2013 Becoming 2014

Today is the last day of 2013.  

I will say it again, 

Today is the last day 2013.  

My word for 2013 was CHOICES.  What was your word?  Or have you forgotten it as the days have melted together into the blur called 2013?  I've been reflecting on 2013 and I have to smile.  Choices huh? Even through the challenges and growing pains of 2013 God has shown me more about Himself which in turn allows me to see more about myself.  Let me just say that I am far from being the best at making choices, but I make them none the less.

I love this quote from Neil Peart, "If you choose not to decide you still have made a choice."

But in my choices for 2013 here are just a few of the things I've learned about myself:

• I know much less than I thought I did and I'm okay with admitting that.
• I like iced coffee a little too much.
• I am braver than I knew, but not as brave as I can be.
• God is life and life is full of surprises
• It's okay to cry but more importantly its okay to laugh.
• I've been blessed beyond measure by my husband and children who encourage and believe in me even when I don't believe in myself.
• Being there is more important than empty words of wisdom.
• I still don't like dark chocolate.
• Nothing replaces family.
• I am surrounded by friends who speak truth into my ears even when I don't want to hear it.  Friends that won't give up on me.  Friends that challenge and inspire me like nobodies business.
• I am able to love myself & others, forgive myself & others, and allow God to do the revealing and healing.  Repeat as needed.
•  I am the least of these in desperate need of the ONE who knows me better than I know myself.
• I'm ready for 2014

So what is your word for 2014?  It's not too late you know.  I have to admit I was getting a bit anxious for God to reveal it to me but reveal it he did.  

"For we were saved in this hope, 

but hope that is seen is not hope; 

for why does one still hope for what he sees?

 But if we hope for what we do not see, 

we eagerly wait for it with perseverance"

  Romans 8:24-25 NKJV

My word for 2014 is:

Classified: Help Wanted

"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."  Matthew 6:33

I don't know how it is for you but when reality hits, it is not a love tap but it hits me hard.  I love football so that is the best analogy I can relate to, a bone-jarring, knock the wind out of you, what just happened kind of hit.

These past couple of months have been like that for me.  I am a closer to 50 than I want to be woman.  A woman who has had the blessed honor of being home the past 20 years to raise my kids, help my husband with his painting business and realize my hearts desire is to serve the Lord by mentoring and encouraging women. 

Just like I am not the same woman who left the job market 20 years ago, neither is the world I am re-entering.  I am learning a whole lot about myself.  Enter reality, I am returning to school and attempting to re-enter the job market with as much confidence and grace as I can muster.  There have been many, many humbling moments for me, I will humor you by sharing a few of them:  

• School, well school doesn't even resemble learning as I remember.  I sit in a classroom consisting of computers and other folks just like me trying to absorb and keep up with the ever-changing world. 
•  I've learned my resume is antiquated and that there is a much greater chance of a computer scanning my resume looking for "keywords" than there is a human being ever seeing it.  And on the off-chance a human does look at it, they will scan it for no more 10-seconds and decide whether I am worthy of an interview.  
• I will just be honest here, as much as I rebel instead of embrace the joys of aging, it is a factor in learning. Okay, in my case it's remembering what you have learned.  Even more so as I attempt to be uber creative in my approach of finding a job. No surprise God has that covered as well:

"Even to your old age and gray hairs

I am he,

I am he who will sustain you.

I have made you and I will carry you;

I will sustain you and I will

rescue you."

Isaiah 46:4

I have to constantly and I mean constantly remind myself that God is the one who has the power to open and close doors ( or interviews in my case).

"I will give him the key to the house of David-

the highest position in the royal court.

When he opens doors, no one will

be able to close them;

when he closes doors, no one

will be able to open them."

Isaiah 22:22

As I write these words and share my heart, I don't desire pity but I hope you can relate on some level. Perhaps even chuckle with me.  But more than anything be reminded, just as I have to be reminded:

"I am the lord; there is not other God. 

