Friday Funnies

Welcome to the 1st Friday of the New Year! This has been a crazy week at work, even with a day and a half off for New Years, so I am happy to see Friday arrive and I am looking forward to a quiet weekend curled up on the couch with my hubby, cats and a good book. :)

what IS that smell??

popcorn anyone?

tehehe

I'm glad it gives someone comfort!

I have no idea how that happened.

Bonus inspiration:

love this!

Have a great weekend, whatever you find yourself doing! God Bless and Happy New Year!

Read any good books lately?

I am  working my way through a few! Currently I am reading "Divergent" by Veronica Roth. I picked this up on a whim and I am hooked! This is a great story about a girl trying to find her way in a world that is alien to me. I don't want to give away the story though, so go read this book!

"Divergent" isn't the only book I am reading though. I am also reading "Pharisectomy" by Peter Haas. This one is about "how to joyfully remove your inner Pharisee and other religiously transmitted diseases". This one I have been reading for a couple of weeks. I want to take my time with it and let it sink in. It is a really well written book with a lot to teach me. Personally, I have always struggled with reading "religious" books, they tend to be very dull. Not this one! Mr. Haas has injected quite a bit of humor into his words and used it to reenforce his points. I strongly recommend this book to anyone looking to reconnect with their personal faith and loosen their grip on "religious" thinking. (I should mention that I got this one has a freebie from myhealthychurch.com but my opinions are entirely my own!)

My current daily devotional is "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young. LOVE THIS DEVOTIONAL!!

But that's not all (as they say on the infomercials!) I am also listening to Stephen King's "11/22/63" on my mp3 player. This one was a birthday gift to myself. I have been wanting to read it for a long time and finally talked myself into it! I fell in love with listening to Stephen King's books on audio after listening to "Bag of Bones" (which I also have on CD). There are just so many nuances in his books that I know I would miss on the printed page. But on audio! If you have never listened to an audiobook before, you really need to give it a try, you will not regret it! In fact, I will probably end up looking for "Divergent" and "Pharisectomy" on audio very soon! :)

Okay, that is all I am currently reading. I do have 2 short stories written by friends that I need to tackle (which I have promised myself I will do over the long weekend!) and several blogs I need to catch up on (also waiting for the weekend!). Oh, and there is this advance reading copy of a book I won on "Goodreads" that just came in the mail last night! "Fallen Women" by Sandra Dallas. I will be starting it as soon as I clear a spot in my line up!

By the way, what are you reading??

Taking a break....or not

So, my plan for July is was to take a break from blogging. I think I am burnt out from trying to write even when I am not really inspired to do so and it shows. So this morning I decided rather than try to write I would catch up on a few of my favorite blogs.

My first stop was My Purple Dreams. Violet is participating in the Blog Everyday Challenge and of course, her post for Day 1 caught my eye:

 Day 1: The story of your life in 250 words or less (or one paragraph... no one will be counting your words... probably)

 This prompt tickled my fancy so I clicked over to have a look at the other prompts. It looks promising. BUT, I really don't think I am up to another full month of writing daily. After all I just finished NaBloPoMo for June and I did NOT do well at all. Writing everyday is hard, and it's even harder when you aren't feeling any inspiration. And that is how I write, I have to be inspired or the words just do not flow.

I am not going to let myself get drawn into another challenge I can't complete. But I think I will take a stab at a few of the prompts from this challenge that interest me. So, be on the look out! And thanks to Violet for providing me with some new inspiration! I hope you will click over and check out her blog and follow her progress throughout the month! :)

Don't forget to sow some love into your day!

looking for inspiration on the web

I think I mentioned somewhere that I have recently started using Twitter again. I have to tell you, I still have mixed feelings about it. It's a thrill for sure, when someone else re-tweets something you said or mentions you in a tweet. But it still feels a bit stalker-ish to me. I mean, I don't really know these people I am following so closely.

I was hugely thrilled yesterday morning when an actor I follow responded to me. It was just a "hey there, I see you stalking me" kind of moment, he was just letting his fans know he was alive. It was very cool. But also weird. Maybe I will get used to the weird, but I kind of hope not. :-/ It just seems to me that stalkers shouldn't get too comfortable, ya know??

