Compare Snare

Do you ever get tangled up in it’s net?

I would like to say “no” but I rarely can beat it’s trap.

This week I am auditioning for a large fitness chain’s group exercise team.  I’m not nervous about the actual audition.  I’m more nervous about how I’m going to look!  I even went to Kohl’s today to get a new workout outfit.  One that’s ALL black and will help me look less curvy!

I’m nervous that I’ll be the oldest person trying out (at the ripe old age of 35ish).  I’m really self conscious about my less than toned arms and buttocks.  But, I know I can blow them away with the actual audition.  Yet, where have I been spending my time?  At Kohl’s and in the mirror.  ugh.

My pastor spoke yesterday morning on a Biblical hero – Gideon.  Gideon wasn’t the bravest soul,  in fact, he was pretty pathetic.  The account of Gideon asking for a sign from God is quite humorous.  The hero in Gideon is found in his following of the Lord.  God is the one who delivered a mighty victory through Gideon and his scaled down army.

Judges 7:2 (NIV):  The LORD said to Gideon, “You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her…”

What struck me most about the sermon was not the relatable character in Gideon or the awesome work God did through his servant.  Rather, it was my pastor’s closing remarks.  He noted it would be easy for him to encourage us to go out and be modern day Gideons.  But, often, we don’t even have the strength that our pathetic friend Gideon had.

Then God spoke to me and said Shane, stop comparing yourself with My people.  I’ve given some to be strong, some to be weak.  Some to be large group leaders and others to be leaders in their home.  Just follow my plan for your life – that’s where peace is found.  Sit with Me.  Be still in my presence.  Quiet yourself long enough to hear Me speak. You’ll find that I AM enough.  I AM all you need.

Where do you find your soul today?

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Can you help me complete my list?

Is water the most amazing substance, or what?

Have you ever thought of all the uses of water before?

• it quenches your thirst
• you dive into a pool of it
• it steams your vegetables
• makes up most of your body
• creates energy (think of dams)
• COFFEE!
• helps the grass, plants, weeds grow
• removes dirt on bodies, clothes, dishes
• essential to fire fighters
• _______ what else?

This struck me the other day when this sweet little baby was baptized.

Is she not the sweetest baby you’ve seen online today?! (She’s my niece and godchild!)

Now, let’s not get into a debate about infant baptism… but let’s agree how cool God is!  God does not need to use an everyday substance like water to bring His children into the kingdom – but He does!

Time and time again Jesus used the everyday to highlight the heavenly:

• mixed spit and dirt to heal a blind man
• fed thousands with a young boy’s lunch
• called Himself the bread of life

Look for eternity today in your everyday moments!

with love,

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What weather are you having today?

It’s freezing in Chicago!

Last week we couldn’t go outside because it was too hot!

Today it’ll be 60!

Can’t we all get together and decide on a range of weather temperatures which we deem to be appropriate and move on from there?

When it was nice for a few days we spent hours outside playing.  And now my 8 year old looks like she’s been through the plague!  I mean the mosquito infected welt plague.  She’s miserable (and looks it too).

Oh well…  how’s your state, territory or country handling the weather lately?

For more thoughts on a higher level – head to ExemplifyOnline.com and look for my post titled “Endurance for any kind of weather”.

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It makes you go hmm…

Last week I shared my thoughts on The Shack and created a great storm of conversation!  Today I’m hoping to hear from you on great books that have stirred up a storm inside of you.

Currently I’m reading The Hole in Our Gospelby Richard Stearns.  This book has the potential to create change your heart.  Read other bloggers reviews here.

If you’ve never read books on Corrie ten Boom – put that on your summer reading list.  Start with The Hiding Place.  This woman’s life continues to inspire me months after reading her testimony.

There’s a “new to me” social website called GoodReads.com which helps you keep track of books you reading and what your friends.  Check it out and let me know what you think!

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Weekend Warrior

This weekend, Heart Reflections is hosting a PRAYER-fest weekend warrior.  Please submit your prayer requests below.  If you do not know how to leave a comment read this.  Once you submit your prayer, please pray for the entry before yours.  In other words, if you are number 3, please pray for number 2. 

Read Psalm 141 to prepare your heart and calm your mind before God.  Be still and quiet, even for a moment and listen.  Offer your prayers knowing God hears, God cares, and He answers.

