Blessings hidden in trials

Somehow God always delivers JUST the message I need. I hope that this lesson from "Streams in the Desert" inspires and heals you just as much as it did me. God Bless!

October 6, 2011

What grace it requires when we are misunderstood yet handle it correctly, or when we are judged unkindly yet receive it in holy sweetness! Nothing tests our character more than having something evil said about us. This kind of grinding test is what exposes whether we are solid gold or simply gold-plated metal. If we could only see the blessings that lie hidden in our trials, we would say like David, when Shimei cursed him, "Let him curse... It may be that the Lord will repay me with good for the cursing I have received today" (2 Sam. 16-11-12)

Some Christians are easily turned away from the greatness of their life's calling by pursuing instead their own grievances and enemies. They ultimately turn their lives into one petty whirlwind of warfare. It reminds me of trying to deal with a a hornet's nest. You may be able to disperse the hornets, but you will probably be terribly stung and receive nothing for your pain, for even their honey has no value.

May God grant us more of the Spirit of Christ, who, "when they hurled their insults at him,...did not retaliate...Instead he trusted himself to him who judges justly" (1 Peter 2:23). "Consider him who endures such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart" (Heb. 12:3).

Redeem your riches

Lesson for 8-2-11

Inspired by Joyce Meyer

Never let anything you own become so important to you that you can’t walk away from it or let it go if God asks you to.

There are 1,420 minutes in every day- how do you spend your time?

Men don’t have any problem at all spending half a day watching football or playing 6 hours of golf.

Ladies? We don’t have any problem spending 3 hours at the spa or 4 hours out for drinks with the girls, do we?

But if we are asked to spend one hour with God we think, “when am I going to find time to do that?” Many of us only think about God when we have a disaster.

If you REALLY made it a priority, you would wake up a little bit earlier to spend time with God. We put time into what’s important to us! All he is asking for is a relationship with YOU… he chose YOU.

3 things to put on a sticky note and post to your fridge, car dash or office desk

• If you do not put God first with your time, NOTHING ELSE WILL WORK OUT IN YOUR LIFE.
• Develop a habit to NEED God 1 hour every morning and watch your life flourish.
• Stop trying to work God into your schedule and work your schedule around God.

1 Timothy 6:17 “Things that take us away from God”

 As for the rich in this world charge them not to be proud and arrogant and contemptuous of others, nor to set their hopes on uncertain riches, but on God who provides us with everything for (our) enjoyment.

*Perspective: If you have food, a home, clothes, running water- you are considered rich.

He is not saying there is anything wrong with having an abundance, but make sure you don’t put your hope in “the stuff.”

People are working way too hard today on way too much stuff. We are addicted to “things”.

Can anyone relate to this?! I don’t have enough time for God because I need a second job to afford my mortgage and I have to work overtime to afford my new fancy boat. Then I get grouchy and tired so my marriage is in trouble…etc. etc.

Do you get it yet?! Here’s the point… if God comes first in your fancy home or a family worships God together in their big boat, then you are using your “things” to honor Him. If a friend calls and needs a ride and you pick him up in your Maserati, then you are using your “things” for Christianity. Things can be used to bring life to other people, but the thing itself will not bring life to you.

The world abuses people to get things. We need to start using things to bless and minister to people. Everything you own needs to be available to God.

The Bible says: Do not put your hopes in uncertain riches, but keep your hopes in God.

This brings me to a story…something that happened to me this week. On my way home from taking Chloe to Project H.O.P.E. in Pontiac for her heartworm treatment I saw a homeless man on the corner of Telegraph. He held up a sign that said “Homeless family. Hungry. Will work for food.” I was stopped at a red light and I was in the wrong lane to hand him any money so I turned around and handed him $1.50. He was wearing a cross on his wrist and said “God Bless You”.  I smiled and drove away.

But his face stuck with me. I had another $20 in my purse but I only gave him $1.50 because I thought, “what if he uses the money for drugs?” and “I need the cash to get lunch for me & Kyle”. Our society and the news has taught us to be distrustful and selfish. I put myself first and questioned this man’s motives.