Anyway, I have also found Twitter to be a source of inspiring thoughts and quotes. I have shared a few here and there with you. I actually have a lot more. Almost a whole journal full. For that reason, I will keep using Twitter. But I am still a Facebook girl at heart. There I can connect with family and friends. I can see pictures of my nieces and nephews, and feel really connected to the lives of some of the most precious people in my heart. And that may be just about the most inspiring thing ever. When I am feeling down, I can log in and reach out to my sisters (who live in another state) or a friend from high school and instantly receive love and support. I can go to my prayer group and ask for prayer and someone will always respond. That is, hands down, the best inspiration out there.

WOW! Look at the time. I really have to stop typing and go get ready for work. Before I go though, I was wondering, where do you find your inspiration?

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Just some random beauty I picked up somewhere. :-)

early Monday morning thoughts and prayer

It's 5:15 am and I am in front of the computer. Why? Because it's quiet in the house at this hour. Quiet is sometimes hard to find around here. We don't have kids, so I can't blame them. See, our house is small, and our computer literally sits next to the TV. Right next to it. And if my husband is conscious, the TV is on. Even if he isn't really watching it.

I don't do this. If I have something I want to watch, I sit down and watch it. Otherwise the TV is off because it is way too distracting. I have a one track mind, and the bright moving pictures and babble are compelling, even if I am not interested in what is being said.

Another reason I am up early to write is guilt. I have been spending a lot of time on this computer writing lately. And I feel guilty. James spends all day here alone, then I come home and sit down at the computer and try to focus. This means ignoring him.

If you don't know us you may be wondering why James spends all day alone. What about a job? Doesn't he see people when he goes to work? There is a story there, and I want to tell it. But not today. I don't have that much time this morning. That's definitely a weekend post. Or 2. Plus, I want his permission since it's his story. The short answer is that his job is managing my mom's storage rental business and taking care of her property. And this job doesn't really involve a paycheck, per say. Another story. I promise to write it soon. And get permission to share.

Anyway, I am up early and my husband is heavy on my mind at heart. He did the sweetest thing when he came to bed this morning. Yes, this morning. He doesn't sleep much. This may not have been his first trip to bed, I could have slept through 15 attempts at sleep. I sleep hard, he barely sleeps. Anyway....this time when he crawled into bed he reached out and placed his hand on my arm and prayed for me. Not out loud. But after 20 years of marriage, I know his prayer when I feel it. And right now I feel covered in grace. And love. That's a pretty great way to start a Monday.

Lord, be with James today. Pour blessings and mercy over his heart and soul. Draw him close to your side and protect him from harm. Thank you, Father, for bringing this man in to my life, for making him my helpmate, lover, and friend. I would also ask a special blessing on all who come visit here today and read these words. Meet whatever needs they have buried in their hearts, bless their families and all the work of their hands. Thank you for the potential for a beautiful, busy day. Thank you for loving us all. Amen

My helper this morning. Silly girl. :)

Sunday thoughts and some pictures

Last Sunday I started something that I would really like to see become a habit. I am going to call it "Sunday thoughts". Basically this is going to be a wrap up of the previous weeks inspiration. Pictures, quotes, other blogs, anything I saw that inspired me, made me think, laugh, smile, or cry I want to share with you. I hope this is a habit I can stick to and that it will be a blessing to you.

I found 2 blog posts today that really touched my heart. The first is written by Trinka Polite and is titled Breathe...
 I hope you will click the link and read the whole thing, but I want to share my favorite line:

My other grandmother told me that’s how I came to be. 
God took my body and in it He breathed.   
So when you inhale and exhale notice your breath 
and realize God is dwelling in your chest.

God is dwelling in my chest. The gift of life is so precious and is something I tend to take for granted. I really want to remember to just slow down and breath.

The second blog I wanted to share is written by Ashley McKenney and is titled Come Away with Me (as NJ says) 

Please click the link. This blog is full of some really beautiful images. And Ashley has some really good insight into finding balance between being a parent and being a person. I think a lot of my "mommy" and "daddy" friends will appreciate her words.
  

Now, can I share with you some pictures from my phone?
Of course I can, cause it's my blog!

