I am a twitter person in addition to my blogging habits. Recently, I have really begun to notice how much I enjoy seeing what others are thinking and feeling. Below are a list of tweets that really caught my attention from some pretty amazing people. Some are people who I know personally, some are Godly men and women who I have heard of but never met, and others are complete strangers who I have to "know" through blogging and twitter.
1. @JohnPiper Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart (Psa
37:4) Health? Job? Spouse? Yes. Or Better.
2. @PerryNoble Praying I live a life driving by HIS conviction and not my convenience.
3. @debraParker thinking about the way Jesus loves, dangerous, whole, wild, and true...
4. @candiPshelton we need friends who will always have our back but not always take our side.
5. @RickWarren Praise & Criticism are TESTS of character. You path both tests the same way:
humble yourself to God and show love to others
6. @PerryNoble When making plans with God... make them BIG... and then be prepared to have him BLOW YOUR MIND
7. @mmwilli22 "God's reckless grace is our greatest hope" -T. Keller
8. @mattchandler74 When the illusion of control disappears we become men and women of prayer
9. @Jeremytreat5 "For without You, what am I to myself but the leader of my own destruction?" Augustine
10. @lolly1440 "Some people never find it, some only pretend, but I just want to live happily ever after every now and then." -Jimmy Buffett
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Lessons learned.... singledom and relationships....
The past 5-6 week have been very different than I thought the first month of 2010 would be. BUT.... I feel like I have learned so much about myself, people in my life, and most importantly my faith, that I don't think I would change it if I could. I ended 2009 and started the first week of 2010 very happily in a relationship with a I guy I thought was different and special. He was my first real relationship and I will admit that I fell for him more than any other guy before. Well... one thing led to another and we are no longer together. I had hoped to remain friends and that may or may not happen... but none the less, it was a good learning experience and something fun, even if it only lasted a short time.
The following are some lessons learned from the past few weeks that over the course of many conversations several of my friends have said I should blog about.....
1.Single, dating, or married, your top priority and focus has to remain your faith and your personal relationship with Christ. Its a mistake I am most definitely guilty of... I let things and people distract me from staying focused on Christ and living my faith fully. No relationship will be totally successful without a focus on Christ.
2. If you cant be totally content with yourself being single, there is no way you can be content in a relationship. If something about singledom causes stress, anxiety, etc, there are probably some bridges that need to be crossed between you and Christ. Only once those bridges are crossed (between YOU and GOD) can you be content in a relationship. I am not saying that it is an easy thing to do or accept. I struggle daily with it. HOWEVER, I know that despite this season of life that I wish was different, I know God has me where I am for a reason that only He can make clear.
3. Be totally honest and real with yourself and the person you are in a relationship with! For me, the first half of the relationship was perfect.... he pursued me, made me feel special, he called, texted, and emailed me regularly (and without prompting) and I thought it was everything I wanted. But when things started to changed, I sort of tricked myself into thinking and even saying that it was still great and even incredible. That did nothing for me (as I was lying to myself....) and did nothing for him (because I was not being real or honest with him either...). I found a quote that said "when you don't tell people what you really think, you are not being kind. People cannot change and grow if all they get are insincere niceties." I am by no means saying be mean or cruel. I am saying that two mature people in a romantic relationship can say things in such a way that while it may not be exactly what the other wants to hear and may cause some initial pain, it is a necessary openness and an act of truly caring that is totally necessary! It is so critical to be totally real and honest with one another at any point in a relationship but seems to be even more critical in a new relationship where two people are really trying to get to know each other. I will say I know this is hard... I struggle with saying things to people that I greatly care about face to face and would often text or email my concerns when I should have called or talked to him face to face about it. In the future I will be sure to be totally real and honest and will do everything in my power that those hard and potentially emotional conversations are done face to face.
4. Do NOT settle! Since God can do immeasurably more (Eph 3:20) and there is no reason any of us should ever settle. This is particularly true in a relationship. In his perfect timing, HE will bring whoever He has created specifically for you into your life! (isn't it amazing that walking around somewhere in this world is the person God -- creater of ALL things-- has someone who HE created in HIS image just for each one of us!) And that person will be more than you or I can ever hope, dream, or expect! Until that person comes into your life, do not settle for Mr or Miss RightNow when He has Mr. or Miss Perfect in store! Its hard being patient, but I know for a fact it will be worth being patient for!!!
