"Worry is a thief, Fear is a liar, and Anxiety is their trembling, furrow-browed baby. I have lived with this dysfunctional family for the better part of my life. Sometimes I live with them still. Worry robs me of the peace I know is available. Fear lies and says there is no peace at all. And their immature, screaming baby Anxiety keeps me up at night with her unrelenting cries of what if? and what now? and what will they think?"
"I was a good girl and I wanted to be a good girl, but it often kept me from saying what I really meant. In fact, my desire to be good even kept me from exploring my own opinion, and I grew up to believe that my opinions didnt actually matter much anyway. I avoided vulnerability for fear of being rejected or being labeled needy. Good girls arent needy they are needed. And so instead of living free, I lived safe."
~Emily Freeman in her book grace for the good girl
Friday, October 28, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Saturday, October 15, 2011
One thing that may help any relationship
A devotion from Ann Voskamp, read at her blog here
I think of my mother and my esp my papa when I read this.......
I think of my mother and my esp my papa when I read this.......
Friday, October 14, 2011
Cheesecake or Dirt?
October 14, 2011
A Slice of Cheesecake, or Dirt?
Rachel Olsen
"The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts." Proverbs 18:8 (NIV)
Get-togethers with my friends or family typically wind up the same way. The men gather by the grill or TV, and talk about music or sports. Meanwhile, the women congregate in the kitchen for some old-fashioned "girl-talk."
For women, people and relationships tend to be the common ground of conversation. We are the more emotional and relational gender. And of course we gather in the kitchen—it's the heart of the home. Plus, that's where the food is. After all, girl-talk is deliciously enhanced by coffee or cheesecake.
However, there is a side of girl-talk that is dangerous and addictive. It's called gossip.
Why do we gossip? I believe it's the same reason we do other things we know we shouldn't, like flirt with the boss, or gorge ourselves on cheesecake—because it's pleasurable.
In the case of gossiping, we like the feeling of being "in the know." At least for the moment, we can command everyone's attention. Eyes widen and adrenalin pulses as we tell our friends the unbelievable news. They hang on our every word.
Hearing gossip can make us feel almost as good as telling it—like we've been chosen and trusted with a secret. Gossiping feels good to everyone—except those who are the object of it.
When I look inward at my own motives for gossiping, what I see is not appetizing. I see pride, carelessness and judgment. I see a self-serving attitude that likes the feelings gossip brings. Although gossip may taste good at the time, just like too much cheesecake, it can negatively affect my well-being. Gossip goes down into my soul bringing with it the weight of guilt and sin.
I've come to realize that when I dish the dirt, or even listen to it, I'm serving dirt to my own soul.
Next time the girls gather, I've decided I'm going to fast from gossiping. I've pre-decided I'll redirect the conversation, or simply excuse myself to the bathroom when gossip arises. I don't wish to dish or devour dirt. When my heart is sensitive to God's, gossip only gives me a sick feeling later.
I will, however, have a cup of coffee and small serving of dessert. Which would you rather enjoy—a slice of cheesecake, or dirt?
I want the cheesecake please! with some coffee for sure!
A Slice of Cheesecake, or Dirt?
Rachel Olsen
"The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts." Proverbs 18:8 (NIV)
Get-togethers with my friends or family typically wind up the same way. The men gather by the grill or TV, and talk about music or sports. Meanwhile, the women congregate in the kitchen for some old-fashioned "girl-talk."
For women, people and relationships tend to be the common ground of conversation. We are the more emotional and relational gender. And of course we gather in the kitchen—it's the heart of the home. Plus, that's where the food is. After all, girl-talk is deliciously enhanced by coffee or cheesecake.
However, there is a side of girl-talk that is dangerous and addictive. It's called gossip.
Why do we gossip? I believe it's the same reason we do other things we know we shouldn't, like flirt with the boss, or gorge ourselves on cheesecake—because it's pleasurable.
In the case of gossiping, we like the feeling of being "in the know." At least for the moment, we can command everyone's attention. Eyes widen and adrenalin pulses as we tell our friends the unbelievable news. They hang on our every word.
Hearing gossip can make us feel almost as good as telling it—like we've been chosen and trusted with a secret. Gossiping feels good to everyone—except those who are the object of it.
When I look inward at my own motives for gossiping, what I see is not appetizing. I see pride, carelessness and judgment. I see a self-serving attitude that likes the feelings gossip brings. Although gossip may taste good at the time, just like too much cheesecake, it can negatively affect my well-being. Gossip goes down into my soul bringing with it the weight of guilt and sin.
I've come to realize that when I dish the dirt, or even listen to it, I'm serving dirt to my own soul.
Next time the girls gather, I've decided I'm going to fast from gossiping. I've pre-decided I'll redirect the conversation, or simply excuse myself to the bathroom when gossip arises. I don't wish to dish or devour dirt. When my heart is sensitive to God's, gossip only gives me a sick feeling later.
I will, however, have a cup of coffee and small serving of dessert. Which would you rather enjoy—a slice of cheesecake, or dirt?
I want the cheesecake please! with some coffee for sure!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
How to save precious cards
Ever hate to throw out a special card someone gave you, well I found this neat way to keep them..look here
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Contentment
Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want, but the realization of how much you already have. It is not a destination, *it is a state of gratefulness before God.* -Joshua Harris
Remember the card
Breast cancer card that I made, well here is a news clip about where the card went! :) amazing!
