Thoughts from a Starbucks Cup...

You can learn a lot more from
listening than you can from talking.
Find someone with whom you
don’t agree in the slightest and ask
them to explain themselves at
length. Then take a seat, shut your
mouth, and don’t argue back. It’s
physically impossible to listen with
your mouth open.

Valuable Lessons from a Wise Woman

Just finished reading LETTER TO MY DAUGHTER by Maya Angelou.
Very good book. Some light stories and personal accounts of her life. I enjoyed her insight. Since this is a library book and must be returned I have jotted down one passage that was particularly meaningful:

" There have been people in my life who meant me well, taught me valuable lessons,and others who have meant me ill and, have given me ample notification that my world is not meant to be all peaches and cream.
I have made many mistakes and no doubt will make more before I die. When I have seen pain, when I have found that my ineptness has caused displeasure, I have learned to accept my responsibility and to forgive myself first, then to apologize to anyone injured by my misreckoning. Since I cannot un-live history, and repentance is all I can offer God, I have hopes that my sincere apologies were accepted.
You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them. Try to be a rainbow in someones cloud. Do not complain. Make every effort to change things you do not like. If you cannot make a change, change the way you have been thinking. You might find a new solution."

Very wise woman.

ELECTION WOES

I'll admit it. I'm confused.
All of this election stuff has my brain jumbled.
Apparently I'm supposed to be for one candidate or another. I don't find it that easy. I listen and read and try to decipher what they are saying. And I find good and bad in both. I'm not convinced that either one is the answer to this world's problems. My husband gets frustrated with me. He is very outspoken in what he believes and doesn't understand why I don't always agree with him. It's not that I don't agree, but I do tend to see things from a different angle at times.
I'm not sure, yet, who I will vote for in this election, but I was thankful for this passage that God gave me today in my devotions. Again, an assurance that whoever wins...God is still in control !

Isaiah 65:17-22 (The Message)

"Pay close attention now:
I'm creating new heavens and a new earth.
All the earlier troubles, chaos, and pain
are things of the past, to be forgotten.
Look ahead with joy.
Anticipate what I'm creating:
I'll create Jerusalem as sheer joy,
create my people as pure delight.
I'll take joy in Jerusalem,
take delight in my people:
No more sounds of weeping in the city,
no cries of anguish;
No more babies dying in the cradle,
or old people who don't enjoy a full lifetime;
One-hundredth birthdays will be considered normal—
anything less will seem like a cheat.
They'll build houses
and move in.
They'll plant fields
and eat what they grow.
No more building a house
that some outsider takes over,
No more planting fields
that some enemy confiscates,
For my people will be as long-lived as trees,
my chosen ones will have satisfaction in their work.

A God-Season

I like fall. I don't love it. It is too close to winter for my liking, but it is a pretty season. And I do enjoy the crispness of the air that requires pulling out fluffy wool sweaters to wrap up in. I think I'm noticing this changing of the season a little more this year. I'm not so distracted with other things. Maybe I should be...with the economy, the upcoming election and the pain and struggles that I see all around me.
I guess in all the changing of the colors I see someone who is the same. Who is consistent and giving me assurance that whatever changes come there is One who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He is as comforting and warm as my big, bulky sweaters...I need to put them on with the first chill of autumn, not wait until I'm cold!
Luke 12:54
Then he turned to the crowd: "When you see clouds coming in from the west, you say, 'Storm's coming'—and you're right. And when the wind comes out of the south, you say, 'This'll be a hot one'—and you're right. Frauds! You know how to tell a change in the weather, so don't tell me you can't tell a change in the season, the God-season we're in right now.

TIPS FOR A BETTER LIFE (PART 2)

--Don't take yourself so seriously-NO ONE ELSE DOES.
--Get rid of everything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
--Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what
their journey is all about.
--However good or bad a situation is it will change!
--Do the right thing!!
--No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
--Forgive everyone for everything.
--Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
--GOD heals & transforms everything that YOU LET HIM!!
--THE BEST IS YET TO COME !!