So the next day I was driving with Kyle and I told him the story. I decided if I saw the man again I might give him more money. And then I took it one step further… “What if we hire him to pull our weeds? Do our yard work?” I certainly need help around the house and we could feed his family! You can imagine the reaction Kyle gave me (insert quizzical expression here).:)

But here’s the point: I wanted to use my “things” to help this man. Rather than dwell on what the world has taught me (Don’t trust this man’s motives. Be fearful- he could steal from you!), I decided to react with what God has taught me. We are given things to return them as blessings.

That is why I continue to open my house and my heart to dogs in need. I was blessed with “things”, now it is my turn to return that blessing.

Sometimes God “tests” us. It’s not about the homeless man or the dogs or anything else… it’s a test. WiIl you give when you are called upon?

Joyce Meyer shared a great thought, something that I hope will stick with you this week: “If you keep something after God tells you to give it away, it will stop bringing you joy.” We are designed to give. Go out and give back today.

Pet Pardons

My blog today is dedicated to Ashley Owen Hill, founder of Pet Pardons. She put into words what I have been trying to say all along... sometimes we are left with no words...speechless for the things we care about most. Thank you, Ashley for writing this beautiful blog.

http://luckydogrescueblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/test.html

Holy Spirit

This week I have been missing my grandma like crazy and ironically my "homework" for the Starting Point class at church is "Holy Spirit".

We were asked to explore what "the Holy Spirit" is...how do we connect with this mysterious apparition? What does it sound like? Feel like? How do we know it's there... sitting next to us in the passenger seat on the way to work, or maybe next to us in Yoga class?

We are told to honor the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. And we know who the Father and Son are...but who or what exactly is "the Holy Ghost"?

I was in Ann Arbor yesterday for the Art Festival and I parked at Briarwood Mall to take the shuttle. I ran inside to Macy's to use the bathroom and there was a cute older couple in front of me. The woman reminded me SO MUCH of my grandma. How she interacted with her husband, her mannerisms, the way she smiled at me when she opened the bathroom door. I just FELT the presence of my grandma and it made me smile.

I feel like God gives us little glimpses of the people we lose to death... maybe a reminder of the joy they left behind or reassurance that their spirit lives on in the afterlife? Since we had a close, personal relationship with that person before they died, I think God also uses their spirit to get closer to us. God seeks a close, personal relationship with us every way possible. He loves us that much!

At my grandma's celebration of life last September we played the song "I can only imagine" and every time I hear it now I can "feel" her...wrapping her arms around me with a musical hug.

(excerpt from Starting Point) Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as the "counselor" that lives inside us. Even though Jesus is not visible, we can experience intimacy with God when we listen and follow the prompting of that still, small voice in our hearts. Our intimacy with God is not based on keeping a list of rules. As a member of God's family you have God with you...in you...as a still, small voice and powerful force. Thus living your life with God is simply a matter of following him whenever prompted. And while it's not the same as interacting with a visible person, we can learn to listen to God's spirit speaking into our lives.

"We are not human beings on a spiritual journey, we are spiritual beings on a human journey".

-Stephen Covey

Your heart...

The lord searches every heart & understands every desire & every thought.
1Chron28:9

Knowing & believing this will change your life.

One month later...

Time sure does fly! Sorry I lost track of daily blogging... life just got busy.
Today's post is a song that I heard on Pandora. It is inspiring and "light and breezy":) enjoy!


When there's nothing to believe in, I belive in you
Forget the past and let my hand in yours be the proof
Though the strong could be my company, you're the one I choose
So remember, I believe in you

I know it feels like every eye is watching you
Waiting for you to fall, expecting you to lose
But I see victory, so all you have to do
Is remember, I believe in you

I believe, even when I see you crying
I believe, let me dream for you
When nothing comes from trying
Remember, I believe in you

There will come a day when love will lift you out of here
There will come a day when love will bring the truth
There will come a day when love will free you from your fear
And you'll remember, I believe in you

I believe, even when I see you crying
I believe, let me dream for you
When nothing comes from trying
Remember, I believe in you

Bethany Dillon, I believe in you

What's in You?!

I love this interview with Teresa E. Hairston, publisher and founder of Gospel Today

Teresa was asked, "were you born an entrepreneur?"

She replied, “Yes. The question is when did I know what was in me? How long did it take for me to “do” what was in me? The fact is it's always in YOU."

"David says in Psalm 139 that we are fearfully and wonderfully made…from birth we are ordained to do wonderful things. The question is, how much of it are we going to take to the grave?"

"The goal is to die empty- give all that stuff away when you are alive..."