I have equipped you for battle,

though you don't even know me,

so all the world from east to west

will know there is no other God.

I am the LORD, and there is no other.

I create the light and make the darkness.

I send the good times and bad times.

I, the LORD, am the one who does these things."

Isaiah 45:5-7

 

Truth in the Unknown

T

e

a

c

h

me not only to number my days, but more importantly include you in them.

R

e

m

i

n

d

me of the value of the little moments, to search passionately for truth and joy amid this great uncertainty.

In the blink of an eye

everything that was 

certain and clear

 is hazy and unknown.  

Once again, letting go of what I can see, stepping boldly into the great unknown.  More courageously than yesterday, clinging desperately to the One who holds it all together. 

Proverbs 4:25-27

Falalalala Friday

Fa                                          

  La    La  

       La

      Friday

is just that, every Friday I'll be posting some of my 

fav's old and new. I pray you will enjoy them as much as I do!

I love supporting a new artist, don't you?  Take a listen and decide for yourself.....

Based on Psalm 23

lyrics

The Lord is my shepherd – I shall not want
He lets me lie down where the grass is soft
He restores my soul
He restores my soul

Though I walk through the valley I will not be afraid
Though I walk through the valley I will not be afraid
I will walk through the valley and I will not be afraid

You lay a table before me – In the presence of those
Who would hate and destroy me – You lift me up
And You restore my soul
You restore my soul

Surely goodness – Surely mercy will follow me all of the days of my life
Surely goodness – Surely mercy will follow me all of the days of my life
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever
Dwell in the house of the Lord
I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever
Dwell in the house of the Lord

from You Have Rescued Me, released 15 June 2011

tags

tags: acoustic christian pop psalm 23 rock worship folk Durham

Update on The 7 Experiment

It's been awhile since I've given an update on 7 An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker.

The   experiment   continues:

When I last posted I had just begun the food portion of the experiment.  I learned several things during this period and some will stay with me.  For example, reading labels and seeing how many ingredients are in a food item.  I must confess I came right back to my iced coffee vice.  Honestly, its all about the yummy, downright delicious creamers and has absolutely nothing to do with coffee....

Then came phase 2: Clothing

In the book Jen wears the same 7 articles of clothing for 30 days.  Since I pretty much wear the same items anyway, I decided to go on a different trail.  I began with a purchase freeze, along with a healthy purging:  my closet and drawers that were so overflowing (don't judge me) with clothes, shoes and purses.  It was overwhelmingly, sadly, pathetic on so many levels!  Some items I gave to friends and family others I took to Goodwill.  But why stop there? Next came books and household items.  I must confess its going to take me more than 30 days to finish this task, but it's been a great start.....Rome wasn't built in 30 days right?   Hmmmm, or was Rome destroyed in 30 days?  I digress..

Phase 3:  Spending

No spending carried over from phase 2, but this time included a total spending freeze on items for me personally.  Of course I'm not insane, if I needed deodorant I would make an allowance for that, no need for family and friends to suffer for my quirkiness! I had one day to live it up per se and you I you guessed it, I went to Dunkin Donuts and enjoyed a yummy large Butter Pecan iced coffee!

I did make one vital discovery, when you commit to not spending money on yourself, one definitely needs to perform a complete and thorough haircut & hair color analysis a few days before said phase begins.  I found this out the hard way on the evening before I was to begin. I caught a glimpse of myself in a mirror in a very well-lit bathroom.  Yep, I definitely hadn't thought that one through.  I made a mad dash to Walgreen's for a box of I've got to hide all this, I'm way too young for this gray, with a few hours to spare before said spending freeze began. I also got a little scissor happy with my bangs a few times during this phase, what's a girl to do.

I can't tell you though the number of times I almost bought myself a cheap book on Amazon.  I really, really had to be super careful there.