5. Don't make someone your priority if you are only their option.
6. Pray. Pray. and Pray some more. Pray for the relationship you are in and that you are following His will and for His guidance. And if you are single, pray for the unknown person that God has planned for you. Pray that who ever that person is is growing in Him, pray that his/her heart is being prepared to be joined to yours. Pray that you are being prepared to be the girlfriend/boyfriend/wife/husband He has created you to be.
7. Have no regrets. You live and you learn. Pray and ask for forgivness when needed. Learn from the experience. as they say... Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow.
The following are some lessons learned from the past few weeks that over the course of many conversations several of my friends have said I should blog about.....
1.Single, dating, or married, your top priority and focus has to remain your faith and your personal relationship with Christ. Its a mistake I am most definitely guilty of... I let things and people distract me from staying focused on Christ and living my faith fully. No relationship will be totally successful without a focus on Christ.
2. If you cant be totally content with yourself being single, there is no way you can be content in a relationship. If something about singledom causes stress, anxiety, etc, there are probably some bridges that need to be crossed between you and Christ. Only once those bridges are crossed (between YOU and GOD) can you be content in a relationship. I am not saying that it is an easy thing to do or accept. I struggle daily with it. HOWEVER, I know that despite this season of life that I wish was different, I know God has me where I am for a reason that only He can make clear.
3. Be totally honest and real with yourself and the person you are in a relationship with! For me, the first half of the relationship was perfect.... he pursued me, made me feel special, he called, texted, and emailed me regularly (and without prompting) and I thought it was everything I wanted. But when things started to changed, I sort of tricked myself into thinking and even saying that it was still great and even incredible. That did nothing for me (as I was lying to myself....) and did nothing for him (because I was not being real or honest with him either...). I found a quote that said "when you don't tell people what you really think, you are not being kind. People cannot change and grow if all they get are insincere niceties." I am by no means saying be mean or cruel. I am saying that two mature people in a romantic relationship can say things in such a way that while it may not be exactly what the other wants to hear and may cause some initial pain, it is a necessary openness and an act of truly caring that is totally necessary! It is so critical to be totally real and honest with one another at any point in a relationship but seems to be even more critical in a new relationship where two people are really trying to get to know each other. I will say I know this is hard... I struggle with saying things to people that I greatly care about face to face and would often text or email my concerns when I should have called or talked to him face to face about it. In the future I will be sure to be totally real and honest and will do everything in my power that those hard and potentially emotional conversations are done face to face.
4. Do NOT settle! Since God can do immeasurably more (Eph 3:20) and there is no reason any of us should ever settle. This is particularly true in a relationship. In his perfect timing, HE will bring whoever He has created specifically for you into your life! (isn't it amazing that walking around somewhere in this world is the person God -- creater of ALL things-- has someone who HE created in HIS image just for each one of us!) And that person will be more than you or I can ever hope, dream, or expect! Until that person comes into your life, do not settle for Mr or Miss RightNow when He has Mr. or Miss Perfect in store! Its hard being patient, but I know for a fact it will be worth being patient for!!!
5. Don't make someone your priority if you are only their option.
6. Pray. Pray. and Pray some more. Pray for the relationship you are in and that you are following His will and for His guidance. And if you are single, pray for the unknown person that God has planned for you. Pray that who ever that person is is growing in Him, pray that his/her heart is being prepared to be joined to yours. Pray that you are being prepared to be the girlfriend/boyfriend/wife/husband He has created you to be.
7. Have no regrets. You live and you learn. Pray and ask for forgivness when needed. Learn from the experience. as they say... Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Sarah Boyd
I have been SO lucky the past few days... I kept Sarah Boyd on Friday when she got out of "school", spent all day with her and my sister on Saturday, and then she came to my parents house for the day yesterday while my sister went into the office since Chad is out of town. It was SO nice to get to see her so much!!!
