Courage

"There are people who put their dreams in a little box and say, 'Yes, I've got dreams, of course I've got dreams.' Then they put the box away and bring it out once in awhile to look in it, and yep, they're still there. These are great dreams, but they never even get out of the box. It takes an uncommon amount of guts to put your dreams on the line, to hold them up and say, 'How good or how bad am I?' That's where courage comes in." ~ Erma Louise Bombeck

Erma Bombeck definitely wasn’t a woman that keep her dreams in little box. She went after them with gusto… writing 13 books over her career, becoming a principle player in the final implementation of the Equal Rights Amendment in 1978, participating in Good Morning America from 1975 until 1986, writing columns in various newspapers and magazines from the time she was a student in Junior High until her death. She was a woman that was full of courage.

Where can we get courage like that? Do we need to find something that we’re missing or do we need to lose something that we’re holding on to in our lives?
What would happen if we went after our dreams with the same passion that Erma Bombeck went after in hers? Well, one of two things…

We SUCCEED or we FAIL. Both of those results can fill us with fear.

If I succeed – what then? What will people expect from me from that point forward?
If I fail – then what? Will everyone think “I knew she couldn’t do it anyway”?
These are thoughts that went through my mind when I considered starting this Blog. And then I realized - in both of these instances, I was worrying about what other people would think. I was going to let other people keep me from my dreams!

I decided to go for it and I haven’t turned back. I hope you do the same…

Trust...

Trust – verb: have confidence or faith in

Proverbs 22:19 So that your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even you.

I’ve always enjoyed teaching Sunday school, especially during the Christmas season. For the last 16 or so years, my classes have consisted of 3 year old toddlers to high school seniors. I’ve found that children can have such a hard time imaging adults as babies… but they don’t have any problem envisioning baby Jesus in a manger. Kids can accept and welcome Jesus into their hearts so easily. They trust Him.

When we (grown-ups) were younger, we just knew that we would be taken care of – either by our parents, our teachers, our grandparents, God – someone would rescue us if things got too bad. When we get older, it becomes too easy to turn cynical… to lose faith in mankind – sometimes even in God. Life can become so hard that we feel like we can’t depend on anyone but ourselves. I know - I’ve felt like that myself. But, the thing is… it doesn’t have to be like that!

Comfort can come from within us, but it also can surround us every minute of every day. All we need to do is open our hearts once again and accept the love Jesus is offering us… with that same faith we had as children. Trust is all it takes.

Advent

Well, today is the first day of Advent… the beginning of the Christian year. What an exciting time! This is the season that we celebrate the birth of Jesus, and all the HOPE that the miracle of that moment represents to mankind. I know it can definitely be hard to reconcile “Jesus the baby” with “Jesus the man” he became… the man that hung bloody and broken, dying on a cross, approximately 33 years later.

When each of us were born – swaddled in our blankets in some hospital nursery – I’m sure our family dreamed of how we would change the world. Maybe they imagined we would be doctors, lawyers, firefighters – maybe a president out there among us – no matter what, we were destined for greatness. They, I’m positive, looked in our eyes and saw nothing but perfection. I can’t even imagine what Mary felt when she looked in baby Jesus’ eyes for the first time – what a spectacular gift.

Jesus was God’s gift to humanity, but He also has given us all a unique gift… it’s in our DNA. We are capable of doing great things with these abilities – each one of us. All we have to do is “listen” for Him – He’ll tell us how to use those talents. Utilizing what is given to us is our present back to Him. Maybe that can be the first thing we give for Christmas this year!

Photo - http://www.freebibleillustrations.com/main.php/v/42_Luke/

On Your Knees

(*Something brought you to my mind today
I thought about the funny ways you make me laugh
And yet I feel like it's okay to cry with you
Something about just being with you
When I leave I feel like I've been near God
And that's the way it ought to be...)

My husband and I were on the way to my parent’s house today – halfway there in fact – when my phone rang. It was my son, calling to tell me he had a flat tire and was stranded on the side of the interstate with no spare. Of course, we turned the car around and rescued him. That’s what parents do – even when the child in question is twenty four years old.