 Yesterday we were out at my mom's place and while my hubby worked, I wandered around taking pictures. I do this a lot and my mom just shakes her head at me. She doesn't get it. :-)
I love this place. I was raised here and one day I want to move back, if my stubborn parent will permit it. 
I love this image, the contrast of colors just speaks to my heart. God made this simple thing and created it with so much care and beauty. It blesses me.

This is my sweet husband mowing on the tractor. He really got a lot more than he bargained for when he fell in love with me, because I am a complete momma's girl. He will never escape my never ending drive to be there for mom. And he takes it in stride. Sometimes I think he loves her more than I do. He is a great helpmate and son in law. 

I saved this screen shot of a text message between me and my hubby a while back. It makes me smile every time I stumble across it. He really gets me. Route 44 Sonic drinks are a great weakness of mine, I can't pass one without wanting to stop. He gets that. He gets me. How awesome is that? 

 This is one of my many fur babies, Tom-Tom.
Isn't he beautiful? 

Here are a few quotes I picked up around the web this week:

 "I start in the middle of a sentence and move both directions at once." -John Coltrane 

"People who make you laugh are the best people in the world" -Emma White

 "In war, there are no unwounded soldiers" -Jose Narosky

"If we learn to be amazed at what God has done and is doing in our lives, we will never be without hope" -Joyce Meyer

and my favorite this week:

"Follow me and I will make you fishers of the human soul" -Jesus Christ

(from "The Book of God" which is the Bible written as a novel. I love this spin on the traditional "fishers of men")

The last thing I want to share I got from a Facebook friend. I won't use her name here, to protect her privacy. But I just had to share her thoughts with you. If you are a "facebooker" you know that during the month of November a lot of folks try to post a daily thankfulness thought. I saw tons today about being grateful for our Veterans (it's Veterans Day today) and that is wonderful. We should all always be grateful for those who put their lives on the line for our freedom. But my friend had something a little different to say:

 

DAY 11: I guess I could take the easy way out and say I am thankful for our vets and I am but instead I want to say today I am thankful for all the people who love them and are left behind to worry about them...I am thankful for the ones they come home to ... more times than not the vet that comes home is not the same person that left.. these people have to stay strong and learn to love all over again sometimes a whole new person..so thank you family and loved ones you are also my heroes

(beautiful!!)

okay, that's it for this Sunday. I hope that something here has blessed you, inspired you, made you think, or just made you smile. God bless!

where does my validation come from?

This is a question that has been rattling around in my head/heart for a few weeks now, I just haven't taken the time to put it into words. But it's quiet in the house this morning and I have caffeine in hand (Diet Dr Pepper is my caffeine of choice) so I thought I would give it a shot. 

First let's look at the definition according to Bing: 

validate

Definition

val·i·date

[ válli dàyt ]

TRANSITIVE VERB 

1. confirm truthfulness of something: to confirm or establish the truthfulness or soundness of something

2. law make something legal: to declare or render something legal or binding "validate a passport"

3. register something formally: to register something formally and have its use officially sanctioned

4. make somebody feel valued: to make somebody feel valued as a person, or feel that his or her ideas or opinions are worthwhile

I would like to focus on #4.

Validation is the act of making somebody feel valued: to make somebody feel valued as a person, or feel that his or her ideas or opinions are worthwhile.

Not too long ago I read an article online about teens and social networking. It startled me to realize how much of a kid's self esteem is tied to whether or not they get enough "likes" on their pictures or status updates on social networking sites. Some will attend parties just to be able to take pictures and post updates showing their presence on the scene. Like I said, it startled me. And made me think...

Am I really so different from these kids? I will admit it gives me a thrill every time I see a "like" or a comment to something I post on Facebook (my social media of choice). And since I have been dabbling with Twitter, I find myself hurt when strangers don't respond to the tweets I send them. And then there is this blog. If I could I think I might send out a virus to every computer owned by every person I know that would open a link to my blog automatically when I post something and then the window wouldn't close until they had read it AND posted a comment. (let's be glad I am NOT capable of this.)

As I am writing this I am glancing at my other screen, (yes, we have 2, my hubby did it. I thought it was crazy, but now I use it more than he does)  monitoring my Facebook, Twitter, and email accounts. This cannot be healthy. But I can't seem to stop. I crave the status updates and comments, I can't seem to risk missing a single email. I am sick. Sicker than those kids, because at 41 I know better.

