"It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer."
~ Albert Einstein
OK, Einstein was extremely smart and apparently humble too. This is a great quote for perseverance. He was thought to be strange because he didn't speak until he was 4 and his teachers didn't think he would amount to much.
Imagine all the things that might have never happened or been delayed for decades except someone tried one more time.
Thomas Edison's teacher said he was too stupid to learn anything, he failed 1,000 times trying to invent the light bulb.
One of my favorite actors, Sidney Poitier was told he was wasting his time at auditions.
Lucille Ball was told that she should choose another profession.
Louis Pasteur's teacher said his theory of germs is ridiculous fiction.
Henry Ford went broke five times before he succeeded.
Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper for lack of imagination.
Robin Williams, another of my favorite actors, was voted "least likely to succeed" in high school.
Decca Records turned down the Beatles because they didn't like their sound.
Elvis Presley was fired after a show and told he should be driving a truck instead.
Beethoven was told he would be hopeless as a composer.
Leo Tolstoy was told that he was unable to learn.
J.K. Rowling was rejected twelve times for the first Harry Potter book.
Dr. Seuss was rejected be twenty seven publishers for his first book.
Each of these people decided to not let the world pen their story, they did not accept defeat.
Even if everything around them pointed otherwise.
If they had we would never know their names.
We may never be on this list, but that does not mean that we should give up when faced with failure. Who knows what each one of us could do if we did not let our failures define us and instead we let them show us the way to where we were meant to be after all.
Each failure is a stepping stone to our future, it's just that through the fog we can not see the place the stones are leading us to. The other side of the river is there whether or not we decide to step out in faith.
To read about these and more amazing people check out this list from the University of Kentucky, click Here.
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Quote - Responsibility
"Do not ask God to guide your footsteps if you are not willing to move your feet."
~ Unknown
I saw this quote from an email from Brook Noel, a pro at organizing and motivating people to live their best life. I am often guilty of praying big, but not actually doing any steps that would get me to my goal. We are creatures of habit and it is difficult to get out of a rut. I know better when I'm praying and probably shouldn't even pray certain prayers if I am unwilling to take action. I know I'm not the only one with this struggle, right? Hopefully we all can pray then act on what God is leading us to do. Sure God can do anything, but we also need to take responsibility for our part of the relationship with Him. To grow in God means we are to have faith in Him, but we also should be using the gifts and abilities He has given us.
He gives us free will and we choose daily what are the most important things in our life. Let our actions match our best intentions.
~ Unknown
I saw this quote from an email from Brook Noel, a pro at organizing and motivating people to live their best life. I am often guilty of praying big, but not actually doing any steps that would get me to my goal. We are creatures of habit and it is difficult to get out of a rut. I know better when I'm praying and probably shouldn't even pray certain prayers if I am unwilling to take action. I know I'm not the only one with this struggle, right? Hopefully we all can pray then act on what God is leading us to do. Sure God can do anything, but we also need to take responsibility for our part of the relationship with Him. To grow in God means we are to have faith in Him, but we also should be using the gifts and abilities He has given us.
He gives us free will and we choose daily what are the most important things in our life. Let our actions match our best intentions.
Monday, February 8, 2016
United Together
I trimmed a bouquet of flowers and decided to put them into a smaller vase. OK, don't bash on my mad flower arrangement skills:) When I started to put the flowers in the vase they kept falling out. The vase is short and wide so there was nothing for the flowers to hold on to, but when I put enough flowers and greenery in they started to stay put. The flowers could not stand on their own, but found support in the other flowers that surrounded them. I look for lessons in everyday life that I can use so I can understand and learn more about God. I think we often do not see some of the simple things He is trying to teach us. God does not intend for us to do life alone. After the IF:Gathering this past weekend this was a fitting example of community. Many are often afraid to ask for help or to reach out. We are called to be a light for those who do not believe, but also for our sisters during the dark times. To help each other is a blessing because sometimes we are on the needy end and other times we help those in need. This is a beautiful way to show God's love.
