it's about lifestyle

A few co-workers made a comment the other day they can't stand christians who "are in your face about their faith". These are christians saying this. So,I don't think they're talking about people trying to witness to them. I think they're talking about people who are living out thier faith. People who talk about things such as watching movies before allowing thier children to,have some christian symbol/saying in thier office,maybe mention praying for someone,etc. People who understand being a christian is about a lifestyle.I can understand if someone bring it up for no apparent reason.But,if it's brought up in conversation,what's wrong with it? For exampe,someone ask you what you did over the weekend? you say "saturday night we watched a movie that our children are wanting to see to make sure it's ok". It's natural in conversation for this to come up.If you said "we watched a movie or said we watched "finding nemo (or any other obvious child move) "then the other person is naturally going to ask what movie or why "finding nemo". If you are a "practicing"christian,then others are going to know it. AND I don't see how you can be a christian and not be "practicing".It's a widely accepted concept that our beliefs affect our behavior.I believe this.So,If you believe in God,you can't help but show it. I may be way off base in getting what my co-workers were trying to say. So,if you have any input please comment. I know that there are people who are "radical" and do things such as picket so you can't even get into a store,etc. That is extreme,I agree. Maybe these are the types my coworkers were talking about. But,if they were mentioning the type I described then I say that's not shoving thier faith in someone's face. I would LOVE any input/thoughts any one has on this matter,especially someone who disagrees with my view.I love to get all points of a discussion :)

the media got it right this time........

I've been aware for some time now that there has been a lot of news coverage about the eating disorders of some of our "celebrities". I'm grateful that it seems to be forcing these girls to admit the problem and seek help. The media so many times hounds people in a hurtful way. Then,just in the past week I saw two news stories that even took this to another level. The first was when some unflattering pictures of Tyra Banks appeared on the internet.Many critics were talking about her gaining weight. First of all,she's retired from modeling so let the girl eat in peace,please. Secondly, at 5'10 and 161 lbs according to (body mass index website)http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/index.htm Tyra is actually within normal range. Tyra went to People magazine and did an AMAZING article you should totally check out. It's on newstands right now ! The 2nd media story that I saw was just this morning. Chandra Wilson (Grey's Anatomy) was doing an acceptance speech at the Screen Actors Guild Award last night.Good morning America showed it this morning.Her speech included her thanking everyone for giving "someone with this skin,these hips and these arms " a chance. She even pulled her sleeve up to show her "jiggle" on her arm as she said those words. I thought "there's a real woman for you ".To go on national tv and do that.It was so encouraging to see both these ladies make a public stand and say that there is nothing wrong with not having anorexia and not being a size 0. Beauty does not equal blond,big boobs and a size 0. Beauty is in how you project yourself and how you carry yourself no matter what skin you are in. Beauty is knowing how to play up your attributes and hide your flaws.We all have them so don't even pretend you don't :)
I just wanted to share my thoughts as it's been on my mind since I read the Tyra article. I want to end with the lyrics to a song that I just love. It's by Joanna Martino who I think is so cute and stylish. She's an up and coming christian artist who you need to be looking out for !!!!!




You LOve Me Artist: Joanna MartinoAlbum: My World


Advertisers sell me And TV tries to tell me That my beauty's skin deep
And it's to my advantage To pretty up the package If I want to succeed
But somewhere in the quiet Away from all the noise I hear a different message
In a still small voice

(Chorus)
You love me you love me Just for being me You love me you love me You want me to see
It's not about appearance It's not about my style
No matter what the world is thinking of me
You love me

You see my potential And to get there it's essential That I follow your lead
There will be distractions And in all of my reactions I will need to believe
The world will try to change me
To make me look the part All you really care about
Is what's inside my heart

(Chorus)
You love me you love me Just for being me You love me you love meYou want me to see
It's not about appearance It's not about my style
No matter what the world is thinking of me
You love me

I couldn't face the pressure If I had to stand alone
Every time I come to you Lord you let me know

(Chorus)
You love me you love me Just for being me You love me you love me You want me to see
It's not about appearanceIt's not about my style
No matter what the world is thinking of me
You love me

I must confess........

If you read the header to my blog,I talk about the importance of little "moments".
Well,it appears that I now have to eat my words. UGHH : ( I was in a HUGE hurry this morning as I ran into Kroger. The young guy waiting on me was very friendly. He was making small talk as he was checking me out. All I could think was "hurry and bag my things and let me go". I didn't smile,say thanks or really even look at him.I even bordered on being rude. I walked out of the store to my car and I immediately felt guilty. I could have taken that "moment" to be encouraging to that guy who was serving me. I could have at least said "good morning"back to him or thanked him. Luckily,I usually do take the time to acknowledge people,say thank you,etc. I pride myself in that. But,I didn't this morning and I can't take that "moment" back. So,this just proves my point of how important it is see the "moments" in life and not let them pass you by. If anyone has any stories of seizing the moment or not seizing it,please share. I bet we all have stories. I even bet someone reading this even has one from years back that they can recall.It gets to us when we wish we could take a moment back,further proving my point. Thanks for letting me share and hope you are having a good one :)

raising your parents ?

