TIRED today! Yesterday Ashley had a tennis tournament and did quite well, but those things can kind of drag on... That puts dinner late, then bed even later. I LOVE the opportunity to sit outside in the sun -- even if it is on those horrific bleachers -- but it really takes it out of you. (Ashley to mom: "Why are YOU tired??? All you did was sit and suntan!!")
If you'll notice there's a number over on the right under my Coffee Group button that's around 78,000. That (obviously) tells me how many visitors I've had on my blog since I installed that (which I have NO idea when that was) and when I log into my account I can learn some general information about those visitors.
Most interesting to me is the 'referrals' page -- where people where when they clicked over to my blog. Sometimes that lets me know that someone has included me in their blog roll and I didn't know it. It also lets me know that leaving a comment on Mike Cope's blog increases blog traffic as much, if not more than, participating in an online 'party'. And it's way less trouble, 'cause sometimes Mike is talking guacamole.
Some of you click over from readers. Yes, I have heard from those of you that hate me for changing my feed to 200 characters. There is a reason OTHER THAN trying to irritate you. No, it's not to lose you as a blog reader, either. Hope you'll click over, hope you'll read.
I do get some interesting 'Google' searches, too. One is about a specific cult that I won't mention. No cults here, folks. Keep going. Some people are just too lazy to bookmark my blog so I get several 'Sarah Stirman blog' searches. As long as it works, we're good!
So, while I am DROWNING in writing deadlines, let me know how you get to my blog. How did you show up here? I'm just glad you're here!
Tuesday
Monday
Better Than I Deserve
If you've ever caught Dave Ramsey online or on the radio, when people ask him how he's doing, his standard answer is, "Better than I deserve." I don't know if he really means it or if it has just become his 'schtick' now, but I think it's a great attitude to have in life. One that I could stand to adopt, I recently realized.
A few days ago someone important to me was unkind to me. I don't think I was the underlying problem, just received the backlash. I am certainly guilty of dragging fears and stresses around with me so that I can be sure to unload the full force of my life irritation on someone that I think will still love me when it's over. I guess that's what this was. But it still hurt my feelings.
So I told the Lord about it and, honestly, I wasn't ready to pray to be kind in return to this person. I told God about it and caught myself saying, "I deserve to be treated nicer than that!"
I think I heard some holy laughter.
Didn't His son deserve to be treated MUCH nicer than he was here on earth? Hasn't the Lord PROMISED me I would have trouble in this world?
Keep in mind, I wasn't being 'persecuted for my faith' -- I was being 'persecuted' (yes, I am using that term very, very broadly) just for being where I was. I just happened to receive the fall off of an irritating, fallen world we live in. And 'deserving to be treated better' -- that is SO the world talking!
No doubt, Beth reminded us in August, and scripture tells us all over -- we are co-heirs with the King of Kings! We have an inheritance! But to think "I deserve better" than the way I'm being treated. Well, I do, but I certainly can't righteously demand it.
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:5-11
A few days ago someone important to me was unkind to me. I don't think I was the underlying problem, just received the backlash. I am certainly guilty of dragging fears and stresses around with me so that I can be sure to unload the full force of my life irritation on someone that I think will still love me when it's over. I guess that's what this was. But it still hurt my feelings.
So I told the Lord about it and, honestly, I wasn't ready to pray to be kind in return to this person. I told God about it and caught myself saying, "I deserve to be treated nicer than that!"
I think I heard some holy laughter.
Didn't His son deserve to be treated MUCH nicer than he was here on earth? Hasn't the Lord PROMISED me I would have trouble in this world?
Keep in mind, I wasn't being 'persecuted for my faith' -- I was being 'persecuted' (yes, I am using that term very, very broadly) just for being where I was. I just happened to receive the fall off of an irritating, fallen world we live in. And 'deserving to be treated better' -- that is SO the world talking!
No doubt, Beth reminded us in August, and scripture tells us all over -- we are co-heirs with the King of Kings! We have an inheritance! But to think "I deserve better" than the way I'm being treated. Well, I do, but I certainly can't righteously demand it.
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:5-11
Sunday
Good Things Out There
Gather the children 'round... They are REALLY going to want to hear this. Lysa always sums it up well.
I'm always proud of Roxanne, but this made me even prouder. While your children are gathered 'round, have them hug their teachers tomorrow.