I can remember so many times in my life, when I had to pick up the phone and call my family and have them come save me from one disaster or another. No matter what time of day (or night) it was, I knew when I made a SOS call, it would be answered… and I made plenty.

I know that my family has prayed for my health and happiness throughout my life. That thought humbles me. I pray for my loved ones, too… that God gives them what they need… that they carry Him in their hearts… that they are filled with peace… and that they follow His plan for their lives.

(*And you'll never know what it means to me
Just to know you've been on your knees for me
Oh, you have blessed my life
More than you'll ever know.)

*More Than You'll Ever Know ~ Watermark

It’s Over, or Is It?

Well, Thanksgiving is over… what now? Christmas! It’s right around the corner. Today was “Black Friday”. But, I have to admit, I’ve never been one of “those people” that gets caught up in the hype of waking up at 2:00am, fighting hundreds of other shoppers to the department store, freezing in line for 30 minutes or more while you wait for locked doors to be open - only to get to that one aisle where your particular item should be lining the shelves and discover… they are already completely sold out!

To so many people, Christmas is about finding that perfect gift… or maybe about decorating your home in just the right way. I can understand wanting to make Christmas special – especially if you have small children in your life. But, my personal opinion is this… if you really want Christmas to be special – remember the reason for the holiday.

Before we open gifts on Christmas morning we read about the birth of Jesus from the Book of Luke in the Bible. We’ve done this for years – it’s a wonderful tradition that I hold very close to my heart. The story follows:

Luke 2
The Birth of Jesus
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

So, I guess if you really think about it, Thanksgiving isn’t over at all, is it? Christmas and what it represents is a magnificent thing, and I’m incredible thankful!

Thought for the Day

Never give up, never give in, never quit trying.

A Psalm of Thanksgiving

Psalm 100

1Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

2Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

3Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

5For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

The Time of the Season…

Just a little heads up to the families of the members of this select club to which I belong. What specific group am I implying? Well, if you’ve read this blog for any amount of time, you’ll know that I’m referring to the approximately 18.8 million Americans that suffer from Depression.

Two things are happening - right now - that could change the mood and stability of your loved one…

1) A couple of weeks ago, the time changed. This reduced the amount of time we have daylight available to us every day.

2) We are entering the Holiday Season this week.

Both of these things have been proven to have a negative impact on certain people that suffer from Depression. I, personally, require a change in my medication every winter to help adjust with the change in the sunlight hours. I also have “therapy lights” – they basically trick your mind into thinking that you are receiving increased light stimulation throughout the winter months.

Remember that “seasonal changes” can have adverse effects on people with Depression… it’s a real disease with real consequences. Please be supportive.

Just enough…

Thursday is Thanksgiving. What am I thankful for this year? “Just enough”…

I’m thankful that I’ve had “just enough” heartache in my past, to appreciate the life I share with my husband today.

I’m thankful that I had to spend “just enough” time on food stamps, when I was a young mother (about 4 months), to appreciate the groceries I have in my cabinets now.

I’m thankful that I’ve had “just enough” time struggling with depression, to make me a compassionate advocate to others in need.

I’m thankful that I’ve had “just enough” time in my life feeling totally alone, to appreciate that God has always been with me.

I thank God for “just enough”.

Last Day on Earth

My Pastor asked a question today during his sermon: If someone said to you - “Live life as if today were your last day on Earth.” - What would it mean to you? Without outlining my minister’s entire sermon here, I’ll translate the three options available to that question that I gathered from his instruction this morning.

Option #1
Do nothing. Keep everything Status Quo.
Option #2
Do any and everything that you’ve ever wanted to do without any regard of the consequence of those actions. In other words – “Eat, drink and be merry.”
Option #3
Don’t live like you’re going to die tomorrow. Live like you’re going to live forever… with God! Isn’t that our goal anyway?

