I have been so busy lately I haven't been able to clean as much as I would have liked to. So this afternoon I put the ipod on shuffle and attacked everything head on. And I was rewarded.
I found a $20 Starbucks gift card I forgot even existed.
Does life get any better???
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Looking Out for Number One
I don't spend a lot of time watching tv. And when I do it is select few favorites.
To be perfectly honest, I tune in mainly to veg. I don't ever go into it expecting to get hit hard with some deep thought that changes my life. I guess that's why a few weeks ago I was floored by an idea brought about in a fictional tv show.
Have you ever thought about...
That what may be the easiest for you, often ends up deeply hurting the ones you love?
That the pain you inflict will in turn hurt your relationships? Hurt you?
When we are in self-preservation mode we don't often think about how our choices are effecting the people we love the most. We tend to forget that just because it is easier on ourselves, doesn't mean that it isn't hurting others around us.
I've been on both sides. I have hurt relationships because I was too concerned on taking the easy way out. And I have been hurt deeply been someone looking out for themselves first. It always takes it's toll on the relationship.
In the end, is it worth it?
To be perfectly honest, I tune in mainly to veg. I don't ever go into it expecting to get hit hard with some deep thought that changes my life. I guess that's why a few weeks ago I was floored by an idea brought about in a fictional tv show.
Have you ever thought about...
That what may be the easiest for you, often ends up deeply hurting the ones you love?
That the pain you inflict will in turn hurt your relationships? Hurt you?
When we are in self-preservation mode we don't often think about how our choices are effecting the people we love the most. We tend to forget that just because it is easier on ourselves, doesn't mean that it isn't hurting others around us.
I've been on both sides. I have hurt relationships because I was too concerned on taking the easy way out. And I have been hurt deeply been someone looking out for themselves first. It always takes it's toll on the relationship.
In the end, is it worth it?
Sugarcoating life
"Hey, how are you?"
How often have we all heard this greeting and responded generically "I'm good, how are you?" when in reality you are not good. Things have not been going your way, life has not been easy, everything is falling apart around you and yet you give the impression that everything is peachy-keen.
Lots of times I am sure.
But how often have you responded to God the same generic way. Sugarcoating what is going on in your life and inside of you. Just giving him a small piece of truth, instead of the whole mess of stuff. As if we don't think he can "handle" it - that he can't handle hearing the whole truth. That he doesn't want to know the depth of the pain going on inside of you. That if you let him in completely you will become so vulnerable that you won't be able to go back.
So we sugarcoat.
Myself included.
Over the last few weeks my life has been a roller coaster. Filled with struggles and triumphs. Pain and happiness. Fear and strength. It's been a thrill ride I would have rather have lived without. If I wanted that much up and down, throw around in my life I would have headed to Cedar Point.
I felt as if God was distant. Sure I had moments where I could see or feel Him again, but overall, I felt left out in the cold. Wondering where God was. Why I wasn't hearing his voice. Why I had no clarity. I had no clue and I was hurting.
One night this week as I was lying in bed looking up at the ceiling I started praying as usual. Only this time something shifted in me. I needed to let him in on how much I was hurting. I needed to let down my facade of strength. I needed to give him the pure, non-sugarcoated version of what I was feeling inside. I was tired and couldn't be strong anymore.
So I told him what was going on inside. I let him in on my pain, my fears - no matter how dumb I thought they were. I told him everything.
The following night at church it all shifted. Through our guest speaker Mark Batterson and the worship songs we sang, God addressed all my pain and my fear. I could hear His voice again - and I just knew. He was waiting for me to be real with him. He knew I wouldn't be ready to listen until I made myself completely vulnerable to him. And once I did, he was there, holding me up, never once letting me down.
Looking back I can see now that he was always with me - always nearby - always loving me. Just as a parent does. Waiting for me to turn to him.
How often have we all heard this greeting and responded generically "I'm good, how are you?" when in reality you are not good. Things have not been going your way, life has not been easy, everything is falling apart around you and yet you give the impression that everything is peachy-keen.
Lots of times I am sure.
But how often have you responded to God the same generic way. Sugarcoating what is going on in your life and inside of you. Just giving him a small piece of truth, instead of the whole mess of stuff. As if we don't think he can "handle" it - that he can't handle hearing the whole truth. That he doesn't want to know the depth of the pain going on inside of you. That if you let him in completely you will become so vulnerable that you won't be able to go back.
So we sugarcoat.
Myself included.
Over the last few weeks my life has been a roller coaster. Filled with struggles and triumphs. Pain and happiness. Fear and strength. It's been a thrill ride I would have rather have lived without. If I wanted that much up and down, throw around in my life I would have headed to Cedar Point.
I felt as if God was distant. Sure I had moments where I could see or feel Him again, but overall, I felt left out in the cold. Wondering where God was. Why I wasn't hearing his voice. Why I had no clarity. I had no clue and I was hurting.
One night this week as I was lying in bed looking up at the ceiling I started praying as usual. Only this time something shifted in me. I needed to let him in on how much I was hurting. I needed to let down my facade of strength. I needed to give him the pure, non-sugarcoated version of what I was feeling inside. I was tired and couldn't be strong anymore.
So I told him what was going on inside. I let him in on my pain, my fears - no matter how dumb I thought they were. I told him everything.
The following night at church it all shifted. Through our guest speaker Mark Batterson and the worship songs we sang, God addressed all my pain and my fear. I could hear His voice again - and I just knew. He was waiting for me to be real with him. He knew I wouldn't be ready to listen until I made myself completely vulnerable to him. And once I did, he was there, holding me up, never once letting me down.
Looking back I can see now that he was always with me - always nearby - always loving me. Just as a parent does. Waiting for me to turn to him.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Who knows?
This is Hailey yesterday at Hacienda.
Yes that is ranch dressing on her face.
Yes that is a straw she is using to eat the ranch.
No, we did not hog all the chips, causing her to need to use her straw.
She had the straw in one hand and a chip in the other. Who knows what she was thinking.
But she was happy. Messy, but happy.
Friday, August 03, 2007
Pictures
Big brother kissing his new little sister
Sleepy Baby Carly
Wide Awake Little Girl
Proud Daddy with his little girl.
Mommy, Daddy and Baby Girl
My nephew being a great big brother already!
I think they look alike :)Thursday, August 02, 2007
Great News Update:
My niece's name is Carly Jane.
She was 7 lbs. and 20 inches long. Mommy and Baby Carly are doing great :)
She was 7 lbs. and 20 inches long. Mommy and Baby Carly are doing great :)
Great News...
I have a new niece!!
My sister-in-law gave birth an hour ago in Indy.
They haven't chosen a name yet and I am impatiently awaiting pictures and more information :)
Anyone up for a roadtrip to Indy???
My sister-in-law gave birth an hour ago in Indy.
They haven't chosen a name yet and I am impatiently awaiting pictures and more information :)
Anyone up for a roadtrip to Indy???
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