Love Stories

I’m convinced that the best love stories are the ones that take longer to happen.

First, let me say it’s hard to wait. It’s hard to go through life, single, for years and years. There are days that you know that God has a plan and there are some that you wonder if He really knows how you feel.

I’ve been there. I am there.

If I keep going back to the truth though, I can make it that day. His promises can be trusted.

I’ve been reading Ruth’s story again. It doesn’t give a lot of timelines in the story, however. How long she traveled with her mother in law, how long she gleaned with the other girls, etc. It did say she was married for 10 years before her husband died though.

Ten years!

10 years before Boaz even entered the story; this wonderful story.

Speaking of Boaz…oh, Boaz. He’s that guy we all picture, coming in (possibly on horseback or a nice car, with a million dollar smile who is a “man of standing” (See Ruth 2:1) who just happens to be really sweet and down to eart- Sorry…I’m getting carried away.), sweeping us off our feet and causing us to live happily ever after. I’m sure that’s not exactly how their life went, but I’ll save that for a later post.

You might feel the “one” God has promised you, the one you dream about, the one you pray for, your “Boaz”, is probably lost and just won’t ask for directions. If he would just hurry up already, right?

Though, like this story, Ruth was older, had already been married for 10 years, had moved in with her Mother-in-law and was picking up scraps from a field before Boaz noticed her.

It’s not too late for me and it’s not too late for you. We’re in the right place!

God hasn’t forgotten us. He hasn’t changed His mind. His promise still stands.

Hold on to it. Hold on to Him.

Do “All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character”? (Ruth 3:11)

Keep praying. Keep doing what you’re doing. Keep living for and pursuing God.

You never know who might notice you while you’re doing what God has called you to.

Oh, and if you happen to see my Boaz wondering around lost, can you point him in my direction? Thanks.

Oh that? That doesn't apply to me.

"But I tell you who hear me: love your enemies and do good to those who hate you." Luke 6:27

I don't know about you, but when I read scriptures like this one, I try to back up to the beginning and pretend I never read it. Seriously.

Just like how we conveniently don't see the "LIMIT 1 PER CUSTOMER" sign or we check out with 13 items in the "10 ITEMS OR LESS" line at Walmart.

You know you do it.

Sometimes, we just like to act as if certain things don't apply to us when they obviously do (I'm looking at you, lady in front of me who's going to need a team-lift AND a carry-out for your purchase.)

So why don't I want to hear that I should not only just love my enemies (Crazy, right?) but also do good to those who hate me?

I know, "enemies" or "haters" seems like a pretty strong term, doesn't it?

Honestly, I've got a little of both.

I've got people that I like to avoid because they are so hostile toward me, my family, the way I believe, my work, etc.

I've even got people who I would consider more dangerous than "Haters" because they are super nice to my face but as soon as I turn around, they are, well...hateful. They speak negatively about me, tear down my character, attack my choices and all the while think they are getting away with it. If you do that, please stop. You may not see it as a big deal or even classify it as "hating" or "gossip", but please hear me when I say, it is. And it gets back to the person you're talking about too, believe me.

After all of that ugly, nasty, hurtful stuff that is said about me or my family, I'm supposed to do good to them...really?!

That's so backwards to our human nature...our culture, even.

But that's exactly how God treats us. He constantly loves no matter what we do, say, or decide against Him.

And I'm called to be like Him. That's it.

So, to all my enemies and haters: come on in, put your feet up, I'll get you a drink and simply continue to love and do good to you. You sure don't deserve it, but it's what you're getting.


Do you have any haters? How do you handle them?

Squeegee Techniques

I was either being super observant or super bored this weekend...either way, it produced this post - or what could be a tutorial, if you wish.

As my family stopped at a gas station on the way to Wichita, with 4 little kids, 4 years old & under, that ALL had to go to the bathroom...but, of course, each only knew this once one of the other kids finally got back in the car. Yes, that meant 4 trips.

I have no idea why I didn't help, but that's not the point here. :)

The point is that I witnessed something that I had no idea could be done so many different ways.

For your benefit, I've compiled a detailed & pictured list of the different techniques of squeegeeing that I witnessed that one afternoon alone:

"Flick" or "Whip"

This is the "Flick" or "Whip". Very common. Simply, in between each swipe, flick the water on the ground. Really good at getting strangers wet too.

