What is your Motto?
To know God and to make Him known.
What superhuman power would you most want to have?
Reshape my body - you know, get taller and thinner.
What makes you laugh?
My husband - he really is funny, I just tease him about his puns being stupid.
Cats or dogs?
Dogs most definitely.
Would you rather be a little smarter or sexier?
Sexier - I am plenty smart but seriously lacking in the other.
What's the one thing you'll never understand?
Stealing - it's not yours - don't take it!!!!!
My life would be simpler if?
I wasn't so lazy sometimes.
The big decision I'm currently wrestling with is...
Garage sale and Craig's List - OR - give it away (it's gotta go though)
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Stealing Peace
It’s 4:00am and I’ve been awake for a little over an hour now trying to “rest” and finding none. This is when my mind turns on and I begin to think. And think, and think and think. Sometimes I think about the silly things I said yesterday that I wish I could take back. Sometimes the tasks that I, again, left undone and really wish I could just complete. But mostly, I think about God, me, my life, my heart, my hopes, my past, my present, my future – basically, what is this life of mine all about.
Lately, I have been thinking a lot about peace. I desire to have peace in my life. Yes, that means “peace and quiet” and it also means peace – lack of chaos. But, for me I want more. I want peace that brings that sense or feeling or understanding that “all is well.”
I was talking to my friend Lara the other day about this and I just can’t seem to let it go. I have been trying to “steal peace” in my life. Steal it. Grab it. Rip it out of my day. It must be something really important to me if I’m willing to go to such great lengths to get it but unfortunately, I don’t find it much.
I can find true peace and rest in my life with some very simple things. A great, long, hot shower is one. I have gone into the shower covered in the grime of life and let that water wash it all away. I have entered the stall twisted and crooked in my body and spirit and come out a new person. A good long shower can be so very healing to me.
I have come from a good movie feeling so alive and so sure of myself, I could conquer the world. I will watch an entire movie, just to get to that one crucial line that stirs my heart. Chariots of Fire is one of those for me. Just to hear Eric Liddel turn to his sister and say, “I feel His pleasure when I run.” Or in Last of the Mohicans when Daniel Day-Lewis says to Madeleine Stowe, “No matter how long it takes, no matter how far, I will find you.”
I’ve even found a little slice of pure contentment at the mall. Finding the perfect gift for a dear friend or your sister – finding that perfect pair of jeans that gives the illusion of a slimmer backside – or a new kitchen gadget that will save you tons of time.
Interesting thing about all this – IT DOESN’T ALWAYS WORK!!!!
I’ve tried the shower – nothing; the movie – nothing; the mall – NOTHING!!! What’s going on. I’ll try a cup of tea – that should do it. OK – I’ll do some gardening, take a walk, play on the floor with Daniel – shoot, I’ll even try smiling and throwing my arms over my head. Nothing.
Still troubled. Still restless. Still unsure. Still confused. Still sad. Still uneasy.
Obvious – how has this been eluding me – PRAY. What do I pray? OK – I’ll pray for “such” and “so” and then him, and then her, and back to “such,” and again to “so.” Oh no, what am I actually saying and praying? I don’t know. Can God make any sense out of this jumble of words and thoughts and ideas racing through my head??? Even my prayer time turns into a slide show on warp speed. I’m more wound up now than ever.
Oh God HELP! I need some peace in my life. I need to feel that You are near. I need Your presence. Where is that quiet place?
I am thinking of a song that is sort of old and a little corny but oh so precious to me…
I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart
I will enter His courts with praise
I will say this is the day that the Lord has made
I will rejoice for He has made me glad
He has made me glad
Oh, He has made me glad
I will rejoice for He has made me glad
I think I’ll sing that – maybe a few times. I think I’ll let the truth of it soak into my soul. I want to approach Him (enter His gates) with thanksgiving. I’ll thank Him for my life – the very breath I breathe. Thank you for the roof over my head, the warm water for my shower, my sweet husband, my precious baby boy, my closet full of clothes, a kitchen full of food, great friends, precious memories, happy birthdays, health, legs that work, anything – everything. You are so good God.
Praise is next. God you are AWESOME. You are good. Faithful. Just. Righteous. Holy. Loving. Gracious. Merciful. Steadfast. Enduring. Hopeful. Mighty. Wonderful. The lover of my soul!
That alone can floor me. The God of the universe – creator of heaven and earth – loves my soul. He loves my mind, my personality, my soul! Oh such peace and contentment. I’m starting to feel it now. He loves me. I love Him. I want to rejoice.
I need to say it out loud. “This is the day that the Lord has made – I will rejoice and be glad in it.” I’m thinking of another corny song…
It’s a happy day, and I thank God for the weather
It’s a happy day, and I’m living it for my Lord
It’s a happy day, and things are sure to get better
Living each day by the promises of God’s word
I sing that sometimes to Daniel. I want him to know that whatever the day looks like – stormy, sunny, foggy, cloudy, cool, warm – no matter – it’s a “happy day” and God is to be thanked. I need to say these things out loud. I know – corny. I’ll do anything – even really corny stuff, to find some true peace in my life.
I still think God uses the movies, the mall and the shower (and lot’s of other great things) in my life to bring some peace to me but mostly, He just wants to be present in my life. He wants to stand near to me. Walk beside me. Sometimes He speaks sweet truths and simple solutions but mostly, He just walks near me. I long for that in my life. I want it more than anything else. To be forever in His presence. I will draw near to Him and He draws near to me.
