Hard Questions

There are seasons of time in which God speaks to me on a certain topic. It seems that I will be surrounded by blogs, books, songs, emails, sermons...all dealing with whatever it is that God is speaking to me about.

Right now it seems that He is speaking to not only me, but to many people that I know about the millions of suffering people in the world...and how as Christians we cannot turn our back on that any longer.

Once we ever get a glimpse of how Jesus feels about these people, I don't believe we will be able to sit on the sidelines and do nothing. If we look into their eyes...the eyes of the poor and sick and dying...how can we turn away and pretend that it's not our responsibility? If we look into His eyes and see the love that he has for them...how can we ignore that and live our lives as normal?

I pray that God will break through the hard shell that we have surrounded ourselves with to protect us from feeling their pain.

Has It Really Been 18 Days?

My friend Elysa left a comment yesterday reminding me that it has been a while since I've posted. Man, time really passes by fast sometimes. I do have things to share...it's just taking the time to do so. I will try to do better.

Breath

Our breath...

we take it for granted...

until it's not there when we need it.

As one who has suffered with bronchitis and asthma on and off my whole adult life, I can tell you that trying to breathe when it is difficult is a very scary thing.

I subscribe to MountainWings.com and today's email features a beautiful slideshow that shows the beauty of God's creation, along with words of truth about out choices of what we do with our breath. Check it out:
http://www.cryofthespirit.com/breath.html

Low Rider

Baby Girl got a new tricycle and now she zooms around the house...sometimes giving her babies a ride. Of course it had to be pink and purple! At three years old, she wants to be both a big girl ("I want to do it myself!") and a little girl too (notice that is her "night-night" blanket that she drags around with her).

Motherhood is all about encouraging her independence, while nurturing and offering a helping hand when needed. Buckle up...it's going to be a long ride.

Live

I shared with a friend this week that one of my biggest fears is waking up one day to find myself an old woman, nearing the end of my life, and regretting all of the things that I wanted to do, but never found the time or motivation to do them.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. " Mark Twain

What Can We Do?

My friend Elysa just returned from a short-term mission trip to Swaziland, Africa. She served there when she was in her early 20s and still has a heart for the people there. Swaziland is full of orphan children, some being raised by widows who take them in, some are raising themselves...and many children are dying from lack of food and medical care.

A whole team of folks went on this trip. I will list some of their blogs in case you want to check them out. They have not been able to write much since the returned because their hearts are so full. I believe that they have been forever changed. I pray that as they are able to share with us, that we will be changed as well.

Subjects like this often bring feelings of being overwhelmed to me...after all, it's a big world and there is much suffering. We often think "what can I do?" and then do nothing. There is something we can do. We can make a difference. I fully believe that.

Don't be intimidated by the great need. Don't be afraid to read the blogs and look at the smiling faces of the Swaziland children. Let's ask God what he would have us to do...and then for goodness sake...let's do something. If we don't, who will?

Elysa's blog: http://elysasmusingsfromgraceland.blogspot.com/

Other blogs from the missionary team:
http://tomdavis.typepad.com/
http://kblog.kevinjbowman.com/
http://ragamuffindiva.blogspot.com/
http://biscotti_brain.blogspot.com/

Free Rice

Want to try a new computer game that is highly addictive and helps to feed hungry people around the world? Check out http://www.freerice.com

Free To Be

I have started participating in the First Place Bible study at my church. For those of you who do not know, First Place is a weight-loss program and its goal is to encourage a balanced life. Even though I'm only into week two of the program, I have realized something about myself...it is very easy for me to slip into a legalistic mindset.

I am normally a follow-the-rules kind of person, so it is very easy for me to get caught up in things that I "have to" and "must do". The First Place leader encouraged us this week to put the Lord first in everything we do and make our relationship with Him a priority. She reminded us that as we do this, He will change us from the inside out. Do I have a responsibility in all this? You bet. But it is not all up to me...the freedom comes from Him.

But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:16-18 NIV)

A New Beginning

It's late...so this will be short. Just had to share that my church called a new pastor tonight and I am so excited about what God has planned for us. This man has such a love for Jesus...an awe and respect for God and His Word...and he seems to be so open to the things of the Spirit. This is the pastor that we have been longing for. God is so good!

Snow Day

What a treat to wake up to snow this morning! BK had a ball making snowballs and throwing them at her daddy. By the way, she didn't have mittens...so, yes...those are pink socks on her hands. Oh well...whatever works. : )

Birthday Thoughts

Today is my birthday. Those who love me remembered. I was taken out for lunch by my sisters...out to dinner by hubby and daughter...received a sweet card from a precious friend that moved out of state last year...and also a few email greetings. It was a good day.

So I'm now one year closer to being old enough to join AARP...even though I do have a few years left before that milestone.

Hopefully I'm not just another year older, but wiser as well. Some things a person just doesn't learn until they have walked down the road a while...you know?

There is the temptation to be blue...to lament my youth and the years that I will never see again. But I am choosing to be thankful...

for yesterday...the lessons learned and the memories that fill my heart with joy

for today...for everything that makes my life so full...

for tomorrow...and the hope of growing in love, as I grow closer to the One who IS love

Happiness is fleeting...but joy is eternal...I choose joy.

Great Pirate Movie

We took BK to the theater yesterday to see the new Veggie Tales movie The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything. It was really a cute movie...from frolicking cabin boys to crazed Cheetos and dancing rocks...it's filled with kid-friendly songs and laughs. As with all Veggie Tales productions, there are also lessons of Truth sprinkled throughout. Grab a kid and head to the nearest theater...you will enjoy it as much as they do.

Could Be

I read a quote tonight that made me think about how I treat people.

You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him. ~James D. Miles~

After I thought about this for a while, I realized that these days the people I find myself drawn to...caring for...treating the best...are the ones who love me and love my daughter. For better or worse, that's the truth of the matter.

I wonder if that's how God feels?

A Little Something From Zig

The Failure Event

I want to remind you that failure is an event, it is not a person.

Yesterday really did end last night.

Today is a brand new day.

That simply means that you can fail in an event, but by no stretch of imagination does that make you a failure as a person.

~Zig Ziglar~

Special Day

Three years ago my life changed when I watched my baby girl take her first breath.

She is such a wonderful gift of God.

She is a miracle…there is no doubt of that.

I am so thankful for the privilege of being her mommy.

Happy Birthday sweet girl!