"Mr. I got this Strong-Arm"

Here's "Mr. I got this Strong-Arm" himself. This guy is all business and can press down so hard for each swipe that he's in no need to flick or wipe excess water like a pansy.

"Finger Swipe"

This was a first for me. I thought the guy was being goofy or something, but no, he was all-business too. He seriously thought that a "Finger Swipe" to get the excess water off was the best way to squeegee. Gross.

"Bottom-Top-Bottom"

Honestly, I'm pretty sure the lady who did this had never washed a window in her life. She probably had good intentions, but she squeegeed from the bottom to the top. If you've washed even 1 window in your life, you know that doesn't work. I contemplated helping her, but thought that blogging about it would help more. Don't be a "Bottom-Top-Bottom". Just don't.

"Extendo Arm"

I'm still surprised how serious all these people were about washing their windows. This guy had to get out his "Extendo Arm" to wipe his window vertically. Why? I don't know. You're welcome for passing it on anyway. Someone needs to tell him the phrase every Grandma says, "Work smarter, not harder."

"Halfway Harry"

Oh, "Halfway Harry"...your work ethic appalls me. This guy was either in too much of a hurry to finish his window, or just didn't care enough to finish the job. Either way, I laughed like crazy as he drove off like it was normal to have a half wet windshield. Hilarious.

"Patty"

Finally, there's "Patty". I would be a Patty. It makes sense to cleanly wipe off the excess water and gunk with one of those gas stop napkins that feel like sandpaper. Though, usually the guy before you takes ALL of those just to stock up his glove box, so always have extra in you car just in case.


There you go! Again, you're welcome.

Which one are you? Are there other "techniques" you've seen or done?

This Season

Seasons. We all go through them whether (or weather:)) we like them or not. Winter is my favorite, closely followed by Fall.

There are other seasons we go through too. I've been through a waiting season, dark season, rejoicing season, changing season, trust season, and numerous other seasons.

At some point I can usually name the season I'm going though and it helps me realize what I'm supposed to be doing- EXAMPLE: During the Waiting Season, I should probably be waiting. Probably.

There are times, which right now happens to be one, where I have no clue what season I'm in. Maybe I'm in transition? Maybe it's a good thing I don't know what's going on at all? All I know is I'm clinging on to God more tightly than I ever have before.

Probably putting nail marks in His arm from holding on so tight.

This is a good thing, yes. But I can't tell you how lost I feel.

It's so weird to be talking to God, holding on to Him and seeing Him in everything, but still feel so distant. Like I'm wandering aimlessly, constantly looking up to Him, seeing if I'm getting hotter or colder to where I'm supposed to be.

Above all, I just want to make sure that I'm in the center of His will. So I'm sitting up, watching every move He makes, waiting, looking for Him to say, "Ok, you can come this way now."

I'm listening for Him to say, "Simeon Says, ______", then it's game on!

So, honestly, I don't know what I'm doing. I'm looking to God for that answer in this season.

Thank you to everyone who has prayed for me and reached out and offered whatever I need. You are incredible and are reminding me of His love everyday.


Been finding refuge in these lately:
"For You are my God, my Savior,and my hope is in You all day long." Ps. 25:5
"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." Isaiah 40:29


What season are you in?

Sitting on the sidelines

Have you heard Mandisa's new song "Waiting for Tomorrow"? Here's the Chorus:

Can't spend my whole life wastin'
Everything I know I've been given
'Cause you've made for so much more than
Sittin' on the side lines
I don't wanna look back and wonder
If good enough could've been better
Everyday's a day to start over
So, why am I waiting for tomorrow


I love that. Especially the line "You've made me for so much more than sittin' on the sidelines".

You know who sabotages myself more than anyone? Me.

I'll be the first to give you a lengthy list of why I can't do something; why I'm not qualified enough, pretty enough, talented enough...it's easy for me to sit on the sidelines.

I'm also a planner; I like to know what is going to happen when, where, how, etc. I like to play it safe...but that usually means taking myself out of the game and sitting on the sidelines.

Maybe with my decision years ago to wait for "Mr. Right", I've started waiting (or maybe stopping altogether) in other areas too.

