GUIDE "HER"

Joining Thankful Thursday commenters, click TRUTH4THEJOURNEY

I'm thankful for: American Sign Language , which is a form of communication I've been enjoying learning since I was a child. Getting to communicate with a girlfriend's family when I was in grammar school started it all.

Over the past few years, I've met many kids and adults along the way who cannot hear--and I just love watching their faces as I'm sharing my "sporadically-learned" hand language with them!! Needless tosay, I often have to slow them down because my skills are way "under par".

But for me really, it is one my "rejoicing" tools to praise God...especially when I'm singing. Giving my praise more fully with voice, face and hands.

Many times I learn from the books I own and often I view GodTube and YouTube to see the latest ASL praise songs on video. Please view one of the best videos I've seen recently...Shannon McMullen's YouTube version of God Bless America (1min34secs)...simple, sweet, and to the point!

Lord,

Will you continue to "stand" beside us

and "guide" us...

every day as we walk America's path to the future.

Give our leaders soft hearts

and open ears to hear your Spirit's guidance

as they work for this nation.

Amen

STANDING UNITED, TOO!

Joining AMYDEANNE (160 Acre Woods)

2 Kings 19:30

A remnant of the family of Judah yet again will sink down roots and raise up fruit.

I'll continue praying our Nation UP...SASSY GRANNY's Standing United motivated me..and this is too important to not share with WORD-FILLED WEDNESDAY!

HOW ABOUT YOU??

HIS TENT...30X5 PHASE II's FINISHLINE(?)

In response to a question posted by Peace-for-the-Journey's Elaine, I read and then pondered the chapter...read some commentaries...read different Bible versions. It was the very first verse that caught my attention.

1 Chronicles 17

God’s Covenant with David

"And it came about, when David dwelt in his house, David said to Nathan the prophet, "Behold, I am dwelling in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under curtains." Then Nathan said to David, “Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.”

Notice--God never gave a request to build a temple...(this was brought up in the BIBLOS commentar I read...which noted David couldn't rest in his dwelling knowing the ark of covenant was sitting among curtains--in the tent!) David would, from a human perspective, believe it would not be protected there and so he wanted to remedy the situation...and he continued talking to God about it.

However, the ark was where God intended it to be at that time...He would protect it...all God-centered. While pondering on that thought...where has God set up my ark? In my house? no
In my church? no In my heart! yes! In our hearts!

So...I must keep his temple "in my body" healthy so I can effectively be His hands and feet while I am in the world...healthy eating, exercising, sleeping.

Even though Liddie's 30x5 Phase II has "crossed the finish line", I must "stay the course".

To get my tent better maintained I must continue on through the desert

...where the path is hard to find when the winds of laziness blow...especially without the encouragement of my SWEET CHALLENGETTES, "You know who you are!"

...and even though my camel keeps sinking in the sand due to weight I dumped into this tent, the slow and steady pace of diligence allows for the sand to settle long enough for small steps to be made toward the goal: HEALTHY!

Even one of my FITNESS TIPS stated to "Aim for a healthy weight" and "people needing to lose weight should do so gradually, at a rate of one-half to two pounds per week." Everybody now, SING with me to the tune of "Farmer in the Dell"...

Turtles we must be,

oh, turtles we must be

high pounds to low we go,

turtles we must be!

This fragile, yet wonderfully resilient, "tent" he has TEMPORARILY given me definitely needs maintenance as I sit it down, get it up, push to exercise it, discern what to feed it, travel around with it and then sleep in it. :)

HOW ARE YOU MAINTAINING YOUR TENT, HIS TEMPLE?

HE'LL RESTORE US...TOGETHER!

2 Kings 10:15 "Is your heart as true to mine as mine is to yours?" Jehonadab answered, "It is." Jehu said, "If it is, give me your hand".