Here are a few pictures of her from yesterday playing in the front yard at my parents! I cant believe how big she is getting and how grown up she is acting!!!!
Here are a few pictures of her from yesterday playing in the front yard at my parents! I cant believe how big she is getting and how grown up she is acting!!!!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Lion Chasing
I recently finished a book by Mark Batterson titled In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day. I started it early last semester, but when school got crazy, it got washed to the wayside. Well... I started it again and recently finished it. VERY good book. I would highly suggest it.
The book is based off of a passage of scripture from 2 Samuel 23:20-21 where Benaiah chased a lion down into a pit. Despite the slippery ground and snow, he caught and killed the lion. It is possibly one of the most courageous and yet somewhat audacious acts in scripture but is often passed over. Benaiah goes on to be chief of Solomon's army for his courage.
Batterson uses this passage of scripture to suggest that we all face lions on snowy days in our lives. However... to live the life that God has planned for us, there are times when we have to face the lions in our life and chase them. If God can do immeasurably more than we can ever imagine (Eph 3:20) , we have to trust that the God-sized risks He is calling us to are the path we need to take. Batterson suggests that when we take the time to look in the rear view mirror of life "you'll see that God has purposely positioned you everywhere you've been-- even when it seemed you'd taken a wrong turn." As I think back through my life... Gods hand has been in it all. Right there.... even when I felt like I had not only taken a wrong turn, but was totally off the map and path.
The following was posted on Mark's blog recently. He calls it the Lion Chaser's Manifesto. It has been resonating in me recently... maybe because its the new year, maybe because my life as I knew it changed recently... who knows and well... its really not important why. But... I hope that maybe you will find some sort of courage or strength to chase the lions God has put in your life as it has me.
"Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Set God-sized goals. Pursue god-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Keep asking questions. Keep making mistakes. Keep seeking God. Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop repeating the past and start creating the future. Stop playing it safe and start taking risks. Accumulate experiences. Consider the lilies. Criticize by creating. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can. Live like today is the first day and last day of your life. Don't let what's wrong with you keep you from worshiping what's right with God. Burn sinful bridges. Blaze new trails. Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. Don't try to be who you're not. Be yourself. Laugh at yourself. Quit holding out. Quit holding back. Quit running away. Chase the lion."
The book is based off of a passage of scripture from 2 Samuel 23:20-21 where Benaiah chased a lion down into a pit. Despite the slippery ground and snow, he caught and killed the lion. It is possibly one of the most courageous and yet somewhat audacious acts in scripture but is often passed over. Benaiah goes on to be chief of Solomon's army for his courage.
Batterson uses this passage of scripture to suggest that we all face lions on snowy days in our lives. However... to live the life that God has planned for us, there are times when we have to face the lions in our life and chase them. If God can do immeasurably more than we can ever imagine (Eph 3:20) , we have to trust that the God-sized risks He is calling us to are the path we need to take. Batterson suggests that when we take the time to look in the rear view mirror of life "you'll see that God has purposely positioned you everywhere you've been-- even when it seemed you'd taken a wrong turn." As I think back through my life... Gods hand has been in it all. Right there.... even when I felt like I had not only taken a wrong turn, but was totally off the map and path.
The following was posted on Mark's blog recently. He calls it the Lion Chaser's Manifesto. It has been resonating in me recently... maybe because its the new year, maybe because my life as I knew it changed recently... who knows and well... its really not important why. But... I hope that maybe you will find some sort of courage or strength to chase the lions God has put in your life as it has me.
"Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Set God-sized goals. Pursue god-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Keep asking questions. Keep making mistakes. Keep seeking God. Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop repeating the past and start creating the future. Stop playing it safe and start taking risks. Accumulate experiences. Consider the lilies. Criticize by creating. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can. Live like today is the first day and last day of your life. Don't let what's wrong with you keep you from worshiping what's right with God. Burn sinful bridges. Blaze new trails. Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. Don't try to be who you're not. Be yourself. Laugh at yourself. Quit holding out. Quit holding back. Quit running away. Chase the lion."
Monday, January 11, 2010
Say....