Thanksgiving is right around the corner. We (the congregation) had an opportunity to share what we were thankful for during our worship service today. Here are some of the things that were said:

Family, Friends, Church Family, Soldiers, Our Minister, Jesus, God’s Grace… the opportunity to live forever!

Thought for Today

"We all die. The goal isn't to live forever... the goal is to create something that will." - Chuck Palahniuk

Unhauling my U Haul

I was listening to the radio the other day, and heard someone talking about moving trucks. There was a reference made, during this particular show, regarding the fact that WE can sometimes become our own personal “U Haul” trucks. How? Well, by carrying around feelings of hurt, anger or unresolved situations that involve someone else, we basically are “hauling” issues with us 24/7 that are weighing us down.

I really could relate to this. You see, I once had someone in my life that continually hurt me. I carried anger with me constantly regarding this person… and then they died. Even after his death, I still struggled with the feelings I had surrounding our relationship… Until I realized two things: 1) the anger I was harboring was hurting only me and 2) how could I expect God to forgive me of my sins if I couldn’t even forgive people that had hurt me?

I must admit, it wasn’t an overnight – snap my fingers – kind of thing to forgive this person… it took time. And, just because I forgave, doesn’t mean I forgot. (I think that could be irresponsible in a lot of forgiveness situations.) Also, while it would be great to receive an “I’m Sorry” or a change of action on the offenders part before or after the act of forgiveness – I personally don’t think that should necessarily be a prerequisite for the actual act to take place. I feel if I were to place restrictions on someone, I wouldn’t really be offering sincere forgiveness.

So, how do we unload our baggage? How do we unload our U Haul? I’d do it one piece at a time. And, as with everything else, God will be there to help you. He’ll gladly ease your load.

http://www.uhaul.com/
Photo: http://www.fareastgizmos.com/2007/12/

44 going on 4

My granddaughter stays all night at our house a couple times a week, and the more time we spend together, the more I’m convinced that there’s a tiny adult trapped in her 3 year old body! She comes off with the craziest things sometimes. Unfortunately, I think I know where she gets these little sayings of hers.

Now, here’s just one example of what I’m talking about:

Her – “Hey guys, wanna watch Shrek before we go to bed?”
Me – “Honey, we watch Shrek every time. How about we watch something else?”
Her – “Ashully, I wanna watch Shrek.”

Now, where did all that come from?

Me – “It’s time for bed.”
Her – “Let’s read just one more book, Nana”
Me – “Actually, we’ve read two more than we said we were going to read.”

She mimics adults around her all the time! Fortunately, the grown-ups she spends time with aren’t filling her head (and mouth) with the words that I hear some other children screaming at McDonald’s; like “Shut Up”, “Stupid”, or worse.

When I think about it, I'm reminded of the Nursery song “O Be Careful, Little Eyes”. It has the following verse:

O be careful little ears what you hear
O be careful little ears what you hear
There's a Father up above
And He's looking down in love
So, be careful little ears what you hear

The thing is, when it comes to children, we're the responsible ones. The verse should say – “Be careful little mouth what you say” – because those little ears are always listening. Ashully, listening and repeating!

The Path

A friend of mine is moving several states away after Thanksgiving. She’s a very dear person to me and many other people in our church. I’m going to miss her terribly. Not only has she been a great friend… someone that has listened to my joys, worries, plans, and hopes over the years; but, she has been a wonderful example to me and others of what a faithful Christian is expected to be.



I know it won’t take her long to find her “place” in her new church. You see, she is very good at listening for God’s instruction in her life. She is also very good at following the path that He lays ahead of her. She’s dedicated her whole life to His plan. So, the new church in her new community will definitely benefit from her spiritual gifts.



We each have the ability to carry our “gifts” with us… no matter where we are or where we go. God is calling us to follow a path that He designs just for us. Whether we follow it or not is our choice.

