The killer within...........

I recently read the story of Esther from the Bible.Interestingly enough,it's the only book in the Bible that doesn't mention God.What struck me about this story was th character of Haman.Haman detested the Jews and convinced the king to decree all the Jews to be killed.In Esther's plot to reverse this decree,she invites Haman and the king to a series of banquets.Scripture tells us that Haman is bragging about this to his wife.He says "I have a special invitation to Esther's banquet.No one else is invited".He then goes on to say "but how am I able to truly appreciate my good fortune with Mordecai(a jew) still out at the king's gates?".
Haman reveals alot here about the human character.first of all,he's bragging about his special invitation to the banquet.He wants to be revered and wants to be somebody.He wants to feel like a "celebrity". He's full of greed and pride.He's all about self exaltation.Sound like someone you know? Secondly,he then statese that he can't enjoy this special invitation because Mordecai is still around.He lets someone else determine his happiness and/or ruin his happiness.Even if he had the right to brag and be super excited about the banquet,he won't allow himself to be.How often do we do that to ourselves? We get envious about someone else's good fortune so much that we can't be happy for them.We feel guilty about blessing we receive because someone else didn't. We're not satifisfied with what we have. We want more just as haman couldn't fully celebrate knowing Mordecai was still around.
Let me challenge you today to examine if this applies to you in any way? If so,what are you going to do about it?

Roll call !!!!

hey everyone ! I've had several of you say you read my blog.You've even talked about some of my posts.However,very few comments are actually posted.That's ok but I'd like to know who all is out there :) so,here's the idea. A Roll call !!!
comment back to this post and let me know you're out there.You can do it anonymously
if you don't have an account. Looking forward to hearing from you !!!!!

This is the good life !!!!

Anyone who knows me knows i've had alot of stress this past year.Work has not been fun,things in my personal life had been hard and I've had lots of times where I felt very distant from God.Somehow,I've survived it though and I'm starting 2008 out on a good note.The one thing that i've been constantly reminded of lately is what really matters.What makes a day a good day? What's worth living for? where's the fine line between working hard and letting it rule your life? Fortunately,i've been able to remember that it's family,friends,the little moments in life that answer these questions.I have to work hard to have money.also,I have a strong work ethic and believe in working hard.You just have to make sure you take time for yourself and remember the important things.I appreciate coming home and enjoying some quiet time knowing that I've worked hard that day.There really is nothing more satisfying at night that knowing you made good use of the day God gave you.I wanted to share some things that to me are examples of what makes life worth it.Things like these have helped me keep my focus and remember what it's all about.It helps me get up in the morning to start a new day and rest securely at night.The picture on the left is of some dear friends of mine.I've known this family for several years now.What makes this pic so special is who all is in it.This is a missionary family.The parents are in canada.One of the daughters just returned from the middle east and one is about to leave for western europe.The 3rd daughter and her family have been in southeast Asia for almost 2 years now.so,the fact that they were all together for christmas was a HUGE deal.It doesn't happen that often.They have really enjoyed this time together knowing that it's rare and precious.also,I'm very excited about tonight as we're going to get to spend time with them as their SALT group.We also know how precious this family is and how precious time with them is. This is the good life !!!!
The picture on the right is one that an intercessor friend sent me.I love this pic :)
It's a pic of a little boy who was prayed for over a LONG period of time and who truly is a miracle. This not only reminds me of how prayer works but just how precious life is.It is a universal picture as there are sooooo many babies being prayed over and so many who fight for life when they are born.Life itself makes this a good life !!!!!I also have some dear friends who have been in the process of adopting from Russia for 1 1/2 years now.They had really gotten discouraged and were growing impatient as things weren't progressing in the time frame they usually do.That's when we were all reminded that God's timing is PERFECT !!! They got a call in mid december that they had a son.They got to spend christmas with their son in Russia.That's something they will never forget !!!! Of course,they'd remember meetiing him no matter what month it was.However,because of the slow progress it was christmas instead of mid summer.It really put a new focus on Christmas for them and was the best Christmas present they will ever receive !!!!!
So,all these stories helped remind me of God's provision and timing.It gave me encouragement and hope.It helped me keep my focus and to remember this really is the good life !!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALLISON !!!!!

Today's my sister's birthday ! I'm so proud to be her big sister.She and i haven't always seen eye to eye but as we get older i think we're beginning to appreciate each other's uniqueness.I can ask her for advice about ANYTHING and she'll offer it.Also,she's one of the most fashionable people I know :) I can always trust her to tell me if it looks good or not.On top of all that,she's a GREAT mom.I can't believe how she's poured her heart and soul into her girls.She's raising two of the most beautiful girls who have the sweetest spirits.I think that's partly because of what they see modeled in her. So,I just wanted to take a minute and brag on my little sister.I couldn't think of a better opportunity than her birthday.So,again,HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!!!!!!

A New Year !!!!!

(My friend Sarah posted this on her blog.I thought it was kinda neat so I thought i'd contribute my thoughts)



What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before?
bought a brand new car (i've always bought one at least a year old)


Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn't make any, but I have this year.

Did anyone close to you give birth?
actually yes,my sister Allison,friend Becky and several other friends (2007 was a year for babies)

Did anyone close to you die?
no (thank goodness)

What countries did you visit?
none sadly

What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
More self-awareness,money,time for myself

What date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
august 15,2007 anna's birthday and 12/4/2007 my parents' divorce finalized

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
spending some good quality time with my sister and nieces


What was your biggest failure?
too many to list here

Did you suffer illness or injury?
Not really.

What was the best thing you bought?
my car

Whose behavior merited celebration?
my niece

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
several people come to mind

Where did most of your money go?
Rent and debt.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My car and my niece being born

What song will always remind you of 2007?


Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? A little happier
ii. thinner or fatter? Fatter
iii. richer or poorer? about the same

What do you wish you'd done more of?
Memorizing scripture

What do you wish you'd done less of?
Watching TV.

How will you be spending Christmas?
spent it at my sister's

Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?
outside family it's shannon

What was your favorite TV program?
too many to name

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I've come to dislike some people but i try not to HATE anyone

What was the best book you read?
The End of the Spear

What was your greatest musical discovery?
jazz

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned the big 30 and I had a BIG birthday weekend in Nashville

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
I didn't care (I do now though :) )

What kept you sane?
some dear friends

What political issue stirred you the most?
there were several this year.It's becoming more and more evident that politics can and do affect you personally

Who did you miss?
jonathon

Who was the best new person you met?
my niece anna

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007:
Take each day at a time.Worry can destroy you and you can only handle one thing at a time anyway.Let go of yesterday and don't anticipate tomorrow as it'll be here soon enough