Monday, February 28, 2011

Patches

Patches by Kelly Freund
My children\
I recommend EVERYONE purchase this children's book! It is a wonderful Christian book about a sad town trying to find happiness and substituting a "patch" for Jesus, our one true joy and happiness. (Very relevant to today when people substitute drugs, alcohol, work, love, etc in Jesus place.)


This book is easy to read with beautiful pages and a must in your library. I will admit I am biased since I go to church with this wonderful and talented woman but this is God's message. He is the one that got "this book" published out of all the one's she has written. Kelly told me that this would not have been her first choice to publish but God works and thinks differently than we do. Check her out at Tidbits 2 Treasure.  


*Please help her succeed in her dream to be a writer and to glorify God with her talent and skill. Help her reach others and make a difference in peoples lives. She can't do this without your help and love*

Saturday, February 26, 2011

When I say...

When I say that 'I am a Christian', I am not 
shouting that 'I am clean living.
 I'm whispering 'I was lost,
but now I'm found and forgiven.'

When I say 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of 
this with pride.
 I'm confessing that I stumble and 
need
 
Christ to be my guide.

When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to 
be strong.
 I'm professing that I'm weak and 
need
 
His strength to carry on.

When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging 
of success.
 I'm admitting I have failed and need 
God
 
to clean my mess.

When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming 
to be perfect.
 My flaws are far too visible,
but God believes I am worth it.

When I say 'I am a Christian' I still feel the 
sting of pain.
 I have my share of heartaches,
so I call upon His name.

When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier 
than thou, I'm just a simple sinner
 who received
 God's good grace, somehow!

Friday, February 25, 2011

One more Shovel

Does anyone like to procrastinate like me? I can get an A+ in this area sometimes. For example I said I would run a 5k March 26th and have I done anything to prepare for these 3.2 miles.....Nope! I did go for two walks last week....not that, that will help me much. If the weather would ever cooperate I'd run outside BUT no we have to keep getting snow. And well a gym membership right now, not in the budget. 


However today I was productive and I shoveled my whole driveway (5-6 inches deep) by myself (only took 40 mins). When I had first started I was going to do half and let my husband do the rest. I didn't want to take all the fun away since he was sleeping when I ventured out to do this invigorating home-owner duty. In the first 5 shovel fulls I was hurting. Luckily the snow was light, meaning not heavy but oh boy did my arms, shoulders and back hurt soon anyway. Definitely had to take a couple minute breaks, rest on the car, and sip my coffee and then back to the duty at hand. It was probably pretty entertaining to watch me shovel since I have A.D.D. and bounced all over the driveway shoveling. I couldn't decide what was the easiest way. 


I kept at it, one shovel full after another shovel full after another shovel full. And I watched as my driveway became cleaner and cleaner. My body would ache but then I would get a second wind if I kept pushing myself. Then came the moment when I decided I was going to get this all done. I've already done so much, why stop now?


We are so good at stopping ourselves right before our breakthrough, right before we see what we can accomplish. All we need is one more push, one more step, one more jump, or going around one more bend and we are there. I love watching Biggest Loser because you watch these contestants push themselves and when they think they can't do it, Bob and Jillian are there to say one more, you can do it. And you know what they can! One contestant was running at a 8 and 9 on the treadmill when the whole time she could do 12. It takes someone else telling us to do it before we will make ourselves. How many of us are living below our potential because our own minds and bodies are telling us we can't do it when we can?


Just keep thinking one foot in front of the other. Just one step then another step. Don't think twenty steps ahead. Think the one right in front of you. We are all greater than we know, just start tapping into that potential. 

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Don't make plans......

I have to laugh when it comes to the plans I have or want and then what actually happens. I'm sure God is up there shaking his head asking himself if I will ever learn. 


When Nathan and I left Florida I was set on getting out of the restaurant business. I was done. No more. Ha....Ha! It took me four months to find a job and then guess what....it was a serving job. Ugh...okay. It's a job and I need one desperately. 


I was very fortunate to find a job with a thriving restaurant that had great managers, coworkers and customers. I worked hard and got the hours I needed and made the money I wanted/needed. It was not my dream job but no complaints from this lady. I try everyday to be thankful for the things I do have, not the things I don't. This job paid my bills with extra left over and Nathan and I could afford our own place (We were living with my parents until we had decided what we were doing...i.e. staying in Lima or moving). 