I like to think I did really well in this stage, I didn't even spend my gift cards on myself.  But I did cave in on the last day of the no spending clause, well I felt justified after all, the gal at Dunkin Donuts said they were doing away with the yummy Butter Pecan flavor at the end of the month.  WHAT, that was the next day!!!  I gave into my fleshly desires and purchased a large one.......15 days into the next month I must tell you, Dunkin Donuts was still selling Butter Pecan iced coffee and I get reminded of my weakness every time I go there for a meeting.  Which in case you are wondering is at least 3 times a week.

Phase 4:  Media

I am now in the process of media.  The cool thing is,when I asked my husband if he would join me in not watching television he agreed.  I totally was not expecting that reaction, nice surprise!  We are hooked on watching The Voice and wouldn't you know it, the season of The Voice just started.  Now I could have of course, tried to justify only watching The Voice, its only one show after all.  But honestly, God kept reminding me it wouldn't be a sacrifice if I gave in, and hadn't I learned anything from the Dunkin Donut fiasco??  

I've also now got a kitchen timer in my office, its very helpful to remind me there is a time limit on Facebook, I think I will definitely keep that even when the media phase is over.

So now you are now up to speed with the 7 Experiment.  I highly recommend this book, but with this strong suggestion:  don't try any of the challenges without someone to go on the journey with you.  Without a friend who is willing to be strong in accountability and more importantly pray for you.  I definitely needed someone who could understand my idiosyncrasies and she kept this girl sane and laughing.  And who doesn't need a friend like that??  

Falalalala Friday

F

a

la

la

la

la         Friday

is just that, every Friday I'll be posting some of my 

fav's old and new. I pray you will enjoy them as much as I do!

Fix You ~ Coldplay

30 Things: #7 Texting Faux Pas

I have to admit this whole 30 Things blog series has gotten WAY behind, but I am a firm 

believer in the fact that it does not matter where or how  you begin, it's finishing the 

journey!!



I am guessing that most would agree that texting can be great,  although I know it comes 

with huge drawbacks as well.  For example, you can't hear the tone of my voice, and I can't 

see your reaction when you are only reading my written words.  And try as I may, I can only 

insert so many smiley faces, lol's and rofl's.  Does anyone else strongly dislike the auto-spell 

corrector on our cell phones?  Truth be known most of the time it is my own fingers doing 

the misspelling, can I get an amen!!




I just experienced this again today and thought I would share my recent texting faux pas......

I would love to read your own texting terror ooops I mean experiences.  LOL, :), ROFL, :(, 

??, SMH

Falalalala Friday

F

a

la

la

la

la         Friday

is just that, every Friday I'll be posting some of my 

fav's old and new. I pray you will enjoy them as much as I do!

Matt Redman - 10,000 Reasons

Prayer: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow

In Jesus name I pray;

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, 

today and forever. ~ Hebrews 13:8

 Father, I need you

 more today than yesterday,

 but remind me 

not as much 

as I am going

 to need you 

tomorrow.  

Therefore let us, as many as are mature,

have this mind; and if in

anything you think otherwise,

God will reveal even this to you.

Philippians 3:15

Amen

30 Things: #6

The Bucket List

I love the movie "The Bucket List", with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman.  It makes me laugh and cry as I relate (sometimes all to well) with each of the characters.  If you need some inspiration I suggest watching the movie or watch this clip from You-Tube:

A bucket list is just that, a list of things to do before you die, it comes from the term "kicked the bucket". When is the last time you looked at your own bucket list?  Or maybe you are like me and haven't even made a bucket list?  Sadly, I don't know what I've been waiting on, but I feel inspired to start one and today is as good as any. 

My Bucket List (Part 1):

1. Visit British Columbia, Canada
2. See an Alaskan Moose
3. Visit every state in the United States
4. See Niagara Falls
5. Get my closet organized
6. Indoor Skydive
7. Go to Disney World
8. Laugh more
9. Read all the books on my Kindle
10. Be braver today than I was yesterday

What about you?