You may not have liked it, but I did!

Last year when I started this blog, I noticed a lot of people talking about the book The Shack.  I had never heard of it before but was surprised with the controversy surrounding the book.  Shortly after a friend from church shared that she really enjoyed reading it for her book club.  So I went out and bought it.  It’s been sitting on my shelf for months.  Until my evening bible study gal pals suggested reading it for our June assignment.  Last night we met and we all loved it!  Here are some reasons why…

 

• The main character in the book Mack asks God the Father why He left His son, Jesus on the cross.  Mack quotes Jesus’ words “my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”  God the Father comforts Mack by saying He never left Jesus and asks Mack to “consider this: when all you can see is your pain, perhaps then you lose sight of me.”  He also reminds Mack that the story doesn’t end with Jesus’ suffering.

 

• God the Father tries to correct Mack’s understanding regarding the essence of God.  “You see pain and death as ultimate evils and God as the ultimate betrayer… [and] untrustworthy… The real underlying flaw in your life is that you don’t think I am good.”

 

• Jesus explains the power of releasing our pain to Mack by saying “The darkness hides the true size of fears and lies and regrets.  The truth is they are more shadow than reality, so they seem bigger in the dark.  When the light shines into the places where they live inside you, you start to see them for what they are.”

 

• One of my very favorite parts occurs when the Holy Spirit tells Mack “my very essence is a verb.  I am more attuned to verbs than nouns.  Verbs like …living, loving, responding, growing… Humans, on the other hand, have a knack for taking a verb that is alive and full of grace and turning it into a dead noun or principle that reeks of rules….”  (Read more about “I Am”)

 

• I love how Jesus explains to Mack that God doesn’t want to be on our priority list instead God wants “to be at the center of everything.  When I live in you, then together we can live through everything that happens to you.”

 

As any work of fiction, we have to keep in mind this book is the work of an author – not holy inspired truth!  However, the book ultimately brought my relationship with God to a whole new level.  And that, I believe, is the art of a successful book.

Have you read the book?  What insights did you gain?  If you didn’t like the book why?  Did you find any controversy in the book that led you away from the truth?

Thanks again bible study gal pals!

Do you have a book that has changed the way you look at God?  Is there a book that has inspired you to write?  Have you read something that you couldn’t put down or just had to talk about it with someone?  Come back on Tuesday 6/30/09 for What’s on Your Mind and share your thoughts!

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Word Collection

A careless word may kindle strife,
A cruel word may wreck a life,
A bitter word may hate instil,
A brutal word may smite and kill.

A gracious word may light a day,
A kindly word may keep loneliness away,
A timely word may lessen stress,
A loving word may heal and bless.
(Author Unknown)

Words are power. 

I love the challenge of word collecting for today’s What’s on Your Mind.

Problem?  My collection fell flat!  Nothing exciting, revealing or interesting.

Lovely, Ousted, Tumultuous…  that would be it!

I do hope many of you had better luck than I and I look forward to your links!

Words are power. 

I felt the power of words recently.  Three separate messages sent by three unconnected friends came through my inbox.  What I found was humbling, comforting and encouraging.

I enjoy your honesty and letting people “see into you”

What a wonderful testimony of Christ’s intense love for you and all of His children

We all have so many struggles to overcome and you are an inspiration

Thank you Linda!

Thank you Sue!

Thank you Wendy!

In my life I have had some good mentors in leadership.  When it comes to words, a couple stand out to me today:  my mom and Mary Kay.  (yes, Mary Kay, as in the make-up mogul!)

The two ladies separately instructed me in the power of written words.  No matter what occasion, my mom always made sure I sent an appropriate thank you card.  (I know she is appalled that I have skipped the traditional Christmas card for the last several years.)  Her obsession in correspondence still drives me today.

Mary Kay instructed all leaders under her wing to write at least 2 notes a day.  The note could be used to encourage, to teach, to thank, to keep in touch.  No matter the purpose, Mary Kay was sold on the power of words.

This summer I hope to add a link of their legacy as I teach my children about writing.  We began our 30 minutes of quiet reading time already, but I also plan on adding a writing workshop (of sorts) at least once a week to keep my ladies writing. 

