I have tried and tried to keep the bug at bay but the throat is scratchy and a dry cough is being more persistent. Called Mom. She is down. She had it two weeks ago and took an antibody but with our niece getting the green crud, good ol grandma got it again! The little bro's fam is just recycling the bug over and over the past two months. ARgh! I can't really take cough syrup as it has sugar/ high fructose syrup in it. So I am waiting to take it when the cough gets to bad for me to sleep.
I have downed orange juice, grape juice, and prune juice. I have gargled with salt water and will gargle with peroxide and wash the ears out with H2O2 before retiring for the night. Two aspirins went down the hatch for the sore throat. Soooooo, we shall see what the morning brings...
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
humiliation in a king's presence ....
Do not exalt yourself in the king's presence,
and do not claim a place among great men;
it is better for him to say to you, "Come up here,"
than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman.
~Proverbs 25:6
Put this verse in the context of relationships. Have you found yourself in a 'friendship' where you cannot go to with ease and acceptance? Do you find yourself fearing the outcome of trying too hard to keep a relationship going? Do you find yourself avoiding the hurt you feel inflicted upon you by a friend? Do you find that you cannot rectify or seek forgiveness so that you can do better?
Relationships should not ever be in the king and mere commoner mode or it isn't a real connection. There is a placement in the presence of the king and it is NOT near the ear!
When seeking a friendship, pay close attention to your placement. Are you allowed into their inner sanctum? Even here be very aware. You may get close their dreams and passions but watch and see if there is something he won't share or if there are 'rooms' he won't let you enter. It is wise and test him on this. (1 Thess 5:21) Hold to what is good and good riddance to what is fishy! This is valuable knowledge to protect your own deep waters. (Prov 4:23)
May this be STRONG counsel in accepting marriage! Don't ever think it will change. You want another mere commoner who is your condiment and team player in your 'bed' than to be bedded in the finest kingly robes of fear of a king's whims. You being at a king's mercy is unstable because with fear comes loathing...
and do not claim a place among great men;
it is better for him to say to you, "Come up here,"
than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman.
~Proverbs 25:6
Put this verse in the context of relationships. Have you found yourself in a 'friendship' where you cannot go to with ease and acceptance? Do you find yourself fearing the outcome of trying too hard to keep a relationship going? Do you find yourself avoiding the hurt you feel inflicted upon you by a friend? Do you find that you cannot rectify or seek forgiveness so that you can do better?
Relationships should not ever be in the king and mere commoner mode or it isn't a real connection. There is a placement in the presence of the king and it is NOT near the ear!
When seeking a friendship, pay close attention to your placement. Are you allowed into their inner sanctum? Even here be very aware. You may get close their dreams and passions but watch and see if there is something he won't share or if there are 'rooms' he won't let you enter. It is wise and test him on this. (1 Thess 5:21) Hold to what is good and good riddance to what is fishy! This is valuable knowledge to protect your own deep waters. (Prov 4:23)
May this be STRONG counsel in accepting marriage! Don't ever think it will change. You want another mere commoner who is your condiment and team player in your 'bed' than to be bedded in the finest kingly robes of fear of a king's whims. You being at a king's mercy is unstable because with fear comes loathing...
Saturday, April 26, 2008
the fear elephant ...
From the "Gift of Fear" a statement has haunted me. 'What you don't bring to your conscious will turn into your fate.' This is talking about fear intuition. I had an example play out in my life.
I had someone in my life who would come and go. At the beginning it was ok but then it showed up as a habit. I had this fear that he would go away and never come back. We had a such a connection that I wanted to continue at full tilt. I wanted to be able to see him and connect and have him do so with me. This fear is greatly intensified because water and land keeps us apart but hey, we are in the gadget age where space is small. It can be done. I had no fear. I knew what I was willing to give.
But the fear that he would go away and never come back came true. No matter how much I tried to reconnect, no matter if I made apologies, no matter if I guessed what went wrong, no matter if I gave him the benefit of the doubt, good bye is forever. I saw him yesterday and I simply said hi. No response and a few minutes later he was gone.
I had the fear and I never pushed it because I was afraid that I would push him to leave early. So what do you gain if you bring that fear larking in the back forward? It is his choice to leave. I guess the only thing about confronting his leaving would be projecting it back on him so that I would be free. Maybe I might have gotten an understanding why he leaves so that I could close the door on him once and for all.
I get hung up on the spiritual connection we had. It was like being able to have a language in common in a world where your language is foreign. I have never had such a connection before and I am so weak to think that God is bigger and can give it back to me in an extreme that would blow me away.
So how do I do with these nagging fears into the conscious and not run from it? Can I be encouraging so to bypass the confrontation part and still bring the elephant into the room? I will have to fall back on 'Quiet Leadership' technique and ask the questions so that they do the thinking and hard labor. Isn't this their little issue? So why am I allowing their muck as a fear in my life?
I had someone in my life who would come and go. At the beginning it was ok but then it showed up as a habit. I had this fear that he would go away and never come back. We had a such a connection that I wanted to continue at full tilt. I wanted to be able to see him and connect and have him do so with me. This fear is greatly intensified because water and land keeps us apart but hey, we are in the gadget age where space is small. It can be done. I had no fear. I knew what I was willing to give.
But the fear that he would go away and never come back came true. No matter how much I tried to reconnect, no matter if I made apologies, no matter if I guessed what went wrong, no matter if I gave him the benefit of the doubt, good bye is forever. I saw him yesterday and I simply said hi. No response and a few minutes later he was gone.
