I am so Over the Owls*

Well, today my neighbors said that the screeching owls have moved on. I had to go check it out so I peaked out the window down the hall from where I live. Yup no more screeching sounds. I loved those beautiful owls that I was able to observe for a week or two.

One day, I looked on the sidewalk, and lo and behold, there was a creature sitting there. This brown animal's eyes were looking at me..it wasn't a cat or a dog. I couldn't tell what it was. At first I thought it was a brown owl. That is so awesome but Was it hurt? Why is it on the sidewalk?  Yet it was so cool to watch...It looks so curious with its white face and brown body, just looking around and turning his head from side to side.. Oh I wish I had my camera.  I went and put a note on my neighbor's door and went back to the window and it was gone. I am a curious person, by nature so I had to go investigate that animal.

I forgot I had my camera phone so I got it ready and I went downstairs as fast as I could and out the door to go see if I could get a closer look, but that animal which was about as big as a kitten or puppy was nowhere to be seen...

Then I moved closer to where it was originally standing, and I heard a sound as if something creaked open, then all of a sudden this beautiful brown owl flew about 100 ft away from me, but it was carrying a smaller animal...his dinner....oh gross. I immediately got nauseated and felt like I was going to puke when I saw that animal being carried away to be eaten,,,just the thought of it made me not like that owl any more...I know they have to eat, but that was too much for me to see..

As I walked back to my apartment, I had this bad taste in my mouth, and felt disgusted by the owl....as I am writing it, it's still giving me chills down my spine...I am a city girl...I don't like to think of  animals killing other animals for food....Okay I know I eat certain meats, but like I said. I am a city girl...If I had to kill it, I would be a vegetarian...

so long, furry friend; I hope you had a good life.

We Have Visitors*

About a week and a half ago,  I was at my neighbors apartment around 9 p.m. which is in the same building as my place. I sat on her nice couch and while we were chatting, I heard screeching sounds. I asked her to listen and we were quiet as the sounds enhanced. I suggested that I thought the noise was a screeching owl. She laughed as she said that she hears that noise a lot at nighttime and thought it was her neighbors making that noise. I kindly said, as I chuckled, "that's not your neighbor; that's a screeching owl." As we continued to talk, the noise would become louder and then lower a few decimals. I said goodnight to my friend, and went on my merry way. I totally forgot about the lonesome owl. 

Last week, one of my relatives came over to visit me. While he walked back to his car around 8:30 p.m., he heard the same noise that my friend and I had recently heard from her apartment.  He called me and told me that he thinks there is a nest of owls in the palm tree where I live.  I thought that was cool, but eventually forgot about the owl again...Yes I get fibro fog (a.k.a. brain fog).

Then the next day, I went out for a few hours and visited with some friends.  After I was dropped off at 9 pm, I heard an increased number of screeching sounds coming from the palm trees. I decided to investigate the noise.  I went up to the third level of my apartments and looked out the hallway window...and lo and behold, there was one owl, then another, and another, and one more...than I think there was even one more. They were on the palm tree branches, some were flying in the air, and some were peaking out of the palm tree...So I called my neighborly friend and told her "you have to come check this out...There are 4 or 5 owls in the palm trees on the property."  She was amazed and came as fast as she could up the stairs. It was a sweet moment to share this surprise with her.

The beautifully white colored owls would circle around and come for a landing on the palm tree that was right in front of me.  I couldn't believe it's beauty of how it soars through the sky with no effort.   A few of them soar in the sky, some sit on the palm tree branches, and a few stay in one spot that looks like a nest in the palm tree.  It's so amazing. I have seen owls before, but they usually glide into the palm trees and hide.  So it was magnificent to see these beautiful creatures God created.  When they were flying, I wouldn't hear any sounds from those owls. Only when they landed on the branch; it was then that they would start communicating with each other in this high pitch screeching sound. When two particular owls would join the nest, the owls would get so excited and the screeching would get even louder as though they were the welcoming committee or the hungry committee...These two, I think were the younger ones. They didn't seem to take off anywhere but flapped there wings and were extremely excited when I assumed mom and pop came back...These younger ones, looked just a tiny bit smaller than the other owls, and even a little bit rounder.  But don't let that stop them, they sure have lungs...They get just as excited and loud as the adult owls.

