Outbursts

*effusion: an unrestrained expression of emotion
*a sudden intense happening; "an outburst of heavy rain"; "a burst of lightning"
*a sudden violent disturbance

The word "outburst" is typically associated with the last definition listed above..."a sudden violent disturbance".

Sometimes, as parents, we've experienced our toddlers having "outbursts" at inappropriate moments.



At times, a parent may have an "outburst" if patience has run thin.

And, let's be honest here, ever been to some type of church Committee Meeting?

Well, anyway, as I was reading recently, I ran across a scripture that stuck with me and I've posted on my wall beside my desk...just to remind me that some outbursts can be good!

Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds! Hebrews 10:24 (NLT)

May your outbursts be many!
Blessings!

30

What you are looking at is approximately 30 pounds of butter.

That's what I've lost...so far...

Well, I've not lost 30 lbs of butter, but whatever that is that you lose when you're trying to lose weight.

Fat, Water, Muscle, your mind...

Anyway, I've lost 30 lbs of it.

Blessings.

Peanut Butter and Chocolate

If you are a fan of peanut butter and chocolate...together...at the same time...

Let me introduce you to my latest creation, of which I'm rather proud. Nothing complicated. Just delicious.

Home made brownies.
Peanut Butter Icing (home made, of course)
Peanut Butter Cups chopped and placed on top. (those, I'm ashamed to say, are store bought!)

Anyway, that's all I have to say about that.

I'm not stepping on the scale until Monday.

Blessings.

Hard Day

Is there a chocolate diet? An "all carbs all the time" diet? How about a "fry everything" diet?

The trouble with mirrors, is that you can see yourself in them.

The problem with cameras is they take pictures of you that are posted then in the church foyer for all to see...(along with others, of course, but the others look good and unfat)

The problem with video taping your church worship time is that even though you weren't the object of the taping, you are all you can see when watching it with disgust!

Whew! Hard day today. I am posting this because I'm just sure there may be one or two others out there who relate. Even though I am equally sure there are those reading this who have no idea what I'm talking about and maybe even think I'm a little silly.

I am struggling like crazy to not just lose weight, but to really like myself in the process...(whether I lose weight or not!)

So, excuse me while I search some scripture and listen to some music. Feeling fat and empty.
Blessings.

Lock In

"Lock In"

• close with or as if with a tight seal; "This vacuum pack locks in the flavor!"
• place in a place where something cannot be removed or someone cannot escape

Husband is the interim Youth Minister until arrangements can be made for another person to take over this spectacular group of kids. He loves the job, he loves the study, he loves the questions, he loves the games, he particularly loves the kids. He is really not more than about "12" himself, maybe "15" on a good day, so this is a dream job for him!

Monday is a holiday, so what must be done on a holiday weekend? Take your wife to the beach? Clean out a closet or two? Do some creative landscaping?

Oh no, silly...on a long weekend you plan things for the youth group. Things like a "lock in". (see definition #2 above)

These kids show up at 5:30 Sunday night. Enjoy some dinner together...many games...prayer...devotional with question and answer time...movies...snacks...etc. The alarm is set on the building so there can be no entering by strangers or exiting by students.

It is now 4:45 a.m. and husband is still irritatingly chipper and happy and full of energy. Me? I feel old and sore and very tired! In about an hour and a half, I will put some breakfast out for them and then they will head home...to sleep...except for one precious young man who has football practice at 7:00 a.m. Can you imagine? Staying up all night and then heading to football practice?

Let me think about that for a minute...I can't even imagine having football practice on a full night sleep, much less no sleep at all!

Well, bless them all. They are wonderful young people with sweet hearts and happy spirits. I do feel blessed to be around them...even if it means I miss a night of my beauty sleep. I can sleep any time, right? How often do you get to hang out with such cool young people!?

Blessings!

Heart of Praise

If you check out our minister's blog @ http://jlockeblog.blogspot.com/ , you will read about a "Retreat" the ministers of this church experienced last week.

For many reasons, which I will save for another post, it was a very funny experience. Lots of things to be learned about each other. You can't drive for hours and spend a complete day together without learning something new, and laughing a time or two.

However, one of my favorite things was the opportunity to sit on a bench overlooking the ocean. As I listened to the waves crash against the cliff, and watched the water come in and then gently retreat back to the sea, I couldn't help but have a heart of praise and wonder.

It doesn't matter what I'm going through personally, I thought as I sat there. Good or bad, it is tiny compared to the glory of God and the splendor He possesses.

^{Psalm 57:7}
My heart, O God, is steadfast,
my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make music.

I couldn't help but sing...quietly...calmly...most assuredly in the arms of the great and mighty God.

Blessings as you feel His arms of love around you today.