So, here's the new trailer for Tangled, Disney's latest Animated film. I remember seeing stuff a couple years ago with concepts of the story leaked on to Youtube. I hadn't heard anything up until recently and didn't think anything of it. Now, I can't wait for this to come out.
I laughed hard at the trailer and I hope that all the good stuff isn't going to just be in the trailer, which seems to happen alot lately. Or, you don't understand the story line and it's just a bunch of pretty pictures.
But I think that most of us know the story of Rapunzel. Or at least vaguely. I think Disney is going to up it and change it around. Which will be fine as long as it's close to the original story.
And I have to say, I kinda have a crush on Flynn Rider. I don't remember the last time I thought a Disney character was "hot", if you will. This is excluding Jack Sparrow. Most of you know my slight admiration for the rugged pirate.
Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi will be playing Rapunzel and Flynn. Most of you remember Mandy from her role in A Walk to Remember or as a musical artist. Most of you, (ME!) have a crush on or love watching Chuck on NBC. Yes, Chuck is playing Flynn. Maybe that's why I have a slight crush on the character. Who knows. I'm having an identity crisis when it comes to the men I seem to like. Or, my horizons are very wide and I like choices. Yet again, who knows. :)
Anywho, I hope that you enjoy the trailer. Have fun with side kicks, kung-fu hair and cheesy pick-up lines :)
Friday, June 11, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
World of Color Show~Disneyland
I saw this on the Disney Blog today and was blown away! I knew this was going to open soon, I just didn't know when! Someone put the whole 26 minute show up in 3 segments. Yes, not going to lie. I choked up a bunch of times. It was phenomenal. Too bad it's only going to be seen at Disneyland.
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Happy Birthday
Thanks for making me laugh, smile, and cry over 20+ years in the business! I hope that you have a wonderful birthday and it is blessed to the brim!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Mouse Tales
Staying on-site allows guests to mainline the magic. You are completely immersed in that ambiance 24 hours a day, for your entire stay.
I don't want to drive the wrong way under the welcoming arch until it's time to go home. I'm not interested in seeing fast food restaurants along the highway or visiting Wal-mart, Publix, Hooters, or Target. (Maybe Hooters.) But for the most part I do not want to be reminded that there is a real world outside the gates of Walt Disney World. And by staying on-site, I am allowed, for a brief time, to forget about the day-to-day hassles and real life worries associated with life away from my vacation destination of choice.
~Excerpt from Mousejunkies!: Tips, Tales, and Tricks for a DISNEY WORLD fix by Bill Burke (emphasis mine)
"You are completely immersed in that ambiance 24 hours a day, for your entire stay." I so can't wait to do that. And though it's still 349 days away till I depart on my adventure to that Magical Land called Disney, I have started my planning and trying to find ways of cramming as much as I can possibly get in in 7 days, while leisurely strolling about Main Street USA, visiting the Pirates of the Caribbean, Cinderella Castle, etc.
Disney is not just a magical place for me. It's home. A long awaited trip home that I have been waiting to take for almost 30 years. And since I will be heading out during my birthday year, I am more than thrilled to be spending my milestone year with my mother and some really, really great friends. REAL and fictional.
Disney holds a very close place to my heart. I have always felt an attachment to it and I always wanted to work there. Yes, I'm sure everyone has dreamed of Disney at some point in their life, and yes, you cannot deny that you have laughed or even smiled at something Disney related. Most people have felt the magic sometime in their life.
I have lived with it 24/7 since I was child. I live, breathe, dream it. And so this will be a pilgrimage long coming. I will be a sappy mess. My side will hurt from laughing so hard. My heart will swell with memories coming to the brink and spilling forward and hold tight to all the new memories that will be created.
Crowds? What crowds? And the heat, you say? I care not for such trifles. They are only blips on the map that can be easily maneuvered. I will be so engrossed in Disney Euphoria that I will not even notice them. Ok, maybe for a minute or two, but the agitation will soon pass.
Yes, Disney, my home of magic and wonder. My life is about to take a beautiful turn and one more goal in my life will have been completed. I will never be the same.
Disney will never be the same once I set foot upon the magical ground.
Are you sure you are ready for me, Mickey? Minnie? Jack Sparrow, what say you?
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Epic Fail
I was debating on whether I wanted to post this or not or keep it in my private journal. But, I decided, since I have great friends who will hold me accountable for my actions, I will tell you all.
I was not a very good person the other day. Saturday, May 15th, to be exact. I was waiting in line at Walmart with my mom, brother and his family. In front of us were two ladies buying items. I snubbed them and turned and said something to my mother that I don't appreciate people that are clearly well off, (They obviously had enough money to go and get piercings everywhere and tattoos, but yet they couldn't feed their children, so they recieve help from the government to supply them with baby formula, juices, etc...) I thought that I said it quiet enough so they wouldn't hear me.
Clearly, I didn't. The lady came up to me and said, "Next time, keep your comments to yourself." They walked away and her friend yelled out, "**tch" to me." I raised my shoulders and said that how I didn't care. I didn't appreciate people living off the system so they can go and spend useless money on things like tattoos and such.
When we were getting in the car, the ladies were waiting for us outside Walmart. They drove down the other lane and yelled the same profanities back at me. I didn't look at them, but shook my head and let my blood boil. It stayed with me all evening long. I held on to that anger.
Did they have a right to offend me? NO.
Did I have a right to judge them? ABSOLUTELY NOT.
I went ahead and did God's bidding. I judged the person. Instead of praying for them and asking God to provide for them and care for them as a friend, I went ahead and thought with my mouth. I am still learning to not be so offensive to people. I don't understand where this is all stemming from-I haven't pin pointed it. But I don't like what I do when I do things like that. I feel horrible afterwards and I KNOW that I was doing wrong, still I went ahead and did it.
It's actions like mine that make people second guess Christians. What kind of model of Christ am I if I go about spouting my tongue off to people? I forget that I am supposed to love my neighbors, pray for them, support them....and here I defend myself saying as to why they shouldn't be doing what they are doing, since I am not doing it....but take a good look in the mirror, Mindy. You are just as guilty as they are.