Saturday, February 6, 2016
IF:Gathering 2016 Livestream
In case you were not able to watch the IF:Gathering 2016 this weekend there is still time to watch. Here is the link to watch the four sessions. http://livestream.com/ifgathering You will have until this Monday night at midnight to watch for free. The leaders were some of the best from around the world and it will be just about the best use of your time for the entire year. So please watch the sessions and if you are feeling God moving you then go to where He is calling you. The world has not seen yet what women can do if we unite together locally and globally to do God's work without us getting in our own way and being over run by fear. Ladies we can be one of the most powerful forces on the planet. I will be watching again this weekend because the amount of information is overwhelming. Hope you will enjoy, grow, be challenged and take action.
Monday, January 25, 2016
IF:Gathering 2016 Women's Event
I wanted to let you ladies know about an event that will be taking place around the world on Feb. 5th & 6th. This is the third year for the IF:Gathering event out of Austin, Texas. I am on the planning team that will be showing this simulcast at one of the local churches in my town. There are local simulcasts in churches and homes around the world. Here is the link to try to find a gathering near you IF:Local (if you unclick the private tab then it should show the map). If you can't find a local event then I believe you have a couple of days to watch online, but grab some friends to watch with you. After watching this last year I am glad to help put this on for the women in my community. The speakers are powerful and the worship music is really good. Last year a very powerful part was a discussion on race and how we should get to know other women from other races, we all should be a support system for each other. I believe this is vital because the enemy wants to keep us apart and this is a sore issue in America and probably around the world. This event is a time to gather with other women and grow into who God is calling us to be so we can go out into the world for Him. I hope you will be able to see this amazing event and be changed for the better.
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Quote - Be Yourself
"Be yourself, everyone else is taken."
~ Oscar Wilde
How you see this quote will depend on your outlook. If you love yourself then you might think that it's not too bad, you are different and special. If you don't like yourself then you probably won't think this is helpful. God created each of us to be unique in His eyes, He did not care to get any input from a single person on making you. God does not let popular consensus dictate how He should make us. Our beating ourselves up mentally I would think might make God sad. To create something that you love so dearly only to see it constantly tearing itself apart must be heartbreaking.
YOU are a beautiful creation; no matter what you look like, where you live, your education, your circumstances or even if you don't believe in God (He believes in you). The creator does not void any of His creation, He brings to life many who may never know Him, but to those who acknowledge it must be sweet to His soul. He waits and waits for us to really see His love, He never leaves what He created. Never.
~ Oscar Wilde
How you see this quote will depend on your outlook. If you love yourself then you might think that it's not too bad, you are different and special. If you don't like yourself then you probably won't think this is helpful. God created each of us to be unique in His eyes, He did not care to get any input from a single person on making you. God does not let popular consensus dictate how He should make us. Our beating ourselves up mentally I would think might make God sad. To create something that you love so dearly only to see it constantly tearing itself apart must be heartbreaking.
YOU are a beautiful creation; no matter what you look like, where you live, your education, your circumstances or even if you don't believe in God (He believes in you). The creator does not void any of His creation, He brings to life many who may never know Him, but to those who acknowledge it must be sweet to His soul. He waits and waits for us to really see His love, He never leaves what He created. Never.
Monday, December 28, 2015
Concussion Update
It has been over two years since I got a concussion, it seems like it has only been a couple of months. The neurologist said that I should have no problem getting back to normal, but I'm not sure that I will ever be exactly the same as before my concussion. So far it isn't anything big, just small things that are annoying. I will be writing and I will add another letter or change a letter to a word so I erase a lot or I will ask a question that I asked a little while ago and not remember asking the first time, sorry to my family:) The biggest thing that I have noticed is that time is different. I'm not sure if I can explain exactly, but I will try. Some days time will pass and I believe it has only been a short period of time and it has been hours or vice versa. Time has become something else ever so slightly different than before, but it is different. It is almost tangible. I know that probably sounds weird, but that's all I got. So nothing major, just annoying things. I do feel like if I don't do something then it may get worse. I need to write more often and I should read more than watch TV, paint, use my left hand more than my right. Those are all good for my brain so I need to make that a priority this coming year. I know this is nothing compared to what some people I know are going through right now (miscarriage, brain cancer, little child in wheelchair with a ventilator no knowing if she will be her old self again, marriages falling apart). So forgive me if my spelling is wrong or if my sentences do not make any sense. Give grace and it will be given to you.