Thought for Today

Only GOD can turn a MESS into a MESSage, a TEST into a TESTimony, a TRIal into a TRIumph, a VICTim into a VICTory…

1 Corinthians 10:13 (The Message)
13No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it.

Turning “IT” over to God…

I know someone that is going through a difficult time right now – they’ve been going through the same issues for quite some time... literally years. If we really think about it, I’m sure we all have known a person like that in our lives. Anyway, this person recently stated that she is ready to turn this particular problem “over to God”. But, I’m concerned about how she is gonna proceed now.

You see, I think there’s a common misconception here: Some people believe that once things are “given” to God, they no longer have any responsibility associated with the outcome. I, personally, have an incredible faith in God and what He is capable of, but I also believe that He works THROUGH us. He provides us with solutions to our problems by guiding us through them. Sometimes He leads us to certain people that can help us in ways that we can’t help ourselves.

I believe when we “hand” our issues to God, our responsibilities are just starting… the hard work is just starting – listening to what His solution is and doing it. However, the healing that follows… Well, that’s the icing on the cake.

The Servant Song

Sister, let me be your servant
Let me be as Christ to you
Pray that I may have the grace
To let you be my servant, too

We are pilgrims on a journey
We are sisters on the road
We are here to help each other
Walk the mile and bear the load

I will hold the Christ-light for you
In the night-time of your fear
I will hold my hand out to you
Speak the peace you long to hear

I will weep when you are weeping
When you laugh I'll laugh with you
I will share your joy and sorrow
Till we've seen this journey through

When we sing to God in heaven
We shall find such harmony
Born of all we've known together
Of Christ's love and agony

Sister, let me be your servant
Let me be as Christ to you
Pray that I may have the grace
To let you be my servant, too


by Richard Gillard
(Song was written as Brother instead of Sister.)

A Strong Person

I received an email the other day that stated…
“A strong person knows how to keep their life in order. Even with tears in their eyes, they still manage to say "I'm ok" with a smile.”

I’m not sure who originally wrote the quote, but the message is pretty clear. It’s a message that is well meaning and thought provoking. But it’s also a message that I find I must disagree. I think a strong person is someone that can look in your eyes and say, “I’m in a bad place right now, and I need your help.”

You see, too many times, I was that person that smiled that “I’m ok” smile - only then to spent hours by myself afterwards, feeling isolated… feeling alone… feeling like no one could possibly understand my heartache. Why? Because I thought that was what strong people were expected to do.

My fear: The message that gets sent around in emails, like the one above, is “Don’t be weak!” As I’ve said in the past, 54% of people polled believe depression is a personal weakness. Could these emails tarnish our thinking in regards to depression or feelings in general.

I know the person that sent me this email was forwarding it to me because they see me as a strong person. They know that many times, even in my life now, I will smile that “I’m ok” smile even when I’m not ok. I know they didn’t read into this email what I read into it. But, then again, they haven’t had the bouts I’ve had with this nasty thing called Depression.

Anyway, what I’d like to say is this:
“A strong person knows it’s okay to say absolutely nothing through tear filled eyes.”

A Change of Self

Very often a change of self is needed more than a change of scene - Arthur Christopher Benson

Back to reality, guys… my vacation is officially over tomorrow morning. However, I’ve had a wonderful week to reflect on some things in my life this week. A change of scenery has made me realize that I need to make some changes in myself – and I’m pretty excited at the prospect!

First of all, I’m determined to learn how to proficiently play a new instrument. I bought a dulcimer, at my husband’s urging, while we were here in the Smoky Mountains. I’ve been practicing and I think it’s gonna be a lot of fun.

Secondly, I’m gonna learn how to say NO when I mean NO. I have a really bad habit of smiling and saying “Yes” on the outside, when I’m screaming “No” on the inside. I’ve got a deep rooted “people pleasing gene” and sometimes it goes into overdrive.

Lastly, I’m gonna do what I can to reach the goals I’ve secretly had for years. For so long, I’ve dreamed of publishing a book. I’m going to pursue that dream full throttle. After all, I’m not getting any younger.

So, after a week of relaxation and self-reflection, I’m ready to get home and get down to business!