This is kind of a two part story. When I first moved home I was struggling physically, emotionally and mentally. I was stuck and didn't know where my life was going. I was happily married but I had no goals or dreams. I didn't know what the next step was. Slowly over time though life started moving forward for me. I found a church I loved with awesome people and two bible studies which all helped renew me spiritually and I desperately needed it. Then after months of applying and getting no call backs I found a job and it was at the same restaurant as my husband so no car dilemmas (since we only have one). Yay! Things are moving in the right direction......and then when it was time for us to find our own place, guess what a duplex is opening up right next to my sister! It was perfect for us. We couldn't be happier and it was right between work and my parents. Everything and I mean everything fell right into place.....but all in its due time. Thank You Jesus!


Part II now....when I interviewed I told them I was interested in management and moving up. I've always been one that likes responsibilities and challenges and this was also a reason I left Useppa-no room for advancement. 


As of lately I've been aggravated with the bad tips I have been getting after I run my butt off and give the best customer service I know how. I started thinking about looking for something else and questioning if I was meant to stay where I was. I'm not a patient person and I didn't know if I'd be moving up soon or not. HA! Don't you know it, as soon as I start questioning things, everything switches on me real quick!


We had a manager leave last weekend and I was asked if I was still interested in moving into management. Yes, Please! But oh wow. I go from serving this week to a full-time manager next week!!!! A little crazy and unnerving. I know I have everything I need to become a great manager but talk about change and pressure. God totally threw me a curve ball. I'm hard on myself and I want to make everyone happy and do a good job so to say I'm a tad overwhelmed is an understatement. But so far God has led me every step of the way since I've moved and really before I moved so I know this is just the next step on the journey to my destination, whatever that may be. 


God is sooooooooo good and faithful! 

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

God Calling Us to Him

I was reading one of the blogs I follow and the blogger had a guest blogger post. The guest blogger talked about her daughter being sick, the ups and downs and then her daughter being healed. That in itself is a miracle and a blessing but as the blogger wrote "it was only gravy on top of the beautiful, unexplainable fact that He summoned me, my family, to Him."


We ALL go through hard times. It's inevitable. But God has a reason for those hard times. Sometimes we bring it on ourselves but other times God is trying to get our attention because we WON"T listen. We won't pay attention. We won't stop thinking "I" know best when in fact we don't. So when you lose your job, your child is sick, your car broke down, or any of the other hundred things that stress us out, stop and pray. Stop and listen. Is God trying to tell you something? Is He trying to love on you? Is He trying to bring you closer to Him?


I posted the website for the blog if you would like to read it...I suggest you all do=)
http://lifeblessons.blogspot.com/2011/02/amys-testimony-beyond-physical-healing.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+LifeBlessons+(Life+Blessons)

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Too Cute


The 
happiest people don't necessarily
have the best of everything;
they just make 
the best of everything they have.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Cool Water

   *Making a difference in someone's life*


Cool Water Bikes is a full-service, non-profit bicycle shop owned and operated by Cup of Cool Water, a Christian ministry working with Spokane’s street youth since 1995. Homeless youth can work to earn a refurbished donated bicycle, which are also for sale to the public. All proceeds from sales and service help support Cup of Cool Water’s programs. CWB uses bikes as a catalyst to build relationships with homeless youth, empowering them to become wholehearted followers of Christ and to exit street life. Riding, repairing, and selling bikes side by side, mentors and homeless youth have the opportunity to experience the love and hope of Jesus Christ. Youth can learn practical life skills and qualities like confidence, dedication, and respect and hear about the God who truly embodies those qualities and who promises to rescue them through His Son. The shop is a safe working environment where they can ask questions, have one-on-one conversations, and practice healthy relationships.
http://coolwaterbikes.org/about/

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Call on Jesus



I'm so very ordinary
Nothing special on my own
I have never walked on water
I have never calmed a storm
Sometimes I'm hiding away form the madness around me
Like a child who's afraid of the dark

But when I call on Jesus
All things are possible
I can mount on wings like eagles and soar
When I call on Jesus
Mountains are gonna fall
'Cause He'll move heaven and earth to come rescue me when I call