So, my friends, I feel better getting that of my chest. I confessed my sins and I am looking absolution.
I was not a very good person the other day. Saturday, May 15th, to be exact. I was waiting in line at Walmart with my mom, brother and his family. In front of us were two ladies buying items. I snubbed them and turned and said something to my mother that I don't appreciate people that are clearly well off, (They obviously had enough money to go and get piercings everywhere and tattoos, but yet they couldn't feed their children, so they recieve help from the government to supply them with baby formula, juices, etc...) I thought that I said it quiet enough so they wouldn't hear me.
Clearly, I didn't. The lady came up to me and said, "Next time, keep your comments to yourself." They walked away and her friend yelled out, "**tch" to me." I raised my shoulders and said that how I didn't care. I didn't appreciate people living off the system so they can go and spend useless money on things like tattoos and such.
When we were getting in the car, the ladies were waiting for us outside Walmart. They drove down the other lane and yelled the same profanities back at me. I didn't look at them, but shook my head and let my blood boil. It stayed with me all evening long. I held on to that anger.
Did they have a right to offend me? NO.
Did I have a right to judge them? ABSOLUTELY NOT.
I went ahead and did God's bidding. I judged the person. Instead of praying for them and asking God to provide for them and care for them as a friend, I went ahead and thought with my mouth. I am still learning to not be so offensive to people. I don't understand where this is all stemming from-I haven't pin pointed it. But I don't like what I do when I do things like that. I feel horrible afterwards and I KNOW that I was doing wrong, still I went ahead and did it.
It's actions like mine that make people second guess Christians. What kind of model of Christ am I if I go about spouting my tongue off to people? I forget that I am supposed to love my neighbors, pray for them, support them....and here I defend myself saying as to why they shouldn't be doing what they are doing, since I am not doing it....but take a good look in the mirror, Mindy. You are just as guilty as they are.
So, my friends, I feel better getting that of my chest. I confessed my sins and I am looking absolution.
Friday, May 14, 2010
How doth do you take it?
I am finishing up a fan fiction that I am sad to end, but as you know, all stories come to an end. In the final chapter, I wrote a love poem for two of the characters. Now, I am not a sappy, lovey-dovey kind of person. I gag every time I see someone all in love or whatnot. I probably guarantee, that some day that will be me. But for now, I will let my stomach churn at people's public displays of gaggy affection.
And since I have never been in love, I was thinking to myself; "Self, how in the world are you going to write a love poem when you have never been in love?" To that I replied: "I have never been in love, but I have experienced love many times in my life."
As I was writing this, it was aimed for the characters, but as I was reading it over this morning to try and punch out the final chapter, I was reading the words:
“How doth the sun shine so brightly in the mid of day
How doth the night sky darken where the stars happily play
How doth my heart grow fond of the love that I give
How doth do you take it, my fairest, to live?
How doth do you take it, my fairest, to live?
Do you take it with a spoonful of sugar
Or do you take it with the sourest of vinegar
I pray that you doth take it with my heart in mind
For I shall always love you, my dearest divine.
For I shall always love you, my dearest divine.”
In reality, this could be God talking to us. How do we take His love? Do we willingly accept it or do we turn our cheek and ignore it and giving it the foulest taste in our mouths?
I know that I have not been the most openly accepting of it. I have turned my back on God too many times to count, but I always come seeking it when I most need it.
And as the sun burns in the mid day and as the stars dance in the dark midnight, God is always there waiting for us, arms stretched out wide. Nothing can separate us from Him. He is always seeking us. And He wants to wrap us in His arms, cradle us in the palms of His hands and never let us go.
Jesus is our love song. Jesus is our love poem. And I will be sappy in love with Jesus until I see Him face to face. Of course, like any couple, we will have our moments, me mostly being the cause of it since I don't know how to surrender, He will be waiting and forgiving.
AGAPE; unconditional love. I want to show that to people.
And since I have never been in love, I was thinking to myself; "Self, how in the world are you going to write a love poem when you have never been in love?" To that I replied: "I have never been in love, but I have experienced love many times in my life."
As I was writing this, it was aimed for the characters, but as I was reading it over this morning to try and punch out the final chapter, I was reading the words:
“How doth the sun shine so brightly in the mid of day
How doth the night sky darken where the stars happily play
How doth my heart grow fond of the love that I give
How doth do you take it, my fairest, to live?
How doth do you take it, my fairest, to live?
Do you take it with a spoonful of sugar
Or do you take it with the sourest of vinegar
I pray that you doth take it with my heart in mind
For I shall always love you, my dearest divine.
For I shall always love you, my dearest divine.”
In reality, this could be God talking to us. How do we take His love? Do we willingly accept it or do we turn our cheek and ignore it and giving it the foulest taste in our mouths?
I know that I have not been the most openly accepting of it. I have turned my back on God too many times to count, but I always come seeking it when I most need it.
And as the sun burns in the mid day and as the stars dance in the dark midnight, God is always there waiting for us, arms stretched out wide. Nothing can separate us from Him. He is always seeking us. And He wants to wrap us in His arms, cradle us in the palms of His hands and never let us go.
Jesus is our love song. Jesus is our love poem. And I will be sappy in love with Jesus until I see Him face to face. Of course, like any couple, we will have our moments, me mostly being the cause of it since I don't know how to surrender, He will be waiting and forgiving.
AGAPE; unconditional love. I want to show that to people.
Monday, May 10, 2010
New Way to Live
Arise, there's a new way to live
Thought we were living, but that's not what we've been
We've been, breathing out and breathing in
But the question remains have we ever truly lived.
~New Way to Live, Jason Gray
I couldn't figure out why I have been so bitter these past few weeks. I couldn't figure out why my heart had been so hardened by the things people said to me. I couldn't figure out why my eyes had adverted away from God even though I tried to seek him over and over.
I am learning that I need to surrender and forgive. Forgive being the bigger part.
During Holy Week this year, an already stressful time for me as I am journeying to the Road to Calvary, my best friend decided she wanted to end our 6 year friendship. And what made it worse for me was the fact that she couldn't do it face to face. She did everything through facebook. I was hurt, confused, angered, bitter, resentful, you name it. I cried tears but I couldn't figure out why I cried them.
