I recently attended a Women's Conference where Candice Cameron Bure' was one of the Speakers.  I've never heard her speak before until then.  I must say that I was very impressed with what she had to say!  She, like many others in this world, had accepted Christ into her life, as a child, at the age of 12 yrs old.  But there was really no commitment to Him, until she became an adult.  But even as a young adult in her early 20's; as a wife and mother, she still struggled with "why" she needed to "live for Christ". 

Candice's belief, like many of us, was that she was a "good" person, so why did she "need" Jesus, anyway?  As long as she lived a good life, and was a good mom; a good wife; and etc., she didn't need Him in her life.  She had already accepted Him when she was a young girl, so what more did she really have to do?  Did she really have more to do to get into heaven?  Or was accepting Him at the age of 12, and just being a good person, enough? 

Her brother, as some of you may know, is Kirk Cameron.  He and Ray Comfort work together on The Way of the Master.  Kirk was also on Family Ties, when he was a young kid.  Candice was on Full House from the age of 8 to 18 yrs old. 

Kirk was the one who had taken a more serious walk with the Lord.  He offered Candice a book to read one day, that explained to her the importance of having a "real" relationship with Jesus, versus just being a good person, and "hoping" to get into heaven.  As Candice began to read this book, one thing stuck out to her that she read.  The Ten Commandments.

As she explained at this conference, the Ten Commandments are God's "rules" for us to live by.  As Christians, we should be taking these commandments seriously.  And as she read the Ten Commandments over again, it dawned on her that even if she had only broken one of the commandments, that was as serious as breaking them all, to God.  Let's take just one commandment as an example:  Thou Shalt Not Lie.

Have you ever told a lie?  Even a little one?  Or how about a white-lie?  You know, the ones that really don't count.  Or do they all count?  What about the lie you tell when you don't feel like going into work, so you call in sick?  Or what about when you've gone shopping and you've spent more money than you were supposed to, and you tell your spouse that you didn't spend that much?  Or how about when you make up an excuse as to why your child was not in school today; or why they hadn't completed their homework?  Or what about when your wife was away for a few hours, and you decide to go see what you can "find" on the Internet, and when she returns and asks what you've been doing, and you reply, "Nothing"?  Or how about that flirtatious co-worker that you tell your wife or husband "there's nothing to it"???? 

Sometimes when we lie, we can make up so many excuses for our behavior!  We justify why we lie.  We make excuses why it's okay.  When in actuality, it is not okay!  It is a commandment that you have broken.  It's a sin.  Sin is sin, no matter which commandment you have broken.  When you've broken one, it's like you've broken them all. 

God wants a RELATIONSHIP with us.  He wants us to abide by His commandments, also, inside that relationship.  He wants us to get serious about our relationship with Him.  Not just lukewarm.  He says "if you are lukewarm, I will spit you from my mouth".  He wants all or nothing.....no in-between! 

Ask yourself these questions:

1.  Do you ever look at something your neighbor just purchased and then went out and bought the same thing (or very similar) to keep up with them?
2.  Have you ever looked at the opposite sex and had an impure thought about him / her?
3.  Have you ever dishonored your parents?
4.  Have you ever horded money away in fear that you would lose it?
5.  Have you ever really given God your whole heart?  Or are you just toying with Him? 
6.  Have you ever really taken the time to just sit and talk to Him about whatever is in your heart?  He knows you inside and out; so what are you waiting for?

I believe God gave these commandments to us for a reason.  I believe they are instructions for us to live by, just as Candice explained at this Women's Conference.  As she explained that just being a good person, wasn't enough, I began to really look into my own heart, and ask if I had really gotten serious with God.  I had to ask myself if I had truly given Him my all.  Or was I just lukewarm?  And if I was lukewarm, what was I waiting for?  What was keeping me from giving Him my ALL?  Wouldn't these things be considered idols in my life, if I were putting them before Him?

I made a commitment to Him that day, to take Him more seriously, and to give Him my ALL.  How about you?

Do YOU think just being a good person is enough to get you into heaven?  Or do you feel that there is more to it than that?  I'd love to hear your comments. 

I decided today it was time to do something about my weight, and my health.  I enrolled in a Pilates Class to help me lose some weight (Okay, a LOT of weight) and I also called my GYN and made an appointment with her for an annual check-up that I haven't done in almost 6 years!  Guess I'm a little overdue on that one, huh??? 

I'm trying a new GYN this visit.  The last one didn't set too well with me because he speaks very loudly, and you can hear him in the next room.  I don't know about you, but I want my visits to be private!!  I don't want the whole office knowing what is going on with my health!  So I'm trying one of the female doctors this time.  I hope she's good. She's a fairly new doctor; just graduated in 2002.  I've heard her name before, in this area, but just can't remember what I've heard about her; whether good or bad.  I'm sure if it was bad, I would have remembered.  Sad...huh?  We remember the bad that we hear, but most times, not the good!  What's up with that??? 

The weather has been chilly today; but I love it!!  This time of year is great for making me get into the baking / soup mode!!!  I love to smell the aroma of homemade bread baking, or a pot of Chili cooking on the stove when it's cold outside!  The only thing I don't like about this time of year, is that it is a reminder that winter is just around the corner!

Now, don't get me wrong....I like winter.  (Notice I did not say that I love winter???).....I like to see the first snowfall, but I sure don't like driving in the stuff!!  That is not fun to me, at all!  Plus, I can't stand to be COLD!!!  It hurts my bones!  The older I get the more I don't like being cold!  But, it is coming upon us, a lot sooner than we think!!

I was going to make Mostacolli for dinner tonight, but decided to eat leftover Pork Chops and Potatoes, instead.  No sense in letting it go bad.  So I finished it off just a while ago.  It was just as good as it was yesterday!!  I love Pork Chops!!! 

Okay, so now, back to the Pilates Class.  I've never done Pilates before, but I have heard that it is very good for your stomach and lower back; hips and thighs.  Is this right?  I hope so, because those are all my problem areas.  It was $48 for a six-week class.  It will be Monday mornings from 845 to 935AM.  I hope I do good with it!!  I'm going to TRY to start losing some weight AGAIN!!  I hate trying to lose weight!  I do real good for a while, then slip back into my lazy mode again!  I wish I could just stay disciplined and do it right this time!!!  I am reminded of the scripture "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".  Guess I had better start saying that every day, huh??? :)

I finally got our monthly CMA Chapter newsletter finished today.  I will mail and email it off on Thursday.  Lots of news in this one!  I love doing it, but it can be truly time consuming!  I'm glad it's finished for this month!!! :)

Oh yea, I gained a new cleaning customer again today.  She contacted me off of my website!  Yea, it's working!!!  I'm so glad!  I will start her on Oct 12th.  She will be every other week.   That's a good thing; that fills up my Monday's now!  I only have two more slots open, but I may keep them open just in case I need to move someone around.  I always keep my Friday's open.  That is my one day a week to run my errands; and do stuff for my own family.  OR if we want to go somewhere for a 3 day weekend, we can!  I like that!!

Better scoot for now.  I've been on here enough today.  Time to go check the clothes in the dryer and switch the ones in the washer to the dryer.  I lead such an exciting life!!! LOL

C Ya'!