Veteran's Day

Heroes
By Jared Jenkins

In war, there are lives risked and lives taken
Men and women giving their best to defend what they love
They defend their country
Their honor
Their people

Some call them soldiers
Others call them heroes
Our veterans have risked their lives for us
They have lived through hell and fought with honor
Many have killed
And regret doing so

For every life, there is a soul
For every soul, there is a life
For those who have died, we show great appreciation and remembrance
For those who live, along with them live the horrific memories of battle
Some, memories of defeat
Some, memories of victory

Our veterans were more than soldiers
They were, and still are heroes

What is your calling?

I met a woman today that believes God has commanded her to quit her job, sell her home and provide almost anything needed to help single moms and their children. Patti Gallo-Bryant was kind enough to give me a little history of how God has worked THROUGH her to make a difference in the lives of so many single mothers and their children.

Gallo-Bryant is founder of Harvest Ministries - a “single mom” ministry that’s run by single moms; owner of Hannah’s Cry (formerly Harvest Thrift Store) - a store catering to single mothers; founder of Single and a Mom Ministry, The Smoky Mountain Alliance for the Unborn, and The Esther Project. She also has started two other projects - To Kenya with Love - which involves opening an orphanage & Hannah’s Cry - a 24-hour prayer line for the unborn. Patti definitely hasn’t put herself (or God) in a box… this woman means business.

The wonderful thing about meeting Patti today… It was clear to see she has an amazing faith in God and she shares that faith with everyone. Plus, she acknowledges that God has given her the ability to do the work she does every day. She doesn’t try to make herself out to be the HERO… even though some would probably say she is one!

What is God calling you to do? What’s your answer to Him?

Info on Patti Gallo-Bryant:
http://www.seymourherald.com/news/2008/jul/15/gatlinburg-woman-extends-open-/
http://www.knoxnews.com/videos/detail/ibelieve-single-mom-ministry/

Seek Justice

Well, as we were continuing our Gatlinburg vacation today, we decided to head on over to Cherokee, NC. While we were there, taking in the sites, we happened upon the Museum of the Cherokee Indian. My husband and I have visited many museums in our years of marriage – he happened to be a History major in college many moons ago - and we both really enjoy learning about the heritages of different people. So, we both were drawn to see what would be offered at today’s experience.

Of course, this museum was set up to show everything from the perspective of the Cherokee people… their sufferings and their triumphs. But, there are other facilities similar to this throughout the world that also show how groups of people have been unfairly treated by other bands of people – For instance, the Jews by the Nazis, slaves by their owners, etc. What are we to learn from our trips to these sites?

I think Isaiah 1:17 says it best… “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed…” I truly believe it is our duty to defend the oppressed. If we do not stop injustice when and where we see it – who will? I can only hope that someone would do the same for me.

SLOW DANCE

Have you ever watched kids
On a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain
Slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a
butterfly's erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the
fading night?
You better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.
Do you run through each day
On the fly?
When you ask
How are you?
Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done
Do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores
Running through your head?
You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.
Ever told your child,
We'll do it tomorrow?
And in your haste,
Not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die
Cause you never had time
To call and say,'Hi'
You'd better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.
When you run
so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun
of getting there.
When you worry and hurry
through your day,
It is like an unopened gift....
Thrown away.
Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over.

It is said that this poem was written by a teenager with terminal cancer. I'm not sure if that's true or not - but I think it's a beautiful sentiment.

Is that your best offer?

When you’re in Gatlinburg on vacation, you should understand that you WILL be approached for a “Time Share” presentation. The lure of this 90 minute lecture is the following – if you listen to everything they have to offer, they will give you free tickets to an area show. I know this because my husband I fell victim to this madness several years ago… and now we are frequent visitors to Tennessee because – you guessed it – we get to use our Time Share. Yep, they got us!

Well, this year’s vacation to the Great Smokey Mountains was no different than any other in the past five years. The moment we checked into our little two bedroom facility, they gave us the directions to the “benefits” room… that’s code for “Time Share” appointment office - or what they now like to call the “Vacation Exchange Program”. Anyway, I headed over there and set up our appointment because we had two other couples with us that didn’t have a “Vacation Exchange Program”, and, to be truthful, we wanted some discount tickets to Dixie Stampede. So, we set up our allotted time and went about our business.

