tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10707989828507325102024-03-05T06:08:56.202-08:00Moore MusingsSharing my love for Jesus and the incredible hope and peace I have found in Him. Praying this blog will provide you with encouragement, hope, and a challenge to be the person God created you to be.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03274339762731611836noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1070798982850732510.post-41714712699762272682016-01-27T08:02:00.002-08:002016-01-27T08:02:34.287-08:00Be Kind, Really<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">So many things compete against kindness. The desire for power. The desire to be right. The need to feel important. Lack of thinking our words and actions through and considering how they will make others feel. Almost everything we say or do has an impact on someone else. We should do our best to be cognizant of that fact and act accordingly.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">In 2015, I learned a lot about not letting other people's actions and words determine my worth, my mood, or my value. I am much better</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;"> at letting things go that aren't worthy of holding onto. I also learned that telling people the truth about their actions is deeply valuable when done in the correct manner. I have no desire to be placated or pitied. And I don't want that for others. I'm just saying, sometimes we say and do things that have zero eternal value for us and cause others pain. Let's just not do those things. And when we unknowingly do them, let's apologize sincerely and work at making sure we do better the next time.<br />This living thing is hard. We either get to help people along their journey's or be the stumbling block. I think we would do well to fall on the helping side.<br />There are so many things to argue about, disagree with, and defend passionately. These things are important. They are not more important than other people. Like, ever. Okay, if you are hanging around with someone who is harming you or themselves, you get to defend yourself and attempt to show them the light. Today, two students argued violently about what which number the table at which one was sitting is called. It changed nothing, the number of the table changes nothing for them - they were just determined to be right. Seems to me that we do a lot of knock down, drag out fighting, and name calling, and just plain meanness over things that matter less than we think they do. We gossip, we get revenge, we rub people's faces in things that would break our hearts if it was us. Let's try just not. Not doing the things that are going to make someone else feel unloved, unimportant, unnecessary. Not do the things that place a burden too big to carry on another person's shoulders. Not lash out and hurt back.<br />Instead let's be kind. Radically, out of the ordinary, over the top kind. Even to people who don't deserve it. Cause really, we don't deserve it either - but we sure do want people to be kind to us.<br />And don't go thinking it will be easy. That we can just up and be nice and thoughtful just by waking up. It's a job, really. It requires thought, and effort, and determination. Sometimes, it even turns bad on us. Sometimes people use our kindness against us and feels like crap. Still though, still, kindness wins. Promise.</span><br /><div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_w" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.38; overflow: hidden;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03274339762731611836noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1070798982850732510.post-30986274812908075142016-01-09T00:01:00.000-08:002016-01-09T00:02:55.019-08:00Book Review - The Sound of GravelListen, I'm going to be honest, this book review comes with a story that is going to sound just plain crazy. In many ways, it kinda is crazy. I've tried to write the review for this blog post without the story, and I just can't. Too much of the review needs this background. So, this will be long, but hang in there with me, it is a beautiful, powerful, fascinating story.<br />
<br />
It starts in March when I applied to be a part of Jen Hatmaker's book launch team. When author's publish a book, they need for the book to get a lot of coverage, especially in social media. So they put together teams of people to read parts of the book - sometimes even the entire book - and then promote it. Jen Hatmaker is brilliant and hilarious, so I knew I wanted to be on her team. Sadly, 5,000 other people had the same thought and the publisher told her she could only have 500. What no one could have predicted is that those of us who got "rejected" are a group of rather determined (stubborn) force to be reckoned with. Within hours of getting the rejection letter, we begin tweeting to each other and Jen responded. Before 24 hours were over, we had formed a group based off of Anna Lebaron's genius hashtag, #the4500. So much has come out of that group that I could not even begin to cover in this post. One thing that we discovered was that even as the "B" team we were really good at launching a book.<br />
<br />
Jen's book launched officially, but our group has formed such a bond that we continue to support, pray for, and care about each other. We have created several different groups that started with members of the original #the4500, health groups, writing groups, and an entire group dedicated to launching books, #the4500launches. As we were organizing our group, our leader, Anna, again reached out on Twitter. This time to a first time author named Ruth Wariner. Here is where the story really gets crazy. Anna's father was one of two leaders of a violent, polygamist,cult. Violent as in, robbing, beating, and killing people. Anna is in the process of writing her own book about her escape from her father. The first person that Anna's father had killed was his own brother, the other leader, and Ruth's father. Naturally, there was a huge disconnect between the two families after the murder of one brother. Anna and Ruth had never met, nor spoken, before this Twitter contact.<br />