I had the fear and I never pushed it because I was afraid that I would push him to leave early. So what do you gain if you bring that fear larking in the back forward? It is his choice to leave. I guess the only thing about confronting his leaving would be projecting it back on him so that I would be free. Maybe I might have gotten an understanding why he leaves so that I could close the door on him once and for all.
I get hung up on the spiritual connection we had. It was like being able to have a language in common in a world where your language is foreign. I have never had such a connection before and I am so weak to think that God is bigger and can give it back to me in an extreme that would blow me away.
So how do I do with these nagging fears into the conscious and not run from it? Can I be encouraging so to bypass the confrontation part and still bring the elephant into the room? I will have to fall back on 'Quiet Leadership' technique and ask the questions so that they do the thinking and hard labor. Isn't this their little issue? So why am I allowing their muck as a fear in my life?
satisfying toil ...
I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil--this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.
Ecclesiastes 3:10-14
I am huge about dreams and passions. I encourage others to share their dreams and passions because they just light up. I know without a doubt that our dreams and passions are what God has put into us to contribute to the world. It is a gift of God.
However, as I look inwards I have not been moving my own dreams and passions into fruition. I complain about the 'wheel' instead of doing. Well, now I am making steps to make juice of my dreams! I want to write. I am a thinker and I like to share that outwardly on the page. I never knew I was smart! Even now without much encouraging feedback, I doubt. So instead of allowing the enemy to take my passions, I will be God-Confident on His Words....
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
weaknesses ...
I am in my weakness when it comes to numbers or math. I do not remember number sequences and it is difficult to do calculation problems in my head. I must need paper and pen to make sense of abstract. Please don't ramble off a series of numbers like a price or a telephone number! Go slow and put a rhythm to it so I can write it down. I am totally visual and numbers just begin to blur. I must see it in the concrete! Yes, I know Accounts Payable is totally math and that is what is bringing home to the dough. No wonder I have a hard time getting out of bed and feel like I am on a wheel I can't get off of.
I have poor group skills. I am at my best one on one like mentoring or in a team. A team is different than a group because a team is one for all - all for one whereas a group has a lot of interaction from all sides. It is more of a fight for your turf or go away. I am shy and that I can't go against it. Shy works with intrapersonal and team skills. With poor group skills I have a great weakness with speaking off the cuff. I don't have a speech impediment but sometimes a label like that fits. My brain goes faster than my tongue and then the brain starts going back around trying to keep all the points and try to listen. I am most certain that I cannot do all of that at one time and make sense!
I am at my weakest in confrontation situations. I seriously melt. Because of this melt down, I tend to beat around the bush or avoid 'issues' at all costs. I become afraid to be my purest self - me @ pure 8 yo. Sorry x. Guess I learned this too late to be totally honest with x. Even now trying to say what I should have said and pinned x to the wall, I doubt I could because I don't like walk-aways. I loathe abandonment. I loathe game play and 'having to be right' in a fight. I like understanding and working out. I would rather us both win by each of looking out for each other. Oh, to have someone to be stable and secure making me feel safe to be me and allowing me to stretch and grow together...
here are my weaknesses...
I have poor group skills. I am at my best one on one like mentoring or in a team. A team is different than a group because a team is one for all - all for one whereas a group has a lot of interaction from all sides. It is more of a fight for your turf or go away. I am shy and that I can't go against it. Shy works with intrapersonal and team skills. With poor group skills I have a great weakness with speaking off the cuff. I don't have a speech impediment but sometimes a label like that fits. My brain goes faster than my tongue and then the brain starts going back around trying to keep all the points and try to listen. I am most certain that I cannot do all of that at one time and make sense!
I am at my weakest in confrontation situations. I seriously melt. Because of this melt down, I tend to beat around the bush or avoid 'issues' at all costs. I become afraid to be my purest self - me @ pure 8 yo. Sorry x. Guess I learned this too late to be totally honest with x. Even now trying to say what I should have said and pinned x to the wall, I doubt I could because I don't like walk-aways. I loathe abandonment. I loathe game play and 'having to be right' in a fight. I like understanding and working out. I would rather us both win by each of looking out for each other. Oh, to have someone to be stable and secure making me feel safe to be me and allowing me to stretch and grow together...
here are my weaknesses...
Saturday, April 19, 2008
strengths ...
I am in my strength when I can bring out my thoughts onto paper. I get this excited feeling when I can exhale. I love being able to learn new things and then simplifying them. It is my way of mentoring. I love words so much that I have favorites and not so favorites. Even though I studied to become an English teacher, I am not hung up on being a perfectionist. I am not the best at speaking, but when I am asked a question I make it simple for them to understand. I am also tenacious enough to keep trying to find a way for them to understand. I would rather have them find success in learning something new for them than for them to have perfect grammar or spelling.
I love language and accents. I am always listening for the differences of the Brits and Aussies - even the South Africans make it hard to tell what land they come from. Accents and language is a history lesson of that person. Also listening to some one's story or how they learn intrigue me. It is exciting! Empathy is a strength for me even though it can be weighty. I strive for balance so that I can still be filled by it.
