A friend of mine told me that she never looks at my blog because I never post anything new, and when I finally do, it is 3 miles long. HAHA. And that is so true :) So, in an effort to blog more, I'm just gonna write something today, and that will make twice in one week! How's that, Katie?
I will just say how much I LOVE Fall, and how ready I am for it! Here are some reasons I love it so much:
1. It's cooler.
2. The leaves are pretty.
3. Windy.
4. Everything smells better in Fall.
5. Halloween AND Thanksgiving, and the beginning of Christmas season.
6. Christmas music, everywhere.
7. A happy feeling that comes from I don't know where... just happy because it's Fall.
8. Festivals outside. And the weather during the festivals.
9. Wearing jeans and long sleeve shirts and feeling great without having to bundle up too much, but not feeling hot either.
10. All the decorations in the stores.
11. I just think of 'family' when I think of Fall, probably because of the holidays.
12. Cinnamon and Pumpkin spice
13. I'm more likely to exercise in Fall.
14. Hiking is appealing. Notice I did not say that I do it... but I'd like to, and Fall is the perfect time to start :)
15. Charlie Brown Specials
I'm sure there are many many more :) I've already started to feel the cooler weather in the mornings and at night - yay, it's coming!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Lately...
My mind seems to move at 100mph pretty regularly. It is not that I am not satisfied where I am right now... but I am always looking forward to what might be next.
Lately, on my mind constantly is missions. I have thought about it for so many years, but I have not done much about it. I don't know why. It does seem kind of daunting. Even the act of going on a week-long mission trip requires raising the money to do it. And, I have enough money issues as it is. The thought of raising support for long-term missions just seems impossible... and unappealing! It's not, of course, but I think my pride is too human to feel good about raising money. I think I would rather find a way to work for it... though that may take years!
But, that should never stop me from going. I think I'm probably mostly just scared. It is a big commitment.
Anyway - it's not like I'm going right now or any time very soon... who knows. I just think about it a lot.
But, in order to prepare myself for my next step - whether that means missions far away, or something more local - I am going to make some changes.
For one - I have had a debt building up since I moved back from Charleston - because I was in between jobs and still having a house payment (bad combination). So, my goal right now is: OPERATION DEBT ELIMINATION. It's not an insane amount, but it's way more than I'd ever like to have (which is zero).
So, I'm thinking of different ways to work toward this goal. That begins with spending less (duh). I have spent so much time and money lately on travel and fun... so NO MORE FUN! Just kidding :) But, I am going to get my priorities in line and cut down on the 'fun' money and time, and focus on using my time to earn money to pay off everything. That might mean a night/weekend part-time job, or teaching piano on the side, or finding a way to play piano at weddings and stuff like that, housesitting - whatever!
After I pay it off, then I plan on earning money so I can hopefully find a trip to Africa to take... and THEN we will see where that leads.
So here goes... :)
Lately, on my mind constantly is missions. I have thought about it for so many years, but I have not done much about it. I don't know why. It does seem kind of daunting. Even the act of going on a week-long mission trip requires raising the money to do it. And, I have enough money issues as it is. The thought of raising support for long-term missions just seems impossible... and unappealing! It's not, of course, but I think my pride is too human to feel good about raising money. I think I would rather find a way to work for it... though that may take years!
But, that should never stop me from going. I think I'm probably mostly just scared. It is a big commitment.
Anyway - it's not like I'm going right now or any time very soon... who knows. I just think about it a lot.
But, in order to prepare myself for my next step - whether that means missions far away, or something more local - I am going to make some changes.
For one - I have had a debt building up since I moved back from Charleston - because I was in between jobs and still having a house payment (bad combination). So, my goal right now is: OPERATION DEBT ELIMINATION. It's not an insane amount, but it's way more than I'd ever like to have (which is zero).
So, I'm thinking of different ways to work toward this goal. That begins with spending less (duh). I have spent so much time and money lately on travel and fun... so NO MORE FUN! Just kidding :) But, I am going to get my priorities in line and cut down on the 'fun' money and time, and focus on using my time to earn money to pay off everything. That might mean a night/weekend part-time job, or teaching piano on the side, or finding a way to play piano at weddings and stuff like that, housesitting - whatever!