<br />
Anna reached out to Ruth because Ruth's book is a memoir as well, of her childhood after losing her father. Incredibly, Ruth responded. Anna offered #the4500launches as a way to promote Ruth's book, The Sound of Gravel. Ruth accepted and two cousins, torn apart by horrible, tragic violence came together and presented us with this book. Only God could possibly have made that happen. Only God.<br />
<br />
This book, The Sound of Gravel, is unlike any other book I have ever read. And I read a lot of books. From the first sentence, to the last sentence I was completely captivated. Somehow it was simultaneously heartbreaking and inspirational. With grace and beauty, Ruth recounts a childhood that most of us can't even begin to imagine. There were times while I was reading that I had to stop, so difficult were the circumstances she presents. Yet, I could not leave the book unread for long because those stories were equally as compelling and powerful. Though these stories are sometimes horrific, Ruth tells them with grace, and mercy, and love. Incredibly, I never felt pity for her, instead there was just courage and acceptance and genuine joy laced throughout the book. Ruth is a masterful story teller, and her style connects the reader to each member of her family. I marvel at her indomitable spirit, her incredible ability to speak from a place of love, forgiveness and hope, and her astonishing bravery. This book speaks to the spirit of those who refuse to give in or give up. It speaks to fighting for those you love. It speaks to finding strength and using that strength to not just survive, but flourish.<br />
<br />
The Sound of Gravel can be ordered at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other book sellers. Go to <a href="http://ruthwariner.com/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #99cc99; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 31.5px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; transition: color 200ms ease; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">www.RuthWariner.com</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #474747; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 31.5px; text-align: center;">.</span> for details on ordering this book.<br />
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*I was given an advanced reader copy to read for an honest review of this book.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03274339762731611836noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1070798982850732510.post-67030250518127278822015-10-15T14:45:00.000-07:002015-10-15T15:37:59.157-07:00Faith Like Job - Guest Blogger<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> When I learned that there was a day to celebrate the lives of infants and babies who were lost to their parents, I was deeply touched. While I have never experienced this heartbreak personally, I know many who have. People whom I love, people whom I admire, people who matter. My first thought was of my precious friend, Alyssa Crouch who had only shared her loss about a year ago. I asked her if she would write out her experience for my readers. I know that you will love her, her testimony, and her story as much as I do.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Job, God reminded me of Job’s story when it seemed that
everything was crashing down. The summer of 2013 was brutal. I was doing
interviews for a teaching position, my husband and I were in the midst of
purchasing a house, because in part, we were pregnant. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Our pregnancy
came as a slight surprise because we weren’t trying for a child, but there was
no means of prevention. We were both excited and scared out of our minds
because we had recently graduated college, were both working at a sandwich shop,
and lived in a small rented trailer. We had hope, however, because of our faith
in God and great support from close family and friends. As the summer wore on
though, it began to weaken.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> I heard back
from my first interview that they had hired someone else. Shortly after, the
house we were trying to buy did not pass the septic inspection, meaning we
would have to pay an additional $10,000 to fix it because the sellers couldn’t.
We lost the contract on that house because we couldn’t pay and the mortgage
came back unapproved. We were ready to look at other houses, still holding on
to the image of cuddling our new baby in a new house, but then the unthinkable
happened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> If was a
Friday. I was at work and noticed that I had started cramping and bleeding. My
mom had a friend that was a nurse, who told me that I needed to rest that
weekend and go to the doctor on Monday. I stayed in bed that weekend praying
for my child. Since I was only about 5-6 along, at the time, the only people we
had shared our wonderful news with was immediate family. Laying in bed, I was
grateful this was the case. On Monday, my husband and I went to the OB where
she told me that she wasn’t sure why I was bleeding, that I was too early to
really see much and called it a threatened pregnancy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> In the two
weeks that followed, I never felt more like a stuck pig. Every two days or so,
I was sent for bloodwork. I remember holding and looking at my belly, begging
my child to stay with me. I went on to another teaching interview, still in
pain. another doctor visit came when I was about 7 weeks along. The doctor
looked over my hormone levels and performed an ultrasound. This was the first
time my husband and I had seen our baby, or rather, where he should have been.