Creativity and color is something I could not live without. I find learning and expression in it. Even without acceptable resources I try to organize things. Even though I might find it hard press to say organization is my strength, it does feed my creativity. It makes me feel free. I have limited space and I like to surround myself with small things. So if being able to organize and de-clutter a limited space maybe one day I must might graduate to a bigger small space that would better suit my writing and craft fetish.
I love pictures, visuals, and word pictures. I learn best this way. Hard to forget when a picture is engraved in my brain. When I am writing I love to create my own word pictures. That way I can remember a moment that took my breathe away. With any story I can pick up on motifs and symbolism quickly and love to use it in things I write. I love to take it to real life and listen for motifs in some one's own story. Our lives are always about patterns and the full circle affect. It is about getting a person or getting a lesson learned and connecting to my own life.
I love maps because it is visual. I love reading them and going there. I describe my learning process as maps. It starts out with stick lines and each time I visit it fleshes out becoming more and more. It is connecting the dots. I use mapping in my life to start a project or to clarify what I am learning to better grasp the thing I want to keep. I like the bare bones of a concept or an issue. It makes it easy. I like to share maps with others. I will not tell you directions with just words. Give me a piece of paper and a pen. Again it is pictures! I just know you will get my directions if it is on paper than just my words floating around in your head. It is concrete! Maps excite me.
I feed on encouragement. Tell me that I am doing a good job and I will bend over backwards to do better. Encouragement stirs up the happy. It gives me the extra push. I like encouraging others. Encouraging someone means I have to listen for their dreams and their passions. This is important for me to identify because I loathe confrontation and have always had an issue with criticism. I know the need to take care of the discomforts of a relationship but I hate fighting. I would rather 'fight' for a working and winning solution for both parties not to tear down others or to be tore down myself. I am a team player and encouraging allows for the best of you and I.
Here are my strengths...
I love language and accents. I am always listening for the differences of the Brits and Aussies - even the South Africans make it hard to tell what land they come from. Accents and language is a history lesson of that person. Also listening to some one's story or how they learn intrigue me. It is exciting! Empathy is a strength for me even though it can be weighty. I strive for balance so that I can still be filled by it.
Creativity and color is something I could not live without. I find learning and expression in it. Even without acceptable resources I try to organize things. Even though I might find it hard press to say organization is my strength, it does feed my creativity. It makes me feel free. I have limited space and I like to surround myself with small things. So if being able to organize and de-clutter a limited space maybe one day I must might graduate to a bigger small space that would better suit my writing and craft fetish.
I love pictures, visuals, and word pictures. I learn best this way. Hard to forget when a picture is engraved in my brain. When I am writing I love to create my own word pictures. That way I can remember a moment that took my breathe away. With any story I can pick up on motifs and symbolism quickly and love to use it in things I write. I love to take it to real life and listen for motifs in some one's own story. Our lives are always about patterns and the full circle affect. It is about getting a person or getting a lesson learned and connecting to my own life.
I love maps because it is visual. I love reading them and going there. I describe my learning process as maps. It starts out with stick lines and each time I visit it fleshes out becoming more and more. It is connecting the dots. I use mapping in my life to start a project or to clarify what I am learning to better grasp the thing I want to keep. I like the bare bones of a concept or an issue. It makes it easy. I like to share maps with others. I will not tell you directions with just words. Give me a piece of paper and a pen. Again it is pictures! I just know you will get my directions if it is on paper than just my words floating around in your head. It is concrete! Maps excite me.
I feed on encouragement. Tell me that I am doing a good job and I will bend over backwards to do better. Encouragement stirs up the happy. It gives me the extra push. I like encouraging others. Encouraging someone means I have to listen for their dreams and their passions. This is important for me to identify because I loathe confrontation and have always had an issue with criticism. I know the need to take care of the discomforts of a relationship but I hate fighting. I would rather 'fight' for a working and winning solution for both parties not to tear down others or to be tore down myself. I am a team player and encouraging allows for the best of you and I.
Here are my strengths...
a lot is cast ...
... whether a birthday forgotten by a sibling, or a friend's abandonment with no explanation, or no one seeing a s.o.s, or a blatant walk over by someone who makes you feel like second-class. To let anger arise inside you will only miss place the power. Sure you may feel disappointed especially with loved ones, but God's Power always trumps any lot cast by a mere human. God's Strengh trumps any disregard, mistreatment, and disappointment. Letting God work that darken lot cast into your lap will bring you much good. He is the Bearer of Good Gifts and anything bad He makes it good. He does not waste our pain or tears. So no more allowing the enemy to be a thief. Protect your joy of the Lord. It is your strength.
Proverbs 16:33
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.
Romans 8:35-39
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: 'For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.' No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Proverbs 16:33
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.
Romans 8:35-39
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: 'For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.' No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Friday, April 18, 2008
nim's island ..
I rate this movie a 9.8. It is a movie that is caught between a children's and a chick flick.
It is a lovely story about a girl who loves an adventure character, Alex Rover and the author who created this adventure character, Alex Rover and how the girl and author meet. Very funny that Nim the young girl pictures Alex Rover like her dad but more rugged and the author Alexandria has made this rugged adventurer to play out a life that she is afraid to live. I will stop here because you must see and enjoy it for yourself.
You will feel very engaged with this movie because there are a lot of fun moments and moments that you are cheering on the young girl. There are animals in this movie that are part of the circle of characters and they steal the show at times! I was amazed at these animals! I would love to get behind the scenes to see how they did it!!!