Y'all, I am LOVING Picnik.com. It's free, free, FREE and has many of the same photo-editing features expensive softwares have. Of course, you can pay for premium and do more, but it's just so much FUN!!! I took this photo of Ashley and me:
and did this to it:
How fun is that?
And if this just don't beat all!!! "I would like to thank the Academy... or Theobloggers..." That's a pretty heavy-hitting line-up right there, and I'm honored and amazed to be included in the Chrisitan Blogger Award winners. Just another way the Lord continues to smile on me while closing a few doors on my foot.
This video isn't as funny as I generally do, but it's great info to have about running form to avoid injury such as knee, hip, and shin splints. It makes a LOT of sense to me -- but it will take me a LOT of work to break my horrible habits!
If you would like to add your 'Good Thing' button to your blog, copy the code into an 'HTML' box on your sidebar:
Saturday
Observing Life
What do you suppose Debra wears to the Dollar Place that is less dressed up than Wal-Mart? I'm afraid, very afraid.
Friday
Book Review: Water for Elephants
This is an EXCELLENTLY written book... that I didn't enjoy very much. Sadly.
Story is flash-backs: starts with a 93-year-old guy in an assisted living facility (he can't ever remember if he's 90 or 93...) and the circus is coming to town. Many of the residents are excited to go, and the excitement takes him back to the summer of 1931 when he worked on a circus.
As I said, excellently written in such a manner that I loved the lovable characters and hated the not-so-lovable. I didn't realize until I read the prologue that many of the situations included in the book are from Sara Gruen's research on the history of circus' that traveled by train. I think what I didn't enjoy was how true-to-life much of it was. From Amazon.com:
"Sara Gruen spares no detail in chronicling the squalid, filthy, brutish circumstances in which he finds himself. The animals are mangy, underfed or fed rotten food, and abused."
And it descends from there. All in all, I wouldn't say that it was a waste of time, but it was definitely a dark look at what likely really happened with a traveling circus.
Thursday
I was nowhere NEAR New Hampshire!!
For the record, I don't THINK I have ever been to New Hampshire -- Scott Cody or David Mathews would have to let me know if we ventured through there on any mission trips from OCS. (I do vividly remember seeing David Jones sleep with his eyes open on that trip-- a very disturbing sight looking as if he were dead -- so I doubt he would remember)
Dad sent me an article a while back questioning my where-abouts when a plane flew into a Wal-Mart in New Hampshire. The pilot appeared to be severely hurt, so I pray that he has or will recover from this accident. The article mentions that he flew into the "eastern corner" of the Wal-Mart store. See? If Wal-Mart had simply chosen between the optometrist, bank, OR McDonald's instead of having all 3, the pilot just may have cleared the mammoth building!
Dad sent me an article a while back questioning my where-abouts when a plane flew into a Wal-Mart in New Hampshire. The pilot appeared to be severely hurt, so I pray that he has or will recover from this accident. The article mentions that he flew into the "eastern corner" of the Wal-Mart store. See? If Wal-Mart had simply chosen between the optometrist, bank, OR McDonald's instead of having all 3, the pilot just may have cleared the mammoth building!
Wednesday
Another Plea for Help (and Voting)!
So here's what you need to do:
Go here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NO8R4c_8KE
Watch my mucho-talented friends. (They actually live in L.A. and cruise through BH, and are both in "The Biz". Trust me, people, they are big doin's and you haven't heard the last of them!)
Then leave a comment on youtube telling them how awesome the video is. Then, later, post this on YOUR blog and send everyone from YOUR blog to do the same. And maybe watch the video one more time, thereby increasing the number of 'views'!
What's in it for you? Well, you're helping them become foster parents, like the video shows.
Foster parents... of a Ford Fiesta. For six months. And if you vote for them, they will totally give you a ride in it. If you are on their 'adventure route'!
Go here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NO8R4c_8KE
Watch my mucho-talented friends. (They actually live in L.A. and cruise through BH, and are both in "The Biz". Trust me, people, they are big doin's and you haven't heard the last of them!)
Then leave a comment on youtube telling them how awesome the video is. Then, later, post this on YOUR blog and send everyone from YOUR blog to do the same. And maybe watch the video one more time, thereby increasing the number of 'views'!
What's in it for you? Well, you're helping them become foster parents, like the video shows.
Foster parents... of a Ford Fiesta. For six months. And if you vote for them, they will totally give you a ride in it. If you are on their 'adventure route'!
Tuesday
I am SO over...
