Organized Chaos

Sprouted WHAT?

2012-01-15T18:13:00.000-06:00

No, not WHAT…W-H-E-A-T! SproutedWHEAT! Well, actually sprouted wheat BREAD!

This is my latest “discovery” in the way of healthy eating, and I mustsay it turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Just the phrase “good for you” can make me turn my nose up!

I recently attended a mini-seminar at my church where two doctors ofchiropractic (one of which is my Pastor/Pastor’s wife!) spoke on “7 Keys toHealthy Living”. I won’t go into great detailabout the 7 Keys, but they are listed below with a few notes beside them:

1 – Spiritual Health – Surrender all things to God (Matthew 6:33)

2 – Adequate Rest/Sleep – this is the time your body repairs andregenerates; lack of sleep = illness

3 – Emotional Health (Soul) – renew your mind with God’s word. We have a will to choose what we think about! (Read Phillipians 4:8 for some suggestions!)

"A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body;

jealousy is like cancer in the bones."

Proverbs 14:30 (NLT)

4 – Spinal Alignment (Chiropractic care) – did you know that all organsare connected to nerves that run to your spine? When your spine is out of alignment, the nerves can be pinched causingthe healthy nerve flow that your organs need to be diminished or cut off! (Here’san informative video about 4:20)

5 - Have fun!

6 – Proper exercise and stretching – we all know that exercise isimportant, but we tend to dismiss the importance of stretching. Stretching increases flexibility and range ofmotion (yoga, tai chi and pilates are all wonderful ways to stretch and tone).

7 – Nutrition – basically it all came down to this: eat real(God-created), non-processed food; organic when at all possible; and inmoderation.

We’ve all heard these things before, but let me tell you it can be areal challenge to find things that aren’t processed until they aren’t even alittle bit of what they originally started out to be! BUT, I did say “challenge” – not impossible!

So, back to the sprouted wheat. Bread is probably one of my biggest “diet” downfalls. I love, love, love it – especially if it’shot out of the oven and slathered with butter. (Oh, side note…butter IS better for you than margarine. Read THIS about how margarine is made andyou may never eat the stuff again.)

I don’t know about you, but when I’m making a lifestyle change, if Itry to do it cold-turkey I will fail every, single time. But if I take one component at a time andchange it, then before I know it I have turned things around completely. So, my first step toward healthful eating isswitching from “white trash” bread (made with bleached, processed flour) tosprouted whole wheat bread.

Look at that bread! It is simply delicious.

I trulythought it would be bland and cardboard-like, but it’s flavorful; and thetexture is dense, so instead of just eating a bunch of fluffy air-filled whitebread, I’m actually eating something with substance and lots of fiber andvitamins. I chose Alvarado Street Bakerysourdough bread, but there are other brands out there that are good, too(Ezekiel Bread, for instance).

So, one step at a time.

This week, I’ve switched from white bread to sprouted whole wheatbread.

Next week my goal is to cut out sodas completely, drinking only waterand green tea.

Week three I will incorporate snacks of fruits/veggies in my day ratherthan chips, popcorn, or candy.

And I’m hoping by the time I get to week four, my body will be readyfor its first cleanse and detoxification!

What have you done to change your habits from harmful to healthy? I’d love to hear from you!

From Wasted to Beautiful

2012-01-01T22:29:00.000-06:00

There have been those times when I looked back on my life – especially the past 8 or so years – and think to myself “what a waste”.

There was a time when I was younger that I had the same thought in my head that Carrie Underwood sings in her song, “Wasted”.

I don't wanna spend my life jaded, waiting

To wake up one day and find

That I've let all these years go by

Wasted

Carrie Underwood - Wasted (Official Music Video). Watch more top selected videos about: Carrie Underwood

But, I did wake up one day and felt the cold emptiness of a life that I indeed thought was a complete waste.

As I have grown, both in maturity and wisdom – and that only by the grace of God – I have come to learn that nothing is ever really wasted. Even all the stuff that in my mind’s eye seems to have had no reason, no purpose… it does. God uses everything for His glory – but we don’t always recognize it.

All the poor choices I made - and the resulting pain to myself and others around me? Not a waste. I am able to take those experiences and share with others the truth that has been exposed from it. God is using the “bad” from my life for the “good” in someone else’s!

That is such a gift.

Oh yes, perhaps to the person who is able to bypass some of the pain I went through. But it's also a gift to me. To know that God loves me and finds me worthy enough to use me as an example...I am humbled.

I am not proud of my mistakes, but I am more than happy to share those mistakes with others if it will open their eyes and their hearts to His love as well. I am more than happy to swallow my pride in order that I may be a vessel that He uses for His glory.

This next song expresses perfectly how I now feel about myself.

Treasured.

Sacred.

His.

Beautiful.

MercyMe - Beautiful (Official Music Video). Watch more top selected videos about: MercyMe

It is my hope and prayer that you will find your beauty in Him. You, too, are treasured, sacred, His… so beautiful!

“But we all, with unveiled face,

beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord,

are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory,

just as from the Lord, the Spirit.”

2 Corinthians 3:18

Inspirational Picks of the Week

2011-12-11T13:00:00.001-06:00

If you’re my friend on Facebook, you’ve very likely seen my posts onthese things already. But I was soinspired by them that I wanted to extend them to those of you who are friendshere in Blog Land. I hope you find atleast one thing here that makes you smile or stirs your heart (or both)!

Let’s start with a little music. Here are a few selections to put you in the mood to celebrate Christmasand worship Jesus...

Silent Night: This is abeautiful rendition of this song, and here it is accompanied by a gorgeous,flowing ballet. http://artofeloquence.com/selah/

Christmas This Year: I love Christianmusic artist Toby Mac and this fun Christmas song doesn’t disappoint. I just makes me want to get up and dance andclap my hands!

O Night Divine: If you watchedAmerica’s Got Talent, you no doubt have heard of Jackie Evancho. At the time of her appearance on the show,she was 10 years old – but God has blessed her with the voice of an angel far beyond her earthly years. Here she is singing at the National TreeLighting (and listen to the short interview at the end – she is a delightfulyoung lady)!

And now, let’s move on to some things that will make your heart swellwith joy and will give you hope for the future generations to come!

The Biggest … Loser? Well, Dan (andhis mom Jackie) may have been big losers when it comes to their weight, but whenit comes to getting over life’s hurdles and passionately pursing his dream – I’dsay Dan is definitely a Big Winner!

Here’stheir story: http://vitality.yahoo.com/.
And here’s his first music release:

Tags: Goin' All Out, Dan Evans, Dan Evans Videos

Victoria’s Not-So-Secret – Sure, supermodels make selling clothes,make-up, and a million other things very profitable. But what is this standard of beauty doing toour youth today? Here is a young man whoattends Baylor University in Waco, Texas – he has a different outlook on what aREAL woman is:

Ever been to a poetry slam? Ihaven’t, but I’ve watched a couple of videos and this one is one of myfavorites. I may be old in years, butnever too old to learn (and pass on) this lesson:

And from Blog Land, my favorite post this week:

http://www.aholyexperience.com/2011/12/when-christmas-gets-radical-whose-birthday-is-it-really/

May you all be richly blessed through this next week, and continue to remember what CHRISTmas is about.

O Come All Ye Faithful

2011-11-30T18:38:00.001-06:00

Most of us know this Christmas carol…or at least the first few words ofit:

Oh, come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,

Oh, come ye, oh, come ye, to Bethlehem.

Come and behold Him, born the King of angels;

Oh, come, let us adore Him, oh, come, let us adore Him,

Oh, come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

Over the years, as we sing this and other songs over and over, I wonder ifthe words get lost behind the familiarity. I wonder if the meanings of the words in these carefully written songsare even pondered. It seems there is abit of a “movement” to put CHRIST back into CHRISTmas, and since singing thesesongs is a big part of our celebration throughout the season, maybe thinkingabout what we’re singing can help.

I have picked out some of the words and/or phrases in this song in anattempt to bring them to life a bit, so to speak. I hope they help you to remember and focus onthe true meaning and reason of CHRISTMAS.

All Ye Faithful

Have you ever wondered who these all these “faithful” are? That would be those who believe in God theFather and His Son, our Savior Jesus Christ! The “faithful” don’t just profess love, allegiance and loyalty withtheir mouth. That’s a great first step,but truly faithful people of God will be evident to the world around them by theway they live their lives; not in showy works that make themselves look good,but through loving actions that bring all honor to God above. To be faithful is to be loyal and constant;to be true to one's promises and vows; to be devoted. How do you show or express your faithfulnessto Him?

Matthew 25:23 – Well done good and faithful servant!

Come…Let Us Adore Him/Come…And Behold Him

The song invites us to come to Him. To adore Him. Adoration isdefined as follows: paying honor;worship; reverent homage; fervent and devoted love. How often do you go to God (it’s an openinvitation!)? And when you do approachHim, is it in adoration? I hear aboutmany who approach Him in desperation, but adoration isn’t always firstpriority. Oh, most of us eventually getaround to that part after we’ve listed all our needs and wants. But I’m pretty positive we’ve got thattwisted around a bit. Adore Him. Seek his face. Behold Him. Gaze upon it with great affection.

Psalm 95:6 – Come, let us bow down in worship (adoration),

let us kneelbefore the LORD our Maker.