Whatever each one of us has to live with or go through, God is enough, even if we do not understand the reason.
Whatever each one of us has to live with or go through, God is enough, even if we do not understand the reason.
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Quote - Faith & Fear
"Let your faith be bigger than your fears."
~ quote from a sign online
Easy to say, hard to apply sometimes. When we let fear take over we often forget about God, He get pushed to the side so that our fears take center stage. Fear gets magnified and we will spend too much time with it when we should give it to God. Fear is not meant to be our friend, it does not comfort or protect us. We can not have both faith and fear for very long. One will ultimately grow stronger while the other shrinks away. They are opposing forces, both demand to have our entire attention.
Fear seems stronger than faith in certain situations, but faith is always there waiting on us to let it work. Faith can cause waves that crush into fear so that it is something in the distance that we thought we knew, but can't remember anymore. To live without fear would be wonderful. Our enemy uses fear to separate us from God, faith is the only thing that dispels fear. Building faith takes practice over the years, trusting God and reading His word will help us fight. No matter what the situation, we have a choice to make. Faith or fear. It is up to us to choose wisely.
~ quote from a sign online
Easy to say, hard to apply sometimes. When we let fear take over we often forget about God, He get pushed to the side so that our fears take center stage. Fear gets magnified and we will spend too much time with it when we should give it to God. Fear is not meant to be our friend, it does not comfort or protect us. We can not have both faith and fear for very long. One will ultimately grow stronger while the other shrinks away. They are opposing forces, both demand to have our entire attention.
Fear seems stronger than faith in certain situations, but faith is always there waiting on us to let it work. Faith can cause waves that crush into fear so that it is something in the distance that we thought we knew, but can't remember anymore. To live without fear would be wonderful. Our enemy uses fear to separate us from God, faith is the only thing that dispels fear. Building faith takes practice over the years, trusting God and reading His word will help us fight. No matter what the situation, we have a choice to make. Faith or fear. It is up to us to choose wisely.
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Quote - World Peace
"What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family."
~ Mother Teresa
Seems so simple doesn't it?
Many are not called to go to the other side of the world. Sometimes we think that our mission is not big or important enough. I know many stay at home mom's that think they are not doing anything "important" in God's kingdom. God has them exactly where He wants them and He has you exactly where He wants you, even if it is the last place you want to be. You may not think that your mission is valued against others working for God, but if you choose to follow God then you will be right where He can use you the most. No one else could ever be you doing what God has gifted you with. So we should start at home, this can be difficult when kids or your spouse pulls your strings and irritates you to no end. I have trouble with this, it's not a natural instinct for me to be the nurturing mom when I'm getting disrespect from my kids. I try to do the best I can with what I've got. If every child felt loved in this world then there probably would be less violence, murders, hatred or even wars. The children who are abandoned, neglected and abused will be the ones who will be responsible for making and enforcing our laws, teaching children and running our government and businesses. The impact of our actions may not be known for decades. Why would we leave it to chance?
God DOES NOT call everyone to be a missionary, open a food bank, travel to war zones, house refugees, adopt a child or give away most of their possessions to help a charity.
God does call EVERY ONE to care for the poor, show love to the unloved, tell people about our amazing Father and be a light on a hill in the darkness so that a weary traveler may find rest in a safe place.
~ Mother Teresa
Seems so simple doesn't it?
Many are not called to go to the other side of the world. Sometimes we think that our mission is not big or important enough. I know many stay at home mom's that think they are not doing anything "important" in God's kingdom. God has them exactly where He wants them and He has you exactly where He wants you, even if it is the last place you want to be. You may not think that your mission is valued against others working for God, but if you choose to follow God then you will be right where He can use you the most. No one else could ever be you doing what God has gifted you with. So we should start at home, this can be difficult when kids or your spouse pulls your strings and irritates you to no end. I have trouble with this, it's not a natural instinct for me to be the nurturing mom when I'm getting disrespect from my kids. I try to do the best I can with what I've got. If every child felt loved in this world then there probably would be less violence, murders, hatred or even wars. The children who are abandoned, neglected and abused will be the ones who will be responsible for making and enforcing our laws, teaching children and running our government and businesses. The impact of our actions may not be known for decades. Why would we leave it to chance?