 I am seeking my validation in all the wrong places. Now, don't get me wrong, social media has it's place and short of a zombie or alien apocalypse (or the 2nd coming) I think it's here to stay. And it has it's uses. I have reconnected with old friends and been able to keep up with family in ways that were impossible before. I have found great sources of inspiration and humor online. I have read words that really made me think and see my world in a new way. All because I have an internet connection. 

But I have a deeper connection inside me. One that isn't contingent on my ability to pay my phone bill. I have a direct line to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He loved me so much that he gave me the ultimate validation before I breathed my 1st breath. He gave his precious son for me, to wash me clean and give me a second chance to live this life in His light. Talk about making someone feel valued. 

I would like to ask you to pray for me. Pray that I will remember this truth, and that it will grow in my heart and shape how I use the internet and social media. Because I don't think I am meant to turn off the computer and walk away. I think that I am doing some good here, that I am following God's will for my life. But I need to find and maintain my balance. I need to remember where my heart lies. Where my true validation lies.

It's Thursday and I'm thankful.......

I was really kind of worried about today's post because I was really NOT feeling it this morning. If you saw yesterday's entry, you probably figured out that all the post election drama on Facebook and Twitter (and some of the blogs I read) really got to me. Not to mention I have been really tired, like slap you for looking at me wrong tired, so I wasn't feeling very patient or forgiving.




When I got in my car to head to work God and I had a talk. It went something like this:

Me: Heads up Lord, I really am not in the mood for this today so you are gonna have to do something. I am not going to get through this day without your intervention.
God:......................
Me: You hear me right? I need my job, so a "F.A.Y." moment (if you have ever worked with me you probably know what this is, it's legendary. If not, well let's just say it's not one of my finer moments) is not acceptable. You HAVE to do something, because I am too tired to keep my mouth shut.
God:......................
Me: Seriously, I need your help to find my joy, to be able to be your representative in that place. And not kill people.
God:......................
Me: okay, balls in your court now.....Amen

Once I got to work I logged on to Twitter reluctantly, and was glad to see that most of the drama has died down (thank you Lord!). On a whim I tweeted something to a group I follow called "People of the Second Chance":

Tamara Tipton ‏@TamaraTipton

@POTSC I am seeking inspiration to get me through this day. Got anything for me?

Honestly, I really wasn't expecting a response. I mean, who am I? I barely have a dozen followers on Twitter and at least 4 of them are personal friends that I am sure haven't been on Twitter in at least the last 3 years. Why would a perfect stranger pay any attention to my one little tweet among many others?

Now, let's refer back to my earlier conversation with God. I made it seem he wasn't listening, didn't I? That would be because in my mind I wasn't really sure he was. I mean, it wasn't an "official" prayer after all. More like a rant aimed in his general direction.

Turns out though, he was listening. And he tweets. Okay, maybe HE doesn't tweet, but he does direct people who do. Here are a few:

israel hogue ‏@israelhogue

just the fact that you would ask is awesome!! YOU'VE inspired ME!! Praying grace and peace to you today. 

 POTSC ‏@POTSC

  this is full of inspiration: http://pinterest.com/potsc/  & the stories on http://potsc.com  are ammmaaazzzinnng. We love you! 

Donald Paz ‏@draggabeats

 inspiring tweet » https://twitter.com/UrbanThreshold/status/266575547524591617 …

"As you put actions behind your prayers, your faith comes alive and opens the door for God to move mightily on your behalf."

TR Robertson ‏@trripleplay

http://titus2tea.blogspot.com

This one is my favorite because it took me to a great blog that I will be adding to my reading list. And it included this great picture:  

This brings back so many happy memories of my great grandmother. This very print hung on the wall in her home. It's like a hug straight from God.

So, today I am thankful for my God, who listens to my 1/2 prayer 1/2 rants with complete attention and meets my needs in a beautiful and unique way. And I am thankful for the strangers who are willing to follow the His leading to reach out and inspire a perfect stranger.  