Then Good Friday came. I cried, knowing that Jesus died for me and saved me. But for some reason I couldn't let go of what had happened a couple days prior.
And these past few weeks have been the same. I haven't been very close to God and I haven't talked to him, even though I thought that I was doing a good job in my life. I mean, I wasn't out drinking, I wasn't doing drugs, I wasn't out breaking the law. so that had to count for something, right?
This past weekend I spent some time with some wonderful girls of God. And we also had an added little perk of listening to one of my favorite artists, Jason Gray. There was so much that went on this past weekend, but I will make that another post in the days coming. We got to have some special time with him and he was talking to us about stuff. There was a new song that he was working on and it just wrenched my heart wide open.
I was grateful that I was in the company of amazing friends. For had I not been, I would have not been able to get through that moment. God was speaking to me and laying His hand on my heart. He was telling me: "Forgive.....forgive.....forgive. That's all you need to do. Forgive, and let it go. I will handle the rest."
I knew exactly what He was talking about. I needed to forgive my friend for what happened. And things happen for a reason. This was just a stepping stone that I couldn't get over. I tried my hardest to hang on hoping that maybe, just maybe, if I did, things could work out. But I had to step off that rock and move on to the next one, waiting for God to tell me what to do.
Jason shared a story about how God wants all of us. Not what we think he wants us to be or how we should act in front of Him. We can never truly be intimate with Him if we are not willing to share everything with Him. Even our anger.
This was another turning point for me. I had to release the anger that had built up over the past couple days and give it to God. It was holding me back from Him.
It's going to take a bit to learn to do, but this weekend with amazing friends and musicians showed me that I have to be vulnerable at the feet of Jesus. He can give me peace and joy and comfort.
And I am learning there is a new way to live. A life full of joy and happiness. Satan can attack me all he wants, but as I read God's Word and commune with other believers who will lift me up, I can stand against him. Sorry, buddy, but you can't win this fight. You never have, you never will.
Thought we were living, but that's not what we've been
We've been, breathing out and breathing in
But the question remains have we ever truly lived.
~New Way to Live, Jason Gray
I couldn't figure out why I have been so bitter these past few weeks. I couldn't figure out why my heart had been so hardened by the things people said to me. I couldn't figure out why my eyes had adverted away from God even though I tried to seek him over and over.
I am learning that I need to surrender and forgive. Forgive being the bigger part.
During Holy Week this year, an already stressful time for me as I am journeying to the Road to Calvary, my best friend decided she wanted to end our 6 year friendship. And what made it worse for me was the fact that she couldn't do it face to face. She did everything through facebook. I was hurt, confused, angered, bitter, resentful, you name it. I cried tears but I couldn't figure out why I cried them.
Then Good Friday came. I cried, knowing that Jesus died for me and saved me. But for some reason I couldn't let go of what had happened a couple days prior.
And these past few weeks have been the same. I haven't been very close to God and I haven't talked to him, even though I thought that I was doing a good job in my life. I mean, I wasn't out drinking, I wasn't doing drugs, I wasn't out breaking the law. so that had to count for something, right?
This past weekend I spent some time with some wonderful girls of God. And we also had an added little perk of listening to one of my favorite artists, Jason Gray. There was so much that went on this past weekend, but I will make that another post in the days coming. We got to have some special time with him and he was talking to us about stuff. There was a new song that he was working on and it just wrenched my heart wide open.
I was grateful that I was in the company of amazing friends. For had I not been, I would have not been able to get through that moment. God was speaking to me and laying His hand on my heart. He was telling me: "Forgive.....forgive.....forgive. That's all you need to do. Forgive, and let it go. I will handle the rest."
I knew exactly what He was talking about. I needed to forgive my friend for what happened. And things happen for a reason. This was just a stepping stone that I couldn't get over. I tried my hardest to hang on hoping that maybe, just maybe, if I did, things could work out. But I had to step off that rock and move on to the next one, waiting for God to tell me what to do.
Jason shared a story about how God wants all of us. Not what we think he wants us to be or how we should act in front of Him. We can never truly be intimate with Him if we are not willing to share everything with Him. Even our anger.
This was another turning point for me. I had to release the anger that had built up over the past couple days and give it to God. It was holding me back from Him.
It's going to take a bit to learn to do, but this weekend with amazing friends and musicians showed me that I have to be vulnerable at the feet of Jesus. He can give me peace and joy and comfort.
And I am learning there is a new way to live. A life full of joy and happiness. Satan can attack me all he wants, but as I read God's Word and commune with other believers who will lift me up, I can stand against him. Sorry, buddy, but you can't win this fight. You never have, you never will.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
What is Freedom
I haven't written much lately. I know, I have been a poor, poor blogger. But I have been busy writing music and other stories...aka fan fiction. I am on a fan fic yahoo group called the Black Pearl Sails where we write about, you guessed it, Pirates of the Caribbean. It's a guily pleasure that I have :)
Anyway, this weeks drabble is on Poetry. And since it's poetry month, that's what they decided to do. Now, I haven't written poetry in a very, very long time. But it was a fun little challenge to say the least. This is what I came up with. I hope that you enjoy it.
Comments are appreciated :)
FREEDOM
What is freedom?
Anyway, this weeks drabble is on Poetry. And since it's poetry month, that's what they decided to do. Now, I haven't written poetry in a very, very long time. But it was a fun little challenge to say the least. This is what I came up with. I hope that you enjoy it.
Comments are appreciated :)
FREEDOM
What is freedom?
Freedom is the wind blowing around your face
Caressing it with her gentle fingers
Letting her sweet words and phrases linger
Holding you in an embrace
Caressing it with her gentle fingers
Letting her sweet words and phrases linger
Holding you in an embrace
Freedom is the horizon's sunrise
Warming you with her golden rays
Coaxing you and leading you for days
Reminding you that you are alive
Warming you with her golden rays
Coaxing you and leading you for days
Reminding you that you are alive
Freedom is the miniscule escape
From the advancing enemies grasp
A ragged sigh of relief and you clasp
Tightly to the treasure that's yours to proclaim
From the advancing enemies grasp
A ragged sigh of relief and you clasp
Tightly to the treasure that's yours to proclaim
Freedom is the groaning plank boards beneath
The swaying on the white-capped waves
The way that Calypso plays
With your home under your feet
The swaying on the white-capped waves
The way that Calypso plays
With your home under your feet
You asked me my friend, and I can tell you sure
She is my love, my life, my all
She is ever faithful, not letting me fall
What freedom is, is the Black Pearl.
