19
January
Rising Star
It was the weekend just after 911. I was to fly to the Austin area of Texas with three other ladies for a women’s conference. Because of the horrific events of that week, most airports had grounded many of their flights and our plans had to change. We had decided to just stay home, until one of us had the brilliant idea to drive the trip instead. All four of us liked this idea and we were all able to make it work with jobs, families, and schedules. So off
12
January
Compassion Leads To Action
I woke early today with a specific story in my heart to share. I know I have written of it before, but as I searched my blog archives it was not there. I decided it must be in my book, so I looked to my hard drive and searched each chapter, but it is not there either (it needs to be there so I am glad I discovered this). So, here I am, up early to write as usual. This story is true and happened in the summer time of
09
January
Threshold
They say you must leave your comfort zone to grow.
It is said the stretch for growth only need be 1mm outside your comfort zone to begin.
“Avoid your comfort zone like the plague.” John C. Maxwell
It starts young, I guess. We learn fine motor skills by coloring. We color and color and then it begins, we are told to try and color within the lines. We practice, we color, we try, and we learn to stay within the lines.
If all of life is like a canvas and
06
January
Six Pack, Baby
What a gorgeous day we had here in Northern California! It was a perfect day to go to church, just as I do with my family every Sunday. The service was great and the topic, one of my favorites, how to believe for the impossible. The message was going along just fine, when the Pastor used an analogy of how our faith growth is like working out. He said that the muscle will not grow unless it has time under tension over a coarse of time. The same is true with
03
January
Constant
I was five years old, living in Long Beach, CA with my family. I remember my home vividly, despite being so young. It had lots of windows through out the entire house. My room alone had three windows wrapping the corner of the room. I love windows…I love the natural Light. We only lived in this house a few years before moving to Northern California, but the Joy of it is forever etched upon my heart. A permanent fixture to the picture God was beginning to write of my life.
I
19
December
Christmas Courage
“For I am the LORD your God, who upholds your right hand. Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’” Isaiah 41:13
Christmas time, full of activities, festivities, decorations, wrappings…
…You see it everywhere; Christmas is in the air. The TV screen, email inboxes, billboards and flyers all advertising deals, sales, and what you should buy.
Just this week I had a woman contact me wanting to know how to explain suicide to her children, for there is a rampant rate of teen suicide in her area right now. I
12
December
A Time for Mary
I have a beautiful, hand painted clock in my home that I bought about five years ago. I saw it in the window of a clock store. Have you ever seen something and the second you lay your eyes on it, you knew it was you? That’s how I felt when I saw this clock. I love clocks, watches, and timepieces anyway. This clock is an upright standing floor clock. It has interesting curves to it’s frame and beautiful hand painting on the surface with a two tone finish…beautiful. I
02
December
"I Beg Your Pardon"
“When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennersaret. And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.” Matthew 14:35, 36
In late September of 2010, it was a Sunday or Monday evening. My husband and I were roused from our usually evening routine by the voice of one of
11
November
PB and J
I love how the Lord stirs His Spirit in me and directs me on what to write. For the past five days or more I keep finding my thoughts, at random moments, drift to the idea of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I rarely eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches anymore, but love them just the same. No, my thoughts were not lead by a hungry stomach or a craving for “comfort food” (for to many people a PB and J sandwich is at the top of the chart
01
November
"I Pick YOU"
“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.”
John 15:16
All the boys and girls lined up against the wall looking the same direction, a unified direction, with their gaze upon the Captain of the Team. The Captain stood with his implement in His hand, be it a ball, or a bat, or a glove. It was time to choose His