30 Things: #5

I was talking to my 18, soon to be 19, year old daughter the other day about finding a job.  As I was telling her about the various jobs I have held, I thought wouldn't it be a kick-in-the-pants to have this be a part of the 30 Things series!


Some experiences were worthwhile, others let's just say they were an experience.  I know I have held more than five jobs in my lifetime, but I am a simple girl so lets keep it at five.

1) A carhop at Sonic

2) Store clerk at Circle K

3) Office manager at an insurance office

4) Home engineer extraordinaire 

5)  Candle & Slushie Peddler

I can't wait to hear yours!!

Image Via: www.inc.com

  

30 Things: #4

What is your favorite/most unique pet and why?

I have always loved animals, well most of them anyway.  I still am not extremely fond of horses they are VERY LARGE and have VERY LARGE teeth!  Sorry all you horse lovin' gals, its just my perspective.

My favorite pet would have to be a dog.  Dogs are great because they are always glad to see you, they don't care if you are a mess.  Here is a picture of my favorite dog, Barney.  He was a Boston Terrier who had a heart of gold, I sure do miss him!!

We have had fun raising lots of different critters: fallow deer, pot-belly pigs, ducks, geese, miniature donkeys, miniature horses, wallabies, various birds.  Raising them was a lot of work but it was even more fun.  We had school groups and Girl Scout troops come by interacting with and learning about the different animals.  Here is a picture of a pet deer we had named Noah.  We bottle fed him from the time he was 2 days old when we realized his mom abandoned him. 

30 Things: #3

As I was pondering how to approach number three, pet peeves, in the 30 Things About Me series, I came to the realization that I could go on and on about things that peeve, uhmm, I mean concern me.  Some refer to these as pet peeves, what's up with the word, pet peeves anyway?  Here's what I found, Urban dictionary  defines peeves as: an irritating experience caused by others in which you cannot control.  Wiki Answers defines pet peeves as:  something that upsets your sensibilities to a higher degree than normal.  Maybe I'm being a bit rebellious, but I have decided that I don't really like the phrase pet peeves, it sounds angry to me, like I have a right to even be peeved about anything, events, people, place.

I have decided to go with the word, concern.  According to ARDictionary, concern is defined as: to relate or belong to; to have reference to or connection with; to affect the interest of ; to be of importance to.  For example, when bubble gums loses it's flavor so quickly, that's a little more realistic to me.

Why Six, why not Five or Ten or more?  Since I don't want this post to become a rant, all I can say is whats wrong with Six?  

Things that Concern Me:

Top 6

1. Saying mean things to each other, especially to children.
2. Taking credit for something that you shouldn't be taking credit for.
3. Anything or anyone that is all negative, all the time.  I don't think I need to give much explanation to that. 
4. Cursing...if you have even the smallest grasp of a language there is no need for cursing.
5. Going along with the status quo.
6. Lack of commitment to follow through, don't stop trying.  Who knows something amazing could be waiting for you at the end!

Photo: www.bridgesconsultancy.com

30 Things: #2

30 Things #2

What is your favorite time of day and why?

My favorite time of day is in the early morning.  It is so quiet and peaceful.  The craziness of what day will bring looms before me.  Just that small bit of time before I have looked at my cell phone, checked my emails, wasted time on Facebook and Pinterest.     

30 Things: #1

Have you ever played 21 questions?  

Earlier this year, I was perusing through the internet with all the focus and intention of a rabbit.  Aren't rabbits one of the cutest creatures God created?  I mean they are soft, they have big ears, they are fast and they have the cutest babies EVER!!  OOPS, did I just digress from the whole point of this post?   I could go on and on down this rabbit trail, a.k.a. that wonderful diversion, I mean invention, known as the world wide web.