TIPS FOR A BETTER LIFE (PART 1)

--Take a 10-30 minute walk every day.
--Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes every day.
--Read more books.
--Take time to pray.
--Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.
--Eat more foods that grow ON plants, eat less food that is made IN plants.
--Don't waste precious energy on gossip, energy vampires(we all know people that feed off negativity),issues of the past, negative thoughts or
things you cannot control. Invest energy in the positive present moment.
--Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.
--Eat breakfast like a KING, lunch like a PRINCE, and dinner like a COLLEGE KID with a maxed out charge card.
--Life isn't fair, but it's still good!

I had just pulled into Target and my mind was spinning. Decisions. Next steps. Wondering what God has in store for me and my husband. When this little sparrow hopped onto the cart rack beside me and looked at me through my car window, as if to tell me "Ya know what? I don't worry about what I'm going to wear, or what I will eat,or even what tomorrow may hold...I have a heavenly Father who takes care of ALL my needs!" We looked at each other for awhile, then I began to smile. Thanks God for that simple reminder...you are all I need!

My interpretation influences my situation. It’s not what happens to me that matters as much as how I choose to see it. The way I react will determine whether the circumstance makes me better or bitter. I can view everything as an obstacle or an opportunity for growth – a stumbling block or a stepping stone. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4 NIV). (Rick Warren)

Good job, son !!!

Photo caption: (L-R): Brandon Heath and PLG’s radio promotions team member, Matt Ingle, celebrate Heath’s No. 1 radio hit “Give Me Your Eyes” this week with a victory lap organized by Ingle.


Photo caption: Brandon Heath joined the Provident Label Group radio team and friends in a ‘victory lap’ around the Provident offices yesterday in celebration of Heath’s No. 1 at AC-Monitored this week with “Give Me Your Eyes.”


BRANDON HEATH TAKES NO. 1 SPOT AT AC RADIO
WITH FIRST SINGLE “GIVE ME YOUR EYES” OFF SOPHOMORE ALBUM

Multi-Format Hit Song Remains No. 1 for Fifth Week on R&R CHR;
Tops iTunes Chart for Tenth Consecutive Week with more than 70,000 single downloads.

Wishes

I Wish....
I Wish I could understand things like He can...
I Wish I could speak words the way He would...
I Wish I could love the way He wants me to...
I Wish I could react the way He tells me ...
I Wish I could trust the way He promises...
I Wish I could see the way He sees...
I Wish...

What I'm Listening to These Days.....

What I'm Reading These Days.....

1st Wednesday

Alright, God...
I will admit, you ALWAYS know just what I need. And at just the right time.

You prepared the songs that were sung at 1st Wednesday just for me... I am thankful.

You allowed me to serve others through the hand-washing knowing that I would be the one to be touched deeply and feel the cleansing of the water...I am honored.

You spoke to me through the breaking of the bread...I am humbled.

You encouraged me through the fellowship of your people...I am blessed.

I will press on, now, feeling hopeful...I am renewed.

LIFE PACKAGES

It's said that some of the best gifts come wrapped in the ugliest packages. We see the unattractive wrapping and our (my) first reaction is "How can anything good come out of this?"
I'm learning that God reaches out to me in the midst of some "unpretty" gifts. He wants me to see beneath all the cardboard and tape to the real present deep inside. It may take some digging. I may get frustrated and not understand why all those packing peanuts are sooooo necessary (they can be so messy!).
There is an awesome gift in that box for me. Handpicked and carefully wrapped by my creator.

1 Corinthians 1:7
Just think—you don't need a thing, you've got it all! All God's gifts are right in front of you as you wait expectantly for our Master Jesus to arrive on the scene for the Finale. And not only that, but God himself is right alongside to keep you steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus. God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of his Son and our Master Jesus. He will never give up on you. Never forget that.

Authenticity

2008/08/18

Authentic Friendships
by Rick Warren

But if we live in the light, as God is in the light, we can share fellowship with each other. Then the blood of Jesus, God’s Son, cleanses us from every sin. If we say we have no sin, we are fooling ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:7–8 (NCV)

*** *** *** ***

In Christian fellowship people should experience authenticity.

