Boyd on Marriage Amendment

I don't always agree with everything this pastor has to say, but I find his willingness to be "real" quite inviting. He'll wrestle with any topic...without fear...and he loves Jesus so much. This video...about quite a controversial topic...is really interesting to me...and interesting to think about. Hmm...

Annie Lobert

Powerful story of a lady who runs a ministry in Vegas called "Hookers for Jesus". Amazing.

Done

I decided to make the break. I don't know why it can be so hard for me...it certainly doesn't seem so difficult for others...but I did it. I cut ties.

I think I sometimes hold on to strings of relationship in the hopes they'll come back to life. That, or I weirdly feed some bitterness by maintaining a minute connection...to remind myself of the hurt. Either way...not anymore. At least, not with this crew. I'm not allowing my disagreement with their choices to rule my quality of life today!! The hurt was real and was not okay, but I don't have to allow it to have a voice any longer. It can truly be something of the past.

Letting it be...done.

#delete #steppingstone

Eva

Wow...Eva Cassidy. A voice gone too soon. But...as the commentator says..."So many of her favorite songs...were about how it isn't over when it's over..."

Howling Wilderness

Sad Days

Well...two of my friends lost parents this week to battles with cancer.

Far too young. Gone so quickly.

My heart just breaks for them. So, so, so very sad.

Please pray for Amy. She lost her Mom, Cheryl. And, pray for Steph. She lost her Dad, Herschel.

Two very special people.

----

On a more selfish note...I just have to admit. The heartbreak makes me miss Mr. Right. Sometimes a hand just needs holding, you know? Sigh.

Let it be...

I look to You

I know some aren't fond of Miss Whitney. I am. :) This song has been on my heart lately. I love the words.

The Real Deal

Wow...I'm telling ya...this "with-God" life (the here and now, relational life with God) is REAL!!! When I stopped to pay attention, He was speaking to my heavy and confused heart. A children's song, actually...being sung to my soul...

"...walking and leaping and praising God, walking and leaping and praising God...in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk!!"

He is always breathing life to our hearts. Receive!! :)

Don't Open Something That's Closed

...or at least only open it when you are supposed to do so...

Here's what I mean...

I had a blast from the past reminder this weekend. One of those old wound sort of things. Honestly, it's something I've faced and moved through. A long time ago God helped me "go there", feel it, let it go and heal. In a sense we closed the door on that.

Now, I will say...it's not an uncommon thing to have to do further healing on matters of the heart. Goodness, if God did all His surgery on us at once, we'd surely die!! Phew...ever the Gentleman, He brings us to healing in doses that, together, we can face. Moving toward His shalom-completion. So, when it comes up again, it's not a failure!! God may just want to further what He's started. A very good thing!

Once in a while, though...and the issue I faced...the resurfacing of pain is at our own hand. Opening a door that was meant to stay closed. Yep...this girl took an old pain, opened it up and ran with all the icky messages that the first wound told my heart. Messy stuff.

Thankfully, I woke up a bit and stopped the spiral, but I stood stunned at my willingness to launch through a door that God wasn't really leading me to open again. So...He and I had to do some "re-packing" and "closing" again last night. Sigh. He's good that way.

Perhaps it is the fear of the "new" that makes us willing to re-enter the "icky". The shitty seems familiar...hence, weirdly comforting...as compared to the new frontier and all of its unknowns.

Well...rebuilding and relaunching. Bewildering but thankfully not a "last stop". :)

Life Goes On! :)

Where's your work going?

"With"

I highly recommend this book. It's not an "end-all", but it starts some great "thinkings". It's about the notion...the real REALITY that God desires the "with" life. He's not a far-off God. He's here, now and wanting real relationship in this moment. Powerful stuff.

Loss and Loving

One of my very good friends is facing some things a daughter shouldn't have to face...not at this age. Her Dad is in a fight for his life. Every day brings a new set of challenges...setbacks that signal a possible end or hope that things may be improving. It's a roller coaster ride that's brutal on the heart.

So, first...please pray for them! I love them all so much!

Second...it's been squeezing my heart in regards to my parents. The thought of life without them. Reminders of almost losing my Mom to cancer. That, and the ache for my friend's suffering. Ugh...my heart has been full of sorrow.

God keeps reminding me that He is our peace...so this girl is being real with Him and trusting He will bring the stillness and rest that only his embrace can bring...those wide open spaces of grace.

Girl on Fire

Draw the Line

Well...something that's not easy for me to do...demanding better treatment and setting boundaries to promote that. It's definitely a difficult thing...caring for self shouldn't make someone feel so guilty. Sigh...but it does. Oh well...temporary discomfort for long-lasting peace...and way less crap from arrogant people. Yep, it's necessary.

Powerful

Nefarious: Merchant of Souls

Heart-wrenching. Not for children. A powerful glimpse into the realities of sex trafficking and prostitution...and the beautiful love of Jesus and good people who stand for freedom...

For the Women

Well...what a season it has been! Since the completion of my thesis, I have felt freedom to start looking at my purpose...my dreams...some God-sized and God-partnered exploration.

The theme lately seems to be a heart for women's issues. Really the suffering of women has been a heartbreak of mine since I can remember...so it's not surprising. The confirmations, though, have most definitely reconnected me with that concern. Those included viewing two movies, "Half the Sky" and "Nefarious: Merchant of Souls", going to a benefit gala for The Refuge, a shelter for victims of domestic violence, participating in the Trek Bike Ride for breast cancer research, and arranging guests for an upcoming fundraiser for our local Pregnancy Resource Center. I don't know that I will work with some of the specific causes highlighted by those events, but my compassion for women and overwhelming desire for them to know their God-given worth are most definitely at the top of my Life Passion list.

Here's to more dreaming!!...and serving accordingly!