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?
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
"I Love You"
Here are some simple ideas on things you could say to your spouse to tell them "I Love You". If you're not married, practice some of them on your parents or friends:
You look great tonight.
That was a wonderful meal.
Thank you for not getting mad at me.
You're the best thing that ever happened to me.
You're a great listener.
I really appreciate the way you spend time with my parents.
Thanks for being honest with me.
That's a great idea.
I enjoy spending time with you.
Congratulations! I'm taking you out to dinner to celebrate.
Before I met you, my life was boring.
So what if they didn't like your idea? I thought it was great.
You're the best husband in the whole world.
I hope our boys marry girls just like their mother.
I bought this just for you. I hope you like it.
Thanks for laughing at my corny jokes.
You're a big help around the house.
I'm looking forward to growing old with you.
You deserve a kiss.
I'm so proud of you.
You've got a great sense of humor.
You are the reason I'm excited about the future.
That's a great idea. How did you think of it?
I'm glad you were right about that.
Thank you for working so hard for our family.
I'm the luckiest man in the whole world.
When I think of you, I can't help smiling.
I'm glad I said, "I do."
Somebody ought to make a movie of our marriage. It would make a great romantic comedy.
You're more beautiful today than you were the day we got married.
I'm so glad God brought us together.
Have I told you lately how much I love you?
I still believe in you.
Now, you have no excuse to not spread the love!
You look great tonight.
That was a wonderful meal.
Thank you for not getting mad at me.
You're the best thing that ever happened to me.
You're a great listener.
I really appreciate the way you spend time with my parents.
Thanks for being honest with me.
That's a great idea.
I enjoy spending time with you.
Congratulations! I'm taking you out to dinner to celebrate.
Before I met you, my life was boring.
So what if they didn't like your idea? I thought it was great.
You're the best husband in the whole world.
I hope our boys marry girls just like their mother.
I bought this just for you. I hope you like it.
Thanks for laughing at my corny jokes.
You're a big help around the house.
I'm looking forward to growing old with you.
You deserve a kiss.
I'm so proud of you.
You've got a great sense of humor.
You are the reason I'm excited about the future.
That's a great idea. How did you think of it?
I'm glad you were right about that.
Thank you for working so hard for our family.
I'm the luckiest man in the whole world.
When I think of you, I can't help smiling.
I'm glad I said, "I do."
Somebody ought to make a movie of our marriage. It would make a great romantic comedy.
You're more beautiful today than you were the day we got married.
I'm so glad God brought us together.
Have I told you lately how much I love you?
I still believe in you.
Now, you have no excuse to not spread the love!
Friday, November 13, 2009
So I got a call....
The other day I got a call from an old friend in Tulsa. They said, "Just felt like I should call you and tell you that even though we don't get to talk much, I'm praying for you everyday. You are loved. I'm so proud of you and I'm excited to watch (even if from afar) all that God is doing in your life!"
Hmmmm.
That was out of the blue.
Honestly though, it made my day. My day wasn't horrible before. It was actually pretty good.
It made me think, though, what can I do to change someones day? A phone call is not rocket science. I could do that. It's these simple things that make people's days and puts a smile on their face for the remainder of the day. I think Jesus went out of His way all the time to do little things. I think it was at the front of His mind to be kind and to love. I'm learning to pay attention more and to get creative.
Check out a phrase I heard this week: "You don't love God if you're not hiding God's Word in your heart."
I want my time with God to mean something and to show. I want to love God so much, that I love others in the process. So, watch out - I might be calling you soon! Or maybe kidnapping you would be a better way to convey his love...?
What can you do to impact someone today?
Hmmmm.
That was out of the blue.
Honestly though, it made my day. My day wasn't horrible before. It was actually pretty good.
It made me think, though, what can I do to change someones day? A phone call is not rocket science. I could do that. It's these simple things that make people's days and puts a smile on their face for the remainder of the day. I think Jesus went out of His way all the time to do little things. I think it was at the front of His mind to be kind and to love. I'm learning to pay attention more and to get creative.
Check out a phrase I heard this week: "You don't love God if you're not hiding God's Word in your heart."
I want my time with God to mean something and to show. I want to love God so much, that I love others in the process. So, watch out - I might be calling you soon! Or maybe kidnapping you would be a better way to convey his love...?
What can you do to impact someone today?
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Scripture for the Week (Weak)
"Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for You." Psalm 9:10 (NLT)
Seek Him DAILY. It's just like any other relationship. When you talk with them, you let them talk to you; you get to know them. If you want to know God, know His plan for your life & be in-tune with what to do at any given time - seek Him every day.
"Seek the Lord while you can find him.Call on him now while he is near." Isaiah 55:6
"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6
"If you seek Him, He will be found by you." 1 Chron 28:9
"Set your heart on seeking the Lord." 2 Chron 19:3
"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart." Jeremiah 29:13
"Those who seek Me will find Me." Proverbs 8:17
"Blessed are those who seek Him with all their hearts." Psalm 119:2
Seek Him DAILY. It's just like any other relationship. When you talk with them, you let them talk to you; you get to know them. If you want to know God, know His plan for your life & be in-tune with what to do at any given time - seek Him every day.
"Seek the Lord while you can find him.Call on him now while he is near." Isaiah 55:6
"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6
"If you seek Him, He will be found by you." 1 Chron 28:9
"Set your heart on seeking the Lord." 2 Chron 19:3
"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart." Jeremiah 29:13
"Those who seek Me will find Me." Proverbs 8:17
"Blessed are those who seek Him with all their hearts." Psalm 119:2
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Sometimes, Janelle cannot be trusted...
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Whatever
A survey by Marist College found out the most annoying words in American conversation. The article states,
47 percent of Americans surveyed in a Marist College poll released Wednesday [found "Whatever" to be the most annoying word we use].
"Whatever" easily beat out "you know," which especially grated a quarter of respondents. The other annoying contenders were "anyway" (at 7 percent), "it is what it is" (11 percent) and "at the end of the day" (2 percent).
"Whatever" — pronounced "WHAT'-ehv-errr" when exasperated — is an expression with staying power. Immortalized in song by Nirvana ("oh well, whatever, nevermind") in 1991, popularized by the Valley girls in "Clueless" later that decade, it is still commonly used, often by younger people.
It can be an all-purpose argument-ender or a signal of apathy. And it can really be annoying. The poll found "whatever" to be consistently disliked by Americans regardless of their race, gender, age, income or where they live.
Exactly! I've felt that way for years. When someone uses "whatever" on me in a conversation or email, it's a kick to the gut of non-importance. Beyond annoying, it's rude and dismissive. It's also ignorant, especially at the end of what was supposed to be a friendly debate or argument, because it illustrates that the person had no better retort and is now summarily ending the conversation with a parting shot connoting that nothing you just said mattered anyway. "Whatever!"
In a country sorely lacking in civility, manners, and conversation skills... and ripe with apathy and self-importance, "Whatever" is the motto du jour.
Then again... what a powerful word it can be for our walk with Christ.
It's kind of like when you are reading a play, or preparing to act in one. You have the script before you. There are minimal clues for how any word in the text should be read. What inflection, what level of voice, what tone shall I use? What does the context and the setting and the personality of the character tell me in regards to how this word or line is going to sound? Ultimately, you and the Director decide.
And I've decided that "Whatever" can be, if we so choose, the defining word of the Christian life. Because while few other words carry the same potential for dismissive rudeness, no other words hold the same potential for all-out surrender and steadfast faith.
I find you guilty in your sins.
Whatever you say, Lord, I repent and accept the sacrifice of your Son who atoned for them.
This situation you're in is going to hurt.
Whatever. I know my faith will be made strong through trials, and that I can do all things through your strength.
You don't know what the future holds; only I do.
Whatever it is, you deserve glory and honor and praise. Bring it on!
I want you to [go to Africa / give to this homeless person / quit this job / plant this church / preach my Word]
Whatever!
I know you think this is unfair compared to that person's situation, but do not let comparison steal my joy from you.
Whatever, God. Whatever.
***
I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am (Phil. 4:11). Whatever you say.
Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31). Whatever you say.
Whatever a man sows, this he will also reap (Gal. 6:7). Whatever you say.
Whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free (Eph. 6:8). Whatever you say.
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things (Phil. 4:8).
Whatever.
47 percent of Americans surveyed in a Marist College poll released Wednesday [found "Whatever" to be the most annoying word we use].
"Whatever" easily beat out "you know," which especially grated a quarter of respondents. The other annoying contenders were "anyway" (at 7 percent), "it is what it is" (11 percent) and "at the end of the day" (2 percent).
"Whatever" — pronounced "WHAT'-ehv-errr" when exasperated — is an expression with staying power. Immortalized in song by Nirvana ("oh well, whatever, nevermind") in 1991, popularized by the Valley girls in "Clueless" later that decade, it is still commonly used, often by younger people.
It can be an all-purpose argument-ender or a signal of apathy. And it can really be annoying. The poll found "whatever" to be consistently disliked by Americans regardless of their race, gender, age, income or where they live.
Exactly! I've felt that way for years. When someone uses "whatever" on me in a conversation or email, it's a kick to the gut of non-importance. Beyond annoying, it's rude and dismissive. It's also ignorant, especially at the end of what was supposed to be a friendly debate or argument, because it illustrates that the person had no better retort and is now summarily ending the conversation with a parting shot connoting that nothing you just said mattered anyway. "Whatever!"
In a country sorely lacking in civility, manners, and conversation skills... and ripe with apathy and self-importance, "Whatever" is the motto du jour.
Then again... what a powerful word it can be for our walk with Christ.
It's kind of like when you are reading a play, or preparing to act in one. You have the script before you. There are minimal clues for how any word in the text should be read. What inflection, what level of voice, what tone shall I use? What does the context and the setting and the personality of the character tell me in regards to how this word or line is going to sound? Ultimately, you and the Director decide.
