My Worst Nightmare--And--Sixteen Years Here?

"' Finally, the servant who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Master, I knew that you are a hard man, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So in my fear, I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what belongs to you.’ ‘You wicked, lazy servant!’ replied his master.---Matthew 25:24-26

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After I arrive in Heaven? Personally, this scenario would horrify me (yeah, even there):

Four friends in Heaven: "Debra! How marvelous to see you here."

                                         (Hugs all around.)

Debra: "Thanks, Everyone! I really missed each of you."

Four friends in Heaven: "Say, we heard America was nearly taken over                                                 with riots!"

                                                       "And sin ran rampant in the streets and the                                                   Government!"

Debra: "Yes, it was a dreadful time." (She shudders.)

Four friends in Heaven: "So tell us! How did the Lord use you to fight

                                         against the darkness?"

                                         "Yes! Tell us."

                                         "What adventures did you have?"

Debra: "Well I, uh, prayed a lot." (She smiles.)

Four friends in Heaven:   "Sure, sure. All Christians were called to do                                                  that."                                              

                                                       "But what else?"

Debra: "Uhm, I soaked in the presence of God pretty often."

Four friends in Heaven:  "Also good. But what specific ways did God                                                 use you through your gifts?"

                                         "What ways did you fight evil Marxism?                                                         Socialism?"

                                        

Debra: "I, uh--"

Four friends in Heaven: "Yes, how did you make a difference?"

                                        "How did the Lord move through you to change                                             History?"

                                         "To awaken and warn others so they, also,                                                    would fight?"

Debra: "Er..."

Four friends in Heaven:  "Tell us how you helped others who struggled!"

                                         "How did the Lord use you to speak light into                                                the darkness?"

                                         "Yes! We love hearing how God moves upon the                                           Earth through His called and chosen ones."

                                         "Yes, and how others will recall their time upon                                            Earth for all eternity."

Debra: "Uhm, well ... They said we must stay home so I did. I prayed an awful lot. God helped me think happy thoughts while I waited for it all to be over and --

Four friends in Heaven: "And?"

Debra: "...and I was afraid, but right now I can't remember exactly why."

Four friends in Heaven:  "Oh."

                                         "Oh."

                                         "Oh."

                                         "Oh."                      

Heaven forbid.

I've shared this before, but--- 

When Christians tell Lance Wallnau, "I just pray for our Country. I believe that will change things," he asks them, "Well, how's that working for us so far?"

"Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it.... Faith without works is dead."   ---Luke 17:33, James 2:17

May we become more eternity-minded!

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Sixteen years blogging as of tomorrow! Unbelievable. Those early days remain as close to me still as last week.

What an adventure!

And just one of many lessons I've learned? Via the comments, how to better handle criticism and rejection. At first negative comments royally bugged me, but now? Phhht. Who even cares? As long as I've obeyed God in what I said and did, that is what matters. That is--He is--my daily peace. My everything, truly.

Oh, what a valuable lesson for these days when one just might get her nose snapped at by speaking simple truth!

You won't always please people if you are going to please God." --- Paula White-Cain

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Debra's Favorite Lavender Things:

This lavender warming oil is awesome no matter how many reviewers whine about it. ツ But then, I use it for a different purpose.

I sprinkle it upon my bed pillows and real lavender stems. It even helps me sleep better at night. No, really.

My first bottle? Lasted 2 years(!)

And oh! My new favorite wax melts. Can something be strong and subtle at the same time? Wild Lavender (makes a difference. Trust me.).

Oh! Nearly forgot. Tom and I began watching the tv series called Forever. How refreshing to find something new to view! We'd never even heard of it and it began in 2014. Where have we been?  シ

(We're watching via CW Seed, a station we easily added to our Roku/Youtube TV set-up.)

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And to end this with a bit of humor (thanks for sharing this, Dolores!)---

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Oh and---please wake up!

"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ... Matthew 6:14,15