"Have no fear for giving in, have no fear for giving over. You'd better know that in the end, its better to say too much then never say what you need to say again. Even if you hands are shaking, and your faith is broken, even as your eyes are closing, do it with a heart wide open... say what you need to say." - Say by John Mayer
So I have realized over the past 4 days one key thing that I think I knew and practiced before, but now realize how completely critical and important it is-- When times are good or bad, highs or lows-- no matter the situation, you have to say what is on your heart to be said. You only get one shot at life and often one shot at those hard conversations that seem so scary and overwhelming yet are the exact conversations that need to happen. I am not saying run out and be mean, harsh, or critical. Don't unleash your own hurt and pain on another person just for your own emotional jollies. Instead, really think through what your head, your gut, and your heart are saying... and take the time to really processes those feelings. Think through how you want to say it and exactly how things are said will affect the other person. BUT with careful thought and consideration, say what is on your heart to say... be nice about it, but real, honest and totally open. You just might be surprised and things just might go better than you had expected. Making that phone call or talking to that person face to face may be overwhelming, scary, and even seem impossible but in the end.... its better to have said what is on your heart to say and to have said "too much than never say what you need to say again...."
So I have realized over the past 4 days one key thing that I think I knew and practiced before, but now realize how completely critical and important it is-- When times are good or bad, highs or lows-- no matter the situation, you have to say what is on your heart to be said. You only get one shot at life and often one shot at those hard conversations that seem so scary and overwhelming yet are the exact conversations that need to happen. I am not saying run out and be mean, harsh, or critical. Don't unleash your own hurt and pain on another person just for your own emotional jollies. Instead, really think through what your head, your gut, and your heart are saying... and take the time to really processes those feelings. Think through how you want to say it and exactly how things are said will affect the other person. BUT with careful thought and consideration, say what is on your heart to say... be nice about it, but real, honest and totally open. You just might be surprised and things just might go better than you had expected. Making that phone call or talking to that person face to face may be overwhelming, scary, and even seem impossible but in the end.... its better to have said what is on your heart to say and to have said "too much than never say what you need to say again...."
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Relationships.....
I started this post a couple of weeks ago when I was having relationship issues... and now as I am in the midst of another relationship issue.... I am back at it.... a few things for singles out there. (mostly I write this because I find it helps me.... forces these things to the forefront of my brain when my heart is trying to get in the way.... I think I want my head to take control, but my heart is not giving up easily...)
1. "Be Focused -- I say this a lot when talking to single ladies…but PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do not settle. The Bible says in Ephesians 3:20 that God is able to do more than we could ever imagine…that’s HUGE! I have seen WAY too many ladies settle, hoping that they could “fix the dude up!” Ladies–God didn’t call you to fix him…only Christ can do that. If you are in Christ then you are the King’s daughter…and you do not need to settle for the boy who can’t accept responsibility…you need to wait for the man who is WILLING to fight for your heart." (by Perry Noble, and can be found here.) Let me add that YOUR HEART IS WORTH FIGHTING FOR! I promise! I struggle regularly with this fact, but it is worth fighting for and if he not fighting for it now while you are dating, he is not going to fight for it later either!
2- Don't get all emotional and stay mentally balanced. I struggle with this one like no other!! ( I care about people too much I think... I am already an emotional person and wear my heart on my sleeve.... I over analyze and think... etc.)
3- Be honest-- with your self and the person you are dating. If things are not going as you hope or think they should be willing to be real and honest and say it. If in your head and/or heart you know its not right, then be honest and say it. Holding your true feelings back and not being honest only leads to frustration, anger, hurt and contempt of the other person, when they may not even know they are doing anything wrong.
4. Be Consistent-- Be the same person you are when you are together as you when you are apart. Also be consistent over the course of the relationship... I have recently heard of the honeymoon phase of dating where, not to single guys out, but typically guys stop actively pursing the girl. Not acceptable-- GUYS... you are fighting for her heart... keep fighting for it even when you have won it. Dating the girl and pursing her never ends.... even if she is the one you marry. As perry says here..."Treat her the same no matter what–THAT is an issue of character."
