Grounded Where?

I've heard that we shouldn't live in the past. Yep, I agree. While good to revisit to remember old lessons and lay old wounds to rest, we shouldn't linger. All that looking back causes neck cramping...

I've heard that we shouldn't live in tomorrow too much either. Always waiting for the next big thing but never taking the steps necessary to get there... Yep, I concur.

I've decided, though, that living in the "now" isn't good either. Too much "today" makes a person forget that there's been a yesterday and there's going to be a tomorrow... Doesn't it seem like all of the "now, now, now" replaces the growth of patience with a dose of pressure?

Where to plant one's feet??...maybe a little of all...

...Or just float in the clouds...that's what I'm thinking.... ;)

"This is the Truth Upside Down"

David Wilkerson

David Wilkerson died. He is known for starting the national drug recovery ministry, Teen Challenge, and for his book, "The Cross and the Switchblade", which details how God used him to reach a gang leader named Nicky Cruz. What a powerful story!...and what an amazing man!

"You could cut me up into a thousand pieces and lay them in the street, and every piece will still love you." - David Wilkerson

"...and for two weeks I could not sleep because of love..." - Nicky Cruz

Reversed Thinking

Watch this!!! Interesting!

Good Reminder

‎"Even some of the guards became followers: the trick is for the followers not to think they need to become guards." - Bob Goff

Grammar Nightmare

I'm worried about the devolution of grammar in our country...HAHA! It's like people don't know how to use Basic Writing 101!! I'm assuming that the texting revolution has a bit to do with it, but it certainly can't be the entire problem. Hmm...

So...a new one for you...

Today, I saw someone massacre "are, our and hour". HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE??? I'm used to the puzzling placement of "they're, there, their" or "you're, your". They can be tricky! But "are, our, hour"???

So...thanks to dictionary.com...

Are: A "be" verb....as in "We are going to practice grammar." or "They are going to lose their minds."

Our: An attributive adjective, a possessive...as in "Our class can't take it anymore." or "Don't take our sanity!"

Hour: A noun indicating a period of time...as in "I wish I had an hour to bang my head against a wall."

*sigh* ;)

Hearing...Myself

Hahaha! You are probably wondering what in the world I'm talking about now. ;) Well, my mom just gave me a copy of a sermon I recently gave at church. Listening to it has been a good, odd and awkward experience. Why?...I've NEVER heard myself speak before!! While bizarre to hear my own voice and many quirks (Hehe), it's SO good to do a little self-evaluation. Strengths, weaknesses, areas to improve, etc. A good experience.

Hmm...

Arrogance undermines conviction, sectarian or secular...revealing how much a person desperately needs a belief to be true rather than allowing the belief to be pure, genuine and marked by passion. It only attracts the fearful and proud...which likely isn't a pleasant, long-term grouping. Yikes.

Gravity

Because You Loved Me

Catherine

If I ever have kids...adopted or not...and one is a girl...I want her to be a "Catherine". With a "C". Hopefully the father will be ok with that... Haha!! :)

End of Convo

So I was telling someone about the Greg Boyd quote that I posted below and experienced the complete shutdown of conversation. That's it...done. I guess it's good to know where "chat" can happen and where it can't, but I guess it just makes me a little sad. Oh well...on to the next thing. :)

Jesus and Women :)

One of my absolute favorite things about my Hottie Jesus is how He treats women. He obliterated so many of the ridiculous rules. He spoke to them, he touched them, he validated worth... The clip in the beginning of this video is of Jesus and the woman who was caught in adultery. The Pharisees were going to stone her, but Jesus stood up for her...and for who she was made to be.

A good reminder for the Easter season...the restoration He brought...

Too True!

It was God’s love, not his wrath, that needed to be “satisfied” with the death of Jesus. “For God so loved… that he gave…” - Greg Boyd

Colossal

OH...MY...GOSH! This day went to...umm, hell (Shh!)...before it even began! The strategic part of me strongly dislikes poorly planned activities...STRONGLY! It puts me into constant "trouble-shooting" mode. Usually I don't mind that because it's a strength I have, but when it's due to ridiculousness, it's not so cool. People who don't do what they should and others who do what they shouldn't. Add 150 students to that??? Yowza!!!

THANK GOD for Jeff and Jody!!! They always jump in to "right" the ship.

Waiting for the final bell to ring so I can get outta here!!!! Four day weekend, here I come!

Something Way Beyond Myself

Something in your Eyes

My kiddos like this artist a ton lately. He's produced by TobyMac, I think! Fun!

Comment Indicator

Being that I enjoy Facebook and Twitter...umm, a lot...I've started to notice how each person tends to make comments/updates. Have you ever noticed how many people seem to be fear-based? They talk on and on about all of the "bad guys" out there and the latest conspiracies, and they use their words of faith as a combative measure.

It's weird...and sad...and actually embarassing...

Then are there others that seem to be so uniquely love-based that it's actually attractive. It's like they spray out fresh flowers with every word.

I think I want to become more and more of a love-based gal. No matter what comes, my reality will be marked by joy, hope, peace...

NO...FEAR...ALLOWED!

Great Article!!