That's not necessarily a good thing.

All I know is that I count myself out in almost every situation before I even have a chance to think about it.

Why do I do that?

I've just sat on the sidelines, figuring- no, KNOWING other people would be better at what God was calling me to do or be. The problem is that's just not true. God has called me to a specific plan; it was meant just for me.

The next line of the song is probably just as important: "I don't wanna look back and wonder if good enough could've been better".

Ouch. Wouldn't that stink if I looked back 20+ years from now and wished that I wasn't sitting on the sidelines, although safe, not doing the things I knew God had called me to?


So, here's my first step in everyday choosing not to sit on the sidelines. Get in the game and do what God has called me to, whatever that is.


Join me?

QUESTION:
Where do you need to jump in the "game"?

Trust your tongue

A few days ago I was working on moving and decided to have some breakfast. Have to start the day off good, right?

The only food left in my house was some cereal and a little milk. Still a good start, right?

Poured it, had a seat on my living room carpet (since I'm devoid of critical furniture at the moment) said a short prayer, then took a bite.

*DISCLAIMER- Personally, in order for milk to be described as good/edible to me, it HAS to be ice cold, with no chunks. Shouldn't be too much to ask. Well, you'd think.

My first bite wasn't terrible ... until I swallowed.

I was getting over being sick, so apparently my smeller was out of commission. My taste buds however, were not. See, the bitter taste buds are near the back of your tongue. So I didn't have a problem until I swallowed and it went over those "censors".

Though, because I had smelled it and the first part of my bite tasted normal, I kept, very slowly, taking bites.

Something was just not right though. So, I went to brush my teeth, thinking that would help. Went back to my living room carpet and took another bite.

Nope. Now I was sure something was wrong. At this point I'd probably taken about 10 bites.

Even though it didn't smell rotten, it was for sure! The rest of the day I felt sick and worthless. Don't let this happen to you.


There's probably a spiritual parallel for this, but I'm going to let you figure that out. :)


I just had to post this, if nothing else, to tell you to trust your tongue.

Just trying to save you the agony. Seriously.

You're welcome.

2 things I never do.

There are 2 things I never do.

1. Scream.
2. Get mad.

I guess, for some people, those two can even go hand-in-hand! I'm a pretty even-tempered, problem-solving, peace-making person.

That being said, any time I experience one of these things, I tend to hold on to it. Especially if I'm the one who screamed or got mad.

This is probably why I love roller coasters. It's my chance to get some screams out!

However, it's not such a good thing when I get mad. It's almost like when you try something new, it's exciting, you get a rush, it's just a whole new experience!

So, I tend to hang on to that anger for a little bit, to savor it, if you will. I don't do anything destructive or hurtful during this time, more like I keep it inside for a little bit. Usually only ends up being a few hours. Though, I know that time needs to be a lot shorter. Instead of "reveling" in this new-found emotion I never get to use, I have to give it to God and not hang on to it.

Something that's never failed for me, almost like a magic trick, is prayer. No joke, every time I pray, all that anger slides off. Even if I wanted to be mad, I can't! I see the whole situation differently, I'm seeing through God's eyes.

I had one of these experiences last week.

It was a righteous anger. It was seeing people turn their back on God and deliberately living their life like they never knew Him, and I'm supposed to be around them and act like everything is ok?!?! I knew I was going to be around them and I had a few things I had planned to tell them - I just knew they needed to hear it too!

About 20 minutes before I saw them, though, I just crumbled before God. I knew what I wanted to say was stirred by my heart knowing that they don't know Him. It's like someone headed down a road, at 70 mph, with a bridge out at the end. I want to yell at them, "STOP!! TURN AROUND! THIS IS THE WRONG ROAD! YOU'RE GOING TO PERISH!" Even though all of those things would come out of love, they won't listen to it like that.

I've tried all I can with them and I know the only thing left is to focus on my life, living right and seeking Him. Hopefully the light I'm running after will make them want the same for their life. That's the hope I'm clinging to.


What makes you mad? What do you do?

*My church is talking about this, too. What breaks your heart? What are you doing about it? Check it out here: http://www.lifechurch.tv/watch/change-your-world/1

I am SO humble! Wait, is that contradictory?