This 8 minute interview is inspiring…worth listening to every word:)

http://www.facebook.com/#!/video/video.php?v=10150567649990472

Blossom

And the day came 

when the risk it took 

to remain tight inside the bud 

was more painful 

than the risk it took to blossom.

~Anais Nin

Brokenness

This blog is inspired by Andy Stanley's lecture on Brokenness.

Why doesn't God stop tragedy? Tsunami's, tornadoes, terrorism, murder...

And we ask ourselves did he cause it or allow it?

If God is all powerful why do these terrible things happen that bring us to our knees in suffering?

Derek Kidner, an old testament scholar and ordained minister in the Church of England, once said: "Human arguments exhaust themselves. We can never know all of the factors involved. We can't know, we won't know and we have to trust Him..."

Everyone will ask these questions at some point in their lives...who is God? 

Why doesn't he/she/it protect us?

We debated this a couple weeks ago in "Starting Point", a class at Northridge Church, and something that really stood out to me is this...I don't want to understand. If our God was on a level that we could understand what would make him so great? If you read Genesis and the story of Abraham you will learn that God's promises don't come "when we want them". God does not operate in "microwave oven" time. God operates according to his plan for our lives. 

We have to trust Him.

I think that is why it is so hard for people to grasp and have faith in His plan...because it doesn't come when they want it to. 

In the words of Tracy Chapman's song, Change

How bad, how good does it need to get?

How many losses, how much regret?

What chain reaction?

What cause and effect?

Listen to the song by clicking on the video below

In other words what needs to happen in our lives for us to believe in God? Why do bad things cause us to turn away from Him...when we need him most? 

Is YOUR plan really greater than His???

Bright Spots

I had the unique opportunity of attending a seminar that featured Chip Health, the author of "Switch. How to Change Things When Change is Hard." His lecture was inspiring and compelling and I can't wait to read his book.

The theme throughout his book is "how to be a Bright Spot" or "how to find a Bright Spot". Bright Spots are tiny fractions of things going right.

I wanted to share this inspiring example with you. I think it might just change how you look at things...

*****
Ignoring the experts, Sternin traveled to a local village and called together all the village's mothers. He asked for their assistance in finding ways to nourish their kids better, and they agreed to help. As the first step, they went out in teams to weigh and measure every child in the village. Then, they pored over the results together with Sternin.

He asked them, "Did you find any very, very poor kids who are bigger and healthier than the typical child?" The women, scanning the data, nodded and said, "Có, có, có." (Yes, yes, yes.)

He said, "You mean it's possible today in this village for a very poor family to have a well-nourished child?"

"Có, có, có."

"Then let's go see what they're doing."

Sternin's strategy was to search the community for bright spots. If some kids were healthy despite their disadvantages, then that meant something important: Malnourishment was not inevitable. The mere existence of healthy kids provided hope for a practical, short-term solution. Sternin knew he couldn't fix the thorny root causes. But if a handful of kids were staying healthy against the odds, why couldn't every kid be healthy?

To understand what the bright spots were doing differently, the mothers first had to understand the typical eating behaviors in the community. So they talked to dozens of people -- other mothers, fathers, older brothers and sisters, grandparents -- and discovered that the norms were pretty clear: Kids ate twice a day along with the rest of their families, and they ate food that was deemed appropriate for children -- soft, pure foods like the highest-quality rice.

Armed with that understanding, the mothers then observed the homes of the bright-spot kids, and, alert for any deviations, they noticed some unexpected habits. For one thing, bright-spot moms were feeding their kids four meals a day (using the same amount of food as other moms but spreading it across four servings rather than two). The larger twice-a-day meals eaten by most families turned out to be a mistake for children, because their malnourished stomachs couldn't process that much food at one time.

The style of eating was also different. Most parents believed that their kids understood their own needs and would feed themselves appropriately from a communal bowl. But the healthy kids were fed more actively -- by hand if necessary. The children were even encouraged to eat when they were sick, which was not the norm.

Perhaps most interesting, the healthy kids were eating different kinds of food. The bright-spot mothers were collecting tiny shrimp and crabs from the rice paddies and mixing them in with their kids' rice. (Shrimp and crabs were eaten by adults but they weren't considered appropriate food for kids.) The mothers also tossed in sweet-potato greens, which were considered a low-class food. These dietary improvisations, however strange or "low class," were doing something precious: adding sorely needed protein and vitamins to the children's diet.