Weary brother
Broken daughter
Widowed, widowed lover
You're not alone
If you're tired and scared of the madness around you
If you can't find the strength to carry on

repeat chorus

Call Him in the mornin'
In the afternoon time
Late in the evenin'
He'll be there
When your heart is broken
And you feel discouraged
You can just remember that He said 
He'll be there

  ~Nicole C Mullen

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Out of the Heart flows

I have always been a sarcastic person. It just comes out of my mouth before I can even think about it. However I'm trying really, really hard to NOT be anymore. I hear the girls at work being sarcastic to each other and it just sounds.....what's the word....mean? Unnice? It just doesn't build a good environment. Does that make sense? I know for some when they are sarcastic they are trying to be funny or cute but for others they are just mean. The person will say they didn't mean it but did they? Would they have said it otherwise? I'm reading a book right now about how your words affect you and those around you and what God says about it all. (Sorry I don't have the book on me to tell you what it is-I'll get back to you) For some time I've been very interested in our "tongues." Meaning how does our words direct and lead our lives. How does it hurt or help those we are in contact with.

  Luke 6:43-45 "No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks."

So this scripture is saying that if it hadn't first been in your heart, it wouldn't have come out of your mouth! Hmm....interesting, huh?! So word problems are heart problems. This is why I question when someone is sarcastic. Was I always nice when I was sarcastic? Can you be nice when you're being sarcastic? I don't think so. That's why I'm trying really hard to NOT be sarcastic anymore. I don't want my heart to be filled with meanness or evil or envy or jealously and sometimes I think those are the things that make me be sarcastic.

Galatians 5:13-15 "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command. 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other."

From my notes I have "God has invested words with power"! How can words have power? Well what you say always produces some kind of harvest either now or later. Words can crush the faith of people, destroy their hope, damage their identity and can leave a legacy of darkness in the heart of others. Wow! That's some power. Can you remember a time someone hurt your feelings by what he or she said? Did those hurt feelings last a while? That's power. Those words spoken to you or about you took control in your life and changed you, whether it was temporarily or forever.

In Galatians it says "do not indulge in the sinful nature." Meaning don't have a life driven by self-indulgent desire. A life that runs on the track of my wants, my needs, my feelings. Because then my words go wherever my desires take me.

When I love God above all else then I will know how to love my neighbor as myself. Because it is only when God is in the rightful place in my life that I will treat you with the love that I have received from Him. You can't fix language, communication, or word problems horizontally-you first fix them vertically!

Working with a bunch of people who are sarcastic can easily slide me back into being sarcastic. I have to stop and think about what is trying to come out of my mouth. There is still that darkness in my heart and I'm trying so desperately to get it out. Instead of being sarcastic I try to say compliments and encouraging words. Words that help people get past a rough table or help them get through a rough night. Words that will fill their heart with joy and happiness. I want to build people up, not tear them down.

What is the lasting legacy of your words?

Friday, February 18, 2011

Special Place

I love the movie the Blind Side with Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw and Quinton Aaron. It brings such joy to my heart that someone cared about Michael Oher and took him in and accepted him as one of their own. If it wasn't for the Tuohy's he would never have been a first draft pick in the NFL.