After I pay it off, then I plan on earning money so I can hopefully find a trip to Africa to take... and THEN we will see where that leads.
So here goes... :)
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Simple Saturday
There was nothing out of the ordinary about today. I think that is what made it so great. For once, I stayed in Augusta this weekend. And, I slept in this morning. I read a little, listened to some new slow music, took my time getting ready and actually blow dried my hair. I met a friend for lunch and saw a movie (Eat, Pray, Love) with other friends. I went to the store and made homemade guacamole while listening to music, and then headed out to a friend's engagement party. It was actually pretty full, I guess... but it was just so nice to let the day just happen. Nothing was really planned, except for the party, of course. I love days like this. I also do love going out of town, but I do it so much that I really look forward to weekends with nothing planned.
I also LOOOVE living back in my house. I think I've realized that I love big social time just as much as I love personal, quiet time. And, I can't believe it, but I really love cooking and having good music on in the background.
New things I'm discovering all the time. :) I think there is definitely something to be said about simplicity. My life seems so far from it, as far as my schedule goes, anyway. But, it really is the slow, quiet things that sometimes feel so good.
As far as stuff, actual material things, goes... I have been working on simplicity for a while now. Maybe it started when I moved to Charleston and then started changing residencies every 6 months... out of a need to downsize and make moving easier. And maybe it magnified after reading a little Francis Chan. But, I long to be more simple. To have the things in life I actually need, and less of the things that are just 'extra.' That was easier when I was not living in my house. Now that I have moved back in, it's a bigger challenge to not want to accumulate just stuff to 'fill the spaces' or decorate. But, I feel like it's going pretty well, so far.
I want to appreciate life, and I want to experience life outside of my own. I don't want to be wasteful and get wrapped up in things that don't matter. I want there to be a purpose behind everything, and I don't EVER want to just exist. (This is getting a little deeper than I intended, ha). I don't want to miss learning or miss out on something I should have seen or done because I was so busy filling in my 'quiet time' with stuff and activity.
So... simplicity is my ongoing goal.
I also LOOOVE living back in my house. I think I've realized that I love big social time just as much as I love personal, quiet time. And, I can't believe it, but I really love cooking and having good music on in the background.
New things I'm discovering all the time. :) I think there is definitely something to be said about simplicity. My life seems so far from it, as far as my schedule goes, anyway. But, it really is the slow, quiet things that sometimes feel so good.
As far as stuff, actual material things, goes... I have been working on simplicity for a while now. Maybe it started when I moved to Charleston and then started changing residencies every 6 months... out of a need to downsize and make moving easier. And maybe it magnified after reading a little Francis Chan. But, I long to be more simple. To have the things in life I actually need, and less of the things that are just 'extra.' That was easier when I was not living in my house. Now that I have moved back in, it's a bigger challenge to not want to accumulate just stuff to 'fill the spaces' or decorate. But, I feel like it's going pretty well, so far.
I want to appreciate life, and I want to experience life outside of my own. I don't want to be wasteful and get wrapped up in things that don't matter. I want there to be a purpose behind everything, and I don't EVER want to just exist. (This is getting a little deeper than I intended, ha). I don't want to miss learning or miss out on something I should have seen or done because I was so busy filling in my 'quiet time' with stuff and activity.
So... simplicity is my ongoing goal.
Monday, May 3, 2010
righteousness through faith
You know how you just kind of get in a funk sometimes? I have had a good share of them over the last few years, but a lot of good has come from them, so I'm not going to complain about them. Anytime I am in one of these funks now, I know that I am going to learn something sooner or later ;)
This past year has been so great - I've developed such a great group of friends and had good times with my older friends. I feel like I've done so much and been on so many fun trips. It really has been awesome. But, even with so many good things going on, I still hit a funk. Nothing like the funks I've been in in the past, but still, not a good feeling. I saw a funk defined once as "less than a depression and more than just a bad day." That's pretty good...