(I’ve always thought our child was a boy.) After printing a picture (which got
jammed) the OB confirmed it was a blighted ovum and explained that my body had
aborted the pregnancy (although we are not sure why) and an empty sac was still
present.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> We were in
shock. How? Why? These were the questions constantly on my mind. For the next
month, I was in pain with my body letting everything go. I was confused,
thinking that “nothing was there anyway, why did I love it?” Already in so much
emotional pain as well, a few days after the appointment, I got a call telling
me that I was not selected for my second interview either. I was infuriated,
depressed, and beaten down. I cried and cried for days until there was nothing
left. That’s when I got really mad a God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> I remember
laying on my bed, feeble tears making their way down my cheeks, dead to my own
mind for lack of comprehension, and I audibly asked, “Why?” I can’t explain
how, but three letters seemed to glow on the ceiling above me. J-O-B. I said, “really
God!? Why are you testing me?” I closed my eyes and felt courage enough to pick
up my Bible. Flipping through the book of Job, I realized that I could have it
a lot worse. Not meaning that my concerns didn’t matter, but I needed to have
faith like Job. When my husband got home, I told him what I had discovered and
I was able to let my emotions go. He held me and we cried together. This was
the first step in my healing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Hope twinkled
again when I again went for an interview, in which I got hired for the
position. It wasn’t until the spring of 2014 though, that better understanding
took place. My best friend, and sister by love, presented me with a stuffed
animal and a message that God instructed. “Even though you don’t have an
earthly body to hold, you are a mother. Someday God will give you children in
your arms.” This was the breakthrough. It still wasn’t easy to think through,
and still isn’t, but gradually I began to remember my son with love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> God helped me
replace the feelings of hurt, sadness, and confusion, with love, fiath, and
determination to go on. He has started a fire in me to help others work through
their pain of saying goodbye before ever getting to say hello.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03274339762731611836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1070798982850732510.post-52491139292762547542015-09-25T05:15:00.002-07:002015-09-25T05:15:20.129-07:00Five Minute Friday - Doubt<div class="MsoNormal">
Doubt gets a bad
rap. It is thought of as the opposite of belief, and belief is shining example
of all that we are supposed to do and be as Christians. Rather than opposite,
in my life, doubt has been the beginning of true belief. Doubt acknowledges that
there are questions that cannot be answered easily. Doubt is an honest struggle
with what we believe to be true and what reality looks like all around us. Doubt
is saying to God, “I don’t get it. How does this (whatever this is) line up
with what I have learned about Your character? Help me make sense out of this.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My belief is that
God can handle doubt. He is a big God. He is well aware that there will be
questions, and concerns, and doubts. He is ready, willing, and able to answer
them all. When we come to Him and admit our doubt, He is able to prove Himself
to us. When we hide our confusion and our questions, we are basically saying
that we don’t believe He is capable of an answer. The Bible tells us that those
who seek will find. That gives me permission to seek. It gives me permission to
ask the hard questions and believe that He will answer them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Doubt is not
the opposite of belief. Doubt is the catalyst for making a belief solid.
Wrestle with God. Take your doubt to Him and let Him work in and through it.