It is about a father's love for his daughter. It is about an author who is seeking love and adventure even though she is soooo stuck. It is about a daughter's fierce love and protection of her father. It is a must see!!!
It is a lovely story about a girl who loves an adventure character, Alex Rover and the author who created this adventure character, Alex Rover and how the girl and author meet. Very funny that Nim the young girl pictures Alex Rover like her dad but more rugged and the author Alexandria has made this rugged adventurer to play out a life that she is afraid to live. I will stop here because you must see and enjoy it for yourself.
You will feel very engaged with this movie because there are a lot of fun moments and moments that you are cheering on the young girl. There are animals in this movie that are part of the circle of characters and they steal the show at times! I was amazed at these animals! I would love to get behind the scenes to see how they did it!!!
It is about a father's love for his daughter. It is about an author who is seeking love and adventure even though she is soooo stuck. It is about a daughter's fierce love and protection of her father. It is a must see!!!
5.4 ...
It is earrrrrly morning. The sun isn't even up. My bed is moving side to side waking me up. My foggy brain is already thinking. It can't be the trains that I live near. The glass is clinking and it is going on for ions! I am just lying in bed enjoying I must say this power shift! Nothing broken or mussed up. The brain was smiling thinking 'wow, what power God has!'. Clicked on the time, registering the moment and rolled over to snatch a few more zzz's...
No, I do not live in California! No, I was miles and miles from the center, Salem Il. I was sound asleep in the northern most part of the state next to it. It will be the talk for sure around the kitchen tables and water coolers. Totally wild!! Oh, I gotta call my gf who lives muuuuuuch closer to the quake!!! See, what her and her fam felt! It is something to share...
5.4 quake rocks Illinios
No, I do not live in California! No, I was miles and miles from the center, Salem Il. I was sound asleep in the northern most part of the state next to it. It will be the talk for sure around the kitchen tables and water coolers. Totally wild!! Oh, I gotta call my gf who lives muuuuuuch closer to the quake!!! See, what her and her fam felt! It is something to share...
5.4 quake rocks Illinios
Thursday, April 17, 2008
game q&a ...
What do you think about when someone evokes their faith into the game?
The first thing I think of is 'how' you play the game and if you are going to bring your faith into the game, you have to ask yourself a very basic question: Are you using God or are you being used by God? You answer this question in your speech and action.
Can you win the game by evoking your faith?
Tricky question. I think most of the time the answer would be no only because you tend to see the shady players win or the people who are very open about their religion fall very badly in the game. However, I think a believer has a 50/50 chance of winning the game even if it seems like the context of the game is pitting two opposing masters ($$$ vs. God) against each other.
Proverbs 16:11&33
'Honest weights and scales are the Lord's; all the weights in the bag are His work.'
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.'
So it does not matter who has the power or who is on the outs. It does not even matter who your alliances are or who your enemies are. The decision no matter for the good or bad works out just perfect. You may have problems seeing how it works out at this time and you just might think I am crazy! But we are talking about two different concepts yet one has dominion over the other whether it makes sense or not.
Can you play the game and keep your faith and morals?
This type of game is about relationships. Relationships are about communication. Communication is 7% verbal and 93% behavior. Life is about relationships. In life you keep your faith and morals everyday by walking with God and loving Him by obedience to His Love Letter. The game is no different because just like life the game is about relationships too. It all goes back to the question: Are you using God or are you allowing God to use you?
game {n}
The first thing I think of is 'how' you play the game and if you are going to bring your faith into the game, you have to ask yourself a very basic question: Are you using God or are you being used by God? You answer this question in your speech and action.
Can you win the game by evoking your faith?
Tricky question. I think most of the time the answer would be no only because you tend to see the shady players win or the people who are very open about their religion fall very badly in the game. However, I think a believer has a 50/50 chance of winning the game even if it seems like the context of the game is pitting two opposing masters ($$$ vs. God) against each other.
Proverbs 16:11&33
'Honest weights and scales are the Lord's; all the weights in the bag are His work.'
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.'
So it does not matter who has the power or who is on the outs. It does not even matter who your alliances are or who your enemies are. The decision no matter for the good or bad works out just perfect. You may have problems seeing how it works out at this time and you just might think I am crazy! But we are talking about two different concepts yet one has dominion over the other whether it makes sense or not.
Can you play the game and keep your faith and morals?
This type of game is about relationships. Relationships are about communication. Communication is 7% verbal and 93% behavior. Life is about relationships. In life you keep your faith and morals everyday by walking with God and loving Him by obedience to His Love Letter. The game is no different because just like life the game is about relationships too. It all goes back to the question: Are you using God or are you allowing God to use you?
game {n}
Sunday, April 13, 2008
no value ...
Me thinks a depressed state has come over me again. This time around it feels different. Anger isn't in the mixed just pure dejection. I feel more like a zombie. I still have my dreams but because there has been a no or even a wait, I have nothing to live for. There is no motivation to organize my home or even write. It does amaze me that I do put words down and maybe complete a glass for someone, but it is oh, well. I think it has to do with what is in the future. I know it is not helpful so I avoid thinking down the road.
It is a battle of knowing I am fearfully and wonderfully made, knowing God has a purpose for me and yet wondering what it could be. It is a battle of knowing I am not alone because God is Ever-Constant and is One who I can lean on only and always. It is knowing too that I feel very alone. I also get frustrated when others do come around and waste on me. It is a battle and words of those around me won't really help. It is a battle between me and God.