In my case, there is always a specific incident that brings on something like that, but the actual situation doesn't matter too much. "Situations" always involve people... and feelings. And situations that put someone into a funk usually involve negative feelings. And the heart of the matter is not what someone or I did or said (or didn't do or say), but the heart of the matter is WHY I feel the way I feel. I think we automatically want to blame other people for the way we feel - when really, it truly only comes down to ourselves. And, I usually need to ask myself: "Why do I feel this way? Why does this make me upset/angry/sad/frustrated?" Instead of: "Why does he/she do this or that?" Hopefully that makes sense.
We can't blame other people for our feelings. (Yes, sometimes we are definitely 'attacked,' but I'm not referring to that kind of situation). I think we need to try to understand why we feel the way we feel, and trust God to work this out through us. I'm not saying that we should forget about other people, but we just need to recognize that our problems exist because WE are human and imperfect ourselves.
Even though I KNOW this, I usually blame others for a while before I start remembering that it's really not about them at all - it's me. Ugh, when will I learn?! ;)
Anyway, through this funk, the latest lesson I've been learning is this: "righteousness comes through faith." I don't think I ever really even tried to understand what that means. I probably just read it years, maybe even months ago and thought, "yeah, sure, OK. righteousness comes through faith. faith is good. good." Seriously, I don't think I put any thought into it.
Until lately. I have been trying SOOO hard to act "right" (or "right"eous). I always want to come across as if I have it together and as if I know how to treat everyone with perfect love and forgiveness, even if things aren't perfect. Even when I'm dying inside from frustration or annoyance and I and want nothing more than to disappear from a situation, I'm hoping to come across as calm, cool and collected. Ha - well I know that doesn't happen, because I end up coming across as AWKWARD. That's me for sure. Or, maybe I seem really rude... I hate that.
the last thing I want is to be that way... but it's like I can't help it. If I'm in a situation and I don't want to be there, I'm going to try to be nice and normal, but I'm probably going to be very distant and wrapped up in my head and emotions. I may not proclaim my emotions, but I definitely can't hide them. Wow, that is something I know and really dislike about myself! It's kind of like what Paul says about our heart desiring to be one way (the good way), but our body (flesh) doing the exact thing that we hate. It is such a battle... a constant one sometimes.
The stupid thing is - I'd be the first one to say that "We should all be honest with each other about our weaknesses and failures, etc." And, I do really believe that - but when it comes to personal in-the-moment situations, I now see that I SOOO try to hide my real (weak) self. Which is pointless, because it shows anyway.
So - - - when I do have these moments when I am having such a hard time loving and accepting and being "right" and being a good friend even when I'm hurt and frustrated - - - I am totally thrown off. Generally, I get along with people really well. I really do love people pretty easily. And I HATE it when I struggle with relationships with others. I hate when I know that I am being judgemental and critical. Yet, I don't know how to stop it. And, I try so hard to NOT be that way, that I get even more frustrated when I can't fix myself. Usually, I assume that intentionally putting myself in the very situation that frustrates me will force me to HAVE to overcome the challenge... like I can be "the bigger person" and act (even make myself believe) as if nothing is bothering me. But what I have learned is that it only makes it worse. And it takes me FOREVER to come to terms with that.
This has been driving me crazy for a long time now. And FINALLY, I read something last week that made ALL the difference. Or maybe it was a combination of things that I was reading. Anyway, the thing that stuck out was that RIGHTEOUSNESS (becoming more like Christ) comes through FAITH. We cannot become righteous on our own - I cannot "fix myself." As much as I want to be different, I can't "make myself good." I can't put myself in an awkward situation enough times until I just become a better person on my own. Only by having FAITH that God is going to change me - knowing that I can stop trying so hard to be 'better' - will I actually change.
In my case, I really believe that taking myself away from the 'situation' and distancing just a little bit is what God has wanted me to do. My natural instinct is to believe that this MUST be wrong - why would God want me to get away from a situation if I am supposed to be learning how to love others more? It doesn't make sense to my brain... but, when do God's plans make a whole lot of sense to me anyway?
I was reading something today that talked about Mary (Jesus' mother) and how weird God's plan was for her. Why would he decide to make Mary pregnant when she wasn't even married. What must her neighbors have thought?? Didn't it seem too scandalous?? But really, it wasn't scandalous at all. Everyone else may have thought it was - but they didn't really know the whole story. Only God did and does.