Anywhoo, I came across this idea about posting some random facts about myself for the next 30 days {or close to that, I'll try my hardest}.  And since my birthday is May 6th I figured what better time to start than today.  That and the fact that I keep getting a reminder to write this post.  Does that ever happen to you?

I've have always had trouble talking about myself, let alone writing a blog post about myself.  Would anyone read it?  What if no one ever responds with a comment?  The whole idea seems overwhelming, but that is exactly the reason I must do this.  God has given me a mission to: 1) Be obedient to His calling and 2) Get outside of my 'pond' this year and believe me I am getting outside my pond and it's only April!


As you get to know more about this crazy, Jesus loving girl,  I think it would be great fun to learn more about you as well!! 

1.  List 5 of your all-time favorite movies:

• The Burbs
• To Kill A Mockingbird
• Christmas Vacation
• The Notebook (don't judge me)
• The Jungle Book

IMAGE VIA: farm3.staticflickr.com

You're Never Too Old

"You're 

N
E
V
E
R

to old to set another goal or

D
R
E
A
M

another dream."

C.S. Lewis

Falalalala Friday

F

a

la

la

la

la         Friday

is just that, every Friday I'll be posting some of my 

fav's old and new. I pray you will enjoy them as much as I do!

Thorns Or Roses

"Some people complain that God

 put thorns on roses, 

while others praise Him

for putting roses on thorns."

Anonymous

A miserable heart means a miserable life;

 a cheerful heart fills the day with song. 

 Proverbs 15:15 MSG

Falalalala Friday

F

a

la

la

la

la         Friday

is just that, every Friday I'll be posting some of my 

fav's old and new. I pray you will enjoy them as much as I do!

Does anybody hear her?  Can anybody see?

Or does anybody even know she's going down today?

Under the shadow of our steeple

With all the lost and lonely people

Searching for the hope that's tucked away inside of you and me

Does anybody hear her?  Can anybody see?

Does Anybody Hear Her? By Casting Crowns

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEhRucEVzH8

Focusing On The Process

We are chatting you and I and as I'm listening,

 I hear your heart my friend. 

 I know because we are much more alike than you know. 

Of course you and I are talking about our marriages.....but the conversation could really be about any number of things going on in our lives right now.  Couldn't they???


I want to remind us both of a few things.I say remind because I believe you already know this stuff it's just gotten lost in translation so to speak.  

You say your overwhelmed, 

that you don't know which stone to start with.

You and I can't start with the whole stone, if we do then the stone often becomes a huge boulder? Now I'm already tired and I haven't even begun.  Why would I intentionally set myself up for defeat by trying to do something crazy, like rebuilding the whole coliseum.  But what if I start with one pebble, that's right I said one pebble.  God has already given me the strong foundation and an amazing man to journey with.  But sometimes I need to go in and do a little spring cleaning, sweeping out some those pesky pebbles and really good deep dusting of my own heart, right.

Instead of always focusing on the ultimate goal of being an amazing wife, having an amazing husband (or my version of one), perfect kids, a clean house, ETC. which of course always equals an amazing marriage right?  The reality is I have just set that boulder into motion, and that boulder has a name (Am I the only one who names her boulders??)  and that name is defeat, crushed, conquered, failure (again and again)

But I can't go there, I refuse to go there!!

Rather than me being mad because the ultimate goal of.... (again fill-in-the-blank)  isn't happening quickly enough for me.  What if I were to focus on the process...you know what I mean?  I tend to lose sight of the little moments.  Like unloading the dishwasher together. It's not about the dishwasher right, its about those stolen moments with your man that only you and God know about.  Hearing your kids laugh over silliness (don't kids have the best laugh!!), because they haven't yet been taught otherwise.

I can't be worried about my man's heart per say, but just mine.  I am learning to trust that as God is working on my heart, he is working on my man's as well and when the time is right God will do his own big reveal and it will be much sweeter than anything me or Hollywood could dream up.  We can't give up, if God doesn't give up, how can I?  Amen!!