Joyful

As we accept His invitation to be with Him, we can do so with greatjoy! Even when our situations make usdeeply sad, we can still be joyful in Jesus' presence. Joy has little to do with US, and everythingto do with Him. To be joyful is to bedelighted with something, jubilant and elated! Just knowing that God is sovereign, and that Jesus has paid our ransom –that is pure joy. We can delight in that!

Psalm 37:4 - Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you thedesires of your heart.

Triumphant

Oh, I think this is my favorite part…come to him triumphantly! Do youknow why? Triumph means victory. And through Jesus’ blood, we already HAVE thevictory over all that is evil, all that is sinful, all that is not of God! Death has no hold on us. By Jesus’ death and resurrection, we areredeemed by grace to our rightful place as co-heirs. I think that is an amazingly excitingrevelation and truth!

1 Corinthians 15:55 - Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death,is your sting?

King of Angels/Christ the Lord

Christ is our Lord and the King of Angels. He lovingly reigns over all – He is inabsolute control of everything. I don’tknow about you, but that is a BIG relief to me. Because I know he has already claimed victory, there is no need for meto try to be in control of anything. Ican (and should) certainly do my part in the work He has set before me, butthere’s no pressure to try to figure out the why’s or the how’s of it all. The Lord and King above all has everythingworked out already!

Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you, declares theLORD;

plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and afuture.

I hope this has inspired you some, so the next time you’re singingyour favorite CHRISTmas hymn, you might stop and think about the words you’resinging. Behind the pretty music, there’sa “reason for the season” and a message just for your heart!

Oh No - Not Another Thanksgiving Post! (Oh, Yes!)

2011-11-22T18:08:00.001-06:00

Among the hundreds of things I am thankful for, one that comes to mindover and over again is my “small group” from church. The church I attend is rather large, with an attendanceupward of 5,000 on any given Sunday, just at our main campus! These small groups allow us to connect withother people in a more intimate way outside of attending church on Sunday. We basically “do life” together. It is always God-centered; this is a placewhere we are able to share our highest highs and our lowest lows without fearof being judged or ridiculed. We aresupportive and encouraging of each other, and speaking truth in love to oneanother is ever-present.

I recently sent out an e-mail to the group as part of a thread that wascirculating, and one of my sisters encouraged me that its content would makegreat blog material, so I took that as a prompting from the Holy Spirit toshare this message.

Even though we are only a couple days away from celebratingThanksgiving, giving thanks is something that goes beyond one day out of theyear. The message is short(-ish), so Ihope you’ll continue reading. I wouldlove to know your thoughts…

I got a little curiosity going in my brain and looked up the words "thanks" and "give" - this may not be new to anyone else, but I know for me there are so many words/phrases I use daily that I really don't even think of the meaning behind them.

Thanks -

to express gratitude,appreciation or acknowledgement to

Give -

to present voluntarily andwithout expecting compensation

Did you get that?

"without expecting compensation"

I know that I have been guilty of giving Him thanks out of a sense of obligation, AND in the hope that if I do so He will compensate me with the "desires of my heart" (which aren't necessarily in line with His will for me).

But that's not how it's supposed to go.

We are to be thankful in ALL things.

Check this out from scripture:

Not just when we get a prayer answered.
Not just when we are blessed with something awesome.
Not just when things are going our way!

In ALL things.

In the hurt and pain; in the pit when we are there. Yes, especially there.

Because although it is unpleasant and sometimes almost seems unbearable, we who belong to Him know He is working it all out for good - for HIS good. And THAT is the *ultimate* thing to give thanks for (in my opinion). Knowing that He is all powerful and working everything out for GOOD.

On that note, I do sincerely hope you all have a beautiful, blessed Thanksgiving celebration with your families and friends. I pray that it will be Day One of the next 365 that you will continually give thanks to God.

{{P. S. - I have a favorite blog writer and author, Ann Voskamp, who has written a book on the very subject of giving thanks in all things. Visit her blog here, and read about her book here. I don't think you'll regret it.}}

Sunrise, Sunset - A Legacy in the Making

2011-11-13T19:06:00.001-06:00

“From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,

the name of theLORD is to be praised.”

--Psalm 113:3

I was driving to an evening appointment last week, headed due west –straight into the prettiest sunset I’d seen in a long time. Truth be told, there had been plenty ofbeautiful sunsets for days on end here in the Texas Hill Country.

{{This was the first I had actually noticed in quite a while.}}

Sad, but true.

My heart stirred as my eyes marveled at the glorious array of colorsreflecting off the clouds in the sky that evening – blues and grays, mixed withrich gold, amber, orange, rose, pink and soft wisps of white clouds mixed in asymphony of perfection that could only be created by the One.

I thought about the sun then;

how its daily cycle seems to

parallel ourown lives.

Our beginnings have us bursting forth out of the darkness, all insplendor and glory, boldly announcing arrival. Little by little, light is seamlessly shed on that which surrounds us –all the discoveries that await us. Newand fresh and bright, we are filled with colorful energy that can’t be heldback.

As we slowly begin our climb, we burn a path straight upwards. Sometimes we burn too much, too soon, toohard. We scorch everything aroundus. Sometimes, we hide behind the cloudsof life hoping that we can just make it through by remaining hidden andunnoticed. And sometimes, we burn directlyoverhead with warm love and passion that spreads and brings life over everything we touch.

Then comes the time we being our slow descent. Our light and warmth not yet gone, but our colors mellow and blend. We are able to show beauty to those around us in a way that only can be done after we have experienced the passionate burning of mid-cycle. Once again, we bring forth a beautiful blend of rich color, much different from the vibrancy of our beginnings. This softer light is more compassionate, wiser, more forgiving.

And as we begin to dip down past the horizon, as the coolness of theevening sets in, and those around us can no longer see us – this is not the endmy friends. For although we cannot beseen with human eyes, we are still very much alive and burning brightly – only ina different place – continuing to shine light through the legacy we have leftbehind.

“The Light shines through the darkness

and the darkness can neverextinguish it.”

--John 1:5

What legacy are you leaving as you travel this life?

Are you striving and going at things so hard that you are burningeverything in your path, and perhaps even the path of others?

Are you hiding behind the clouds because you are afraid to step outfrom behind them and live out your purpose?

Or are you shining your light for all to see and bask in its warmth sothey may know Love?

"Let your light shine before men,

that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

--Matthew 5:16

The Great Destroyer

2011-10-26T22:29:00.000-05:00

“Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer

is toosmall to be made into a burden.”

~Corrie ten Boom,

Clippings from My Notebook

Just looking at the word brings on a bit of anxiety in me.

And yet, I know from experience that worrying about thingsdoes NO GOOD what-so-ever! Not formyself, and certainly not for others in my life. Excessive worry in my own life has producedan unhealthy mind, an unhealthy body and an unhealthy soul. And it is the root cause of the loss of arelationship that couldn’t bear up under the weight of it.

“Worry weighs a person down;

an encouraging word cheers aperson up.”

Proverbs 12:25

Worry is a burden not only to ourselves, but to the onesthat love us as well. It’s bad enoughthat we cause this trouble within ourselves, but to put that kind of pressure ontoothers is, to say the very least, unfair and, more importantly, unloving.

My own worrisome nature stems from a long time ago when, asa child, I never knew what was going on. I was thrown into situations that were scary and uncomfortable, withlittle or no preparation or instruction on how to handle them. I was told to just do it, and then if theoutcome was not pleasing I was ridiculed for it. That caused a cycle of worry in my life,never knowing what would happen and then worrying that I wouldn’t get itright. Over and over and over.

Most of my adult life, I have been nearly insistent onknowing the who, what, where, when and why (and at least some idea of theultimate outcome) of everything before I take even one step. I like to call it “being prepared”, and oftenin my head it is being prepared for the worst, without thought of how thingsjust MIGHT turn out to be just fine.

It all comes down to trust really.

Or, more accurately, lack of trust.

As a child, I wasn’t taught to trust and stand on thepromises of God. We didn’t attend churchfor most of my growing up years, and the only scripture I heard was used in “discussions”with my wonderful, Christian grandfather, by family members trying to twist itto fit the ungodly lives they were living. In my house, “God” was my mother, and what she said was “gospel” – what shetold me to do were the commandments of my life. And all too often, I was lead into painful situations where I finallyfigured out that I couldn’t trust people.

I’m not bashing my mother. She was a human being. She hadfaults, she had “stuff” from her past, and she acted out in the ways that shewas raised in, or in the ways that gave her the self-preservation sheneeded. It took me a long time torealize this, but when I did I was able to let go of the anger, bitterness andsadness and fully forgive her.

What I have learned on the long road since her death isthis: I may not ever be able to fully trust people, but I can always – ALWAYS – trust God. When He says not to worry, he isn’t asking me. He is telling me.

And as an adult, who is currently entering into alife-saving transformation, I must make that choice every day. Every hour. Sometimes even every minute. If Ido not trust Him – if I continually worry – what am I saying about God? That He is not trust-worthy? That He is a liar? That He doesn’t love me? That He doesn’t mean what he says?

Those are alllies directly from the enemy of my soul.

And yours.