Have you ever noticed how extremely hard it is to be humble? It's just so against our nature.

We are "me" focused and we're always "looking out for #1". We do things to get noticed, or to be praised, or to get respect or just to look good. It's easy but that messes everything up, because our motives are wrong.

So, overall, do we do things to be noticed or do we just notice things we can do? Do we do something because we are loved or to be loved?

If we're not looking at what we can get, could we instead look at what we can give? Be more "God focused" rather than "me focused"?

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:6-7

-Because I am loved, I can humble myself.
-When I’m trying to be loved, I must build myself up to look better.

-Because I am loved, I can cast all my anxiety on Him.
-When I’m trying to be loved, I cast all my anxiety on my performance.

I'm just so tired of living for me and being surrounded by people who do the same. We may be doing "good" things. We may profess to be a Christian, serve at church, volunteer, etc. but if in the meantime we're not acting like Christ at all...what's the point? Something has to change, right? This won't happen overnight, for sure, but take it one day at a time. Have a "humble sandwich" every day for lunch or something like that...in little bits, we'll get there. We may miss our "Pride Pie" that we usually eat and may even sneak in a few bites of it, but soon, if we keep at it and see how much it's needed, humbleness can become second nature.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” 1 Corinthians 13:4

What reminds you to be humble? What's the hardest part for you?

*By the way, I'm still working on this myself :)

Change

I keep looking at this blank space, wanting to write, wanting to update things that are happening and things God is showing me, but ... there's always that "but" isn't there?

Honestly, I am still alive and breathing. I am still growing (hopefully) closer to God.

There's just...

I don't know. God is revealing stuff to me and decisions are coming my way and I'm simply busy. All three of those things are good AND bad.

• God is revealing stuff to me and that's good! But it's also very scary.
  

• The decisions need to be made and could result in a better outcome but they are hard!

• And busyness. Oh, how I hate you and yet I seem to cling to you all the time. You help me do many good things, but you steal from me being able to do greater things.
  

The message I heard this weekend I know I need to listen to again. Actually, the last few weeks have been pretty much a slap in the face. Those messages mixed with what God is telling me, what others are telling me and what common sense is telling me. It's like a "life cocktail" or something.

I always say, "I know, I know..." but I never do anything about it. So, I'm in the process of doing something about it.

No longer just saying I hate being busy, but actually changing that. Not just having a full schedule and therefore can't have time with friends or the potential of any new ones...no, this has to change.

With God's help, I'm working on it. I can't do it on my own, or I would've already. He's helping me prioritize, pray before acting (or writing something on my calendar), and take the time to cultivate the relationships I have and invest in new ones.

This is scary, unknown and seems impossible. Yet, I know nothing is impossible with Him and He'll help me succeed.

I'm not trying to be dramatic by any means but I am trying to make a deliberate change by taking strategic steps.


What do you need to change?

Brains or Upturned Lips

In every movie I watch, I try to guess what will happen next & how it will end before it comes. I've gotten pretty good at it, too. See, I can't stand not knowing what's coming! I always thought I liked surprises, but I've recently found out that I really don't. Maybe I just like surprising other people better.

With that being said, today I was trying to "guess the ending" of my life. I play all these scenarios in my head & I've got to admit, some of them look pretty nice!

After I played this little game in my head for a while, I was frustrated once again because nothing in the real world had changed. I kinda threw up my hands and said, "Alright, God...once again, I know, I need to give this to You and just let you take over. But- can he just be either REALLY smart or REALLY funny?* That would be good. Thanks." (*Thus the title "Brains or Upturned Lips.")

See, I figure if he's really smart then we can be rich, make good choices, etc. and just have an all-over good life. If not, at least let him be hilarious so when life is hard, we can at least laugh along the way! One of those should be good, right? Oh...silly, I know.

It sounds good in my head, but when I say it out loud, I kinda look back at myself and say, "Really? Wow...you're crazier than I thought."

So, lately I've been frustrated. Really frustrated. And...it's all my fault. It also doesn't help that we're less than a week away from Valentines Day and this is on my mind more than usual. (DISCLAIMER: I don't hate Valentines, per say...I just don't love it. At least right now.)

