For 2010

This may be my affirmation for the new year: "In this present moment, I have permission to be whoever I am, and whatever I feel". (Thanks for the 'gift', Renee)

Ummmm...OK

I would say that now I've seen everything; however, I doubt that is the case. I never would have thought of eating chicken wings like that. One of the reasons I didn't like the 'wing' wings was because they were so difficult to eat. I guess I'll try to get an order soon and see if it works.

How to Eat a Chicken Wing - An Eating Chicken Wings Breakthough! @ Yahoo! Video

A thought for today

Who travels for love finds a thousand miles not longer than one.
-- Japaneses Proverb

Thompson Twins

This was one of my favorite songs when I was in high school. It still is one of my favorite songs.

"Hold Me Now"

i have a picture
pinned to my wall
an image of you and of me
we were laughing with love in it all

look at our life now
tattered and torn
fussing and fighting
delighting with tears
and we cry until dawn

(oh oh)
hold me now
(woah)
hold my hand
stay with me
let loving start
let loving start

you say i'm a dreamer
we're two of a kind
both of us searching for
some perfect world
we know we'll never find

so perhaps i should leave here
yeah go far away
but you know that
there's nowhere that
i'd rather be than
with you here today

~Chorus
(oh oh)
hold me now
(oh)
hold my hand
stay with me
let loving start
let loving start

(repeat chorus)

woah oh oh

you ask if i love you
what can i say
you know that i do
and that this is just
one of those games that we play

so i sing you a new song
please don't cry any more
and i ask your forgiveness
though i don't know just
what i'm asking it for

(oh oh oh oh)
hold me now
(woah)
hold my hand
stay with me
let loving start
let loving start...

(repeats til end)

Writing again...We'll see where this goes. Part Trois

When we left G_G she had met Knight W face to face and had spent an enjoyable day with him. He went to a local lodging establishment for the night and G_G went to her small castle where she talked to her angel-kitty about her new friend.

On Sunday, G_G went to church and spent time with Heaven King. King father, Queen mother and Knight brother wanted to know about her day. She told them Knight W was a very kind person and she hoped to introduce them soon. Queen mother was still very cautious.

G_G thanked her mother for her concern and left to go home to continue grading papers and wait for Knight W's page. Before she left the church Knight W sent a page and G_G found a phone to check her message and then call the knight. They talked briefly and agreed to meet at a local establishment where G_G could work, the knight could help and the could both be safe in public.

The time together went well. They enjoyed their new friendship. The knight realized he did not yet want to return to his castle. He asked G_G if she would mind if he stayed another day as he did not have to return to work for several more days. G_G cooly replied, "It's a free country." She was not thinking romance in the least!

The knight laughed and told her he would freely decide to stay. G_G stared at the papers and realized the work just seemed to increase. She decided she would take the following day off of work and do paperwork all day. By doing this she would turn her grades in first thing on Tuesday.

She mentioned the plan to the knight. He offered to continue to help. G_G realized that she needed to work at her castle since everything she required was there. With a prayer she accepted his offer to help. G_G drafted directions to her castle and arranged a time for the knight to come. They parted ways with a friendly hug. The knight returned to his lodgings and G_G went to her small castle and quickly cleaned. She also arranged for a substitute for her students, typed up plans and did a few more papers.

The next morning, G_G went to the school early and took care of her plans. She returned home and began to work. The knight arrived exactly on time. He was very polite. They spent the day grading papers and finished all of the work before 3pm. The knight was very hungry and suggested they have lunch. G_G agreed and allowed the knight to drive her in his carriage to a local establishment she felt he might like. They talked more and were amazed at how at ease they both were.

The knight asked about G_G's training and she remarked that she had a class that evening. Knight W asked if he could watch her class. G_G knew this would involve taking him to the family shoppe. She decided it might help if her family knew her friend. She accepted his offer and when they left the establishment they went to the shoppe.

The knight had a beautiful carriage. When they arrived at the shoppe, all of the knights, princes, kings, squires, and even some of the princesses went to meet the owner of this amazing carriage. They all welcomed the knight and enjoyed talking to him. Queen mother was not so easily won. She watched him with a mother's eye. King father was kind but cautious. Knight brother just wanted G_G to be happy.

The knight was impressed by G_G's training. It was very different than his tests of strength. He respected the work G_G, King father and Knight brother had done to attain their rank. Queen mother asked questions while they watched.

After the classes, G_G and the knight went to dinner. The knight let G_G eat in his carriage, something he did not allow others to do (she did not know this at the time). She thanked him for helping her and told him it was nice to have a friend. The knight asked if he could come to visit her again. He enjoyed her company. Again G_G replied, "It is a free country. Now you also know where lodgings are as well."

The knight drove G_G to her home and gave her a friendly hug. He went to his lodgings and G_G closed her small castle for the night. She thanked Heaven King for her friend and for the blessings in her life. Knight W went to his lodgings, also thankful for a friend and thinking about how remarkable G_G truly was. He knew he wanted to spend more time with her and learn more about her.

The next day G_G returned to Woodham and taught her students. Knight W pointed his carriage toward home. That afternoon G_G found a message on her magic apple when she returned home. The knight had gotten home safely and thanked her again for a wonderful time.

Writing again...We'll see where this goes. Part Deux

~The Story of G_G and her WH~ (part 2)

Backing up just a tad. It may help, dear reader, to learn a little more about little G_G. She dedicated her life to her Heaven King as but a wee lass and had grown up seeking His will for her life. Her King father and Queen mother were also believers. G_G had grown up in church and had loved to sing, perform and learn all she could about Heaven King.

G_G also loved school. Most of the time she had wonderful teachers who encouraged G_G to use her talents. G_G did struggle sometimes and later learned she suffered from dyslexia. In high school she went to a wonderful private school that was committed to Heaven King. During this time G_G became very ill. She was allowed to contract an illness that she would carry for all her life. It was a scary time for G_G and her family.

The medical care she received was good but sometime filled with doubts. The doctor's kept looking for an answer when Queen mother would not back down. Eventually she was diagnosed with Epstein-Barr Virus. It changed her. Some people could not understand the change in G_G and friends pulled away. Some thought they could become ill from G_G. It was a difficult time; however, the friends that stood by her side and became her friends were blessings, indeed.

As mentioned yesterday, leaving the wonderful wonderland of El Cajon was devastating for G_G. It was only when she began to meet with her kindly counselor she began to realize how hard this move had been and how this opened the door for the dark fog that plagued her since 1987. (all of this and stories of El Cajon will have to wait for another day and another story time, though).

After the villain left G_G struggled with feeling that no knight, prince, squire, king or even surf would even be interested in her. She had allowed herself to trust the villain and that trust had been shattered. Trusting the villain had been no easy task, either! Before meeting the villain, G_G had spent 3 years held captive by an evil ogre.

The ogre had attended the same university as G_G. It was a university dedicated to Heaven King; however, it wasn't the warm, nurturing, loving environment her school in the wonderland of El Cajon had been. This school believed serving Heaven King was best done through rules and those who did not follow the rules were treated harshly.

Leaving the wonderland was hard enough. Feeling captive in this swamp was awful. Dark clouds followed G_G during every day of this time. She was aware of them but could not fight them. She felt alone, trapped in a tower. She prayed daily for rescue. One day she met an ogre. He did not seem to be an ogre, though. He appeared to be a young Squire studying Heaven King. He attended G_G's Queen Grandmother's church and served the youth there.