As an outsider, Sternin never could have foreseen these insights. He knew nothing about sweet-potato greens. The solution was a native one, emerging from the real-world experience of the villagers, and for that reason, it was inherently realistic as well as sustainable. But knowing the solution wasn't enough. For anything to change, lots of mothers would need to adopt the new cooking habits.

Sternin refused to make a formal announcement. He knew that telling the mothers about nutrition wouldn't change their behavior. "Knowledge does not change behavior," he told us in the spring of 2008 (Sternin passed away in December of that year). "We have all encountered crazy shrinks and obese doctors and divorced marriage counselors." The mothers would have to practice it. They'd have to act differently until the different started to feel normal.

The community designed a program in which 50 malnourished families, in groups of 10, would meet at a hut each day and prepare food together. The families were required to bring shrimp, crabs, and sweet-potato greens. The mothers washed their hands with soap and cooked the meal together. Sternin said that the moms were "acting their way into a new way of thinking." Most important, it was their change, something that arose from the local wisdom of the village. Sternin's role was only to help them see that they could do it, that they could conquer malnutrition on their own.

Dozens of experts had analyzed the situation in Vietnam, agonizing over the problems -- the water supply, the sanitation, the poverty, the ignorance. They'd written position papers and research documents and development plans. But they hadn't changed a thing.

Six months after Sternin's visit to the Vietnamese village, 65% of the kids were better nourished -- and they stayed that way. Later, when researchers from Emory University's School of Public Health came to Vietnam to gather independent data, they found that even children who hadn't been born when Sternin left the village were as healthy as the kids Sternin had reached directly. That provided proof that the changes had stuck.

In tough times, we'll see problems everywhere, and "analysis paralysis" will often kick in. That's why, to make progress on a change, we need to provide crystal-clear direction -- show people where to go, how to act, what destination to pursue. And that's why bright spots are so essential: They provide the road map.

Source: http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/142/switch-how-to-change-things-when-change-is-hard.html?page=0%2C1 

Chicken McNuggets & God

We put our TRUST in to every day things. We trust that when we give our money to a bank that it will be safe. We trust that when we get in our car and drive to work that it will not blow up. We trust that when we go to our doctor he/she will be able to "fix us".

The ins and outs of life are "figured out for us" so we can go about our day.

So why do we put so much TRUST into the world around us but have such a difficult time with FAITH?

Why do we slide through life believing companies or doctors know what is best for us, but we disregard Matthew, Mark, Luke and John?

It can't be a matter of present vs. history because we BELIEVE history. In school we read about Christopher Columbus, Caesar and World War I. We weren't there but most of us believe that it happened.

Maybe it's interpretation that people have a problem with? The Bible has been interpreted by thousands of people...so do we just disregard it entirely? Throw up our hands and say "it can't be true"?!?!?

Well I have an important announcement people: EVERYTHING IS OPEN FOR INTERPRETATION! Chicken McNuggets are open to interpretation (FACT: There are 38 ingredients in McDonald's chicken Mcnuggets. They are 44% chicken. Look it up)

Okay, maybe it's a matter of proof? Scientific research? No. That can't be it either because there is plenty of proof that the Bible is fact. Click Here

For me personally, I don't need proof. Some things can be seen, felt and heard without a history book. I like to think of my relationship with God as my sixth sense...sight, smell, taste, touch, hearing and God.:)

A relationship with God makes life on earth worth living. Too many terrible things (created by humans) happen and I have to believe that God has as plan. I have to remind myself on a daily basis that there are lessons in obstacles and never ending hope when you are hand-in-hand with God.

Just like riding a bike, a relationship and TRUST in God takes practice. A practice worth pursuing every day...

As for me and my relationship with God...I'm Lovin' it! :-)

God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars.

~Martin Luther King

Work from the Heart

I was drinking my morning cup of coffee, anticipating the long day ahead at the Women's Expo, and I turned to 100 Favorite Bible Verses. Ironically, this is the chapter I turned to...

Job Description: Excellence

In all the work you are doing, work the best you can. 

Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people. 

~Colossians 3:23 NCV

Work is a noble calling. God commends people for doing it well, and he also does work for himself. When God created the world, he worked. The excellence of His work is evident in everything that he made. He even took a day off to review the results of his efforts and declared them "good." 