Just thinking about what is to come; everything I don't know. I'm trying to speed up God's timing and it's just not working out. I feel more confused than I have in a LONG time. See, the "deal" I told God about him being either smart or funny sounds ridiculous and pretty much like I'd be willing to settle because I'm tired of "keeping face", going against the tide, etc. And in all truth, I'm not ready to quit! I'm not ready to give up on God and say, "Thanks, but no thanks. I'll take it from here." I hope I never get to that place.

I know, I've got to give it up. The thing is, it's a daily process. I have to remind myself everyday of what I already know, because apparently I have short-term memory loss.

He has great plans for me! Greater than I can guess, even.

What truth/promise do you need to be reminded of?

What's your story?

Matthew West's newest project is writing about your life - yes yours!! He's in a cabin for the next 2 months reading what you send him and writing new projects. You can tell him your life story at http://matthewwest.com/


Here's what I submitted:

Hey, I'm Jenn - wow...how do you just start off telling the story of 20 years?? I got saved at 4 and prayed with my Mom and brother for the next 8 years or so that my Dad would find life in Christ too. I grew up in Tulsa, OK and lived there until I was 15...just about everything I knew was there. I was homeschooled and Tulsa has amazing stuff for homeschoolers! There was so much going on, we had to cancel activities so we could get our school done! Anyways, I moved to Blackwell, OK(for my Dad's job)which was a huge culture shock! I mean, I could count the number of stoplights on 1 hand...just about. I went through depression and found God again there. He never left me. I just found Him in a new way and He opened doors for me to mentor students in a small church down the street. That grew into being a youth leader, to back-up singer on the worship team to worship leader in youth to guest speaker to fill-in worship leader in Main Church. I really grew there in my leadership skills and learned all over again how to serve God along with other people. In my Senior year I started interning at a local Christian Radio Station(The House FM & Praise 88.7)and God really grew a new passion in me for radio. I've always loved music and the message that we are able to convey in it, but this was a whole new ministry mindset. Over the lat couple years I've been promoted a few times to one of the "Office Ladies" and I'm a DJ too. When I step back and think about it, it doesn't make sense. I started working there while in high school and there's no way I can afford college, yet God is blessing me to do things that I shouldn't be able to do. I'm on the radio speaking to literally thousands of people everyday and working concerts and making Him known daily. I love that I am able to do this. I am SO blessed and I know it's God.

I'm a part of Life Center in Ponca City; part of the LifeChurch.tv network (doing church in a 21st century way). I'm highly ingrained there and I lead worship too.

Another thing I haven't mentioned is an old passion of mine - purity. When I was 12, I got up in front of about 3,000 people in my church and took a "Zero Pledge". I pledged to do zero drugs, alcohol, etc. and to stay pure until I'm married. I know a lot of churches do this and they get a ring and all and it's no big deal a few years later, but I took it to heart. I'm still living that life, though it's not easy. It's hard and it's a conscious decision EVERY DAY. It's easy to feel lonely and lose hope. It's easy for my flesh to tell me that I've lost my mind and I'm going to wake up at 32 years old with no one and all this waiting was for nothing. But, then God steps in at just the right time and reminds me of His promises. His promises are so special to me. That's what I hold to. When I try to explain my lifestyle or why I don't want to go certain places or do certain things, people don't get it. It's hard to explain and at the end of the day when I'm at my lowest and I'm vulnerable to being like the world, it could be easy for me to just give in or even give up. That's when God is my strength. Even when it doesn't make any sense to anyone, even my family, I know that God is trustworthy, faithful and He loves me and wants the best. I believe with all my heart that He does have a plan for me. I have to believe that. Over time I've been able to help other people understand and pointed them to God in the process. Some have prayed and ended up living the same way and others have shunned me, but you know what? It's worth it. Honestly, I haven't seen a physical payoff yet but I have faith that it will. And even if my highest dream of being a wife and Mom never happen - He's still good and He's still in control. It's in His hands and that's where I'm leaving it. So, that's the quick version of the story of my life...but it's not really over - I'm still finding out what the rest of my story is every day.