5. Wait for the guy to pursue you....I struggle like no other with this one. I don't know a one girl out there who does not want to feel the love and attention of guy.... BUT.... "Girls chase boys while women wait to be pursued." Go check out that link... Perry nails that post with 4 things single girls should know. Single guys can check out THIS link to 5 things a single dude should know.
6. Break off the relationship when you know that is what you are supposed to do. This post on I/we should break up is the gut check many of people need. We are all guilty of staying in relationships longer than we should. We are guilty of trying to make the relationship work. But at some point we have to just say this is not God's will and end it. Its a hard step to make, but will make each of us better off in the long run.
Finally... a little recap that were some tweets that Shane Duffey did on advice for single people... just bullets... but a very good set of straight forward advice...
I know this post is full of links to Perry Noble's blog.... and though I don't always agree with Perry, his posts on relationships are always right on. Sometimes they make me feel empowered other times they make me feel guilty... BUT they are always helpful. I hope they help you too!
1. "Be Focused -- I say this a lot when talking to single ladies…but PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do not settle. The Bible says in Ephesians 3:20 that God is able to do more than we could ever imagine…that’s HUGE! I have seen WAY too many ladies settle, hoping that they could “fix the dude up!” Ladies–God didn’t call you to fix him…only Christ can do that. If you are in Christ then you are the King’s daughter…and you do not need to settle for the boy who can’t accept responsibility…you need to wait for the man who is WILLING to fight for your heart." (by Perry Noble, and can be found here.) Let me add that YOUR HEART IS WORTH FIGHTING FOR! I promise! I struggle regularly with this fact, but it is worth fighting for and if he not fighting for it now while you are dating, he is not going to fight for it later either!
2- Don't get all emotional and stay mentally balanced. I struggle with this one like no other!! ( I care about people too much I think... I am already an emotional person and wear my heart on my sleeve.... I over analyze and think... etc.)
3- Be honest-- with your self and the person you are dating. If things are not going as you hope or think they should be willing to be real and honest and say it. If in your head and/or heart you know its not right, then be honest and say it. Holding your true feelings back and not being honest only leads to frustration, anger, hurt and contempt of the other person, when they may not even know they are doing anything wrong.
4. Be Consistent-- Be the same person you are when you are together as you when you are apart. Also be consistent over the course of the relationship... I have recently heard of the honeymoon phase of dating where, not to single guys out, but typically guys stop actively pursing the girl. Not acceptable-- GUYS... you are fighting for her heart... keep fighting for it even when you have won it. Dating the girl and pursing her never ends.... even if she is the one you marry. As perry says here..."Treat her the same no matter what–THAT is an issue of character."
5. Wait for the guy to pursue you....I struggle like no other with this one. I don't know a one girl out there who does not want to feel the love and attention of guy.... BUT.... "Girls chase boys while women wait to be pursued." Go check out that link... Perry nails that post with 4 things single girls should know. Single guys can check out THIS link to 5 things a single dude should know.
6. Break off the relationship when you know that is what you are supposed to do. This post on I/we should break up is the gut check many of people need. We are all guilty of staying in relationships longer than we should. We are guilty of trying to make the relationship work. But at some point we have to just say this is not God's will and end it. Its a hard step to make, but will make each of us better off in the long run.
Finally... a little recap that were some tweets that Shane Duffey did on advice for single people... just bullets... but a very good set of straight forward advice...
I know this post is full of links to Perry Noble's blog.... and though I don't always agree with Perry, his posts on relationships are always right on. Sometimes they make me feel empowered other times they make me feel guilty... BUT they are always helpful. I hope they help you too!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
HAPPY NEW YEARS FRIEND!!!
Happy New Years, Friends!!!!
I hope everyone rang in 2010 with family and friends!!! Hoping and praying for a year full of God's many blessings to each of you!!!
Merry 2010, Happy 2010... Happy New Year!!
oh... and I will get a post up at somepoint about the happenings of the holidays....just not tonight!
I hope everyone rang in 2010 with family and friends!!! Hoping and praying for a year full of God's many blessings to each of you!!!
Merry 2010, Happy 2010... Happy New Year!!
oh... and I will get a post up at somepoint about the happenings of the holidays....just not tonight!
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