And I've decided that "Whatever" can be, if we so choose, the defining word of the Christian life. Because while few other words carry the same potential for dismissive rudeness, no other words hold the same potential for all-out surrender and steadfast faith.
I find you guilty in your sins.
Whatever you say, Lord, I repent and accept the sacrifice of your Son who atoned for them.
This situation you're in is going to hurt.
Whatever. I know my faith will be made strong through trials, and that I can do all things through your strength.
You don't know what the future holds; only I do.
Whatever it is, you deserve glory and honor and praise. Bring it on!
I want you to [go to Africa / give to this homeless person / quit this job / plant this church / preach my Word]
Whatever!
I know you think this is unfair compared to that person's situation, but do not let comparison steal my joy from you.
Whatever, God. Whatever.
***
I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am (Phil. 4:11). Whatever you say.
Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31). Whatever you say.
Whatever a man sows, this he will also reap (Gal. 6:7). Whatever you say.
Whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free (Eph. 6:8). Whatever you say.
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things (Phil. 4:8).
Whatever.
Friday, October 9, 2009
The Wonders of IM
This is a typical conversation between me and Janelle over IM:
JK53 says:
sometime we need to talk about things
JK53 says:
no you haven't done anything wrong.
JK53 says:
you done everything right....
Jennifer says:
ok...
Jennifer says:
that's what they all say...
Jennifer says:
...then the hammer comes!
JK53 says:
no hammer from me.
Jennifer says:
alright
JK53 says:
alright
Jennifer says:
copycat
JK53 says:
your mom is a copycat
Jennifer says:
maybe...
JK53 says:
i love your mom by the way
Jennifer says:
good
JK53 says:
i guess you know that too
Jennifer says:
i do now
JK53 says:
so are you ready to have the cmas party at your house??????????
Jennifer says:
haha, sure!
JK53 says:
is that haha sure, "I can't believe she's asking me?" ha-ha OR
Jennifer says:
we need to come up with something to actually DO
JK53 says:
a Of course I want to have it my house!!!!
Jennifer says:
no, I'd love to have it there, for reals
JK53 says:
ok
JK53 says:
a plan is nice
JK53 says:
that's what i like about you
JK53 says:
you are for reals
Jennifer says:
it's true
JK53 says:
hope you think that about me too
Jennifer says:
yep, sure do
JK53 says:
I am funny don't forget that BUT
JK53 says:
i am for reals too
Jennifer says:
I like the fact that you tell me that you are funny.
JK53 says:
it's true
Jennifer says:
haha, yes. most of the time...
JK53 says:
most of the time??
Jennifer says:
...the other times is when you are for reals
JK53 says:
oh right yes
Jennifer says:
and sometimes you are a genious and you mix them together
JK53 says:
lol
JK53 says:
i think i like that
Jennifer says:
good, coin it. But give me some props
JK53 says:
will do
There you have it. Why can't we stay on one topic??
Check out Janelle's blog, here
JK53 says:
sometime we need to talk about things
JK53 says:
no you haven't done anything wrong.
JK53 says:
you done everything right....
Jennifer says:
ok...
Jennifer says:
that's what they all say...
Jennifer says:
...then the hammer comes!
JK53 says:
no hammer from me.
Jennifer says:
alright
JK53 says:
alright
Jennifer says:
copycat
JK53 says:
your mom is a copycat
Jennifer says:
maybe...
JK53 says:
i love your mom by the way
Jennifer says:
good
JK53 says:
i guess you know that too
Jennifer says:
i do now
JK53 says:
so are you ready to have the cmas party at your house??????????
Jennifer says:
haha, sure!
JK53 says:
is that haha sure, "I can't believe she's asking me?" ha-ha OR
Jennifer says:
we need to come up with something to actually DO
JK53 says:
a Of course I want to have it my house!!!!
Jennifer says:
no, I'd love to have it there, for reals
JK53 says:
ok
JK53 says:
a plan is nice
JK53 says:
that's what i like about you
JK53 says:
you are for reals
Jennifer says:
it's true
JK53 says:
hope you think that about me too
Jennifer says:
yep, sure do
JK53 says:
I am funny don't forget that BUT
JK53 says:
i am for reals too
Jennifer says:
I like the fact that you tell me that you are funny.
JK53 says:
it's true
Jennifer says:
haha, yes. most of the time...
JK53 says:
most of the time??
Jennifer says:
...the other times is when you are for reals
JK53 says:
oh right yes
Jennifer says:
and sometimes you are a genious and you mix them together
JK53 says:
lol
JK53 says:
i think i like that
Jennifer says:
good, coin it. But give me some props
JK53 says:
will do
There you have it. Why can't we stay on one topic??
Check out Janelle's blog, here
Thursday, October 8, 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
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:
This is a video I came across today and I just loved the message:
Friday, September 18, 2009
Refiner & Purifier
Malachi 3:3 says: 'He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.'
This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.
One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.
That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.
As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.
The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.'
She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time.
The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?'
He smiled at her and answered,'Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.'
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.
This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.
One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.
That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.
As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.
The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.'
She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time.
The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?'
He smiled at her and answered,'Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.'
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Are you up for an evaluation or review?
We all get nervous when we know that time is coming, here's some humor to lighten it up a bit...
These are actual quotes taken from federal government employee performance evaluations:
1. "Since my last report, this employee has reached rock-bottom and has started to dig."
2. "I would not allow this employee to breed."
3. "This employee is really not so much of a has-been, but more of a definite won't-be."
4. "Works well when under constant supervision and cornered like a rat in a trap."
5. "When he opens his mouth, it seems that it is only to change feet."
6. "This young lady has delusions of adequacy."
7. "He sets low personal standards and then consistently fails to achieve them."
8. "This employee is depriving a village somewhere of an idiot."
9. "This employee should go far, and the sooner he starts the better."
10. "Got a full 6-pack, but lacks the plastic thingy to hold it all together."
11. "A gross ignoramus - 144 times worse than an ordinary ignoramus."
12. "He doesn't have ulcers, but he's a carrier."
13. "I would like to go hunting with him sometime."
14. "He's been working with glue too much."
15. "He would argue with a signpost."
16. "He brings a lot of joy whenever he leaves the room."
17. "When his IQ reaches 50, he should sell."
18. "If you see two people talking and one looks bored, he's the other one."
19. "A photographic memory but with the lens cap glued on."
20. "A prime candidate doe natural de-selection."
21. "Donated his brain to science before he was done using it."
22. "Gates are down, the lights are flashing, but the train isn't coming."
23. "He's got two brain cells, one is lost and the other is out looking for it."
24. "If he were any more stupid, he'd have to be watered twice a week."
25. "If you give him a penny for his thoughts, you'd get change."
26. "If you stand close enough to him, you can hear the ocean."
27. "One neuron short of a synapse."
28. "Some drink from the fountain of knowledge; he only gargled."
29. "It takes him 2 hours to watch 60-minutes."
30. "The wheel is turning, but the hamster is dead."
To everyone who has ever had an evaluation - just remember, it could have been worse...
These are actual quotes taken from federal government employee performance evaluations:
1. "Since my last report, this employee has reached rock-bottom and has started to dig."
2. "I would not allow this employee to breed."
3. "This employee is really not so much of a has-been, but more of a definite won't-be."
4. "Works well when under constant supervision and cornered like a rat in a trap."
5. "When he opens his mouth, it seems that it is only to change feet."
6. "This young lady has delusions of adequacy."
7. "He sets low personal standards and then consistently fails to achieve them."
8. "This employee is depriving a village somewhere of an idiot."
9. "This employee should go far, and the sooner he starts the better."
10. "Got a full 6-pack, but lacks the plastic thingy to hold it all together."
11. "A gross ignoramus - 144 times worse than an ordinary ignoramus."
12. "He doesn't have ulcers, but he's a carrier."
13. "I would like to go hunting with him sometime."
14. "He's been working with glue too much."
15. "He would argue with a signpost."
16. "He brings a lot of joy whenever he leaves the room."
17. "When his IQ reaches 50, he should sell."
18. "If you see two people talking and one looks bored, he's the other one."
19. "A photographic memory but with the lens cap glued on."
20. "A prime candidate doe natural de-selection."
21. "Donated his brain to science before he was done using it."
22. "Gates are down, the lights are flashing, but the train isn't coming."
23. "He's got two brain cells, one is lost and the other is out looking for it."
24. "If he were any more stupid, he'd have to be watered twice a week."
25. "If you give him a penny for his thoughts, you'd get change."
26. "If you stand close enough to him, you can hear the ocean."
27. "One neuron short of a synapse."
28. "Some drink from the fountain of knowledge; he only gargled."
29. "It takes him 2 hours to watch 60-minutes."
30. "The wheel is turning, but the hamster is dead."
To everyone who has ever had an evaluation - just remember, it could have been worse...
Friday, September 11, 2009
Remembering 9/11
Wow, it doesn't seem like it's been 8 years already. I remember I was at home doing school when my Mom was talking loudly on the phone to someone in the Living room. My brother and I walked in there and saw her watching the news and talking to my Dad on the phone. She was saying, "It looks like a horrible movie, surely this isn't really happening..."
I remember going to Walmart that day and everyone's attitude was different. People were more aware of others, nicer even. Everyone was really protective, though. People were walking around just to have something to do. They were really apt to talk too. There was an older lady who stopped us in an isle and talked about her daughter, who was in New York that week, and how she couldn't get a hold of her. We prayed with her right there in the pop isle of Walmart!
Such a tragic day that has marred so many lives. This day always has kind of a grey cloud hanging over it. I don't know about you, but that makes me look to God even more. Only He can heal our pain and be our Ultimate Comforter. Look for that peace that surpasses understanding today.
Prayer for today:
We looked with horror on the terrorist attacks of September 11th.
But we looked with honor on acts of courage by ordinary people
who sacrificed themselves to prevent further death and destruction.