So, there you go. Tell them your story and you could be featured in one of his songs! We'd lvoe to know what your story is too! Be a part of the "My Story" Project with The House FM - http://www.thehousefm.com/thehouse.asp?ID=MyStory&S=0&b=1

Running on Empty

I have a disorder. I have the “I want to see how far I can drive AFTER my low fuel light comes on” disorder. Anyone else with me? I’ve gotten to the point now where I keep track of my mileage after the light, trying to beat my own record for mileage driven after the low fuel light illuminates. I have actually prayed out loud before ” God, you turned water into wine, you multiplied fish and bread, you can multiply the gas in my tank so I can get to the gas station.” And then God said, “I’ve multiplied the gas stations you’ve been driving past for the last two days, you’re on your own!”

I have a spiritual disorder: I have been known to see how long I can live when I’m running on empty. When I’m running on empty in my spiritual life I have come to recognize the low fuel light. When I’m running on empty:

-God’s voice is harder to hear

-I feel promptings from the Holy Spirit less

-I am more irritable

-I am more selfish

-I don’t serve people with a heart of gratitude

-I do ministry out of obligation and not out of the overflow of my heart

The danger for many of us is that we don’t recognize when the spiritual “low fuel” light comes on, or we do and we just ignore it. I can get so good at ignoring it that I actually convince people that I have a full tank, when I'm really running on fumes.

I feel like I am running on empty this week. So… I’m not going to ignore it, I’m not going to “try to get through this week, then I can spend some time refueling.” I’m going to take little steps each day to replenish my heart so that I can live out the mission God has given me as a daughter, worker, friend and woman of God.


Do you try to run on empty? What are some signs in your life that you are running on empty?

lol...lol...lol...ugh.

Ok, what's with people using 'lol' way too much? It's like a complete sentance to them. It makes me wonder if they ever really laugh out loud or it's just something easy to type? Here's how a typical conversation with someone would go:


Me: Hey! How's life?
Them: lol good lol
Me: Haha, ok...
Them: lol
Me: Really? That good huh?
Them: lol
Me: Is that all you can say?
Them: lol
Me: Uh-huh...so are you really laughing out loud right now?
Them: lol
Me: Hmmmm, I'm still not convinced.
Them: lol
Me: Wow, well...you know 'lol' is not a complete sentance right?
Them: lol
Me: I see you get my point.
Them: lol
Me: Riiiiiight
Them: lol
Me: Well, this has been a deep conversation...
Them: lol
Me: Of course.
Them: lol
Me: It's been good talking to you
Them: lol
Me: Bye
Them: lol



Yeah....get my point? If you are laughing out loud that much, I need to be a comedian! Come on people, 'lol' is way overused! Using it a bit here or there I understand but, really use discretion. Personally I say 'Haha' because that's an actual laugh and I'm laughing at the time. So, what do you use? Really, we need something new so we can throw away the 'lol'...

Isn't it About Time You Got Married?

I've got a few unanswered questions about my life. I'd like to know if I'll ever be a homemaker and homeowner. I'd like to know how to sell and buy, as well as manage maintenance on a car as a single woman. I'd like to know if I'll ever walk down the aisle as the main attraction instead of as a member of the supporting cast. I've discovered, though, that I rarely have to ask questions like this. There are plenty of other people in my life asking them for me.

At an event one evening, a mere acquaintance asked one. I heard his voice. "So, isn't it about time you got married?" Glancing left and right with the desperate hope that he was speaking to anyone else, I slowly looked up. Nope, I was the lucky target, and he hit the bull's-eye.

"Isn't it about time you got married?" He voiced one of those questions that lurks in the heart of every single adult who desires to be married. It resides next to half a dozen others we've been asked over the years--questions for which we either don't have the answers or don't like the answers:

•Do you have a boyfriend?

•You're a nice girl; why aren't you dating anyone?

•How's your love life?

•Are you looking for a husband?

•So, you're still single?

•Do you want to get married?

If you are single, you've fielded most of these and countless other remarks for which any answer seems inadequate. You've probably mastered the courtesy laugh and polite smile, and chances are you're an expert at shifting conversations away from your marital status.

While I laugh at both well-meaning friends and rude acquaintances for asking such bold things, they are really only voicing questions I have in my own head. I just don't ask them because I know there aren't answers.