Parents, Don't Dress Your Girls Like Tramps

Intelligent Design

This is definitely NOT for people who dislike healthy conversation about the Evolution-Creation debate. I've run into people on all sides of the issue that are incapable of respectful dialogue. I know this because I've held pretty much every theory from Short-Day to Athiestic Evolution. Haha! BUT....because there are so many people who are able and interested...check out the video "Unlocking the Mysteries of Life" or the book "Darwin's Black Box". Both are a little dry, but the "sciency" types might find it pretty fascinating. Proteins, amino acids, DNA bases...*sigh*...fun stuff! ;)

Moon River

I've been doing a "30 Day Song Challenge" on Facebook where we have assignments each day to post songs that meet the criteria. Today's was "a song that you can fall asleep to". I have to say "Moon River" has always been a good, dreamy song for me. Even now, I could nod off to Wonderland listening to it...but my lunch break only goes for so long...hehe. I was only recently introduced to Patti Page, and she, of course, hits it out of the park.

My Jesus and "After"

We've been doing a sermon series at church called "Living the Lord's Prayer". It's been SO great! Aaron had the topic yesterday which covered the phrase "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one". At one point the story of Peter's denial of Christ was brought up, and a particular verse really struck me.

"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32

What a beautiful picture of the heart of Jesus in a moment of a "fall"!!! Jesus warns him of a coming temptation with total awareness that Peter will stumble, but His sights are NOT set on the sin. He's focused on the RETURN and even gives Peter instructions for encouraging the others when he comes back.

THAT'S...AMAZING!!!

It doesn't diminish the seriousness of our choices to walk away at all...but it gives us a picture of Jesus' focus...RESTORATION.

What a huge invitation for the church to move through and beyond the cross to BIGGER, restored living. The re-entrance of hope, joy, intimacy, mission... So, so, so many (personally and corporately) camp around "sin" but neglect the true heart expressed in the suffering on the cross. The fact that it's a sacrificial gate to...restored life. Jesus didn't stay there...I'm guessing God's kiddos shouldn't linger too long either...

There's a TON of LIVING to do...

The "Sad"

Does this ever happen to you? Something comes up that shouldn't make you feel sad anymore but for some reason it does?? Things that you've learned to close your heart to, things you've let go, things you feel you've made peace with...and then for some unknown reason you find yourself in a situation that brings up some piece of it and you are sad. Wow...that happened to me this weekend. I found myself surprisingly...sorrowful.

Of course, being the analyzer that I am, I immediately wondered if there's something wrong with me or if I'm losing my marbles all over again. But no...maybe it's just a remnant of something good that needs to be grieved. Maybe a memory to bid 'farewell' to... Who knows?

Regardless...I'm so glad I have the sister I do...she gives my feelings some validation. I'm also so glad that I have the God I do...He's good to fall back into and rest.

A Song for the Broken Heart

This song has come with me through some "broken heart" moments. I highly recommend it! Tough but good!

I'll Be Okay - Amanda Marshall

Sadness

Days like today remind me how much I wish there was more room for kids to be real. The church, the home, the culture in general...we are really bad at making space for hearts to be real. There are a lot of broken hearts out there. Without freedom and space to heal we can only default to turning life inside out to feed the pain. We are meant for so much more than that.

Has me a bit sad today...

Uncle's Wisdom

My Uncle John wrote this the other day, and I wholeheartedly agree.

"Christians are not figuring out how to talk to each other--rooting out heresy is replacing love--yuk".

ECRW Meeting

We had our second meeting for the East Central Republican Women (ECRW) tonight, highlighting Anne Neu, the campaign manager for Chip Cravaack. Oh my gosh!!!...there were so many new people there!!! How exciting! All complimented by great cheesecake and wine...it was a fantastic night!! :)

Chip Cravaack...Swoon

Some of the teachers were discussing the student trip to Washington D.C. that will happen during the next school year. One of them asked if I'd consider being a chaperone this year. Normally that's a complete joke, and we all laugh. Everyone knows that it's safer for the kids...and me...if I stay back...Haha! This time, though, my gut response was, "I wonder if Chip Cravaack will be in D.C at the time". HAHAHA!

I don't know what it is, but that guy is so...cute. I could pretty much faint being around him. I think he's a combo of good looking and inspiring...pretty much my downfall. Yes, I'm a respecter of the "ring", so no worries there...but we can all safely say that I'm a huge...admirer. ;)

As to chaperoning...maybe. Haha!

Kiddo Surprises

In a little sermonette for my kiddos a while ago, I shared an experience I had with God where He sang a little song to me. It was so encouraging for the moment...a moment in His embrace. Well, every now and then, some of them like to have that song come on as a little surprise, and they like to see if I'll notice. We're talking high school boys!!! Haha! They reveal their hearts so much more than they know. Today was another day. A group of them and I were setting up for chapel, and all of a sudden the song was filling the multi-purpose room. It...was...awesome! Another reminder that God is always right there with us.

They like the version by Adele. :)

Red Team...The Bane of my Existence

I went to sign up our team for the sand volleyball league at Junction Bowl. There was an official rules meeting so everyone could get on the same page. Well, of course, the infamous "Red" team was there to sign up. Yes, this would be the team that brings out my inner psycho. Rage, swearing, violence...it's all there. ;) I went into the meeting thinking that I would really work on giving them a chance this season...not holding their crap against them, not letting my buttons get pushed so much...

Tick...tick...BOOM!

They opened their bratty mouthes in the meeting and I lost all resolve...HAHAHA!

I literally sat there thinking, "Ohhhh crap...Jesus loves you. Jesus loves you...I'm going to spike you in the face...Jesus loves you. Jesus loves you..."

AHHHH!...Help me, Lord! (Or help them...hehe.)