God DOES NOT call everyone to be a missionary, open a food bank, travel to war zones, house refugees, adopt a child or give away most of their possessions to help a charity.
God does call EVERY ONE to care for the poor, show love to the unloved, tell people about our amazing Father and be a light on a hill in the darkness so that a weary traveler may find rest in a safe place.
Monday, November 2, 2015
Quote - Live Life
"It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy that makes happiness."
~ Charles Spurgeon
~ Charles Spurgeon
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Quote - Intention
"What you do every day matters more than what you do every once in awhile."
~ Charles Duhigg
This quote is simple yet I find it difficult to put into practice what is the most important to me on a daily basis. Why? I think we are creatures of habit and often our habits are not the ones we want to be known for. Saying and doing are two completely different things and it is hard to find the right balance. I like to write so maybe the key for me and for you is to write down what really matters in our lives, what do we want to pass on to our children, friends, coworkers, etc. I guess it would be like writing what sums us up. We have a very brief time on this earth to impact ourselves and those around us. Many, including myself, tend to squander time on things that don't matter and when the end of the day comes we have wasted another day when we could have done so much more. I think I will write things down that I think are important and hang it up somewhere so I can see it everyday. Hope we all can live simply doing the things we love that will create the most good in us and the world.
~ Charles Duhigg
This quote is simple yet I find it difficult to put into practice what is the most important to me on a daily basis. Why? I think we are creatures of habit and often our habits are not the ones we want to be known for. Saying and doing are two completely different things and it is hard to find the right balance. I like to write so maybe the key for me and for you is to write down what really matters in our lives, what do we want to pass on to our children, friends, coworkers, etc. I guess it would be like writing what sums us up. We have a very brief time on this earth to impact ourselves and those around us. Many, including myself, tend to squander time on things that don't matter and when the end of the day comes we have wasted another day when we could have done so much more. I think I will write things down that I think are important and hang it up somewhere so I can see it everyday. Hope we all can live simply doing the things we love that will create the most good in us and the world.
Friday, September 11, 2015
Quote - Identity
"Your struggle is not your identity."
~ Quote on a sign online
How many of us hold onto our struggles or carry our past with us? The weight of carrying such burdens is too much for our soul. If our identity is in anything else besides God then it will be a struggle. What ever we have been through should not complete our story, there has to be room for healing and what comes next.
Last week I got news that someone I went to high school with had killed his wife then killed himself. He was a veteran and suicide is prevalent in people that have served in the military in America. There was a problem, maybe he didn't even realize what it was. By the comments from his close friends online it sounds like he never mentioned any problems to them. At any moment he could have turned to a friend to get help. We are not our sorrow, struggle, pain, anger, etc. At least we should not choose that path because it will only pull us down so far that it is nearly impossible to see any light what so ever.
~ Quote on a sign online
How many of us hold onto our struggles or carry our past with us? The weight of carrying such burdens is too much for our soul. If our identity is in anything else besides God then it will be a struggle. What ever we have been through should not complete our story, there has to be room for healing and what comes next.
Last week I got news that someone I went to high school with had killed his wife then killed himself. He was a veteran and suicide is prevalent in people that have served in the military in America. There was a problem, maybe he didn't even realize what it was. By the comments from his close friends online it sounds like he never mentioned any problems to them. At any moment he could have turned to a friend to get help. We are not our sorrow, struggle, pain, anger, etc. At least we should not choose that path because it will only pull us down so far that it is nearly impossible to see any light what so ever.
Monday, August 31, 2015
Quote - Andy Andrews
"My life - my personality, my habits, even my speech - is a combination of the books I choose to read, the people I choose to listen to and the thoughts I choose to tolerate in my mind."