If I'll marry, who I'll marry, when I'll marry, are some of God's question marks in my life, unknown obstacles in my race. That's the way God planned it. After wrestling repeatedly with these and other questions about singleness, I've resigned myself to the fact that God is the only One who knows the answers, and He's not telling. Most days I can live with that. Not everybody in my life has struggled through these issues, though, and so for them, I sometimes just don't fit into a preconceived mold.

To married friends and relatives, they sometimes look at us singles as if we should fit in a certain place. In attempts to make us fit, they often ask bold questions. At times they answer their own questions when our responses fall short of what they hoped to hear:

•God has someone very special for you.

•You just wait--your day is coming.

•You'll make somebody a perfect wife.

•He just doesn't know what he's missing.

•You never know who you'll meet.

•I hope you meet someone special; I really want you to be happy.

Begging the forgiveness of my friends and family, I don't have nearly as many problems with the unanswered questions in my life as I do with their answers! I wholeheartedly recognize their good intentions. They never mean to be invasive or rude; they really want only the best for me. I love them for it, and I've learned to laugh at them for it, too.

Like I said, most days I can live with God's absence of answers. But sometimes, I allow myself to listen to the well-meaning advice of bystanders, and I choose to hear their answers above the silence of God. When I filter their pieces of intended encouragement through my emotional sieve, I want to believe them. I want to take their statements as divine wisdom.

Maybe time will prove their words correct in my life, but I can't afford to live with that expectation. God really does have a better track record, just sayin.

Dreams...

So, I've been having the same dream every few nights for about a year. Yeah. It's about me saying goodnight to my husband, then the next morning I find him dead. The next scene is him in the ambulance and me sitting next to him with both of our cell phones in my lap, about to call our bosses to tell them we won't be in that day. The next scene is doctors guiding me into the morgue. I haven't seen who the guy is up to this point. They lift the cover from his face & I cry and say that's him. It scared me in the dream, because I know this guy. The next scene is the funeral. I'm in the front row, head bowed. All the pallbearers get the casket ready to go & the next thing I know, I'm looking toward the back of the church and there's the silhouette of me & him walking outside, hand in hand.

After over a year, you'd think something would happen. I'd talk to him about it. He'd have a life or death experience or something, but nothing has happened. I came across this definition today:

Recurring nightmares -
Most people occasionally experience the same dream over and over. This is usually a signal that your subconscious mind is trying to send you a message. When you understand the message, and do something about it, the dream will change or end. Scary dreams are a way of generating excitement so you will be more honest with yourself. They should not be feared, but rather welcomed as helpful hints toward a better life.


A message? Ok, not getting it. If I got the message, then I could try to do something about it...then it would change or end...Be more honest with myself? About what?

Now, I'm more confused than before. Any ideas?

You Are Loved

I've been thinking about a friend recently that I've lost touch with. We used to hang out all the time. Led worship together, prayed together, laughed together. We had the same interests. My friend went to college a couple years ago, then we hardly ever spoke. My friend calledearlier this year and was crying, broken from the way their life was. They had fallen away from God, rebelled really. They just wanted to live life, experience all the things that they were kept from growing up. They got in a really bad situation and felt stuck. They were ashamed of how they'd changed. I spoke with them and reassured them that God loved them even now. And so did I. God wanted them to come back, broken and ashamed, because He - and only He - could make them whole.

The next time I heard from them, they said they we moving back, got a house and decided to attend a local college. Wow! Talk about a life change. They had visited a church on Easter and God caught them right where they were. Sadly, since moving back I was only able to hang out and catch up one time with my long lost friend. About a month ago they were brought back to my mind and I thought, I need to call them. When I did, their number was disconnected, as well as the other numbers I had for them. I saw a family member of theirs a few weeks ago and asked about my friend. They said they didn't know either. They had moved out of their house, and moved in with a friend somewhere. I was in shock. How could someone make such a dramatic change, then slip back?

I honestly don't know where my friend is right now, how far, or even if they are in trouble and stuck in sin yet again. I do know that the God of the universe love them and still calls them His child.

God knows where my friend is and He knows their heart condition. He also knows how my heart longs for them to be close to Him again.

So many people get in this spot and they don't have anyone to turn to. Rebecca St. James' song "You Are Loved" was on my heart last night as I prayed for my friend.