She is my love, my life, my all
She is ever faithful, not letting me fall
What freedom is, is the Black Pearl.
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
The Vertical Self
This book was a success for me. I have always been battling with “myself”, as it were, instead of just letting God take control. And even though I knew most of the stuff in the book, it was nice to have a refresher course on why I wasn't letting God consume all of me. It's amazing how this world can really be an influencer in your life without even realizing it. Even in the Christian world. So many times we are caught up in pleasing ourselves, that really this life is all about pleasing God.
Stayer plays out The Vertical Self in eleven chapters. He breaks down how society has played a huge roll in the development of our cultures from generations past to present. He convieniently places Scripture where it needs to be said to bring us back to the truth of things: GOD is in control; not us. At the end of the book, there is a short “Bible Study” that a group can use for their weekly meetings. I used it on an individual level and my journal is jam-packed full of pictures, diagrams, scripture, and thoughts.
I recommend reading this if you are new to the Christian faith and are struggling with at the battle lines on “who's side to be on” or even if you have been a Christian for a long time and just need a good dose of reminding who you really belong to.
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
Welcome to my Wonderland
For those of you who don't know me well, or for those of you who do, I love to write. Doesn't matter what it is. I love to write. It's a way of expressing myself. Though, sometimes I don't always make sense when I write and it's hard to portray what is going on inside of my head.
I love to write music. I also love to write fanfiction. It's one of my guilty pleasures. I am on a couple of sites that have things called "drabbles". Drabbles are usually short stories about 100-200 words long and it's written from a single word prompt. Example:Each week we are given a word. So let's say, "LOVE" was used. You would use that word to form a story around it. It's fun creating stories of your favorite characters. Mine happen to be anything Johnny Depp. But it's mostly Jack Sparrow since it's so easy to create an adventure for him. I also have recently fallen in love with Tarrant Hightopp-the Mad Hatter in Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland. What a great character!
So I had a dream about him one night and I got this story formed. I am in the process of writing it right now, but I am posting it on my writing blog.
I hope you stop by and read some of my work. I enjoy feed back. I am also in the process of writing a novel- non-Johnny Depp. :) I am stuck on it write now. I have the basic storyline playe out, I just can't get my characters to move forward.
You can view my stuff HERE. I hope you all enjoy it!!
I love to write music. I also love to write fanfiction. It's one of my guilty pleasures. I am on a couple of sites that have things called "drabbles". Drabbles are usually short stories about 100-200 words long and it's written from a single word prompt. Example:Each week we are given a word. So let's say, "LOVE" was used. You would use that word to form a story around it. It's fun creating stories of your favorite characters. Mine happen to be anything Johnny Depp. But it's mostly Jack Sparrow since it's so easy to create an adventure for him. I also have recently fallen in love with Tarrant Hightopp-the Mad Hatter in Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland. What a great character!
So I had a dream about him one night and I got this story formed. I am in the process of writing it right now, but I am posting it on my writing blog.
I hope you stop by and read some of my work. I enjoy feed back. I am also in the process of writing a novel- non-Johnny Depp. :) I am stuck on it write now. I have the basic storyline playe out, I just can't get my characters to move forward.
You can view my stuff HERE. I hope you all enjoy it!!
Friday, April 02, 2010
Carry My Cross
There are no words to describe what Jesus did for me today. He loved me so much that he took ALL my sins on his shoulders and died for me so I may be washed clean.
Thank you for your love, mercy, and grace, Jesus. Without You, life wouldn't be worth living.
This is a little vid I did some years ago as I was reflecting on Holy Week. Carry My Cross is such a powerful song and the Passion of the Christ was such a powerful movie that it only seemed natural to fit them together. I hope this video touches you somehow. God loves you. He always has. He always will. Nothing you can do will ever stop that. And remember, even if you feel alone in this world, He is MUCH closer than you think!!
Thank you for your love, mercy, and grace, Jesus. Without You, life wouldn't be worth living.
This is a little vid I did some years ago as I was reflecting on Holy Week. Carry My Cross is such a powerful song and the Passion of the Christ was such a powerful movie that it only seemed natural to fit them together. I hope this video touches you somehow. God loves you. He always has. He always will. Nothing you can do will ever stop that. And remember, even if you feel alone in this world, He is MUCH closer than you think!!
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Fear....
January 12, 2010~Haiti hit by an earthquake
February 10, 2010~Chicago has mild earthquake
February 27, 2010~Chile hit by an earthquake
February 27, 2010~Hawaii hit by tsunami caused by Chile earthquake
Do I have reason to be afraid? Well, I am.
I have seen some videos on Youtube about people saying, “oh, it’s not the End Times, you don’t know what you are talking about.” Or, “You Christians are crazy saying that God is saying something to you people.”
I think I have reason to be afraid. To me, things just seem to be getting worse and worse in the world. I know earthquakes happen on a regular basis in some countries. But I haven’t seen this magnitude of them being publicized.
I think that God is speaking and people are taking their time to wake up. I think God has been speaking to us for centuries and we have been ignoring his light tap on the shoulder saying, “Hey, buddy, come and smell the coffee. It’s time to open your eyes.” So now, instead of being subtle, he’s placing His hands on our shoulders and shaking us violently to force us to open our eyes.
We don’t know how long the End Times are supposed to be. I mentioned them to someone at work the other day, and they rolled their eyes and was like, “Really? This stuff has always been going on. We’ve always been in the ‘end times’”. I’m sure we have. But things seem to be getting more and more violent. And more and more frequent.
It makes me question my faith. Not so much to the point that if I believe in God or not, but to the point of how strong is it, knowing that if something like this would happen to me, would I be able to still praise Him in the storm.