Just like Jehu asked Jehonadab, God stands at the door of our heart, asking us to give Him our hand, daily. Let's join our hands with His...in quiet time. It's difficult to have a 2-or-more-are-gathered moment when you are alone. So...if you haven't had your quiet time today, join with me now...letting go of our peculiar opinions or differences of how we worship or how we pray even. Quoting John Wesley "What matters is having a heart rooted in your love, believing in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior."

Lord, be with us in this moment, THIS MOMENT, as we read and blog together...renew our hearts to reach out to ALL your children, you made each of us. It's easier to love those we know--and those who are strangers often don't get a second look, much less an outreached hand or a kind word.

Lord, lead our minds to think THE BEST about people first instead of being quick in our judgments of their appearance or their actions...we don't KNOW where they've been, but YOU DO!

Rededicate us to love each other as you loved us, compassionately caring for EACH person WE MEET TODAY... IN THAT MOMENT.

Wesley's Hymns

UMH 554:1,2

All praise to our redeeming Lord,

YOU join us by YOUR grace,

and bid us, each to each restored,

together seek YOUR face.

YOU bid us--build each other up;

and, gather into one,

to our high calling's glorious hope

we hand in hand go on.

AMEN & AMEN

WHAT IS YOUR "HIGH CALLING'S" GLORIOUS HOPE TODAY?

BAMA BUMMIN'...PROJECT 365, WEEK 17 & PHOTOHUNT(protection)

FOR OTHER PROJECT 365'ERS GO HERE: SARA'S (MAKE MUSIC FROM YOUR HEART TO THE LORD)

After a 4-hour drive, I WANTED TO POST SOME PICS AND CAPTURE A LITTLE OF this "EAGER-ANXIETY" Mama...THROUGH A LITTLE HAIKU FUN...

"KINDA" HAIKU :)

COLLEGE, ALREADY? NO.....YES!!!!

HOW DO YOU DECIDE?

VISITS...ONE, SO FAR

VISITS...A FEW MORE, TO COME

MONEY...SCHOLARSHIPS...FRIENDS

PART-TIME JOBS...APPLICATION LETTERS...SAYING GOODBYE

TESTING...MENTORING...INTERNING

ROOM MATES...DORMS...COMFORT

ROOM MATES...APARTMENTS...FREEDOM

NEW PLACES, NEW FACES,

UNKNOWN PLACES, UNKNOWN FACES

LORD,

MAKE YOUR PATH KNOWN.

PROTECT HER IN HER NEW FREEDOM

KEEP YOUR ARMS AROUND HER EVERY MOMENT.

LET US FOLLOW YOUR LEADINGS,

REVEAL THE DECISION.

Click here (PhotoHunt) for more "protection" creativity!!

SHOW & TELL ...itty bitty steps...FASHION FRIDAY

(UPDATE: I've "fissed" the link to the sandals...thanks for keeping me straight!)

I must TELL you...what guides my understanding of truth and helps me decide right from wrong. When I’m faced with a decision to do something, participate in an activity, or even form an opinion…I have a yardstick of truth to help measure out my reasoning. Things I was taught years ago by my loving Mother. (My mother used little measures to remind me of right and wrong when I was a toddler--changes in her voice to alert me, picking me up and moving me to another part of the room, or little pops on the tops of my hands to catch my attention when I was independent and not wanting to listen…when I was veering off “her path” of expectation. She always KEPT AN EYE on me.)

What got me thinking of this topic was my newest project…my SHOW for this week. A day or so ago, I finished a pair of “baby, open-toe sandals”…just click on it to go to the crochet patten, thanks Chrystal! These are definitely the tiniest little shoes I've ever made, in fact, the only shoes I've ever made! You can fit both of these little sandals in the palm of your hand...itty bitty!

(Big MaMa is hosting the 59th Edition of FASHION FRIDAY...what preemie wouldn't want to be decked out in these??!!)