I ended up calling one of my other neighbors on another day and told him about them...I said, "You have got to see these owls." So he came up and we saw at least six owls... Out of the six I saw, five of them were hanging out on the branches and some would fly and come back to the same tree while one (I will name the Rebel) decided to fly to the opposite palm tree.  It was so magnificent to watch...

One of my new nightly routines is to see these beautiful, peaceful creatures.  Six beautiful, fluffy white owls right where I live...Amazing...and the best part is, the owls are on the other side of the building so the screeching sounds don't wake me up....lol...yet I do feel a little sad for my neighbors on the other side....if they aren't getting a great amount of sleep from the group of owls.  The owls seem to come out from 8:30 p.m. to 5 a.m.  Yup, about the time people are either trying to relax or sleep.  

I have been google-ing information about owls. Did you know a group of owls is called a Parliament (ask.com). I also found out that there are over 200 different species of owls too (ask.com). Who knew? I had no idea. If you want to see a list of the owls, check out http://www.owlpages.com/owls.php?genus=all

Okay I have to go now and spend sometime with my new friends.

the picture of the owl is from: picturesfrom http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/PHOTO/LARGE/3160392778_1e4fd6e031_o_TimLenz.jpg

Speaking up*

On behalf of all who deal with debilitating chronic pain...I know people mean well, but some people don't understand what we deal with.  For if they did, they would not be doing and saying what they are.  

Some people seem to get mad at us when we are not well. Others demand healings that don't come. And even others try to shove diets, supplements or other alternative to medicines down our throat. 

Some of us have tried so many different things and for some of us, all they do is give us more side effects. We may have spent so much money on "alternative meds."  

I wish people would realize that some of us have sensitivities.  We have sensitivities to food, to supplements, to medicines, to temperature, to barometric pressure, to allergies, to even the air we breathe, or whatever is in it.  

People seem to get frustrated and even tell us "well, if you ate this way" or "if you would only take this medical treatment, than everything will get better"...so we try it, and guess what? It doesn't work, for some of us. And then there are others who give us more unwanted advice and they may give a condescending look as though we are sinning or done something awful because we are not taking their advice. To those people who say "well, if you just did this ______."  I want to tell you, thank you, but, no thank you.  It gets overwhelming when the same people (over and over again) keep pushing us to take the next best and new thing. Just because it works for some, doesn't mean it works for everybody...

It weighs so heavily on my heart. I know I am not well, for I have been practically housebound for about 4 months and even bed bound at times.  There's times that I can't even cook for myself so I end up eating a bowl of cereal for dinner. Do people really think that I like living this way? No I don't. That's why I have tried so many different things to help me to get better.  And believe me, I have done a lot of prayer in the process and prayed, and prayed, and prayed some more for a healing...I still hope and pray for a healing, but I have to take care of myself in this condition, in the meantime.

Some of us have even had people tell us to go to such and such preacher or a healing service for God to heal us...We know that God can heal us instantaneously.  (I know that maybe there is a reason he has me in this condition, at this time. God can heal me at a healing service, at a healing conference, or even in my house.)  Nowhere in the Bible does it say you have to go to a special place for a healing. Please don't stop praying for our healing, but please don't push us into the healing or get mad when it doesn't come. It may come soon, later, or maybe never. 

We may have even had people tell us "you need more faith and you need to believe God is going to heal you." To those I say, "I have way more than a mustard seed of faith."  We have had others imply that maybe something is wrong with us, that maybe we are being too negative, or maybe our walk with God isn't right, or maybe there's some secret sin we need to ask God to forgive us from. That is not cool to say either.  Unless God told you specifically to say that, Please don't say those things. That can be hurtful. 

We don't know why people sometimes appear to be angry when we are not well...Does it affect them some how? Well, I guess yes it does when we are unable to hang out with them, or even go to church and sit by them... Do they live with the day to day pain we deal with? Do they help us when we need it? Does it affect them when we have lost our strength in our body to where we can't even walk that far? so why do people treat others who are chronically ill like this. I don't know...

To those who are constantly shoving wellness at us, we know you mean well, but it wears us out every time you do this. 

We need strength, love, hope, and peace in our life. Not demanding faith, shoving diets, pushing supplements, and throwing things at us that are not positive.

Sometimes it's best to step back and look at the situation.  Think of what people who are in horrible chronic pain really deal with. 