God continues to work, sustaining what he created that very first week in the world's history.

Since God created you in His image, work should be a part of your life. Doing it well reflects God's creativity and character. It easy however to lose your motivation when a job is difficult or you become bored with doing the same thing day after day. Paul's words to the Colossians can help you keep your work in its proper perspective. Working the best you can literally means "working from the soul." 

You are not working simply to pay the bills, please your boss, or pass the time of day. God set this job in front of you. When you do your job well, God notices, even if no one else does.

This section of Colossians was originally directed toward slaves. It encouraged them to remain positive and productive, even if they were working in bondage under a tyrant. If a slave, who could be beaten even if he did a job well, could strive for excellence by maintaining a Colossians 3:23 perspective, that should inspire us in our jobs.

Continually focus on God's perspective throughout the day to help keep your efforts on the right track.

Fire in your Heart

I was reading Grace for the Moment by Max Lucado the other night and a passage really stuck with me, so I want to share it.

The Fire of Your Heart

My God, I want to do what you want.

Your teachings are in my heart.

Psalm 40:8

Want to know God's will for your life? Then answer this question: What ignites your heart? Forgotten orphans? Untouched nations? The inner city? The outer limit? Heed the fire within!

Do you have a passion to sing? Then sing!

Are you stirred to manage? Then manage!

Do you ache for the ill? Then treat them!

Do you hurt for the lost? Then teach them!

As a young man I felt the calling to preach. Unsure if I was correct in my reading of God's will for me, I sought the counsel of a minister I admired. His counsel still rings true. "Don't preach," he said, "unless you have to."

As I pondered his words I found my answer. "I have to. If I don't, the fire will consume me." 

What is the fire that consumes you?

This passage stuck with me because I have been questioning my own "fires" for years. Even if I try and extinguish the fire in my heart for rescuing dogs it reignites and consumes my soul. 

Is that really God's purpose for me? 

As life unfolds I become more and more convinced that this is true. I continue to pray for purpose and ask God... but I think he has already answered me. 

Has he answered you? Are you really listening?

Thirty-one years ago I was born on Easter Sunday and that has always held a special place in my heart. When I was little I thought it was cool that I shared the same "special day" with the Easter Bunny. Obviously as I got older I realized Easter is MUCH more special than a bunny. 

I share the same day that Jesus was resurrected! 

But really...what does that mean? To me? To you? To the world?

The Dictionary states:

noun /ˈēstər/ 
Easters, plural

The most important and oldest festival of the Christian Church, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ and held (in the Western Church) between March 21 and April 25, on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the northern spring equinox

Maybe this seems a little far fetched, but I feel like being born on Easter means I have the privilege of having "Jesus on speed dial":) He has a special purpose for me and if I really listen...really quiet my mind and open my heart I might be lucky enough to figure it out.

But the truth is we ALL have this privilege. We all have "Jesus on speed dial" IF we invite Him.

Matthew 17:20 "He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. "

Have Faith

Follow His Word

Give Thanks to Him

Be in Awe of who He is (nothing is impossible for Jesus)

Never stop seeking Him (no matter what the circumstance)

This is Easter to me. Easter is about honoring Him.

And so this weekend, and every weekend, I honor you, Jesus, the creator of all things. The compass to my map. I was baptized two weeks ago in your honor and am so excited about your plans for me.

Nothing is Impossible...

In a world where so many things seem IMPOSSIBLE, these people, ideas and animals make us realize that ANYTHING is possible with the right attitude, effort and faith in God...

This man shows us that life really is a matter of perspective. Whatever is getting you down...get back up!

I've been following "The Patrick Miracle" on Facebook and he has quickly become one of my heroes. Patrick overcame the worst of Mankind. Nothing is impossible.

This is Patrick now...

Never Give Up.

His words, not mine...

It's quiet. It's early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep. The day is coming.

In a few moments the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of solitude will be replaced with the pounding pace of the human race. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met.

For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day's demands. It is now that I must make a choice. Because of Calvary, I'm free to choose. And so I choose.

I CHOOSE LOVE...
No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.

I CHOOSE JOY...
I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical...the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

I CHOOSE PEACE...
I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.

I CHOOSE PATIENCE...
I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I'll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clinching at my new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

I CHOOSE KINDNESS...
I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

I CHOOSE GOODNESS...
I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I boast. I will confess before I will accuse. I choose goodness.