I must tell you also, these little shoes will one day be worn by a preemie baby I do not know…so pray over them with me then I'll send them on their path to be given out by the church staff when someone is in need. May His Spirit ride in the souls of these little shoes and bless the little one wearing them. May these little sandals touch the hearts of the mommy and baby to know they are Your children, Lord, and You will keep close as they travel life's path.

My Mom’s guidance down her path of expectations all those years ago during those “don’t touch” moments taught me to look to her, obey her…not in fear but in knowing she was ultimately protecting me from making mistakes, building a pattern in my little brain to know right. Her guidance then and throughout my life as she took us to and from church each week, talked with me about Jesus’ love gradually built a solid base for all of my future decisions to rest on as I started walking my own path.


My Lord’s love for me…the solid cornerstone--will not slip, slide or prove untrue...a true plumb line for hanging each of my decisions up against...causing “bad choices” to swing wide outside the path He has laid down preveniently ahead of me for the taking.



Choosing to seek Him new each day, He awakens His spirit anew, reminding me I am His little child--do not veer--listen when He is “catching my attention” or holding out that plumb line.

Recently our Sunday School class studied Paul Chilcote’s “Praying in the Wesleyan Spirit”, which has many soul-searching, John Wesley prayers as well as many of the hymns he and his brother, Charles, wrote many years ago as the Methodist Church was coming into existence. One of the hymns speaks so sweetly to this topic of “child-like faith”, from Collection 341, Verse 2:

Humble, teachable and mild,
O may I, as a little child.
My lowly Master’s steps pursue!
Be anger to my soul unknown,
Hate, envy, jealousy, be gone!
In love create thou all things new!

2 Samuel 7:11 "I'm keeping my eye on them!

And your royal throne will always be there, rock solid."

Go check out other SHOW & TELL'ers @ THERE's NO PLACE LIKE HOME...

just click on this: Kelli's

How do you keep to His straight path?

LAUGHS FROM DOWNUNDER

Would you like to visit New Zealand and laugh today?

It's so much fun "finding" friends around the world...(can't get much further around the world than New Zealand...physically on the other end of the sphere from us.)

One day I want to visit New Zealand, Christchurch, specifically. My boss of 16 years at BellSouth often stated "in all his world travels, Christ's Church was the most gorgeous place on earth".

When I stumbled across ScrappySue's blog from Wellingtontown I was excited to see glimpses of "her world" from "down under"...Do they call us "up above" when referring to North America...it is the opposite term, right??!!

Yesterday's vow promised to encourage ...
so, I encourage you to click on ScrappySue's video...it's definitely worth the 3 SECONDS!!

I'm still laughing--Years ago I almost did the very same thing at my desk in my shorthand class back in high school. (Many may not even understand "why" this is so funny...aaaaahhhh, today's youth..."returns" are only at stores, right??! : )
Watch it and then leave a message describing what comes to mind.

Any memories of technology gone bye-bye?
Or funny incidents in gone-by days?
You might even remember an office "gag" someone played on you...would enjoy hearing your remembrances.

Psalm 13:3

Take a good look at me, God, my God;I want to look life in the eye,

So no enemy can get the best of meor laugh when I fall on my face.

APPRECIATE COMMENTERS...4 Tomorrow They Twitter!

Greg's post made me think...

about how the personalities of people drive blogging habits

...whether or not people comment

...whether or not they post pictures.

Have you ever studied the 4-quadrant personality assessment tables?--charts used in human relations departments throughout the world to teach people how to "read" personalities, others' and their own.

The major quadrants: "askers", "tellers", "task-oriented", and "people-oriented". (Falling in the middle of the quad is me...an amiable/expressive. I worked hard during class to learn to be more demonstrative and telling, especially since I was headed to a new management job when I took the class.)

Greg and I agree comments are valuable, especially for people-oriented bloggers wanting to interact and understand others' points of view.

Comments are also valuable to task-oriented bloggers wanting to challenge themselves with each blog. Several "drivers" I know won't blog because it's a "waste of their time"...have you ever heard that from anyone?

