Perception vs. Reality

How is your perception today? How is your reality? Do they differ? Why? How does that serve you?

We have a choice, we can just grunt thru our chores or we can be blessed by them. I realized this as I was cleaning out the fridge last night. Hubby and I were supposed to do it together, but he conveniently disappeared when the fridge door was opened. So I started to get pissy, figured OK, I'll clean out the UFOs and he can clean all the related moldy dishes... FINE, be that way!

Then he reappeared and started doing other kitchen works that needed to be done as well... so I pressed on with the cleaning and then did all the dishes, praying the whole time for wisdom and the ability to continue to bite my tongue! Shortly, very shortly actually, I was done... VIOLA! done... a big job and it was done in the blink of an eye, without any yelling or starting a big fight! Praise the Lord for clean dishes, and I guess dirty ones too :)

So next time you face a chore that you despise or have issues with, just buck up and get 'er done... you'll be a better person for having taken it on.

"So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up." ~ Galatians 6:9, NLT

Operation: Worship

Dear Hero,

Thank you for your service to our country. You and your fellow soldiers are in our thoughts and prayers daily. We are free because of citizens like you that choose to put yourselves in harms way to defend our rights and freedoms.

We pray for peace also and want you all to come home soon. We support you and will welcome you home with open arms and hold you in high esteem for the work you’ve done for all of us.

On September 11th we will mourn those lost and celebrate our freedom during a Freedom Walk in Antioch, CA - as well as many other locations in the country, as coordinated by America Supports You. There are so many troop support organizations, the country has really realized that your efforts need to be recognized and acknowledged.

We are the majority, but the minority voice is very loud, please try not to listen to them, know that there are many quiet supporters of the troops, even if we don’t all support the war.
All things are done for the greater good, even if we don’t understand that as we make our choices, work our jobs, and live our lives. There are no accidents. God is in control.

Remember we love you and anxiously await your return home.

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. ~Matthew 6:33

Sufficient

Thought you might enjoy the lyrics, even if you don't know the tune. I just melt whenever I hear this song. Thanks Megan :) you sing it so well.

Sufficient

Hear my heart lord as I cry out to you

Hear my prayer lord and carry me thru

In your mercy in the promise you made

Be my strength Lord when my strength fades away
‘Cause when I am weak your strength is complete

It's perfect Completely all I need

Sufficient for me

Your grace and peace are perfect

Completely all I need

You're all that I need

In my weakness I'm finding your strength

In my sorrow a gentle embrace

Through the seasons of laughter or pain

You are listening When I call out your name

‘Cause when I am weak your strength is complete

It's perfect Completely all I need

Sufficient for me Your grace and peace are perfect

Completely all I need

You're all that I need

I'll find you when I seek

I'll look for you with all of my heart

And I’ll find you when I'm weak

‘cause you are strong

Hear my heart lord as I cry out to you

Hear my prayer lord and carry my through

Carry me through

‘Cause when I am weak your strength is complete

It's perfect Completely all I need

Sufficient for me

Your grace and peace are perfect

Completely all I need

You're all that I need

‘Cause when I am weak your strength is complete

It's perfect Completely all I need

Sufficient for me Your grace and peace are perfect

Completely all I need

You're all that I need

"By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life..." ~ 2 Peter 1:3, NLT

Ahhh... I need a vacation!

I woke up this morning, one week to the day of my rear-ender accident that totaled my car, and realized that I need a vacation! I want a break from the day to day stresses: the get up, get dressed, go to work, yadda yadda.

But for now, it just isn't in the cards - sure I can take a day off work and try to disappear for a day and it would help my mental health - but I don't even feel like making that effort to possibly feel better :(

I think I need a break from the mundane, but I'm not sure that exists! Or maybe its the chaos that I need a break from. Our lives have been just crazy lately... one thing after another - just piling up the stress on my head and my whiplashed neck and back :( so maybe thats why it seems to hurt worse now. That's it!

I know it will help me, and hubby, when he is able to find a job. Being unemployed really sucks the life out of you and your family, as well as the obvious fiscal implications :(

OK, enough of this wanna-be-on-vacation pity party... I need to get back to a peaceful place in my heart and trust in the Lord to keep me safe. Hey, and you too!


"In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe." ~ Psalm 4:8, NLT

Ch-Ch-Changes!

Yes, BE the change you want to see in the world. Be the light, be the salt, do something to make the world better. The weak shall move the strong. Really! I have been feeling quite weak lately, yet my words and deeds have effects on others. It really is amazing!

Take an active role in your life. Seize the day! Make a change! Vote for your beliefs. Live like you mean it!

We only get one chance here on earth. Make your life count. Let others count on you. Count it all joy! Don't waste your time feeling sorry for yourself, being angry with others, or wishing you were someone else. You have been fearfully and wonderfully made. The artists fingerprints are on each part of you. You are the clay, you have been molded for just your life. Only each one of us can handle what we're given... anyone elses serving is more than we can take.

Our mercies renew every morning... good thing, as everyday we use all of ours. Praise the Lord for refreshing - come to the water, you who thirst, and you'll thirst no more!!!


"This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God's wonderful grace." ~ Colossians 1:6, NLT

In the refiners fire

Testing, testing... so much testing going on. I'm in the refiners fire. I can't wait to see how shiny and new I come out on the other side. But BOY is it HOT in here!

I know I've been thru it before and I will be again, but I am certainly now. I could make a big list to show you, but thats too much work.

I also know that I'm not the only one in the fire at the moment, there are many of you in there with me. Know that this season of refining only makes us better!

Praying for peace and the fires to die down soon, in His perfect time.

"And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart." ~ Ezekiel 36:26, NLT

How do I know my value?

Do I value myself? My relationships? My blessings? My life? My job?

Not enough sometimes, but boy when something doesn't go right and I'm feeling miserable I sure value how it feels to feel good. Funny and sad! Like now, I have an annoying headache... I know many people live with them, and many other pains... but boy do I miss feeling better, and again, I'm barely not-well... imagine how much healthier I would be, you would be, we all would be... if we could somehow capitalize on this feeling and actually DO something about it.

I've been known to whine about every little thing that doesn't go right for me... instead of putting my whines to work fixing what I have control over and trying to minimize the effect of the things I don't have control over. Sounds like the serenity prayer, doesn't it?!?!

"So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows." ~ Matthew 10:31, NLT