We shed our tears in a common bond of grief for those we loved and lost.
We journeyed through a dark valley, but your light has led us to a place of hope.
You have turned our grief into determination.
We are resolved to do what is good, and right, and just.
Help us to remember what it means to be Americans—
a people endowed with abundant blessings.
Help us to cherish the freedoms we enjoy and inspire us to stand
with courage, united as one Nation in the midst of any adversity.
Lord, hear this prayer for our Nation. Amen.
I remember going to Walmart that day and everyone's attitude was different. People were more aware of others, nicer even. Everyone was really protective, though. People were walking around just to have something to do. They were really apt to talk too. There was an older lady who stopped us in an isle and talked about her daughter, who was in New York that week, and how she couldn't get a hold of her. We prayed with her right there in the pop isle of Walmart!
Such a tragic day that has marred so many lives. This day always has kind of a grey cloud hanging over it. I don't know about you, but that makes me look to God even more. Only He can heal our pain and be our Ultimate Comforter. Look for that peace that surpasses understanding today.
Prayer for today:
We looked with horror on the terrorist attacks of September 11th.
But we looked with honor on acts of courage by ordinary people
who sacrificed themselves to prevent further death and destruction.
We shed our tears in a common bond of grief for those we loved and lost.
We journeyed through a dark valley, but your light has led us to a place of hope.
You have turned our grief into determination.
We are resolved to do what is good, and right, and just.
Help us to remember what it means to be Americans—
a people endowed with abundant blessings.
Help us to cherish the freedoms we enjoy and inspire us to stand
with courage, united as one Nation in the midst of any adversity.
Lord, hear this prayer for our Nation. Amen.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
The wedding dress that keeps on going, and going and going…
No runaway bride here: A Chinese woman recently broke the record for the longest wedding train. The 1.2-mile-long train took 200 guests a whopping three hours to unroll. And in case the thing wasn’t obvious enough on its own, it was adorned with 9,999 silk red roses.
Wow, if you don't want to be able to move on your wedding day, here ya go...
Wow, if you don't want to be able to move on your wedding day, here ya go...
Friday, September 4, 2009
Scripture for the Week (Weak)
"God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we're free of worry on Judgement Day - our standing in the world is identical with Christ's. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life - fear of death, fear of judgement - is one not yet fully formed in love." 1 John 4:16-18 (MSG)
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Song of the Week
I'm lovin the new song we're playing at The House from Sidewalk Prophets. It's really heartfelt and the lyrics are powerful! Check it out:
Sidewalk Prophets - The Words I Would Say (2009 Video & Lyrics):
Three in the morning,
And I'm still awake,
So I picked up a pen and a page,
And I started writing,
Just what I'd say,
If we were face to face,
I'd tell you just what you mean to me,
I'd tell you these simple truths,
Be strong in the lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
Gods got his hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why your here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say,
Last time we spoke,
You said you were hurting,
And I felt your pain in my heart,
I want to tell you,
That I keep on praying,
Love will find you where you are,
I know cause I've already been there,
So please hear these simple truths,
Be strong in the lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
Gods got his hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why your here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say,
From one simple life to another,
I will say,
Come find peace in the father,
Be strong in the lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
Gods got his hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why your here,
Take your time and pray,
Thank God for each day,
His love will find a way,
These are the words I would say
Sidewalk Prophets - The Words I Would Say (2009 Video & Lyrics):
Three in the morning,
And I'm still awake,
So I picked up a pen and a page,
And I started writing,
Just what I'd say,
If we were face to face,
I'd tell you just what you mean to me,
I'd tell you these simple truths,
Be strong in the lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
Gods got his hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why your here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say,
Last time we spoke,
You said you were hurting,
And I felt your pain in my heart,
I want to tell you,
That I keep on praying,
Love will find you where you are,
I know cause I've already been there,
So please hear these simple truths,
Be strong in the lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
Gods got his hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why your here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say,
From one simple life to another,
I will say,
Come find peace in the father,
Be strong in the lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
Gods got his hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why your here,
Take your time and pray,
Thank God for each day,
His love will find a way,
These are the words I would say
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Can You Raed Tihs?
Now try this:
Sewet! It's so ture...Aloguth tihs is my ngihtamre wehn it cmeos to spilleng!
Ok, it's really starting to bug me so, maybe you shouldn't try this...
BTW- I stumbled across this though Twitter... http://www.twitter.com/crowderband They went to the Mayborn Museum in Waco, TX
Monday, August 17, 2009
Song of the Week
This song is stuck in my head right now... and I'm ok with it!
Story Side B - "Everything and More"
Pin it all on me He said as He turned His head to the sun
I'm the only one who can wash it all away
Take a look at yourself
Do you know when things aren't right?
Are you willing to stand up and fight?
For what you say you're believing in?
We all are human we make mistakes but
We were given a choice to make
[chorus]
What do you live for? Is it something to stand for?
Is it everything that you believe in and more?
A reason to give more, finally you found yours
And it's everything that you believe and more
And as I look around
It's impossible to deny
Even though sometimes I try
You still take me back again
My God I've finally found a friend to
Follow to the end
[chorus]
What do you live for?
Is it something to stand for?
Is it everything and more
[chorus]
You're what I live for, you're what I stand for
And you're everything that I believe and more
My reason to give more, finally I found you
And you're everything that I believe and more
Story Side B - "Everything and More"
Pin it all on me He said as He turned His head to the sun
I'm the only one who can wash it all away
Take a look at yourself
Do you know when things aren't right?
Are you willing to stand up and fight?
For what you say you're believing in?
We all are human we make mistakes but
We were given a choice to make
[chorus]
What do you live for? Is it something to stand for?
Is it everything that you believe in and more?
A reason to give more, finally you found yours
And it's everything that you believe and more
And as I look around
It's impossible to deny
Even though sometimes I try
You still take me back again
My God I've finally found a friend to
Follow to the end
[chorus]
What do you live for?
Is it something to stand for?
Is it everything and more
[chorus]
You're what I live for, you're what I stand for
And you're everything that I believe and more
My reason to give more, finally I found you
And you're everything that I believe and more
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
A Daily Struggle
Growing up when people asked me what I wanted to do, I always said I wanted to be a wife and a Mom. That is still true today.
Years ago, I was about 11, I stood up on a stage with an audience of about 3,000 and took a "Zero" pledge. I pledged to be pure in a number of areas. (That is what the ring I wear stands for) I'm staying true to that pledge all these years later.
I have to say it hasn't been easy. The urges to do something that everyone else was or go through with what my flesh wanted to do was hard to overcome. Even something that most people wouldn't think of, being asked if I'm gay - that's hard for a kid to handle. All of this is hard and a struggle for anyone. I wouldn't wish the incredible amount of self-control this requires on anyone - yet at the same time I would. It's been worth it.
The ONLY thing that has gotten me through this is God.
Years ago, I had to come to that place where God was enough for me. Even though I long for some things or relationships that people around me have, above all God is enough for me and He sustains me. There are no better arms to run to that His.
When I was about 14, my youth group in Tulsa had us write down our dreams for our life and "nail" them to a cross. (They had a huge wooden cross on stage) I wrote down my dream to be a Christian Artist. At the end they gave us a button with a cross on it to remind us of this. I took that to heart. (Actually, that is what started my button collecting.) The amazing thing is, when you lay down you goal or dream for your life, it allows God to step in with His plan which is so much better. He's not going to short you of something you love, because He knows the desires of your heart. Since then I did a lot of seeking God and allowing Him to speak to me. (That means being quiet!) He has opened doors of opportunity all around me and I am blown away daily at how far I've come in just a few years. Again, though, He is the one who made it possible - I just let Him have my dream and I picked up His.
So, God revealed different ways to do the things I love and opened the doors necessary to make it a reality. (If you haven't heard what I've been up to the last few years - ask me!) Because He has been SO good to me thus far, I have no doubt that He will complete this work. Obviously, that "little girl" dream of being a wife and a Mom has yet to come true. So, I'm doing the same thing I did long ago - and it's a daily thing - laying down my desires and dreams and picking up His. If I just get out of the way, my All-Powerful God can do some mighty things! I'm trusting in that daily.
You know what is even harder than that? Everyday, for a few years, I've told God, "Even if You don't bless me with a husband or kids(the desire of my heart), I will still love You." Imagine that. The one and only thing you've ever wanted to do, yet you love something else so much that even if you can't have what you want - You'll still love Him. Yes, it's hard - unbelievably hard! But I know where the greatest source of love is. Another great thing is that I know where to go if I'm hurting or lonely or need someone to listen. I know where to find joy when I have none.
I hope that touches God's heart. I hope He sees me striving for Him daily. I hope He knows that I can't wait to one day fully understand just how great His love is.
Try that this week. Whatever your daily struggle is or one thing you can't wait to get, say, "Lord, even if I never have ____________, I will still love You."
Lord, I pray over the person that is reading this now. You know all their hopes and dreams. You know the desires of their heart. God, I pray that you would bless them daily as they seek You. I pray that You would become all they need in their life - that they would learn to turn to You in ALL things. The secret to a good life? It's You. All the joy or happiness can't be found in a dream in our small minds. Your dream is SO much better and was made just for us. You care more about us than we will ever know. Lord, I thank you for loving us so much - in turn, no matter what, we will serve You and we will still love You. Amen.
*If you take this to heart, I encourage you to find something to symbolize this decision. A button, a ring, something that when you look at it you are reminded of the hope and vision you have today. If you can't think of anything, ask me. I believe this is really important, because if you make this decision today and a few months down the road you are in a hard situation or you slowly forget today - this will be a reminder; a symbol to point you to God.
Years ago, I was about 11, I stood up on a stage with an audience of about 3,000 and took a "Zero" pledge. I pledged to be pure in a number of areas. (That is what the ring I wear stands for) I'm staying true to that pledge all these years later.