Close your eyes and visualize chronic, debilitating pain throughout your whole body. How do you feel when you have the flu? Do you feel great? Are you at your best performance? Do you feel weak? When you push yourself too much, do you feel worse and does your pain feel worse? Do you usually ask or want someone to help you out?  Do you have a lot of energy and strength or do you tend to lay on the couch or bed, like most people who have the flu, hoping for that day you will get better. Now picture having that flu everyday, that's kind of like what some of us who have chronic pain deal with on a daily basis. If we do too much, than our pain levels increase. Yet sometimes we have to push ourselves to clean the house, or take care of family, go grocery shopping, or just doing daily tasks.

Now that you have this information, can you help others who deal with this kind of  life? Sometimes our friends or family may stay away because they don't want to deal with "us" in this condition or they try to minimize what we deal with. They don't want to face the fact that this is life for "us."   

We are not saying to change your whole life for us; just be courteous, encouraging, loving, supportive, hospitable, and prayerful.  Is there something you can do to help us?  Can you lend a hand, help us go on errands, bring a hot meal, a hug, come and sit by us and chat? Do you check up on us by text, phone, or slow mail to see if we are okay or just need a friendly voice to chat with.  We like encouraging cards too. We are human just like everyone else, and we have feelings too. 

And please don't stop praying for us for a healing. We need all the prayers we can get.  We hope for a miracle of healing, yet we have to take care of our bodies the way they are, at this time...

all pictures are by photobucket.com

New Fibromyalgia *Support Group* on Facebook*

Please check out the new Fibromyalgia Support Group on Facebook...

This support group is to encourage people who deal with and bring awareness to Fibromyalgia.  You are welcome to chat about your symptoms, talk about ideas, cry on each others cyber shoulders, and encourage each other.  I encourage you to lean on God through the pain you are in. He is our source of strength.

If you don't have fibromyalgia, but you want to learn more about it and/or support a loved one who has it, you are also welcome to join.
Check us out at:   

"Fibromyalgia: Fibro Brothers and Sisters"

Update on Oklahoma* Tornados*

An update from what I know from Oklahoma, thank God that my relative and several families I know over there, are safe.  They did go through some scary storms and tornadoes at the beginning of the week.  My relative's close friends lost their home, yet thankfully the family of 6 is all okay. Please keep the Hock family in prayer, along with the other families who lost their homes, and especially the ones who lost a family member in the devastation  They, among others, have had to go to their property to see what they could salvage. Yet even then some of the stuff is getting ruined because of the rain that's been going on and off the last couple of days.

Please pray for the people in Oklahoma.  Even though they are grateful to be alive, some may be teary eyed, still shaken up, but some people, it might not have even hit them yet that they lost everything, including their home. They may be in shock.  A lot of them may go through the grieving process, because it's hard when you lose a lot. They have to start over. Think of the things we use daily; they lost all that in their homes. Some of them even lost their cars. The family I know had 2 cars ruined by the tornadoes. Their two dogs are alive yet one of them was injured in the tornado that ripped through the house. He may have to get stitches.

Three of the members in this family were going to rough out the tornado in the bathroom or a closet, because that is what you do over there when you don't have an expensive storm shelter.  YET at the last minute, there neighbor came home and let them go in their shelter.  
When they got out of their neighbor's shelter, they stepped out to find their house had flattened except for 2 rooms.  Even in those two rooms, they might not be able to wear the clothes or use the other stuff because the tornado shot the windows out, so glass and wood splinters may have stuck in the clothes.

The next day when they were looking through their rubble, they found the guinea pig's cage flattened. They probably thought the worst. Yet while they were looking through the stuff, out comes the guinea  pig from under the couch...He was alive...for the 10 year old who owns that guinea  pig, that probably brought joy to her heart. It brings a tear to my eye. If that guinea pig could talk, he would probably tell them a wild ride he had.


I did talk to a girl on FB who just moved to Oklahoma; she used to go to my former church.  She sounded a little shaken up but her family is okay. Thankfully her family was in a storm shelter. The tornado didn't touch their house. Thank God, They are okay.

The families need a lot of items since they are having to start all over...if you have it in your heart, please send your money donations to a trusted site like the American Red Cross.  http://www.americancrossroads.org/.  I know this is a little more closer to my home since my relative and friends live there, but if you can give any donation, the people in OK would really appreciate it...and yes, they do appreciate your prayers.

My New Web Address*

In case you didn't get the memo, my website "Expressive Praise" has a new web address.  It is now www.expressivepraise.blogspot.com ...