Take a minute to think back on your life and the many thingsyou have worried about. How many of themcame to fruition? And if any of them DIDcome true, were they as horrifying as your mind made them out to be?

“Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

Andwhy worry about your clothing?

Look at the lilies of the field and how theygrow.

They don't work or make their clothing,

yet Solomon in all his glory wasnot dressed

as beautifully as they are.”

Matthew 6:27-29

I know in my own life, very few of my worries have cometrue. And the time I spent worrying istime wasted, energy wasted, and often has destroyed my own happiness, but worseyet the peace of others around me. Iunrightly invaded their lives with strife that wasn’t theirs.

So, do I still worry? Of course I do. I’m human. I’m weak on my own.

Do I have a better way of dealing with that worry now? Yes, I do.

“And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers

that arehere today and thrown into the fire tomorrow,

he will certainly care for you. Why do you have

so little faith?”

Matthew 6:30

My new way is called faith and trust. I choose to have faith. I choose to trust. Trustin God’s word, not only in the Bible, but those loving words that He haswhispered into my heart. Through thoseactions where time and time again, He protected me, loved me, and put me backon my feet because He knows my path, and He knows the outcome. And it’s all good.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declaresthe LORD,

"plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give youhope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

Cliché? Maybe to some. Truth? Definitely to me.

What will you choose today?

“This day I call the heavens and the earth

as witnessesagainst you that I have set before you

life and death, blessings and curses.

Now choose life, so that you and your children may live

and that you may lovethe LORD your God,

listen to his voice, and hold fast to him.

For the LORD isyour life…”

Deut 30:19-20

Standing on the Edge of Darkness

2011-10-08T21:16:00.001-05:00

When you come to the edge of all the light you know

and are about to step into the darkness of the unknown,

faith is knowing that one of two things will happen:

there will be solid ground to stand

on or you will be taught to fly.

--Author Unknown

In my “feeling” heart, it feels like all light has gone out. I feel rejected; lonely; completely discardedand unwanted.

Behind me is a small glimmer of light; of what used tobe. Before me looms the darkness of allthat is unknown. My eyes searchdesperately into the depths for something…anything that looks like theslightest ray of light, of hope.

I bow my head in great sadness, with tears that stream downmy face and fall at my feet, the sound in my head like shattered glass.

It’s when I open my eyes, in this bowed posture, that Isee the light at my feet. I look up andaround and find myself immediately enveloped in soft light. Just enough for one step. That’s all that is required.

One.

Step.

In.

Faith.

Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a lightto my path.”

So even though my "feeling" heart senses that all is lost, my "faith-filled" heart knows there is something better.

As I move forward into this life that is not what I had hoped for – not what I had dreamed about for so many recent years – I know this lightwill wrap around me like a blanket, warm and protective. It will comfort me amidst the darkness and itwill guide me through it.

I don’t expect it to be easy; I don’t expect the pain to goaway immediately. But I know there willcome a day, when little by little as I grow stronger, more light will be givento me and the path will be made clearer, and I will fly like an eagle infreedom.

Until that day, my walk will be slow – it will become moresure and steady and strong with each small step I take forward.

What darkness are you walking through? Won't you allow the light to surround and comfort you as well?

Heaven Bent to Take My Hand...

2011-08-31T18:54:00.000-05:00

This song was my “theme song” during the first year after my divorce. After a while, other (happier) songs began to take its place. But recently things have happened to cause it to resurface and to make it seem to ring true to my feelings once again.

Thankfully, the pain hasn’t lasted *quite* as long this time…

Heaven certainly did (once again) bend to take my hand, and lead me through the fire…

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”~~Isaiah 43:2

At first I didn’t want to reach up and take hold of the hand that was being offered to me freely… lovingly… patiently…

I resisted vehemently. I wanted to wallow in my mess and my self-pity for a while longer. Surely if I did that, someone would notice and come wallow with me…misery loves company, yes?

No…that wasn’t what was to happen. There was a better lesson to be learned here. One that I have learned before, but easily forget. Which, in the circle of life, is how I end up getting myself into that big, hot mess laying on the bathroom floor sobbing my heart out over and over again.

Hesitatingly, I reached my fingers out…just a little…just enough to brush the tips of His fingers. But like a stubborn terrible-two year old, I jerked my hand back, stuck my bottom lip out, folded my arms and proceeded to pout and wallow just a little bit longer.

He didn’t move, though. He didn’t walk away, and He didn’t give in to my tantrum. As He always does, He remained steady and strong. He is the one constant in my life. And sometimes, to be really {REALLY} honest…it ticks me off!

Like that night on the bathroom floor…

When I was crying…

And screaming…

And begging…

And asking, “WHY MEEEEEE?” (Oh, yes – it’s always about *me* isn’t it? When will we learn?)

When I had finally exhausted myself mentally, emotionally and even physically – that’s when it happened. Sweet relief. When I was completely spent, completely empty.

That’s when He caused me to look up again, to reach up and put my whole hand in His.And from that Hand flowed beautiful, renewed life.

He wiped away the tears.He set my shoulders straight.He gave me…

Faith that all is well with my soul.

Hope that none other can promise

(and keep that promise).

Love that none other can *ever* provide.

I had to be empty to be able to receive those gifts (again). I had filled myself with so much worry, anger, self-pity, self-loathing, you name it! I had feasted gluttonously at the banquet table of my enemy and my soul was full of the sickness and death.

God knew that He would have to empty me (again) in order to fill me with Life.

So yes…

I’ve fallen…

I’ve messed up…

I’ve sunk very low…

Yes, I should have known better…

I’ve been told “I told you so”– so many times my heart and soul have bled from it...

But I have also been given unchangeable, unshakable, unmistakable Truth. Truth that crushes my enemy and sends him back to the depths of hell…so, Satan…run…run with your tail between your legs. You have no power here!

Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

and

Isaiah 54:17 says, “No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, said the Lord.”

and

Ephesians 6:11-13 says, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

I am standing by the grace of God.

My small hand in His.

Fully clothed in the armor He made specifically for me.

What about you…will you stay in the viper pit? Or will you reach up to the Hand that is freely, lovingly and patiently being held out to you as well?

Here is my new theme song…hope you enjoy it, too. Come awake…

“Oh death where is thy sting? Oh grave where is thy victory?”
~~1 Cor 15:55

Fly Away, Little Birdie, Fly Away

2011-08-16T19:50:00.004-05:00

Cradle Song

by Lord Alfred Tennyson

What does little birdie say

In her nest at peep of day?

Let me fly, says little birdie,

Mother, let me fly away.

Birdie, rest a little longer,

Till thy little wings are stronger.

So she rests a little longer,

Then she flies away.

What does little baby say,

In her bed at peep of day?

Baby says, like little birdie,

Let me rise and fly away.

Baby, sleep a little longer,

Till thy little limbs are stronger.

If she sleeps a little longer,

Baby too shall fly away.

Almost from the moment our children are born, we love them, nurturethem, teach them, and grow them. Weshape and mold, we laugh, we cry (sometimes both at the same time) and we fallto our knees in prayer.

All in the hope

that they will become strong, happy adults

who make theworld a better place through the gift of their love for others.

Why, then, is it such utter shock when, before we blink twice, it hasactually happened?

When they first start to become independent, we are happy and proud andthe little pang in our heart isn’t very noticeable.

It the teen years, the "pang" sometimes just outright feels like ourhearts have been torn out of our chests. There’s the chaos of a heart swollen with so much love you think itmight burst, mixed in with the ache of watching them make many of the samemistakes that you also made at their age, and all the while they move away fromneeding you like they did before at break-neck speed. They are just {{this little tiny bit}} out ofyour grasp.

And then – it truly seems like only a very short time – “suddenly”– ha! Yes, suddenly they are driving,they are spending time with “significant others” (whose names are not mom anddad); they are working and schooling and you barely catch a glimpse of them asthey come in the door and head off to bed.

Before you know what has happened, shelves and closets are emptied;boxes are packed and vehicles are loaded to the brim with all their worldlypossessions. You stand at the doorway orin the driveway with them, giving “just one more” hug, not wanting to ever letgo, but knowing you must. This is theirtime to fly.

It leaves an empty feeling in the heart. A place that is not easily or quicklyfilled.

Yet, every time they come back for a visit, it’s beautiful to watch how the gap seems to close back up – little by little. There is a new respect for life, for how the world “really” is, and sometimes – just sometimes – the realization that mom and dad were not as wrong as they seemed to be at one time.

Train up a child in the way he should go,

and when he is old he will not depart from it.

~~Proverbs 22:6~~

Time Marches On

2011-08-12T19:06:00.000-05:00

In my part of the country, it seems like we are going to dry up, shrivel up and blow away if we don’t get some rain soon.

And all over America many of us are feeling the crunch of an economy that seems to be drying up, too.

But time does march on. As the old saying goes, “This too shall pass.”

In the meantime, I am finding that the more time I spend recognizing and being thankful for the good things I’ve been blessed with, it makes the hard stuff just a little easier to bear.

So, this week – as the clocked ticked, perfect and staccato – I found a few things that gave me some joy.

– oh, what a sweet new addiction! It’s a place where you can make several “pinboards” that show collections of things you love. If you haven’t heard of it, or haven’t had a chance to check it out, head on over HERE right now!