From the Wikipedia website (movie is not all true):Born Michael Jerome Williams, Jr., in Memphis, Tennessee, he was one of twelve children to Denise Oher. His mother was an alcoholic and crack cocaine addict, and his father, Michael Jerome Williams, was frequently in prison. Due to his upbringing, he received little attention and discipline during his childhood.[1] He repeated both first and second grades, and attended eleven different schools during his first nine years as a student.[1] He was placed in foster care at age seven, and alternated between living in various foster homes and periods of homelessness.[1][2] Oher's biological father was a former cell mate of Denise Oher's brother and was murdered in prison when Oher was a senior in high school.[1]
Oher played football during his freshman year at a public high school in Memphis and applied for admission to Briarcrest Christian School at the instigation of acquaintance Tony Henderson, with whom he was living temporarily. Henderson was enrolling his son to the school in order to fulfill the dying wish of the boy's grandmother, and thought Oher might enroll as well.[1] The school's football coach submitted Oher's school application to the headmaster, who agreed to accept him if Oher could complete a home study program first. Despite not finishing the program, he was admitted when the headmaster realized that his requirement had removed Oher from the public education system.[1]
After the 2003 football season at Briarcrest, he was named Division II (2A) Lineman of the Year in 2003 and First Team Tennessee All-State.[3] Scout.com rated Oher a five-star recruit and the #5 offensive lineman prospect in the country.[4] Before that season and for his prior twenty months at Briarcrest, Oher had been living with several foster families. In 2004, Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy, a couple with a daughter and son attending Briarcrest, allowed Oher to live with them and eventually adopted him. The family began tending to his needs after becoming familiar with his difficult childhood. They also hired a tutor for him, who worked with him for twenty hours per week.[1]
Oher also earned two letters in track and basketball. He averaged 22 points and 10 rebounds a game, earning All-State honors by helping lead the basketball team to a 27-6 record, winning the district championship as a senior. Oher was also a state runner-up in the discus as a senior.[5]
Oher eventually increased his 0.6 grade point average to a 2.52 GPA by the end of his senior year so he could attend a Div. I school by enrolling in some 10-day-long Internet-based courses from Brigham Young University. Taking and passing the internet courses allowed him to replace Ds and Fs earned in earlier school classes, such as English, with As earned via the Internet.[6] This finally raised his graduating GPA over the required limit.[7]
It is these kind of stories that break my heart and encourage me at the same time. They make me want to adopt and/or foster. There are so many kids that need a good, loving , caring home. How can we turn our backs on these children who by no fault of their own end up in bad situations? Where would Michael have ended up if the Tuohy's hadn't opened their hearts to him? I know adoption and foster care isn't for everyone but it has a special place in my heart and one day I hope to make a difference in many children's lives. I don't know when but one day.........until then my help through World Vision will have to do=)
kellee


Isaiah 1:17 "Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. 
                    Defend the cause of the fatherless, 
                   plead the case of the widow."


Jeremiah 22:16 "He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me? declares the Lord.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Date Night

A while back I posted on Facebook that I was having date night with my husband and some people commented and said "Ha! Couples without children don't NEED date night!! lol But hope you enjoyed anyway!!" and "They have no kids so they should have date night every night. Enjoy it all you can before the kid Kelli." I understand from their point of view what they are saying but Nathan and I rarely have a night off together. Some weeks our schedules are total opposite so we don't see each other very much. That doesn't improve our relationship. The other thing going against us is that we disagree on tv, movies, books, what colors to paint our house, rearranging furniture, food and hobbies(just to name a few). We've only been married just over a year but we've been together for over three years and we're comfortable with each other; which means he's in the living room watching tv and I'm in my office reading or on the computer. Quality time together, eh?! 
Caitlin _ Brians Wedding | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
It may sound silly to others but we have to make an effort to do something together. I love my husband dearly but we just don't share the same interests so yes sometimes we do need to "schedule" to do something together like date night. Its easy to get caught up in the same routine night after night and lose part of your relationship and grow apart. We're certainly not there but I can see how it could happen. In my opinion it is actually easier to grow apart then grow together because to grow together you have to put in the time and effort. Nathan loves anime and for me to enjoy it with him I had to try out different anime's to see what I would like. I had to be open to something different. I like going for walks but Nathan is not a fan but he does it to make me happy. 
Love is… | Lucky Optimist
In our relationship we have to compromise and be open to trying something different. Nathan and I have it slightly harder than couples who share a lot of interests together. We have to be open-minded and supportive even when the other doesn't get it or really care. I wouldn't trade our relationship for anything but it will always be work for us. We have to grow together but still respect the other's opinions and interests. One of our biggest "fights" was about where some bookcases should go in our living room! HA! See what I mean. Hopefully as we grow old together we'll find some common ground. 


L-O-V-E.....is putting your happiness aside for someone else's happiness


L-O-V-E.....is actions not words


L-O-V-E.....sees ALL the person, faults and all and still chooses her


L-O-V-E.....is my husband saying he wishes he could take my pain on him so I didn't have to feel it anymore


L-O-V-E....always forgives

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Priorities

Guest Blogger- Kristen

Kelli is having horrible tooth pain so she asked me to step in and do her blog. I am a procrastinater so I have a paper to write and studying to do for an exam tomorrow. So I was looking for a verse to put up here and I looked under priorities.

Matthew 12:46-50

While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you" He replied to him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" Pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."

