HEY, it's Friday!!

Heartbreaking-  I had never heard of a baby hatch before...I can't begin to imagine.

Hilarious-  As an extrovert, I think this is hilarious.  I had enough bashing thank you very much.

Hmmm-  This is interesting.  Jesus Calling has always bothered me...but after looking at it I decided it was just Scripture put into God's voice.  It still made me uncomfortable but I figured I was just too uptight.  This article put the finger on exactly what bothered me...

Humility-  How to Fight the Sin of Pride, Especially when you are praised...

Happy-  Julie Andrew's voice and Flash Mob...YES!!!

Springing It...Hodgepodge!

*Better late than never...
1.  Thursday marks the first day of spring...to celebrate would you rather plant a garden or go for a walk in the woods? Would either of those activities be possible on Thursday where you live?
It's way too early to plant a garden here...although I did rustle about in my garden beds to see if my irises and daffodils were peaking out...they are!  *squeal*  A walk in the woods would be a bit gray and muddy but the birds are pretty happy so...I'll go for a walk!

2. When did someone last spring something on you? (or when did you last spring something on someone?)
My Loverbrains just sprung a surprise business trip on me.  Those are always fun, not.  HA!
3.  We often think of spring as a time for new beginnings. What's something you'd like to start doing this spring?
A better use of my time.  I removed some apps from my phone, sort of as an experiment.  I was interested to see how much time I was really wasting by mindlessly checking my various social and creative apps.  I check them on my computer but rarely.  I find that when I'm on the computer I'd rather blog.  Interesting.  I've been really awed at the amount of time I have...the actual withdrawal I've felt (embarrassing)...and how much I really want to keep this boundary in place.  Spiritually it's been really good...renewing.
4. Where do you like to sit in a movie theatre? When did you last sit there, and what were you watching?
In the middle about a third of the way up.  We took the kids to see Frozen in January.
5. When you meet someone for the very first time, what do you want them to think about you?
That I love Jesus and Jesus loves them....but I'm genuine and fun-loving and not a bit uptight or pretentious!  Yes, really!!
6. March is frozen food month (yes, really!). Besides ice cream (gotta make you think a little) what's your most often purchased frozen food item?
Stir fry veggies...snap peas, water chestnuts, baby corns...

7. What's something you avoid?
Being sick.  I haven't avoided it very well lately...but if I can...I do!!
8. Insert your own random thought here.
I have a busy few weeks ahead...but they will be great fun!  I have my Mom visiting first...and we're planning all sorts of fun stuff...then, I'm getting together with a girlfriend I don't see much, and then one of my lifetime friends is coming to visit spelled F.U.N.  I'm so excited.
 

 

Monday Musing...

I Cannot Do This Alone

O God, early in the morning I cry to you.
Help me to pray
And to concentrate my thoughts on you:

I cannot do this alone.
In me there is darkness,
But with you there is light;

I am lonely, but you do not leave me;
I am feeble in heart, but with you there is help;
I am restless, but with you there is peace.

In me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience;
I do not understand your ways,
But you know the way for me…

Restore me to liberty,
And enable me to live now
That I may answer before you and before me.

Lord, whatever this day may bring,
Your name be praised.

- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Spring Snow Hodgepodge...

It was 73 F yesterday and today it's snowing...ahhhhhhh!

1. Do you have an interest in learning about your family's heritage? Why or why not? If you know a little bit about your roots, share an interesting piece of trivia or a fun fact about someone who goes way back on your family tree.
I know a little bit about my Denny (maiden name) roots...and I've been to Denny, Scotland.  It was very small, very green, and very sheep-covered.  I know more than that but that's all I'm sharing here...
2. Branch Rickey, the baseball exec credited with signing Jackie Robinson, is quoted as saying-

"Luck is the residue of design."