An Unfinished Project – I have been working on this beauty for a couple of years off and on, and I am getting the desire to pull it out and {{hopefully}} finish it by the end of this year.

A Culinary Delight – in a town near where I live, there is a beautiful British café called Friar Tuck’s Pantry. I went on what I call a “God date” (time alone, but not isolated from the world, with God to enjoy His creation while studying His Word and listening). I ordered a Brie & Bacon Sandwich, and it was so yummy – it has this delicious raspberry spread on it, oh my! I paired it with a nice pot of Tropical green tea, and I’m pretty sure I got a glimpse of heaven!

Laying a Foundation – for my future. Yes, I’m actually sacrificing time with someone I care for very much in order to do a couple of things I’ve been wanting to do for a while:

I’m taking a Conversational Spanish class.

And I’ve finally found a volunteer niche that I believe I will fit in to – a volunteer Financial Coach to low-income individuals/families. And although these two things will be fun and fulfilling, they will both also be great resume builders! A two-for-one deal if there ever was one!

And last, but certainly not least – no, not at all…

This? Well, this…it’s just ~WRONG~ on so many levels, but– it just plain made me laugh (and we all need a good laugh every now & then).

What about you? What have you done for you lately? What things are bringing joy to your world?

You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16: 11

Chicken on a Chain

2011-08-09T19:00:00.003-05:00

Did the title catch your attention? Good, keep reading...you'll understand later!

This is one of those days when I've really had to search for something to make me smile, much less laugh. And I WANT to laugh - no I NEED to laugh. Because quite frankly, if I don't...I'm pretty sure I will cry.

And not just any kind of cry - the big kind. Oh, you know it...you've done it. Your chin starts to quiver and your eyes start to turn red. Then your bottom lip starts to stick out and before you know it, your whole face is red and swollen and you can't even breathe because of all the *snot* that has accumulated in your head.

Yep.

JUST. LIKE. THAT.

(Ok, yeah so that last part might have been

a little T. M. I. - but it's true.)

So, on days like this I need to find things that make me smile and laugh - even if it's just a little.

Here are a few of my favorite things...if you're having one of *those* days, maybe these will make yours a little brighter, too.

Cupcakes!

My Puppy

Sunflowers

Daydreaming of being at the beach

Weird stuff in my city (Austin, TX)

This isn't the clearest picture, but here it is folks...

Chicken on a Chain

Only here in Austin where we "Keep Austin Weird"!

I guess today's blog could be considered FLUFF, but it made me feel better! What about you? If you're having a hard time putting a smile on your face, what things might help to bring it back?

Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”

--Psalm 126:2

Falling

2011-07-28T20:20:00.001-05:00

It was a simple post on Facebook by a friend:

“Nothing like going out to dinner only to come home to

your 30 ft tall tree lying across the street.”

Just like that…unexpectedly, the tree fell over

and crashed to the ground.

Upon further investigation, they found that the tree – healthy looking with green leaves on the outside – had completely rotted inside.

There wasn’t enough IN it to sustain it.

I joked that there must be some kind of life lesson there. But is it a joke? What about us? Do we have enough IN us to keep us standing upright?

Or do we simply look good on the outside, while slowly – minute by minute – we are wasting away on the inside?

God tells us we have enough...

1 John 4:4 “…the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

and

2 Corinthians 12:9 “…my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

With our mouths we accept with a yes that seems sincere and heartfelt. On the outside we exhibit beautiful foliage…on the inside, we are dead.

We sink in the mire of our pasts…surely we can’t be forgiven of everything – especially “that” – but listen to what God says:

1 Jn. 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

We drown in the rapids of our present daily life, constantly worrying and we find ourselves making deals – “Lord, just get me through this and I promise…” – but read Matthew 6:25-34 and see what Jesus tells you.

We desperately grasp at the prospect of our future: will we ever *really* receive the desires of our heart? Listen to these beautiful promises from God:

Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Psalm 37:4 – “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”

It seems to me that we’ve made our Great God very small. Our mouths say that we believe, but our hearts remain hollow. We have become infested with lies and we have believed the “one in the world” over the promises of God.

As a result, we have come crashing down to the ground, much like my friend’s tree. People stare in wonderment, thinking “how could that happen? It (he/she) seemed just fine!” Ahh, but look there…it’s that little dark spot that starts in the center and slowly eats it’s way all the way through, until we can no longer stand on our own feet.

Unlike that tree, though, when we come crashing down (and most of us do at one time or another) we have the assurance of renewed life. It’s not a one-time deal either…it’s a forever deal. God is always there to help us, over and over and over, when we approach with sincere hearts.

God

…doesn’t leave us

…doesn’t forsake us

…goes with us every step of the way

We have to trust Him. We cannot try to understand his ways (Isaiah 55:8) and we most certainly cannot try to understand things from our very limited perspective (Prov. 3:5-6)

In my own life, things have not always been pretty, or easy, or good. However, in retrospect I can see where God has had his hand on me through it all, protecting me, loving me, teaching me (oh, how tough love can hurt!).

It is this knowledge that I now have, from those experiences when I was less mature, that encourage me to continue to move through this messy life; and when things get especially difficult, I know to lean all the harder into His wisdom, love and guidance.

So stand tall and beautiful, firmly rooted in His love. 2 Timothy 1:7 says “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of sound mind.” Those are not characteristics that correlate to being weak, empty, or hollow. YOU are filled solidly and stand firm because God’s Spirit lives in you. Reach your arms to Heaven and keep growing!

“Failure is not falling down but refusing to get up.”

--Chinese Proverb

Tea for Two & Two for Tea

2011-07-25T20:00:00.002-05:00

“The spirit of tea is one of peace, comfort and refinement.” --Arthur Gray

Did you know that tea is the 2nd most commonly consumed beverage in the world? (The first is water.)

Yes, I know at this writing that much of the United States is experiencing record high heat. But still…there is nothing more soothing and relaxing to me than a hot cup of tea. Unless it’s a hot cup of tea, a good book and a comfy couch! And it’s amazing how many teas there are out there…white, green, black, flavored, unflavored, and herbal teas (also known as tisanes – not a “true” tea). My favorite local tea shop carries over 200 teas (if you live in the Austin area, you should go visit - click the link)!!

My personal favorite is green tea. I enjoy it for its light taste, low caffeine (particularly in comparison to coffee) and health benefits. Among the various green teas available, I have two that are my all-time favorites:

Jasmine Pearls Tea – before you even drink this tea, just bringing it up to your nose to inhale the aroma is heavenly! I first came across this tea at a charity event, and I’ve been hooked ever since. (For you iced tea lovers out there, this makes a delicious and light summer drink.)

Walnut Green Tea - I believe there are slight variations on this blend depending on where you purchase it. The store where I purchase my tea locally serves up a delightful mixture of Chinese green tea, brittle bits, pineapple bits, coconut flakes, walnut bits, and almond bits. It’s like liquid candy!

There is something intimate about sharing tea with friends and loved ones. It evokes a sense of calm, brings the loud clanging of the world down a bit, allowing time to slow so that we can savor the moment.

Aside from the ability to calm the mind, tea has other health benefits as well:

Tea contains antioxidants that protect your body from the ravages of aging

and pollution

Tea has about ½ the caffeine that is found in coffee (high amounts of caffeine have been known to cause insomnia, jitters and headaches)

Tea protects your bones and teeth

(bet you didn’t know that tea contains fluoride, did you?)

More and more research is pointing toward tea being a cancer-fighting agent

and has been associated with reduced heart disease

Tea increases your metabolism

Now, for a yummy treat to go along with your tea, jump on over to The Pioneer Woman’s blog for this recipe for mini vanilla bean scones (I love the ones at Starbuck’s, and these look delightful to make!):

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/04/petite-vanilla-bean-scones/

Call up a girlfriend (or two) and have some fun girl time over a cup of tea. It will do your heart (and mind, body and soul) a world of good, as you bond your friendship.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:

If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

~~Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

An Unfortunate Fortune

2011-07-19T22:31:00.002-05:00

I love Chinese food, and my favorite part of the meal is the fortune cookie! There’s nothing like the anticipation of seeing what that little slip of paper will say! Now, I don’t really take those things to heart – I know it’s all in fun - but I did receive one recently that made me pause and think. Tiny red letters, neatly printed in all caps said:

“YOU WILL HAVE A COMFORTABLE LIFE”

Most people might give a little grin, maybe shrug their shoulders with a sigh, and then that little piece of paper would go directly into the trash and be forgotten. But the first thing that came into my mind was…

Really?
Comfortable?
Is that what I want?

Ok, I know…I know. It was probably just saying that I would have a pleasant life and not have to work so hard all the time. A smooth road ahead. But something in my head associates the word comfortable with complacent.

After all, once we get comfortable, aren’t we tempted to stay right there? Don’t rock the boat. Don’t step outside our little zone where everything is nice and tidy.

And if I’m “comfortable”, am I truly living as a Christ-follower? The Bible is very clear that the life of a Christian is very often far from easy or trouble-free.

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble.

~~John 16:33

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

~~1 Peter 5:10

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

~~1 Peter 4:12

I think I’m uncomfortable with being comfortable. If I’m comfortable I’m not moving anywhere. If I’m not moving, I’m not growing. If I’m not growing, I am becoming stagnant.

And God warns us in His word about that as well.

Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity

~~Heb 6:1

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

~~James 2:17

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not wishing for one struggle after another just so that I’m always on my toes. Not at all – I don’t have any desire to always be climbing uphill. Life’s plateaus (and even the valleys) offer reprieve from the climb.

Growth comes out of God stretching me beyond my comfort zones. These are the times when I see His mighty hand at work. These are the times that I am most keenly aware of His presence.

Being uncomfortable causes me to stir…it causes me to seek a better place, a better way.

...but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance...

~~Romans 5:3

I’ve kept that little piece of paper in my purse, and I pull it out every now and then to remind myself of all of this. I think maybe I’ll re-write this “unfortunate fortune” – I think I want it to say…

“YOU WILL HAVE A JOYFUL LIFE”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

~~Nehemiah 8:10

Revisiting My One Word

2011-07-14T23:14:00.000-05:00

In January of this year, I wrote a blog post about a new approach I am taking to the old “New Year’s Resolution” tradition (you can read about it here).

Since we are officially halfway through 2011, I think it’s a good time to check-in and evaluate how the “My One Word” concept is going.

The word I chose to represent what I wanted (and what I think God wants) for my life this year is RELEASE. I remember praying about it, and ever so softly hearing the word being spoken into my soul.

I also remember being excited about it, eager to “let go and let God”, anticipating freely and easily letting go of things that for so long have held me in bondage. I had visions of surrender, freedom, peace.

As time has passed, I have come to find that RELEASE is a hard word. It’s a scary word. And most of all, it’s a necessary word.

RELEASE means

you have to let go of some things that you love,

because you know in your heart of hearts that they are not good for you

RELEASE means

you have to trust that God knows what He’s doing,

even when things seem to be crashing down around you

And ultimately RELEASE means that WHEN you TRUST...

WHEN you LET GO...

You will see it all begin to unfold…

Right when you think your heart is breaking into a million pieces, He is beside you lovingly picking up all the pieces, holding them in His hands, patiently waiting for you to look up and surrender.

And when you look up, you will see Him do something amazing.

He will open His hands that have been holding those shattered pieces, and HE will RELEASE your mended, whole, beautiful heart…free of all those things that once held you back.

So, yes…RELEASE is HARD; RELEASE is SCARY; RELEASE is NECESSARY; and in every sense of the word RELEASE is FREEDOM!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

~~2 Corinthians 3:17

What's In A Word?

2011-06-28T20:53:00.002-05:00

Do you ever have times when you hear something, and it just sticks in your head? It’s usually some ridiculous car insurance jingle or something on that level. But sometimes it’s something that causes you to stop and really think. A single word that stirs your soul.

That word for me this week is

Yeah, I know…doesn’t seem very soul-stirring, does it? It’s not even a very pretty word. There are no romantic images that immediately pop into my head when I see it or speak it.

But when I put that word in the context of “cultivating” my heart, it’s stunning.

Let me back up just a little, without getting into too much detail. My life lately has been an emotional roller coaster. I attribute this to the fact that I have been trying for far too long to do things MY way, rather than to lean in to God and take his lead. When things didn’t go the way I wanted, I got discouraged; I numbed myself emotionally; and I allowed my heart to become hardened. Needless to say, there has been very little joy present in my life recently.

Fast forward a little now…

A precious friend of mine directed me to a podcast of a sermon from her church and as I listened, there was talk of becoming broken. Wait a minute…you’re probably wondering why someone would want to be broken, right? I mean, being broken HURTS. Being broken means you’re laying in a heap on the ground and you can’t do anything for yourself.

Ohhhh, BINGO!

This kind of broken is Holy and Sacred. {GOD – Break Me So You Can Make Me!!!!} This kind of broken is the beginning toward a “cultivation” of one’s heart.

The dictionary definition(s) of cultivate are:

to prepare and work on (as in tilling the land)
to promote or improve the growth of
to care for, attend to

I love the analogy that was used in the sermon: how when the ground becomes so hard, it will not readily soak in life-giving water. Hard, dry, cracked earth resists that which it so desperately needs.

And so it is with us. We harden our hearts to God and in so doing we become resistant to the “water from Heaven” that He so desperately wants to shower down on us.

But, He knows what it will take in order to get us to start soaking it in. He knows that, like the earth, our hearts must be worked, must be broken, must be tilled up from the depths of our darkness. And at that moment is when we can begin our process of cultivation.

Our hearts begin to be alive again. The life-giving water seeps into every broken piece and softens it. The broken, jagged edges begin to shift and move together to form fertile soil.

And the result? Nothing less than miraculous…

We grow

We experience unsurpassed joy

We know Love – not fleeting love – “Capital L” L-O-V-E!

If you’re feeling crumpled and laying on the ground; if you’re in a place where you don’t have the ability to get back up; REJOICE! Yes, I said rejoice…praise God, because you are in the exact place you need to be in order for him to MAKE YOU!!!

Open your arms wide in praise. Open your mouth in song to Him. Allow Him to rain down on you and refresh you to the depths of your soul.

Isaiah 55:10-13

As the rain and the snow

come down from heaven,

and do not return to it

without watering the earth

and making it bud and flourish,

so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

so is my word that goes out from my mouth:

It will not return to me empty,

but will accomplish what I desire

and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

You will go out in joy

and be led forth in peace;

the mountains and hills

will burst into song before you,

and all the trees of the field

will clap their hands.

Instead of the thorn bush will grow the juniper,

and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.

This will be for the LORD’s renown,

for an everlasting sign,

that will endure forever.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Do You Hear What I Hear?

2011-06-12T16:01:00.000-05:00

In our busy world, we are inundated with noise. Hundreds of noises constantly move through our lives and we’ve become so used to it all we hardly notice it.

Cars, airplanes, computers, telephones, the background buzz and whir of a multitude of electronics and appliances.

Not to mention all the inner noise running through our heads - the self conversations of to do lists, of what-ifs, the should-haves and the broken dreams that we re-live over and over.

It’s no wonder so many in this world are lost and not able to hear the voice of God, including many Christians. We often don’t stop long enough to even wonder if any of what we are hearing is from God.

Sometimes I close my eyes and imagine what it must have been like before God breathed our world into existence. My imagination hears the soft swish of wind as He moves about. And I imagine after each day of the creation perhaps a little more sound, but still all very gentle.

The soft and flowing sound of running streams; the hushed breezes blowing through the trees; and when He created man, the soft padding of their bare feet as they meandered through the garden.

How beautifully serene it all must have been. So pure and unpolluted and melodic. Nothing to numb the senses to the gifts that God had bestowed. He didn’t have to be sought out among a thousand other things. His miraculous beauty was in and on and around everything.

Today, when we do find Him – truly sit with Him, listen, learn, love and give thanksgiving – it’s rarely (if ever) among the noise and busy-ness of our days. To truly love Him and give him thanks requires us to stop (even if it’s only for a few seconds). It requires us to slow down, to rest. And that’s when we are able to see the good of it all.

Think about it…even God himself did not create the world in just a few seconds with the snap of his majestic fingers – He could have, but He did not. The Bible tells us each day He created…he stopped…he looked…he saw that it was good…and He rested. He took time to enjoy each step of the process. (Genesis 1:1-31)

I believe that is how He also intended us to enjoy what He so carefully created for us. To stop, to look, to see that it is good, and to rest in Him with praise and thanksgiving. When we do not, we miss out on the miracles He has set in our path. We lose out on the joy of the moment because we are trying so hard to get to the next step – often before we even consider if that step is from Him or if it’s “man-made”.

I recently read a book (One Thousand Gifts, by Ann Voskamp) that introduced me to the word Eucharisteo. It is Greek in origin, and means to be grateful, feel thankful or to give thanks. The author states a simple and profound truth:

"Eucharisteo always precedes the miracle."

But to get to Eucharisteo, we must slow down. This is the only way we will see all the beauty in our lives. Even the things that don’t SEEM beautiful (laundry, fighting kids, lovers who break our hearts), to stop and look at those things and offer thanksgiving to Him…that is the only way to get to the miracle.

Thank you, Father, for water and soap to clean our clothes so we are comfortable.

~~~~~~~~

Thank you, Father, for these children with healthy minds and bodies.

~~~~~~~~

Thank you, Father, for the opportunity to have loved.

And when you see these things as blessings, when you hear His “still, small voice” (1 Kings 19:11-12) as you stop to give your thanksgiving, even for the very breath you are now breathing…

He will speak to you.

He will fill you.

He will show you real love.

His words will block out all the other noise of the world in that moment. And you will know the miracle of hearing the Living God.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength. Isaiah 30:15

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. –Isaiah 26:3

Thrifting as Art

2011-02-06T17:46:00.000-06:00

In my younger years, I spent my shopping days in the “upper end” malls in Dallas, sweeping through stores like Macy’s and Neiman Marcus. I didn’t give much thought to paying $50.00 for a t-shirt with a designer’s name on it. It’s amazing what time, maturity, and lack of money can do to a person.

I have recently been {briefly} introduced to the world of thrifting. During conversation, several of my friends have revealed that the darling clothes they are sporting are actually - *gasp* - thrift finds! WHAT?! Stores like Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Savers are apparently all chock FULL of amazing deals!