And I am afraid. I am afraid of what’s to come. I’m afraid of having a complete tragedy knock on my door. I am afraid of dying slowly.
I think it’s only human to be afraid. But that makes me get closer to God in prayer. Why does it take a tragedy to do so? Because it’s opening my eyes. Life is short. VERY SHORT. And I don’t want to take any minute that God is giving me for granted.
I know where I’m going when I die. I know that I will be at Jesus’ feet, safe. But in this fragile human form, I have nothing to cling to but the faith and hope that God will protect me in a time of disaster. I may not be one of the fortunate one day and will need to remember that even in the time of trial, I will rise. And God will be there holding my hand and leading through that dark, dark valley to the brightest of sunrises.
February 10, 2010~Chicago has mild earthquake
February 27, 2010~Chile hit by an earthquake
February 27, 2010~Hawaii hit by tsunami caused by Chile earthquake
Do I have reason to be afraid? Well, I am.
I have seen some videos on Youtube about people saying, “oh, it’s not the End Times, you don’t know what you are talking about.” Or, “You Christians are crazy saying that God is saying something to you people.”
I think I have reason to be afraid. To me, things just seem to be getting worse and worse in the world. I know earthquakes happen on a regular basis in some countries. But I haven’t seen this magnitude of them being publicized.
I think that God is speaking and people are taking their time to wake up. I think God has been speaking to us for centuries and we have been ignoring his light tap on the shoulder saying, “Hey, buddy, come and smell the coffee. It’s time to open your eyes.” So now, instead of being subtle, he’s placing His hands on our shoulders and shaking us violently to force us to open our eyes.
We don’t know how long the End Times are supposed to be. I mentioned them to someone at work the other day, and they rolled their eyes and was like, “Really? This stuff has always been going on. We’ve always been in the ‘end times’”. I’m sure we have. But things seem to be getting more and more violent. And more and more frequent.
It makes me question my faith. Not so much to the point that if I believe in God or not, but to the point of how strong is it, knowing that if something like this would happen to me, would I be able to still praise Him in the storm.
And I am afraid. I am afraid of what’s to come. I’m afraid of having a complete tragedy knock on my door. I am afraid of dying slowly.
I think it’s only human to be afraid. But that makes me get closer to God in prayer. Why does it take a tragedy to do so? Because it’s opening my eyes. Life is short. VERY SHORT. And I don’t want to take any minute that God is giving me for granted.
I know where I’m going when I die. I know that I will be at Jesus’ feet, safe. But in this fragile human form, I have nothing to cling to but the faith and hope that God will protect me in a time of disaster. I may not be one of the fortunate one day and will need to remember that even in the time of trial, I will rise. And God will be there holding my hand and leading through that dark, dark valley to the brightest of sunrises.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
A Father's Love Letter
I stumbled upon this while looking for something to add to my Bible Study. Wow. The Truth.
http://www.habeeb.com/fathers.love.letter/fathers.love.letter.english.html
Father's Love Letter
My Child ~
You may not know me, but I know everything about you ~ Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up ~ Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways ~ Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered ~ Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image ~ Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being ~ Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring ~ Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived ~ Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation ~ Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book ~ Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live ~ Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made ~ Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb ~ Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born ~ Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me ~ John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love ~ 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you ~ 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your father ~ 1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could ~ Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father ~ Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand ~ James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs ~ Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope ~ Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love ~ Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore ~ Psalm 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing ~ Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you ~ Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession ~ Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul ~ Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things ~ Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me ~ Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart ~ Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires ~ Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine ~ Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you ~ Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart ~ Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes ~ Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth ~ Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus ~ John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed ~ John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being ~ Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you ~ Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you ~ 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love ~ Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me ~ 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again ~ Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen ~ Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father ~ Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is ~ Will you be my child? ~ John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you ~ Luke 15:11-32
Love, Your Dad, Almighty God
http://www.habeeb.com/fathers.love.letter/fathers.love.letter.english.html
Father's Love Letter
My Child ~
You may not know me, but I know everything about you ~ Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up ~ Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways ~ Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered ~ Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image ~ Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being ~ Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring ~ Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived ~ Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation ~ Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book ~ Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live ~ Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made ~ Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb ~ Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born ~ Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me ~ John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love ~ 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you ~ 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your father ~ 1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could ~ Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father ~ Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand ~ James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs ~ Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope ~ Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love ~ Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore ~ Psalm 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing ~ Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you ~ Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession ~ Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul ~ Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things ~ Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me ~ Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart ~ Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires ~ Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine ~ Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you ~ Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart ~ Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes ~ Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth ~ Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus ~ John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed ~ John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being ~ Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you ~ Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you ~ 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love ~ Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me ~ 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again ~ Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen ~ Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father ~ Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is ~ Will you be my child? ~ John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you ~ Luke 15:11-32
Love, Your Dad, Almighty God
Monday, February 22, 2010
Revolve for the Future
Thomas Nelson Publishing
It's hard for a teen girl to fit in and be liked. It's even harder for a teen Christian girl to fit in and be liked. It's not like she can just break out her Bible in the middle of lunch period or study hall and have time with God. I mean, I know she could, be since religion is not allowed in most schools anymore, it makes things a little harder.
Revolove,The Biblezine, as it’s called, has a wonderful blend of quizzes, beauty tips and stories of kids doing good mixed in with the New Testamnet while looking just like a regular teen girl magazine. The format is easy to understand and it helps bring problems in today's society to be more understandable and relatable to the problems faced back in Jesus' day.
I think one of the new elements that I really enjoyed was the “goodbook” bios on the characters of the bible. The column is set up much like a facebook page with all the statistics of the character. There are also interviews with musical artists that the girls would be following. Free downloads are included as well.
I think one of the only downfalls is that since it’s set up like a magazine, it’s not as sturdy as a BIble should be. It will tear, bend, peel easily like a regular magazine.
Any teenage girl would love reading this. I know there is another version for guys as well. As a 28 year old I really enjoyed reading Revolve.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Love Poured Out
"That which is good, profitable or beneficial is not always fun, easy, or pleasant. Remember love, joy, peace, and kindness PRECEDE goodness." ~Beth Moore, Living Beyond Yourself: Living in the Fruit of the Spirit Workbook
I have not always been a pleasant person. I have not always done things to please God. I have been selfish, uncouth, demanding, unforgiving, unpleasant, non-peaceful, unloving, non-joyous. All the things that the Spirit is not. How am I to go about living in the Spirit if I am full of these things?