**I have been finding new blogs that I just love. One is Pitter Patter Art. Laura is a local Nashville artist and does amazing things! Every month she does a giveaway while she is waiting for her son she is adopting from Ethiopia. Check her blog and art out, at http://pitterpatterart.wordpress.com/2011/02/16/3-months-waiting-giveaway/**kellee

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Only One

You are the only one that can make yourself happy! You are the only one that can decide what YOU want.  If you don’t like your job, car, home, friends, clothes, dog, furniture, gym, and everything else about life then change it! I don’t know where we get the mentality that we are victims and stuck in our situation. Yes, there will be some exceptions but for the most part we control our lives. Some things won’t be easy to change and it’ll be hard but in the end it is worthwhile.
You need to take action and stop complaining. If you don’t like your job look for a new one. If you don’t like the city you’re living in, save money and move. If you aren’t happy in your relationship with your significant other, break up with him or her (boyfriends and fiancés-marriages you should work on-in my opinion). If you aren’t happy with your weight, exercise and eat right. I could go on and on but I think you get the idea. You are the one who has to iniatite the change you want.
We need to stop standing on the sidelines watching our life go by and actually get in and start playing. Make a list of things that you want to change or accomplish and then start working toward those things. No one will make you happy. You can’t find happiness in your family, friends, or lover. They can’t fulfill the empty part of you. For me, God fills that void. God makes me happy and fills me with joy no matter what is going on in my life.
My prayer is that no one settles for less than what he or she deserves and that you have the courage and determination to make the changes in your life that need to be done.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Valentine

A Valentine may play a love song for you, but God sings you the sweetest love song in the universe.
The Lord your God... will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
A Valentine may give you flowers, but God sent you the most beautiful rose of all. Jesus.I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.
Song of Solomon 2:1
A Valentine may bring you chocolate, but God provides you with something even sweeter, His Word.
How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psalm 119:103
A Valentine may love you for a lifetime, but God loved you before you were born and will love you for all eternity.
Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love...with lovingkindness I have drawn you. Jeremiah 31:3
Praying you're blessed by the wonderful love of God this Valentine's Day and always!
   -Dayspring

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Fresh Look

I was super excited today when I was messing around on blogger and learned how to change the font and color of my blog! Just those two things (well I did change the layout though so three) made such a fresh looking blog. I love it. And it got me thinking......

There are things we don't like about ourselves; hair, build, ears, teeth, feet, etc and at times we can feel not our most attractive. Does anyone remember when Extreme Make-over was on and the show would redo people's nose, lips, ears, breasts, thighs and so on? For the most part they did look better but did they really need to go to such drastic measures? If you watch What Not To Wear all the show does is give the person an updated wardrope, new haircut and color and make-up and that person is beautiful with no drastic measures!
This is the story of a girl
Sometimes all we need to feel beautiful, confident, and happy is a fresh look. If you're not feeling your most beautiful try a new haircut or a fun color. Go to a department store and have the cosmetic ladies give you a make-over or a new perfume to wear. Take a friend shopping with you and have her pick out clothes for you or maybe manicures and pedicures or a massage! Maybe join a gym and get in shape. A hot bath with candles and wine may do the trick too. You don't need the breast implants, liposuction, nose job, etc.
fauxxx.
I love change! Well if we're talking about rearranging my house. My husband hates it but what can you do. When I rearrange any room I get renewed and energized. Having the furniture the same way ALL the time is so boring and blah. So if you're feeling lazy or cooped up maybe you need a room revamp? Move the furniture, put new pictures up, buy something really fun to add to a room (like a mirror, lamp or bookshelf) or maybe a paint job. It's really the little things that can make a difference. You don't need to buy a new house you just need to change it up=)
A Diary of Lovely on Tumblr (Via Arianna Belle)
In case no one ever told you, YOU ARE B-E-A-UTIFUL! Let the world see you shine!
Silver Lining

