar mania has seized the media outlets. Actors, actresses, producers and directors will be waiting breathlessly to see who captures a coveted golden statuette. I think most people like to be recognized for outstanding and positive achievements God knows His children like awards too. Therefore He has provided some awards for His children in this lifetime. I’ve counted up ten crowns that a child of God can have in this life time. Six of these crowns are for everyone and four are optional crowns. The six crowns for everyone are 1. Crown of Loving kindness Psalm 103:4 2. Crown of glory and honor Psalm 8:5 3. Crown of Salvation Psalm 149:4 4. Crown of knowledge Psalm 14:18 5. Crown of Glory Proverbs 4:9 6. Crown of Blessings Proverbs 10:6 The four optional crowns are: 1. Gray hair is a crown Proverbs 16:31 2. Grandchildren are a crown Proverbs 16:6 3. A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband Proverbs 12:4 4. The wealth of the wise is a crown Proverbs 14:24 Go ahea...

Christian Louboutin designs women’s shoes that are recognized from afar by their red soles. When one sees the red bottoms one knows immediately that the shoes are outrageously expensive and exquisitely designed. These artfully designed stiletto confections are out of the price range of most average consumers. They are basically set apart for the very wealthy. One expects to see these distinctive shoes on the Parisian fashion runways. Seeing a woman sitting in a hotel lobby with the red bottom of her shoe showing causes one to wonder who is she, because not just anyone wear these shoes. Thinking about the red bottom Louboutin shoes made me think of another person attired in red that made people ask the question of who he was. His feet were also distinctively red. His clothes were dipped in red too. People wanted to know who he was and why were his clothes red. His answer may be shocking to some, especially in this day and age when God is generally portrayed as being this benign and ...

I have to admit it I am a fan, okay I’ll tell the real truth, I’m a fanatic about HGTV. I love practically all of the shows about decorating, buying and selling homes. I sit in rapt attention as the experts tell the homeowners what upgrades they need to do to sell their homes. I am absolutely fascinated with the decorating chops of Candice Olsen, my favorite designer of all times. Before HGTV I used to buy Architectural Digest just to stare and salivate over the beautiful homes showcased in that magazine. When selling one’s home all of the experts agree that it is harder to sell a home that is empty, devoid of all furnishings. If the home is tastefully decorated buyers can come in and imagine how their own family might live there. Empty homes appear cold and uninviting. In order to attract a higher price, especially on very high priced homes, the real estate agent may suggest that the seller engage an expert to stage the home. The transformation of these staged homes is astoundin...

One day an owner of an airline decided that he would give free passage and accomodations to anyone who wanted to his beautiful private island. Only his airline company could land there. The only thing a person had to do was to either write for, or go to the airport and get a ticket. There was no other requirement, but to just ask for a ticket. One could even go to a travel agency or go online and ask for a ticket. Absolutely no one was denied a ticket, if the person asked for one. The person would show up the airport and get the next available seat assignment. Even if a family of fourteen wanted to go to this island the only requirement was that each individual had to have a ticket and get a seat assignment. The airline became so well known that its nickname became Just Ask or JA. A fleet of planes was kept ready for 24 hour a day departure. No one was quite sure how the owner of the airline was able to keep this going year in and year out, but each person was happy to get on the...

We sit laughingly around the huge mound of presents under the tree in the big living at my parent’s home on High Street in Philadelphia. The doorbell rings. In bounds the ones for whom we’re waiting, my sister and her husband and children from Virginia. . Here we all are, all of us together. My own husband, sons and I have flown in from the West Coast to spend the holidays on the East Coast. Tons of presents together with squiggly grandchildren and aunts, uncles and grandparents make for a memorable scene. For me it’s a golden moment in time. All is right in the world. Christmas tree lights twinkle. Someone takes up the task to start calling names. Will we ever get through all of these presents? As the presents are picked up for distribution they seem to uncover another dozen hiding underneath. Well, there are eight brothers and sisters who have produced 12 grandchildren at this point. Such delight from squealing boys and girls and agreeing oohs and aahs from parents aunts and uncles...

Something is Out of Order in Christ Geneaology. Wasn't the line of Christ supposed to pass through the oldest sons? Shouldn't Christ's ancestors be as pure as the driven snow? This just doesn't seem right. Why is Jacob here? He was not the oldest He schemed to get the birthright Why is Judah here? He is not the oldest. His brother oldest brother Reuben, sinned against his father, but he is not even the second one. He is the 4th child. his father was a polygamist too. Why is Pharez here? He was technically not the oldest He had a sketchy beginning, a mother who pretended to be a prostitute to get pregnant in that family line. Why is Boaz here? Boaz's mother was a citizen of Jericho a former counter espionage agent and a former prostitute. He doesn’t have the right background What’s Solomon doing here? He was not the oldest nor was he the child of David's first wife. His father,David, murdered his mother’s, Bathsheba's, first husband Urija...

The rules of good nutrition states we must have fruit every day in order for us to keep our bodies in good workking order. If this is done in the natural how much more should we doing this in the spiritual? Daily we should be getting our Fruits of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such as there is no law." I wonder what happen if we all got out fruit on a regular basis? Your feedback is welcomed.

On that seventh day when the Israelites shouted, and those big old stout Jericho walls started to shake and reel back and forth. Inside Rahab's house they felt it too. Rahab's house reverberated with the sound of falling boulders. They could peek out and see the neighbors' houses on the wall going down. They could hear the crashing all around. Inside Rahab's house her younger brother said, "Rahab are you sure that we can make it."Her sister shouted, "Rahab even if we survive this are you sure that they wont kill us." Through the din Rahab shouted, "Yes, I have a promise." "Is the cord still there?" she asked her father who was closest to the window. "Yes," he shouted over the roar of crumbling walls. "Yes it's there," cried her frightened mother. One terrified uncle was trying to get to the door to get out. "I dont feel safe." he said as the house shook violently. "I can see Baleema's hou...

9 There he went into a cave and spent the night.And the word of the LORD came to him: "What are you doing here, Elijah?" I Kings 17:9 Well look, the "Great" Elijah in the cave. A prophet of God is hiding from Jezebel. Elijah wanted to die. Doesn't the New Testament tell us that Elijah was like the rest of us? Sometimes when people have done great things or have been used greatly by God I tend to think of them as superhuman. But, here's the proof that Elijah was like me. There have been times when I've wanted to be in cave or craved a quick end to my existence because the future just looked so bleak. I prayed to God just take me, and end this for me because no matter how hard I pray nothing seems to be going right. Two times in this passage God asked Elijah what he was doing in that cave. When God has a job for us to do God doesnt expect us to go hide out in a cave. However God was and is merciful. God told Elijah to go back the way that he came. Go bac...

I attended a very nice luncheon at a friend’s house. However while I was sitting at the table I started to feel really sick. Not telling anyone of my condition I soon left and drove home. Dragging myself out of my car I made my way up the stairs. I tried to eat a little something but I was too tired to even chew. I made myself go to the couch in front of the television. I tried to watch Seattle’s Torchlight parade. I sat there in a near catatonic state not looking at the parade. When I woke up several hours later I staggered to my bedroom. I was still nauseous. I stumbled into the bathroom holding on to the walls and lay down hugging the cold toilet crying out to God to help me. I didn’t know whether to call 911 or not. I just felt if I could vomit I might feel better. My stomach churned. I longed to vomit and be rid of what ever was ailing me. However I could find no relief. The nauseous feeling just made me weak and tired. You see I had eaten, for me, the forbidden food. Several year...