I was reading a friend's blog the other night.She was talking about being shocked at her parents wanting tattoos. Apparently,there was a big discussion about it over Christmas. It was so funny reading her story and really sensing her shock and disbelief. I guess the reason I really enjoyed it was because I could relate. As we "kids" get into our 20's and 30's does it seem like there are times you are raising your parents? I know it's seemed like this for me a few times. Don't get me wrong. I love my parents and I'm so thankful for the good relationship I have with them. I guess as you become grown and move out of your parents home and control,the relationship just becomes different. You see a different side to them and learn new things (some,I should add,you'd rather not have known ). anyone know what I'm talking about? I didn't think about this as something most "kids" go through until I read my friend's blog. So,know,I'm curious. Anyone reading this relating? i'd love for you to share your stories :)
Oh,by the way,don't EVEN get me started on the moment I realized my mom actually knew what she was talking about :) lol

making pancakes

****This is similar to my note to self blog.another good way of saying
what I was trying to say ****

Making Pancakes


Six -year-old Brandon decided one Saturday morning to fix his parents pancakes He found a big bowl and spoon, pulled a chair to the counter, opened the cupboard and pulled out the heavy flour canister, spilling it on the floor.

He scooped some of the flour into the bowl with his hands, mixed in most of a cup of milk and added some sugar, leaving a floury trail on the floor which by now had a few tracks left by his kitten.

Brandon was covered with flour and getting frustrated. He wanted this to be something very good for Mom and Dad, but it was getting very bad.

He didn't know what to do next, whether to put it all into the oven or on the stove and he didn't know how the stove worked! Suddenly, he saw his kitten licking from the bowl of mix and reached to push her away, knocking the egg carton to the floor. Frantically, he tried to clean up this monumental mess but slipped on the eggs, getting his pajamas white and sticky.

And just then he saw Dad standing at the door. Big crocodile tears welled up in Brandon's eyes. All he'd wanted to do was something good, but he'd made a terrible mess. He was sure a scolding was coming, maybe even a spanking. But his father just watched him.

Then, walking through the mess, he picked up his crying son, hugged him and loved him, getting his own pajamas white and sticky in the process!

That's how God deals with us.. We try to do something good in life, but it turns into a mess. Our marriage gets all sticky or we insult a friend, or we can't stand our job, or our health goes sour.

Sometimes we just stand there in tears because we can't think of anything else to do. That's when God picks us up and loves us and forgives us, even though some of our mess gets all over Him.

But just because we might mess up, we can't stop trying to "make pancakes" for God or for others. Sooner or later we'll get it right, and then they'll be glad we tried...

I was thinking, and I wondered if I had any wounds needing to be healed, friendships that need rekindling or three words needing to be said. Sometimes " I love you" can heal and bless! Remind every one of your friends that you love them. Even if you think they don't love back, you would be amazed at what those three little words, a smile, and a reminder like this can do.

Just in case I haven't told you lately... I LOVE YA!!!

have you seen my ministry?

For a few years now,I've felt that God was calling me to ministry.I also believed that the first step involved moving to Nashville.So,a year ago,I started making preparations to move. I went last January and met some people at the DHS office in Nashville.My plan was to transfer my job at least to get me to Nashville.Then,I'd see what happened from there.I had a wonderful meeting that day at the office.However,I got back in my car after the meeting and this overwhelming sense came over me.God told me I wasn't coming to Nashville.At first I thought it was just nerves.But,as I remained in Nashville for a few more days after the meeting,I still sensed God wasn't calling me to Nashville after all.So,I came home just devastated.Luckily,I didn't turn my back on God.I started asking questions.I finally convinced myself the timing wasn't right.I thought God would still calll me eventually to Nashville. This was my thoughts for a few months.Then,I started getting anxious.I wanted to use my spiritual gifts and talents.However,I'd convinced myself that I wouldn't be able to fully use them until I got to Nashville.Only God knew when that'd be too.So,I was just kind of waiting.I didn't know what to do with myself except stay in church,bible study,etc until God called me.During this time,I made some great relationships and grew in my walk with God.I'd also built a stronger relationship with my family too.So,now,God has used all these relationships and my every day activites to be my ministry.I am ashamed to say that it hasn't been until
recently that I truly understood that my ministry is where I'm at.It's at my job,church,friends,family,etc. I thought I had to be in full time ministry to really have a ministry.That's not true.As you look at Jesus' ministry,He used ordinary daily activities and circumstances to minister.He stopped right in His tracks at times to take the time to talk with someone or to heal someone. So,I'm excited to see what 2007 holds as I look afresh at my life and my opportunities. God bless......

note to self.......

note to self...................


"you are not perfect and never will be" Lately,I've been struggling with my quiet time and worship. Things have been chaotic and busy in my life. I feel I don't have time and haven't had the right spirit of worship. Part of this is because I don't feel worthy.I feel like I'm carrying all this baggage into church/worship. I'm having a hard time leaving the day to day things of life and coming to worship/quiet time.I feel so unworthy to come before a Holy God with all this baggage. However,I am reminded that I always come to worship unworthy/unholy. I've managed to trick myself into thinking that just because i'm willing and ready to worship,then i'm worthy to worship.I forget that I come every time to my quiet time/worship ugly,battered,scarred,full of sin,filthy,etc.So,i'm never worthy to worship or holy enough to worship.That's why Jesus had to die for me.He makes me holy and worthy.If I'm a christian,I have Jesus.That makes me worthy every day to have a relationship with God.So,remembering that,I will enter worship every day from now on knowing that even if I don't feel like it,I am worthy to worship