Agree or disagree? Why?
Not to be a theme party pooper but...I believe in a Sovereign God...luck doesn't really factor in for me.  He is The Designer.
3. In the town where you currently reside, what's your favorite green space?
Since Spring hasn't arrived there are no green spots currently.  When there are leaves about...I enjoy my backyard hammock or a local park.
4. Who is your favorite comedian?
I don't have one.  Well...maybe my Dad...or myself.  We're both pretty funny...well, we think so!!  We drive Mom nuts!!
5. March is National Nutrition Month, and almost everyone needs to improve their diet in some way.  What about you? How can you improve your nutrition on a daily basis? Will you try?
I need to get back to drinking more water.  I know it keeps me healthier overall...it's just getting back into the habit...sigh.
6. Which of these green expressions have you 'experienced' in recent weeks -green with envy, green thumb, green around the gills, or give the green light? Explain.
I was "given the green light" from my chiro for my back/neck.  Between falling and an exercise injury I didn't think I'd ever get to maintenance.  HA! Now I have to be a good girl and do my exercises.
7. Where is one place you don't mind waiting?
I enjoy waiting during my daughter's piano lesson...I hear her interact with her teacher, watch my son play, read my ministry notes...it's a half an hour of productive calm at the end of a busy day.
8.  Insert your own random thought here.

My throat is sore...I swear I'm sick every other week.  I've had enough of this...Does it mean I have a strong immune system that I can fight something different off every other week?  OR...is it weak because I get something every other week??  I'm moving somewhere warm...just sayin'...AHHH!

Tune Tuesday: Still...

The more I get alone
The more I see I need to get alone more, more
Cause just when I think that I'm alone
Your Spirit calls out to me
And even silence has a song
Cause that's when you come
Sing over me 

Still, let me be still
Let me be OK
With the quiet in my heart
Still, I want to be still
I'm so quick to move
Instead of listening to you
Shut my mouth
Crush my pride
Give me the tears
Of a broken life,
Still 

Oh this world, it falls around me
And flutters all it's beauty in my eyes
But let me choose the solitude
Simplicity has always simply changed my life
Cause even stillness makes me move
Cause that's when my heart
Learns to dance with you 

Still, let me be still
Let me be OK
With the quiet in my heart
Still, I want to be still
I'm so quick to move
Instead of listening to you
I'm your child
Tame my heart
Obedience
To me impart
Still 

La la la la la, Hold me
La la la la la, Cleanse me
La la la la la, Change me, Oh God
Change me while I am
Still, let me be still 

And know that you are God
And you are always enough 

Still, I want to be still
To take all that I am
And simply lift it up

Shut my mouth
Crush my pride
Give me the tears
Of a broken life,
Still

 by Watermark

Monday Musing...

AWE-FULL
Great and holy God
awe and reverence
fear and trembling
do not come easily to us
for we are not
Old Testament Jews
or Moses
or mystics
or sensitive enough.
Forgive us
for slouching into Your presence
with little expectation
and less awe
than we would eagerly give a visiting
dignitary.
We need
neither Jehovah nor a buddy--
neither "the Great and Powerful Oz" nor
"the man upstairs."
Help us
to want what we need...
You
God
and may the altar of our hearts
tremble with delight
at
Your visitation
amen.

--Frederick Ohler

Five Minute Friday: Willing...

Willing...

 Go!

Willing and able.  That's the first thing that pops into my mind.  Although, lately...I've felt anything but.  I've been unwilling to do what I'm able to do...because my heart is hurting and my brain is rattled.

And yet, thankfully...there's been lots and lots of grace dumped on me...and I've been told to just breathe...and let God heal the brokenhearted.  And He is so faithful.

Then just yesterday when I told a friend I was finally willing and able again but I wanted God to write His plan clearly in the sky...she chuckled...and said, "don't make it harder than it is..."

And a phone call out of the blue...was as crystal clear blue as if He had written it in the sky.  My heart was ready...the Spirit moved on my willingness.  He knows where he wants me.  I will trust Him.

Stop.