Hmm, I better be truthful. There is a anger over the no/wait. What purpose is there me to fight? If I could just give up and lean! {signing smile}
It is a battle of knowing I am fearfully and wonderfully made, knowing God has a purpose for me and yet wondering what it could be. It is a battle of knowing I am not alone because God is Ever-Constant and is One who I can lean on only and always. It is knowing too that I feel very alone. I also get frustrated when others do come around and waste on me. It is a battle and words of those around me won't really help. It is a battle between me and God.
Hmm, I better be truthful. There is a anger over the no/wait. What purpose is there me to fight? If I could just give up and lean! {signing smile}
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Ladybugs for Lucia ...
My niece is having a birthday in June. Her first. Little bro is thinking a theme of ladybugs would be nice. They asked if a local craft store had ladybug invitations. I said not but I could make some up if they couldn't find anything. Secretly I thought I would pick up some ideas or at the very least a foam ladybug to ink with to help spur ideas. However what I found was more than I could have imagined.
I spied a print with flowers and 6 ladybugs crawling along the stems. Each red bug sported a white daisy flower with a black center. O so cute. I put it back and walked away recalling it in my mind so I could remember it especially if I wanted to paint them. I walked back, peered again, looked at the price, noticed the 60% off, and walked away. I checked out the stickers and grab a pack. Found a ladybug foam pack that would make nice prints if we needed to make our own. Went back to the print. I realized that I had to get because this print will look very cool dressed in a shabby chic weathered cream white frame in her cheery yellow room. I then went up to the $1 bins where you can get lucky at times. I certainly found more than I bargained for! I found a pack of ladybug note cards. I searched for another pack giving her parents to option to invite more than just 8. Found another pack! Hope they can keep it to 16! I topped it off with some note pads and a ribbon all covered in ladybugs - oh, not forgetting - two ladybug magnets!
I was so tickled in ladybugs! I came home and inked up a brown bag with ladybugs and stashed the goodies inside. I cannot wait to give them the loot!!! Guess it is good to be an aunt.
I spied a print with flowers and 6 ladybugs crawling along the stems. Each red bug sported a white daisy flower with a black center. O so cute. I put it back and walked away recalling it in my mind so I could remember it especially if I wanted to paint them. I walked back, peered again, looked at the price, noticed the 60% off, and walked away. I checked out the stickers and grab a pack. Found a ladybug foam pack that would make nice prints if we needed to make our own. Went back to the print. I realized that I had to get because this print will look very cool dressed in a shabby chic weathered cream white frame in her cheery yellow room. I then went up to the $1 bins where you can get lucky at times. I certainly found more than I bargained for! I found a pack of ladybug note cards. I searched for another pack giving her parents to option to invite more than just 8. Found another pack! Hope they can keep it to 16! I topped it off with some note pads and a ribbon all covered in ladybugs - oh, not forgetting - two ladybug magnets!
I was so tickled in ladybugs! I came home and inked up a brown bag with ladybugs and stashed the goodies inside. I cannot wait to give them the loot!!! Guess it is good to be an aunt.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
wild horses ...
Ahhh, spring ruffled up the horses that I get to see on my way to and from work. They were running instead of the grazing I see them do so often. And to watch a horse run is a magnificent thing to watch. I think I could watch them run all day. Or maybe it is the want inside to ride a running horse bare back - to feel the wind rush over me - to feel the strength carry me -
Ahh, to be lost on a wild horse...
Ahh, to be lost on a wild horse...
Sunday, April 06, 2008
made for this ...
dear sis,
" I struggle with what God could call us to. Financial struggle/hardship. "
your little bro
dear little bro,
Yes, you are made for hardship! All your good bits are getting refined, purified, strengthened! All those other bits are falling off because you don't need them. Proverbs 17:3 - 'The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the hearts.' God is Master of the storm. Stop striving! Be in His Peace.
Do you realise that you will not have one hardship but multiple ones? And most likely that one hardship could be a hardship that come back over and over again. Proverbs 24:16 - 'For a righteous man may fall 7 times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity.' They are out. This blew me away at how much God gives us in resiliency.
Take a look at the Taylor girls in Mistaken Identities. One girl died and the other lived but their identities got switched. These two christian families are probably wondering why the mix up happened and still have no answer. I too was wondering what purpose God has in this. I can only say that we are clay pots with a treasure inside. These unexplainable moments are for the Message to get out. How we behave is our transportation mode of getting the Message out. I was beside myself with 'wowness' as one father explained that he "loved mercy" and quoted the verse explaining why he said no to the lawyer wanting him to sue the driver. The other father answered O's question to how he could endure this by saying that they had a relationship with Jesus Christ. I was shouting!!!!! Remember that in your clay pot is a Treasure inside - an unshakable HOPE that this world does not understand but harbors a need for. Hold to the Rock that is higher than you.
So all I can say to hardships is that we are in Holy Mud. It is a sacred time. The enemy is a thief. He steals your joy. He wants you grumpy to take your love away from your dear wife and child. He wants your emotions so wasted that you lash out at your pets. You have no good thing without God. So do not let the enemy steal away your delight over all that is precious in your life. Keep the Strong Man at your door. I won't put the words here. So here is your assignment. Go read Matthew 12:29-30 and connect the dots of your life to this verse.