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Grumpy

Guest Blogger- Kristen

This morning my day started off with an argument with my significant other and a whining four year old. It seems when our day starts out negative it sets a tone for the rest of the day. IF we let it. In my mind I told myself "ugh this is going to be a bad day". Before I even left the house I asked my boyfriend if we could just get over it now so it didn't ruin our day, but we were both still annoyed. So that didn't work. Cameron and I went to pancake day at church and when anyone asked how I was, I would normally say "Great, Good or Fine". Not today, I told them I was not having a good morning. Why be fake? My best friend, Amanda was there this morning and I had not seen her in a week! Which is long for us. She is always happy like my mom and sister. When I am grumpy, happy people just get on my nerves! Which is awful to say I know, but I'm sure you know what I mean. Through out the time I was at church I was feeling better already. Just being around everyone. After we left, Amanda came over to play cards and she was humming a really "happy" tune. I was like "Could you PLEASE stop being so HAPPY". Which I was joking around, that's how we are with each other. But then through out playing cards and talking with her, I begin humming and it was getting on her nerves lol. I told her I was happy now! I could have just stayed grumpy and angry through out the day but instead I chose to move on with my day and not take it out on the happy people I was around.

My mom had had a bad day yesterday and I wanted to cheer her up so I got her a puzzle. She LOVES doing puzzles and yesterday she finished a big one that she had been working on. I took it to her today and she was SO happy. She opened it pretty quickly after I gave it to her and we started sorting out the pieces. My mom is amazing, and if I had gone on my day being grumpy I would not have been able to make her day. So....moral of my story............BE HAPPY!!

Friday, February 11, 2011

It's the Journey

I am totally raising my hand on this topic! This is so me and I'm trying to work on it.

      ~It is the journey not the destination.......

Ha! I want to get to the destination as fast as possible. No waiting, no pausing, no stopping. Lets get there A.F.A.P. -As Fast As Possible. And I'm talking about everything in life like; moving to the next big age in life like turning 16 so I can drive and 21 so I can drink, or once I was engaged getting to the wedding day and not enjoying being engaged, or moving on to the next season-summer's too hot lets get to fall and winter is depressing me so lets get to spring. I forget to enjoy where I am and the path to my destination. I want to move on NOW! I've mentioned before that when Nathan and I would drive up to Ohio from Florida I hardly wanted to make any stops and just wanted to get to my destination. I don't know how to enjoy the journey. I think I have a fast forward button in me somewhere that doesn't have a slow down or pause button with it.

There is a country song that talks about a girl who is wanting to rush through life. First she wants to turn 16 and then get married and then have babies right away and then a bigger house. She doesn't enjoy where she is. We live in a society where everything is fast and we don't know how to wait. Everything is instant. Really what kind of life is this? Is it really that enjoyable?

When we are faced with tests, trials and tribulations we want out as fast as possible. We pray that God would fix our problem yesterday. And when God doesn't act right away we get upset and mad at Him. We question Him and His love for us. James 1:2 "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." Wait, what? I'm suppose to be happy about trials? YES!

When things are going well in life we tend to forget about God or spending time with Him. We can "control" things. But once we face trouble then we come to God and need Him again. If God fixed our problems right away, what would we learn? We wouldn't grow and learn. Our character wouldn't be enhanced. So again the journey of our problems being fixed is more important than the destination of all being well again. The journey helps our faith grow and our love for God, the Almighty and Powerful.

From here on out lets try to slow down and enjoy the scenery along the path, smell the roses and even have a picnic! Lets enjoy the moment.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

I Refuse



Sometimes I, 
I just want to close my eyes
And act like everyone’s alright 
When I know they’re not.
This world needs God
But it’s easier to stand and watch. 
I could pray a prayer and just move on
Like nothing’s wrong.

But I refuse.
‘Cause I don’t want to live like I don’t care.
I don’t want to say another empty prayer.
I refuse to
Sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself.

I could choose
Not to move but I refuse.

I can hear the least of these 
Crying out so desperately, 
And I know we are the hands and feet 
Of you, oh god.
So, if you say move,
Then it’s time for me to follow through,
And do what I was made to do.
Show them who you are.



‘Cause I don’t want to live like I don’t care.
I don’t want to say another empty prayer.
I refuse to
Sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself.
I could choose
Not to move but I refuse.

To stand and watch 
The weary and lost 
Cry out for help.
I refuse
To turn my back 
And try and act like all is well.
I refuse
To stay unchanged,
To wait another day,
To die to myself.
I refuse
To make one more excuse. 

‘Cause I don’t want to live like I don’t care.
I don’t want to say another empty prayer.
I refuse to
Sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself.
I could choose
Not to move but I refuse.

   ~Josh Wilson