I'm writing this at my own risk.
I am quite exhausted and discouraged, and that never bids well for the writings of a blog, does it?
So, here's my single rant for the day.
People who are constantly late. Late to work. Late to dinner. Late to the meeting. Late to worship. You get my drift.
However, they all basically say, "I'm more important than you. My time is more valuable than your time." At least that's how I see it. Which may be why it bothers me so!
But my very favorite are the people who are late to worship and then are mad because there aren't any seats in the back for them to slip into. I guess they don't want everybody else to know how late they really are. The worship team sees them, the speaker sees them, the people in the back corner have their worship disrupted, every week. But, really, to be angry because there wasn't a seat saved for you 15-20 minutes after start time?
I'm not sure how to respond to that.
So, probably through lack of better judgement, I'll just blog about it and get it off my chest!
I feel much better...at least until next Sunday around 9:20 when I watch it happen all over again!
Blessings.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
Diets...II
So, I was complaining to Lex that I just didn't think this diet was for me and, although I'm willing to continue cooking to accommodate he and sweet son, I was going to have to do something different. I was ranting, in a sort of gentle way, that I haven't seen enough change in the scale and that just wasn't going to cut it for me. I was continuing on about how they were losing more because men and women are just built different and what works for them doesn't necessarily work for me. As I continued on, really not even talking to him any longer...just talking out loud, he quietly said my name about three times. I heard it but couldn't imagine why he was interrupting my beautiful dissertation when I finally became irritated and said...
"What!?"
"But do you feel better? Do you have more energy? Are you sleeping better at night?"
O brother. What stupid questions. I'm talking about pounds here! Not feelings!
Lex continues..."I don't know why people are so wrapped up in the scale thing. It's about health. About how you feel. The pounds come off eventually if you're doing good things for your body."
Good grief! He just doesn't know anything about competitive dieting!
Blessings!
"What!?"
"But do you feel better? Do you have more energy? Are you sleeping better at night?"
O brother. What stupid questions. I'm talking about pounds here! Not feelings!
Lex continues..."I don't know why people are so wrapped up in the scale thing. It's about health. About how you feel. The pounds come off eventually if you're doing good things for your body."
Good grief! He just doesn't know anything about competitive dieting!
Blessings!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Diets
A few weeks ago, my boys and I decided for various reasons that we needed to eat healthier.
So, we set out on a little healthy competition. They (the boys) felt comfortable with an "Adkins-type" diet and I agreed, wanting to be the supportive spouse and mother that I am. Adkins, as you all know, is a high protein low carb diet eating plan. Lots of meat, chicken, fish, sausage, bacon, cheese, whole milk, all fat sour cream. You are supposed to eat plenty of vegies (but the right kind of vegies...no carrots, corn, potatoes).
Let me say, on this the end of week three, I am sick of meat patties and green beans. AND, to top it off, I, the one who usually loses 10-15 lbs the first two weeks of a diet, have only lost 6 lbs! Yes, you heard me correctly. 3 weeks = 6 lbs. Avery, however, lost 6 lbs the first week he was on it.
Goodness. I need to make some adjustments because let me tell you, I just can't let that kid pass me up on the weight loss competition!
There are so many things he can do that I can't do. Math, Science, Computers, Build Rockets, Tear apart and re-build engines...just for the fun of it, Lift couches. But this, the diet thing, I'm the master of this. He can't beat me at this, too!
O.K. It's on baby!
Blessings!
So, we set out on a little healthy competition. They (the boys) felt comfortable with an "Adkins-type" diet and I agreed, wanting to be the supportive spouse and mother that I am. Adkins, as you all know, is a high protein low carb diet eating plan. Lots of meat, chicken, fish, sausage, bacon, cheese, whole milk, all fat sour cream. You are supposed to eat plenty of vegies (but the right kind of vegies...no carrots, corn, potatoes).
Let me say, on this the end of week three, I am sick of meat patties and green beans. AND, to top it off, I, the one who usually loses 10-15 lbs the first two weeks of a diet, have only lost 6 lbs! Yes, you heard me correctly. 3 weeks = 6 lbs. Avery, however, lost 6 lbs the first week he was on it.
Goodness. I need to make some adjustments because let me tell you, I just can't let that kid pass me up on the weight loss competition!
There are so many things he can do that I can't do. Math, Science, Computers, Build Rockets, Tear apart and re-build engines...just for the fun of it, Lift couches. But this, the diet thing, I'm the master of this. He can't beat me at this, too!