Can someone please help me out here?
God wants me to see the things that I am not so he can break me and use me for the things that are good. I cannot live on good works. What would they truly mean if I am only doing them to please someone else? How am I to learn if I am not broken and humbled in His presence?
In order for me to truly do good works, I must first learn to: LOVE. Have a joyful heart. Be kind to others. Then good works will follow.
I need to pray to learn to love. Love as Jesus loved. Love to the point I would lay down my life even for my enemy.
Crazy you say?
Jesus did it. He humiliated himself on a cross. NAKED. SCARRED. BEATEN. RIDICULED.
How's that for love? He didn't have to do it. But he chose to do it because he love us more than anything.
Shouldn't we return the favor?
I have not always been a pleasant person. I have not always done things to please God. I have been selfish, uncouth, demanding, unforgiving, unpleasant, non-peaceful, unloving, non-joyous. All the things that the Spirit is not. How am I to go about living in the Spirit if I am full of these things?
Can someone please help me out here?
God wants me to see the things that I am not so he can break me and use me for the things that are good. I cannot live on good works. What would they truly mean if I am only doing them to please someone else? How am I to learn if I am not broken and humbled in His presence?
In order for me to truly do good works, I must first learn to: LOVE. Have a joyful heart. Be kind to others. Then good works will follow.
I need to pray to learn to love. Love as Jesus loved. Love to the point I would lay down my life even for my enemy.
Crazy you say?
Jesus did it. He humiliated himself on a cross. NAKED. SCARRED. BEATEN. RIDICULED.
How's that for love? He didn't have to do it. But he chose to do it because he love us more than anything.
Shouldn't we return the favor?
Monday, February 15, 2010
God's Loving Kindess
For some reason or another, I have never actually been able to wrap my fingers around the concept of God being my Father; my Daddy. Or Jesus as my brother.
I have always known God as a powerful omni-present being, the one that hears my prayers. And Jesus to be my Savior, but I never actually considered them to be part of my immediate family like I do my brother or my dad.
I have tried in the past to pray about it and take my cares to God like my father, but there was always a barrier that blocked me from feeling the things that I truly needed to feel to help me understand that God is my Father and I can go to him for anything that I need. I may not get it in an answer that I want like my Dad does to me, but He will answer me somehow. This I know. But I never could just close my eyes, reach out my arms and run to God like a little child does when they scrape their knee and he holds them tight and comforts them saying, "I'm here. You are okay. Daddy's here."
I have had a hard time over the past couple months trying to get into my Bible trying to learn what God wants me to. My mind was always distracted and I couldn't tell you how many times I would read the same sentence over and over and over again. I am grateful for the new friends that I have found at my new church. I started going to a new reunion group along with my regular one that I attend from the people of Walk to Emmaus. The new reunion group I chat with are women from my new congregation that have attended Via de Cristo which is similar to the Walk to Emmaus.
Ruth, one of the ladies from the group said to me, "Mindy, don't go to church-go to worship. And don't read the Bible- STUDY it."
I really needed to hear that because I was getting caught up in my schedule and I couldn't keep up with the daily readings and I wasn't retaining anything.
I did my study this morning and I had a new found, newly freshened look on the Bible. It was on God's kindness and how we really need to come to him as a child comes to a Father. He is our Daddy and we need to trust him like a child does. They mimic things that the parent does.
This makes me think of my 2 year old nephew. He does everything that my brother does. He is definitley a Daddy's boy. He follows Marshall around the house/yard with his Handy Manny tools and helps Daddy fix things. He runs to Daddy when it's time to sleep or he just needs a hug.
That's how I want to be with God. I want to look up to him and follow everything that He teaches me. I want to mirror him.
And I need to learn that Jesus is not only my Savior, but also my big brother. As I was reading my Bible study, I got this image of Jesus and I chatting over Starbucks, goofing off in the park, playing card games, crying into His shoulder, soaking it wet. That's the relationship I want with Jesus. I need to start making it personal again. I want to look at Him not only as my Savior and Brother, but also my lover. I want to be focused on nothing but him. I his love for me to fill me completely and make me whole. Sometimes that void just takes over and and I can't find anything to fill it, even when I try seeking it in the Word.
I am slowly learning to have an intimate relationship with my Daddy and Big Brother. I want it so much.
I have always known God as a powerful omni-present being, the one that hears my prayers. And Jesus to be my Savior, but I never actually considered them to be part of my immediate family like I do my brother or my dad.
I have tried in the past to pray about it and take my cares to God like my father, but there was always a barrier that blocked me from feeling the things that I truly needed to feel to help me understand that God is my Father and I can go to him for anything that I need. I may not get it in an answer that I want like my Dad does to me, but He will answer me somehow. This I know. But I never could just close my eyes, reach out my arms and run to God like a little child does when they scrape their knee and he holds them tight and comforts them saying, "I'm here. You are okay. Daddy's here."
I have had a hard time over the past couple months trying to get into my Bible trying to learn what God wants me to. My mind was always distracted and I couldn't tell you how many times I would read the same sentence over and over and over again. I am grateful for the new friends that I have found at my new church. I started going to a new reunion group along with my regular one that I attend from the people of Walk to Emmaus. The new reunion group I chat with are women from my new congregation that have attended Via de Cristo which is similar to the Walk to Emmaus.
Ruth, one of the ladies from the group said to me, "Mindy, don't go to church-go to worship. And don't read the Bible- STUDY it."
I really needed to hear that because I was getting caught up in my schedule and I couldn't keep up with the daily readings and I wasn't retaining anything.
I did my study this morning and I had a new found, newly freshened look on the Bible. It was on God's kindness and how we really need to come to him as a child comes to a Father. He is our Daddy and we need to trust him like a child does. They mimic things that the parent does.
This makes me think of my 2 year old nephew. He does everything that my brother does. He is definitley a Daddy's boy. He follows Marshall around the house/yard with his Handy Manny tools and helps Daddy fix things. He runs to Daddy when it's time to sleep or he just needs a hug.
That's how I want to be with God. I want to look up to him and follow everything that He teaches me. I want to mirror him.