So, when I think it's crazy that I need to take myself out of a situation that I am trying to improve... I have to remember that just because I don't think it seems right doesn't mean that it isn't right. Obviously, all of my OWN efforts were in vain and just brought me lower and lower. Just because it might seem strange to other people doesn't mean that God doesn't want me to do it.
Anyway - that's just a random thought. The main point is that God is the one who will make me righteous. I can stop trying to force myself to be nice and sweet and polite and loving - (when really I am negative and hurtful and angry and critical on the inside) - and I can trust that if I can just "be still," seek Him by knowing Him more, and do what God wants of me, even if it seems weird, then GOD WILL CHANGE MY HEART.
I have already noticed Him working, even just in how my anxiety has changed. I've been so hyped up about all of this that my stomach has been in knots and my heart races sometimes just out of pure frustration that I CAN'T be a better person and I don't know how to handle my situation. And finally, once I learned this lesson, my anxiety lessened almost immediately. It was crazy! I'm not saying that I am 100% - I never will be cured of pride here on this earth - BUT, a profound difference has been made because of God alone - and I can trust that He IS CHANGING me even still. I still may have a ways to go, and I may not be completely out of that funk - but I don't have to force myself to do anything anymore. It would all be in vain anyway. He is working in me. Righteousness comes by faith. He IS changing my heart and softening it and helping me to love more.
I am starting to learn that I can always trust Him to teach me something great through any funk I may have...
His ways are not my ways, nor His thoughts my thoughts. His ways are higher. Thank GOD. :)
This past year has been so great - I've developed such a great group of friends and had good times with my older friends. I feel like I've done so much and been on so many fun trips. It really has been awesome. But, even with so many good things going on, I still hit a funk. Nothing like the funks I've been in in the past, but still, not a good feeling. I saw a funk defined once as "less than a depression and more than just a bad day." That's pretty good...
In my case, there is always a specific incident that brings on something like that, but the actual situation doesn't matter too much. "Situations" always involve people... and feelings. And situations that put someone into a funk usually involve negative feelings. And the heart of the matter is not what someone or I did or said (or didn't do or say), but the heart of the matter is WHY I feel the way I feel. I think we automatically want to blame other people for the way we feel - when really, it truly only comes down to ourselves. And, I usually need to ask myself: "Why do I feel this way? Why does this make me upset/angry/sad/frustrated?" Instead of: "Why does he/she do this or that?" Hopefully that makes sense.
We can't blame other people for our feelings. (Yes, sometimes we are definitely 'attacked,' but I'm not referring to that kind of situation). I think we need to try to understand why we feel the way we feel, and trust God to work this out through us. I'm not saying that we should forget about other people, but we just need to recognize that our problems exist because WE are human and imperfect ourselves.
Even though I KNOW this, I usually blame others for a while before I start remembering that it's really not about them at all - it's me. Ugh, when will I learn?! ;)
Anyway, through this funk, the latest lesson I've been learning is this: "righteousness comes through faith." I don't think I ever really even tried to understand what that means. I probably just read it years, maybe even months ago and thought, "yeah, sure, OK. righteousness comes through faith. faith is good. good." Seriously, I don't think I put any thought into it.
Until lately. I have been trying SOOO hard to act "right" (or "right"eous). I always want to come across as if I have it together and as if I know how to treat everyone with perfect love and forgiveness, even if things aren't perfect. Even when I'm dying inside from frustration or annoyance and I and want nothing more than to disappear from a situation, I'm hoping to come across as calm, cool and collected. Ha - well I know that doesn't happen, because I end up coming across as AWKWARD. That's me for sure. Or, maybe I seem really rude... I hate that.
the last thing I want is to be that way... but it's like I can't help it. If I'm in a situation and I don't want to be there, I'm going to try to be nice and normal, but I'm probably going to be very distant and wrapped up in my head and emotions. I may not proclaim my emotions, but I definitely can't hide them. Wow, that is something I know and really dislike about myself! It's kind of like what Paul says about our heart desiring to be one way (the good way), but our body (flesh) doing the exact thing that we hate. It is such a battle... a constant one sometimes.