Inspiration

So this morning I woke up wanting to write SOMETHING. Problem is, I had no inspiration. There is nothing particular on my mind, no driving need or urge for a specific message. As I have mentioned before, this only works for me if I feel God's guidance in the process. I am not a writer. I can barely speak a coherent sentence in a conversation, much less put something meaningful on paper (or in this case, a computer screen).

I should tell you that I went directly to my bible looking for guidance. But that would be a lie. First, I procrastinated a bit by calling my sister to chat. Then I wandered over to Facebook and commented on a few posts and pictures. After Facebook, I decided to check out a few blogs that I follow. And there it was, my inspiration. Karen Walrond writes a blog called "Choolooloonks" and I love it. She takes the most amazing pictures of the everyday things and she always says something that makes me think.The blog I read today was titled "focusing and daring greatly". Yeah, I needed that. In it she shares about her excitement and fears concerning a new venture and how she tends to fall back on the coping mechanism of focusing on one aspect at a time instead of the big picture. Then she asks the question,

 how do you make yourself do something that you're scared to do?


Well, how do I make myself do something that I am scared to do???

Most of my life I have played it safe, especially where my faith is concerned. For years I went to church every time the doors opened, sat in the back, and listened to the message. I was saved, but I wasn't growing. I wasn't stretching my faith or seeking new and deeper insight in my walk with God. Heck, I wasn't even walking with Him, he was carrying me the way a parent carries a small child whose legs are too short to keep pace. I read the bible, I could quote scripture. But that isn't enough, and eventually I started missing church and thinking it was okay, they wouldn't miss me (after all, all I did was warm a pew). Truth is, most of the people probably didn't miss me, cause I was just taking up space.

God missed me though. He had been missing me for a while. It took almost 6 years for him to break through my defenses (I am nothing if not stubborn) and reach my heart. He knows me well, so he didn't waste a lot of time with sweet talk. He grabbed my by my shoulders and shook me and said, Come on girl! I created you for MORE. You might think you are not important in this world, but I say you are. If you believe in me, you have to get up and follow me!

Okay, before you start thinking I need to up my meds, he didn't literally shake me, there was no burning bush or angel or anything so dramatic, But he did speak to my heart. If you have ever felt the presence of God, you know exactly what I mean. For me it is a knowing, a certainty in my spirit. A force too strong to be ignored or put off.  

Do this thing I have asked and trust me with it's outcome.  Okay Lord. I will. I will start a prayer group on Facebook and revive the one at work. I will go back to church and volunteer to sing with the praise group and yes, I will even start a blog. I will trust you to move hearts, open doors, make the way. I will learn to listen for your voice, not just in the bible, but in the world. I will look for all the inspiration you have placed in my path and be mindful of my step.

So, how do I make myself do something that I am scared to do? I trust God. I listen to him and I trust that no matter the outcome, he is in control. He is my inspiration...


 here is a link to Karen's blog, just in case you are interested: Focusing and daring greatly-wildly convinced you're uncommonly beautiful

Captured

How great You are, how small I am

How awesome is Your mighty hand

And I am captured by the wonder of it all.

That is the chorus to the song "How Great You Are" by Phillips, Craig, and Dean.
I can't seem to get it out of my head, or maybe my heart. Am I truly captured? So many things compete for my attention everyday. Life is so full of ups and downs, joys and sorrows, frustrations and stress. And it seems that the frustration and stress are the things that really capture my focus and attention. Why do I let that happen? Because despite what I tell myself, it is a choice I make everyday. I choose to be caught up in either God's joy and purpose or I choose to be caught up in the world and it's frustration, stress, and negativity.

The world requires so much from us, it seems to drive us to perfection, and when we don't reach it, we are left feeling empty and hurt. God requires only one thing from us, love. Because if we love him, truly love him; the rest will follow. We will be captured by all the wonder around us. I want to walk in that wonder. I want to be captured today by God's grace and love, not by the stresses of my daily life.

Lord, 

Walk with me today. I have great intentions, but I am weak. I know that it will only take a second to distract me from the path you have put before me. When this happens, recapture my attention and draw my focus back to you. I love you Father, and I am grateful beyond words for your forgiveness and acceptance of me, just as I am. I am so small and you are so great, and yet you do know my name. You know so much more of me than I even know myself, and you still love me. Thank you for that miracle of love.

 Amen