tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48823123024616872082024-11-05T20:51:51.738-06:00Cleanaturaladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07397043118539290692noreply@blogger.comBlogger331125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882312302461687208.post-51150302741118551912018-09-13T14:20:00.000-05:002018-09-13T14:20:07.921-05:00

At a time when Christians in the media could show the compassion, grace and love of Christ, people like Pat Robertson have effectively alienated non-Christians by spouting negativity and condemnation.  All that does is confirm the feelings of some non-Christians that Christians are a bunch of judgmental hypocrites who don't give a darn about anyone but themselves.  I really don't

Cleanaturaladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07397043118539290692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882312302461687208.post-66443356371263352842017-04-21T16:13:00.000-05:002017-04-21T20:07:09.231-05:00

Six months ago today, on October 21, 2016, the lights went out on the first love of my life-- my sweet Daddy.  Though he is gone from this world, I continue to feel his presence in my life.  I don't think that will ever fade. Oh, I'll probably think about him less and less as time goes on.  I may not continue to dream about him on an almost nightly basis, but he will always be

Cleanaturaladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07397043118539290692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882312302461687208.post-51461546882098169022016-12-11T10:23:00.002-06:002016-12-12T16:36:51.687-06:00

I grew up in a Christian home and I knew Advent had something to do with lighting different colored candles in the weeks leading up to Christmas, but I never really delved into the meaning of Advent any deeper than that until I was an adult. The season on Advent became so much more meaningful to me, once I learn all the significance of the candle lighting.   I thought I would pass

Cleanaturaladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07397043118539290692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882312302461687208.post-42604536541347553502016-02-12T12:25:00.000-06:002016-02-12T12:31:51.746-06:00

I started off the Lenten Season, as I usually do, by going to Ash Wednesday church service; by receiving the cross of ashes on my forehead that symbolize my mortality, as I begin to reflect on the immortality of Jesus and the sacrifices he made for me. It's traditional to give up sweets or to fast in some physical way to show our solidarity with Jesus and to feel a little bit of the physical

Cleanaturaladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07397043118539290692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882312302461687208.post-78875182486789494612016-01-18T14:14:00.000-06:002016-01-18T14:14:44.042-06:00

Today, as we celebrate the life, and contribution to peace, of Martin Luther King, Jr., may we reflect on words of peace. The change comes from within ourselves.  May we all seek to be instruments of peace.  Let us see all people through the eyes of love and acceptance. Watch here on YouTube Instrument of PeaceThe TenorsWhere there is hatred, let me bring loveWhere there is

Cleanaturaladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07397043118539290692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882312302461687208.post-81710366009993184082016-01-08T13:42:00.001-06:002016-01-08T13:42:59.184-06:00

Years ago, when I was laid off from my job, and feeling pretty negative about my life and my prospects of supporting myself, I picked up a small, thin, unassuming book called The Power of Positive Thinking, by Norman Vincent Peale. The book became my anchor during that time.  I would wake up every morning and read a little more of it, and slowly, I began to allow the simple words to give

Cleanaturaladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07397043118539290692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882312302461687208.post-23147320551738556442016-01-07T12:36:00.002-06:002016-01-07T23:15:57.366-06:00

I find myself, at present, in a miasma of negativity.  As I've written about previously in this blog, in 2015, I had several health issues.  Hospital stays, procedures, major back surgery, doctor visit after doctor visit, etc., etc.  For the first time in my life, I actually met the out of pocket maximum on my insurance (by July!), the latter part of the year my doctor visits,

Cleanaturaladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07397043118539290692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882312302461687208.post-16398153643527659802015-11-15T13:03:00.000-06:002015-11-16T14:59:53.255-06:00

Five weeks ago I embarked on a journey to find a new place to worship.  I've attended the same church for 17 years.  I raised my children at this church.  I saw the congregation work through many changes in that time.  I formed close relationships with many, and varied, people who attend worship there.  It was familiar, uplifting and, well, a home for me in so many ways.

Cleanaturaladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07397043118539290692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882312302461687208.post-83803593076190735292015-11-05T15:46:00.001-06:002015-11-05T16:48:30.762-06:00

As Thanksgiving approaches I find myself looking back over this year, and I've got to tell you, it's been a pretty crap year. I've had medical problems, resulting in a staggering number of bills that go along with it.  I've had to make the decision to leave my church of 17 years and find a new place to worship.  I have gained weight. My depression and anxiety are worse than they have

Cleanaturaladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07397043118539290692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882312302461687208.post-83579274182979552015-07-30T14:56:00.000-05:002015-08-16T16:52:20.228-05:00

When we go into the hospital for elective surgery, we sign a whole bunch of forms. In the recesses of one of those forms is listed the risks of the surgery. The majority of the time, none of those risk factors play out in the course of surgery, or subsequent recovery. The majority of the time... but what about the times when the small risks becomes reality? Well, I can only speak for

Cleanaturaladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07397043118539290692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882312302461687208.post-8770217819807318702015-07-02T12:55:00.000-05:002015-07-02T12:55:05.435-05:00

As much as I hoped, on January 1st that 2015 would be my year, it was not to be.  I've had a few physical hurdles to jump.  Hospitalized a couple of times for dangerously low sodium; esophegiatis that cause internal bleeding, leading to anemia... Plus, I have a couple of other ongoing physical/mental issues, but they are managed, for the most part with therapy, medication, and

Cleanaturaladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07397043118539290692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882312302461687208.post-84653318151515500732015-06-01T14:11:00.000-05:002015-06-01T14:21:00.375-05:00

How old do I look?  No, wait, don't answer that,  I may not hear what I want to hear, and today I am not in the right frame of mind to hear what I don't want to hear. ;)  I'll just tell you - I'm 50.  I don't think I really look 50 (if you think I look 60, then, keep your mouth shut please-and-thank-you).  I take care of my face; wear sunscreen; have never gone to bed

Cleanaturaladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07397043118539290692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882312302461687208.post-91926548412558940112015-05-13T11:39:00.000-05:002015-06-01T14:12:23.536-05:00

~Proverbs 20:27 New Living Translation (NLT)The Lord’s light penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive. .

Cleanaturaladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07397043118539290692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882312302461687208.post-86448270817597014822015-04-28T20:08:00.001-05:002015-04-28T20:11:49.079-05:00

Raise your hand if your heart is breaking today  Nepal , Baltimore, perhaps your own town, your own home and family - in crisis mode. I daresay most of us would raise our hand when asked if we are concerned, heartbroken, despairing, even pessimistic about what is going on in our world today. Perhaps our hearts may be resigned to the fact that there seems to be more bad than

Cleanaturaladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07397043118539290692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882312302461687208.post-63797788988751803922015-04-22T19:47:00.000-05:002015-04-22T21:25:33.641-05:00

Want to know what I love about my God?  Lots of things, but I think the purest and best thing about God is that he tells us all to come as we are. Not the nicest person on the block?  Come as you are. Living a life you never thought you would?  Come as you are.  Sick and in need of comfort? Come as you are. Emotionally unstable? Come as you are.  Hurt and lonely? Come

Cleanaturaladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07397043118539290692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882312302461687208.post-8045278750115137162015-04-19T14:24:00.000-05:002015-04-19T20:55:22.169-05:00

I have a confession to make.  To those who know me well, this will not be a big shocker, nor will it be a huge revelation to pretty much anyone who has encountered me on any given day The confession is - I'm clumsy.  I am a socially awkward dork.  I am a clumsy, socially awkward dork. I have longed, as most girls have at one time or another in their lives, to be graceful - the

Cleanaturaladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07397043118539290692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882312302461687208.post-32877439880489636062015-04-14T19:30:00.000-05:002015-04-14T20:23:06.494-05:00

If you know me, or maybe if you have been reading my posts, you undoubtedly know that I have had several medical problems this year. [I tend to whine and overshare sometimes] It's one thing after another. My life is like playing Whack-a-Mole, you whack [mole] one down and another pops up, and on and on. When relentless issues happen in our lives (doesn't have to be illness, it can be any of

Cleanaturaladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07397043118539290692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882312302461687208.post-68862068689650827182015-04-06T21:01:00.002-05:002015-04-08T08:16:30.208-05:00

Many times I bog myself down with current worries,  or with the baggage of the past- so much so that I forget what lies ahead because I can't see it.  My brain gets caught up in the concrete of what I, as a human can see. Thank you, God, that there is more to life than what I Spy with My Little Eye... Ahead there is newness.  A day, yet to be encountered, always holds hope. &

Cleanaturaladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07397043118539290692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882312302461687208.post-6651339626909780842015-03-31T21:14:00.002-05:002016-06-12T16:00:51.540-05:00

Sadly for us, the world lost one phenomenal man last Saturday.  I've been thinking every day since I found out about his death that I would sit down and write a few words about his death; yetet the words eluded me. Mostly, they elude me still, but my heart knows what my mouth cannot say. When I think of Joe, I recall the last conversation I had with him.  We were in the hallway of

Cleanaturaladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07397043118539290692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882312302461687208.post-76157375057274890972015-03-27T20:17:00.001-05:002015-03-27T20:25:36.816-05:00

Recently, a good friend of mine, who happens to be a non-Christian, brought up some recent political news topics (Google it yourself, I'm not here to debate or discuss recent legislation or comments surrounding it) centering around things that were said by professing Christians, and she pointed out how out of whack the comments where with who Jesus was [is], This brought to my mind and heart a

Cleanaturaladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07397043118539290692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882312302461687208.post-86047392063230420762015-03-25T20:23:00.000-05:002015-03-25T22:01:36.188-05:00

There are days, maybe weeks and months at a time where I am so caught up in my own [stuff] that I move through life as if I am the center of the universe (complete self-absorption).  I do things for others; I love others; I pray for others, but I don't think about my impact on others as I should. Sometimes people need to HEAR that they are the easiest person for me to talk to.  Or

Cleanaturaladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07397043118539290692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882312302461687208.post-25438294825058866482015-03-24T19:28:00.001-05:002015-03-25T16:49:27.117-05:00

I have no shame in admitting my fear.  I'm afraid of constant pain.  I'm afraid of the unknown.  I'm afraid I will never be physically whole again. It was that fear which kept me from any doctors' offices for quite a long time.  Fear that there was something really wrong with me.  Fear that there was nothing wrong, and my symptoms were all in my head. How's that for

Cleanaturaladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07397043118539290692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882312302461687208.post-6604794337959224152015-03-20T19:59:00.000-05:002015-03-20T20:02:27.431-05:00

So many burdens, both small and large...  I am delighted to know Jesus, who has promised to carry my misfortune, worry, sorrow and illness for me, so that I may rest.  Ah, the divine grace of it takes my breath away. Dear Jesus, With all that I am, I endeavor to bring honor and dignity to your sacrifice.  A simple thank you seems hollow. Love, Kim ~Matthew 11:28-30 New Living

Cleanaturaladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07397043118539290692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882312302461687208.post-18004140579139983912015-03-13T12:23:00.001-05:002015-03-22T21:36:09.466-05:00

Turns out Mama was right - there'll be days like this.  And they ain't fun. I had a bad day yesterday.  A combination of unresolved health problems, my (warning: digression -very much needed [no matter what the New York Times has to say about over-medication of women for "normal" emotions, there are those of us who cannot live a quality life without them] psych medications) not being

Cleanaturaladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07397043118539290692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882312302461687208.post-75978748708143231752015-03-10T20:53:00.002-05:002015-03-10T20:54:17.397-05:00

Fear can paralyze and threaten to drown me at times.  That breathless feeling of fear is not one I enjoy.  It's pretty terrible, in fact. When I start to feel hopeless, when fear holds me in its grip, here's the way I see it- I have two choices- drown, or find something with which to anchor myself. Drowning never has seemed like a great option to me (there is a whole other kind of

Cleanaturaladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07397043118539290692noreply@blogger.com0