As Christians, sometimes we get amnesia when it comes to what God has already done for us. We forget what circumstances He has brought us through and turned around for His glory. Maybe try writing down the things that happen to you, so when you get down or caught in sin, you can see proof of what God has done. This way, you never forget.

P.S. Feel free to join me in praying for my friend.

Give This Christmas Away

I love Christmas. I love the oppurtunity to give. That's one of the reasons I love Samaritan's Purse/Operation Christmas Child. We at The House FMPraise 88.7 will be a part of this again this year. Keep checking our website, http://www.thehousefm.com/thehouse.asp, for more info on how you can get involved with a simple shoe box.

This is a video I came across today and I just loved the message:

20 Ways to Maintain a Healthy Level of Insanity

20 Ways To Maintain A Healthy Level Of Insanity

1. At Lunch Time , Sit In Your Parked Car With Sunglasses on and point a Hair Dryer At Passing Cars. See If They Slow Down.

2. Page Yourself Over The Intercom. Don't Disguise Your Voice.

3. Every Time Someone Asks You To Do Something, ask If They Want Fries with that.

4. Put Your Garbage Can On Your Desk And Label it " In".

5. Put Decaf In The Coffee Maker For 3 Weeks Once Everyone has Gotten Over Their Caffeine Addictions, Switch to Espresso.

6. In The Memo Field Of All Your Checks , Write "For Smuggling Diamonds".

7. Finish All Your sentences with "In Accordance With The Prophecy".

8. Don't use any punctuation.

9. As Often As Possible, Skip Rather Than Walk.

10. Order a Diet Water when ever you go out to eat, with a serious face.

11. Specify That Your Drive-through Order Is "To Go".

12. Sing Along At The Opera.

13. Go To A Poetry Recital. And Ask Why The Poems Don't Rhyme?

14. Put Mosquito Netting Around Your Work Area and Play tropical Sounds All Day.

15. Five Days In Advance, Tell Your Friends You Can't Attend Their Party Because You're Not In the Mood.

16. Have Your Co-workers Address You By Your Wrestling Name, Rock Bottom.

17. When The Money Comes Out The ATM, Scream "I Won! I Won!"

18. When Leaving The Zoo, Start Running Towards The Parking lot, Yelling "Run For Your Lives! They're Loose!"

19. Tell Your Children Over Dinner, "Due To The Economy, We Are Going To Have To Let One Of You Go."

20. Share One of These With a Friend to Spread the Insanity and to Make Them Smile!

The Newest Snuggie!

So this is the newest thing in the line of Snuggies...cause we all know our hearts go out to our little pup when we see them shivering while watching a movie. You can't help but tear up a bit when the popcorn won't even warm them up. So if you've tried everything and still can't get your dog warm, try a snuggie. Humans love them, right? So, why not get one for your dog? Besides they come in different colors that make their eyes just POP!

Here's what they said about this new product: "Many Snuggie customers are also dog owners, and we didn't want the owners feeling bad about the jealous glances from their pets any longer."

Right, of course.



I wonder how long it took them to get this picture to come accross realistic?


Oh, if you seriously want one - https://www.snuggiefordogs.com/flare/next?tag=ossmgotm

Back to school time already?

Wow! I can't believe it's already August and school will be back in session soon. Personally, I'm happy to be done with school, but I do miss having an excuse to get new stuff for the school year. You always need new shoes, right? And if you get new shoes, you have to get a belt and bracelet and....it goes on...

Speaking of new kicks though, how about considering some of these?

This is my personal fav...

I think this could be pretty awesome!

2 in 1?

Ouch!

Hmm, no thanks.

They are probably not as comfy as they look.

Yes, please! Do they come in red?

"Like a walk through the pasture..."

I would try these as long as I could stay sitting down.

hmm, different...

That's a violent shoe!

Looks like it's made from K-Nexs....

Wow, don't let that shoe tempt you...

Looks like something out of the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe...

I wonder if someone could actually walk in those?

ummm, no.

A little slippery maybe?

You'd better hurry, these are getting sold out!

It's like going barefoot...kinda.

No more bullies for you!

Ok, so maybe you should go to Payless or something...