[As a side note - I spoke for a mother/daughter event not to long ago.  Each mom/daughter couple received a journal at the event.  They were encouraged to use the journal to write back and forth to each other.  Isn't that a great idea?  What a wonderful keepsake to treasure!]

For today friends I pray that you see the power of your words – whether in print or in speech.  And I do hope to read your vibrant word collections today!

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Need a good wind-up?

When you see the word “wind” how do you pronounce it?  Wind, right?  Or do you automatically say wind?  Well, which one is it?  Who invented this English language anyway?

Wind or wind?  Crazy homographs!

Wind is air in natural motion.

Wind is also a tightening motion: to wind a clock; to wind up a toy.

I need a good wind-up for my life.  How about you?

A new commercial captured my attention today.  It features my new friend – wind-up girl.  (actually she’s middle-aged, but I’m still calling her a girl)

Pristiq is a new medication targeted to those of us with depression.  I just love their marketing campaign.  Very smart.

“It came up again and again in talking to hundreds of patients,” said Andreas Eggert, VP and global business manager for Pristiq, “the idea of winding yourself up to get out of bed, and then winding yourself up again to get through the day. It resonated with patients, even if they didn’t use it in their description of the disease, they could relate to it and would say, ‘Yeah, that’s exactly how I feel.’” (click on the pic for the entire article)

You don’t have to have depression to feel this way though.  And if you’re there, feeling a little depleted, read on.

Take a look at the other definition of “wind” – Wind is air in natural motion.  Our God, often works in the wind.  In fact, I have a friend who wrote recently about the Holy Spirit’s work in her life. 

Go on over to see Elaine and then come back to finish up here.

[She's good, isn't she?!]

I’m praying for God to use the power of His wind to wind me up this week.  How about you?

Tomorrow’s What’s on Your Mind features more word fun. Collect some words today. Then put them together for a special post this Tuesday.

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Observing Life

I gave myself a challenge this week.  Observe.  Nothing behind it (except word collecting – see next week’s What’s on Your Mind).  Just observe.

I enjoy being away from home.  I’m in Michigan at my parent’s home with the kids.  Hubby is home working.  Grandma LOVES handling the kids.  Since we’re 300 miles apart, she enjoys spending quality time with them when we’re together.  When I woke up this morning it was quiet – everyone was gone.  I found a note.

 

I have no idea where they are!  It’s great!  =)  I know, some of you would be freakin’ out right now.  But I’m lovin’ it!

So, where do you think they went?  I think my Mom’s using word play with “far, far away”.  My guess is they went to see a movie.

Back to observations…

1. I enjoy being at my parent’s home.
2. I like having help with the kids.
3. The word “lovely” is the only word I’ve collected so far.  I thought this would be any easy assignment… it’s proofing hard for me.
4. Routine is essential for me.  If I don’t have it I loose it all.

Let me explain.  I finally got back on track after being overtaken by depression.  My morning routine consisted of working out, reading and writing.  The afternoon was spent trying to catch up on house work, bills, other j.o.b. stuff.  Followed by kid pick up, homework, dinner and spending time with daddy.

Now?  No school.  Workouts are still being handled through my girlfriend boot camp club with babysitters!  Back at home we do a 30 minute quiet reading time.  Then it’s some kind of group activity – bikes, zoo, swimming pool.  Back home for dinner and daddy time.

Surprisingly I’m enjoying it so far.  However, I have NO time to write.  I finally “broke in” to a writing career and I have NO time to write!  AH! 

One last word about observing.  Too often I find myself on the sidelines of life angry that I’m not finding joy.  I came across this post today and marveled at her observations.  Let me know what you think!

(Still no sign of the kids or grandma!  What’s your guess?)

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I’m picturing What’s on Your Mind

Today’s challenge is simple.  Post a picture and write!

 

 

Serene.

I long for this place.

Not just the quiet solitude of God’s creation, but the rest in my soul.

Do you have a place like that?

An area of safety where you are free.

Free from demands, free from distractions, free from “life.”

Every time I leave I wonder how I can take a piece of this place with me.

Longing.

My soul longs for this freedom.

Freedom from this world.

Total connection with my Creator.

To live.

Not this worldly life.

But life with Him.

Like running barefoot in the grass.

Shameless.

My soul longs for this serenity.

A good place to be.

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