The Pink House of Claremore

What kind of resolutions will you make for New Year’s?

We all want to change something about ourselves and our circumstances no matter who we are.

For some, it may be quitting smoking, losing weight, or spending more time with friends and family. For others, it may be reading your Bible more, praying more, or going to church on a more consistent basis.

But, whatever the goal… none of our so-called resolutions, including the spiritual ones, will stick unless we do one important thing…put God at the center of them.

Why do you want to pray or read the Bible more? Is it to grow closer to God or is it just because you know it’s a good thing to do?

Is your wanting to quit smoking or to lose weight more closely tied to your personal gratification or are you honoring Him by looking your best or staying fit?

I think these are important questions to ask ourselves and key to the success we’ll have in fulfilling our hope for improvement.

Phillipians 4:13 tells us, “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”

In John 15:5 it says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in Him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

You see, God has to be at the center of our resolutions…or our success will hinge on our own strength and not the power He gives to help us. 

With God as our focus, He will give us the wisdom to know what to improve in our life and the heavenly courage to achieve that success.

As Psalm 37:5-6 says, “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.”

Make God the focus for this New Year…and see what He’ll do for you.

Happy New Years,

I think we all know what it’s like to go through trials in our lives. They’re never pleasant but often we come out better for having endured the hardship and seeing God refine us through our troubles and times of pain.

Here’s a story I found online that reminds me how God is always at work in our lives, especially during the challenging times. It’s called the Silversmith. Read it and really let it soak into your heart today. I think you’ll find it a blessing and a great moment of reflection for your life.

There was a group of women in a Bible study of the book of Malachi. As they were studying chapter three, they came across verse three, which says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” This verse puzzled the women and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God allowing us to be in fires of life; then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.

The man answered that yes. He not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?"

He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it."

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire --whatever your troubles may be, remember that God has his eye on you and is refining you until He sees His image in you.

--Author unknown

Blessings,

Margo

As summer slowly drifts to fall, you may want to get out in the yard and garden and prepare for next spring. Here are some ideas for your fall gardening schedule that will help you plan for next year’s beauty.

• Begin to water trees and shrubs less to allow hardening off before winter and remove annuals that have seen their better day.
• Mums, pansies, and flowering Kale and cabbage are excellent decorative flowers to begin planting in late Sept/ Oct. for some cool season color when summer’s flowers are gone.
• Dig up and divide perennials that are overgrown and crowded or replace any perennials that didn’t quite make it after our brutal summer.
• Fall is also the perfect time to plant new trees and shrubs—giving them a better chance of getting developed and growing stronger roots.
• As fall arrives, use a good 3-1-2 slow release fertilizer on your lawn and seed or sod any bare spots your lawn has.

Remember also to weed and compost as often as possible and provide a little seed to the birds as they begin their winter migrations. Who knows…some may even stick around your area if they know they have a steady food source.

Just a few suggestions for your fall gardening. May God’s peace rest upon you as you enjoy this wonderful fall season.

Blessings,

Margo

A Poem for Fall…

I love fall poems. I especially like them when there’s a crispness in the air and I can settle in with a good cup of tea in the morning or evening. September’s cool, as we know, can be a hit or miss in Oklahoma, depending on the stubbornness of summer, but at least you know relief is coming soon. One of my favorite memories of our Oklahoma autumn is that of the Monarch butterflies.  Before my husband went to heaven we would often enjoy them as they migrated during this season. It was something that was very special to us and still is to me today. Another thing I love about this cooler weather is it seems it's the perfect time for reading poems with a cup of tea.

Here’s one I found called September. It’s by Helen Hunt Jackson. You may have heard of her. She was a great poet known for her rhythmical sonnets and powerful images. When you read it, think of the breathtaking sights and sounds of autumn and God’s wonderful miracle in us all—the gift of His life and hope.

I pray blessings on your life this wonderful time of year and hope you’ll remember to enjoy the colors this fall.

SEPTEMBER

The golden-rod is yellow;
  The corn is turning brown;
The trees in apple orchards
  With fruit are bending down.

The gentian's bluest fringes
  Are curling in the sun;
In dusty pods the milkweed
  Its hidden silk has spun.

The sedges flaunt their harvest,
  In every meadow nook;
And asters by the brook-side
  Make asters in the brook,

From dewy lanes at morning
  The grapes' sweet odors rise;
At noon the roads all flutter
  With yellow butterflies.

By all these lovely tokens
  September days are here,
With summer's best of weather,
  And autumn's best of cheer.

But none of all this beauty
 Which floods the earth and air
 Is unto me the secret
 Which makes September fair.

‘T is a thing which I remember;
  To name it thrills me yet:
 One day of one September
  I never can forget.

Margo

Have you ever wondered where all the precious moments in your life go?

I often do, and I wonder if I’ve taken life for granted or I’ve savored every good thing God has given me. Sometimes we’re in such a hurry, running around from activity to activity, that I think we fail to stop and enjoy the here and now.

Psalms says “You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath.”

And, nothing could be truer…we are all just a breath that will soon vanish. God has given us a life to fill with what we choose and just a short time to make the most of it.

Question is…how will we spend it? In busyness and stress or in deep appreciation to God for His gift of life and for giving us the love of others?

As I go through my days, I want to appreciate every moment in life and the ones who make it worth living. I encourage you to do the same.

Today, thank God for your blessings and for the gift of life. May you make the most of your days and honor Him by savoring each moment that you live.

Blessings,

Margo

It’s funny how so many us are stuck in the same daily, boring routine. We eat the same food, do the same activities…and rarely do we ever experiment with something new. No wonder so many of us get so restless and tired of our daily life.

We’re afraid to do anything different because that means we must venture into the unknown. Know anyone like that?

I believe it’s important we get out and try new things…for the sake of change if nothing else. At the worst you can say you don’t like it, but at least you tried it, and then you can move on to something new.

To tell you the truth, that’s one of the reasons I bought the Pink House restaurant and feel so passionate about our purpose. It’s so unique and different…I think it matches my spirit of adventure and trying new things. It’s also a way I can bring the spice of life to others and help them enjoy some of its simple pleasures.

As I live my life, I pray that I don’t get so bogged down in a daily routine that I just trudge through…going through the motions. I want to enjoy the good things God has given me and be able to share them with others. I want to try new food. Go to new places.

I want to keep a certain sense of adventure in my life.

I hope you will also…and remember to stay forever young in your attitude and heart.

Blessings,

Margo