And I need to learn that Jesus is not only my Savior, but also my big brother. As I was reading my Bible study, I got this image of Jesus and I chatting over Starbucks, goofing off in the park, playing card games, crying into His shoulder, soaking it wet. That's the relationship I want with Jesus. I need to start making it personal again. I want to look at Him not only as my Savior and Brother, but also my lover. I want to be focused on nothing but him. I his love for me to fill me completely and make me whole. Sometimes that void just takes over and and I can't find anything to fill it, even when I try seeking it in the Word.
I am slowly learning to have an intimate relationship with my Daddy and Big Brother. I want it so much.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
The Sparrow at Starbucks
A friend of mine sent me this lovely little story about how God can use ANYONE to further His kingdom. I hope this story gives you a sense of hope to know that you do belong in this world and you are cradle gently in the palm of His hands. Enjoy!
The song that silenced the cappuccino machine
It was chilly in Manhattan but warm inside the Starbucks shop on 51st Street and Broadway, just a skip up from Times Square . Early November weather in New York City holds only the slightest hint of the bitter chill of late December and January, but it's enough to send the masses crowding indoors to vie for available space and warmth.
For a musician, it's the most lucrative Starbucks location in the world, I'm told, and consequently, the tips can be substantial if you play your tunes right. Apparently, we were striking all the right chords that night, because our basket was almost overflowing.
It was a fun, low-pressure gig - I was playing keyboard and singing backup for my friend who also added rhythm with an arsenal of percussion instruments. We mostly did pop songs from the '40s to the '90s with a few original tunes thrown in. During our emotional rendition of the classic, "If You Don't Know Me by Now," I noticed a lady sitting in one of the lounge chairs across from me. She was swaying to the beat and singing along.
After the tune was over, she approached me. "I apologize for singing along on that song. Did it bother you?" she asked.
"No," I replied. "We love it when the audience joins in. Would you like to sing up front on the next selection?"
To my delight, she accepted my invitation. "You choose," I said. "What are you in the mood to sing?"
"Well. ... do you know any hymns?"
Hymns? This woman didn't know who she was dealing with. I cut my teeth on hymns. Before I was even born, I was going to church. I gave our guest singer a knowing look. "Name one."
"Oh, I don't know. There are so many good ones. You pick one."
"Okay," I replied. "How about 'His Eye is on the Sparrow'?"
My new friend was silent, her eyes averted. Then she fixed her eyes on mine again and said, "Yeah. Let's do that one."
She slowly nodded her head, put down her purse, straightened her jacket and faced the center of the shop. With my two-bar setup, she began to sing.
Why should I be discouraged?
Why should the shadows come?
The audience of coffee drinkers was transfixed. Even the gurgling noises of the cappuccino machine ceased as the employees stopped what they were doing to listen. The song rose to its conclusion.
I sing because I'm happy;
I sing because I'm free.
For His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me.
When the last note was sung, the applause crescendoed to a deafening roar that would have rivaled a sold-out crowd at Carnegie Hall. Embarrassed, the woman tried to shout over the din, "Oh, y'all go back to your coffee! I didn't come in here to do a concert! I just came in here to get somethin' to drink, just like you!" But the ovation continued.. I embraced my new friend. "You, my dear, have made my whole year! That was beautiful!"
"Well, it's funny that you picked that particular hymn," she said.
"Why is that?"
"Well . .." she hesitated again, "that was my daughter's favorite song."
"Really!" I exclaimed.
"Yes," she said, and then grabbed my hands. By this time, the applause had subsided and it was business as usual.. "She was 16. She died of a brain tumor last week."
I said the first thing that found its way through my stunned silence. "Are you going to be okay?"
She smiled through tear-filled eyes and squeezed my hands. "I'm gonna be okay. I've just got to keep trusting the Lord and singing his songs, and everything's gonna be just fine." She picked up her bag, gave me her card, and then she was gone.
Was it just a coincidence that we happened to be singing in that particular coffee shop on that particular November night? Coincidence that this wonderful lady just happened to walk into that particular shop? Coincidence that of all the hymns to choose from, I just happened to pick the very hymn that was the favorite of her daughter, who had died just the week before? I refuse to believe it.
God has been arranging encounters in human history since the beginning of time, and it's no stretch for me to imagine that he could reach into a coffee shop in midtown Manhattan and turn an ordinary gig into a revival. It was a great reminder that if we keep trusting him and singing his songs, everything's gonna be okay.
The next time you feel like GOD can't use YOU, just remember...
* Noah was a drunk
* Abraham was too old
* Isaac was a daydreamer
* Jacob was a liar
* Leah was ugly
* Joseph was abused
* Moses had a stuttering problem
* Gideon was afraid
* Sampson had long hair and was a womanizer
* Rahab was a prostitute
* Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
* David had an affair and was a murderer
* Elijah was suicidal
* Isaiah preached naked
* Jonah ran from God
* Naomi was a widow
* Job went bankrupt
* John the Baptist ate bugs
* Peter denied Christ
* The Disciples fell asleep while praying
* Martha worried about everything
* The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once
* Zaccheus was too small
* Paul was too religious
* Timothy had an ulcer...AND
* Lazarus was dead!
No more excuses now!!
God can use you to your full potential. Besides you aren't the message, you are just the messenger. God bless.
The song that silenced the cappuccino machine
It was chilly in Manhattan but warm inside the Starbucks shop on 51st Street and Broadway, just a skip up from Times Square . Early November weather in New York City holds only the slightest hint of the bitter chill of late December and January, but it's enough to send the masses crowding indoors to vie for available space and warmth.
For a musician, it's the most lucrative Starbucks location in the world, I'm told, and consequently, the tips can be substantial if you play your tunes right. Apparently, we were striking all the right chords that night, because our basket was almost overflowing.
It was a fun, low-pressure gig - I was playing keyboard and singing backup for my friend who also added rhythm with an arsenal of percussion instruments. We mostly did pop songs from the '40s to the '90s with a few original tunes thrown in. During our emotional rendition of the classic, "If You Don't Know Me by Now," I noticed a lady sitting in one of the lounge chairs across from me. She was swaying to the beat and singing along.