Then your belief will be stronger and more powerful because it will be real.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03274339762731611836noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1070798982850732510.post-39529168414614922612015-09-19T18:11:00.000-07:002015-09-19T18:11:01.893-07:00Words<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> Words, words, words. I love the way they sound, the way they look, and the meaning they carry. I love studying the history and meaning of words. I love playing around with them to see which combination works best to explain something to someone else. I just love words.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> Perhaps it is my love for them that gives them so much power. Or maybe, since God used words to create the entire universe, they are just powerful. Whatever the reason, words have the power to inspire, encourage, and motivate, or destroy, damage, and cause immense pain. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> Sometimes, we know are words will hurt another, they may have been chosen for that purpose. In other situations, words meant for other reasons still wound the hearers of our words. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Just recently, I chose to speak the words that I would have wanted to hear. The ones that would have made me feel better. I did not take the time to think about how my friend would hear them. Thankfully, she was honest with me and let me know that my words had hurt her. It was a tough two days, but we worked through it and I am grateful that I can see another perspective.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> It gave me pause to think that words meant to help instead hurt. How was I to trust my words if they were so confusing? Two things stuck out to me as I processed this incident along with a couple of others where I was wounded by words others spoke. First, I need to be very clear on the reason I choose to speak, type, or write. My motives may have been good, but what was my true intent behind sharing them with my friend. Was it to ease my own anxiety? Was it to try and gain extra friendship points, was it me trying to prove something to her or to myself? When I take the time to examine exactly why I feel I need to share, it gives me clarity. It also allows me to choose the words that will best convey the meaning I desire them to contain. I am able to carefully choose just the ones that right for that person, that situation, and most clearly communicate my thoughts.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> Second, not every word that I think needs to make its way out of my mouth. Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:29, "Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them." My thoughts don't always meet this qualification. When a thought comes to my head that would only hurt the people I around me, I don't need to share it. This doesn't mean that I don't tell people truth. Truth is valuable and necessary. Just being annoyed, or frustrated, does not give me the right to share those thoughts. I need to weigh my words carefully before sharing them with others. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> All of this does mean that I won't use as many words. The good news is that when I choose my words carefully, they are much more powerful. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03274339762731611836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1070798982850732510.post-71167049388252509182015-09-11T23:48:00.002-07:002015-09-11T23:48:35.934-07:00Really God, Patience? It's been a week. It has been a long, powerful, beautiful, heartbreaking week. The amount of good and the amount hard in this week is indescribable. So I a head full of words that are all mixed up. There is so much that I want to say, so much I need to say. Too much, apparently, because none of them are coming together to create sentences that other people would understand. I have been at this computer typing word after word, and then erasing word after word, for almost four hours. Just a moment ago, I decided to take a break and spend some time in prayer and reading my Bible. When all the things become too much, when all my thoughts and feelings are a mixed up jumble that I can't make sense of, I can trust Him to calm me, to guide me. So I prayed, and decided to start with a short devotion. <div>
When I found today inside the book, I just shook my head and laughed. The verse, "And so after he had patiently endured..." My thoughts went something like this, "Really, God. Just really. I opened this book so that You could give me a verse about Your blessing, or Your faithfulness, or Your anything other than me having patience!"</div>
<div>
Turns out that if you keep reading, there are blessings to patience. "And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise." (Hebrews 6:15) This verse is in reference to Abraham, who spent a good deal of his entire life being patient and waiting for God to fulfill His promises. Those years were hard on almost every level. He suffered through much while he was waiting. That last part though, 'he obtained the promise'. That part - it makes it worth it. It also makes it bearable. </div>
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God has given us promises as well. He has promised us salvation through His son. He has promised us that He will be with us. He has promised us that He will wipe away every tear. I need that promise. I need to know that even though today was filled with junk, pain, and fear, there is coming a tomorrow that will be filled with joy. </div>
<div>