The ogre courted G_G. She was not interested for some time; however, she eventually warmed to him. At the end of her first year at university, the Squire escorted G_G to her parent's home and met the King father, Queen mother and young Knight brother. The ogre asked permission to court G_G and she was flattered by his manners. They began a courtship that 10 months later brought a proposal.

The ogre's parents were a strange pair. Ogre father was opinionated and thought women needed to be in their place. Ogre mother believed no one was as good as her child. They wanted everything for their ogre son so they cast a spell on him to draw in a wife that would would take care of him. Ogre mother wanted ogre son to have a wife with brown hair and blue eyes, poor G_G had both.

Less than three months before the nuptules Ogre mother began to show her true nature. She did not want to give up her son. She began to fight with G_G leaving G_G so confused. She did not know these were ogres and the spell was beginning to weaken. The ogre family worked harder to keep ogre mother from showing her true nature and G_G from learning the truth.

G_G married the ogre. This started a period of total darkness for her. Almost at once the Ogre began to show his true nature. G_G was even more confused. What had happened? She believed Heaven King had put her with a Squire and now he was an ogre! His family spewed hate on her. The ogre began to unleash his temper on G_G. The abuse was vast and awful. G_G was held captive in a tall castle with a deep moat. She was only allowed to leave to go to the swamp university or church. She went almost nowhere without the Ogre. People turned a blind eye to G_G's hints of what was happening.

Finally, G_G got away from the Ogre. (this is an exciting tale that will have to wait for another day! THIS story is about G_G and her WH) Knowing how broken G_G had felt after being ravaged by the Ogre, being enchanted to trust the villain and then having them both discard her like old fish does help know how much Heaven King did to heal her wounded heart and spirit.

Understandably, G_G was not interested in being courted by anyone. She prayed and told Heaven King that she was content being single and if His plans were otherwise He would have to show her. She asked Heaven King to drop the suitor in her lap. She would not be looking and would, instead, dedicate her time to other tasks.

G_G did not need the stress of courting or suitors during this time of healing. If any suitor had been casting an eye her way, G_G was not aware. G_G was very afraid of people rejecting her as 'damaged' or foolish. Many fears materialized. She had never thought she was attractive and the damage of the ogre and the villain reinforced her every fear. The supportive words of friends like Prince D did help; however, when alone in her small castle with her angel-kitty and a mirror, G_G would cry bitter tears for all she had lost (including the painful truth that the ogre had rendered her unable to have children).

So...back to the story at hand. G_G received the message Knight W sent to the wee ones in the kingdom in South Florida. It was a kind note and G_G noticed the knight lived in a small kingdom she had taken her private carriage through while in the swamp university. It also did not pass her notice that this place was a small hour from the castle belonging to the ogre family, whom she had thankfully not heard from since the ogre had left.

As was her habit, G_G wrote Knight W a friendly note. She introduced herself and wished the knight a good day. She went on with her grading and research, not thinking she would hear from him again. Before bed she checked her messages once more and was surprised to find a note from the knight. Thus began the next weeks. They began a friendship through letters, telling about their day and sharing anecdotes of their life. G_G did not, though, share about the ogre or the villain that had just released her. Knight W did not share about the shrew. It was too soon to confide such things.

One day, though, G_G felt very convicted about not being honest. The knight seemed like such a kind fellow and she wanted to be honest that she was not seeking a romantic involvement. She knew the knight was also dedicated to Heaven King. She began a careful note telling him of her past and her commitment to Heaven King. She told him she was not seeking a suitor and if he was she would understand if he did not wish to continue their friendship. With a prayer she sent the letter and tried to busy herself with various tasks. She did not want to lose a friend; however, she did not want to be untruthful, either!

What seemed like ages later she received a letter from Knight W. He revealed his story about the shrew and that he, too, was just happy to find a friend. He then offered his phone number if G_G ever needed to talk. Ever cautious, G_G gave the knight her pager number.

They did talk on the phone and they both enjoyed these times. Their friendship was genuine. They both felt free to be themselves. After several more weeks, the knight asked G_G to exchange pictures. He wanted to put a name, face and voice together. G_G was quite frightened. What if the knight rejected her!? She was not ready to lose a friend!!!!! After praying, she agreed to send the knight pictures, if he would do the same. Knight W agreed and shared his address. Still being cautious, G_G gave the knight the address at the school.

They each gathered photos, mailed them and waited. G_G was busy with grades and putting together reports for her students. Knight W was busy with his responsibilities. Then G_G received an envelope at the school. She did not know the handwriting and it took her a moment to recognize the knights name. Opening the envelope, G_G was greeted with a kindly note and photos of her friend. He did not look like G_G imagined; however, he did look like someone G_G would love to be close friends with.

G_G spent the day planning her weekend. She looked forward to training that evening, going to eat with her training friends and getting ready to grade papers over the weekend. When she got home G_G found a message from the Knight. He asked permission to come meet G_G. Her pictures had not arrived; yet, he knew he wanted to take her to lunch and spend some time talking.

Not sure why, G_G said yes. She spend the evening moving from task to task. Why had she said yes? She was only having lunch with a friend; but, it was a friend she had only known through the magic apple. They made plans and G_G had him plan to come to her place of training, that would be safe.

The next day G_G dressed and went to training. It seemed odd, though. She knew the knight was coming. Her Queen mother was less than pleased. She knew how difficult things had been for G_G. She was afraid this knight may be a troll, villain, ogre or other miscreant. G_G's King father was wise and reminded G_G to stay in public places and they were near if she needed them. Knight brother just asked G_G to be safe and remember her training. They hugged and were each reminded they were blessed to have the other.

Finally, the knight contacted G_G. He had gotten lost in the unfamiliar kingdom. G_G directed him to a local spot and then took her private carriage to meet him. While G_G knew what the knight looked like, her photos had not reached him before he left. She met him in a public place and they shook hands. They carefully began to talk and the knight asked if they could eat. G_G suggested several places and then the knight followed her to the place he chose.

At lunch, they were served by the wife of one of G_G's training partners. The knight and G_G enjoyed lunch and each relaxed around the other. After lunch, G_G needed to grade papers. Explaining the need to the knight, he offered to aid her in his task. G_G was torn, the help would be welcome; however, where could they go and still be in public? After a beat she suggested he follow her to a park where they graded papers (and saw many people G_G knew). As the day grew dark, the knight invited G_G to see a movie as a reward for the day's work. He followed her to a local establishment. Sitting down, G_G was tapped on the shoulder by a fellow teacher. All day Heaven King had sent people to help G_G feel safe. She smiled and said a silent thanks.

After the movie, it was growing late. The knight required lodging. G_G directed him to a local place and he shook her hand and thanked her for the day. G_G invited him to church the following day; however, the knight felt he did not have the proper clothing with him. He had intended to leave the next morning. G_G suggested he watch the service on television and he agreed. The knight asked to see G_G again the next day. G_G suggested he use her pager number after church and sunday school. The knight agreed and each went their own way to contemplate their thoughts of the days events.

G_G was thankful for a friend and for the way Heaven King protected her. Knight W was thankful for a safe trip and an enjoyable day. Neither knew this day would change their lives forever.

Writing again...We'll see where this goes.

About a year ago I was asked how Tom and I met. Instead of telling the 'normal' "how we met" I made it a bit of a fairie story. I thought I would move it here so I could work on it some and polish it some.

~The Story of G_G and her WH~
In 1996 a young teacher, G_G, thought things were finally looking up for her. She was married to a man she thought was a prince and, although they had been going through some difficult times over the previous year, things were starting to improve. G_G had just gotten hired at a amazing school (Woodham High School) as an English and Drama teacher and her prince was working for a doctor as an opthamology assistant.

Since 1987 G_G had struggled with a dark cloud that seemed to fall upon her once she left her wonderful wonderland of El Cajon, California. She had been happy in that land and was saddened that she was not able to get back there. Sometimes it felt like her days there had simply been a beautiful dream.

The prince was from the wonderland of California, too. He was from a different kingdom, though (Simi Valley). They often talked of returning to that wonderland and setting up their own castle.

One day, in the summer of 1996 G_G's dream exploded and the darkness fell like a blanket upon her again. While at work at her parent's shoppe and training studio she had tried to contact the prince to see if he wanted to do something after work; however, she was not able to reach him. Concerned, she left work early and rushed home.

Opening the door, she was greated by an eerie calm. Something was very wrong. Things were missing and a little askew. On a table was a note with the prince's wedding ring. The note said the prince was leaving, that he didn't love G_G and several other awful things. G_G was stunned. Her world crumbled. She had trusted the prince and now she was learning he was truly a vilian. He had taken mostly his things but the small castle felt cold and empty.

G_G fled to the safety of her parents castle. The king and queen were kindly people who allowed G_G to curl up in the safety of their four walls. They fed her simple meals for the next several days and prodded her to do things to protect herself and her small, cold castle. G_G's knightly brother longed to joust with the villian.

The villian tried to take her money and began to spread lies. G_G learned the villian had been wooing several maidens in the kingdom. He lied to them like he lied to G_G. He compromised the honor of one in particular and, in true villian fashion, fled partly because the maiden was going to tell G_G the truth.

G_G was sent to the king's twin sister's kingdom for a week of recouperation. The Auntie Queen had always been a favorite of G_G's and that kingdom had been a wonderful oasis of calm in G_G's life. Other kingdoms changed; however, Auntie Queen reamined steadfast. The week was a balm to G_G's soul and G_G began to believe she would actually be happy again one day.

Returning to her cold little castle, G_G began to meet with a kindly counselor. This kindly fellow prayed with her and began to help her recover. He helped her to push away the darkness. He let her cry and told her she wasn't to blame for so much of the past. Light began to peek though. The kindly counselor also advised G_G to go see her dear physician and get medication to help her carry her load.

G_G began to develop a new life. She went to the amazing land of Woodham High School each day and toiled to help students (a hard job since she was barely able to care for herself at times). She worked teaching self defence and karate to knights, squires, maidens, and others. She spent time with her King father, Queen mother and Knight brother and frequently feasted at their castle. She tried to warm her little castle, that she shared with a tiny angel-kitty. She went to church regularly and spent time with her Heavenly King Father. She DID NOT encourage any knight, prince or king to court her.

The villian had disappeared. He did not release her from her vows, though. G_G felt very firmly that she was still bound to the villian, even if he did not feel the same about her. Until G_G heard she had been released, she would be faithful. During this time, G_G rededicated herself to her Heavenly King and vowed she would not seek the attention of any prince, king or knight. If the villian released her, she would remain single as long her Heaven King chose. She promised to work with students or whatever she was directed to do.

Thanksgiving was a special time that year. The King father invited his King brother and Queen sister-in-law to spend time with the family. G_G loved them dearly. Uncle King was a minister and they prayed during this time. Aunt Queen prayed with her and encouraged her, too. G_G shared her desire for "closure" during the holidays. She wished the villian to release her but remained convinced she was not to seek the release.

G_G had some wonderful friends. Several of them she had known since her days in the wonderland of El Cajon. One of them, Prince D, had been a rock of stability. Prince D was worried about G_G getting though the first holidays. He insisted they go, as friends, to the magical land of Disney World. They spend 4 days in that magic kingdom after Christmas. Prince D respected G_G's vow to the villian and protected her honor. She felt safe to relax, even though this magic world was where the villian had taken her after they married.

Prince D was a lord of computers. G_G longed to have one of these amazing creations. She and Prince D talked for many hours of how G_G could use such an item. The villian had foolishly squandered most of G_G's fortune. She had been reduced to her small castle (that was growing warmer) and little else.

Prince D helped G_G find a way to acquire a magical apple. After taking G_G's private carriage to the magic kingdom, they found a shoppe on the journey home that had the magic apple G_G had prayed for. Prince D helped her purchase her first computer on New Year's Eve 1996. He aided her in putting together her system in time for a new year, she watched the new year arrive on her magic apple.

Alas, Prince D had to return to University. G_G missed him very much. Many years prior G_G had thought Prince D was her "true love' and Prince D thought the same of G_G; alas, Heavenly King determined this was not to pass. Prince D and G_G were saddened by this; however, were glad they were able to remain 'together forever' as the closest of confidents. Prince D was as special to G_G as any family member. Prince D and G_G shared a love that was strong, true and pure.

Prince D told G_G she would love again. The villian would grow weary of his hold on her. He would release her. Prince D even offered to fight the villian, if needed. G_G hugged her dear Prince D and thanked him. Prince D then climbed aboard a flying carriage and was winged away. G_G felt alone, again. (Two months later, she took a flying carriage to see Prince D. She was inspecting his temporary kingdom as a possible place for her to attend University. They enjoyed their time together although the door to this kingdom was closed. They talked again of G_G's life once she was released from the villian. Prince D reminded G_G she had much to offer and would always be a special person in his life.)

G_G threw herself back into her work, family, training, church and now added computers. She loved the world that was being opened to her. She began to make friends in foreign lands. Even in this, she needed the help of her physician.

The darkness was still flirting on the edges; however, G_G was crawling out from under its heavy load. One day (shortly after she returned from visiting Prince D at university) she received, at her school, a decree from the courts of the land. The villian was finally releasing her. She could not believe it. Even now, though, the villian was doing his dearest to best her. He forced her to appear before the courts of the land, he had fled and could not be bothered to return. The stress opened G_G to illness and in one day she appeared before the courts (with her Queen mother at her side) and then reported to her physician who diagnosed her with walking pnumonia.

G_G, though, was released, at last. She was happy to have the closure as she prayed for. Heavenly King was healing and comforting her. She was not lonely. She began to plan for the future.

During this time G_G enjoyed her magical apple. One day she found a message on a message board. It was from another kingdom in South Florida. The wee students were learning about magical apples and the wonderous lands they could reach. Being a teacher, G_G posted a note to these wee ones about the Kingdom of Pensacola. She wished them the best as they began their journey of education. G_G went on and didn't think of this post again.

In another kingdom, Crystal River, a Knight named W was recovering, too. He had been married to a shrewish woman who wanted someone to take care of her. Knight W worked very hard at his job and tended to his "herd" of "mustangs" in his spare time. Knight W also enjoyed tests of strength. His shrewish wife, after 7 years, decided she did not care for Knight W anymore and she went home to her parents. Her parents felt sorry for Knight W; however, still had their lawyers take much of Knight W's kingdom to give to their shrewish child. They apologized by saying "blood is thicker than water".

Knight W began to recover. He spent time with friends. He tended his herd. He exercised. He claimed no interest in owning an magic apple as the ones he used at work he found bothersome. One day he was to show one of his herd with a friend. Rain forced them to alter their plans. His friend, Squire Russel, suggested they go to a shoppe that allowed people to use their magic apples for a small fee. They spent several hours in this shoppe. Knight W felt he may need a magic apple, after all.

Knight W was able to purchase a magic apple through his job. He brought it to his humble cottage and began to explore. One day he found a message board from the kingdom of South Florida. A class of wee ones were learning of the wonderous lands their magic apples could reach. Knight W was seized with the urge to write these wee ones. He thought they might like to hear about the land in which he lived.

In his inexperience Knight W clicked on a message and thought he responded to the thread, instead he responded to the message he selected. The message belonged to G_G.

...curious to know more???

From facebook...

On this day of your life, Cathy, we believe God wants you to know...
... that it's time you remembered who you really are.

You are not your wallet, your job, your kids, your house. You are not your activities or your worries or the labels other people give you. Like an actor you play these roles, and like a good actor you sometimes forget who you really are. Time to wake up now, and remember that you are a being of immense power and breathtaking beauty created in the image of God.

from facebook...

On this day of your life, Cathy, we believe God wants you to know...
... that it's time you stopped hiding from life, and said yes to the adventure of being alive.

Enough of the routine already. Go on, have an adventure, - do what you always wanted deep within your heart. Do what brings you alive, and the universe will open doors where there were only walls.

from facebook...

On this day of your life, Cathy, we believe God wants you to know...
... that work begins when you don't like what you are doing.

Little children can do the most amazing things with such joy and fun. You were little once too, and knew how to turn everything into a game. So, turn your work into a game, and you will find joy and satisfaction in it. What are some ways you can start being playful with work?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hmmmmmmmm....interesting.

From facebook...

...you've been talking to God too much, and not listening enough.

Prayer is when you talk to God. Meditation is when you become quiet and listen to God. You've learned how to talk and ask well. Time to learn how to listen and hear, because God has been answering you.

Something to think about...

If God can fling out a galaxy so that it stays where He wants it and yet observes one exhausted person and strengthens him, can we believe that we are adrift in a fathomless void? Hear the promise of Jesus: "No, I will not abandon you or leave you as orphans in the storm--I will come to you" (Jn 14:18 LB).

for today..

"Guide me, O Lord, that I may be true to thee and follow thy path." Psalm 86:11

Pray. Listen. Seek his counsel.

Try this--sit before Him for fifteen consecutive minutes in silence and meditate on his word.

from today's devotions

Sufficient for Each Day
1 Kings 17:8-16
Because Elijah was a man like us, he undoubtedly wondered what God had in store for him when he saw the brook beginning to dry up. Since he was trusting in God, however, he believed and help arrived.
God did not send a sudden squall of rain for that immediate neighborhood, nor did he provide some supernatural source of water in that place. Instead, Elijah was to arise, go to Zarephath and dwell there. Only at Zarephath would a widow provide food for him.
Few of us have faced the extremity this widow experienced. It seemed as though each day she might face starvation; yet each day by faith she trusted God to meet her need.
The result was that she and her house "did eat many days" (1 Kings 17:15). God supplied not a year at a time but a day at a time.
This is what we need with regard to God's grace. We do not need a great stockpile of it for future use but a daily appropriation of it, which God supplies freely.
The manna was gathered daily, not in the evening but in the morning, and each one gathered for himself. So must we accept grace from God.
We cannot hoard today's grace for tomorrow or call on yesterday's grace for today. We cannot gather enough on a Sunday to last a whole week. We need to have daily contact with God, particularly in the morning.
"Give us this day our daily bread" (Matt. 6:11).
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With all the things going on, I needed to be reminded of this. God is going to take care of everything today. He's already worked out the future but needs me to trust Him for today. He will give me the all of the tools to get through today. "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof"...

from today's devotions

Watching Quietly, Praying Silently
The man whom Abraham sent to find a wife for his son Isaac had been long in Abraham's service. No doubt he had learned much of trust and obedience through watching his master walk with God. He set out on his mission, confident that God would help him.
Beside the Well of Aram of Two Rivers he halted his camels and was praying silently when a beautiful young woman appeared with her water jar on her shoulder. She responded to his request as he had prayed she would, and he watched quietly to see whether the Lord had made his journey successful (Gn 24:21).
Very possibly we often miss what God wants to show us because we don't take time to pray silently and watch quietly. It was by doing those two things, along with the obvious practical things (let us not leave those undone) that the servant was able to say, "I have been guided by the Lord" (Gn 24:27 NEB).


~I'm really trying to take this to hart. I am learning to "be still and know that He is God"...that He is in control of all things...that He is directing me every step.

Good information that always needs to be remembered

You’ll never have to check your luggage for a weekend trip again with these smart packing tips:

*Lay your clothes out on your bed to go over your selections. Select one outfit per day and one outfit per night out. Always bring a sweater, even if you’re headed to the beach, because the weather can be unpredictable, as can air conditioning levels.
*Limit the number of shoes you bring. Shoes are heavy and take up a lot of room in your suitcase. Try to keep it to no more than three pairs of shoes (daytime, evening and sneakers).
*Take the biggest bag you can carry on, currently that’s 24” x 16” x 10” for most domestic flights. (the Alpha bag from Tumi is nice)
*You may not think you’ll need all the room, but you never know. You may end up shopping, have work folders to carry home or may even be in a rush when you repack to come home. If your bag is bigger, you can toss everything in easier.
*Roll your clothes first, before you pack anything, except for items that will wrinkle. Stuff smaller items like tanks, panties and socks in your shoes. Pack the shoes with the clothing in them at the bottom of your bag. This keeps your bag balanced. Fill in the space with the rolled clothes, making sure to fill every nook and cranny of the bag.
*Once you have all the rolled items in, place the items you don’t want to get wrinkled in a dry cleaning bag. Fold them carefully across the top.
*Pack all liquids and other toiletries in your purse, where you can easily retrieve them at the security line.

From today's devotions

A Devious Repentance

Recently I committed a sin of what seemed to me unpardonable thoughtlessness. For days I wanted to kick myself around the block. What is the matter with me? I thought. How could I have acted so? "Fret not thyself because of evildoers" came to mind. In this case the evildoer was myself, and I was fretting. My fretting, I discovered, was a subtle kind of pride. "I'm really not that sort of person," I was saying. I did not want to be thought of as that sort of person. I was very sorry for what I had done, not primarily because I had failed someone I loved, but because my reputation would be smudged. When my reputation becomes my chief concern, my repentance has a hollow ring. No wonder Satan is called the deceiver. He has a thousand tricks, and we fall for them.
Lord, I confess my sin of thoughtlessness and my sin of pride. I pray for a more loving and a purer heart, for Jesus' sake.

Thought that made me go, "hmmmmmmm"

"The real test of being in the presence of God is that you either forget about yourself altogether or see yourself as a small, dirty object. It is better to forget about yourself altogether".
~C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Something to work on...

No Further Than Natural Things
"Well, it's perfectly natural for you to feel that way," I was telling myself when I was upset with the way someone had treated me. "It's a normal reaction."
It was a normal reaction for a carnal mind. It was not normal for a spiritual one. The carnal attitude deals with things on one level only--this world's. It "sees no further than natural things" (Rom 8:5 JBP).
Is there a telescope that will bring into focus things I would not see with merely "natural" vision? There is.
"The spiritual attitude reaches out after the things of the spirit." It is a different means of perceiving. It will enable me to see what I could not have seen with the naked--that is, the carnal--eye.
It works. When I looked at that person who had offended me through the "spiritual eye," I saw in him one of God's instruments to teach me, instead of one of the devil's to torment me. I saw something more. I saw a person God loves, and whom He wants to love through me.

thought

To struggle--that is, to allow a "little bit" of sin, to be cautious with ourselves, tolerant of a certain amount of plain disobedience, is to try to keep both eyes. (If it is your eye that is your undoing, tear it out and fling it away; it is better to enter into life with one eye than to keep both eyes and be thrown into the fires of hell" Matthew 5:29)

I am learning to wait...

Waiting for God's Time
11 Samuel 2:1-11
Second Samuel 2 opens with these words: "And it came to pass after this, that David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron" (v. 1).
David found, as we will too, that we never lose anything by believing God and then patiently waiting on Him. But we will surely suffer if we take things into our own hands and rush blindly ahead.
The word "Hebron" means "alliance" or "communion" in contrast to Ziklag, which refers to self-will. Being allied with God and being in communion with Him, David was in a place to be led in the will of God.
David's reign began by reigning first over Judah. It was not necessary for David to take the throne; God saw that he received it. God moved him back to Hebron, and his own tribe anointed him king.
Seven and a half years went by, however, before the whole kingdom was put under his hand. David still had to wait, but it was God's time he was waiting for, not people's.
"There is a time there for every purpose and for every work" (Eccles. 3:17).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Could the 7.5 years be a significant time frame for me as well?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Do You Want an Answer?
This is the question we need to ask ourselves when we are seeking "solutions" to our problems. Often we want only an audience. We want the chance to air grievances, to present our excuses, to make an explanation for our behavior, rather than a cure. More often than not the clearest and most direct answer can be found in the Word, but it must be sought honestly.
"The way of the Lord gives refuge to the honest man, but dismays those who do evil" (Prv. 10:29 NEB).
We can approach God's word with a will to obey whatever it says to us about our present situation, or we can avoid it and say to anyone who would try to point us to it, "Don't throw the Book at me." The latter is an evasion, which supports our suspicion that our problems are, in fact, insoluble. The honest (i.e., humble) heart will indeed find the Lord's way to be a refuge.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I do want answers; however, I am content to to wait on the Lord and on His perfect timing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Holy Spirit, enable your kindness to take root and flourish in me. Make me more like Jesus, who, though he was rich, was willing to become poor for my sake. In his name, Amen.

today...

Lord, may no gift of yours ever take your place in my heart. Help me to hold them lightly in an open palm, that the supreme object of my desire may always be You and You alone. Purify my heart--I want to love You purely.

for today..

How Long Will This Last?


A couple years ago I shared my experience of enduring a spiritual storm, a crisis of faith. Since then I've had the privilege of corresponding with numerous precious saints who are enduring similar storms.
A common experience is that after the initial blast of the storm, it often takes a long time to regain a sense of spiritual equilibrium. A friend wrote me recently essentially asking me how long it will take to "get past this" to feeling normal again. I thought I would share my response to him in case others of you are finding yourselves asking, "How Long, O Lord" (Ps. 90:13)

Thank you for the update. Yes, I remember well. I would say it took me a good year from the time I experienced an initial breakthrough until I really felt my spiritual equilibrium was more "normal." Changing metaphors, if the initial crisis was a massive earthquake, I felt aftershocks for a long time. And some were strong.
My experience is that God brings deliverance from these things gradually. Because his purpose is to strengthen faith and character. A different analogy: it is similar to endurance and strength training. It's the adversity of the struggle that builds spiritual understanding, muscle, and endurance. And it generally takes longer and is more difficult and painful than we imagine at first.
One last analogy. Remember Frodo in The Lord of the Rings? He is stabbed with the Mordor blade of the wraith king on Weathertop. It almost kills him. But thanks to the divine healing gift of Elrond the elf lord, the evil poison is removed. However, for the rest of his life, Frodo still sometimes feels the icy pain in the scar.
It's like that with such wounding as you and I have experienced. I still feel the icy pain occasionally in the scar. But it has become a reminder of grace and a reminder to set my hope on God and his promises. It is a reminder that I walk by faith and not sight.
I will pray for you. The Lord will not forsake you. It is he who will get you past this. Keep following Jesus who endured Gethsemane, the trial, the scourging, the cross, and death for you.
He showed you that sometimes the path of faith takes you through indescribably deep darkness. He is not asking you to endure what he has not already endured—and infinitely worse. And he showed that you can trust the Father, whose will sometimes is that you drink a cup you really wish you didn't have to drink.
But it's only because there is joy unspeakable and full of glory for those who do.

"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it" (1 Cor. 10:13).
Grace be with all of you who are struggling now.

Thought that made me go, "hmmmmmmm".

The Society of International Law in London recently reported a startling statistic: the world has been at peace for less than 8 percent of its history. The study stated that in the past 3,530 years, there have been only 286 years of peace. Over the same time period, more than 8,000 peace treaties have been made—and broken.

today...

"My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him" (Ps. 62:5).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wait Quietly

Few of us enjoy having to wait for something we want. It is human nature to desire instant gratification, and it is divine nature to do many things very, very slowly. Growth is always imperceptible. But the farmer exercises long patience in waiting for his crop. He has done his work and is assured of the result, hence he waits quietly. He is at rest because the outcome (barring disastrous "acts of God") is certain. If we could simply remember that this is true of everything--that God's purposes are slowly being worked out for his glory and our good--we would, like the farmer, keep faith and wait quietly.

Lord, take from us all fretting and hurrying and teach us to rest our hearts in the "ultimate certainty" (Jas 5:7 JBP).
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JOY FROM WITHIN

Scripture Reading: Psalm 126
Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.
Psalm 126:2

Joy is often confused with happiness. Happiness depends on our outward circumstances—how things are going in our jobs, our relationships, or our health, for example. But joy isn’t dependent on the weather, or on our weight, or on our bank accounts. Joy is a quality of the spiritual fruit (love) that grows within us.
Psalm 126 was written at a difficult time in the -history of God’s people. They had been released from exile in Babylon, and as the people returned to their homeland, they found it in ruins. Jerusalem had been destroyed, and their temple had been flattened. Enemies still surrounded them on every side.
It’s no wonder that as they journeyed home, they prayed, “Restore our fortunes, LORD.”
Despite the people’s circumstances, however, their “mouths were filled with laughter” and their “tongues with songs of joy.” Why? Because they had determined to be joyful.
Centuries later, the apostle Paul wrote to Christian believers in Philippi, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances” (Philippians 4:11). God’s people returning to the land of Israel after exile had learned the same lesson. Happiness may depend on the condition of our outward lives, but joy is something the Spirit grows within us, reflecting God’s unfailing love.
Prayer:
Father, grant me a sense of joy that does not depend on circumstances. Cultivate an inner joy that reflects your love within me, and help me to share it with others. In Jesus, Amen.
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This is all so timely right now.

Anyone get the feeling/idea that God is trying to tell me something?

For today..

Discerning the Will of God

The primary condition for learning what God wants of us is putting ourselves wholly at his disposal. It is just here that we are often blocked. We hold certain reservations about how far we are willing to go, what we will or will not do, how much God can have of us or of what we treasure. Then we pray for guidance. It will not work. We must begin by laying it all down--ourselves, our treasures, our destiny. Then we are in a position to think with renewed minds and act with a transformed nature. The withholding of any part of ourselves is the same as saying, "Thy will be done up to a point, mine from there on."
Paul gives four important steps to discerning the will of God:
1. "Offer your very selves to Him,"
2. "Adapt yourselves no longer to the pattern of this present world."
3. "Let your minds be remade."
4. "Your whole nature transformed."
"Then you will be able to discern the will of God" (Rom 12:1,2 NEB).

Happy Birthday Walkman!

An interesting article on a 13 year olds first encounter with an iPod. Clicky Link! (really, you should click the link and check out the article)

More Jilli fun!

Click here, come on...you know you want to!

(I love her jacket! I'd love one like it. Maybe in purple and black, black and white, red and black, royal and black or pink and black.)

Proverbs 27:1???

I got a message that on this day, God wants me to know...
... that I cannot wait anymore.

The moment has finally come. I have no choice. I have to take that step now. Now. Not tomorrow, not in an hour, - Now! If anyone else is reading this, they would be confused. But not me. I know exactly what we mean. Do it. Now.

Something to remember...

Humans learn only by trial and error, and that includes me.

I've got to live life, not think about it. Step into the midst of things, try and fail and learn and stand up again. The question is not whether I will or will not make mistakes - I will. The question is do I want to learn and grow, or do I want to shrink back and be stuck? Take that step I've been avoiding. I can succeed, or I can get feedback that it didn't work, but in either case I am sure to feel alive.

Gothic Charm School

Congratulations, Jilli!
Here is the latest interview from Evening Magazine. Today is also the release for Jilli's book! I wish I could have been at the book release in Seattle today.

(edited to add: UPS delivered my copy at 1:38 pm on June 24)

Answer to prayer???

I got a message that on this day, God wants me to know...
... that God has an important purpose for me, and made everything possible for me to succeed.

That's not to say it's an easy purpose, or a convenient one. It might very well seem hard or even impossible, but it only looks that way. The truth is that one day I will look back and see how all the pieces fit together. And how my life has been a complete and utter success.

(from Facebook)

This is something I'm struggling with right now.

funny video (thanks Wenona!)

Something to ponder...

I got a message that on this day, God wants me to know...
that decision is only wishful thinking until you take that first irreversible step.

I can tell myself that I have already decided, that nothing now can stop me, but if that step backwards is so much safer than step forwards, what will hold me true to my path when the going gets tough? Sometimes, the right thing to do is to take that first irreversible step, the one after which my cannot go back. And right now, for me, is one of those times.

(from facebook)

Thoughts from a blog...

The real point of Peter Parker's journey, the real crux of the whole great power = great responsibility equation is that we don't always choose great power - or moderate power or a modicum of internet fame or anything like that. Sometimes, our lives happen and we don't really know how we got where we wound up because we weren't consciously working to that point but that is where we are now and, hey, it's time to deal with it, Marianne.

Thanks onceupon!

Gothic Charm School volume 3

thoughts

I got a message that on this day, He wants me to know...that faith is exactly what it takes to get through uncertainty.

Faith is not necessary when I know how things are going to work out, - that's knowledge. It's in the time of unknowing that having faith is what sees me through to the other side. Faith is what gives me strength. Faith is that light in my heart that keeps on shining even when it's all darkness outside. Now is the time to keep that faith alive!

(from Facebook)

thoughts

I got a message that on this day, God wants me to know...
... that it is time to finally forgive myself.

I've carried the guilt, the shame for long enough. I've kept your wounds open for long enough. The time has to come to let go, to heal. Keep the lessons and let the pain heal.

From today's devotions

WAITING FOR JESUS

Scripture Reading: Mark 5:21-43
“Don’t be afraid; just believe.”
Mark 5:36

In an emergency room, if a doctor treats a patient with a nosebleed while another patient with a heart attack goes unattended and dies, that doctor is in trouble. If a police officer chases someone for speeding but ignores a bank robbery, that officer could face discipline.

Some situations call for immediate attention, while others can wait. Yet in our story today Jesus seems to delay an urgent case to deal with a less-important one.

Jesus was approached by a man named Jairus, whose daughter was at the point of death. He pleaded with Jesus to come immediately to his house and heal her. Along the way, a serious—but less urgent—situation arose. A woman who had been sick for 12 years touched Jesus and was healed. He stopped and asked, “Who touched me?” At first no one responded. But then the woman, trembling with fear, told what had happened.

Then, while Jesus was still speaking to the woman, word came that Jairus’s daughter had died. Jairus must have had feelings of anguish, confusion, and perhaps anger. Why had Jesus let that woman delay him?

Can you relate to this? Maybe you have waited for Jesus to help you, but it seemed never to happen. Remember: Jesus is never late. He is always on time— but it’s always in his time, and his timing is best. Jesus raised Jairus’s daughter to life—to the glory of God.

Prayer:
Lord, give me faith and patience when I am tested to tears and perhaps even anguish. Help me to know that your timing is best- and God will be glorified. Amen.

Gothic Charm School volume 2

Today...

I got a message today that God wants me to know that I am only as free as I imagine myself to be.

There is nothing ''out there'' that's holding me down, - I am limiting myself only with my own imagination. And my greatest limits are not even the ''cannot'' and the ''should not'', but the places where my imagination hasn't yet gone at all. There has never been a better time for me to open your eyes, let the imagination soar and see what more is possible.

Gothic Charm School

Why, yes, I pre-ordered my book some time ago and think that everyone else should do likewise. I can't wait for my book to get here and I'm anxiously awaiting the next video by Jilli!

Today...

I got a message that on this day, God wants me to know...
... that doubt is the greatest gift, - it's the space between two certainties.

Any change on its way from one place of stability to the next one, passes through a period of doubt. Your old perspective has to disintegrate, and doubt comes in for a visit - even if only for a moment, before the new perspective takes root. Doubt is your greatest gift, because from doubt you can go anywhere.

For today..

It is easy to conclude, when things turn out badly, that it was all a mistake to begin with.
The facts of the gospel do not bear this out. Think of Jesus' choice of apostles. He spent a whole night in prayer before He made his selection. Judas was one of his choices. Peter affirmed, in his sermon on the day of Pentecost, "He was one of our number and had his place in this ministry" (Acts 1:17 NEB). Things could not have turned out worse for him or for Jesus because of him, yet Scripture nowhere suggests that the original choice was a mistake. Judas was still a man, still free to sin.
When we must make decisions, we should bring to bear on them scriptural principles, prayer, and all the intelligence God has dealt out to us. Then we must go on quietly in faith, knowing that the results of our obedience are God's responsibility, not ours.

Toxic personalities

While doing some work this evening, I found this online. Some very good information to remember.
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Although we like to think that the people in our lives are well-adjusted, happy, healthy minded individuals, we sometimes realize that it just isn't so. Personally, I've had moments where I'll be skipping through my day, happy as can be, thinking life is grand and BAM, I'll be blindsided by someone who manages to knock the happy wind out of my sails. Sometimes it is easy to write it off and other times, not so much.

Maybe you are a positive person, but when you are around a certain individual, you feel negative. Or, maybe you have an idealistic view of the world and when you are with certain people, you are made to feel silly, unrealistic or delusional. Or, maybe you pride yourself in being completely independent and in control of your life, but when you are around a certain family member, you regress into a state of childhood.

Some of these situations, and yes, these people, can have a tremendously negative impact on our lives. And, although we are all human and have our 'issues,' some 'issues' are quite frankly, toxic. They are toxic to our happiness. They are toxic to our mental outlook. They are toxic to our self-esteem. And they are toxic to our lives. They can suck the life out of us and even shorten our lifespan.

Here are the worst of the toxic personalities out there and how to spot them:

1. Manipulative Mary: These individuals are experts at manipulation tactics. Is a matter of fact, you may not even realize you have been manipulated until it is too late. These individuals figure out what your 'buttons' are, and push them to get what they want.

Why they are toxic: These people have a way of eating away at your belief system and self-esteem. They find ways to make you do things that you don't necessarily want to do and before you know it, you lose your sense of identity, your personal priorities and your ability to see the reality of the situation. The world all of a sudden becomes centered around their needs and their priorities.

2. Narcissistic Nancy: These people have an extreme sense of self-importance and believe that the world revolves around them. They are often not as sly as the Manipulative Marys of the world, but instead, tend to be a bit overt about getting their needs met. You often want to say to them "It isn't always about you."

Why they are toxic: They are solely focused on their needs, leaving your needs in the dust. You are left disappointed and unfulfilled. Further, they zap your energy by getting you to focus so much on them, that you have nothing left for yourself.

3. Debbie Downers: These people can't appreciate the positive in life. If you tell them that it is a beautiful day, they will tell you about the impending dreary forecast. If you tell them you aced a mid-term, they'll tell you about how difficult the final is going to be.

Why they are toxic: They take the joy out of everything. Your rosy outlook on life continues to get squashed with negativity. Before you know it, their negativity consumes you and you start looking at things with gray colored glasses yourself.

4. Judgmental Jims: When you see things as cute and quirky, they see things as strange and unattractive. If you find people's unique perspectives refreshing, they find them 'wrong'. If you like someone's eclectic taste, they find it 'disturbing' or 'bad'.

Why they are toxic: Judgmental people are much like Debbie Downers. In a world where freedom rings, judgment is sooo over. If the world was a homogeneous place, life would be pretty boring. Spending a lot of time with these types can inadvertently convert you into a judgmental person as well.

5. Dream Killing Keiths: Every time you have an idea, these people tell you why you can't do it. As you achieve, they try to pull you down. As you dream, they are the first to tell you it is impossible.

Why they are toxic: These people are stuck in what is instead of what could be. Further, these individuals eat away at your self-esteem and your belief in yourself. Progress and change can only occur from doing new things and innovating, dreaming the impossible and reaching for the stars.

6. Insincere Illissas: You never quite feel that these people are being sincere. You tell a funny story, they give you a polite laugh. You feel depressed and sad and they give you a 'there, there' type response. You tell them you are excited about something and you get a very ho-hum response.

Why they are toxic: People who aren't sincere or genuine build relationships on superficial criteria. This breeds shallow, meaningless relationships. When you are really in need of a friend, they won't be there. When you really need constructive criticism, they would rather tell you that you are great the way you are. When you need support, they would rather see you fail or make a fool of yourself.

7. Disrespectful Dannys: These people will say or do things at the most inappropriate times and in the most inappropriate ways. In essence, they are more subtle, grown up bullies. Maybe this person is a friend who you confided in and uses your secret against you. Maybe it is a family member who puts their busy-body nose into your affairs when it is none of their business. Or maybe, it is a colleague who says demeaning things to you.

Why they are toxic: These people have no sense of boundaries and don't respect your feelings or, for that matter, your privacy. These people will cause you to feel frustrated and disrespected.

8. Never Enough Nellies: You can never give enough to these people to make them happy. They take you for granted and have unrealistic expectations of you. They find ways to continually fault you and never take responsibility for anything themselves.

Why they are toxic: You will spend so much time trying to please them, that you will end up losing yourself in the process. They will require all of your time and energy, leaving you worn out and your own needs sacrificed.

All of these personalities have several things in common. 1) the more these people get away with their behavior, the more they will continue. 2) Unfortunately, most of these people don't see that what they do is wrong and as a result, talking to them about it will fall on deaf ears, leaving you wondering if you are the crazy one. 3) Most of these people get worse with age, making their impact on you stronger with time.

Frankly, life is too short to spend your time dealing with toxicity. If you can, avoid spending mucho time with people who are indicative of these behaviors and you'll feel a lot happier. Have you encountered these personalities? What have you done? Any personalities you would add?

This morning...

Faith is no irresponsible shot in the dark. It is a responsible trust in God, who knows the desires of your hearts, the dreams you are given, and the goals you have set. He will guide your paths right. -- Robert Schuller --

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Thank you, Lord. May I remember this today and always.

Hmmmmm...

I got a message that on this day, God wants me to know...
... that it's time to STOP going through the motions of living, and START living.

Are you willing to do that now? Or are you going to wait until all life energy drains out of you and your loved ones who are trying to support you at this very moment? You were not born to follow rules and regulations. Living starts with dreaming. So dream, dream friend, and let dreams show you the path to your bliss.
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It's interesting that this came today. I've been doing some thinking and praying about quite a bit. Through the "randomness" of the internet the above came across my facebook inbox.

From today's devotions

LONGING

They were longing for a better country.
Hebrews 11:16

It is always hard to bare one’s heart in public; we all have sorrows to bear. And we can encourage one another in Christ, knowing that “as [we] share in our sufferings, so also [we] share in our comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:7).

Reflecting on his own work in missions, the apostle Paul said, “We do not want you to be uninformed … about the hardships we suffered … We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life… But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead” (2 Corinthians 1:8-9).

In our sorrows and troubles, sometimes we feel we just can’t take anymore. But situations like these teach us to cast ourselves on God, to long “for a better country.” The words to a beautiful melody from India come to mind: “I have decided to follow Jesus—no turning back, no turning back.”

Prayer:
When we do not know how to pray, Holy Spirit, pray for us "with groans that words cannot express." We ask for your comfort and peace-and courage to keep going. Amen.

Hannah, thanks for this one, too.

Thanks, Hannah...

My car

was in Mustang Monthly in April and the article and photo is now online! Tom found photos of my car on the Mustang Monthly website!!!!!! Everyone should go and look at it!
"http://www.mustangmonthly.com/featuredvehicles/mump_0904_2009_all_ford_roundup/photo_08.html"

They are still planning on doing a feature later this year. It's so exciting!

Invisible Children

Am I a bird???

No Evidence of Progress
At times nothing seems to be happening. So it must be for the bird that sits on her nest. Things are apparently at a standstill. But the bird sits quietly, knowing that in the stillness something vital is going on, and in the proper time it will be shown. It takes faith and patience for the bird, and such faith and patience never seem to waver, day after day, night after night, as she bides the appointed time.
Restless and doubtful we wonder why we have nothing to show for our efforts, no visible evidence of progress. Let us remember the perfect egg--unchanged in its appearance from the day it is laid. But while the bird waits faithfully, doing the only thing she is required to do throughout those silent weeks, important things are taking place.
I wait for the Lord. My soul waits,
and in His word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord more
than watchmen for the morning.
--(Ps 130:5, 6 RSV)

Darkness will not win

We Do Not Belong to Darkness
There are times when we cannot see our way, and it seems that darkness is about to overcome and hold us. It must have seemed so to the Christians in Thessalonica. Paul spoke of their grave suffering because of having welcomed his message. Must the coming of the light of God's truth bring suffering? Yes, often it does, and the one who has received it with joy is plunged into darkness. But darkness is not his master! He does not "belong" to it (1 Thes 5:6 NEB) but is in fact a "child of light," having been given word of things to come--resurrection, the sound of an archangel's voice, God's trumpet-call, the descent of the Lord Himself. "God has not destined us to the terrors of judgment.... He died for us so that we, awake or asleep, might live in company with Him" (5:9, 10). A small child is at peace even in the dark if his father or mother is with him. He has company. How different the darkness feels then.
Take the word of the Lord in your darkness. If He died to let us live in his company, is He likely to abandon us just because things look dark?

True Faith

It was driving me crazy and we finally tracked it down!!!

Wonderful surreal video. True 80's at its finest.

For today..

Many of our prayers are directed toward the quick and easy solution. Long-suffering is sometimes the only means by which the greater glory of God will be served, and this is, for the moment, invisible. We must persist in faith. God has a splendid purpose. Believe in order to see it.
"Our troubles are slight and short-lived, and their outcome an eternal glory which outweighs them far. Meanwhile our eyes are fixed, not on the things that are seen, but on the things that are unseen" (2 Cor 4:17, 18 NEB).

This is from part of my devotions this morning. I have been laboring in my current job for almost 10 years. At times it has been a great joy, other times it has been a tremendous burden. The past few years have become increasingly difficult.

I've been praying for God's will. Each day I face that place with God's strength supporting me. Things just seem like they are coming to a close there. A job I have dreamed of for many years was to open in 8 months and now may open sooner. The thought is overwhelming. I am learning to face each day with faith that God is in control.

May God's will be done. (Lord, I'd really like that job, though...if it is your will)

For the 'twi-hard' tweenagers

This brings me such giddy amounts of joy I can't even explain it. Will I be going out to look for the candies? Of course!

I also ordered sparkle powder samples from "Aromalight".

From today's devotions

One reason we are so harried and hurried is that we make yesterday and tomorrow our business, when all that legitimately concerns us is today. If we really have too much to do, there are some items on the agenda which God did not put there. Let us submit the list to Him and ask Him to indicate which items we must delete. There is always time to do the will of God. If we are too busy to do that, we are too busy.
Lord, help me to take your yoke on my shoulder, not a yoke of my own making. May I learn from You to be gentle and humblehearted. May I find that your load is light.

Thank you, Lord, for your continued lessons.

For today

This really speaks to where I am right now. May I use this time to glorify God. This time of trial will come to pass.

When we are puzzled by delays and detours, let us think about the great purpose of life: to glorify God. The lessons He wants to teach us "in the wilderness" are priceless means of providing us with a song we could not otherwise have sung: "In Thy constant love Thou hast led the people!" (Ex 15:13).

What I am trying to learn:

Lord, teach me to take gladly the place You have assigned to me and to submit humbly to those over me, that I may do my part to keep the smooth and proper functioning of the body of Christ.

an interesting quote...

"Within all of us there is an illusive melody, which when heard and followed will lead you to the fulfillment of your fondest dreams."
~Illusionists Siegfried and Roy

Interesting...

This is an interesting article I found online today.

Sometimes I need reminding...

Real Life Heroes


Teachers as Heroes

An essay written by an assistant principal in Ohio.

By J. Bradley:


"Where are the heroes of today?" a radio talk show host thundered.

He blames society's shortcomings on education. Too many people are looking for heroes in all the wrong places. Movie stars and rock musicians, athletes, and models aren't heroes; they're celebrities.

Heroes abound in public schools, a fact that doesn't make the news. There is no precedent for the level of violence, drugs, broken homes, child abuse, and crime in today's America. Education didn't create these problems but deals with them every day.


You want heroes?

Consider Dave Sanders, the schoolteacher shot to death while trying to shield his students from two youths on a shooting rampage at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. Sanders gave his life, along with 12 students, and other less heralded heroes survived the Colorado blood bath.


You want heroes?

Jane Smith, a Fayetteville, NC teacher, was moved by the plight of one of her students, a boy dying for want of a kidney transplant. So this woman told the family of a 14-year-old boy that she would give him one of her kidneys. And she did. When they appeared together hugging on the Today Show, Katie Couric was near tears.


You want heroes?

Doris Dillon dreamed all her life of being a teacher. She not only made it, she was one of those wondrous teachers who could bring the best out of every single child. One of her fellow teachers in San Jose, Calif., said, "She could teach a rock to read."

Suddenly she was stricken with Lou Gehrig's Disease which is always fatal, usually within five years. She asked to stay on job ... and did. When her voice was affected, she communicated by computer.

Did she go home? Absolutely not! She is running two elementary school libraries! When the disease was diagnosed, she wrote the staff and all the families that she had one last lesson to teach .... that dying is part of living. Her colleagues named her Teacher of the Year.


You want heroes?

Bob House, a teacher in Georgia, tried out for "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?". After he won the million dollars, a network film crew wanted to follow up to see how it had impacted his life. New cars? Big new house?

Instead, they found both Bob House and his wife still teaching. They explained that it was what they had always wanted to do with their lives and that would not change. The community was both stunned and grateful.


You want heroes?

Last year the average school teacher spent $468 of their own money for student necessities ... workbooks, pencils .. supplies kids had to have but could not afford. That's a lot of money from the pockets of the most poorly paid teachers in the industrial world.


Schools don't teach values? The critics are dead wrong.

Public education provides more Sunday School teachers than any other profession.


The average teacher works

more hours in nine months

than the average 40-hour

employee does in a year.


You want heroes?

For millions of kids, the hug they get from a teacher is the only hug they will get that day because the nation is living through the worst parenting in history.


An Argyle, Texas kindergarten teacher hugs her little 5 and 6 year-olds so much that both the boys and the girls run up and hug her when they see her in the hall, at the football games, or in the malls years later.


A Michigan principal moved me to tears with the story of her attempt to rescue a badly abused little boy who doted on a stuffed animal on her desk .. one that said "I love you!" He said he'd never been told that at home. This is a constant in today's society .. two million unwanted, unloved, abused children in the public schools, the only institution that takes them all in.


You want heroes?

Visit any special education class and watch the miracle of personal interaction, a job so difficult that fellow teachers are awed by the dedication they witness. There is a sentence from an unnamed source which says: "We have been so eager to give our children what we didn't have that we have neglected to give them what we did have."


What is it that our kids really need?

What do they really want?

Math, science, history, and social studies are important, but children need love, confidence, encouragement, someone to talk to, someone to listen, standards to live by. Teachers provide upright examples, the faith and assurance of responsible people.


You want heroes?

Then go down to your local school and see our real live heroes - the ones changing lives for the better each and every day!

I'd like to see this sent to all those who cut down the importance of teachers. They have no idea who a public school teacher is or what they do.