From MY HANDS...HIS GLORY!

So, with all the personality types in mind and the possible loss of bloggers to TWITTER, copy and post "Lizard Man" on your site as a reminder, then take the Blogger Vow with us :

I vow to:

• appreciate visitors
• read visitors' comments
• visit visitors' sites
• leave comments on their sites
• share Christ's love
• encourage, challenge and inspire myself and those I read

Don't leave us for Twitter...it wouldn't be the same without you!

ARE YOU CONTEMPLATING LEAVING BLOGGER FOR TWITTER??

Psalm 63:8
My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.

Project 365 (Wk16) & WE HAVE A WINNER!!!

Poor Sara's fighting the flu...go visit her for more Project 365 entries. Prayers for feeling better, Sara!!!

I have to tell you...my camera's been giving me fits ever since I dropped it in the sand
on the beach during Spring Break...it won't stay on...I push the button to turn it on and the lens extends but then immediately closes.

Guess I'll have to get it looked at or put a new battery in it over the next several days.

Sporadic is a good word to use in describing my commitment in keeping up with my Project 365-- but here are a few new pics to get me back up to speed.

DD worked last week watching several friends' babies during a small-group meeting/prayer time for our "birthed" church. Some of our beloveds are going there now...and it's wonderful to catch up with them through her work there.

I see her through "different eyes" as I look at this picture...realizing how grown up she already is to those little ones.

They look up to her as their caretaker. (DD LOVED her baby sitters when she was their age...she still talks about them. And guess what?, some of her babysitters are now the mothers of these little ones...isn't that neat??!!)

DD, in the red t-shirt, didn't know her mother would get to see this picture... seeing her diligence and love for them as she cuddles and attends to their needs. They were enjoying their Easter Egg hunt goodies...those little ones will one day be as big as DD. I love knowing and seeing she is teaching them a legacy of her own.

(side note: I just saw some of these same kids and their aunts/mamas on the late news...having just attended a baseball game!!)





I snuck in a picture on Easter Sunday...a head shot is better than none, I guess...although not TOO flattering.

It was chilly here, and DD had on a hoodie over her pretty peach-colored sun dress. Things are much more practical now that she's older...not too long ago, she would have never worn anything over her dress that didn't "match".

I was enjoying a new dress from a local boutique, too! It doesn't really show in this picture, however, the weight is slowly coming off thanks to "30x5 rolling on" and my "WW endeavors"...why do I always get so impatient? I know if I'm diligent, it will be safer and my new choices will be much better.

I so enjoyed the visit from my babies, Ben and Faith and Mommy Erin...I so miss having them in this area. They've grown so much and can eat at the table without a lot of help.


We enjoyed playing with some of the toys I keep in the basement (for these special visits) and I absolutely loved tickling that little tummy of Faith's as she squealed and giggled.



She enjoyed climbing up into the recliner with me and then sliding down the foot rest...she's a climber, indeed, and keeps her Mama guessing where and what she'll do next.

























With backpack in place, he was ready to go when Mama was putting things into the car for the long ride home. It just seems like yesterday when DD and I went to the hospital when he was born and just look at how grown he is...he looks like he's heading to school...hold on, Mama, it'll be here quicker than you think!



WELL, we have a winner in our 200th post GIVEAWAY...

I did a random roll of the electronic dice (for real)...and the number that came up was:

"5"

(so, the 5th person to post was FAYE from "Just Something Nana Made"!! I'll email you to get the "shipping" ball rolling so you can receive your new BIBLE PROMISES book!)

Thanks to ALL for your comments
and for celebrating my 200th with me!

JESUS-JUMPING JOY & MY 200TH BLOG!!