Not much has changed during the time since I read that verse. Really, just my heart. My heart can now rest in the truth that God keeps His promises. It can rest in the story of Abraham and the knowledge that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever and I can trust Him. I don't know what tomorrow holds. I just know who holds me. And tonight, that is more than enough.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03274339762731611836noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1070798982850732510.post-86521175373380556712015-08-31T22:48:00.001-07:002015-08-31T22:48:43.773-07:00The Road To Becoming - Jenny SimmonsIt's here! It's officially launch day for Jenny Simmons and her incredible book, The Road to Becoming. I wanted my readers to know why this day is so important to me.<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">In the fall of 2013 I begrudgingly agreed to accompany teenagers on a weekend trip to Lives Ablaze in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Honestly, I was pretty ticked that I volunteered in the first place. What exactly made me think that sleeping on the floor of a church, with a group of teenagers, was a good idea? My attitude when I arrived at Hoffmantown Church was incredibly bad. Basically I had decided that I would go, I would even smile, but I wasn't going to enjoy it. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">About an hour into the program, they introduced this lady who was "the former lead singer" of Addison Road. My attitude did not improve. My judgmental nature started to manifest itself. "Former lead singer? Does that just mean that she wasn't good enough to stay the lead singer? Why would someone of that level of importance be performing for teenagers in New Mexico?" Horrible - but true. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">Then this astonishingly beautiful woman came out and spoke words of truth. She was so real with us. Like we were sitting in a coffee shop hanging out - instead of her being this huge star and there being a ton of teenagers in between us. She told of how her band, Addison Road had suffered through difficulty after difficulty and finally had no choice but to stop touring because you can only replace a van/RV full of your belongings so many times. She spoke of being broken, and scared, and at the end of herself. It all made sense to me. I felt like she was one of my people. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">Then, she started to sing. Oh. My. Goodness. After the first song, my husband looked at me and said, "We are buying this CD, aren't we?" "Yes, and the bracelets and the anything else she is selling," was my response. Through her music and her testimony, my heart was changed. Rather than being angry and judgy, I worshiped, and prayed, and found joy.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">Immediately upon arriving home, I followed her fan page, her blog, and eagerly awaited the next album. Each post drew me further in. She has a way of weaving words that cause a person to laugh, understand, and cry. And then laugh again. I read every thing she posted - because it mattered. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">2013 was a very difficult fall for me and lead into an unspeakably bad 2014. Jenny Simmons helped me through that - and she didn't even know it. I can sing every word to every song on her last two albums because I listen it that often. When she announced that she was writing a book, I was overjoyed! I had personally experienced the overwhelming power of her words. To be a part of launching this book is my way of giving back. My way of showing her how powerful her honesty, raw emotion, and passion for God touched and changed me. My goal is to make this book more successful than she could have ever imagined. After reading it, I don't feel that way just to help her. I feel that way because it is just that good. It is the story of her season spent in a desert. She writes about her fears, her doubts, her anger at the almost unbelievable series of tragedies in her life. Naturally, she doesn't leave the reader in that place, but she takes us on the journey with her. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">Yes, I am a part of a "team". Yes, it is part of our job to help sell books. No, those are not the reasons that I tell you to read the book. I tell you to read the book because even in our small launch team people have been forever, positively changed by the words contained in this book. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Road-Becoming-Rediscovering-Not-How-I-Planned--Moments/dp/0801019559/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1440592618&sr=1-1&keywords=jenny+simmons&pebp=1440592622984&perid=0B8QB4F8CGJDSB1Z5Y68" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Road-Becoming-Rediscove…/…/ref=sr_1_1…</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Road-Becoming-Rediscovering-Not-How-I-Planned--Moments/dp/0801019559/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1440592618&sr=1-1&keywords=jenny+simmons&pebp=1440592622984&perid=0B8QB4F8CGJDSB1Z5Y68" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Road-Becoming-Rediscove…/…/ref=sr_1_1…</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03274339762731611836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1070798982850732510.post-20760810452384042612015-07-17T15:35:00.001-07:002015-07-17T15:35:13.757-07:00Five Minute Friday - Free<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Five
Minute Friday – Free<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Trapped,
confined, held down, no escape, no hope.
This is often how I feel. I let
the weight of my burdens and even the burdens of others back me into a corner
and cause me to collapse. That has never
once helped. It has never once provided
a solution, helped another person, or made me feel at all hopeful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> It is also unnecessary. I am free.
Jesus has paid the price for my freedom – here and for eternity. He tells us that He came to give us life and
give it abundantly. I want to take Him
up on His offer. I want to feel hope,
freedom, and security. More than that, I
want to just know it. I want more than a
feeling, which changes based on circumstances.
I want it to be a soul deep understanding.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> I have
discovered through reading wisdom gained by others, and much personal
experience that feelings are not truth.
When we experience what we call a feeling – it is valid – we are having
that feeling. But, that does not make
the feeling the truth. I can feel like I
am unwanted, unloved, and unpopular.