The stupid thing is - I'd be the first one to say that "We should all be honest with each other about our weaknesses and failures, etc." And, I do really believe that - but when it comes to personal in-the-moment situations, I now see that I SOOO try to hide my real (weak) self. Which is pointless, because it shows anyway.
So - - - when I do have these moments when I am having such a hard time loving and accepting and being "right" and being a good friend even when I'm hurt and frustrated - - - I am totally thrown off. Generally, I get along with people really well. I really do love people pretty easily. And I HATE it when I struggle with relationships with others. I hate when I know that I am being judgemental and critical. Yet, I don't know how to stop it. And, I try so hard to NOT be that way, that I get even more frustrated when I can't fix myself. Usually, I assume that intentionally putting myself in the very situation that frustrates me will force me to HAVE to overcome the challenge... like I can be "the bigger person" and act (even make myself believe) as if nothing is bothering me. But what I have learned is that it only makes it worse. And it takes me FOREVER to come to terms with that.
This has been driving me crazy for a long time now. And FINALLY, I read something last week that made ALL the difference. Or maybe it was a combination of things that I was reading. Anyway, the thing that stuck out was that RIGHTEOUSNESS (becoming more like Christ) comes through FAITH. We cannot become righteous on our own - I cannot "fix myself." As much as I want to be different, I can't "make myself good." I can't put myself in an awkward situation enough times until I just become a better person on my own. Only by having FAITH that God is going to change me - knowing that I can stop trying so hard to be 'better' - will I actually change.
In my case, I really believe that taking myself away from the 'situation' and distancing just a little bit is what God has wanted me to do. My natural instinct is to believe that this MUST be wrong - why would God want me to get away from a situation if I am supposed to be learning how to love others more? It doesn't make sense to my brain... but, when do God's plans make a whole lot of sense to me anyway?
I was reading something today that talked about Mary (Jesus' mother) and how weird God's plan was for her. Why would he decide to make Mary pregnant when she wasn't even married. What must her neighbors have thought?? Didn't it seem too scandalous?? But really, it wasn't scandalous at all. Everyone else may have thought it was - but they didn't really know the whole story. Only God did and does.
So, when I think it's crazy that I need to take myself out of a situation that I am trying to improve... I have to remember that just because I don't think it seems right doesn't mean that it isn't right. Obviously, all of my OWN efforts were in vain and just brought me lower and lower. Just because it might seem strange to other people doesn't mean that God doesn't want me to do it.
Anyway - that's just a random thought. The main point is that God is the one who will make me righteous. I can stop trying to force myself to be nice and sweet and polite and loving - (when really I am negative and hurtful and angry and critical on the inside) - and I can trust that if I can just "be still," seek Him by knowing Him more, and do what God wants of me, even if it seems weird, then GOD WILL CHANGE MY HEART.
I have already noticed Him working, even just in how my anxiety has changed. I've been so hyped up about all of this that my stomach has been in knots and my heart races sometimes just out of pure frustration that I CAN'T be a better person and I don't know how to handle my situation. And finally, once I learned this lesson, my anxiety lessened almost immediately. It was crazy! I'm not saying that I am 100% - I never will be cured of pride here on this earth - BUT, a profound difference has been made because of God alone - and I can trust that He IS CHANGING me even still. I still may have a ways to go, and I may not be completely out of that funk - but I don't have to force myself to do anything anymore. It would all be in vain anyway. He is working in me. Righteousness comes by faith. He IS changing my heart and softening it and helping me to love more.
I am starting to learn that I can always trust Him to teach me something great through any funk I may have...
His ways are not my ways, nor His thoughts my thoughts. His ways are higher. Thank GOD. :)
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
A Survey
Welcome to the new 2010 edition of getting to know your family and friends. Here is what you are supposed to do, and try not to spoil the fun. Change all the answers so that they apply to you. Have fun and be truthful! I want to see your answers!! Link up at the end so we can share in your answers!
