Resolutions

 How many people actually hold true to the "New Year's Resolutions" that they make?  

"I'm gonna quit smoking" ~ "I'm going to lose weight" ~ "I'm going to save money".

Goals are good. Don't get me wrong. Having something to strive for is always a good thing. Being able to actually accomplish it, is even better. Don't make your goals out of reach, to high to achieve. 

Break it down into simpler steps. Example ~ I'm going to smoke 1 less cigarette a day, after a week, smoke 1 less and eventually you won't be smoking. 

Lists work better for some {Like myself}. Being able to check things off as they are accomplished. After 5 things are completed, start the list over again - it will have fewer items on it, until you think of more things that need to be added. 

Add some fun to your list, don't make it all work and complicated. Add some personal growth, physically, mentally, spiritually. Get those 'to do's' on there too. The more you can check off your list, the more motivated you are to get more done, check off more, accomplish more. 

Be flexible. Don't expect to get it done in a certain amount of time. Allow yourself to 'take days off' from working on it. Make room for those exceptions that come up. {You were sick and missed a couple days off work} Make sure you give yourself a couple extra days on that project. 

This is the year to become one step closer to where you want to be.  

Blessed by God

Life's beautiful @ the Bright Side of the Barn

Thanks for stopping by

Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails.

January 1st

 

Blessed by God 

Life's beautiful @ the Bright side of the Barn

Thanks for stopping by

Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails

2026

 

Christmas ~ A time for Family

 I'm a mom, I have 4 children. 2 that love me and 2 that hate me. Reasons I will never understand. I've been blessed with 9 grandchildren. 4 of which have been ripped out of my arms so many times I've lost count. The other 5 have mended my heart daily and kept it beating. To be able to plan something 7 months out and know that my granddaughter will be able to go means the world to me. To have been able to take 2 of my grandchildren to Canada for the summers, where we created memories I will cherish forever. This helps when there are grandchildren you don't get to see, or talk to and have been cut out of their lives. The love and relationship they are deprived of cuts deep. My ex and I may have gotten divorced, but I never cut his family out of the kids lives. The kids made their own choices and I respected it. Christmas is a hard time for those of us that are shut out of families lives. With all the joy and love of those you get to share it with, there is still a pain in your heart. Forever grateful for the ones I get to love and hold.

Blessed by God

With a beautiful family @ the Bright Side of the Barn

Thanks for Stopping by

Until next time, Stay Safe and Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas

 Hard to believe it's almost Christmas. 

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas 

and may the New Year be blessed. 

Blessed by God

Life's a gift @ the Bright Side of the Barn

Thanks for Stopping By

Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails.

Busy - Busy

 It's hard to believe it's already December! Thinking back to where I was just a year ago, to where I am now!  Yes, what a difference a year can make.  From sleeping out in the bitter cold to living in a new house. From losing everything to gaining things I've needed. From being depressed and feeling hopeless to Feeling blessed and seeing a brighter future. Yes, one year can make a world of difference. And to think it all happened thanks to God .

Touching the hearts of a few friends has lifted me from the bottom to the top. It all started with turning my heart over to God completely. I've always believed and done 'right' but haven't been committed for a few years. Last fall, I surrendered, gave it all to God and let Him have the reins on my life. He lifted me out of the darkness and carried me to a place I never would have imagined for myself. 

 

I've been busy working a lot in the last few months, especially after the last move in August. A lot more bills have crossed my desk, I need to keep up and not let them fall behind. I've been accomplishing goals, getting things done and getting a few steps closer to having all my old bills paid off. That in itself is a good feeling. Being able to acquire things needed and even a few 'wants'. It has truly been a blessed year. 

Praying for my family to heal has had it's own blessings and a few confusing curses. While for some, things are better, some are struggling and one in particular has 'went off the deep end'. I pray for her heart to heal every day. I am confused about the things happening especially when praying so hard for her. Seems the very opposite of what I want is happening. Trusting God to help it turn around. Keeping everyone safe in the process. Sometimes we don't understand how God works. We just have to have faith in His plans. 

I haven't had as much time to write with working and the studys'.  Perhaps next year will be a little more structured and I will be able to set time aside to write. Until then, it's spurts of inspirations jotted down.  I hope everyone has had a good year to look back on and be thankful for. It's hard to believe it's the holiday season already. As I unpacked the few Christmas decorations I have left after selling so much last year, I am truly thankful to even 'be here' this year. 

It came close to leaving before the end of the year.  Once again, I found myself talking myself away from the cliff.  I always tell myself  'give it one more day'. It's got to get better. God grabbed my hand this time. And it truly has been better, with the hope of getting even better yet next year. So, don't give up on hope and have faith. Miracles happen all year, and the spirit of Christmas isn't just in December. 

May your journey be bright! 

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas. 

Blessed by God

Life's full of miracles @ the Bright Side of the Barn

Thanks for Stopping by

Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails.  

Weekends

Chillin' They know how to enjoy the weekends. We could all learn a thing or two from our animal family. Relax, enjoy the moment of life. Let your brain rest and just breathe.  