Age is hard on a body, no doubt. But great on a psyche, I've decided. Things I have realized I don't have to do anymore:
- Cook a "special breakfast" on Sunday mornings. I know, you THINK I'm going to say that I do that every other day of the week so I gave it up on Sundays. Um, no. I do not cook breakfast unless I am making it for dinner. The "special breakfast" I'm referring to was usually something out of a box -- blueberry muffins, coffee cake, something we don't ordinarily have. I finally realized that if I throw a box of powdered sugar donuts on the table, I can still get dressed in a timely manner AND I am not tempted by those so I can walk away from them. And the kids are thrilled because it is the perfect combination of lard and sugar.
- A month-long regimen of tanning my legs with self-tanner before "the spring reveal." Mainly, there is no spring reveal anymore. I spend all year working out in a gym in shorts so it's no great stretch for me to just take those legs right on outside once the weather is warm enough. They are approximately this color at that point, too. And I'm okay with that.
- Invest time in friendships that are draining, shallow, or hurtful. I don't have enough time to invest in my quality friends as it is -- I'm sure not going to spend my valuable time deepening relationships that don't help me get through life.
- Acting as if I never have an "off-day." Again, life is too short. And, when you do have an off-day, it requires entirely too much energy to pile feigning cheeriness on top of the restraint to not shout at everyone you see.
Monday
It's a Par-Tay!!
Hey! If you came over from 5 Minutes for Mom's Ultimate Blog Party... WELCOME!
Come on in and make yourself at home. We do not go about putting on 'airs' here at The Cleft of the Rock. We're a what-you-see-is-what-you-get blog!
First, let me introduce you to my readers, 'cause they are the awesomest of awesome readers EV-UH!! Do you know that last week they nominated me for an award?? (Yes, I know it SOUNDS like I'm only talking about myself when I'm supposed to be introducing my readers) Isn't that the nicest ever? If you happen to wander over here on Monday the 23rd, you can still go vote for me. Wouldn't that be fun?
(faithful COTR readers -- voting ends today!!)
Because of that, it's a great time to come over here and meet me, since we've been doing a little reminiscing. If you go to the previous few posts, you'll see links to some of my readers' favorite posts. So come on in and browse around. While you do that, I'll tell you a little about myself:
I'm a mom of two -- over the top proud of both of them! One is my 7th grade sporty-girl, Ashley, and one is my 5th grade comedian/ random fact provider (stick around... we get one a week and they are definitely worth the price of admission). I'm also a wife to my best friend, Troy, a deer-hunting, motorcycle-riding, coat and tie-wearing (to work) kind of guy. Yes, he's full of contradictions.
I have a chocolate lab and a hedgehog, which also provide plenty of blog fodder, as well!
I am also a member of a ministry group, The Coffee Group. We travel and speak at ladies events, Judy gets us upgrades, Tammy takes the pictures, Donna keeps us organized, Denise makes us laugh, and I... just talk a lot, I think! It's a fun gig. Give us a buzz -- we'll come talk to you!
I do a little writing every now and then, too. A few weeks ago I shared my God-dream -- writing a book. My awesome readers were so great about it, that they are now sharing THEIR God-dream here. We would love to here from you about that, too!
Thanks for stopping by! I would love for you to leave a comment and let me know what you think... about anything!
Sunday
Good Things Out There
I will let you know that this time last week I was in a BLACK mood. And while my life situation has changed... not one iota, and many of the 'irritants' of a week ago are still here, God has given me little droplets of blessing that I just needed. One is Coffee Group being featured on author Nicole Johnson's Fresh Brewed website!! That is a really happy thing for Coffee Group! We are really praying that God opens doors with this feature. Coffee Group is ready to continue our task of telling His story to women! Since we were sprucing up for company, we made some changes to our website. If you haven't checked it out lately, you need to!!
Another happy in my week was being nominated as one of the Best Blogs by a Female Blogger by the group at Theobloggers. If you still need to vote, go here. Voting ends tomorrow!
And, if you would still like to see a favorite post, here is:
Baked Potato? and
Memories of Poppa Max
Okay, the whole 'voting' theme means I CANNOT pass up an opportunity to repeat a video here. Sometimes I watch him just because... Absolute doodle bug. Enjoy my good friend, Truett.