That does not mean that I am truthfully those things. I can feel like my words are not enough –
that does not mean they aren’t. My
feelings come and go and are based not on truth – but on hormones, and
thoughts, and circumstances. I am
choosing to focus on the truth and allow my feelings to catch up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Only I can
change how I feel and how I think. Only
I can decide to live in the freedom that I have. I do that by focusing on what is the
truth. The truth is that I am loved by
the God of the universe, by my family, and by my friends. The truth is that I am secure in my
relationships and in my career. The
truth is that God has promised that He will work all things for my good. Which doesn’t make everything good – it makes
everything part of the plan for my good.
I can also choose to focus on that which brings me joy. The more I focus on the things I love and
adore – the faster my feelings line up with truth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> My five
minutes are now up. I would be remiss
however if I didn’t tell you this – you get to control how you feel and what
you think. You cannot control the things
that happen around you. You can control
how you choose to deal with them. Remind
yourself of truth, remind yourself of what things bring you joy, and remind
yourself that your God is working for your good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Hooking up with all the amazing writers of Five Minute Friday. Where we all write for five minutes on the same prompt - provided by Kate Motaung at </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">http://katemotaung.com/2015/07/16/five-minute-friday-free/</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03274339762731611836noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1070798982850732510.post-49857961298034373322015-07-08T17:48:00.004-07:002015-07-08T17:48:57.854-07:00My First Post at Dauntless GraceI'm so excited to have my first blog posted by Dauntless Grace Ministries. This ministry was founded on the concept of being honest, brave, and vulnerable. I am honored to share part of my story with this ministry. <br />
http://dauntlessgrace.org/victor-not-victimAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03274339762731611836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1070798982850732510.post-17952734938518877522015-07-02T19:37:00.001-07:002015-07-02T19:37:33.940-07:00Five Minute Friday - Favorite<div class="MsoNormal">
It is a question often asked, “What is your favorite verse?” While an innocent question by nature, it is
an almost impossible question to answer.
There. Are. So. Many. And,
because the Bible is living and active, the verses that touch my heart change
based on what season I’m in and what I need to hear. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are those
verses however, that I cling to over and over again. The ones that speak to the very core of who I
am and what I need. My favorites are the
ones that I have read but then actually seen God prove Himself through. When I find a verse in the Bible that is a promise
that I desperately need for God to fulfill, I write it out, decorate it, and
hang it up. I read it as often as
possible and pray that God would show me that it is true. Sometimes, I am still surprised when He does
follow through, when He proves, once again, to be faithful. Always, does that verse then become more
personal to me. It is a reminder of God’s
faithfulness, a reminder that He cares enough about me to listen and answer my
prayers, a reminder that this hope I profess is real. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I suppose then,
that I do have a few favorites, a few go to verses that bring me hope, joy, and
faith. Ephesians 3:16 is one such verse,
“I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources, He will empower you with
inner strength through His Spirit.” (NLT)
There have been those moments in time where I had no strength, none, and
yet I was able to persevere. My whole
being knows that in those moments it was not me that did the sustaining, or the
strengthening. It had to be God. If you are in the midst of a struggle, a time
when you feel like putting one step in front of the other is way beyond
reasonable, hear me say that He will provide.