I have to say it hasn't been easy. The urges to do something that everyone else was or go through with what my flesh wanted to do was hard to overcome. Even something that most people wouldn't think of, being asked if I'm gay - that's hard for a kid to handle. All of this is hard and a struggle for anyone. I wouldn't wish the incredible amount of self-control this requires on anyone - yet at the same time I would. It's been worth it.
The ONLY thing that has gotten me through this is God.
Years ago, I had to come to that place where God was enough for me. Even though I long for some things or relationships that people around me have, above all God is enough for me and He sustains me. There are no better arms to run to that His.
When I was about 14, my youth group in Tulsa had us write down our dreams for our life and "nail" them to a cross. (They had a huge wooden cross on stage) I wrote down my dream to be a Christian Artist. At the end they gave us a button with a cross on it to remind us of this. I took that to heart. (Actually, that is what started my button collecting.) The amazing thing is, when you lay down you goal or dream for your life, it allows God to step in with His plan which is so much better. He's not going to short you of something you love, because He knows the desires of your heart. Since then I did a lot of seeking God and allowing Him to speak to me. (That means being quiet!) He has opened doors of opportunity all around me and I am blown away daily at how far I've come in just a few years. Again, though, He is the one who made it possible - I just let Him have my dream and I picked up His.
So, God revealed different ways to do the things I love and opened the doors necessary to make it a reality. (If you haven't heard what I've been up to the last few years - ask me!) Because He has been SO good to me thus far, I have no doubt that He will complete this work. Obviously, that "little girl" dream of being a wife and a Mom has yet to come true. So, I'm doing the same thing I did long ago - and it's a daily thing - laying down my desires and dreams and picking up His. If I just get out of the way, my All-Powerful God can do some mighty things! I'm trusting in that daily.
You know what is even harder than that? Everyday, for a few years, I've told God, "Even if You don't bless me with a husband or kids(the desire of my heart), I will still love You." Imagine that. The one and only thing you've ever wanted to do, yet you love something else so much that even if you can't have what you want - You'll still love Him. Yes, it's hard - unbelievably hard! But I know where the greatest source of love is. Another great thing is that I know where to go if I'm hurting or lonely or need someone to listen. I know where to find joy when I have none.
I hope that touches God's heart. I hope He sees me striving for Him daily. I hope He knows that I can't wait to one day fully understand just how great His love is.
Try that this week. Whatever your daily struggle is or one thing you can't wait to get, say, "Lord, even if I never have ____________, I will still love You."
Lord, I pray over the person that is reading this now. You know all their hopes and dreams. You know the desires of their heart. God, I pray that you would bless them daily as they seek You. I pray that You would become all they need in their life - that they would learn to turn to You in ALL things. The secret to a good life? It's You. All the joy or happiness can't be found in a dream in our small minds. Your dream is SO much better and was made just for us. You care more about us than we will ever know. Lord, I thank you for loving us so much - in turn, no matter what, we will serve You and we will still love You. Amen.
*If you take this to heart, I encourage you to find something to symbolize this decision. A button, a ring, something that when you look at it you are reminded of the hope and vision you have today. If you can't think of anything, ask me. I believe this is really important, because if you make this decision today and a few months down the road you are in a hard situation or you slowly forget today - this will be a reminder; a symbol to point you to God.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Lyrics of the Week
Incompatible, it don't matter though
'cause someone's bound to hear my cry
Speak out if you do
You're not easy to find
Is it possible Mr. Loveable
Is already in my life?
Right in front of me
Or maybe you're in disguise
Who doesn't long for someone to hold
Who knows how to love you without being told
Somebody tell me why I'm on my own
If there's a soulmate for everyone
Here we are again, circles never end
How do I find the perfect fit
There's enough for everyone
But I'm still waiting in line
Who doesn't long for someone to hold
Who knows how to love you without being told
Somebody tell me why I'm on my own
If there's a soulmate for everyone
If there's a soulmate for everyone
Most relationships seem so transitory
They're all good but not the permanent one
Who doesn't long for someone to hold
Who knows how to love you without being told
Somebody tell me why I'm on my own
If there's a soulmate for everyone
Who doesn't long for someone to hold
Who knows how to love you without being told
Somebody tell me why I'm on my own
If there's a soulmate for everyone
If there's a soulmate for everyone
"Soulmate" - Natasha Bedingfield
'cause someone's bound to hear my cry
Speak out if you do
You're not easy to find
Is it possible Mr. Loveable
Is already in my life?
Right in front of me
Or maybe you're in disguise
Who doesn't long for someone to hold
Who knows how to love you without being told
Somebody tell me why I'm on my own
If there's a soulmate for everyone
Here we are again, circles never end
How do I find the perfect fit
There's enough for everyone
But I'm still waiting in line
Who doesn't long for someone to hold
Who knows how to love you without being told
Somebody tell me why I'm on my own
If there's a soulmate for everyone
If there's a soulmate for everyone
Most relationships seem so transitory
They're all good but not the permanent one
Who doesn't long for someone to hold
Who knows how to love you without being told
Somebody tell me why I'm on my own
If there's a soulmate for everyone
Who doesn't long for someone to hold
Who knows how to love you without being told
Somebody tell me why I'm on my own
If there's a soulmate for everyone
If there's a soulmate for everyone
"Soulmate" - Natasha Bedingfield
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Not Easily Broken
When God made Adam, He instructed him to do three things; work, cultivate, protect. Down through history men have been measured by how hard they've worked and cultivated, by how well they've protected their wives and children. In the old days women saw their men as conquerors, providers, heroes. But somewhere along the line, that changed. Women started becoming their own heroes. Maybe it was because their men forgot how to be heroic. Or because women didn't want to be protected anymore. Or maybe women had to be their own heroes because of the pain they had to endure in life. But whatever the cause, the world took away a man's reasons for being a man. They told him he wasn't important anymore. And when that happened, it turned the whole world upside down.
-From the movie "Not Easily Broken"
"...A cord of three strands is not easily broken..." Ecclesiastes 4:12
I've been passionate about this for a while now...I see how the majority of women act in relationships and it makes me sick and really sad. Even in the better marriages, the guy can be all attentive and focused on the woman and she's either expecting it, acting like it's no big deal or she's oblivious and ditsy. This makes me so upset and I just want to go up to them and show them a picture of what they are doing! Now, every situation and relationship is different, yes; but there are so many women who have been changed by this world into taking on the wrong role in relationships. If the men would step up and be men and the women would step up and be women - you'd be surprised at how we would fuel each other to continue to play those roles. We were made like this for a reason and a specific purpose! We've been brainwashed into thinking that we are the "weaker half"...is that so bad? I mean, really - Men are here to care for us, it's part of their role. And although I am the worst at accepting help from others, I'm learning that when I do it allows them to play out their role. It's not something that they can hold over me or bring up later...it's their role. They want to, they were designed to. Women are a vital part as well, of course. I just see so many people around me being stubborn, hard headed and they have the mindset that they have to do something because their husband won't. Maybe, just maybe, he won't because you are. Let him take over for a bit and encourage him...oh and pick your jaw up off the ground! Yeah, God designed us perfectly and we just need to play our roles so that others can play theirs.
"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church; and he is the savior of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything." Ephesians 5:22 - 24
Why is it that so many of us take offense to this? I'm thinking it's a heart issue. God wouldn't have this in the Bible to make us mad or belittle us. He wants the very best for us, right? Why, then, would this be a bad thing?
Submission to God is really hard in anyone’s life. First of all, we need to know that everyone that submits to God has to put his or her pride down first. Ouch! Solomon wrote in Proverbs 6 that the Lord hates 6 things and yet 7 are an abomination. He comes right out and tells us that the Lord hates a proud look. If we look at the scripture throughout the Word of God, we find that pride was the downfall of not only mankind, but of Lucifer and one third of the angels. Today, we see pride in families more now than ever. Wives not wanting to be submissive, husbands not wanting to be leaders, and children not obeying their parents.
A wife being submissive to their husbands is in direct obedience to God. In 1 Peter 3:1, Peter said, "Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives."
A good example of submission is the fact that instead of showing your spouse where they are wrong and gloating about it, work together to over come mistakes. Allow God to direct your paths together and seek HIS wisdom, which HE freely gives (James 1:5). Wives, submission to your husband’s authority(servant leadership), which God gave him, is submission to God’s authority.
-From the movie "Not Easily Broken"
"...A cord of three strands is not easily broken..." Ecclesiastes 4:12
I've been passionate about this for a while now...I see how the majority of women act in relationships and it makes me sick and really sad. Even in the better marriages, the guy can be all attentive and focused on the woman and she's either expecting it, acting like it's no big deal or she's oblivious and ditsy. This makes me so upset and I just want to go up to them and show them a picture of what they are doing! Now, every situation and relationship is different, yes; but there are so many women who have been changed by this world into taking on the wrong role in relationships. If the men would step up and be men and the women would step up and be women - you'd be surprised at how we would fuel each other to continue to play those roles. We were made like this for a reason and a specific purpose! We've been brainwashed into thinking that we are the "weaker half"...is that so bad? I mean, really - Men are here to care for us, it's part of their role. And although I am the worst at accepting help from others, I'm learning that when I do it allows them to play out their role. It's not something that they can hold over me or bring up later...it's their role. They want to, they were designed to. Women are a vital part as well, of course. I just see so many people around me being stubborn, hard headed and they have the mindset that they have to do something because their husband won't. Maybe, just maybe, he won't because you are. Let him take over for a bit and encourage him...oh and pick your jaw up off the ground! Yeah, God designed us perfectly and we just need to play our roles so that others can play theirs.
"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church; and he is the savior of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything." Ephesians 5:22 - 24
Why is it that so many of us take offense to this? I'm thinking it's a heart issue. God wouldn't have this in the Bible to make us mad or belittle us. He wants the very best for us, right? Why, then, would this be a bad thing?