Click on the "Blog Archive" or "Labels" on the right hand side of my blog to read posts that I have written.  You will find silly/humorous stuff, encouragement, "just for thought," info on Fibromyalgia and chronic pain, "just blogging," short stories, poems, artwork,  and more...Check it out...

Also on the right hand side of my blog, you can click on "Art Portfolio" and it will direct you to my Expressive Praise Artwork.

30 Things About My Invisible* Illness You May Not Know*

30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know

1. The illness and chronic problems I live with is: Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain Syndrome, Bilateral Anterior Displaced Menisci, Anterior dislocation of the Anterior (right) disc and Articular disc (left)/ Allergies/ Myofascial Pain Syndrome/ Arthritis in Jaw and Neck/ Visual Migraines/ / High ear sensitivity/ subject to regular Migraines, yet have Headaches 24 hours a day/7 days a week/ IBS, TMJ, Cervical Vertigo, stomach problems which makes it hard to eat many foods,, etc... There’s more, but I don't want to overwhelm you. ha-ha lol.

2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: 2001, yet my symptoms started in 1995.

3. But I had symptoms since: 1995, symptoms started after a head injury and increased through the years.

4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: (this one is a hard one because there are so many) Wearing ear plugs all the time/ Not being able to go places or do things that my friends are able to do. / The first time I said I am going to go to college and make something of myself; after I went for a couple of months, I had the head injury. I had to drop out for a little bit, and then only was able to take 2 classes at a time, and now...I am not able to do them as often./ Also not being able to go to church all the time is so hard.


5. Most people assume: that if I say that I am okay, then they think I am doing great and not in any pain.

6. The hardest part about mornings are: Getting up...I have a hard time moving in the morning, like hard to walk / I have ‘fibro fog’/ digestion is messed up/ painful joints, muscles, skin, etc.../ try to wake up from a horrible night sleep of tossing and turning. (Before my injury and illness, I was a morning person and would be the first one up and ready to go)

7. My favorite medical TV show is: House

8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: my earplugs (everyday sounds are like a trumpet blowing in my ear) and also my sunglasses, have sensitivity to brightness.

9. The hardest part about nights is: Getting to sleep/staying asleep and tossing and turning.

10. Each day I take pills & vitamins: a bunch, but now, it's more vitamins then meds.

11. Regarding alternative treatments: I am having success with chiropractic although, I did try acupuncture and it caused severe muscle spasms throughout my body. (They say that doesn't usually happen)

12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible one, I would choose: (that's hard to answer because I know that when I do have a brace on my arm, people sympathize with me, yet that brace I wear only at different times and that pain is no way near the pain I have daily. Also when I use my handicap card people kind of look at me different because they see me as someone who doesn't look like I have pain.) So yes I guess sometimes it would be nice that I would have a visible illness instead of an invisible one.

13. Regarding working and career: let's see, in 1995 had to stop working for a few months, then I did many years part time because pain was so bad, and then I had to stop working in 2001 because symptoms increased greatly.

14. People would be surprised to know: that there are times that I just need a hug and for people to actually be there for me when I really need it. (I have a couple of my friends who do, but a lot of people say they would do anything for me, but they disappear)

15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: not being able to go to church all the time. I need that network or contact of friendly hugs. Facebook is great, but I so miss the human contact.

16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: hmm, I don't know. Maybe keep on going no matter what, encourage others who are going through tough times, and writing a book.

17. The commercials about my illness: within the last couple of years there are a few that has popped up about Fibromyalgia: Lyrica, etc...

18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: singing in the church choir and just hanging out with my friends at any time of day.

19. It was really hard to have to give up: singing, working, and volunteering. I tried several times to sing, but with severe TMJ and headaches which lead to migraines, it’s kind of hard to do that. I tried throughout the years, but it just led to migraines and major muscle spasms in jaw. Not so much fun.

20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: drawing, painting, and making photo note cards

21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: go to church, hang out with my friends, maybe go to a concert, and eat ice cream. Oh, buy a car and drive forever, I haven't been able to drive in awhile because of all the health and visual problems I have.

22. My illness has taught me: live minute to minute, trust in God, be my own advocate; keep standing up for what I believe in- if it's medical rights or God.

23. Want to know a secret? I like encouraging cards and phone calls, just to say hi or being there for me, is so important.


24. But I love it when people: (I do appreciate the ones who contact me on Facebook).

25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: “Jesus wept" (John 11:35). Jesus had compassion for Lazarus; even though he knew he would raise Lazarus from the dead, he still wept. To me, that shows compassion.