Remember Thomas the doubter? Jesus never reamed him out for not having enough faith. Jesus showed us Thomas as a reminder that questions will come into our lives. Jesus welcomes the q's but always seek Him and He will answer them in the most wildest ways ever.
This might be the toughest to swallow but a believer's by-product must be joy!!!! I have learned this through my own hardships. You know the one - the one that keeps coming around in circles and hitting me over the head. Yup, loneliness or what I call it - aloneness.
Afraid so, little bro. You are made for this...
Not only are you made for hardship, you are made to delight and savor...
~always your sis
" I struggle with what God could call us to. Financial struggle/hardship. "
your little bro
dear little bro,
Yes, you are made for hardship! All your good bits are getting refined, purified, strengthened! All those other bits are falling off because you don't need them. Proverbs 17:3 - 'The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the hearts.' God is Master of the storm. Stop striving! Be in His Peace.
Do you realise that you will not have one hardship but multiple ones? And most likely that one hardship could be a hardship that come back over and over again. Proverbs 24:16 - 'For a righteous man may fall 7 times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity.' They are out. This blew me away at how much God gives us in resiliency.
Take a look at the Taylor girls in Mistaken Identities. One girl died and the other lived but their identities got switched. These two christian families are probably wondering why the mix up happened and still have no answer. I too was wondering what purpose God has in this. I can only say that we are clay pots with a treasure inside. These unexplainable moments are for the Message to get out. How we behave is our transportation mode of getting the Message out. I was beside myself with 'wowness' as one father explained that he "loved mercy" and quoted the verse explaining why he said no to the lawyer wanting him to sue the driver. The other father answered O's question to how he could endure this by saying that they had a relationship with Jesus Christ. I was shouting!!!!! Remember that in your clay pot is a Treasure inside - an unshakable HOPE that this world does not understand but harbors a need for. Hold to the Rock that is higher than you.
So all I can say to hardships is that we are in Holy Mud. It is a sacred time. The enemy is a thief. He steals your joy. He wants you grumpy to take your love away from your dear wife and child. He wants your emotions so wasted that you lash out at your pets. You have no good thing without God. So do not let the enemy steal away your delight over all that is precious in your life. Keep the Strong Man at your door. I won't put the words here. So here is your assignment. Go read Matthew 12:29-30 and connect the dots of your life to this verse.
Remember Thomas the doubter? Jesus never reamed him out for not having enough faith. Jesus showed us Thomas as a reminder that questions will come into our lives. Jesus welcomes the q's but always seek Him and He will answer them in the most wildest ways ever.
This might be the toughest to swallow but a believer's by-product must be joy!!!! I have learned this through my own hardships. You know the one - the one that keeps coming around in circles and hitting me over the head. Yup, loneliness or what I call it - aloneness.
Afraid so, little bro. You are made for this...
Not only are you made for hardship, you are made to delight and savor...
~always your sis
etiquette ...
Could and would in question form should be banned from your emails! No matter if you put a please in there is sounds sooooo harsh! Please would you ... is exactly how it sounds. Start using may I ...
Don't worry. I am always hedging every time I send out an email asking for something. Sometimes I can't find a good way of asking. help!!!
Don't worry. I am always hedging every time I send out an email asking for something. Sometimes I can't find a good way of asking. help!!!
Saturday, April 05, 2008
wake me up, birdies!
Ahhhhhh, Spring is here and today being in the low 60*s, I made my first Saturday walk! My final Saturday walk last year was in October! I have a few rules. It must be at least hitting 60*s so I can wear my walking shorts and a tee. I have a multi purpose for these walks and one is to get my vitamin d! (aka: sun on the skin) Yeah, it was a bit chilly but the walking soon warms you up.
We have yet to get that thunderstorm with nitrogen that wakes up the grass and flowers so everything is quite matted and brown. I caught a few people out turning up dry earth over for a more dark brown wet dirt. Others were raking old leaves and twigs to the curb. I did happen to catch a retired couple sunbathing on their back porch. Yes, the man had is cap on with no shirt! Ok, I know some are quite anxious for the warm rays but wow. I know I can't talk. They made me smile. WTG!
The birds were singing. There was no way they were going to hush up. I saw 2 ugly big blackbirds catching their worms. Sorry, our blackbirds aren't as cool as the UK's that do those cool skywaves that I only get to experience vicariously through the TV. I was heading home and I swear I got a whiff of barbecue! No joke! My companion as I rounded a curve was a dry brown oak leaf. I could hear it coming up behind me and then broke ahead flipping head over stem.
What a beautiful walk!
We have yet to get that thunderstorm with nitrogen that wakes up the grass and flowers so everything is quite matted and brown. I caught a few people out turning up dry earth over for a more dark brown wet dirt. Others were raking old leaves and twigs to the curb. I did happen to catch a retired couple sunbathing on their back porch. Yes, the man had is cap on with no shirt! Ok, I know some are quite anxious for the warm rays but wow. I know I can't talk. They made me smile. WTG!
The birds were singing. There was no way they were going to hush up. I saw 2 ugly big blackbirds catching their worms. Sorry, our blackbirds aren't as cool as the UK's that do those cool skywaves that I only get to experience vicariously through the TV. I was heading home and I swear I got a whiff of barbecue! No joke! My companion as I rounded a curve was a dry brown oak leaf. I could hear it coming up behind me and then broke ahead flipping head over stem.
What a beautiful walk!
Friday, April 04, 2008
game {n}
Games = a form of play or sport, esp. a competitive one played according to rules and decided by skill, strength, or luck.