Blessed by God

Life's good @ the Bright Side of the Barn

Thanks for Stopping by

Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails

The Raccoons

Everywhere I live, there is at least one. In the 'old house' we had a family of 4 that would raid the dog tub of food. Pretty smart they learned how to open the lid. It got to where they would come up to the sliding glass door, as if to say, 'hello, we are here, where's dinner'. When I lived in Canada there was one that would sleep outside under the bedroom window where it was dry and warm. At one point he even came in the apartment if the sliding door was open. In Black Diamond the momma brought her baby to my house to eat and the baby would follow me around. Mom growled and I'm sure was scolding him. Now here..... a few nights ago I noticed 2 outside around 10 PM at the neighbors. They moved away from the light, but watched. Since then I've been putting out a dish of cat food every night and last night he stayed out there eating while I was outside. Listening as I talked to him. It's a 'routine' now, he comes every night for dinner. People say don't feed the wildlife. I say, we took their homes, destroyed their resources, the least we can do is offer them a meal on a cold night. It doesn't make it so they can't fend for themselves, it makes it so they can stay warm at night and stay healthy during the winter. Just like putting out bird feeders and hummingbird waterers. Helping nature survive is our duty.

Blessed by God

We respect all life @ the Bright Side of the Barn

Thanks for Stopping By

Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails.

Medieval History

 

Prime has several documentaries regarding the kings and transfer of power over the years. I've found it quite intriguing to watch. The medieval period was my favorite part of history to study when in school.

It seems that the country was expected to follow the king's religion and the beliefs changed often. It's interesting how so much of the conflict was over religions, as many people stood true to their faith regardless of the king's belief. Being forced to practice one religion over another, often resulting in death for those who refused the changes. Even in those days many considered catholic to be of the devil.  While others believed it was the only way to heaven. 

The Bible itself originally put together and written in Latin, so the common man couldn't actually read it. They had to rely on the clergy to preach, hoping they preached the truth, rather than their own interpretations. Translated to English it was available to the masses to understand and worship by their own interpretation. Perhaps this is where the original conflict began against the catholic. 

I did a bit of a search on google and found the following information based on the search of 

' protestant religions;

Protestantism is a major branch of Christianity that emerged in the 16th century as a response to perceived abuses within the Roman Catholic Church, emphasizing salvation through faith alone and the authority of the Bible.

Historical Background

Protestantism originated during the Protestant Reformation, a movement that began in the early 16th century, primarily initiated by Martin Luther. In 1517, Luther famously published his Ninety-Five Theses, which criticized the Catholic Church's practices, particularly the sale of indulgences. This act is often considered the catalyst for the Reformation, leading to a significant religious and political upheaval across Europe. 

Wikipedia+1

Key Beliefs

Protestantism is characterized by several core beliefs, often summarized by the Five Solas:

1. Sola Scriptura: The Bible alone is the ultimate authority in matters of faith and practice.
2. Sola Fide: Justification comes through faith alone, not by works.
3. Sola Gratia: Salvation is a gift from God, granted by His grace alone.
4. Solus Christus: Christ is the only mediator between God and humanity.
5. Soli Deo Gloria: All glory is due to God alone. 

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Major Denominations

Protestantism encompasses a wide range of denominations, including but not limited to:

• Lutheranism: Following the teachings of Martin Luther.
• Calvinism: Based on the teachings of John Calvin, emphasizing God's sovereignty and predestination.
• Anglicanism: Originating from the Church of England, which separated from the Catholic Church under King Henry VIII.
• Methodism: Founded by John Wesley, focusing on personal faith and social justice. 

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  2 Sources

Differences from Other Branches of Christianity

Protestantism differs from Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy in several key areas:

• Authority: Protestants reject the authority of the Pope and emphasize the Bible as the sole source of authority.
• Salvation: Protestants believe in salvation through faith alone, while Catholics emphasize faith and works.
• Sacraments: Most Protestant denominations recognize only two sacraments (baptism and communion), compared to seven in Catholicism

I often think the Romans created the catholic church to confuse people on how to get to heaven, dismissing Jesus as a man, rather than as the Son of God. There are still religions today that don't believe Jesus was the Messiah and just a man. Even those religions that do believe in Jesus, teach the 'truth' in a variety of different opinions and expectations. 

The very word 'religion' holds much controversy as to what is the true definition. As it seems, many cannot agree on that alone.  {One great place to find information on 'religions' would be at Christian.net}

One thing that can be agreed upon is that there is much confusion in religions and the variety of teachings. Many religions are each based on one man's interpretation of the Bible. Churches today vary in many ways. It's as if you can choose 'how you want to get to heaven'. Some more 'Strick' while others are more relaxed in their teaching. Being afraid to offend and wanting to encourage more to come to them, looking at numbers for the largest growth. Rather than truth for salvation. 

In one sense, we haven't changed much since the medieval times. 

Narrow is the road to heaven and wide is the path to hell. Choose carefully which way you go. 

Blessed by God

Life is good @ the Bright Side of the Barn

Thanks for Stopping by

Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails.