From PSALM 149
Sing a New Song to the Lord
Not boring
Same ole Same
Dull
Routine
Ordinary
His Praise in the Assembly of the Saints
at church
home
school
work
wherever you are
Let Israel rejoice
Be Happy
Excited
Joyful
Glad
Effervescent
in their Maker
God
Creator
Originator
Jehovah
Let the people of Zion be glad in their King
The King
THE King
The KING
THE KING
Let them praise his name with Dancing
Dancing?
Dancing!
Ooooooooo
DANCING!
And make music to Him with Tamborines
Harps
Voice
Flute
Strings
FOR THE LORD TAKES DELIGHT in HIS PEOPLE!
Wednesday, December 31, 2003
Tuesday, December 30, 2003
It's been a LONG few weeks with my mom here. I love her dearly, but she absolutely can send me over the edge. But today, as I watched her in her goofy way attempt to go through the airport security, I wondered just what life would be like now that she is gone. Amidst her wierdness and quirky ways, she could always be counted on to be in constant prayer for me and my family. I knew that when I was feeling irritated or down that she in her motherly instinct was breathing a prayer to God for my peace and comfort. Now, I'm here and feeling a bit alone just because I know that its back to just my husband and daughter at home. I am trying desperately to not become bitter and resentful to my husband in his 'part-time'employment stage. I realize that GOD IS IN CONTROL and that He will ultimately place us exactly where He wants us. I realize that God has already blessed us beyond any expectation by placing us in the church we are now serving--even if only part-time as Interim. HOWEVER, and that is a BIG however--for the life of me, I am becoming SO resentful when I come home from working all day and he is and has been watching TV ALL DAY. I've about had it with STAR TREK, JAMES BOND, STAR WARS, WHILE YOU WERE OUT and TRADING SPACES! You'd think that at some point, he'd feel compelled to GET UP and do SOMETHING that might potentially make him MY James Bond of a husband by being Motivated...but its NOT happening.
Father, give me peace of mind and heart to trust your provision. Help me to know and believe that you will take care of every need we have. Please help T to become motivated in some way to do SOMETHING...whether around the house or in pursuit of a part-time job. You know that I've done the 'sole provide for' role and I don't care to do it again. Give him wisdom and give me understanding.
Father, give me peace of mind and heart to trust your provision. Help me to know and believe that you will take care of every need we have. Please help T to become motivated in some way to do SOMETHING...whether around the house or in pursuit of a part-time job. You know that I've done the 'sole provide for' role and I don't care to do it again. Give him wisdom and give me understanding.
Wednesday, December 24, 2003
Right now, four days aproximately since my last blog, I continue to be in a tremendous rush with family still here (my mom--Now I remember why I have a nerve pill prescription!) The last few days have been a complete blur as we have shopped and cooked and even managed a game of UNO and the classic CHRISTMAS VACATION movie. All along, we've rushed and pushed and hurried and become frustrated, all with anticipation that it is almost Christmas. Now, Its really almost Christmas. I sit here waiting for the time to pass until its time for me to change clothes and head to church for the Christmas Eve service. It's been YEARS since we've participated in a service on Christmas Eve, and certainly a long time since we've done one at 10:45 PM! I will JAVA-TIZE myself en route and HOPE it kicks in.
I also talked to my brother this afternoon, the one with whom we generally spend Christmas. But this year it just wasn't right for some reason to make the trip to TX. Perhaps it is because of the attitudes that had occured last month with my sister in law or maybe it is just because God in his infinite wisdom knew we needed to be here and available for this precious church he has entrusted us to be a part of. No matter what, we are where we need to be right now and thankful for it!
I suppose my time is fading and its time to get ready to go...I think I should also mention that I am really struggling with keeping to my disciplined eating plan! I am craving sweets and bread based things and generally eating more than I'd EVER do normally. I will have to get serious by January 1--duh whats new!
I also talked to my brother this afternoon, the one with whom we generally spend Christmas. But this year it just wasn't right for some reason to make the trip to TX. Perhaps it is because of the attitudes that had occured last month with my sister in law or maybe it is just because God in his infinite wisdom knew we needed to be here and available for this precious church he has entrusted us to be a part of. No matter what, we are where we need to be right now and thankful for it!
I suppose my time is fading and its time to get ready to go...I think I should also mention that I am really struggling with keeping to my disciplined eating plan! I am craving sweets and bread based things and generally eating more than I'd EVER do normally. I will have to get serious by January 1--duh whats new!
Saturday, December 20, 2003
Father, I pray for a wonderful day at church tomorrow. Be with Gary and keep him healthy. There's so much still left to do in his ministry this Christmas season. Keep everyone healthy in these days ahead. I can tell that mom is beginning to feel sick. Protect her and help her stay well! Thank you for a wonderful day today shopping.
It's too late to concentrate on writing, so I'll end with a promise to do more later.
It's too late to concentrate on writing, so I'll end with a promise to do more later.
Wednesday, December 17, 2003
I had written all of this earlier and got booted...@)%#)(*$%(*&#
I have NO IDEA if I can even remember what I wrote.
LIKE A BIRD
At times I fly against the wind
I struggle if I am headed north or south
My wings seem crippled and broken thin
Remind me when I start to fall
that YOU are Lord of all
The flowers have no care of color
The fields are replenished and always grow
All creation acknowledges your authority
Remind me when I feel small
that YOU are Lord of all
When I am fraile and can not fly
I will wait for you to swoop me up
You hold me with your strong hands
Remind me when I hit the wall
that YOU are Lord of all
Like a bird in need of Freedom
Free my soul from stress and worry
Laying in your nest of rest
Remind me daily as i recall
to see that YOU are Lord of all.
I have NO IDEA if I can even remember what I wrote.
LIKE A BIRD
At times I fly against the wind
I struggle if I am headed north or south
My wings seem crippled and broken thin
Remind me when I start to fall
that YOU are Lord of all
The flowers have no care of color
The fields are replenished and always grow
All creation acknowledges your authority
Remind me when I feel small
that YOU are Lord of all
When I am fraile and can not fly
I will wait for you to swoop me up
You hold me with your strong hands
Remind me when I hit the wall
that YOU are Lord of all
Like a bird in need of Freedom
Free my soul from stress and worry
Laying in your nest of rest
Remind me daily as i recall
to see that YOU are Lord of all.
Tuesday, December 16, 2003
I am sooooooo behind!! I have had so much going on these last few days that I have had NO time to write...So...here's the brief synopsis.
Friday - Took off work-drove 200 miles in 2 and a half hours (woo hoo for the Z28) to play piano for my mom to sing for her former boss's Christmas party. (He flew her to NC from TX for the event!)
Saturday - Spent time w/ my dad doing a little Christmas shopping for kids. He looks so good after his cancer surgery! No one would ever suspect he'd been sick! The 200 mile drive back home that had zipped by on Friday became a drudgery! I stopped at a mall en route for Starbucks - drove 30 minutes for a parking place and then stood for nearly that long for the coffee!! I returned to the Freeway only to encounter TONS of traffic and rain!! I started to get sleepy so I pulled into a hotel parking lot to catch a 5 minute power nap. After about 2 minutes of 'almost there' sleep, a kid with his LOUD car stereo made me realize that 2 minutes was going to have to do me! I was anxious to get home because Tom and I were to be at a Sunday School party that evening. I also knew that he and the kids were doing a "WHILE YOU WERE OUT" event somewhere in my house! This was also our anniversary and I knew this was somehow connected. Tom and I ended up meeting in town and driving to the party without my going home, which apparantly was a GOOD thing! After the party we arrived home with a note on the door preparing me for what I was to find. ALOT of hard work that was a sign of love as a gift for our anniversary and Christmas and anything else that may be due for the next year!! My bedroom has been COMPLETELY renovated. It is BEAUTIFUL!! too much to even describe...but beautiful! The only bad part is that in the process of them taking up the carpet to expose the hardwood floors, they destroyed our waterbed. Tom had to make a quick deal with a furniture store owner who is an acquaintance. Bottom line is we ended up with a new bed but DEFINITELY not in line with our financial situation right now...but WE WILL CONTINUE TO TRUST GOD!!
SUNDAY - Our Church Christmas musical...we did it at 8:30 and 11:00 and BOTH were great. Went that afternoon to a "Living Christmas Tree" performance that was good, but somewhat over rated.
MONDAY - Clean up of all the STUFF that was moved from our room to another room began! Sorting through the keepers, the trashers and the Goodwill'ers was tedious!! ALL THIS WITH MY MOM COMING today (Tuesday!)
Soooooooooooo here I am...It's Tuesday and we'll go from here!
My prayer for today---
Father - please give me the patience to handle the multiple events that lay ahead of me over the next few weeks. Give me the ability to trust you completely for all the financial insecurities that I have. Provide for us in unexpected ways that will continue to assure us of your presence in this undesireable situation. Please bless Tom as he sings today and Friday for Christmas banquets for senior adults. Would you let their hearing aids be turned down low on the rough spots and give them the ability to encourage him no matter what. I also pray especially for Matt and the others at LIFEWAY in the TRAGIC loss of one of their employees. Please give them comfort and peace in this terrible event.
Friday - Took off work-drove 200 miles in 2 and a half hours (woo hoo for the Z28) to play piano for my mom to sing for her former boss's Christmas party. (He flew her to NC from TX for the event!)
Saturday - Spent time w/ my dad doing a little Christmas shopping for kids. He looks so good after his cancer surgery! No one would ever suspect he'd been sick! The 200 mile drive back home that had zipped by on Friday became a drudgery! I stopped at a mall en route for Starbucks - drove 30 minutes for a parking place and then stood for nearly that long for the coffee!! I returned to the Freeway only to encounter TONS of traffic and rain!! I started to get sleepy so I pulled into a hotel parking lot to catch a 5 minute power nap. After about 2 minutes of 'almost there' sleep, a kid with his LOUD car stereo made me realize that 2 minutes was going to have to do me! I was anxious to get home because Tom and I were to be at a Sunday School party that evening. I also knew that he and the kids were doing a "WHILE YOU WERE OUT" event somewhere in my house! This was also our anniversary and I knew this was somehow connected. Tom and I ended up meeting in town and driving to the party without my going home, which apparantly was a GOOD thing! After the party we arrived home with a note on the door preparing me for what I was to find. ALOT of hard work that was a sign of love as a gift for our anniversary and Christmas and anything else that may be due for the next year!! My bedroom has been COMPLETELY renovated. It is BEAUTIFUL!! too much to even describe...but beautiful! The only bad part is that in the process of them taking up the carpet to expose the hardwood floors, they destroyed our waterbed. Tom had to make a quick deal with a furniture store owner who is an acquaintance. Bottom line is we ended up with a new bed but DEFINITELY not in line with our financial situation right now...but WE WILL CONTINUE TO TRUST GOD!!
SUNDAY - Our Church Christmas musical...we did it at 8:30 and 11:00 and BOTH were great. Went that afternoon to a "Living Christmas Tree" performance that was good, but somewhat over rated.
MONDAY - Clean up of all the STUFF that was moved from our room to another room began! Sorting through the keepers, the trashers and the Goodwill'ers was tedious!! ALL THIS WITH MY MOM COMING today (Tuesday!)
Soooooooooooo here I am...It's Tuesday and we'll go from here!
My prayer for today---
Father - please give me the patience to handle the multiple events that lay ahead of me over the next few weeks. Give me the ability to trust you completely for all the financial insecurities that I have. Provide for us in unexpected ways that will continue to assure us of your presence in this undesireable situation. Please bless Tom as he sings today and Friday for Christmas banquets for senior adults. Would you let their hearing aids be turned down low on the rough spots and give them the ability to encourage him no matter what. I also pray especially for Matt and the others at LIFEWAY in the TRAGIC loss of one of their employees. Please give them comfort and peace in this terrible event.
Thursday, December 11, 2003
I was designed for praising you
To give you honor in all I do
To let your spirit shine in me
and your reflection that others see.
Cares and worries I have each day
Fall in your hands and fade away.
Water from your well I seek
supply me strength when I am weak.
Take this day as just one more
That you have opened as a door.
I wait in joy when I face a test
For then I'm sure you'll send your best.
To give you honor in all I do
To let your spirit shine in me
and your reflection that others see.
Cares and worries I have each day
Fall in your hands and fade away.
Water from your well I seek
supply me strength when I am weak.
Take this day as just one more
That you have opened as a door.
I wait in joy when I face a test
For then I'm sure you'll send your best.
Wednesday, December 10, 2003
Tuesday, December 09, 2003
The Hypnotist
You are getting sleepy
sleepy
sleepy
Your eyes are getting heavy
and heavier
and heavier
You are relaxed
relaxing
more relaxed
Focus
Concentrate
Breathe
Follow the cursor
Let your eyes go with the flow of the keys as they are stroked.
Imagine you are anywhere you want to be with the entry into an address bar
Dream
Rest
Recall and Remember
SLEEP
You are getting sleepy
sleepy
sleepy
Your eyes are getting heavy
and heavier
and heavier
You are relaxed
relaxing
more relaxed
Focus
Concentrate
Breathe
Follow the cursor
Let your eyes go with the flow of the keys as they are stroked.
Imagine you are anywhere you want to be with the entry into an address bar
Dream
Rest
Recall and Remember
SLEEP
In an effort to be on the up and up...I have attempted to include a 'comments' section in this blog post. Whether it works is yet to be seen....I will look for the "0" to change to at least "1"...Who knows who may be seeing this. I suppose this is what Radio D.J.'s go through all the time...
...."Hello All you friends and neighbors in BlogLand. Place your hand on your Computer Monitor and feel compelled to send Money!"
HA!
Happy day to all you friends!
...."Hello All you friends and neighbors in BlogLand. Place your hand on your Computer Monitor and feel compelled to send Money!"
HA!
Happy day to all you friends!
Monday, December 08, 2003
Does anyone actually read these?? I always wonder as I write. Not that it matters, but I am just curious. If you read this at some point, let me know that you do. (email is LUVADEAL@msn.com) I know that I read several Blogs off of Matt's Blog and I have been extremely impressed by some of the depth I see...It is interesting to see the perspectives and similarities that we go through being in different parts of the world. Makes Omnipresence a reality!
Keep Writing
Mantenga Escritura
Garder l'Ecriture
Kost Te Schrijven
Behalten Sie Zu Schreiben
Keep Writing
Mantenga Escritura
Garder l'Ecriture
Kost Te Schrijven
Behalten Sie Zu Schreiben
Sunday, December 07, 2003
In fear of having an empty Blog for another day...I will write...
Yesterday was extremely busy.
Christmas shopping
Traffic
Shopping
Traffic
People
Starbucks....Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh Peace at last!
Last nite we dressed in Black and white and headed to the Anderson College FCA Formal. How nice to see young college students all dressed up like their High School Prom. We served...or waited tables.......I couldn't believe how much food they DIDN'T eat. I wanted so badly to sneak something off their plates since I'd not eaten all day! But we waited our turn and ate when the students were finished eating.
Today was a great day at church. Tonite we had our evening of 'Dreaming' about what we want to see for our church now that we have completed 40 Days of Purpose. There were some off the wall responses that displayed an aspect of 'Nostalgia', proving that some boxed Christians were still managing to show up. On the other hand, there were those, specifically Owen Robertson who appeased the crowd by acknowledging that Nostalgia and a traditional Southern Baptist background lies within many of us. But he emphasized that Our goal is not to pacify and satisfy those already in church and so familiar with it, but to remember our focus--those outside of the walls.
GO OWEN!!
Yesterday was extremely busy.
Christmas shopping
Traffic
Shopping
Traffic
People
Starbucks....Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh Peace at last!
Last nite we dressed in Black and white and headed to the Anderson College FCA Formal. How nice to see young college students all dressed up like their High School Prom. We served...or waited tables.......I couldn't believe how much food they DIDN'T eat. I wanted so badly to sneak something off their plates since I'd not eaten all day! But we waited our turn and ate when the students were finished eating.
Today was a great day at church. Tonite we had our evening of 'Dreaming' about what we want to see for our church now that we have completed 40 Days of Purpose. There were some off the wall responses that displayed an aspect of 'Nostalgia', proving that some boxed Christians were still managing to show up. On the other hand, there were those, specifically Owen Robertson who appeased the crowd by acknowledging that Nostalgia and a traditional Southern Baptist background lies within many of us. But he emphasized that Our goal is not to pacify and satisfy those already in church and so familiar with it, but to remember our focus--those outside of the walls.