Submission to God is really hard in anyone’s life. First of all, we need to know that everyone that submits to God has to put his or her pride down first. Ouch! Solomon wrote in Proverbs 6 that the Lord hates 6 things and yet 7 are an abomination. He comes right out and tells us that the Lord hates a proud look. If we look at the scripture throughout the Word of God, we find that pride was the downfall of not only mankind, but of Lucifer and one third of the angels. Today, we see pride in families more now than ever. Wives not wanting to be submissive, husbands not wanting to be leaders, and children not obeying their parents.
A wife being submissive to their husbands is in direct obedience to God. In 1 Peter 3:1, Peter said, "Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives."
A good example of submission is the fact that instead of showing your spouse where they are wrong and gloating about it, work together to over come mistakes. Allow God to direct your paths together and seek HIS wisdom, which HE freely gives (James 1:5). Wives, submission to your husband’s authority(servant leadership), which God gave him, is submission to God’s authority.
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!
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!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
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
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
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
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?
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.
That's a violent shoe!
Looks like something out of the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe...
A little slippery maybe?
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...
Friday, July 31, 2009
Do you want more than $3?
"I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please. Not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep, but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk or a snooze in the sunshine. I don't want enough of God to make me love a black man or pick beets with a migrant. I want ecstasy, not transformation. I want warmth of the womb, not a new birth. I want a pound of the Eternal in a paper sack. I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please."
-Wilbur Rees
-Wilbur Rees
Monday, July 27, 2009
Scripture for the Week (Weak)
"So chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe that God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. ~Colossians 3:14 (Message)
Friday, July 24, 2009
Morning Time
I don't know about you, but about my favorite time of the day is that 3o-45 minutes, maybe an hour sometimes before anybody in my house gets up. I kinda have to set my clock back a little earlier than I have to. Earlier than anyone would want to get up for anything. Nobody in my house would want to get up as early as I want to get up to do this. I love to get up when it's quiet, maybe a cup of coffee, talk to the Lord and allow His Word to talk to me. I love it. A friend of mine calls it 'Going Steady With Eddy' He says, "You do it Early, you do it Daily, you do it Diligently and you do it Yielding." You know what I found out about me? If I don't do it early, the day will slip away and I won't do it at all. I'll keep meaning to, of course.
"O God, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee: my soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee..." Psalm 63:1
"Before the Day" from Newsong
"O God, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee: my soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee..." Psalm 63:1
"Before the Day" from Newsong
Last night when I was sleeping
You were watching over me
While I dreamt about tomorrow
You knew my every need
Now another day is waiting
For me to make it through
And there's no way that I could face it without You
Before the day slips away
I want to stop and say
I love You I love You
Before the world rushes in again
I want to stop and say there's none above You
There's none above You
I'll just be still and know You are God
Be still and know You are God
There's something about the morning
The stillness of it all
It calms my heart to hear You
When You gently call
Here I am in Your presence
Where I long to be
Alone with You in the silence
Bring down Your love and Your mercy
Whisper softly to me
Try just one morning a week maybe, see what God has for you.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Eye Doc
So I went to the eye doc today for my 6 month check up...I was there for about an hour before we actually had the appointment...so, I waited in an office with crazy equipment...
Also, the lighting is very dim...I started to doze off...
Anyways, the appointment went well. My eyes have improved a lot and are a lot more healthy!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Scripture for the Week (Weak)
"Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done." Galations 6:4 (NLT)
Friday, July 17, 2009
No House Party = Project Week!
Oh, joy. There are never-ending projects at my house, let me assure you. That makes me stressed...One of the big ones being, I haven't touched my room since I moved in over a year ago...the rest of the house is nice and my room just hasn't been touched. Well, that has all changed now!
And that makes me happy...
Then I went to work for about 4 hours in the 100 and some odd degree weather and produced a painted dresser and a bucket of sweat!
Also, I haven't had a dresser for years and my folded clothes were getting out of control! I was going to go shop for one when my Mom said that my bro wanted to get rid of the one he was using that was originally hers. I went and looked at it and had an instant design and vision!
There was no stopping me at that point! I went to the store, got black paint, Paint brushes and new hardware!
Then I went to work for about 4 hours in the 100 and some odd degree weather and produced a painted dresser and a bucket of sweat!
Somehow along the way I talked myself into painting an old curio cabinet that came with the house...
It turned out pretty well...
It turned out pretty well...
By the way, I listened to Jackson Waters the whole time...
I'm putting the finishing touches on my room now(hanging things on walls, de-cluttering and all that jazz)more pics to come!
July 4th
This is about what it looked like from where we sat...George Bush was there! Pretty cool vacation, awesome speech and bugs...awesome.
And this is what it looks like when I try to take a decent pic with my bro while waiting for Pres. Bush to speak.
And this is what it looks like when I try to take a decent pic with my bro while waiting for Pres. Bush to speak.Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Jeremiah is deep!
"The heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful, a puzzle that no one can figure out. But I, God, search the heart and examine the mind. I get to the heart of the human. I get to the root of things. I treat them as they really are, not as they pretend to be." Jeremiah 17:9-10
Monday, July 13, 2009
An Update on the Real Me...
So life has been 'crazy as usual' lately.
Everyday something happens that catches me off guard and keeps me tied up. I'm constantly working, volunteering, going to events, counseling and teaching multiple people...among other things...
I hate to ask for help or prayer because, 1. I don't want you to know that I need help or prayer & 2. I don't want any doubt or negativity in the situation.
When Jesus prayed for people, He had the wailing women leave the room. He didn't want any doubt...and it was probably hard to think straight with a bunch of women wailing...
Even though there is a chance that there will be some who are negative or don't care and there might be some doubt, I'm asking for you to pray for me. I can handle a lot of things really well but there is a point when it becomes too much and begins to scare me. I'm at that point.
For a few months I've been struggling with weird symptoms...when I try to explain them to people I'm sure they think I'm crazy or don't understand at all. I don't blame them. It's hard to make it make sense.
I'm having thyroidal issues. Now, mind you, this is what I've deducted from research and symptoms. I have not been to the doctor because of time and financial reasons. It started on the right side of my neck. It was this nagging pain/bruise-like/lump on or in my neck. (Believe me, this is one of the hardest things to explain.) It spread down my neck and just continues to annoy me. You can feel the lump on the right side. Then, just a few days ago the left side started having this pain, like a pin point size, just like the right side started. Overall, it is really annoying and strange.
I've spoke with only a few people about this and done some research. It's not really "in" my throat like a sore throat and it's not really outside my neck either...I know, sounds weird, right?
Over the last month or so I have had other weird symptoms that may or may not be related but they scare me.
It effects my speech and breathing. One day I'm sure I sounded drunk. I couldn't make my words crisp and clear no matter how hard I tried.
It also effects the power of my voice. The strength to talk or sing. The 'want-to' if you will. It's like I'm moving my mouth wanting to sing and focusing and my voice just sits down on a couch and is like, "No, thanks. I don't feel like it. I don't want to right now, ask me after Barney is over."
A few times I had memory lapses, which NEVER happen to me, like trying to spell a simple word. (By the way, spelling has always been my strong subject.) Or trying to answer a simple question through an email. It's like I'm looking at the question, trying to word the answer correctly and my brain is off in la-la land. No matter how hard I look at that question and focus, my brain, who has the answer, is off somewhere else. If I move on to something else, then come back to that later, I have no problem with it.
Other little things like this highly concern me because it's not like me. It's not just because I've been out of school for a little while, so I forget how to spell something or do a simple math problem. It's different because the things I'm having issues with, I stick with it and there is a way to work out the problem. I don't have to look it up. When I used spell check the correct spelling didn't look right.
Somethings up. Maybe my minds out to get me? Maybe my neck is sabotaging my brain?
Whatever the case. It's not getting better. It is prgressively getting worse and more painful.
So what do I do?
Sit in my pity...........NOT!
Every day when I wake up I lay there for an extra moment and ask God for any extra strength He can give me that day. I need all I can get.
"In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before You and wait in expectation." Psalm 5:3
I ask Him to remind me to turn to Him when it becomes too much or when I'm overwhelmed. I speak life and healing over me even when I don't feel it because words have power. "The power of life and death are in the tongue." So, when I feel like my body is attacking itself, when I don't know how to get answers to what is happening to me, I turn to God. I ask Him, the knower of all things, to strengthen me and give me the answers I need. I ask Him to sustain me and put me at ease. I ask Him to continually work in & through me. Mainly I ask Him to give me strength as I pour all the strength I have into others. I pray that He would lift me up as I lift others up. He has placed people into my life that need Him and now I have to rely on Him to help me so I can help them.
God's working in me daily and I'm not giving up. Even though I feel like a wounded soldier working with my eyes fixed on the finish line. Even though I'm weak, He is strong.
This is a daily struggle and it effects every area of my life. Then again, that sounds a lot like the Christian walk.
Thank you for the prayers, positive thoughts and encouragement.
Everyday something happens that catches me off guard and keeps me tied up. I'm constantly working, volunteering, going to events, counseling and teaching multiple people...among other things...
I hate to ask for help or prayer because, 1. I don't want you to know that I need help or prayer & 2. I don't want any doubt or negativity in the situation.
When Jesus prayed for people, He had the wailing women leave the room. He didn't want any doubt...and it was probably hard to think straight with a bunch of women wailing...
Even though there is a chance that there will be some who are negative or don't care and there might be some doubt, I'm asking for you to pray for me. I can handle a lot of things really well but there is a point when it becomes too much and begins to scare me. I'm at that point.
For a few months I've been struggling with weird symptoms...when I try to explain them to people I'm sure they think I'm crazy or don't understand at all. I don't blame them. It's hard to make it make sense.