O.K. It's on baby!
Blessings!
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Psalm 33:13-15
"The Lord looks down from heaven and sees the whole human race. From his throne he observes all who live on the earth. He made their hearts, so he understands everything they do."
Watching the news can be discouraging. I find myself asking "why?!?" an awful lot. So much doesn't make sense to me. The anger, the destruction, the sadness, the harm done to one another. But then, I open my Bible and because I rest in the book of Psalm quite often, there is a page loose, close to coming out. That page wiggled its way out today and I found the verse above.
I don't need to know why. I can't fix the world. But, I can pray to have the heart of God so that I see people the way God does. I'm not God. I won't ever understand everything, as He does. I can just keep trying and rest in the fact that God does know...God does understand...God does love.
Blessings.
Watching the news can be discouraging. I find myself asking "why?!?" an awful lot. So much doesn't make sense to me. The anger, the destruction, the sadness, the harm done to one another. But then, I open my Bible and because I rest in the book of Psalm quite often, there is a page loose, close to coming out. That page wiggled its way out today and I found the verse above.
I don't need to know why. I can't fix the world. But, I can pray to have the heart of God so that I see people the way God does. I'm not God. I won't ever understand everything, as He does. I can just keep trying and rest in the fact that God does know...God does understand...God does love.
Blessings.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Honoring God
I've been thinking a lot about my purpose...
I used to think my main purpose was to be a good mother. To raise my children to love and respect God as well as themselves.
When I was younger, (much younger) I thought maybe my purpose was to write and sing music that would bring people closer in relationship with Jesus Christ.
I've thought about my role in the church and how God-driven it has been, so, obviously (wink, wink) that must have been my purpose...to lead worship?
Have you seen the story that is all over the news? Oprah, Matt Lauer interviews, Internet...about the girls from Taylor University in a horrific accident. Their identity was switched, so for 5 weeks, one family thought their daughter was dead while all along was in a hospital bed. The family of the dead girl stood by the girl in the hospital for 24 hours a day for 5 weeks thinking that was their daughter/sister.
What is amazing about this story, is the love and mercy and godliness that exudes from both families. I watched them interviewed again last night on a taped Oprah show. I saw Oprah visibly shaken with the story, but more important, their shining hearts for Jesus. I heard Matt Lauer from the Today Show talk about this being absolutely the two nicest families he's ever met and how this story will never leave him. He talked about how their faith was evident and he will forever be affected by their story.
After watching this with Lex, I said that I hope and pray I never have to deal with such heartbreaking things. I can't imagine the pain and the suffering both these families have endured. But, look at the way the world is seeing the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ because of their suffering. Isn't that our purpose? To bring glory to God in all circumstances so that the world will see Him in us?
They were asked by Oprah about anger, resentment, possible legal action against those who mistakenly I.D.'d their daughters. The father of the living girl replied that because of the forgiveness he's been given through Jesus Christ, how can he turn around and be angry? And the other father when asked about his anger regarding losing his beautiful daughter replied that he didn't see it as loss...he just hasn't seen the whole picture, yet. They will be together in heaven.
Wow.
So, whatever my "job", or "title" or "stage of life", whether things run smooth or tragedy hits, my purpose is to bring glory to the Father so that the world will notice Him in me. Sounds simple. But it was a good light bulb moment for me.
Blessings
I used to think my main purpose was to be a good mother. To raise my children to love and respect God as well as themselves.
When I was younger, (much younger) I thought maybe my purpose was to write and sing music that would bring people closer in relationship with Jesus Christ.
I've thought about my role in the church and how God-driven it has been, so, obviously (wink, wink) that must have been my purpose...to lead worship?
Have you seen the story that is all over the news? Oprah, Matt Lauer interviews, Internet...about the girls from Taylor University in a horrific accident. Their identity was switched, so for 5 weeks, one family thought their daughter was dead while all along was in a hospital bed. The family of the dead girl stood by the girl in the hospital for 24 hours a day for 5 weeks thinking that was their daughter/sister.
What is amazing about this story, is the love and mercy and godliness that exudes from both families. I watched them interviewed again last night on a taped Oprah show. I saw Oprah visibly shaken with the story, but more important, their shining hearts for Jesus. I heard Matt Lauer from the Today Show talk about this being absolutely the two nicest families he's ever met and how this story will never leave him. He talked about how their faith was evident and he will forever be affected by their story.