26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: I know what you are going through; if you need to talk or need prayer, contact me; stand up for yourself; set boundaries, and lean on God.

27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: I am learning that I can handle anything that comes my way and that God has brought me through so much.

28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: brought me dinner.

29. I’m involved with Fibromyalgia Awareness Month because: I know what people are going through.

30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: that you do care about me and what I go through.

What Does Your Chapter Say?*

In Exodus chapters 3-4 (in the Bible) the Lord is talking to Moses and wanting him to help rescue people from Pharaoh who are in Egypt.  

"The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.  So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land...And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”  Exodus 3:7-10

Moses ends up arguing with the Lord that he is not good enough to speak to Pharaoh to lead the people out of Egypt.

"Moses said to the Lord, 'Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.' The Lord said to him, 'Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord?  Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.'   But Moses said, 'Pardon your servant, Lord. 

Please send someone else.'
 Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses and he said, “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well...You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do.  He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him.  But take this staff in your hand so you can perform the signs with it.” 
Exodus 4:10-17

So everything is set. Even though God wanted Moses to be the main leader and work on his own without the help of anyone else, except God, he provides a way to help Moses out. The Lord provides Aaron, Moses' brother to be his voice, since Moses doesn't feel he is adequate enough. So basically Moses and Aaron will lead the people out of Egypt.

^"And the Lord said to Moses in Midian, 'Go back to Egypt, for all the men who were seeking your life are dead.' So Moses took his wife and his sons...and went back to the land of Egypt..." Exodus 4:19-20



God gives Moses the okay to go back to Egypt since the people who were going to kill him are all dead. That's a sigh of relief...whew!!!  I believe they were wanting to kill him because he killed an Egyptian earlier.  Moses also gets an okay from God that Aaron can help him lead the people out of Egypt.  So Moses has probably stopped trembling in his bones...Well, he is still probably nervous, but not as much, since his brother will be doing the talking. And now Moses is taking his family on a trip back to Egypt. So everything seems to be back on track.


"The Lord said to Moses, 'When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go." Exodus 4:21

I would have said: "Um, excuse me God...You want me to perform all these signs and wonders before Pharaoh, and you are going to HARDEN HIS HEART. Why? I already told you that I can't speak well in front of people, and now you are going to make it even more harder. Why are you going to do that?"  

Moses argues with God about everything...Yet I noticed he didn't even question why God would harden Pharaoh's heart. To me, I would have asked God about this: "God, isn't this a waste of time? Why are you going to harden Pharaoh's heart? Isn't is hardened enough?"

It gets even better.

^"At a lodging place on the way, the Lord met Moses and was about to kill him."Exodus 4:24




I have read that story many times in my life, and I don't even recall this one sentence...Why was the Lord God going to kill Moses?  He already gave into Moses' excuses about why he felt he couldn't lead the people out of Egypt.  He even said "the People" who were going to kill you, are no 
longer alive; so it was safe for Moses to return to Egypt. 

Why didn't God just come out and say, "Moses, the people that were going to kill you are all dead. So you don't need to worry about them...But Moses... I am going to kill you. So watch out..."

Why was the Lord wanting to kill Moses.  If the Lord God killed Moses, who would have led the people out of Egypt?  Would Aaron do it alone? Why did God want to kill him?  Was it because he argued with God? Was it because he didn't follow the covenant of God exactly the way he was supposed to?

I am a sinner, too; saved by God's grace. I wonder would God ever want to kill me?  Am I stubborn enough to anger God?  I know I tend to argue my point, and then give in most of the time, but am I making God angry? I never have really thought about God being angry with me before. 

If I was in the Bible, what would it say about me? Would it say that I angered God? or would it say that I didn't do what he wanted me to do so he provided other ways to help me accomplish his tasks?...Would it say that God was going to kill me?...I so hope not...It makes me think of things that I need to change in myself. Some might say that Moses didn't do all that God wanted him to do so that's why he was going to kill him.  Do we always do all that God wants us to do? Are we any different than Moses?




If a chapter in the Bible was written about you, What would it say?

All scripture is from the NIV (New International version) Bible from www.biblegateway.com


All photos are from photobucket.com

A Glimpse of Fibromyalgia*; and other silent illnesses*

May is Fibromyalgia Awareness month. 