When the time came for our rendezvous, we all headed over to their office… and for an hour and a half we listened to how great this program would be for everyone involved. Then, we got down to the nitty gritty. The manager came to my friends, “This is the best offer I can give you.” he said. They counter offered. Then for the next hour, we heard that manager, come back with his “best offer”, about three more times, until the price was cut in half from the original asking price.

I know that’s the way business is done, but I couldn’t help but think that this is the way we sometimes negotiate with God, too. We start off by offering our best to Him if He’ll just... save so-and-so… pull our loved ones through surgery… let us get that job – and then when we do get what we want from Him, we forget those promises. At first we offer everything and when everything is said is done – He is lucky to get even half of our “best offer”.

"I'm Sorry"

Four things you can't recover:
The stone........after the throw.
The word.........after it's said.
The occasion.....after it's missed.
The time.........after it's gone.
Author Unknown

Today my husband and I packed up our things in the car, and headed out the door on our vacation. Seven hours later, we finally made it to our destination. Now, that's all fine and good - except for the fact that we realistically could have been where we were going about 2 hours earlier.

Here's the deal... Murphy (and his law) was all up in our business today! No matter what we did, it was wrong:
We went to the wrong restaurant for breakfast... our waitress told us after 45 minutes of waiting that she forgot to put our order in!
We followed the wrong directions... we had to turn around so many times that I thought I was on a Merry Go Round.
We went to the wrong restaurant for dinner... the waiter accidentally hit my husband's elbow with a stack of dishes and his hand was numb throughout our entire meal.

But the worst thing that happened today... Because of the stress of everything going wrong all day long, my husband and I both said things to each other, out of anger, that we both regretted. We allowed the stress we were feeling to get the better of us, and because we didn't have another outlet available - we took our anxiety out on each other! But, you know what? The saying is true... Once the word is spoken, it's spoken.

Thank God, "I'm Sorry" is as easily said.

Crash Test Dummy

I heard a funny thing today… What do you call your first born child? A crash test dummy! I have to admit that I kind of agree with that saying. I had a young mother say to me the other day, “Why don’t they (babies) come with instruction manuals?” I sure felt like that when I was a young mother. I sometimes still feel like that, and my son is 24.

We are given this beautiful, loving creature that speaks a different language than we do, and they can’t figure out how to relay they desires to us. The only thing this little bundle of joy knows how to do really, really well is scream at the top of their little bitty, teeny tiny lungs… and they do that very often. We are taught patience through caring for them.

As they grow, they learn numbers, colors, shapes, letters, and every other thing. And we are taught to see the world the way we used to see it. We reinforce lessons in them and us… we make mistakes with them and carry the guilt inside us. They become a crash test dummy, yet we are the ones with the bruises. Why? Because it hurts us every time we hurt them.

Now, imagine the hurt that God feels when we are in despair. We can turn to Him and let Him carry that burden. His is willing to take our pain and ease our bruises… He loves us because we are His children. He wants to protect us just as much as we want to protect our own children. And fortunately for us, He is much better at it than we are – no crash test dummy here!

Photo - http://www.faqs.org/photo-dict/phrase/4615/crash-test-dummy.html

Trying to please everyone……

Trying to get everyone to like you is a sign of mediocrity.
You’re never going to be able to control what others think, so don’t spend too much time stressing over it.
Instead, work on the things you do have control over… yourself, your emotions, your thoughts and your actions.
Spend your energy in the creation process, and on people who do deserve your attention and love.
Try for a week. You’ll find life’s a lot more rewarding.
~Author unknown

The Scarlet Letter

Today in my morning Bible study class, we were discussing how unfortunate it is that something can happen in your life, and you can become known by that ACT the rest of your life. In the Book of John, there’s a woman that isn’t even mentioned by her “name” because of a mistake she made. This woman will forever be referred to as “a woman caught in adultery”.