Authentic fellowship is not superficial, surface-level chit-chat. It’s genuine, heart-to-heart, sometimes gut-level, sharing.


It happens when people get honest about who they are and what is happening in their lives. They share their hurts, reveal their feelings, confess their failures, disclose their doubts, admit their fears, acknowledge their weaknesses, and ask for help and prayer.


Authenticity is the exact opposite of what you find in many churches. Instead of an atmosphere of honesty and humility, there is pretending, role-playing, politicking, superficial politeness, and shallow conversation.


People wear masks, keep their guard up, and act as if everything is rosy in their lives. These attitudes are the death of real friendship.


It’s only as we become open about our lives that we experience authentic fellowship. The Bible says, “If we live in the light, as God is in the light, we can share fellowship with each other. . . . If we say we have no sin, we are fooling ourselves” (1 John 1:7–8 NCV).


The world thinks intimacy occurs in the dark, but God says it happens in the light. We tend to use darkness to hide our hurts, faults, fears, failures, and flaws. But in the light, we bring them all out into the open and admit who we really are.


Of course, being authentic requires both courage and humility. It means facing our fear of exposure, rejection, and being hurt again.


Why would anyone take such a risk?


Because it’s the only way to grow spiritually and be emotionally healthy. The Bible says, “Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed” (James 5:16 MSG).

I loved this devotional today...reminded me of great friends from GCC. Friends that I do ministry with, serve with, pray with and fellowship with. Friends that ask "how's it going?" and really WANT to know!! I pray that others will find me an "authentic friend".

New Quote that I Love

"It's one thing to believe in the power of God...it's another to experience His power."
-----Dr. Bob Laurente

Sweet tastes of Summer!

Yeah...I know it's hot & humid, but don't ya just LOVE summer!!!

Psalm 106:6-12

I read this passage this morning, God.
I see the Red Sea before me.
I thought I could get across by moving to the right...but there was just more sandy shore.
So I ran to the left where I thought I saw a bridge! It was only a short pier that jutted out a short distance and stopped.
I'm feeling kind of trapped.
I'm not afraid of the water. I've learned to be a good swimmer.
I'm just not sure I have the strength, energy, or even the determination to try swimming across.
Then I read how you helped the Israelites by rebuking the sea and it dried up.
On the spot.
You paraded them right through the middle. No one so much as got their feet wet.
I'm throwing away the snorkel and flippers and waiting on You to part my Red Sea.

"and they believed His words were true and broke out in songs of praise!"

Condiment Collection

I've had my share of collections. Seashells, glass figurines, Disney snowglobes. My husband collects swords, pictures of old TV shows and his latest endeavor is collecting hubcaps (don't ask!). My sons loved to collect baseball cards and would spend every last dime of their allowance to get the latest Barry Bonds or Michael Jordan card. But, this collection was a new one on me! To think that this guy has the time and patience to rinse out each condiment wrapper, and catgorize it by type.

http://condiment.portablefolkband.com/packets.php

PLANS

God laughs when we make plans....

I thought I had it pretty well figured out. I had a plan. An agenda. A "to-do" list that would accomplish what I wanted to accomplish. A goal that I could reach. I felt comfortable with my new focus. I've come to the conclusion that God never wants us to "get comfortable". I think He delights in throwing conflicts into our dayplanners. It makes us trust Him. It allows Him to work through us in ways that we would not think of nor give energy to if left on our own. We are stretched...but growing pains are uncomfortable, even painful at times. As I look back at my carefully made plans that do not even make sense anymore, I realize how important they seemed at the time, but now I'm seeing a bigger picture. I'm still not sure how the story ends...but I trust in the one who does.
"I know, O Lord, that a man's life is not his own;
it is not for man to direct his steps" Jeremiah 10:23

Manowe'

Terry & I served this afternoon/evening at Manowe. We helped prepare and serve dinner to one of the 5 Star Camps. I must say, it felt good to help Mary, the cook, who was sooooo appreciative to have us come and work with her. Many say they are going to come help...but don't show she told us. It's a lot of work to service Manowe like we do GCC...."With Excellence"!! What a great place! What a blessing! What a great outreaching facility that God is using!! Check it out!