I'm having thyroidal issues. Now, mind you, this is what I've deducted from research and symptoms. I have not been to the doctor because of time and financial reasons. It started on the right side of my neck. It was this nagging pain/bruise-like/lump on or in my neck. (Believe me, this is one of the hardest things to explain.) It spread down my neck and just continues to annoy me. You can feel the lump on the right side. Then, just a few days ago the left side started having this pain, like a pin point size, just like the right side started. Overall, it is really annoying and strange.
I've spoke with only a few people about this and done some research. It's not really "in" my throat like a sore throat and it's not really outside my neck either...I know, sounds weird, right?
Over the last month or so I have had other weird symptoms that may or may not be related but they scare me.
It effects my speech and breathing. One day I'm sure I sounded drunk. I couldn't make my words crisp and clear no matter how hard I tried.
It also effects the power of my voice. The strength to talk or sing. The 'want-to' if you will. It's like I'm moving my mouth wanting to sing and focusing and my voice just sits down on a couch and is like, "No, thanks. I don't feel like it. I don't want to right now, ask me after Barney is over."
A few times I had memory lapses, which NEVER happen to me, like trying to spell a simple word. (By the way, spelling has always been my strong subject.) Or trying to answer a simple question through an email. It's like I'm looking at the question, trying to word the answer correctly and my brain is off in la-la land. No matter how hard I look at that question and focus, my brain, who has the answer, is off somewhere else. If I move on to something else, then come back to that later, I have no problem with it.
Other little things like this highly concern me because it's not like me. It's not just because I've been out of school for a little while, so I forget how to spell something or do a simple math problem. It's different because the things I'm having issues with, I stick with it and there is a way to work out the problem. I don't have to look it up. When I used spell check the correct spelling didn't look right.
Somethings up. Maybe my minds out to get me? Maybe my neck is sabotaging my brain?
Whatever the case. It's not getting better. It is prgressively getting worse and more painful.
So what do I do?
Sit in my pity...........NOT!
Every day when I wake up I lay there for an extra moment and ask God for any extra strength He can give me that day. I need all I can get.
"In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before You and wait in expectation." Psalm 5:3
I ask Him to remind me to turn to Him when it becomes too much or when I'm overwhelmed. I speak life and healing over me even when I don't feel it because words have power. "The power of life and death are in the tongue." So, when I feel like my body is attacking itself, when I don't know how to get answers to what is happening to me, I turn to God. I ask Him, the knower of all things, to strengthen me and give me the answers I need. I ask Him to sustain me and put me at ease. I ask Him to continually work in & through me. Mainly I ask Him to give me strength as I pour all the strength I have into others. I pray that He would lift me up as I lift others up. He has placed people into my life that need Him and now I have to rely on Him to help me so I can help them.
God's working in me daily and I'm not giving up. Even though I feel like a wounded soldier working with my eyes fixed on the finish line. Even though I'm weak, He is strong.
This is a daily struggle and it effects every area of my life. Then again, that sounds a lot like the Christian walk.
Thank you for the prayers, positive thoughts and encouragement.
Scripture of the Week
"...go out into the world...Provide people with a glimpse of good living and the living God. Carry the light-giving message into the night..."
Philippians 2:14-16 (MSG)
Philippians 2:14-16 (MSG)
Friday, July 10, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Faithbook
Faith Book
Susanne Scheppmann
"They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the Lord their God." Nehemiah 9:3 (NIV)
Devotion:
A new addiction slipped into my life recently - Facebook. Internet social networking slid in quietly and unobtrusively. Each day I found myself reading and posting a bit more. I learned how to create my visual bookshelf, so my "friends" could check out what I was reading. I linked my blog. My time seeped into Facebook like grains of sand slide through the hourglass.
My addiction soon took a turn for the worst. I began to put off my personal quiet time with God until after I had Facebooked. Sadly, scripture seemed boring next to my friends' postings. Strangely, the mundane posts intrigued me. I had fallen under the spell of social networking.
Then one day, I dragged myself away from my laptop. I had Bible study that night and needed to finish my lesson. The lesson pointed us to the book of Nehemiah. I read, "They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the Lord their God." (Nehemiah 9:3, NIV).
Yikes! They read God's Word for a quarter of the day, then spent another quarter of the day in confession and worshiping? These words haunted me the rest of the afternoon. When was the last time I spent that much time with God? How much time did I spend on the Internet? I felt a deep conviction about my Facebook addiction.
I determined that day to read my Bible, my FaithBook, before I turned on my computer each day. I would network with God, before networking with my friends. When I made this decision, I saw scripture jump back to life. God's Word spoke to me with a freshness that seemed as if He had just posted it Himself.
The addiction stopped. Oh, I still enjoy Facebook and other social networks, but I have learned to keep them in proper perspective. Psalm 119:59-60 sums up my new intent: "I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow your laws. I will hurry, without delay, to obey your commands" (NLT).
Will you join me in the commitment to spending time in God's Word before time spent on Facebook?
Dear Lord, I recognize that I spend too much time on the computer. Forgive my inattention to Your Word. Help me each day to place You first in my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Susanne Scheppmann
"They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the Lord their God." Nehemiah 9:3 (NIV)
Devotion:
A new addiction slipped into my life recently - Facebook. Internet social networking slid in quietly and unobtrusively. Each day I found myself reading and posting a bit more. I learned how to create my visual bookshelf, so my "friends" could check out what I was reading. I linked my blog. My time seeped into Facebook like grains of sand slide through the hourglass.
My addiction soon took a turn for the worst. I began to put off my personal quiet time with God until after I had Facebooked. Sadly, scripture seemed boring next to my friends' postings. Strangely, the mundane posts intrigued me. I had fallen under the spell of social networking.
Then one day, I dragged myself away from my laptop. I had Bible study that night and needed to finish my lesson. The lesson pointed us to the book of Nehemiah. I read, "They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the Lord their God." (Nehemiah 9:3, NIV).
Yikes! They read God's Word for a quarter of the day, then spent another quarter of the day in confession and worshiping? These words haunted me the rest of the afternoon. When was the last time I spent that much time with God? How much time did I spend on the Internet? I felt a deep conviction about my Facebook addiction.
I determined that day to read my Bible, my FaithBook, before I turned on my computer each day. I would network with God, before networking with my friends. When I made this decision, I saw scripture jump back to life. God's Word spoke to me with a freshness that seemed as if He had just posted it Himself.
The addiction stopped. Oh, I still enjoy Facebook and other social networks, but I have learned to keep them in proper perspective. Psalm 119:59-60 sums up my new intent: "I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow your laws. I will hurry, without delay, to obey your commands" (NLT).
Will you join me in the commitment to spending time in God's Word before time spent on Facebook?
Dear Lord, I recognize that I spend too much time on the computer. Forgive my inattention to Your Word. Help me each day to place You first in my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Slow Dance
This poem hits home with me:
Have you ever watched kids
On a merry-go round?
Or listened to the rain
Slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly’s erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You better slow down
Don’t dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won’t last.
Do you run through each day
On the fly?
When you ask: How are you?
Do you hear the reply?
When the day is gone,
do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores
Running through your head?
You’d better slow down.
Don’t go so fast.
Time is short.
The music won’t last.
Ever told your child,
We’ll do it tomorrow?
And in your haste,
Not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die
Cause you never had time
To call and say “Hi”?
You’d better slow down.
Don’t dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won’t last.
When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift thrown away.
Life is not a race
Do take it slower.
Hear the music.
Before the song is over.
(a poem written by child psychologist David L. Weatherford, as quoted in “4-Hour Work Week”, Timothy Ferriss)
Have you ever watched kids
On a merry-go round?
Or listened to the rain
Slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly’s erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You better slow down
Don’t dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won’t last.
Do you run through each day
On the fly?
When you ask: How are you?
Do you hear the reply?
When the day is gone,
do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores
Running through your head?
You’d better slow down.
Don’t go so fast.
Time is short.
The music won’t last.
Ever told your child,
We’ll do it tomorrow?
And in your haste,
Not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die
Cause you never had time
To call and say “Hi”?
You’d better slow down.
Don’t dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won’t last.
When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift thrown away.
Life is not a race
Do take it slower.
Hear the music.
Before the song is over.
(a poem written by child psychologist David L. Weatherford, as quoted in “4-Hour Work Week”, Timothy Ferriss)
The Mystery Ring
So I went on a trip a couple of months ago, stayed with friends and hung out in my hometown...when I got home there was a mysterious ring in my bag that I'd never seen before...kinda weird. I asked my friends and everyone I was with if it was theirs...nope. No one is claiming this ring.
Hmmm...
It's not that special...It's silver with a raised triangle-type emblem.
I don't think it's worth anything either...it's turning my finger green...
Well, what to do now? I decided if no one is going to claim it, it's mine. BOOM - try to stop me now!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Scripture for the Week (Weak)
"My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Colossians, 2:2-3 (NIV)
Friday, June 26, 2009
It's hot...wanna get cooled off?
So it's crazy hot outside...what's with the high of 103? Crazy. My advice to stay alive is:
1. Focus on breathing.
2. Carry water with you like a camel.
3. Come to Sun 'N Fun Waterpark tonight for our party!
It's going down from 5-8pm and all admissions go to our expansion fund for The House FM. Some of us DJ's will be there with great prizes like Guitar Praise, Season passes to Sun 'N Fun, Concert Tickets and 5 cd pack. More info is at http://www.thehousefm.com So come out, get wet, say "Hello" to me, ride some rides, win prizes and support your favorite radio station.
As Andy says, "It's a win, win, win situation."
If you don't come tonight, you'll be kicking yourself and that will only make your body temperature rise. I think the choice is clear.
Info on The House FM-http://www.thehousefm.com
Info on Sun 'N Fun Waterpark-http://www.sunnfunwaterpark.net/
1. Focus on breathing.
2. Carry water with you like a camel.
3. Come to Sun 'N Fun Waterpark tonight for our party!
It's going down from 5-8pm and all admissions go to our expansion fund for The House FM. Some of us DJ's will be there with great prizes like Guitar Praise, Season passes to Sun 'N Fun, Concert Tickets and 5 cd pack. More info is at http://www.thehousefm.com So come out, get wet, say "Hello" to me, ride some rides, win prizes and support your favorite radio station.