~ Andy Andrews
I know I don't always limit what I am subjecting my brain, heart and soul to and it is really important to pay attention, but I am improving. We are inundated with limitless entertainment options that many will not think twice before watching. I have cut out several shows, movies, etc that do not set will with me anymore. See my post on this: Why God shut down my TV. Even some cable news channels are dangerous due to the fact that they are more talk show than reporting facts. Which is a huge problem in America when people are believing a 30 second news clip that bashes on someone when it probably was taken out of context to support the channels bias (can you tell I have an issue with this:). Everything we let in has the ability to shape our thoughts, beliefs, ideas and actions. I can't even watch the news since it is mainly the crime report. That's not to say that we should shut out everything and think the world is great out there, but we should be careful daily what we allow in. Every piece of information can alter us with out us even realizing it. Proverbs 4:23 "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." It makes me sad when I hear that a Christian is watching or reading something that is easy to see would be offensive to God. It doesn't matter if society or our friends think something is OK, we should stand up for what we think is the right thing to do. I have changed greatly from who I use to be, someone who used curse words daily (especially in the Army), didn't ever set limits and thought many things were fine (now I know better)! I am nowhere near perfect, but strive to do better than I have in the past and continue to grow in God.
~ Andy Andrews
I know I don't always limit what I am subjecting my brain, heart and soul to and it is really important to pay attention, but I am improving. We are inundated with limitless entertainment options that many will not think twice before watching. I have cut out several shows, movies, etc that do not set will with me anymore. See my post on this: Why God shut down my TV. Even some cable news channels are dangerous due to the fact that they are more talk show than reporting facts. Which is a huge problem in America when people are believing a 30 second news clip that bashes on someone when it probably was taken out of context to support the channels bias (can you tell I have an issue with this:). Everything we let in has the ability to shape our thoughts, beliefs, ideas and actions. I can't even watch the news since it is mainly the crime report. That's not to say that we should shut out everything and think the world is great out there, but we should be careful daily what we allow in. Every piece of information can alter us with out us even realizing it. Proverbs 4:23 "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." It makes me sad when I hear that a Christian is watching or reading something that is easy to see would be offensive to God. It doesn't matter if society or our friends think something is OK, we should stand up for what we think is the right thing to do. I have changed greatly from who I use to be, someone who used curse words daily (especially in the Army), didn't ever set limits and thought many things were fine (now I know better)! I am nowhere near perfect, but strive to do better than I have in the past and continue to grow in God.
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Nahum 2:8-13
v. 8-13 "Nineveh is like a pool,
and its water is draining away.
'Stop! Stop!' they cry,
but no one turns back.
Plunder the silver!
Plunder the gold!
The supply is endless,
the wealth from all its treasures!
She is pillaged, plundered, stripped!
Hearts melt, knees give way,
bodies tremble, every face grows pale.
Where now is the lions' den,
the place where they fed their young,
where the lion and lioness went,
and the cubs, with nothing to fear?
The lion killed enough for his cubs
and strangled the prey for his mate,
filling his lairs with the kill
and his dens with the prey.
'I am against you,'
declares the LORD Almighty.
I will burn up your chariots in smoke,
and the sword will devour your young lions.
I will leave you no prey on the earth.
The voices of your messengers
will no longer be heard."
The water is draining away, Nineveh was a lush garden filled area so when the water goes the area can only dry up. It is interesting how many exclamation marks there are. I think this is suppose to grab our attention as if it was highlighted or underlined. Exclamation marks, woe, repeated words or names, red words, etc. We should pay attention to all scripture, but there is emphasis on certain words or sentences that we are to really see. All the wealth that was taken from their captives, would be taken from them.
On the relief's taken from the Assyrian palace are pictures of lion hunts. This seemed to be a popular past time of kings in the region. Kings would capture lions for their "hunts" or breed them in captivity. They would release the lion from a cage (probably weak from captivity) and kill it as if that proved how great a king they were. This practice still goes on today and it is a disgrace. Caged hunts do not prove manhood, only the inhumanity of one's soul. The bible verses that speak of the lions seem to taunt the king. On one of the reliefs found in the palace it says this, "I, Ashurbanipal, king of the universe, king of Assyria, in my lordly sport, they let a fierce lion of the plain out of the cage and on foot... I stabbed him later with my iron girdle dagger and he died." This king had a major pride issue, king of the universe, seriously? It proves no matter what we think of ourselves God is happy to knock us off the pedestal if it gets too high.
God said he was against them. The last few sentences are powerful.