I love games. I feel it is a good way for a parent to teach their young a bit about life, relationships, and sportsmanship. It is a way to teach strategy. The strategy part is where one could get into trouble but I am suggesting God-Strategy over strategy for selfish means. Strategy is about the mind and how one can turn things around and see from other angles and proceed forward. The simple games like card or board games or even puzzles help you flex the mind and make it more nimble. {smirks} But this entry isn't about the simple games but rather about the reality games where it is about the complex issues of morals and relationships and your take on 'life' like what is of value to you ...
Let me just put this out there. I have some reality games that I pay attention to but not for sheer entertainment. I having my own battle - I grapple with the issues using God's Word and seeking Him. It is amazing how a situation can prove useful in seeing more clearly a Biblical truth. (proverbs 11:16 - a gracious woman retains honor, but a ruthless man retain riches.) What pulls me in is when a player claims to be a christian. I want them to be that light in clay pots or salt improving flavor and preservation. Most of the time they are slaughtered by others or the media or they ring false. So can you play in a reality game as a born again believer? Or is there that battle of not being able to serve to masters? Which will it be? God or money? But what about Daniel and his companions. They where taken into a land and culture not their own. Daniel and his buddies chose not to eat the food given to the idols. Daniel told those over him to test and see who where stronger by the food they ate. Daniel and his friends where! So can a believer play the reality game and win the money?
I started to make a list to answer my 'what if' questions because I believe strongly that a believer's behavior is the only way to show truthfully Who has changed their heart. Here's my list:
1. Honor God
*With your body, mind, heart and soul, honor God. Be loyal/fear to Him only. Eyes on Him - everything else fades.
*Obedience bring blessing. Disobedience brings punishment.
*"He leads me in paths of right ways for His NAMESAKE. A good name is valued more than riches."
2. Set your mind on things above
*"Whatever is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, good report, virtuous, praiseworthy - think on these things" (phil 4:8)
*What is Eternal?
3. Be choosy with relationships (proverbs 12:26)
*"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life" (proverbs 4:23)
*honest weights (proverbs 11:1) Use honest weights in how you treat people and pay attention to how others treat others. Are they using honest weights?
4. Let your gentleness be known to all men (phil 4:5)
*"to slander no one, to be peaceable, to be full of courtesy, to walk humbly" (titus 3:2)
5. Test all things. Hold to what is good (I thess 5:21)
To sum up my thoughts in reality games as well as life, there are two kinds of logic playing out - God's Wisdom and man's logic. Therefore, when the world sees a believer play out his life in a different way, it just is absurd. It cannot be explained. A believer's hope lies in the fact that all God-pricking happens in the heart where human eyes cannot see. You must play it God's way. "Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. " John 15:4
So is the Believer jumping into the arena? If you were to jump in there would there be a blood sport or would God shut up the lion's mouth? Would you be willing to sacrifice yourself up for another?
I am confident the believer can play the reality game and win hearts for God but the odds are that the believer won't be the last one standing with pockets overflowing UNLESS God's hand deems it otherwise.
I have yet to see this...
I love games. I feel it is a good way for a parent to teach their young a bit about life, relationships, and sportsmanship. It is a way to teach strategy. The strategy part is where one could get into trouble but I am suggesting God-Strategy over strategy for selfish means. Strategy is about the mind and how one can turn things around and see from other angles and proceed forward. The simple games like card or board games or even puzzles help you flex the mind and make it more nimble. {smirks} But this entry isn't about the simple games but rather about the reality games where it is about the complex issues of morals and relationships and your take on 'life' like what is of value to you ...
Let me just put this out there. I have some reality games that I pay attention to but not for sheer entertainment. I having my own battle - I grapple with the issues using God's Word and seeking Him. It is amazing how a situation can prove useful in seeing more clearly a Biblical truth. (proverbs 11:16 - a gracious woman retains honor, but a ruthless man retain riches.) What pulls me in is when a player claims to be a christian. I want them to be that light in clay pots or salt improving flavor and preservation. Most of the time they are slaughtered by others or the media or they ring false. So can you play in a reality game as a born again believer? Or is there that battle of not being able to serve to masters? Which will it be? God or money? But what about Daniel and his companions. They where taken into a land and culture not their own. Daniel and his buddies chose not to eat the food given to the idols. Daniel told those over him to test and see who where stronger by the food they ate. Daniel and his friends where! So can a believer play the reality game and win the money?
I started to make a list to answer my 'what if' questions because I believe strongly that a believer's behavior is the only way to show truthfully Who has changed their heart. Here's my list:
1. Honor God
*With your body, mind, heart and soul, honor God. Be loyal/fear to Him only. Eyes on Him - everything else fades.
*Obedience bring blessing. Disobedience brings punishment.
*"He leads me in paths of right ways for His NAMESAKE. A good name is valued more than riches."
2. Set your mind on things above
*"Whatever is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, good report, virtuous, praiseworthy - think on these things" (phil 4:8)
*What is Eternal?
3. Be choosy with relationships (proverbs 12:26)
*"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life" (proverbs 4:23)
*honest weights (proverbs 11:1) Use honest weights in how you treat people and pay attention to how others treat others. Are they using honest weights?