Now, I haven’t quite mastered the entire art of thrifting, but I think I’m on the right path. My first outing produced 5 items for $20. Here is what I picked up today:

Purple Cardigan

(it's sooooo soft!) - $5.99

Yellow Cardigan

(look at the cute sleeve details!) - $4.99

Multi-colored knit top - $3.99

Teal Knit Cami - $2.99

And last but not least...

Silver Bead & Wire Earrings - $2.99

My friend Nikki over at The Beauty Bargainista – now this girl knows how to work it! She would have gone on a day when items were half off and gotten twice as much. And used a coupon to boot! Go check out her blog (click link above). She has tips on fashion and make-up, and right now she’s doing this really cool challenge called the “30 for 30 Remix”.

As for me, I am absolutely thrilled with my purchases, and I think I have now found a new obsession!

Do you thrift shop? What is your favorite place to go?

It's Time

2011-02-04T22:20:00.000-06:00

I don't know how many of you out there really read or follow my writing, but just in case...

I just don't have anything in me to write. I've been nearly dry as a bone in the creative juices department since the beginning of the year. It has taken me hours to work on the few posts I have managed to squeak out. The amount of traffic to my blog (or I really should say "lack of") shows it to be truth that my writing is lacking substance and inspiration.

I think it may be time to either:

Give it up completely...

Or just leave it alone for a little while...

Guess I'll just have to play it by ear.

The Sound of Silence

2011-01-26T20:19:00.000-06:00

I breathe in….

                         …and out…

                                                     …in…

                                                                      …and out…

In the silence, I can feel the soft beating of my heart…hear the slight whoosh in my ears as I sit here in this place I’ve called home for so long now.

It’s times like this when so many memories fill my head.

It’s times like this when I begin to reflect on my life, remembering the good, the bad, and the terribly ugly.

It’s times like this when regret sets in…

…when shame hovers dark and heavy…

…when loneliness taunts from every shadowy corner…

…when tears brim and eventually spill…

…a heart wrenches and a soul cries out “why?”…

And in the silence, through the tears...over the sound of the heart that is breaking…

I hear His small, still voice…

{“I’m here”} – my breath catches
{“I always have been”} – I am humbled
{“I love you”} – my heart leaps
{“I always have”} – I believe
{“I always will”} – and now the tears are those of joy

With every wrong turn I make, he puts another turn in front of me, steering me back in the right direction – gently prodding me and guiding me.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” ~~Isaiah 30:21

I feel His strong and gentle arms wrap around all of me…

Heart
                    Mind
                                      Body
                                                        Soul

In the silence, I am in awe that He could love me…a sinner of the worst kind…and yet I have a knowing in this wildly beating heart of mine that, like King David, He sees me as a (wo)man after His own heart. It gives me cause to bow down in thanksgiving, here in this quiet place where it’s just me and Him.

The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. ~~1 Samuel 16:7

The sound of silence is the small, still voice…His voice…

Listen...

He’s calling your name…

Walking On Sunshine

2011-01-22T13:22:00.001-06:00

Ahhhhhh... bright, beautiful, warm sunshine! After several days of cloudy, cold, windy days and bone-chilling nights here in Central Texas, I woke up this morning to a glorious sight - the sun was out in full glory. The sky a crystal clear blue. It took all that I had to not go outside and hoop and holler a chorus of hallelujah's to the heavens (I did so rather quietly in my bed while still tucked under the covers, lest the neighbors think I had completely lost my mind).

It is true, there are some real dangers to sun exposure, but I am truly saddened that the sun has been made to be some kind of "monster". As with many other things potentially dangerous, moderation is the key. There are so many wonderful benefits of sunshine that have been pushed aside and forgotten. Scientists and doctors seem bent on scaring us all to stay into the dark caves of our homes and offices out of fear of what "might" happen to us if a little bit of sun touched our skin.

Below are some wonderful benefits of enjoying the sun, but first I want to point out that God made the sun - and God does not create "bad" things. The sun is SO important that God made it in what is known as the very first day!!!

Genesis 1:1-5 says:

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.

Did you catch that? It says "God saw that the light was good..." That alone is enough to convince me that the sun is not my enemy!

But for those who need a little more prompting, keep reading!

A daily dose of sunshine enhances your immune system. It increases the number of white blood cells in your blood, and helps them to fight in destroying germs better.

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Sunshine encourages healthy circulation, and stimulates the production of more red blood cells which, in turn, increases the oxygen in your blood.

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Got the blues? One of the major benefits of sunlight is that it soothes your nerves and boosts your mood by increasing the production of endorphins and serotonin in your brain.

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Getting enough sunlight during the day can help you sleep better at night. Exposure to natural light during the day increases your melatonin output at night. Melatonin is a natural hormone made by our bodies that enhances sleep and slows down the aging process.

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Sunlight helps to balance out your hormones. Some studies show it may even help to relieve certain symptoms of PMS (can I hear a good Amen?!)

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Sunlight helps your body convert a form of cholesterol that is present in your skin into vitamin D. This results in lower blood cholesterol levels.

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And of course, a definite plus is that sunshine gives you a healthy looking complexion. It will make your skin smooth with an irresistible healthy glow.

So, get on out there and catch a few rays! Yes, be wise and take necessary precautions so that you don't over-do it. Remember, the sun is not your enemy - it is the source of life and growth for us and all the earth. Go enjoy it!

One Word

2011-01-15T11:56:00.012-06:00

There’s a lot of talk this time of year about “resolutions”. We make our lists and we resolve to improve our lives in these areas. For some, the list is only a couple of items; for others the list seems endless. It can be overwhelming, and often by February those lists have already been long forgotten in the tangle of daily life.

I have stumbled upon and embraced a new concept recently – an “un-resolution”, if you will. I heard about it from a friend on Facebook first, and then again on a national radio station that I listen to every day. It’s called “My One Word” (click here to go to the website and check it out for yourself).

I realize that not all of my readers are Christians; some of you may not even consider faith to be a part of your life. Don’t let that deter you from thoroughly checking this out (although there’s nothing better, in my opinion, than getting to know our Creator and Savior). The principle of this concept can be used by anyone.

It is going to take some time – a little work – a lot of thinking. Don’t sit down and just pick any old word. Think forward. Think about how you would like to see your life – see yourself – at the end of this year.

I don’t want to give too much more detail here. I really want you to go to the website, read through and follow the instructions.

And then…come back here, share your word in the comments section and how/why you came to choose that word. If you have a scripture verse/quote that goes along with it, please share that as well.