What says SPRING to you?
I'm participating in WriteFromKaren 's picture challenge...posting a picture representing SPRING...
GO CHECK OUT THE OTHER PICTURES AND VOTE FOR MY PICTURE WHILE YOU'RE THERE!! Voting begins April 18th at 5:00 p.m. U.S. central. time. Voting ends April 22nd at 11:00 a.m. U.S. central time.
(You can join in, too, by following the link)


My "spring" picture below reminds me of the JOY I find each Spring when I'm blessed to be a youth counselor at our spring-break youth retreat at the beach.

During planning, praying, skit writing, studying curriculum and buying agape gifts for our cabin mates and small groups, we immerse ourselves in the teen mindset, striving to become part of their world to reach their inner ears, their inner hearts with the love of Christ.
Sometimes throughout the weekend, we're invited to participate in a game or activity we "older ones" aren't too sure we'll be able to finish or accomplish.

My challenge came while taking pictures on the beach. I had easily caught multiple shots of these young, energetic, fit and thin teens jumping for the clouds (some got at least four feet high, hands and feet extending with hair exploding wildly away from their heads!)

How could I say no once the gauntlet was thrown--one of the girls wanted to see OUR jumps. (I realize this looks totally ridiculous...an older, larger lady jumping on the beach. But, I COULD that day, rather I DID that day, and God-willing I will jump again another day!) Another day to possibly embarrass my daughter in another way she never expects (when I do something unexpected, she tilts her head while rolling her eyes, leans in to her friend and moans, 'welcome to my world!').

My goal was not to embarrass but to PARTICIPATE and show I was very happy to be there and be able. There was something very "freeing" when I allowed myself to jump...letting go of inhibitions of dd's reputation and mine, letting go of "they're gonna think I look stupid"...allowing myself to "feel like a kid" for a brief second as I hurled "my all" up in the air.

Being in my "year of jubilee" makes it harder than ever to get up my gumption to do something this daring...I could fall over and break something, step wrong and pull something, or fall backwards into the freezing water and bring up half the sand in my shorts!


I'm glad I didn't listen to my head that day and decided to follow my heart...it was FUN...and it makes me LAUGH when I look at the picture...and I didn't fall or get wet!

May I carry this "Jesus-jumping joy" throughout the remainder of my year, appreciating where I am, what I have, who I have in my life and how His grace covers my human sin for all time! ... now that's something to JUMP about!



So, now I'm gonna use this as a "jumpin' off spot"...jumping into my first-ever give-away!

Have you celebrated your 200th blog?? I enjoy seeing how different people commemorate this point in time. I've enjoyed writing and sharing on my 200 blogs...some written quickly, some written after pondering for days. I've also enjoyed getting to meet many other believers as we share across the web.

So to give something He has given us...
something reliable,
easily accessible,
and applicable to every situation...
God's promises came to mind.






GIVEAWAY:
pocket-sized BIBLE PROMISES FOR YOU (Zondervan's, NIV).
Name 'em and claim 'em...His promises NEVER fail. Leave me a comment between now and Friday, 4/17, to be in the random drawing. (and don't forget to also go vote for my picture @ WriteFromKaren)

2 Peter 1:4 "...given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature...."

SAFELY HOME...HAPPY EASTER!

TO SAY WE HAD A GOOD TIME IS AN UNDER-STATEMENT.



I'LL BE BACK MONDAY WITH MY 200TH BLOG AND A GIVE-AWAY!

PRAYING FOR A BLESSED WEEKEND...

HAPPY EASTER...

CHRIST IS RISEN...

CHRIST IS RISEN INDEED!!

Ephesians 6:13-18
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes,

you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything,

to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

retreat '09...BACKYARD BEACH...

The beach will be OUR backyard for a few days!!