Their chariots would be burned up - a nod to the defeat of their army
The sword will devour their lions - the people will be destroyed
I will leave you no prey on earth - they would no longer be able to destroy their neighbors
Your messengers will be silenced - the voices will be wiped out completely
and its water is draining away.
'Stop! Stop!' they cry,
but no one turns back.
Plunder the silver!
Plunder the gold!
The supply is endless,
the wealth from all its treasures!
She is pillaged, plundered, stripped!
Hearts melt, knees give way,
bodies tremble, every face grows pale.
Where now is the lions' den,
the place where they fed their young,
where the lion and lioness went,
and the cubs, with nothing to fear?
The lion killed enough for his cubs
and strangled the prey for his mate,
filling his lairs with the kill
and his dens with the prey.
'I am against you,'
declares the LORD Almighty.
I will burn up your chariots in smoke,
and the sword will devour your young lions.
I will leave you no prey on the earth.
The voices of your messengers
will no longer be heard."
The water is draining away, Nineveh was a lush garden filled area so when the water goes the area can only dry up. It is interesting how many exclamation marks there are. I think this is suppose to grab our attention as if it was highlighted or underlined. Exclamation marks, woe, repeated words or names, red words, etc. We should pay attention to all scripture, but there is emphasis on certain words or sentences that we are to really see. All the wealth that was taken from their captives, would be taken from them.
On the relief's taken from the Assyrian palace are pictures of lion hunts. This seemed to be a popular past time of kings in the region. Kings would capture lions for their "hunts" or breed them in captivity. They would release the lion from a cage (probably weak from captivity) and kill it as if that proved how great a king they were. This practice still goes on today and it is a disgrace. Caged hunts do not prove manhood, only the inhumanity of one's soul. The bible verses that speak of the lions seem to taunt the king. On one of the reliefs found in the palace it says this, "I, Ashurbanipal, king of the universe, king of Assyria, in my lordly sport, they let a fierce lion of the plain out of the cage and on foot... I stabbed him later with my iron girdle dagger and he died." This king had a major pride issue, king of the universe, seriously? It proves no matter what we think of ourselves God is happy to knock us off the pedestal if it gets too high.
God said he was against them. The last few sentences are powerful.
Their chariots would be burned up - a nod to the defeat of their army
The sword will devour their lions - the people will be destroyed
I will leave you no prey on earth - they would no longer be able to destroy their neighbors
Your messengers will be silenced - the voices will be wiped out completely
Sunday, July 12, 2015
Quote - Vision
"A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single man contemplates it, bearing within him the image of a cathedral."
~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery
How many beautiful works of art have come from a plain old rock? Many have trouble seeing past their circumstances or their flaws, but God sees a masterpiece. A beautiful creation that does not recognize itself for what is it, God breathed. I hear so many women put themselves down that if it was coming from a friend they would break off that friendship, they are in a self made prison of abuse. That might seem like a harsh word, but I believe we don't realize our capabilities and that causes sorrow in the spirit realm. When you bash on the beauty that God has made then you are saying that God messed up, rejecting the one who made you. God does not make mistakes! Being able to love yourself because God made you is not selfish, it is acceptance. Only then can we be the person God wants us to be and get on with the work that He has given us. How can you pour out love to others if you have no love at all? You will pour out whatever is inside of you. The enemy knows that if he can keep us distracted with ourselves then we will not focus on God. There is no shortage of people who are so focused on themselves that they may never get around to His work. See the beauty in ordinary things, see the beauty in you and those around you that that world has forgotten.
~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery
How many beautiful works of art have come from a plain old rock? Many have trouble seeing past their circumstances or their flaws, but God sees a masterpiece. A beautiful creation that does not recognize itself for what is it, God breathed. I hear so many women put themselves down that if it was coming from a friend they would break off that friendship, they are in a self made prison of abuse. That might seem like a harsh word, but I believe we don't realize our capabilities and that causes sorrow in the spirit realm. When you bash on the beauty that God has made then you are saying that God messed up, rejecting the one who made you. God does not make mistakes! Being able to love yourself because God made you is not selfish, it is acceptance. Only then can we be the person God wants us to be and get on with the work that He has given us. How can you pour out love to others if you have no love at all? You will pour out whatever is inside of you. The enemy knows that if he can keep us distracted with ourselves then we will not focus on God. There is no shortage of people who are so focused on themselves that they may never get around to His work. See the beauty in ordinary things, see the beauty in you and those around you that that world has forgotten.