And now, you ask, what is MY word? My word is…

~~~RELEASE~~~

I chose this word because it is time for me to truly release the past – all the hurts, all the mistakes, everything. To release it from my own hands, to toss it all up to the heavens and to let God have it all. I realized that I cannot move forward until I have completely let go of the past. I am hindering myself in the work He has for me by clinging to the past. My ultimate goal by the end of this year is to be a free woman -free from the bondage of my past -so that I can live the life that I was meant to live all along for Him.

My scripture verse:

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
~~Matthew 6:33

Wishing all of you a very happy 2011. I hope you all find what you are seeking - because we are all seeking - and I pray that by the end of this year (and all throughout) that you will be blessed with the knowing that you are loved.

Someone's Baby

2011-01-11T20:25:00.000-06:00

This.....

...is someone's baby. Her mother tried to abort her, and she lived to tell about it. You can read her story here. And you can help stop abortion. What will you do?

This....

...is someone's baby. She has just been beaten by someone who said they loved her. You can help stop family violence. What will you do?

This...

...is someone's baby. He was taken from his home at 8 years old and made to watch while strangers killed and mutilated his family. You can help stop child trafficking for purposes of war. What will you do?

These...

...are someone's babies. Some were told they would be given a better life. A career, money, love. Instead, they spend their days and nights servicing male clients - sometimes 12 or more in a day's time. Some were promised nothing, only forced to do the unthinkable. You can help stop human trafficking for the purposes of sex slavery. What will you do?

This...

...is someone's baby. Her pillow is made of cold hard concrete, and she spends her days feeling worthless and ashamed as she begs for money or food from strangers who often don't even acknowledge her presence. You can help stop homelessness. What will you do?

Each of us individually is not able to do {everything}; but each of us is able to do {something}. What will you do? I pray that you will look around you at everything you have been blessed with. I pray that you will fall on your knees in thanksgiving. And I pray that you will then get up off your knees and go out into to the world and DO SOMETHING.

"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

Matthew 25:40

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We love because he first loved us.

1 John 4:19

What Matters Most

2011-01-01T10:44:00.000-06:00

I think for most of us, we would agree that what matters most to us is our family and our friends. Those relationships in our lives are vital, and we put a great deal of effort into them every day.

Did you know that there is another relationship that is even MORE important? One that should come above even your spouse and children?

Did you know that even though when you put this relationship above your family and friends, it doesn't take away from them, but it actually enhances and enriches all of your other relationships?

I am talking about a relationship with God, our Father in heaven. If it were not for Him, we would not have all the others in our lives.

This year, I am committing to getting to know God better. God the Father...God the Son...God the Holy Spirit. Each works differently and yet they are mysteriously the same. I think it is important to know all three parts of the Trinity in order to gain a full understanding.

The only way we get to know someone is by spending time with them. Listening and learning. Asking questions and receiving answers in return. Learning about God and getting to know him looks different for everyone, but if you are just starting out - or like me returning to sit at the feet of our Lord - one of the best ways to understand Him is to study the Bible.

I am participating in a "Scripture Memory Team" that is sponsored by {Living Proof Ministries} with Beth Moore. This plan is so simple and is a wonderful way to jumpstart keeping yourself immersed in the Word of God. The directions for participation appear in this blog post {click here} and you can enter your first verse of the year {here}.

Like I said, it's really simple. You are only committing to memorizing 2 verses a month (verses of YOUR OWN CHOOSING - this needs to be meaningful to YOU); only 24 for the entire year! I will have a page on my blog dedicted just to this, and I would love to have you follow along with me.

May God bless you richly this year!

"You crown the year with Your good blessings, and You leave abundance in Your wake."

Psalm 65:11

The NET Bible

Renewal

2010-12-26T21:00:00.001-06:00

With the quiet passing of Christmas Day and the New Year now quickly approaching, I find myself with a sense of urgency to start the process of wading through the “stuff” in my life.

To cleanse and purge.

To renew and refresh.

I don’t do “New Year’s Resolutions” – at least not in the traditional sense. Every day brings each of us the opportunity to start over, grab hold of a fresh start and try again at what we perhaps didn’t quite accomplish the day before.

Because of that, my “resolutions” tend to come on a day-to-day, week-to-week, month-to-month basis, which turns into a year that very often shows a good deal of growth and accomplishment. Of course, this growth and accomplishment rarely happens in the way I imagine it, and many times what I might have had in mind isn’t exactly how things turn out. But the evidence of change is still always there.

I look back on this past year, and think about the things I had originally thought were important to accomplish (you know…losing “x” amount of pounds; doing more of this and less of that). Many of the things I started out with were “me” focused.

Somewhere along the way, seeds were planted and the notion that “it isn’t all about me” began to grow inside me until I started to burst at the seams.

I began to look outside myself and my own sorrows and the things I thought were wrong and pitiful with my life. It didn’t take long to see that the only thing wrong and pitiful with my life was my attitude!

I found that the more I looked outside of myself – the less I focused on what I didn’t have – the more I focused on how I could give to others…I was able to clearly see the blessings in my life. Not just the roof over my head or the food on my table. I actually began to SEE God loving me.

Hard decisions were made.

Comfort zones were stepped out of.

Relationships were built...and relationships were severed.

All done in faith because of the seeds of wisdom and love that were carefully placed in my heart.

Wisdom and love that says:

“You are worthy”

“You are beautiful”

“You are unique”

“You are blessed”

“You have strength beyond your own knowing”

“You are loved for YOU, not for what you can DO”

Because of that I have been enabled to go out and plant seeds in others; usually in quiet ways, but still being done.

There is a world FULL of people in situations that may be completely different from mine, but there is still the same struggle, the same pain deep in the heart and soul, and the same desire to make it better.

To fight the struggles, to heal the pain and to make life better, the focus must shift from “things”. THINGS do not produce happiness. THINGS are blessings for which we should be grateful but they should never be exalted to “god” status. Family, friends, houses, cars, jobs, clothing, food…all necessities of life, but never intended to be obsessed over, hoarded, or obtained in excess. If you wake up one day and all of those things are gone, is life over? No. Difficult? Painful? Incomprehensible even? Yes.

So as I begin this process of going through my stuff…examining each and every thing (material or otherwise), I am eagerly expectant – and admittedly even a {little} nervous – to see how it feels to release much of the unnecessary weight I carry around with me each day.

I think it will be quite wondrous to experience even just a touch of true freedom!

Here We Come A'Wassailing

2010-12-14T21:49:00.000-06:00

I recently attended a Christmas gathering with some of my girlfriends, and one of the delights of the evening was a delicious, warm mulled cider. I don’t remember exactly the ingredient list, but I believe it was a mixture of apple juice, brown sugar and mulling spices. It was so good, and made me feel warm all the way to my toes!

I had often heard of this delightful beverage referred to as “wassail”. The word wassail is derived from an old Anglo-Saxon term meaning to “be whole”, and when drinking it you were said to be drinking to the health of someone.

One tradition from England that became known as “wassailing” was to have a party where carols were sung and the wassail was accompanied by many toasts. Some of these parties even involved traveling from house to house, caroling and giving blessings to neighbors and loved ones. Thus we now have the familiar and famous wassailing carol:

What a lovely tradition!

Wouldn’t it be nice to visit a simpler time when the best gifts (and many times the ONLY gifts) were handmade with love – not bought last minute in a rush?

Wouldn’t it be nice to walk from house to house visiting neighbors, family and friends, truly sharing the season in a relaxed, easy way – not rushing to see how fast we can pull our car in the garage so we don’t have to even see our neighbors?

There are many things I am grateful for in our modern times, but there are many things from times long ago that I wish would come back in vogue. Families that lived close by; lifelong friends; long, warm evenings spent by a fire or beside a piano… it seems that much of our modern-day life has lost its sweetness, even its romance.

I often think about what we could do to bring back that sweetness.

To make each day a little more lovely…a little more magical…a lot more meaningful.

I haven’t come up with a lot of solutions, though. It seems the world is spinning at break-neck speed and there’s no way to stop it.

What do you think?

When Christmas Loses Its Sparkle

2010-12-07T20:56:00.000-06:00

As kids get older and families get ever busier, it seems that Christmas loses some of its sparkle.

But what are we to do? We certainly can’t stop the kids from growing (although I wish I could freeze time)!

And with so many families having every child in 2 or more extracurricular activities, it’s not likely that our busy lives are going to get any less busy.

Many times, rushing around with all this busy-ness can bring on a lot of stress, strain and tears – particularly during this time of year.

So it seems to me the answer lies within how we use the time we are given. Here are a few suggestions that might help bring your Christmas season back to being merry and bright!

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#1 – For those who celebrate Christmas, there really IS a reason why! Remember that reason daily by participating in Advent using an advent calendar (click here for a few examples) or by doing Jesse Tree devotionals (click here for a beautiful e-book you can download). Even though Advent has already begun, it’s not too late to jump right in on remembering the “Reason for the Season”.

#2 – Make a little extra time by NOT slaving over a hot stove every night of the week. If you don’t have a crock-pot, I highly recommend at least TWO in every household! One of our favorite meals, especially this time of year, is a crock-pot roast with potatoes & carrots. Here’s my simple recipe:

Shoulder roast, 6 medium potatoes quartered, small bag of baby carrots, 1 can of cream of mushroom soup, 2 pkgs of onion soup mix, 2 cups of water. Place roast in crock-pot, put potatoes and carrots on top, mix together soups and water, pour over entire contents in crock-pot, cook on low 8-10 hours.

#3 – Put on some Christmas music, make some hot chocolate, light a fire and gather around it together – even for just ½ hour. Take turns sharing your favorite thing about Christmas. If you don’t have a fireplace, sit around the Christmas tree. Just be sure everyone gets a turn to share.

#4 – Bundle everyone up, grab Fido, and go for a walk around your neighborhood to look at all the decorated houses. When you come back, make some S’mores (we’ve done this via microwave even, so you don’t have to have an open flame – although I think that a little burnt marshmallow just makes it so much better!).

#5 – I mentioned this in one of my previous posts, but get out some paper and scissors and make some paper snowflakes. Hang them with string from the ceiling or tape them to your windows.

These suggestions all still take some time to actually do, but hopefully they will prove to be simple enough that they can be slipped in-between some of those busy moments we often catch ourselves in.

What can you think of to do when your holiday season starts to lose its sparkle?

Saving Me

2010-12-05T00:10:00.000-06:00

Who am I?

I am “mom” to three great kids; I am “friend” to several bright, beautiful women; I am “daughter” to my sweet daddy; I am a “worker” at my job. I am a “member” at my church.

I DO all of those things. Yes, they are all pieces of what makes up “me”.

But who am I? Who do I want to be?

I suppose I should have been asking myself that 25-plus years ago when the world was right there at my feet waiting to be discovered and conquered.