Theobloggers voting ends tomorrow, though, so don't wait until November! :-)
If you would like to add your 'Good Thing' button to your blog, copy the code into an 'HTML' box on your sidebar:
Saturday
Observing Life
Does anyone else out there suspect that their gifted children purposefully do all the things you ask them to -- yet do it incorrectly -- with the underlying idea that we will eventually quit asking them to do things and just do it ourselves?
*****************************************
Voting ends Monday for Theobloggers Christian Blog Awards. Vote here.
To check out some favorite posts:
How Great the Father's Love and
Y'all, Stickers Has Issues
*****************************************
Voting ends Monday for Theobloggers Christian Blog Awards. Vote here.
To check out some favorite posts:
How Great the Father's Love and
Y'all, Stickers Has Issues
Friday
Book Review: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society
After Bob's adamant review/ admonition that I MUST read this book ... well, I had to read it. It did NOT disappoint. Set just after World War II, it is a poignant look at how much war affects EVERYONE, even the landscape, yet still a precious story of hope, spunk, and re-building. Bob mentioned this, but I had forgotten -- it is letters back and forth, and such a precious look human spirit. Thumbs up. Go read.
Thursday
Drumroll Please...!
First, thank you for suggesting some favorite blog posts! So fun!
If you would like to read two favorites here are links to:
Considering Valentine's Day and
The Beast vs. M.D. Anderson
If you still haven't voted in the Theobloggers Christian Blogger Awards, vote here. You can vote once per computer! :-)
***********************************************************************
I am delayed in getting around to doing this because I WANTED to have a fun button to use for my guest bloggers, but it's not working. So, I shan't be all perfectionist-y, we shall trudge forward without a logo or button for my guest blogger for today.
A few weeks ago (that's already been two weeks, can you believe it?) I went out on a limb here and shared my God-dream with you, you awesome COTR readers, you. And you, you awesome COTR readers, you were your awesome selves. So sweet and encouraging and supportive. And I want us to share the love! So the next day I suggested that we share some other God-dreams out there -- no dream too big or too small. Let's hear 'em!
Of course, faithful Dad was one of the first to jump on the bandwagon. And since, if not for Dad, I wouldn't be around to have a God-dream, I find it only fitting for him to be my first guest-blogger to share his God-dream.
So, welcome Dad to COTR Guest-Blogger for the day:
So, tell The Cleft of the Rock readers a little about yourself: I'm a 64-year old Realtor, husband, father, grandfather, motorcycle enthusiast, sinner saved by Grace. I have been through some incredible health problems, my delivery from which assures me that God has big plans for me, and I pray every day for a glimpse of those plans.
How often do you stop by The Cleft of the Rock and what brings you by? At LEAST twice a day. I go there because of the content and quality of the writing, and of course because the blogger is my one and only daughter and I'm her biggest fan. But way beyond that, the frequent spiritual "lifts" I find there are truly valuable for a pilgrim like me that needs a thoughtful, and thought-provoking, "pick me up". Additionally, there are frequent links there for other writers I'm not aware of, and when Sarah finds them valuable, so do I.
Do you have a God-dream? Do you have more than one? Tell us about it(them): My main God-dream is to get a copy of "Hope in the Face of Cancer" into the hands of every newly-diagnosed patient I possibly can. God made entirely too many things come together for me to not know that's what I'm supposed to be doing - to use my cancer journey to assist others. Another God-dream is to be able to retire and devote myself to ministering full time to the members of my church. Due to the sour economy, that of course isn't coming together the way I expected it to, but God knows what he's doing so that it will come in its own time.
Are you currently doing anything toward this particular God-dream? I'm actively involved in getting the book out wherever and whenever I learn of someone who needs it. God has allowed me to be friends with the author, and she sells me the books at her cost.
What are some obstacles you see (or tell yourself) about your God-dream? I don't have any kind of network to be able to learn about who is newly diagnosed and therefore needs the book, so I have to rely on casual conversations. That naturally limits the amount of the blessing I can pass along.
What can other people do to encourage you in your God-dream? Just call me when a friend or relative is diagnosed with cancer. Or pass a copy along yourself. Pray for a cure, so that the author can cease selling the book!
Thanks, Dad, for sharing your God-dream with us. Your giving spirit is a blessing to us all.
If you would like to share your God-dream with us (Lisa Laree, you're up!) I'll email you an 'interview' for you to fill out!