I CHOOSE FAITHFULNESS...
Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My husband/wife will not question my love. And my children will never fear that their father/mother will not come home.

I CHOOSE GENTLENESS...
Nothing is won by force, I choose to be gentle.
If I raise my voice may it be only in praise.
If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer.
If I make a demand, may it be only at myself.

I CHOOSE SELF- CONTROL...
I am a spiritual being...
After this body is dead, my spirit will soar.
I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal.
I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy.
I will be impassioned only by my faith.
I will be influenced only by God.
I will be taught only by Christ.
I choose self-control.

Love, joy,peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
To these I commit my day. If I succeed I will give thanks.
If I fail, I will seek His grace.
And then, when the day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.

~Max Lucado
When God Whispers Your Name

Which commitment above is MOST difficult for you? I think "I will be overlooked before I boast" is a tough lesson. We all want credit. Whether it's a clean house or an assignment done, we want someone to recognize our work. Today I will tackle the jobs ahead with pride and fulfillment. No need to boast or look for recognition. I will be grateful for the opportunity to go about my day...

One is silver and the other gold...

Do you remember the song "Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold." :) I think I learned that song when I was a Brownie (girl scout). ha ha


I was inspired today by many things, but this song is finally what got me to sit down and write.
Today has been filled with random memories from old friends.


My day started out with a message from a middle school friend reminiscing about Counting Crows and "the good old days".  


A song or a smell or a place can take me back to so many great memories. The moments that molded the very person that I am today. At the time it was just bike rides or skipping school or listening to Metallica or slow dancing in Ross Melvin's basement (hahaha) but it really did make me who I am today.


God bless you old friends! You were my everything!


Later in the afternoon I was approached by another long-time friend and we started reminiscing about senior scrap books and the hideous clothes we used to wear. LOL 
OMG there was NO fashion at Okemos High School back in 1995. At least not in my closet.

Exhibit A- Maroon Jeans

Exhibit B- Green Shorts & Red T-Shirt

If I could find the picture of me in a green velvet dress with white tights I would post it. I was a fashion fopaux of the 1990's. But who really cares.... they were some of the BEST days of my life. 

So much has happened since High School...since College...who am I kidding, since my 20's! I will be 31 next week and I can honestly say that I am one LUCKY GIRL with the friends I am have made along the way. Every single one of you (you know who you are) have painted a stroke on my canvas. You have pushed me to be better, do better, know better and live better. And for that I am forever grateful.

God has been so good to me!

Some people come into our lives and quickly go.
Others stay awhile, make footprints on our
hearts and we are never, ever the same.

Tsunami

I woke up this morning and started my day off with two things brown.

One- coffee
Two- dog poop. (unfortunately).

Chance has been pooping by the door in the middle of the night. My best guess is that it takes too much effort for her to bark and let me know. Poor old girl. She will be 15 years old in September.

So after doggy-poo duty I sat down with my cup of coffee and decided to catch up on last week's podcast from Northridge Church. SO glad that I did. Here is what I learned...

As individuals we are limited by our own capabilities. But when we step aside and let God into our lives nothing is impossible.

In life, we honestly believe that we have the capacity to ride out any storm. We know that we won't do it perfectly, but we will still try. We learn that we CAN make it through the everyday tough things...the long commute to work, juggling your families schedules, sickness, difficulties at work...

But somewhere along the way, every single one of us faces an obstacle, a storm, a Tsunami, a moment so large, so empowering that we realize we can't do it alone.

Every one's Tsunami will look different and be totally individual. It could be a lost job, loss of love, death, addiction...

It is in moments of desperation that we pray...that we turn to God...that we look up to the stars and say "God, I know we have not talked in a while, but I need you."

And sometimes our prayers are not answered the way WE want them to be answered, and we have to be okay with that. We have to have faith in His plan, His power, His will...

The truth is God's power is beyond our realm of understanding. It's called Faith. You might not be able to see His power, but you have to trust that it is working in your life.

And nothing is beyond God's ability to control so when you allow God into your life, Nothing is limited...nothing is impossible.

Most of us live like the world is more powerful than us. We live our lives in our own capacity. The consequence of this pattern is despair. We lose hope...we lose all site of the shore...

But we must remember, according to God, no person or situation is beyond Hope. No failure is beyond hope... No health issue is beyond hope... no addiction is beyond hope.