I seem to have two unwanted cement blocks tightly against each temple of my face.  The pressure is so great, yet I am thankful it doesn't scrape my skin. There are drills on each side of my face, pointing toward my jaw joints. Every time I move, the drill automatically turn on, and make gaping holes in my joints. I try to escape, but I cannot unlock the heavy chains gripping my wrists. With any little movement, each cement block becomes tighter against my head, and the chains, wrapped around my wrists, rip the skin on which it sets.  

                                                           

My fingernails are ripped off, one by one; they bleed and scream out for help.

There is a huge granite rock laying heavily on the top of my head, that I cannot lift off. It causes great pressure beyond my control; I cannot move.

I try to straighten my back, but the rigged, metal plate against it, keeps me from doing so. My feet are tied together; they are useless when trying to travel to my social life. They can't even walk me out of this miserable pain, which has a hold of me daily.                                                  

Sweat drips off my brows causing my eyes to burn. I am unable to see well; everything is such a blur. Words, I have learned, were either erased or jumbled in my brain; things are so unclear and foggy.There seems to be no relief with this horrible life of pain. Bad reactions, tackle my stomach upon everything I consume.  My ears and head pounds with each sound that life makes. Nothing seems to help it; for life is never silenced, in my world.  The weight and heaviness of my legs, add to the turmoil in my body. They scream for mercy, but none is granted. They try to hold me up, but are unsuccessful. I am not comforted by the breeze that passes by. I wish all this pain would go away.                                                                                      

                                        

I cry out to Jesus, my Lord and Savior, to rescue me from all this haunting pain. He acknowledges me, and tells me that He understands how I feel. I look up with my weary eyes into the face of God; I am able to feel peace seep into my soul.The metal against my back grows cooler, soothing my aching body. I am comforted by the coolness of the cement, soothing some of the pain in my temples and face.                                                                                                                                      
Even though God hasn't take this pain away, I feel a little more strengthened. I am able to stand taller, straighten my posture, and keep on moving forward.  I am not out of this life of pain, although, I do feel a little more at ease.  I thank God for helping me as I endure this excruciating life of chronic pain.                                                

This Painting is dedicated to all those who suffer with Fibromyalgia, excruciating Chronic Pain, and any other silent illnesses.  It's especially dedicated to my old and new fibro buddies (my fibro brothers and sisters). May God give us hope for a healing, yet give us daily strength to endure the bodies that we have while we are waiting. 

Painting and poem 2006 (revised 2013)  By Expressive Praise                                                                                                                                                                                                                

For more information on these topics, check out these links:

The National Fibromyalgia Association 


But You Don't Look Sick 


National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases 


Note: the three links above are by other authors. They are not mine, I am just promoting them.

Ask, and You Will Receive?*

I have heard so many people quote this scripture:  "ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."   (John 14:14) So that means whatever is in this world I want, I can have, right?  Isn't that what people are saying?


"Dear Jesus,
and I would like to eat whatever I want without any health issues attached to it. Like for instance, I want right now: a monster hamburger as big as a building, a 100 oz chocolate shake, and a big house full of curly fries. and I also want 200 oz. of Dr. Pepper and 100 lbs of brownies. So God, you said that you would give me anything I want. This is what I want; I am waiting."
Do you really believe that God wants to do that? Do you really think that He WILL give you everything that you specifically ask for? I really doubt it; actually I know it won't happen. Let's look at the scriptures right before John 14:14.
"Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."John 14:12
If you live for God and do what He wants, than you have the mind of Christ.  Having the mind of Christ is like wisdom to decid what is best for your life. The list I made above is not real. Those things will not happen, some of them are totally impossible.  Well, actually some of them might happen.
But for the most part, I know in my personal life what God wants for me because I want what is best for him. It's easy to get caught up in the "wanting from God" stages of your life...Yet knowing you are doing God's will is awesome.
^{John 14:13  says"} And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son."  
Would God be glorified if I had a mansion or 1.2 million dollars?  Probably at first, but then I don't think I would feel I needed him, so I might just toss him to the side. I hate to say it, but it's probably true, for me. God will do things in His name, if He will be glorified.  Just because we think he may be glorified through a situation, doesn't mean that it's true either.  