After the tune was over, she approached me. "I apologize for singing along on that song. Did it bother you?" she asked.
"No," I replied. "We love it when the audience joins in. Would you like to sing up front on the next selection?"
To my delight, she accepted my invitation. "You choose," I said. "What are you in the mood to sing?"
"Well. ... do you know any hymns?"
Hymns? This woman didn't know who she was dealing with. I cut my teeth on hymns. Before I was even born, I was going to church. I gave our guest singer a knowing look. "Name one."
"Oh, I don't know. There are so many good ones. You pick one."
"Okay," I replied. "How about 'His Eye is on the Sparrow'?"
My new friend was silent, her eyes averted. Then she fixed her eyes on mine again and said, "Yeah. Let's do that one."
She slowly nodded her head, put down her purse, straightened her jacket and faced the center of the shop. With my two-bar setup, she began to sing.
Why should I be discouraged?
Why should the shadows come?
The audience of coffee drinkers was transfixed. Even the gurgling noises of the cappuccino machine ceased as the employees stopped what they were doing to listen. The song rose to its conclusion.
I sing because I'm happy;
I sing because I'm free.
For His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me.
When the last note was sung, the applause crescendoed to a deafening roar that would have rivaled a sold-out crowd at Carnegie Hall. Embarrassed, the woman tried to shout over the din, "Oh, y'all go back to your coffee! I didn't come in here to do a concert! I just came in here to get somethin' to drink, just like you!" But the ovation continued.. I embraced my new friend. "You, my dear, have made my whole year! That was beautiful!"
"Well, it's funny that you picked that particular hymn," she said.
"Why is that?"
"Well . .." she hesitated again, "that was my daughter's favorite song."
"Really!" I exclaimed.
"Yes," she said, and then grabbed my hands. By this time, the applause had subsided and it was business as usual.. "She was 16. She died of a brain tumor last week."
I said the first thing that found its way through my stunned silence. "Are you going to be okay?"
She smiled through tear-filled eyes and squeezed my hands. "I'm gonna be okay. I've just got to keep trusting the Lord and singing his songs, and everything's gonna be just fine." She picked up her bag, gave me her card, and then she was gone.
Was it just a coincidence that we happened to be singing in that particular coffee shop on that particular November night? Coincidence that this wonderful lady just happened to walk into that particular shop? Coincidence that of all the hymns to choose from, I just happened to pick the very hymn that was the favorite of her daughter, who had died just the week before? I refuse to believe it.
God has been arranging encounters in human history since the beginning of time, and it's no stretch for me to imagine that he could reach into a coffee shop in midtown Manhattan and turn an ordinary gig into a revival. It was a great reminder that if we keep trusting him and singing his songs, everything's gonna be okay.
The next time you feel like GOD can't use YOU, just remember...
* Noah was a drunk
* Abraham was too old
* Isaac was a daydreamer
* Jacob was a liar
* Leah was ugly
* Joseph was abused
* Moses had a stuttering problem
* Gideon was afraid
* Sampson had long hair and was a womanizer
* Rahab was a prostitute
* Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
* David had an affair and was a murderer
* Elijah was suicidal
* Isaiah preached naked
* Jonah ran from God
* Naomi was a widow
* Job went bankrupt
* John the Baptist ate bugs
* Peter denied Christ
* The Disciples fell asleep while praying
* Martha worried about everything
* The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once
* Zaccheus was too small
* Paul was too religious
* Timothy had an ulcer...AND
* Lazarus was dead!
No more excuses now!!
God can use you to your full potential. Besides you aren't the message, you are just the messenger. God bless.
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
The Voice of the Psalms
Published by Thomas Nelson Publishing
I have always loved the Psalms. I always found them comforting and a great worship and prayer.
The Voice of the Psalms is a wonderful book to add to your collection. Published by Thomas Nelson Publishing Company and written by the people from the Friends of Ecclesia Bible Society, this version of the Psalms is, I think, one of my favorite.
The Voice of the Psalms is the newest edition to the family of The Voice. They have published versions of readings from the final week of Jesus’ life on earth, the Gospels, Acts, Romans, and more.
The first few pages give a great layout of the book. You get a great overview of what the Psalms is supposed to be, understand the vision of The Voice Project and receive a welcoming from the President of the Friends of Ecclesia Bible Society
I love that the Voice of the Psalms also provides devotionals for Lent, Advent, Worship, and Seeking.
The reading is easy to follow and understand. Sometimes I have found myself wandering while reading the especially longer Psalms. Spread out among the psalms are mini devotionals that help you feel more connected to the writers of the Psalms. You can bring what they wrote thousands of years ago to life in your own walk.
I enjoy this book very much. I highly recommend anyone to pick it up and deepen your love and relationship with God.
For more information on The Voice, please visit www.hearthevoice.com. There is a lot of great information on the project including free downloads. Right now they have the Voice Revealed: The Gospel of John
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Where is God?
Today, hard times come to us in several ways:
~Functional Problems.
~Health Issues.
~Catastrophes
~Relational Conflicts and Losses.
~Emotional Struggles.
**part of an excerpt from the Introduction**
This is a great book for those who are going through a hard time in their life, or have had a hard time and having trouble letting it go. I’m sure we have all questioned, “Where is God?” at some point in our lives.
http://www.thomasnelson.com/
http://drjohntownsend.com/
~Functional Problems.
~Health Issues.
~Catastrophes
~Relational Conflicts and Losses.
~Emotional Struggles.
**part of an excerpt from the Introduction**
This is a great book for those who are going through a hard time in their life, or have had a hard time and having trouble letting it go. I’m sure we have all questioned, “Where is God?” at some point in our lives. Dr. John Townsend, best-selling author of Boundaries, begins the book with his story to Antarctica. This is a very gripping story that catches you right from the beginning.
As the book moves on, we are taken on a journey through the lives of others. I could relate to some of the stories being told. We learn what is holding us back from loving God and experiencing the freedom that he gives us. He does not force us to love him, but he waits patiently for us to come to him.
To learn more about the book or Dr. Townsend, please visit:
http://www.thomasnelson.com/
http://drjohntownsend.com/