John 14:27 says…
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Another good one is Isaiah 26:3…
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
Lord, help me to have a mind that is steadfast and a trust in You that is deep and abiding. Help me to stop “stealing peace” and finding things that are temporal and that fill me with a false sense of contentment. Help me to daily “enter His gates” and give me a grateful heart. Help me to speak and say out loud only things that are True. Walk with me and let me say, “it is well with my soul.”
Lately, I have been thinking a lot about peace. I desire to have peace in my life. Yes, that means “peace and quiet” and it also means peace – lack of chaos. But, for me I want more. I want peace that brings that sense or feeling or understanding that “all is well.”
I was talking to my friend Lara the other day about this and I just can’t seem to let it go. I have been trying to “steal peace” in my life. Steal it. Grab it. Rip it out of my day. It must be something really important to me if I’m willing to go to such great lengths to get it but unfortunately, I don’t find it much.
I can find true peace and rest in my life with some very simple things. A great, long, hot shower is one. I have gone into the shower covered in the grime of life and let that water wash it all away. I have entered the stall twisted and crooked in my body and spirit and come out a new person. A good long shower can be so very healing to me.
I have come from a good movie feeling so alive and so sure of myself, I could conquer the world. I will watch an entire movie, just to get to that one crucial line that stirs my heart. Chariots of Fire is one of those for me. Just to hear Eric Liddel turn to his sister and say, “I feel His pleasure when I run.” Or in Last of the Mohicans when Daniel Day-Lewis says to Madeleine Stowe, “No matter how long it takes, no matter how far, I will find you.”
I’ve even found a little slice of pure contentment at the mall. Finding the perfect gift for a dear friend or your sister – finding that perfect pair of jeans that gives the illusion of a slimmer backside – or a new kitchen gadget that will save you tons of time.
Interesting thing about all this – IT DOESN’T ALWAYS WORK!!!!
I’ve tried the shower – nothing; the movie – nothing; the mall – NOTHING!!! What’s going on. I’ll try a cup of tea – that should do it. OK – I’ll do some gardening, take a walk, play on the floor with Daniel – shoot, I’ll even try smiling and throwing my arms over my head. Nothing.
Still troubled. Still restless. Still unsure. Still confused. Still sad. Still uneasy.
Obvious – how has this been eluding me – PRAY. What do I pray? OK – I’ll pray for “such” and “so” and then him, and then her, and back to “such,” and again to “so.” Oh no, what am I actually saying and praying? I don’t know. Can God make any sense out of this jumble of words and thoughts and ideas racing through my head??? Even my prayer time turns into a slide show on warp speed. I’m more wound up now than ever.
Oh God HELP! I need some peace in my life. I need to feel that You are near. I need Your presence. Where is that quiet place?
I am thinking of a song that is sort of old and a little corny but oh so precious to me…
I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart
I will enter His courts with praise
I will say this is the day that the Lord has made
I will rejoice for He has made me glad
He has made me glad
Oh, He has made me glad
I will rejoice for He has made me glad
I think I’ll sing that – maybe a few times. I think I’ll let the truth of it soak into my soul. I want to approach Him (enter His gates) with thanksgiving. I’ll thank Him for my life – the very breath I breathe. Thank you for the roof over my head, the warm water for my shower, my sweet husband, my precious baby boy, my closet full of clothes, a kitchen full of food, great friends, precious memories, happy birthdays, health, legs that work, anything – everything. You are so good God.
Praise is next. God you are AWESOME. You are good. Faithful. Just. Righteous. Holy. Loving. Gracious. Merciful. Steadfast. Enduring. Hopeful. Mighty. Wonderful. The lover of my soul!
That alone can floor me. The God of the universe – creator of heaven and earth – loves my soul. He loves my mind, my personality, my soul! Oh such peace and contentment. I’m starting to feel it now. He loves me. I love Him. I want to rejoice.
I need to say it out loud. “This is the day that the Lord has made – I will rejoice and be glad in it.” I’m thinking of another corny song…
It’s a happy day, and I thank God for the weather
It’s a happy day, and I’m living it for my Lord
It’s a happy day, and things are sure to get better
Living each day by the promises of God’s word
I sing that sometimes to Daniel. I want him to know that whatever the day looks like – stormy, sunny, foggy, cloudy, cool, warm – no matter – it’s a “happy day” and God is to be thanked. I need to say these things out loud. I know – corny. I’ll do anything – even really corny stuff, to find some true peace in my life.
I still think God uses the movies, the mall and the shower (and lot’s of other great things) in my life to bring some peace to me but mostly, He just wants to be present in my life. He wants to stand near to me. Walk beside me. Sometimes He speaks sweet truths and simple solutions but mostly, He just walks near me. I long for that in my life. I want it more than anything else. To be forever in His presence. I will draw near to Him and He draws near to me.
John 14:27 says…
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Another good one is Isaiah 26:3…
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
Lord, help me to have a mind that is steadfast and a trust in You that is deep and abiding. Help me to stop “stealing peace” and finding things that are temporal and that fill me with a false sense of contentment. Help me to daily “enter His gates” and give me a grateful heart. Help me to speak and say out loud only things that are True. Walk with me and let me say, “it is well with my soul.”
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
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