In order to receive God's power and all that He is capable of being in your life you have to:
1. Receive Christ
2. Admit you need him
3. Ask for help with the right motives.
(Stop making problems about YOU. Believe in power for His will, not yours.)

This lecture is just what I needed today. We are all guilty of making life "about us". If only I had this...if only he did that...if only...if only...if only. Living without the power of God is exhausting. After 30 years of running the "I can do it myself" marathon I am ready to hand the baton over to God.

Amen?

This is my version of Brad Powell's lecture. To view the real deal CLICK HERE

Time

~God does not operate in Time, he operates in Lessons.
As humans we want more time with the people that we love.
Instead we need to be grateful for how they impact us~

Bread in your Car

I was thinking about today's post in the shower and the first thing that came to mind was a funny story about "carrying bread (or granola bars) in your car".

Months ago I was driving through Detroit with a colleague (& friend) of mine. We were leaving a business meeting and headed back to the office. As we approached the on-ramp for "the lodge" a man was standing at the corner with a sign that said "Homeless and Hungry".

I said to my friend "roll down your window". She looked at me like I was crazy. In her defense there are stories all over the news about cars being hijacked or people reaching in cars to steal. We live in a desperate time and desperate city.

She said "Why?"
I said "We are going to give him your box of granola bars."

Still looking at me like I was a crazy person, she rolled down her window and ever so cautiously handed the homeless man 2 granola bars.

Window back up and we were on our way.

"Didn't that feel good?" I asked.
"Yeah" she said, "but now my granola bars are gone." (LOL)

I promised to buy her a new box (which I still owe her) but something tells me that next time she is in Detroit she might roll down the window a little less reluctantly...

I'm proud of you for "living on the edge HK":)

And so that brings me to a story about "traveling with bread" from this past weekend. I was driving on Orchard Lake Rd. listening to MPR and noticed a dog walking on the side of the road (of course I would notice this). He was way too close to traffic so I pulled into the next parking lot and called the dog over.

"Hey bud. Come here...cookie treats?".
That always works with my dog.

Think Think Alicia. What can I use to get the doggy away from the road?
Ah ha! There is left over pita bread in my car from an event!

So I opened the hatch and lured the dog over with pita bread.
It worked!
Not only that but she *loved* the bread

No tag, no collar.
uh oh.

I put the dog in my car and ran into the restaurant next door.
Ironically there was a policeman eating.
He offered to take the dog to the local shelter, to which my response was "No. Shelters are too quick to put dogs down. I will take her home".

(Kyle is gonna kill me)

So off we went. I called Kyle to tell him "I had a special surprise."

I decided to drive around a couple neighborhoods before I headed home to see if anyone was looking.
My new doggy friend had her head out the window, happy as can be.

We approached a woman walking and she shouted out "That's my dog!"
Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujaaaaaaaah

And so this story has a happy ending...
Pita bread saved this doggy from a potential car accident.

Moral of the story is this...
Carry a box of granola bars of pita bread in your car. You never know who's life you could save or belly you could nourish.;-)

When it is Dark enough you can see the Stars...

A special friend gave me a book with this quote from Charles Austin Beard and it has stuck with me for the last couple of weeks. It doesn't matter who you are, where you come from, age, race or gender...darkness creeps into all of our lives at some point.

The only way to fight the darkness is with light. Surrender our worries and anxieties to God every day. When we lose sight of the big picture look up and remember this little quote. Sometimes when we get lost in the darkness all we need is a little flashlight of hope...a friend to lean on...a mentor to give us a reality check...a new perspective. It is in the darkness that we learn the most. Our biggest obstacles are also our biggest opportunities to grow.

Francesca Battistelli tells it best in her new song "This is the Stuff" ...

I lost my keys in the great unknown
And call me please 'Cuz I can't find my phone

This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff that's getting to me lately
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed


This is the stuff that gets under my skin
But I gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing
It might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use

45 in a 35
Sirens and fines while I'm running behind
Whoa

This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff that's getting to me lately
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed
This is the stuff that gets under my skin
But I gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing
It might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use

So break me of impatience
Conquer my frustrations
I've got a new appreciation
It's not the end of the world
Oh Oh Oh

This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff
Someone save me
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed
This is the stuff that gets under my skin
And I've gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing
It might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use