After watching this with Lex, I said that I hope and pray I never have to deal with such heartbreaking things. I can't imagine the pain and the suffering both these families have endured. But, look at the way the world is seeing the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ because of their suffering. Isn't that our purpose? To bring glory to God in all circumstances so that the world will see Him in us?
They were asked by Oprah about anger, resentment, possible legal action against those who mistakenly I.D.'d their daughters. The father of the living girl replied that because of the forgiveness he's been given through Jesus Christ, how can he turn around and be angry? And the other father when asked about his anger regarding losing his beautiful daughter replied that he didn't see it as loss...he just hasn't seen the whole picture, yet. They will be together in heaven.
Wow.
So, whatever my "job", or "title" or "stage of life", whether things run smooth or tragedy hits, my purpose is to bring glory to the Father so that the world will notice Him in me. Sounds simple. But it was a good light bulb moment for me.
Blessings
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
What Defines Us
I talk in great length about my family. My precious children, my sweet husband, my nephew, my friends...
I think, if you didn't know me personally, you would not know that I am also a Worship Minister for a place I love with all my heart.
I don't talk often about that for many reasons...
My work at the church has so many layers. I never want to complain or "air dirty laundry" on the world wide web. Much of what we know or hear or talk about is private. And, most weeks, I am so overwhelmed by the amazing task in front of me, I really can't even speak about it. To be given the opportunities I've been given, particularly as a woman, is so far beyond what I expected that I really don't have words to describe it.
Last Sunday, though, I was so proud of a moment...so blessed by a God driven plan...so amazed, again, that as hard as I "work", it is really the Spirit and God himself who unfolds the goodness for us to see.
There was a song, "Jesus, Let Us Come to Know You", and there was a girl. A beautiful, 5th grade, poised, humble, gifted young girl. The Worship Team "ooo-ed" and she sang:
Jesus, let us come to know you
Let us see you face to face
Touch us, hold us, use us, mold us
Only let us live in you.
Goodness...people were touched beyond measure. It wasn't her voice, although that was clear and beautiful. It wasn't her beautiful dress, although it was breathtakingly gorgeous. It wasn't even her age, although that, too, had a measure of sweetness that an adult couldn't have pulled off.
It was her heart. Her precious, humble, innocent heart. Her mother told her not to worry about the people. Just sing to God.
What we do is about the glory, the love, the exalting of God...not us.
She was perfect. She taught a sermon in one little song.
So, although you will hear me talk about my blessings as a wife and mother often, Sunday, I stood amazed, again at the wisdom and work of God. I felt honored, humbled, so grateful that I have the opportunity to serve Him in this capacity.
Blessings!
I think, if you didn't know me personally, you would not know that I am also a Worship Minister for a place I love with all my heart.
I don't talk often about that for many reasons...
My work at the church has so many layers. I never want to complain or "air dirty laundry" on the world wide web. Much of what we know or hear or talk about is private. And, most weeks, I am so overwhelmed by the amazing task in front of me, I really can't even speak about it. To be given the opportunities I've been given, particularly as a woman, is so far beyond what I expected that I really don't have words to describe it.
Last Sunday, though, I was so proud of a moment...so blessed by a God driven plan...so amazed, again, that as hard as I "work", it is really the Spirit and God himself who unfolds the goodness for us to see.
There was a song, "Jesus, Let Us Come to Know You", and there was a girl. A beautiful, 5th grade, poised, humble, gifted young girl. The Worship Team "ooo-ed" and she sang:
Jesus, let us come to know you
Let us see you face to face
Touch us, hold us, use us, mold us
Only let us live in you.
Goodness...people were touched beyond measure. It wasn't her voice, although that was clear and beautiful. It wasn't her beautiful dress, although it was breathtakingly gorgeous. It wasn't even her age, although that, too, had a measure of sweetness that an adult couldn't have pulled off.
It was her heart. Her precious, humble, innocent heart. Her mother told her not to worry about the people. Just sing to God.
What we do is about the glory, the love, the exalting of God...not us.
She was perfect. She taught a sermon in one little song.
So, although you will hear me talk about my blessings as a wife and mother often, Sunday, I stood amazed, again at the wisdom and work of God. I felt honored, humbled, so grateful that I have the opportunity to serve Him in this capacity.
Blessings!
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