As Andy says, "It's a win, win, win situation."
If you don't come tonight, you'll be kicking yourself and that will only make your body temperature rise. I think the choice is clear.
Info on The House FM-http://www.thehousefm.com
Info on Sun 'N Fun Waterpark-http://www.sunnfunwaterpark.net/
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Update from Russia
I have friends in Russia right now. They are hoping to adopt a 16 year old and bring her home. This has been a long time coming, about 4 years. We are watching their third child, Xavier(X-Man) who is 4. Here's the update I got earlier today:
'We finally made it to the orphanage this afternoon after a 5 hour drive on WWII era roads. Anya was very happy to see us. She has grown a lot but still the same in a lot of ways.
The other kids were glad too because we came with 6 cases of chocolates. We took Anya to lunch were cabbage soup was the main course. Afterwards, some ice cream from the store, then some bowling at a 4 lane bowling alley, wrapping up with a walk through a park where the main attraction was the long haired goat monument who's nose you touch while making a wish. Tammy did the wishmaking.
Through the interpreter, we had some good conversations. Nothing too heavy on the first day. Over all she is in good spirits, very glad to see us and looking forward to tomorrow. Time will only tell if she will decide once and for all to come to America. We are praying for God's will in her life first and foremost. She is dealing with the prospect of leaving behind friends in the orphanage as well as a brother only a year older, that is wanting to stay. Anyway, it's tough for her so right now we are just focusing on the reunion. She still has a while to workout the best decision for her.
'We finally made it to the orphanage this afternoon after a 5 hour drive on WWII era roads. Anya was very happy to see us. She has grown a lot but still the same in a lot of ways.
The other kids were glad too because we came with 6 cases of chocolates. We took Anya to lunch were cabbage soup was the main course. Afterwards, some ice cream from the store, then some bowling at a 4 lane bowling alley, wrapping up with a walk through a park where the main attraction was the long haired goat monument who's nose you touch while making a wish. Tammy did the wishmaking.
Tomorrow we will pick her up from the orphanage at 10:00am, 2:00am for you. I don't know what can do to top the goat monument, but we will try by having a birthday party for her with presents we brought from home.
Thanks again for all the help & support.'
Dave & Tammy
Volgograd Region
City of Urpinsk
Russia
Top 10
This is a different kind of Top 10...these are just a few questions I challenge you to answer truthfully. Maybe even print this out and have it as a weekly reality check in your life. This is mainly geared toward kids and teens, but it may be helpful to you as well.
My Weekly Top 10
one - God
Have I spent daily time in the scriptures and prayer?
two - Family
Have I spent any quality time with my family?
three - Friendships
Have I done anything this week to or with my friends
that is not a good reflections of Jesus?
four - Love
Have I blessed somebody or showed the love of Christ
to anyone this week?
five - Pride
Have I told any half truths or lies, trying to make myself
look better to the people around me?
six - Purity
Have I had any flirtatious or lustful attitudes?
Have I exposed myself to any explicit materials that do not glorify God?
seven - Actions
Have I taken anything that does not belong to me?
Have I said anything about anyone that I shouldn’t have?
eight - Drugs
Have I eaten, drank or put anything into my body that is not Christ-like?
nine - Focus
Is there anything causing me to stumble or take my eyes off of Jesus?
ten - Honesty
Have I lied on any of the answers to these questions?
My Weekly Top 10
one - God
Have I spent daily time in the scriptures and prayer?
two - Family
Have I spent any quality time with my family?
three - Friendships
Have I done anything this week to or with my friends
that is not a good reflections of Jesus?
four - Love
Have I blessed somebody or showed the love of Christ
to anyone this week?
five - Pride
Have I told any half truths or lies, trying to make myself
look better to the people around me?
six - Purity
Have I had any flirtatious or lustful attitudes?
Have I exposed myself to any explicit materials that do not glorify God?
seven - Actions
Have I taken anything that does not belong to me?
Have I said anything about anyone that I shouldn’t have?
eight - Drugs
Have I eaten, drank or put anything into my body that is not Christ-like?
nine - Focus
Is there anything causing me to stumble or take my eyes off of Jesus?
ten - Honesty
Have I lied on any of the answers to these questions?
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Scripture for the Week (Weak)
"By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence."
2 Peter 1:3 (NLT)
2 Peter 1:3 (NLT)
Monday, June 22, 2009
Do It
Do It
Marybeth Whalen
"But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours."
Matthew 17:27 (NIV)
Devotion:
Sometimes God asks us to do something we don't understand. It might seem unnecessary. It might seem crazy. Or it might seem like something God shouldn't need us to do because He is capable of doing it without our involvement. So why does He require our action?
When Jesus was asked to pay a tax, He told Peter to go catch a fish. Miraculously, the exact amount He needed was found in the mouth of the fish he caught. Peter had a moment where he had to either accept Jesus' methods or question them. In our limited human understanding it's easier to question, "Why didn't He just make that coin appear?" But Peter knew Jesus, and he knew he was better off to just do whatever Jesus had asked of him (Matthew 17:24-27).
Sometimes we have moments like Peter had. We stand there blinking, wondering if we heard Him right. In those moments we have to make a decision to just DO IT:
Deliberate
Obedience
Intentional
Trust
Certainly Jesus could have produced the amount needed in many different ways, but He required Peter to be involved. He required Peter to take action, just as He does with us at times.
When God showed my husband and I that we needed to begin tithing when what we wanted was to get out of debt, it didn't make sense to us at all. We had to simply respond with deliberate obedience and intentional trust.
When God challenged me to stick with my marriage when it seemed over, I wondered if He realized what He was asking. He wanted me to deliberately obey Him and intentionally trust Him. He didn't want me to look for the easy button. He wasn't offering a supernatural rescue. He needed me to walk through the process, learning lessons along the way. Instead of handing me a solution, He allowed me to be involved in it.
Is there something He is asking you to do that doesn't seem right, or normal, or natural from your human perspective? Are you ignoring His still small voice urging you to just trust and obey? Whether it's catching a fish or building an ark, you can rest assured that you are in good company. God has a plan--even when you can't see it. Sometimes you have to DO IT to reveal that plan.
*Dear Lord, I want to learn to respond with obedience to Your requests. When I hear Your voice speaking to me, I want to willingly do it--whatever "it" is. Thank You for reminding me that sometimes You require me to be part of my own solution. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Marybeth Whalen
"But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours."
Matthew 17:27 (NIV)
Devotion:
Sometimes God asks us to do something we don't understand. It might seem unnecessary. It might seem crazy. Or it might seem like something God shouldn't need us to do because He is capable of doing it without our involvement. So why does He require our action?
When Jesus was asked to pay a tax, He told Peter to go catch a fish. Miraculously, the exact amount He needed was found in the mouth of the fish he caught. Peter had a moment where he had to either accept Jesus' methods or question them. In our limited human understanding it's easier to question, "Why didn't He just make that coin appear?" But Peter knew Jesus, and he knew he was better off to just do whatever Jesus had asked of him (Matthew 17:24-27).
Sometimes we have moments like Peter had. We stand there blinking, wondering if we heard Him right. In those moments we have to make a decision to just DO IT:
Deliberate
Obedience
Intentional
Trust
Certainly Jesus could have produced the amount needed in many different ways, but He required Peter to be involved. He required Peter to take action, just as He does with us at times.
When God showed my husband and I that we needed to begin tithing when what we wanted was to get out of debt, it didn't make sense to us at all. We had to simply respond with deliberate obedience and intentional trust.
When God challenged me to stick with my marriage when it seemed over, I wondered if He realized what He was asking. He wanted me to deliberately obey Him and intentionally trust Him. He didn't want me to look for the easy button. He wasn't offering a supernatural rescue. He needed me to walk through the process, learning lessons along the way. Instead of handing me a solution, He allowed me to be involved in it.
Is there something He is asking you to do that doesn't seem right, or normal, or natural from your human perspective? Are you ignoring His still small voice urging you to just trust and obey? Whether it's catching a fish or building an ark, you can rest assured that you are in good company. God has a plan--even when you can't see it. Sometimes you have to DO IT to reveal that plan.
*Dear Lord, I want to learn to respond with obedience to Your requests. When I hear Your voice speaking to me, I want to willingly do it--whatever "it" is. Thank You for reminding me that sometimes You require me to be part of my own solution. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Scripture for the Week (Weak)
Romans 3:23-24, "All of us have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. But God treats us much better than we deserve, and because of Christ Jesus, he freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins." (CEV)
Friday, June 12, 2009
Does Your House Have To Be Clean?
Growing up, my Mom always wanted the house to be really clean when guests came over, like sparkling! I liked our house clean as much as the next person, but if things weren't perfect, the joy started to drain out of my family, the peace was gone. Because of that I have become somewhat of a neat freak, cleaning for fun and all that. Recently I've been praying about this and the motive behind it. The following is an article from Crosswalk that really hits home with me and really captures my heart now:
Does Your House Have to be Clean?
Sandy Coughlin
Crosswalk.com Contributor
When I think of hosting in our home, the first thing that comes to mind is all the cleaning I’ll have to do. Sometimes it’s hard to get beyond that issue, so that I just end up dropping the idea of having people over. How can I change my attitude about cleaning so that it doesn’t hinder hospitality in our house?
Last week we had friends over for a dinner, and I didn’t clean my house! It was an internal war inside - do I vacuum, dust and clean - or just let it go?
I’ll admit it. Sometimes I can be pretty lazy when it comes to deep-cleaning my house. A quick pick-up is definitely easier and quicker!
But what will my guests think?
Will they even notice?
Perfectionism
Recently a friend shared her struggles with me, admitting that her house having to be perfect was the main reason she hadn’t had anyone over in months. It’s a shame, too, because she has a cute apartment within walking distance of her church.