If you would like to read two favorites here are links to:
Considering Valentine's Day and
The Beast vs. M.D. Anderson
If you still haven't voted in the Theobloggers Christian Blogger Awards, vote here. You can vote once per computer! :-)
***********************************************************************
I am delayed in getting around to doing this because I WANTED to have a fun button to use for my guest bloggers, but it's not working. So, I shan't be all perfectionist-y, we shall trudge forward without a logo or button for my guest blogger for today.
A few weeks ago (that's already been two weeks, can you believe it?) I went out on a limb here and shared my God-dream with you, you awesome COTR readers, you. And you, you awesome COTR readers, you were your awesome selves. So sweet and encouraging and supportive. And I want us to share the love! So the next day I suggested that we share some other God-dreams out there -- no dream too big or too small. Let's hear 'em!
Of course, faithful Dad was one of the first to jump on the bandwagon. And since, if not for Dad, I wouldn't be around to have a God-dream, I find it only fitting for him to be my first guest-blogger to share his God-dream.
So, welcome Dad to COTR Guest-Blogger for the day:
So, tell The Cleft of the Rock readers a little about yourself: I'm a 64-year old Realtor, husband, father, grandfather, motorcycle enthusiast, sinner saved by Grace. I have been through some incredible health problems, my delivery from which assures me that God has big plans for me, and I pray every day for a glimpse of those plans.
How often do you stop by The Cleft of the Rock and what brings you by? At LEAST twice a day. I go there because of the content and quality of the writing, and of course because the blogger is my one and only daughter and I'm her biggest fan. But way beyond that, the frequent spiritual "lifts" I find there are truly valuable for a pilgrim like me that needs a thoughtful, and thought-provoking, "pick me up". Additionally, there are frequent links there for other writers I'm not aware of, and when Sarah finds them valuable, so do I.
Do you have a God-dream? Do you have more than one? Tell us about it(them): My main God-dream is to get a copy of "Hope in the Face of Cancer" into the hands of every newly-diagnosed patient I possibly can. God made entirely too many things come together for me to not know that's what I'm supposed to be doing - to use my cancer journey to assist others. Another God-dream is to be able to retire and devote myself to ministering full time to the members of my church. Due to the sour economy, that of course isn't coming together the way I expected it to, but God knows what he's doing so that it will come in its own time.
Are you currently doing anything toward this particular God-dream? I'm actively involved in getting the book out wherever and whenever I learn of someone who needs it. God has allowed me to be friends with the author, and she sells me the books at her cost.
What are some obstacles you see (or tell yourself) about your God-dream? I don't have any kind of network to be able to learn about who is newly diagnosed and therefore needs the book, so I have to rely on casual conversations. That naturally limits the amount of the blessing I can pass along.
What can other people do to encourage you in your God-dream? Just call me when a friend or relative is diagnosed with cancer. Or pass a copy along yourself. Pray for a cure, so that the author can cease selling the book!
Thanks, Dad, for sharing your God-dream with us. Your giving spirit is a blessing to us all.
If you would like to share your God-dream with us (Lisa Laree, you're up!) I'll email you an 'interview' for you to fill out!
Wednesday
Get Outta Town!
Y'all are just too sweet. My readers evidently nominated me for Best Blog by a Female Blogger over at the first annual Theobloggers Christian Blog Awards. How nice is that?
I was GOING to come over here and say "vote now! vote often!" (I THINK you can actually only vote once, though) but then I went and saw that two of the sweetest people EVER share the ballot with me!
Dee, who is blog buddies with Denise and Tammy, and our own
Red Hot Momma, Amanda are also nominated for the award. (Amanda leaves no stone unturned about a godly marriage on her blog. Love it -- she's also been a 'Good Thing..' over here!)
So, vote your conscience over there. Winners will be announced at Tulsa Workshop on March 28.
Hey, I have an idea...! In the comments, tell me about one (only choose one -- Roxanne!) of your favorite blog posts of mine. Okay, I'll make it easier on Roxanne -- I'll go ahead and put the recent Valentine's one, the baked potato one, and maybe my 'What I've learned' (birthday) one on the list. I'll include links to some of those from your list over the next few days if any newcomers are 'scoping me out' trying to decide before voting. If nothing else, it will be FUN! :-)
Poor Riley -- his random fact of the week got upstaged by that news, but it is definitely worth sharing still.
So at lunch on Sunday, family is discussing a PRECIOUS friend we have that I recently learned was a stewardess for her pre-children career.
Riley: "Stewardesses is the longest word you can type on a keyboard using only your left hand."