If you’re not familiar with the story:
John 8: 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?”

7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”

I couldn’t imagine being known by my past sins. “Oh, here comes the Divorced Sinner!” “Look, there’s the girl that cheated on her math test in 6th grade!” “Get away from the lady that …. ”

Jesus knows all of my past sins, yet He loves me anyway. When I asked Him into my heart, He erased those labels that had held me down for so long. He knew all the sins of the woman in the story above, too. The words He shared with the Pharisees are just as important for us today.

10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
11 “No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”


What label would you be known by? It doesn’t matter. Because of Jesus, I can say to you: “Oh, here comes a child of God!”


Some notes on the Bible story:
The Pharisees weren’t really following the law - The “Law” they are speaking of - the one Moses commanded - stated that the woman should be stoned IF she was a virgin that was promised to be married to someone else AND that the man she was caught with should be stoned, too! (Where was the man that committed adultery with her? Was she a virgin? Was she promised to be married? Where were the witnesses?)
Plus, the problem for Jesus here is two-fold: 1) If Jesus said to stone her, He is breaking the Pharisees law, because Jews cannot command this to be done. 2) If Jesus said not to stone her, He is telling them He doesn’t agree with their Law.

The Privilege to Vote

It was not until 1920 that women were granted the right to go to the polls and vote…

Remember, women were innocent and defenseless, but they were jailed nonetheless for picketing the White House, carrying signs asking for the vote.
Because of that picketing, forty prison guards wielding clubs and their warden's blessing went on a rampage against the 33 women wrongly convicted of 'obstructing sidewalk traffic.'

They beat Lucy Burns, chained her hands to the cell bars above her head and left her hanging for the night, bleeding and gasping for air.

They hurled Dora Lewis into a dark cell, smashed her head against an iron bed and knocked her out cold. Her cell mate, Alice Cosu, thought Lewis was dead and suffered a heart attack. Additional affidavits describe the guards grabbing, dragging, beating, choking, slamming, pinching, twisting and kicking the women.

Thus unfolded the 'Night of Terror' on Nov. 15, 1917, when the warden at the Occoquan Workhouse in Virginia ordered his guards to teach a lesson to the suffragists imprisoned there because they dared to picket Woodrow Wilson's White House for the right to vote. For weeks, the women's only water came from an open pail. Their food--all of it colorless slop--was infested with worms.

When one of the leaders, Alice Paul, embarked on a hunger strike, they tied her to a chair, forced a tube down her throat and poured liquid into her until she vomited. She was tortured like this for weeks until word was smuggled out to the press…

Ladies, did you take advantage of your privilege to vote today?


Check out the facts - http://www.snopes.com/politics/ballot/womenvote.asp

Swiper the Fox

My granddaughter and I were watching one of her favorite cartoon series the other day - Dora the Explorer. Dora has a character on her show that always gets into mischief... Swiper the Fox. Swiper seems to have a compulsion for "swiping" things from other people in every episode, and it's up to Dora and her friends (including us in the audience) to keep Swiper in line.

Anyway, I guess my granddaughter was fed up with Swiper on this particular day, because we had a conversation that went something like this:

HER - "Nana, why are some people not nice?"
ME - "I guess they don't know that Jesus loves them and wants them to be nice to everybody."
HER - "Well, I'm gonna turn into a bird, and fly up to Jesus, and tell Him to tell them people to be nice. Then, I'm gonna turn back into me and come back down here."

Isn't it awesome, at 3 1/2 years old, she had the concept of talking to Jesus regarding the people she was angry with instead of turning her back on them? What a lesson for those of us with a little more years under our belts.

Of course, we don't have to turn ourselves into birds and fly to Heaven to have a conversation with Jesus... All we need to do is open our hearts to Him... and our minds to Him... and our ears to Him. It's not enough to tell Him what WE want. We need to be open to what HE wants, too.

And, of course, keep our imaginations open - remember Jesus said, "For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children."