The scripture says: ask and you will receive.  It doesn't say ask and you will receive the exact same thing you are asking for.  God may bless you in other ways, instead of maybe getting that healing you wanted, or that job promotion, you thought you needed; he may bless you in another way. If we stay in tune with him, he will do what is best for us.
A lot of you know that I have a tremendous list of health issues that affect my daily living.  I pray and hope for a miracle, but I also do what I can to glorify God, through all that I am going through.  If I can touch people's lives through writing my experiences on a blog, talking to people around the world on the Fibromyalgia support group on Face Book, or painting a picture to give awareness to God or the pain I go through to bring awareness to mine and other's needs, than this is best for my life, at this moment.  This is God's will for me, for now.

^"these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.  What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.”   
1 Corinthians 2: 10-13

p.s. I don't want all that I requested in the list at the top of the page. ha ha lol


I want 1.2 million dollars (to start out with),
an awesome husband,
some well-behaved children,
no more pain,
a mansion in CA,
a beach house in Hawaii,
my private plane with a 1000 ft swimming pool in it,
a house on the sun (without being scorched),
a grocery store where everything is free,
"the go transportation" (I go wherever I am thinking. If I want to go to Japan. I think "Japan" and I arrive a second later),

(just kidding) 

 I know, there are days that I have a pity party and want to be healed NOW, ASAP. Yet I know that God is using me to help encourage others around the world because of the suffering I have been through.  If people will reach out to God, or think about God more, or accept Him as their savior, then this suffering is worth it.

and God Rested...*

"Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.  By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.Genesis 2:1-3 (NIV)

Can you imagine that there was nothing on this earth; there wasn't an earth, yet?  

No people working in the office or outside walking their dog. There wasn't even a dog to walk, because animals didn't exist.  No one had to pick up their dog's poop, or carry a bag to carry it. lol  (oops, Sorry...had to throw that in there).

There were no buildings; no office supplies, no desk or computers, paper clips, scotch tape,  nor paper to put in the printer....No phone calls, no faxes, no emails, no chattering employees, no bosses, no hard workers, nor were there even lazy workers...There wasn't anyone to complain about and there wasn't anyone to complain to.   

One didn't even have a bad day because there were no people, and nothing to do on these vast planets.  There was nothing out there that could be seen with our human eyes. 

So God creates the planets and everything in it.  

"Okay, let me put a "God" size pebble over here; I will call it a mountain. Hey, Jesus. Check out this mountain.  Isn't that awesome? I think I will put them all over the place.

 "Okay let me put some water over here.  Hmm, let me see...Yes, there it is, I will put  a bunch of water over here and some over there. I will put a bunch on this planet, but maybe a trickle on this other planet.  Wait, I put too much; let me take some water out of the planet and add it to this planet; I will call this one earth. You know, this is some great stuff. Yet it is missing something...Oh yeah, greenery....I am going to put a lot over here...well, actually, I think I will put the greenery all over the earth, because it's so beautiful.  Oh yes, let's see...lets add some colors to some of the greenery...Wow, it's so gorgeous...Wow, Holy Spirit, look at all this beauty. It's awesome." said Father, God (part of the Trinity).

"We see this beautiful creation, too, because we are creating it along side you," Jesus and the Holy Spirit, (who are both part of the Trinity) said simultaneously.   

"I know, but I just had to voice it because it's just so marvelous and breath taking." says Father, God.

"It's so beautiful, let's share it with others. Okay, why don't WE make some mammals, animals, birds, and some critters and than WE will make some people to help manage it's beauty,"  says Jesus.

After 6 days of creating, the Holy Spirit said: "Ta da, It's done."

"You are too funny," said Jesus.

"Okay, WE are done. Let's take a day of rest." said Father God.

I know it probably didn't  go like that, but my creative mind lets my imagination flow and think of what it could be like.

So how do you think God, who created all of this, rests?  Does He sleep in His majestic bed? Does He watch TV, play video games, read a book? lol. Probably not.  Have you ever thought of how the creator of the universe rests? Maybe He just sat down and just admired all His work... Have you ever done something like that?  May be you sat back and watched your newborn baby coo or smile for the first time.  Or maybe you planted a garden, and after a hard day of pruning, you stand back, and look at its beauty.  Or maybe you are an artist, like I am, and you paint, and then sit back and be amazed at the painting.  

Sometimes I like to observe and marvel at a tree, a flower, or the blue sky and just think of God's great awesomeness.  It totally relaxes me and puts my mind at ease.




It's okay to take time out of your day and admire God's beautiful creation.  It's so relaxing.

(Photography by Expressive Praise)

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