4. Let your gentleness be known to all men (phil 4:5)
*"to slander no one, to be peaceable, to be full of courtesy, to walk humbly" (titus 3:2)
5. Test all things. Hold to what is good (I thess 5:21)
To sum up my thoughts in reality games as well as life, there are two kinds of logic playing out - God's Wisdom and man's logic. Therefore, when the world sees a believer play out his life in a different way, it just is absurd. It cannot be explained. A believer's hope lies in the fact that all God-pricking happens in the heart where human eyes cannot see. You must play it God's way. "Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. " John 15:4
So is the Believer jumping into the arena? If you were to jump in there would there be a blood sport or would God shut up the lion's mouth? Would you be willing to sacrifice yourself up for another?
I am confident the believer can play the reality game and win hearts for God but the odds are that the believer won't be the last one standing with pockets overflowing UNLESS God's hand deems it otherwise.
I have yet to see this...
Thursday, April 03, 2008
renewing ...
'screeeeeeetch' {pulls out the old wooden soapbox}
Well, there is a book out there about 'awakening' and a 'new earth' that is all the rage and hype. Interesting ... Why would I need a book like that when I have God's Word? The Holy Bible is all about renewing the mind and being a new creation where the Creator makes all things new. The new earth will never happen here. A new heaven and a new earth will come after the first heaven and the first earth have passed away. It is a physical sense not a mental one. It is about His Kingdom and His children.
I do not care that the book might have the Scripture in it. False teachers and false prophets love to use God's Word to suit their purpose. Easier to hook you into their thinking. Remember the enemy would love nothing more than to snatch a believer from God's grip. I believe in Eternal Security but it is also up to the believer to make sure the soil is good soil and not stony, shallow, or spoiled.
Recently I have been convicted about self-help books. I do admit that I have an addiction to them. I finally said no more back in 2003. However, I was listening to a speaker show how self-help books are bad because we have taken our focus off God and His Ever-Present Help which means we become god or so we think. Beware! Just another way to be doped by the enemy.
I know the desire to be a better self. I love to learn and I hope that I am better. You've heard it said that you can't change others so stop. You can't change yourself without seeking God. He then allows you to change and it becomes permanent. The emptiness stops. The endless searching stops. He alone can still the raging waters and He alone can still the striving heart. Let Him.
---
Does the book parallel itself with the Bible? Do you feel that this book is a supplemental to the Bible? Do you feel that this author expounds upon the Bible better? Are you being lead to the slaughter?
Well, there is a book out there about 'awakening' and a 'new earth' that is all the rage and hype. Interesting ... Why would I need a book like that when I have God's Word? The Holy Bible is all about renewing the mind and being a new creation where the Creator makes all things new. The new earth will never happen here. A new heaven and a new earth will come after the first heaven and the first earth have passed away. It is a physical sense not a mental one. It is about His Kingdom and His children.
I do not care that the book might have the Scripture in it. False teachers and false prophets love to use God's Word to suit their purpose. Easier to hook you into their thinking. Remember the enemy would love nothing more than to snatch a believer from God's grip. I believe in Eternal Security but it is also up to the believer to make sure the soil is good soil and not stony, shallow, or spoiled.
Recently I have been convicted about self-help books. I do admit that I have an addiction to them. I finally said no more back in 2003. However, I was listening to a speaker show how self-help books are bad because we have taken our focus off God and His Ever-Present Help which means we become god or so we think. Beware! Just another way to be doped by the enemy.
I know the desire to be a better self. I love to learn and I hope that I am better. You've heard it said that you can't change others so stop. You can't change yourself without seeking God. He then allows you to change and it becomes permanent. The emptiness stops. The endless searching stops. He alone can still the raging waters and He alone can still the striving heart. Let Him.
---
Does the book parallel itself with the Bible? Do you feel that this book is a supplemental to the Bible? Do you feel that this author expounds upon the Bible better? Are you being lead to the slaughter?
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
learning and wheels ...
Took me forty-five minutes to get on blogger and now my time is up! Good grief!!! What is up with that? I really had an outline ready to go but to make a full tirade, I need time to flesh it out. Sooooo, I guess I will write something else like how busy my week is without me being able to do what I want to do!
I am on the wheel again but I don't think I ever got off. I make up lists to do with my weeknights but I find myself numbing out. Then my weekends come and again I find myself bearing checking off the things on my list and numbing out just to keep on the up and up.
My mind is always spinning. I thought I never could do two things at once but guess what? While working numbers my mind is off in the world of words and ideas. That mind is always working - twisting scenarios around like 3D visual and making mental as well as bird scratches in my notebook. I guess human behavior and even more importantly a believer's behavior intrigues me. I have a huge case of wonderment in behavior. It is what learning is all about - right?
With that note, do you ever get tired so tired that you could care less about learning? Can you numb out sooooooo long that learning is no longer an option? Can you really live without learning?
I am on the wheel again but I don't think I ever got off. I make up lists to do with my weeknights but I find myself numbing out. Then my weekends come and again I find myself bearing checking off the things on my list and numbing out just to keep on the up and up.
My mind is always spinning. I thought I never could do two things at once but guess what? While working numbers my mind is off in the world of words and ideas. That mind is always working - twisting scenarios around like 3D visual and making mental as well as bird scratches in my notebook. I guess human behavior and even more importantly a believer's behavior intrigues me. I have a huge case of wonderment in behavior. It is what learning is all about - right?
With that note, do you ever get tired so tired that you could care less about learning? Can you numb out sooooooo long that learning is no longer an option? Can you really live without learning?
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