"May I PLEASE use that for a random fact for the week?"
"Absolutely. It's TRUE!"
And so it is. I shall type it one more time just to prove it: stewardesses. See? You try it!
I was GOING to come over here and say "vote now! vote often!" (I THINK you can actually only vote once, though) but then I went and saw that two of the sweetest people EVER share the ballot with me!
Dee, who is blog buddies with Denise and Tammy, and our own
Red Hot Momma, Amanda are also nominated for the award. (Amanda leaves no stone unturned about a godly marriage on her blog. Love it -- she's also been a 'Good Thing..' over here!)
So, vote your conscience over there. Winners will be announced at Tulsa Workshop on March 28.
Hey, I have an idea...! In the comments, tell me about one (only choose one -- Roxanne!) of your favorite blog posts of mine. Okay, I'll make it easier on Roxanne -- I'll go ahead and put the recent Valentine's one, the baked potato one, and maybe my 'What I've learned' (birthday) one on the list. I'll include links to some of those from your list over the next few days if any newcomers are 'scoping me out' trying to decide before voting. If nothing else, it will be FUN! :-)
Poor Riley -- his random fact of the week got upstaged by that news, but it is definitely worth sharing still.
So at lunch on Sunday, family is discussing a PRECIOUS friend we have that I recently learned was a stewardess for her pre-children career.
Riley: "Stewardesses is the longest word you can type on a keyboard using only your left hand."
"May I PLEASE use that for a random fact for the week?"
"Absolutely. It's TRUE!"
And so it is. I shall type it one more time just to prove it: stewardesses. See? You try it!
Tuesday
Monday
Do Not Fear
I am looking these up, largely with the help of this site.
They are really for a project for later, but I really needed them right now. I think I'm going to see how many of these I can recite from memory by next Sunday. I would love for you to join me.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6
The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1
For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." Romans 8:15
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7
They are really for a project for later, but I really needed them right now. I think I'm going to see how many of these I can recite from memory by next Sunday. I would love for you to join me.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6
The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1
For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." Romans 8:15
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7
Sunday
Good Things Out There
This is why I don't know Good Things Out There -- I've been re-doing this thing all week long... Still not quite finished, my apologies to Denise and Judy...
I can't believe my hubsters didn't write this song. My apologies now, but it will make you hungry for something you can't GET on Sunday! :-)
If you would like to add your 'Good Thing' button to your blog, copy the code into an 'HTML' box on your sidebar:
Saturday
Get. A. Life.
A quote from someone who was speaking directly to me (yes, she was serious), in conspiratorial tones:
"There just may have to be a coup."
What would require such drastic change of power?
PTA officers, of course.
Just don't get blood on your Gucci purse, sweety.
"There just may have to be a coup."
What would require such drastic change of power?
PTA officers, of course.
Just don't get blood on your Gucci purse, sweety.
Friday
Book Review: No One You Know
Another FABULOSO book by Michelle Richmond, author of Year of Fog. Not quite as difficult to read -- but it still starts out with the most horrific event of the whole book: the murder of the main character's sister 20 prior to the setting of the book. But all in all, fabulous!!
I LOVE Michelle Richmond's writing -- I can completely get lost in it. And I think I would really love Michelle Richmond, too. There is a HILARIOUS part that is something of an inside joke to her faithful readers where the character happens across a book collection where the theme is 'fog'. Without naming her previous novel, she mentions a 'book about fog that had a kidnapping in it' and something about it being too drawn out or something. Can't really remember the entirety of it, but I loved the wink/ nod to me, a faithful reader!
I really think you would enjoy this book. Other than some PG-type discussion of the finding her sister's body, the rest of the book is clean as a whistle. Thumbs up.
I'm currently reading a recommendation from Bob. I am SO loving it. (No wait at our library! Woo-hoo) I'll tell you about it next week!
Wednesday
Encourage One Another
I really wanted to actually write my 'acknowledgement' page of my yet-to-be-published (or completely written, or entirely thought-through) book, but for now you will simply have to bear with me as I make a few thanks.
You never know what simple little word(s) will carry someone through for the day, perhaps even for a lifetime. There is one precious young mom (young -- she's about my age, but we met when we were young) in Temple where we used to live who, to this day, talks about how much she remembers one sentence of kindness uttered to her ... about 8 or 9 years ago. I have ZERO recollection of those words, but they must have carried her through when needed.