Instead, I was busy trying to find love – definitely in all the wrong places.

It was a while before I found it.

Real love.

In tiny pink feet and hands, wrapped in a pink blanket.

And then two years later in even tinier pink feet and hands – a double blessing, each wrapped in blue.

That was love. That was my soul incarnate. That was straight from heaven, knowing that I would never make it through the next several years of life without it. Without them.

They saved me.
HE saved me.

Not for the first time by far. But this time in the most tangible way I had ever known. He picked up the pieces of my broken past and my broken heart. He gently washed each piece in a river of His own tears and fit together all the jagged edges, and for the first time in my life I felt alive. I felt the beating of hearts and the sweet softness of little hands that knew goodness and love unending. I had been given a life of purpose, promise and meaning.

The world and its prowler couldn’t leave well enough alone, though. Lies were slyly whispered. Tantalizing images were dangled in front of me. And like Eve so very long ago, I blindly – weakly - believed, and with selfish abandon I destroyed the world and the lives around me.

For some reason that still hasn’t been revealed to me yet, He has once again found favor with me and picked up the pieces. There were a lot more of them this time, but nothing is too great for Him. And even though they were shattered and scattered and all mixed together in a burning, smoking heap of ashes, He knew where each and every piece belonged.

Somehow… even though looking back at the path behind me, it is crooked and broken and in some places there are spirals that seem never-ending… somehow, He has brought me – all of us really - to a place where love is flourishing again.

To a place where the discovery of who I am and who I want to be is far different from that other lifetime long ago. A place where I do not come first, but He does. And those He calls His own come next. And I am daughter, humble servant, faithful companion.

So...Who am I? I think the better question is WHOSE am I?

I am loved… I am worthy… I am His.

I am one He calls “beloved”.

"My beloved spoke and said to me, “Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, come with me."

Song of Solomon 2:10

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like....

2010-11-30T18:27:00.000-06:00

Christmas?!

Really???? Already??????

As far as the weather is concerned here in Central Texas, it still doesn't LOOK like Christmas, but the lights, the sounds, the songs and the shoppers all tell us that it certainly IS that time again!

Even though I grew up in Texas, I spent many Christmases in Indiana visiting family, so I am not unfamiliar with winter weather.

I love snow. I love how magical it is, when out of the corner of your eye the first few little flakes begin to quietly fall from the sky. And then little by little the world turns into a larger-than-life snowglobe!

Standing on my parents' back porch out in the country... listening as it falls... yes, there are sounds in the snow. Whispers of beauty... whispers straight from heaven, as each snowflake gently lands on the tree branches, slowly but surely covering the ground like a blanket laid out by the angels.

One year - I can't remember exactly how many years back... 6 or 7 maybe - we were spending Christmas here in Texas. I was determined, however, to have some winter wonderland in my house! I pulled out scissors and white paper and coffee filters. I sat the kids down at the table. We folded paper. We cut. And magically our dining table became covered in a blanket of beautiful paper snowflakes. It was only last year that I finally took down those snowflakes from the window. One of my boys still has his window filled with them.

Memories...so sweet and never too far away to remember the happiness felt in those simple moments together. And I think it might be time for us to pull out the scissors and paper and make all new ones. It doesn't matter that they are all teenagers now.

Now, if you don't cherish the thought of trying to pick up a million-billion-gadzillion little pieces of paper (ok, I exaggerate), you can go here and cut a "virtual" snowflake. It takes a little getting used to how to wield the scissors, but it is so fun...and addicting. So go....go create a little magic of your own! Let me know how you like it!

Oh, and for those of you who really would like to try the paper version, here are some instructions to get you started.

Put on some Christmas music, gather around the table, and let the memories begin!!!

It's a Family Tradition

2010-11-23T20:29:00.000-06:00

I seem to have gotten a bit off-track on my proposed “Things November” series. Honestly, there are some days in November that, for centuries, have just been… well… boring – plain and simple. Today is one of those.

So, with the holiday season in full swing and families starting to gather all around the country, I started thinking about traditions – particularly those that kick off Christmas. Most families have at least one tradition that gets passed from generation to generation – sometimes quite on purpose and sometimes it is just such a part of who we are, we don’t even know any different.

Here are a few traditions that I have either personally taken part of, or have wished I could!

I grew up an only child, so needless to say there were lots of presents…just for me. My mom was always too excited to wait until Christmas for me to open them, so beginning on or around the first of December, I was allowed to open a present a day – HER choosing of course! Amazingly, there were still a ton of presents under the tree on Christmas morning. I compromised on this little tradition with my own kids. They are allowed to open ONE present on Christmas Eve, but nothing else until Christmas morning!

My parents’ respective families all lived very far away from us, so we often ended up traveling long distances to visit over the holidays. There was one particular set of aunt/uncle/cousins that we visited where every year they made holiday cookies with colored cookie dough – red, white and green. They were in many different shapes – candy canes, wreaths, etc. They all tasted the same but I think it was just how festive they looked that made me completely fall in love with them. And of course, we were always sent home with a tin!

When I was a freshman in college, I dated a blonde-haired, blue-eyed Polish boy from Syracuse, New York. One of his family’s traditions was the making of pierogis, and let me tell you…he brought me back some frozen ones that he had saved for me…oh, myyyyyy…if they were that good frozen, what in the world must they have tasted like fresh?? Apparently it was quite the production, as everyone in the house was put to work to help make them!

My parents had some neighbors for many, many years who really liked to par-tay! They were well known for their big bashes, which always seemed to involve the host and hostess becoming what my mother called “schnockered”. And it’s no wonder…every year they would send us over a box of homemade bourbon balls and all I can says is WHOA! They must have used a whole bottle in the recipe. They were actually fun, sweet, delightful people who were very giving. I remember them fondly, although I have to admit I think I remember the smell of them first. ;-)

The one tradition that I started with my own kids and have carried through the years is what we call “special ornament shopping”. Every year, within a day or two of having set up our tree, we venture out to several stores in search of the perfect ornament for each of us to add to the tree for that year. The purpose behind this is so that when each child leaves home, they will have a full box of ornaments to decorate their own tree. Plus each ornament has special meaning to them. It’s really sweet to see almost-grown kids choosing carefully – sometimes painstakingly – their ornament.

What traditions do you and your family share that make the season memorable?

Everyday Miracles

2010-11-21T17:11:00.000-06:00

My pastor began preaching a sermon series on Miracles today, and as usual his words have had a profound impact on my thinking.

Webster’s dictionary defines the word miracle as “an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs”.

An EXTRAORDINARY event.

A DIVINE intervention in human affairs.

Personally, every day of my life has what I consider to be “extraordinary” events. Yes, I know that extraordinary means unusual or out of the ordinary. But is there really anything just plain ordinary? If I’m thinking on the level of “divine intervention in human affairs”, certainly not. Divinity is anything BUT ordinary.

In a 24 hour period, the world spins on its axis and we have day and night.

Extraordinary.

The sun rises and the sun sets.

Extraordinary.

Each morning, we wake up. We take in breath. Life.

Although some of us do not experience all of our senses, we each are still blessed with at least some, if not all.

Seeing, smelling, hearing, feeling, tasting.

Experiencing God’s world.

His presence.

Extraordinary.

So many miracles. Every day. And I fear we have become numb to them.

We take them for granted like spoiled children.

Or if we don’t receive them when and how we think we should, we stomp and pout and point our fingers in accusation…toward others…toward God.

In rebellion we close our eyes, shake our heads, turn our backs. And then…

Miracles pass us right on by.

The very breath I breathe in and out is a miracle.

My heart that beats in the center of my chest – in the center of my very soul – THAT is a miracle.

The fact that food is put on the table every night, that I am blessed with shelter, clothing, and the One Great God who loves me…totally all miracles.

Family, friends, kind strangers (even the not-so-kind ones can be blessings if you look a little deeper) – miracles.

Why do I call all of these seemingly ordinary things miracles? Because I believe that every single one of them is presented to me through divine intervention.

Every.

Single.

One.

I may not always treat these gifts as the miracles they are. As a matter of fact, I am guilty of taking for granted many of these at any given time. And ashamedly, there are times when I’ve just tossed some of them aside like garbage.

Funny thing is, though…God is in the business of picking up what we throw out as garbage and turning it back around into something gorgeous.

“and provide for those who grieve in Zion — to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.”

Isaiah 61:3

What miracles have you missed because of your stubborn ways?

What miracles are staring you in the face and you aren’t even recognizing them?

Don't let them pass you by.

Things November: Nov. 16, 2010

2010-11-16T12:18:00.000-06:00

November 16th is International Day for Tolerance

The International Day for Tolerance is set aside to teach about respecting and recognizing the rights and beliefs of others. It is a time of reflection and sometimes even debate on the negative effects of intolerance. Live discussions and debates take place throughout our planet on this day, focusing on the negative impact that different forms of injustice, oppression, racism and unfair discrimination have on society.

This day is also an opportunity taken by many human rights activists to speak out on human rights laws, and in some workplaces, special programs, talks, or messages from leaders about the importance of tolerance are presented. More information can be found at the United Nations web page.

In the past, the word “tolerance” has had a negative connotation to me. As illustrated in the definitions below, it seems to indicate more of an attitude of just “putting up” with something or someone, rather than “acceptance”.

Tolerance -

1. to endure (or in my own terms: to put up with)

2. sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one's own

Accept (root of acceptance) -

1. to receive willingly

2. to give approval to

I have come to the conclusion, however, that tolerance is not a negative word, but rather the context in which we use it is either negative or positive. Tolerance is not the same as accepting all practices or views as equal. More accurately, it is developing a higher awareness of and respect for many different universal human rights and basic freedoms.

Tolerance is intended to show respect. Respect for people, not necessarily for their actions. I do not have to accept another person’s actions as right, but I do need to respect that person’s right to their viewpoint. I do not have the right to degrade or look down upon anyone because of their views. But that does not mean I have accepted those views.

Does that mean I am not going to stand up for what I believe in? That I am just going to roll over and play dead when someone does or says something that I believe is morally or ethically wrong? No, not at all. It means that I will respectfully, openly approach that person in an attitude of humility. I will make the environment such that they do not feel threatened. I will welcome rebuttal and feedback, and expect to receive the same – all in love and the need to understand. Ignorance is NOT bliss. Ignorance leads to prejudice and hate.

That’s not the kind of world I want to live in, nor to hand over to my children when the time comes.

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."

Ephesians 4:2