7 Experiment: Food - Week 1 In Review

Day 1)  What to eat, what not to eat?  My prayer continues to be that this experiment does not become legalistic.  I want my heart and mind be opened to the excess in my life and it has been.  Just today alone, I've found myself wandering into the kitchen opening the pantry, on the verge of mindlessly shoving a handful of something, anything into my mouth.


Day 2) My head is POUNDING!!  I'm guessing it's from going cold turkey on the coffee and sugar, but really only two days.  I had to go into Walmart to get some fruit for a fruit salad I was taking to a birthday dinner.  (Remember, I am saying "no" to sugary sweets)  OH MY GOODNESS!  It's Easter time which is just another way to tempt me with savory, sugary sweets.  They were EVERYWHERE, heaven help me I had to get out of there pronto!!  Explained the 7 premise to my friend, she didn't think I was crazy, in fact she was was very encouraging and said she was going to be doing her own experiment with food.


Day 3) Not too bad, the headache seems to have subsided ('THANK YOU, JESUS!).  I enjoyed great meeting at Starbucks with my friend, who was so sweet and bought me a black iced tea, no water, unsweetened, thank you very much.  She also didn't think I was out of my mind when I told about the 7 premise, gotta keep friends like that!!

Day 4) Not much to report, that can't be a bad thing.......thank you Jesus :)

Day 5)  Went to Costco and Sprouts...I found both to be dangerous places for me.  I went into Sprouts with the  sole purpose of finding bread and tortillas that had less than 5 ingredients in them.  And being a total newbie (and a bread lover) this proved to be a little more of a challenge than I anticipated.  I found the 2 items on my list and forced myself to walk past the yummy treats calling me from the bulk food aisles.   Next was Costco... Costco at lunchtime....not well thought out on my end.  I felt I was doing pretty well, staying focused trying not to inhale to deeply as I went by the samples.  I swear they were at the end of EVERY aisle today.  Stayed to my list was heading around the corner to check-out and what would make this

caramel loving

girl in her tracks and drool:

Trying to hold fast my resolve and kept repeating my standby Lord get me through this scripture - Philippians 4:13 "I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me."  Mission accomplished, thank you JESUS!!!


Day 6)  What am I desiring the most to eat or drink?  The answer would be everything and yet nothing....Isn't that pathetic!!!  I don't know if it's denying myself so much as it is becoming more keenly aware of the EXCESSive amount of choices I am afforded everyday.  Stop and think about it for a few minutes, it is  insanity to max....do I want my coffee hot or iced?  with or without and endless array of flavors, boosts and any assortment of goodness I can create.  How do I want my eggs....fried (easy, over easy, sunny-side up), scrambled, hard-boiled, poached?  And that my friends, is just in my own kitchen and it's not even 7:00 A.M.!!!


Day 7)  Not much to report today.......thank you Jesus :)

7 Experiment: Food - Day 1

"No man knows how bad he is until he tries very hard to be good.....Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is."  ~ C.S. Lewis


It all started last year when God really began opening my eyes and cleaning out the darkness my heart as he readied me to experience more of him and less of me.  But  He is so sweet to me and sent me a friend, Chrissy,  who is willing to say "yes" more than she says "no".  Yep, together I think we might just be certifiable, and that's is just what I needed!

God said very clearly to me that had so much he wanted to share with me, with all of us actually.  I had to Stop.....

STOP putting God in my box                              STOP looking inward
STOP limiting him                                              STOP seeking & trusting in this world
STOP living like I don't have (fill in the blank)

           STOP for the love of all things just STOP

Whether you believe in God and have accepted or rejected who Jesus says he is, I would find it very hard to believe that for the majority of us that we would not, could not find some area of excess in our lives.  I know that for me even narrowing down my 7 foods was very much a challenge because I so wanted to circumvent AKA manipulate the challenge so that I wouldn't be without.  Shocking........nope, pathetic slap me hard upside the head with this realization a resounding YEP!