GO OWEN!!
Friday, December 05, 2003
Don't receive God's grace in vain.
He hears us in HIS time.
He WILL help us
He IS helping.
Don't let me be a stumbling block that would discredit our ministry.
Help us be faithful and commendable in everything.
Trouble
Hardship
Misunderstandings
Bondage
Fighting
Sleepless nights
Hunger
Purity
Understanding
Patience
Kindness
Sincere Love
Truthful Speech
Glory and Dishonor
Bad report and good
Genuine and Imposter
Known and Unknown
Dying and Living
Beaten and Surviving
Sorrowful but rejoicing
Poor yet rich
Having nothing yet having all.
TEACH US TO OPEN WIDE OUR HEARTS
..............Based on I Cor. 6:1-13
He hears us in HIS time.
He WILL help us
He IS helping.
Don't let me be a stumbling block that would discredit our ministry.
Help us be faithful and commendable in everything.
Trouble
Hardship
Misunderstandings
Bondage
Fighting
Sleepless nights
Hunger
Purity
Understanding
Patience
Kindness
Sincere Love
Truthful Speech
Glory and Dishonor
Bad report and good
Genuine and Imposter
Known and Unknown
Dying and Living
Beaten and Surviving
Sorrowful but rejoicing
Poor yet rich
Having nothing yet having all.
TEACH US TO OPEN WIDE OUR HEARTS
..............Based on I Cor. 6:1-13
Thursday, December 04, 2003
Forgiveness is a wonderful thing.
It is a healing that enables assurance of reconciliation.
With forgiveness comes grace and mercy reminding us of an unworthy gift.
I long for forgetfulness to come with forgiveness. Not from the forgiver, or observers, but from myself.
Today, I have been especially haunted with reminders.
People
Names
Smells
Words
Songs
Let Forgetfulness follow forgiveness.
It is a healing that enables assurance of reconciliation.
With forgiveness comes grace and mercy reminding us of an unworthy gift.
I long for forgetfulness to come with forgiveness. Not from the forgiver, or observers, but from myself.
Today, I have been especially haunted with reminders.
People
Names
Smells
Words
Songs
Let Forgetfulness follow forgiveness.
Wednesday, December 03, 2003
This morning I prayed between the snooze on the alarm
"Please, Please God, SHOW ME A SIGN"
Show me a sign that you are going to come through for us.
Show me a sign that you really are in control.
Show me a sign that my prayers have gone beyond the ceiling.
This morning God said to me "READ THIS"
When the LORD your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you-a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, 11 houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant-then when you eat and are satisfied, 12 be careful that you do not forget the LORD , who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 13 Fear the LORD your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name. 14 Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you; 15 for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a jealous God and his anger will burn against you, and he will destroy you from the face of the land. 16 Do not test the LORD your God as you did at Massah. 17 Be sure to keep the commands of the LORD your God and the stipulations and decrees he has given you. 18 Do what is right and good in the LORD's sight, so that it may go well with you and you may go in and take over the good land that the LORD promised on oath to your forefathers, 19 thrusting out all your enemies before you, as the LORD said.
I think I received a sign!
Don't Test
TRUST!
"Please, Please God, SHOW ME A SIGN"
Show me a sign that you are going to come through for us.
Show me a sign that you really are in control.
Show me a sign that my prayers have gone beyond the ceiling.
This morning God said to me "READ THIS"
When the LORD your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you-a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, 11 houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant-then when you eat and are satisfied, 12 be careful that you do not forget the LORD , who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 13 Fear the LORD your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name. 14 Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you; 15 for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a jealous God and his anger will burn against you, and he will destroy you from the face of the land. 16 Do not test the LORD your God as you did at Massah. 17 Be sure to keep the commands of the LORD your God and the stipulations and decrees he has given you. 18 Do what is right and good in the LORD's sight, so that it may go well with you and you may go in and take over the good land that the LORD promised on oath to your forefathers, 19 thrusting out all your enemies before you, as the LORD said.
I think I received a sign!
Don't Test
TRUST!
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