She’s afraid to have people over because most of her friends are neat-freaks, and she’s afraid her place won’t meet their standards.
Prioritize
When it comes to hospitality, we often lose our focus as life gets hurried and complicated. We dash around doing things that really don’t matter (like cleaning the house before the guests arrive!), and then our perspective shifts. We get so caught up in our present circumstances, trying to make things so perfect, that we can’t see beyond our difficulties.
Over the years I’ve learned to ask myself this: Would I rather continue on with what had already been a peaceful day - or kick it up a notch, running around crazily trying to make everything look just right? I won’t even mention what kind of mood that puts the whole family in.
I’ve learned to prioritize what the important aspects of entertaining are (obviously getting the food on the table in a timely manner), and I’ve decided that a happy family and a relaxed hostess are way more important to me than having things perfect.
Perspective
We had such a great time with our guests, but it’s so easy to get our perspective out of balance. At one point I found myself looking down at the un-vacuumed carpet. For a split second I was embarrassed. Then I looked up into the faces of those around our table and my perspective shifted back into place.
It’s not about the crumbs on the floor or the disorganized piles around the house. It’s not even that I am lazy when it comes to house cleaning. I definitely don’t fall into the mold of being a neat freak! I just tend to have a very busy, hectic schedule at times and I’m trying to prioritize what really matters.
I’d rather keep strong friendships going than give them up for a clean house.
Does your house have to be perfectly clean before you’ll invite others in?
Does Your House Have to be Clean?
Sandy Coughlin
Crosswalk.com Contributor
When I think of hosting in our home, the first thing that comes to mind is all the cleaning I’ll have to do. Sometimes it’s hard to get beyond that issue, so that I just end up dropping the idea of having people over. How can I change my attitude about cleaning so that it doesn’t hinder hospitality in our house?
Last week we had friends over for a dinner, and I didn’t clean my house! It was an internal war inside - do I vacuum, dust and clean - or just let it go?
I’ll admit it. Sometimes I can be pretty lazy when it comes to deep-cleaning my house. A quick pick-up is definitely easier and quicker!
But what will my guests think?
Will they even notice?
Perfectionism
Recently a friend shared her struggles with me, admitting that her house having to be perfect was the main reason she hadn’t had anyone over in months. It’s a shame, too, because she has a cute apartment within walking distance of her church.
She’s afraid to have people over because most of her friends are neat-freaks, and she’s afraid her place won’t meet their standards.
Prioritize
When it comes to hospitality, we often lose our focus as life gets hurried and complicated. We dash around doing things that really don’t matter (like cleaning the house before the guests arrive!), and then our perspective shifts. We get so caught up in our present circumstances, trying to make things so perfect, that we can’t see beyond our difficulties.
Over the years I’ve learned to ask myself this: Would I rather continue on with what had already been a peaceful day - or kick it up a notch, running around crazily trying to make everything look just right? I won’t even mention what kind of mood that puts the whole family in.
I’ve learned to prioritize what the important aspects of entertaining are (obviously getting the food on the table in a timely manner), and I’ve decided that a happy family and a relaxed hostess are way more important to me than having things perfect.
Perspective
We had such a great time with our guests, but it’s so easy to get our perspective out of balance. At one point I found myself looking down at the un-vacuumed carpet. For a split second I was embarrassed. Then I looked up into the faces of those around our table and my perspective shifted back into place.
It’s not about the crumbs on the floor or the disorganized piles around the house. It’s not even that I am lazy when it comes to house cleaning. I definitely don’t fall into the mold of being a neat freak! I just tend to have a very busy, hectic schedule at times and I’m trying to prioritize what really matters.
I’d rather keep strong friendships going than give them up for a clean house.
Does your house have to be perfectly clean before you’ll invite others in?
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Are You A Rebel?
The following is the message version of Isaiah 46, titled "This is Serious Business, Rebels."
*Listen to the words and let it sink in...
The god Bel falls down, god Nebo slumps.
The no-good hunks of wood are loaded on mules
And have to be hauled off,
wearing out the poor mules-
Dead weight, burdens who can't bear burdens,
hauled off to captivity.
"Listen to me, family of Jacob,
everyone that's left of the family of Israel.
I've been carrying you on my back
from the day you were born,
And I'll keep on carrying you when you're old.
I'll be there, bearing you when you're old and gray.
I've done it and will keep on doing it,
carrying you on my back, saving you."
"So to whom will you compare me, the Incomparable?
Can you picture me without reducing me?
People with a lot of money
hire craftsmen to make them gods.
The artisan delivers the god,
and they kneel and worship it!
They carry it around in holy parades,
then take it home and put it on a shelf.
And there it sits, day in and day out,
a dependable god, always right where you put it.
Say anything you want to it, it never talks back.
Of course, it never does anything either!"
*Listen to the words and let it sink in...
The god Bel falls down, god Nebo slumps.
The no-good hunks of wood are loaded on mules
And have to be hauled off,
wearing out the poor mules-
Dead weight, burdens who can't bear burdens,
hauled off to captivity.
"Listen to me, family of Jacob,
everyone that's left of the family of Israel.
I've been carrying you on my back
from the day you were born,
And I'll keep on carrying you when you're old.
I'll be there, bearing you when you're old and gray.
I've done it and will keep on doing it,
carrying you on my back, saving you."
"So to whom will you compare me, the Incomparable?
Can you picture me without reducing me?
People with a lot of money
hire craftsmen to make them gods.
The artisan delivers the god,
and they kneel and worship it!
They carry it around in holy parades,
then take it home and put it on a shelf.
And there it sits, day in and day out,
a dependable god, always right where you put it.
Say anything you want to it, it never talks back.
Of course, it never does anything either!"
"Think about this. Wrap your minds around it. This is serious business, rebels. Take it to heart. Remember your history, your long and rich history. I am God, the only God you've eve had or will have-incomparable, irreplaceble-From the very beginning telling you what the ending will be, All along letting you in on what is going to happen, Assuring you, 'I'm in this for the long haul, I'll do exactly what I set out to do, 'Calling that eagle, Cyrus, out of the east, from a far country the man I chose to help me. I've said it, and I'll most certainly do it. I've planned it, so it's as good as done."
"Now listen to me: You're a hard-headed bunch and hard to help. I'm ready to help you right now. Deliverance is not a long-range plan. Salvation isn't on hold. I'm putting salvation to work in Zion right now, and glory in Israel."
Monday, June 8, 2009
Song of the Week
My current fav song we're playing on The House FM (http://www.thehousefm.com/thehouse.asp)
"You Can't Take Away" Mikeschair
All alone, All of us
Fear has come and so we must
Ask ourselves in who we trust
Or we have fear it's not enough
To let it bring, in freedom sing
(chorus)
You can take away
Everything that I've been holding
You can take away the sun
You can take away the very air that I've been breathing
But you can't take away my God
Waves will come, winds will blow
But it's not here, I've found my hope
My beating heart, my weary soul
Is held by one who won't let go
And so I'll cling to you my king
(chorus)
A hope that can't be lost
A love that can't be bought
You can't take away my God
Nothing high or low
Nothing you can control
You can't take away my God
(chorus)
*To listen to the song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nby-BPrTyPw
"You Can't Take Away" Mikeschair
All alone, All of us
Fear has come and so we must
Ask ourselves in who we trust
Or we have fear it's not enough
To let it bring, in freedom sing
(chorus)
You can take away
Everything that I've been holding
You can take away the sun
You can take away the very air that I've been breathing
But you can't take away my God
Waves will come, winds will blow
But it's not here, I've found my hope
My beating heart, my weary soul
Is held by one who won't let go
And so I'll cling to you my king
(chorus)
A hope that can't be lost
A love that can't be bought
You can't take away my God
Nothing high or low
Nothing you can control
You can't take away my God
(chorus)
*To listen to the song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nby-BPrTyPw
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
I'm lovin Romans 12:2 right now
"Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to it's level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you."
I hope that encourages you this week. Purpose to rely FULLY on God and look to Him for direction. Allow Him to bring about 'well-formed maturity'.
I hope that encourages you this week. Purpose to rely FULLY on God and look to Him for direction. Allow Him to bring about 'well-formed maturity'.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Lyrics of the Week
Drum roll.......here's the current song playing on my ipod:
Francesca Battistelli from her album My Paper Heart
"Someday Soon"
I wanna be the one who knows everything about you
I wanna be the one who’s always on your mind
I wanna be the one to get all of your affection and attention
You’re the one that I’ve been waiting for, for all this time
And I can’t imagine anything, anything better than
(Chorus)
Someday falling in love with you
Holding your hand
Making our plans all come true
Someday under a sky so blue
I’ll give you my heart
Our story will start someday soon
I wanna be the one who does everything with you
Watching stars, washing cars, taking walks, going to the store
I wanna be the one who gets to change her last name someday
To something that sounds something more like yours
(Chorus)
Yeah I’ll be telling you I love you
On a picture perfect day
And those words inside my head
They sound like angels singing praise
It’s what I was made to say
*Now go listen to it!
Francesca Battistelli from her album My Paper Heart
"Someday Soon"
I wanna be the one who knows everything about you
I wanna be the one who’s always on your mind
I wanna be the one to get all of your affection and attention
You’re the one that I’ve been waiting for, for all this time
And I can’t imagine anything, anything better than
(Chorus)
Someday falling in love with you
Holding your hand
Making our plans all come true
Someday under a sky so blue
I’ll give you my heart
Our story will start someday soon
I wanna be the one who does everything with you
Watching stars, washing cars, taking walks, going to the store
I wanna be the one who gets to change her last name someday
To something that sounds something more like yours
(Chorus)
Yeah I’ll be telling you I love you
On a picture perfect day
And those words inside my head
They sound like angels singing praise
It’s what I was made to say
*Now go listen to it!
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