You don't have to read the book 7: an experimental mutiny against excess by Jen Hatmaker or even participate in your own experiment, but I do want to encourage to take a good long look at your lifestyle and see if any excess jumps out at you.  I wonder how this experiment is going to change me, I pray for the better.


 My had a dear friend, Mandy, asked me a great question regarding writing a blog, "Are you sure you want to open yourself like that?"  Hmmm, I hadn't thought of it like that before, but I knew that if I didn't put myself out there 'like that' then really what is the point.  So here I go, I am putting my 7 challenge out there on the World Wide Web for the whole world to read.

7 Experiment (Food) 30 day challenge

1. No coffee (for me it's ALL about the creamers, coffee is honestly an excuse to drink yummy creamers).
2. No 2nd helpings and again so I can't cheat no excessive 1st helpings either.
3. No sweets, no candy or desserts. Fresh fruit (not canned) is allowed, I gotta stay sane somehow. :)
4. No processed white breads or pastas.  Basically nothing with over 5 ingredients.
5. Two days a week I am only eating egg whites, grilled chicken, black beans, veggies & drinking only water.
6. No pop.
7. No creamy sauces or gravies.

Check back in on me from time to time and click on the 7 Experiment label on the right.  And if you are doing own experiment I would love to hear about that too! It will help keep me certifiably sane :)

Seeds Of Faith

"Seeds of faith are always within us;

 sometimes it takes a crisis 

to nourish and encourage 

their 

g

r

o

w

t

   h." 

Susan Taylor

The Ebb And Flow Of Holding On And Letting God

Yesterday I started reading 'What Happens When Women Walk In Faith' by Lysa TerKeurst.  I thought I had been doing that.

Today, looks like God has begun some revealing, possibly closing doors in order to open new ones, asking me to to trust Him, to seek him more in prayer.  What is going to happen when I walk in faith, trusting Him to reveal my next step?  The Ebb and Flow Of Holding On And Letting God

It's such a crazy thing, this journey called being a believer.  I was talking to a a dear friend about this very thing today.  Never once in God's word, not one time, does he ever say while I am are here on this earth, that I won't have trials, heartaches, that I won't have to be humbled and that life will be easy.  In fact it says that I will have all of the above and more.  Over and over: deaths that come to soon, sickness, marriages ending, families being destroyed, the loss of jobs, dreams shattered.

The Ebb and Flow Of Holding On And Letting God

But as a believer I do have God's promises that I can hold tightly to: there is only one God, His word is truth, God never changes, He will never leave me or forsake me.  His love, grace & mercy for me incomprehensible, He searches after me with an unending, reckless abandon.  He only wants the best for me, He wants me to dream wild and crazy dreams, just so He can make them a better reality than I could have ever imagined.  I've been on this amazing God journey before and it is a wild and crazy ride.  One that would put Six Flags to shame. But I know enough to not look back, to press on and trust in the One who holds it all in His hand.  I'm not giving up, just getting refocused, anticipating  Yes, those are the promises that I am choosing to hold on tightly.   

The Ebb and Flow Of Holding On And Letting God

To Him Be The Glory ~ Amen

Yet, Am I Willing To Reach For A Star?

"Yet if we would know God 

and for other’s sake, tell what we know, 

we must try to speak of His love…

I can do no more do justice to 

that awesome and wonder-filled theme

 than a child can grasp a star.

 Still, by reaching toward the star 

the child may call attention to it and even

 indicate the direction one must look to see it.

 So as I stretch my heart toward the high, 

shining love of God,

someone who has not before known 

about it may be encouraged 

to look and have hope.”

- A.W. Tozer 

 The Knowledge of the Holy

Falalalala Friday

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la         Friday

is just that, every Friday I'll be posting some of my 

fav's old and new. I pray you will enjoy them as much as I do!