***ON HIATUS ... BE BACK IN A FEW***

COVETING YOUR PRAYERS FOR:

SAFE TRAVEL

REST (as much as possible)

SPIRIT-LED PRAISE

OPEN EARS

OBEDIENT SPIRITS

TENDER HEARTS

30X5@2ndCup...EVERDAY Epiphanies & FUTURE GIVEAWAY

HOW WAS "WEEK ONE" OF THE 30 x 5 CHALLENGE?? Yes, it really has been only 1 week...Liddie challenged us to answer a few things and post about it. BE STILL & KNOW and I got ours in after lunch today...mine was: 5 miles/bike, 15-min/uphill elliptical, upper body free weights :) Having a work-out partner is the best way I've found to get this done...we count on each other and threaten bodily harm if we don't get our workouts in...unless, of course, we get a hankerin' for a cup of java, and that's gonna win out at that particular moment. You see, sometimes that java helps with those crabby moments when I'm deciding to workout...but once I'm done huffing and puffing, I really do feel BETTER!

Woo-to-the-hoo, as Liddie would say (I'm not having to buy new shorts for the beach trip with the youth group!! I'm back in my smaller blue-jean shorts from last year! )

Guess I shouldn't talk about what I encountered yesterday in the store rhyming with "COALS"... getting my workout trying on *bathing suits* (sorry, I had to whisper the bad word, as I was typing it. Some one-piece suits worked on the top but didn't work on the bottom and vice-verse...Now tell me, "Who has ever heard of having a swimsuit altered!"...looks like I may have to go to the seamstress.

BS&K (BeStill&Know) and I are in for the long-haul and beyond...(where Buzz when you need a loudly yelled, "To infinity and beyond!?")...oh, yeah, you said two weeks, whew!

Thanks goes out to those sweet challengettes (see that name sounds petite, doesn't it?! So, that's what I'm calling us from now on...) Anyway, several of those little darlin's left me encouragement by using extra calories to type a note...comments are golden on a day when the elliptical has thrown you off or the refrigerator keeps yelling my name from the other end of the room or in my sleep.

Do YOU think Adam Lambert looks like Kurt/Elvis? I KNEW YOU'D GET AROUND TO MENTIONING HIM SOMETIME...I blogged about him back in March...YES, HE WOULD BE A GOOD ELVIS STAND-IN.

Liddie asked us about any other goals--You mean like trying to lose this other half of the person that has grown into my body over the last 5 years...the evil one who snuck up from behind me and invaded me through my ears or up my nose??!! After she invaded, the mirrors in my house had become smaller each time I looked into them. She even kept me from being able to bend over and tie my shoes the normal way...do you have an extra buddy who has invaded your body?...I'm ready to get rid of her and her pounds!!

While working hard to stick to my "once-again-new-lifestyle", my favorite "good snack" is GeniSoy cheddar soy chips and Pace mild salsa...I take me a "Mexican Riviera" vacation every time I pop one of those in my mouth...1/2 serving is 8 chips and I get credit for the veggies...can't beat that!!

Are you glad you took this challenge? I am!! ...'cause misery loves company', isn't that what they say?! (who is they, anyway) , NO...it's fun sharing ideas and bumping up the dares!

My "moving" entails various pieces of equipment in my "dungeon"...each reminding me of some kind of medieval torture done by the kings of old...here's a glimpse of where and what BS&K and I joyfully, energetically, excitedly trudge down my steps to endure...no, defeat and overcome!:

From Movies

Can't leave on a negative dungeon reference (and to join with Beverly, who's hosting EVERYDAY EPIPHANIES...)

GOD's POSITIVE PROMISES:
We Say / God Says:
'It's impossible' All things are possible (Luke 18:27)
'I'm too tired' I will give you rest (Matt.11:28-30)
'I can't go on' My grace is sufficient (II Corin. 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)
'I can't do it' I can do all things in Jesus, who strengthens me. (Phil. 4:13)
'I'm not able' I am able (II Corin. 9:8)
'It's not worth it' It will be worth it (Roman 8:2 )
'I can't manage' I will supply all your needs (Phil. 4:19)

My next post will be my 200th!!

I'm going to do my first giveaway...still pondering what...maybe something from the beach retreat? coffee card? candle? Ben Gay for the "challengettes"? hhhhmmmm? Any ideas?