1. What is your occupation right now? Child Life Specialist
2. What color are your socks right now? none
3. What are you listening to right now? whatever is on the TV in the background
4. What was the last thing that you ate? half of a snickers
5. Can you drive a stick shift? my brother tried to teach me years ago and i might remember how, but it would be BUMPY
6. Last person you spoke to on the phone: my niece ;) she has been calling lately... i guess the phone is a new-found treat for her
7. Do you like the person who sent this to you? i stole it from denise's page, and yes i love her :)
8 . How old are you today? 27
9. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV? gymnastics
10. What is your favorite drink? lipton green tea
11. Have you ever dyed your hair? 2 or 3 times
12. Favorite food? not sure what my very favorite is... i have always loved the chicken/mashed potatoes/green beans combo ;)
13. What is the last movie you watched? Leap Year
14. Favorite day of the year? well that changes every year...
15. How do you vent anger? cry, exercise, write
16. What was your favorite toy as a Child? cricket doll or playdoh
17. What is your favorite season? summer or fall
18. Cherries or Blueberries? cherries
18. Do you want your friends to continue to post? sure:)
19. Who is the most likely to respond?
20. Who is least likely to respond?
21. Living arrangements? please ask me again in 6 months when I will be back in my townhouse ;)
22. When was the last time you cried? sometime last week
23. What is on the floor of your closet? shoes
24. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending to?
25. What did you do last night? had a good jteam get-together
26. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers? cheese
27. What are you most afraid of? having it all wrong
28. What is your favorite kind of dog? i've always said weimaraner... but i don't know now... maybe irish or airedale terrier or labs...
29. Favorite day of the week? yeah saturday :)
30. Diamonds or Pearls? pearls
31. What is your favorite flower? Callalillies
32. What is your favorite blog to read? I only really read Denise's and Kristen's, so theirs ;) I need to jump on the whole blog thing... or do I?
1. What is your occupation right now? Child Life Specialist
2. What color are your socks right now? none
3. What are you listening to right now? whatever is on the TV in the background
4. What was the last thing that you ate? half of a snickers
5. Can you drive a stick shift? my brother tried to teach me years ago and i might remember how, but it would be BUMPY
6. Last person you spoke to on the phone: my niece ;) she has been calling lately... i guess the phone is a new-found treat for her
7. Do you like the person who sent this to you? i stole it from denise's page, and yes i love her :)
8 . How old are you today? 27
9. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV? gymnastics
10. What is your favorite drink? lipton green tea
11. Have you ever dyed your hair? 2 or 3 times
12. Favorite food? not sure what my very favorite is... i have always loved the chicken/mashed potatoes/green beans combo ;)
13. What is the last movie you watched? Leap Year
14. Favorite day of the year? well that changes every year...
15. How do you vent anger? cry, exercise, write
16. What was your favorite toy as a Child? cricket doll or playdoh
17. What is your favorite season? summer or fall
18. Cherries or Blueberries? cherries
18. Do you want your friends to continue to post? sure:)
19. Who is the most likely to respond?
20. Who is least likely to respond?
21. Living arrangements? please ask me again in 6 months when I will be back in my townhouse ;)
22. When was the last time you cried? sometime last week
23. What is on the floor of your closet? shoes
24. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending to?
25. What did you do last night? had a good jteam get-together
26. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers? cheese
27. What are you most afraid of? having it all wrong
28. What is your favorite kind of dog? i've always said weimaraner... but i don't know now... maybe irish or airedale terrier or labs...
29. Favorite day of the week? yeah saturday :)
30. Diamonds or Pearls? pearls
31. What is your favorite flower? Callalillies
32. What is your favorite blog to read? I only really read Denise's and Kristen's, so theirs ;) I need to jump on the whole blog thing... or do I?
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Free
I don't have a long post for today... but what I wish I would remember day in and day out is: IT IS ABOUT GOD. NOT ME. IT IS ALL ABOUT HIM. THIS LIFE IS NOT REALLY MINE. IT IS HIS. IT WAS MEANT TO PRAISE HIM AND TO BRING HONOR TO HIM.
Can I remember that this week? Tomorrow? The rest of tonight? When I am talking with people? When I am frustrated over something that I think is so important? When I am alone? When I am having fun? When I am running? When I am driving? And on, and on, and on.