Saturday, June 27, 2015
Cruelty One Word at a Time
I saw this quote on the Dr. OZ show.
"Why do people give birth to autistic kids? Waste of society's resources."
Someone wrote this about families with autism however this is relevant to anyone who has family or friends with special needs. Many of you might know that my brother that died a couple of years ago had Down Syndrome. Something happened several years back that seemed to open a door for bullying online. It is a disease that is spreading and I think will only get worse. I can come up with many words to describe these people, but the two that I think are at the core are sadness and anger. Hurting people hurt others. There are countries that people still give up their children due to the fact that they are disabled or look different. I pray that people will see how precious all babies are even when they don't look like them.
How easy it is to type word after word of hate and judgement across the web that always seems to find its target and inflict the most damage. I am not surprised by what I see because after years of the chaos nothing seems new, but some moments I am taken back by the evil in others and I am brought to tears (crying right now). These words are uneducated, cruel, sad and pathetic. I feel sorry for those who tear others apart just to make themselves feel better (bullies focus on others so they don't have to focus on themselves).
Proverbs 18:21a "The tongue has the power of life and death."
I do not know this person, but this is what I see when I read hate. I see someone who is ignorant of God, which itself is it's own torture. I see sadness, hatred, anger, and a lack of compassion. Our language is a series of words, but when strung together in certain order they can land a devastating blow to the soul.
If you have ever been bullied (yes I have too) then I hope that you will pay it forward and show kindness. Bullying others does not heal the child inside that was bullied or broken long ago. Love is the antidote to hate. If you see others being bullied then take a stand and reach out and speak love because that is probably the moment in their life that they need a hero the most.
John 9:1-3 "As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?' 'Neither this man nor his parents sinned,' said Jesus, 'but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.'" I believe the fact that this man was born blind is showing us that being born different or having a disability is not bad or wrong. This goes for all those who become disabled after birth, God's light can shine through every person. Show love to those who are hurting and pray that they can know the perfect love of God. Small minds think small thoughts.
This feels urgent to do now. I usually type and come back to it another day to finish up, but this I feel needs to go out now. Maybe someone needs love and support right this very minute and to know they are not alone in this world. I usually don't ask, but I hope that you will share this with anyone you think would like a moment of kindness, don't hesitate.
"Why do people give birth to autistic kids? Waste of society's resources."
Someone wrote this about families with autism however this is relevant to anyone who has family or friends with special needs. Many of you might know that my brother that died a couple of years ago had Down Syndrome. Something happened several years back that seemed to open a door for bullying online. It is a disease that is spreading and I think will only get worse. I can come up with many words to describe these people, but the two that I think are at the core are sadness and anger. Hurting people hurt others. There are countries that people still give up their children due to the fact that they are disabled or look different. I pray that people will see how precious all babies are even when they don't look like them.
How easy it is to type word after word of hate and judgement across the web that always seems to find its target and inflict the most damage. I am not surprised by what I see because after years of the chaos nothing seems new, but some moments I am taken back by the evil in others and I am brought to tears (crying right now). These words are uneducated, cruel, sad and pathetic. I feel sorry for those who tear others apart just to make themselves feel better (bullies focus on others so they don't have to focus on themselves).
Proverbs 18:21a "The tongue has the power of life and death."
I do not know this person, but this is what I see when I read hate. I see someone who is ignorant of God, which itself is it's own torture. I see sadness, hatred, anger, and a lack of compassion. Our language is a series of words, but when strung together in certain order they can land a devastating blow to the soul.
If you have ever been bullied (yes I have too) then I hope that you will pay it forward and show kindness. Bullying others does not heal the child inside that was bullied or broken long ago. Love is the antidote to hate. If you see others being bullied then take a stand and reach out and speak love because that is probably the moment in their life that they need a hero the most.