Too often, I recall others' words of hurt and devaluing. Sadly, too often I also remember my own words that sling hurt and belittle others.
This last week I have not been thinking of hurtful words. I have been thinking of building words.
I think of my friend Robin, tiny and soft-spoken, patting the table for emphasis (other people would slap the table, but Robin is genteel and therefore will pat the table as patting a precious baby) while her blue eyes bore a hole in my heart, "You are a writer. You are. You are a writer." (part of why this matters is Robin's background -- she knows writers). This was last summer at a wedding reception, but those 10 words have helped me put one foot in front of the other MANY times in the last 9 months.
I have thought of the precious souls --- all of you people!! --- wrote encouraging words as I tossed out my God-dream. You have NO idea how much each of those meant to me. Some I keep coming back to re-read. Lisa Laree, to remind me that my writing caused her to keep coming back -- well, that was an "apple of gold in a setting of silver".
I think of sweet Lynn B., who I (along with my husband) look WAY up to, and not just because he's real tall. He has consistently blessed me with kind words about my talents, and continues to do so and be a quiet but consistent cheerleader.
Then there's Angela, who not only offered encouraging words, but is helping me refine my skill. There's Christy, who offered to get me in touch with published-author-friend so I can hear the ins and outs. There are SO many of you, Craig, Aralee, Brooke, Kim, and others that pop in from facebook and write very encouraging words.
And there's the 'old-standby's-- those close to me that are sometimes overlooked because, in my heart, they HAVE to be nice to me! :-) My parents, my husband, my coffee group, my church family -- all consistent cheerleaders.
I can't name every name, I can't think of every time, but this I do know: I would never have tried this writing thing without those words. I would have quit long ago, and never looked back. Satan's words of doubt would have won if not for the constant chatter of those around me in sprinklings throughout my week: "You have a gift." "You did it again -- great work." "I love what you said."
So, if you have ever spoken one word of encouragement to ANYONE -- thank you. You never know, but you may have been the ONE voice to keep that person going for that one day.
"A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver." Proverbs 25:11
You never know what simple little word(s) will carry someone through for the day, perhaps even for a lifetime. There is one precious young mom (young -- she's about my age, but we met when we were young) in Temple where we used to live who, to this day, talks about how much she remembers one sentence of kindness uttered to her ... about 8 or 9 years ago. I have ZERO recollection of those words, but they must have carried her through when needed.
Too often, I recall others' words of hurt and devaluing. Sadly, too often I also remember my own words that sling hurt and belittle others.
This last week I have not been thinking of hurtful words. I have been thinking of building words.
I think of my friend Robin, tiny and soft-spoken, patting the table for emphasis (other people would slap the table, but Robin is genteel and therefore will pat the table as patting a precious baby) while her blue eyes bore a hole in my heart, "You are a writer. You are. You are a writer." (part of why this matters is Robin's background -- she knows writers). This was last summer at a wedding reception, but those 10 words have helped me put one foot in front of the other MANY times in the last 9 months.
I have thought of the precious souls --- all of you people!! --- wrote encouraging words as I tossed out my God-dream. You have NO idea how much each of those meant to me. Some I keep coming back to re-read. Lisa Laree, to remind me that my writing caused her to keep coming back -- well, that was an "apple of gold in a setting of silver".
I think of sweet Lynn B., who I (along with my husband) look WAY up to, and not just because he's real tall. He has consistently blessed me with kind words about my talents, and continues to do so and be a quiet but consistent cheerleader.
Then there's Angela, who not only offered encouraging words, but is helping me refine my skill. There's Christy, who offered to get me in touch with published-author-friend so I can hear the ins and outs. There are SO many of you, Craig, Aralee, Brooke, Kim, and others that pop in from facebook and write very encouraging words.
And there's the 'old-standby's-- those close to me that are sometimes overlooked because, in my heart, they HAVE to be nice to me! :-) My parents, my husband, my coffee group, my church family -- all consistent cheerleaders.
I can't name every name, I can't think of every time, but this I do know: I would never have tried this writing thing without those words. I would have quit long ago, and never looked back. Satan's words of doubt would have won if not for the constant chatter of those around me in sprinklings throughout my week: "You have a gift." "You did it again -- great work." "I love what you said."
So, if you have ever spoken one word of encouragement to ANYONE -- thank you. You never know, but you may have been the ONE voice to keep that person going for that one day.
"A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver." Proverbs 25:11
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