Thursday, October 06, 2011
Best Friends~Sisters
This is Jennifer aka my best friend.....She came to visit me and we had a great time. Lots of shopping, without her knowledge you would think I have grandbabies already. ;) So thanks to her I dress more my age....A few words to describe our weekend:
2 am, early rise, gas station coffee, getting lost, possible sunburns, danger at every corner, burping, peach bellini, chocolate, malls, coconut lime, blades, dumpsters, questionable photos, room service, bean sprouts, hot boots, bridesmaid shoes/not, 5 months preggo, weaker rabbits, salads, joanns yarn, thump thump thump, have you seen this before?, nicest person i know, hour glass, felt pillows, coffee, So happy to have had this time with you!
Who knew
Who knew loving you would cause her rejection?
Rejection from the one you thought would always love you.
Who knew her rejection would cause me to love You even more?
Loving you, The one, who will always love me.
Who knew her rejection would in the end hurt her more?
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Cor 1:18
Who knew her rejection could hurt so bad?
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Isaiah 53:3
You knew, you always knew, you were rejected and continue to be rejected, yet even still you love......
Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Luke 6:22
Take courage and lean not on your own understanding.......
Rejection from the one you thought would always love you.
Who knew her rejection would cause me to love You even more?
Loving you, The one, who will always love me.
Who knew her rejection would in the end hurt her more?
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Cor 1:18
Who knew her rejection could hurt so bad?
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Isaiah 53:3
You knew, you always knew, you were rejected and continue to be rejected, yet even still you love......
Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Luke 6:22
Take courage and lean not on your own understanding.......
Wednesday, October 05, 2011
Are you damaged?
October 5, 2011
Damaged Goods
Carol Davis
She Speaks Graduate
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." Psalm 51:17 (NIV, 1984)
I walked down the aisle of the discount grocery looking for a bargain that I couldn't live without. It's always hit and miss in this store...and I had missed...again.
But, I passed by a bin that caught my eye. "Damaged Goods." It was filled with dented cans and missing labels...no real rhyme or reason, just random items that were not shelf worthy. And suddenly, I knew just how they felt.
Life sometimes delivers the unexpected. Lessons learned in the school of hard knocks bruise us, dent us and remove the label that defines who we are. We feel as if we have been tossed into a bin, no longer worthy of a place on the shelf. Some people substantiate the lie that we are second class failures and all hope is gone.
So, I leaned over and intentionally chose a dented can with no label from the bin. I got it home and placed it on the can opener with anxious anticipation. The whirr of the can opener finally penetrated the metal lid to reveal....peaches!!! I let out a school girl squeal! I love peaches!! What a treat to open this can and be greeted by one of my favorite fruits. The can was damaged but the contents were still good...and sweet.
God must have smiled...because at that moment the sunshine beamed in my kitchen window. I knew in my heart there was a lesson.
I have been damaged. We all have to some degree. I am not living the life that I dreamed about when I was a kid. However, the damage that I have suffered has made the contents of my heart so much sweeter, so much more compassionate, so much more in pursuit of Jesus. I have been looked down upon and judged by many who have seen my label missing and slapped on their own.
I've wanted to say, "Don't judge too quickly. My damage has not defined me...but, it is refining me." I may sometimes be at the bottom of the life's bin, but Jesus paid as high a price for those of us at the bottom as He did for those that are proudly displayed on the top shelf.
Look around. Is there someone in your life, your family or your church that you consider "damaged goods"? Don't miss an opportunity to reach out to them, to love them. You just might find a friendship that is good...and sweet.
Damaged Goods
Carol Davis
She Speaks Graduate
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." Psalm 51:17 (NIV, 1984)
I walked down the aisle of the discount grocery looking for a bargain that I couldn't live without. It's always hit and miss in this store...and I had missed...again.
But, I passed by a bin that caught my eye. "Damaged Goods." It was filled with dented cans and missing labels...no real rhyme or reason, just random items that were not shelf worthy. And suddenly, I knew just how they felt.
Life sometimes delivers the unexpected. Lessons learned in the school of hard knocks bruise us, dent us and remove the label that defines who we are. We feel as if we have been tossed into a bin, no longer worthy of a place on the shelf. Some people substantiate the lie that we are second class failures and all hope is gone.
So, I leaned over and intentionally chose a dented can with no label from the bin. I got it home and placed it on the can opener with anxious anticipation. The whirr of the can opener finally penetrated the metal lid to reveal....peaches!!! I let out a school girl squeal! I love peaches!! What a treat to open this can and be greeted by one of my favorite fruits. The can was damaged but the contents were still good...and sweet.
God must have smiled...because at that moment the sunshine beamed in my kitchen window. I knew in my heart there was a lesson.
I have been damaged. We all have to some degree. I am not living the life that I dreamed about when I was a kid. However, the damage that I have suffered has made the contents of my heart so much sweeter, so much more compassionate, so much more in pursuit of Jesus. I have been looked down upon and judged by many who have seen my label missing and slapped on their own.
I've wanted to say, "Don't judge too quickly. My damage has not defined me...but, it is refining me." I may sometimes be at the bottom of the life's bin, but Jesus paid as high a price for those of us at the bottom as He did for those that are proudly displayed on the top shelf.
Look around. Is there someone in your life, your family or your church that you consider "damaged goods"? Don't miss an opportunity to reach out to them, to love them. You just might find a friendship that is good...and sweet.
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