John 9:1-3 "As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?' 'Neither this man nor his parents sinned,' said Jesus, 'but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.'" I believe the fact that this man was born blind is showing us that being born different or having a disability is not bad or wrong. This goes for all those who become disabled after birth, God's light can shine through every person. Show love to those who are hurting and pray that they can know the perfect love of God. Small minds think small thoughts.
This feels urgent to do now. I usually type and come back to it another day to finish up, but this I feel needs to go out now. Maybe someone needs love and support right this very minute and to know they are not alone in this world. I usually don't ask, but I hope that you will share this with anyone you think would like a moment of kindness, don't hesitate.
Monday, June 15, 2015
Quote - Arguments
"You don't have to attend every argument you are invited to."
~ unknown
I saw this on a sign online and thought it was a good one to post. Some of us get our backs against the wall when an argument is anywhere near us. We will be better off not getting involved especially when it is something that we can't do anything about or someone has their heels dug in and we will not change their minds on a subject.
So let us all reply "no thank you" to about 99% of argument's we are invited to and the 1% that have value and we are passionate about then proceed with kindness and caution.
~ unknown
I saw this on a sign online and thought it was a good one to post. Some of us get our backs against the wall when an argument is anywhere near us. We will be better off not getting involved especially when it is something that we can't do anything about or someone has their heels dug in and we will not change their minds on a subject.
So let us all reply "no thank you" to about 99% of argument's we are invited to and the 1% that have value and we are passionate about then proceed with kindness and caution.
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Quote - Buscaglia
"Your talent is God's gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God."
~Buscaglia
Many people think that they do not have any gifts or are jealous when they see what gifts other people have. We are all unique, that is not by accident. I wonder how many people have wasted away their lives never once using the gifts that were meant for them. I wonder what has been unseen in this world due to our lack of faith in the abilities given to us by God. I procrastinate like many people and it is something that I have to fight against. I have been painting this week, but writing is something that I have not done much lately and I really need to focus and set aside time to work on it.
Are you using your gifts wisely? Are you too busy being jealous of the gifts others have that you don't see what yours are? What are you waiting for?
Are you using your gifts wisely? Are you too busy being jealous of the gifts others have that you don't see what yours are? What are you waiting for?
Sunday, May 10, 2015
Happy Mother's Day
Happy Mother's day to all you wonderful moms out there. If you are not a mom then don't think this day excludes you. If you are an aunt, cousin, neighbor then you can be a mother to others. Being a mother is kindness and love to the lost, wounded, hurt, lonely and the forgotten. Mother Teresa did not have any children yet the word mother is always in front of her name. She helped the forgotten, she did not do it for fame or wealth. She did it for God. Do not be confined by the definition of what a mother is. If we do our best and show God's love to others then we are doing exactly what a mother represents. Love and sacrifice for another.
"Do ordinary things with extraordinary love."
~ Mother Teresa
"Do ordinary things with extraordinary love."
~ Mother Teresa
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Quote - Dr. Seuss
"Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory."
~ Dr. Seuss
I have a great love of Dr. Seuss quotes. This man was such an amazing writer that he created strange worlds that helped us deal with the strangeness in our own world. We often go about our days and dismiss something small and what we think of as minuscule, but if we really pay attention we can see such beauty in each small thing. When you read the Bible there are such descriptive words and vast details that we skim over for the really big things. Yet God took the time to give us those details so the little things mean something to Him. I pray we will all see the seemingly insignificant things in life and take a moment to pay attention to them. All of those little moments are what make up a life, not just the large exciting ones. It's the moments in between the big ones that make us, shapes us and propels us to be a better person.
~ Dr. Seuss
I have a great love of Dr. Seuss quotes. This man was such an amazing writer that he created strange worlds that helped us deal with the strangeness in our own world. We often go about our days and dismiss something small and what we think of as minuscule, but if we really pay attention we can see such beauty in each small thing. When you read the Bible there are such descriptive words and vast details that we skim over for the really big things. Yet God took the time to give us those details so the little things mean something to Him. I pray we will all see the seemingly insignificant things in life and take a moment to pay attention to them. All of those little moments are what make up a life, not just the large exciting ones. It's the moments in between the big ones that make us, shapes us and propels us to be a better person.
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