Someone I love is in a recovery program and he said that they just focus on the current day... "Can I get through TODAY without (fill in your vice)." He loves it, and apparently it is a great method to recovery.
So... maybe I can just focus on the moment, on today. Can I remember this hour, this moment that MY LIFE BELONGS TO GOD - EVERYTHING IS ABOUT HIM.
Can I remember that this week? Tomorrow? The rest of tonight? When I am talking with people? When I am frustrated over something that I think is so important? When I am alone? When I am having fun? When I am running? When I am driving? And on, and on, and on.
Someone I love is in a recovery program and he said that they just focus on the current day... "Can I get through TODAY without (fill in your vice)." He loves it, and apparently it is a great method to recovery.
So... maybe I can just focus on the moment, on today. Can I remember this hour, this moment that MY LIFE BELONGS TO GOD - EVERYTHING IS ABOUT HIM.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Books
Totally unrelated to my last post, I'm listing all the books recommended to me to read the other day... mainly because I am too lazy to write them all down, and I need to save them somewhere so I won't forget them... :)
"The Eye of the World" Robert Jordon
"Sundays at Tiffanys" James Patterson
"Searching for God Knows What" Donald Miller
here's part of my skeptical delimma... I've heard his books can be a
little iffy... but what do I know if I haven't read it for myself?
Because then again, I read someone's book (MacArthur) who is very
different from Miller, and I started getting frustrated with that
person... so what's the deal... I need to remember - these are all
PEOPLE. This isn't God's Word itself... so I have to remind myself to
not put more emphasis on it anyway.
"The Pleasures of God" John Piper - don't think I've ever doubted him before...
"Death by Love" Mark Driscoll
Fiction by George Orwell
"Shantaram" - looked it up, and not even understanding where that book is going
"How People Grow" Cloud and Townsend
"Shattered Dreams" Larry Crabb - Katie D. described this one to me, and it may be my first choice.
"Everyone Poops" :) twice!
"The Shack" read it
Anything by Lori Copeland
"Water for Elephants"
"Something Borrowed" "Something Blue" Emily Griffin
"A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" Donald Miller again
"Slaughter House 5" what?
"The Pursuit of God" A.W. Tozer
"South of Broad" "The Help" Pat Conroy
"Redeeming Love" Francine Rivers - already one of my favorites
"Satisfy My Thirsty Soul"
and... a cook book.
:)
P.S. if these blogs give you any glimpse into my head - then you've already come to realize how over-analytical I am and how I might be clinically unstable. I should definitely be giving my brain at LEAST an 8-hour break at night.
"The Eye of the World" Robert Jordon
"Sundays at Tiffanys" James Patterson
"Searching for God Knows What" Donald Miller
here's part of my skeptical delimma... I've heard his books can be a
little iffy... but what do I know if I haven't read it for myself?
Because then again, I read someone's book (MacArthur) who is very
different from Miller, and I started getting frustrated with that
person... so what's the deal... I need to remember - these are all
PEOPLE. This isn't God's Word itself... so I have to remind myself to
not put more emphasis on it anyway.
"The Pleasures of God" John Piper - don't think I've ever doubted him before...
"Death by Love" Mark Driscoll
Fiction by George Orwell
"Shantaram" - looked it up, and not even understanding where that book is going
"How People Grow" Cloud and Townsend
"Shattered Dreams" Larry Crabb - Katie D. described this one to me, and it may be my first choice.
"Everyone Poops" :) twice!
"The Shack" read it
Anything by Lori Copeland
"Water for Elephants"
"Something Borrowed" "Something Blue" Emily Griffin
"A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" Donald Miller again
"Slaughter House 5" what?
"The Pursuit of God" A.W. Tozer
"South of Broad" "The Help" Pat Conroy
"Redeeming Love" Francine Rivers - already one of my favorites
"Satisfy My Thirsty Soul"
and... a cook book.
:)
P.S. if these blogs give you any glimpse into my head - then you've already come to realize how over-analytical I am and how I might be clinically unstable. I should definitely be giving my brain at LEAST an 8-hour break at night.
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