He will strengthen you and He will be faithful. Then, this verse can sink into your heart
because you have seen the evidence for yourself. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do you have a
verse that has become your “favorite” because you have seen God prove Himself
true through it? <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03274339762731611836noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1070798982850732510.post-67468452492914201112015-07-01T21:59:00.003-07:002015-07-01T21:59:42.567-07:00Pondering Friendship I am baffled, confused, and bewildered. Turns out, I'm not the only one. In fact, there are apparently many of us out there who don't understand and don't know what steps to take to comprehend. Why are friendships so difficult to create and maintain? Why are some people left friendless (or at least feel that way)? Why do so many women that I speak with day in and day out feel utterly alone?<br />
I know the basic answers to these questions: time, work, family, etc. Those reasons are valid, but they can only be a minor part of the explanation. Women crave friendship. We crave real relationships were we can laugh, cry, share, pray, play, and talk to each other about all the little things and all the big things. We want to make connections. Yet, so many of us don't, or feel like we can't.<br />
Tonight a friend posted about feeling exceedingly lonely. The kind of lonely that just makes you mentally and emotionally exhausted. The kind of lonely where your mind wonders why you don't have friends. The kind of lonely where you have examined every possible reason for your lack of connection, and they all go back to that you just aren't enough to be worthy of friendship. The kind of lonely where you have been through the range of emotions, on more than one occasion, and are just spent from way it makes you feel. And I just don't get it. From the outside looking in, this young lady seems like the ideal candidate for a friend. She is beautiful but humble, hilarious, intelligent, caring, thoughtful, and willingly to open her heart. Numerous other women commented on her post and echoed her thoughts and feelings. As I read the thread, the thought just kept coming back to - all of these women are the kind of people I want to have as friends. Why is it that they aren't overflowing with friendships? <br />
Insecurity would top my list of answers for that question, if we dig a little. The knowledge that beautiful women don't know they are beautiful was almost more than I could comprehend. How is it possible that incredibly talented people are always afraid they aren't good enough? I have ideas rolling around in my head - when I can put them into sentences that make sense - it will be a post. The most important part to me is that regardless of the reason for our insecurities, we need to get past them enough to form connections. The trade-off is too high. We are losing the benefits of true friendship. <br />
How do we get past it? Not entirely sure, yet. Start small maybe. Make a phone call, send an e-mail, go visit someone. Do something that puts you a step closer to building a relationship. <br />
I would love to know your thoughts on developing friendships. Leave your ideas in the comments.<br />
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03274339762731611836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1070798982850732510.post-79830976717217693682015-06-09T17:20:00.002-07:002015-06-09T17:20:44.948-07:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;"> I have a beautiful new friend. She has lovely brown eyes and long
blond hair. She has five gorgeous children. Three of them share her skin color.
Two of them do not. Those two little people who have different colored skin
have been through so much. They were orphaned in a country that could barely
care for them. They had to transition from one country to another one that is so
very different in almost every conceivable way. They were eagerly gathered into
a family that loves them, but they were not equipped with the ability to
comprehend such love. They were thrust into a new culture that is vastly
different from their own. They had to adjust to new siblings, new rules, new Every. Single. Thing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;"> My new friend has just
shared some of the progress these kiddos have made. They are learning. Learning
what it means to have a safe place to stay. Learning that some people don't
leave. Learning that rules serve a purpose. Learning that they are loved
unconditionally. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;"> Frequently, I look at a
picture she shared with me. In the picture she is kneeling in the grass beside
her adopted daughter, and for the very first time her daughter is allowing her
to comfort her. Lightly, ever so gently, my friend's arm is draped over her
daughter's shoulder as the little girl cries. Six months it has taken to get to
this point. To the point where she is even allowed to try and make her little
girl feel better when she is hurting. Six months to get to the point where she
can touch her in love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;"> As I read reports of
what happened in Texas, I can't help but think of her and all 5 of her
children. I am not trying to make a political statement. Regardless of your
opinion on what happened and why - it appears to be completely true that the
three children who have light colored skin would be at much less risk than the
two who have darker skin. She has to be fearful for these kids who have stolen
her heart and taken up every bit of energy she's had for six months. No mother
should live in fear because her children have a certain color of skin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;"> I believe that people should
listen when police officers give them instructions. I know that most of us do
not understand the entirety of what happened. What we do know is that our country
is experiencing racial tension. The evidence is all around us. Marches, protests,
prayer meetings, and numerous talks between leaders occur frequently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;"> For the sake of my new
friend, and the many who are in her position, it is imperative that we start
discussing this issue with less emotion and more thought. We need to let down
our preconceived notions and attempt to see the view of the person on the other
side. My fourth graders learn about active </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;">listening. Active listening requires that the listener is not only
hearing the words but thinking about them. It also requires that they are not
formulating a response to what is being stated. They are just listening. That
is my goal right now - to actively listen to what all sides are saying so that
I can do my part to help ease this tension. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03274339762731611836noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1070798982850732510.post-79849089787305747532015-05-14T19:40:00.001-07:002015-05-14T19:40:08.041-07:00Fighting Forgiveness<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> First Thoughts on Fighting Forgiveness</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> When we choose to publicly decimate another person’s
character with our insidious words and veiled threats we are revealing much
more about our hearts than the about the person for whom our words are
meant. When our words are designed
solely to wound and harm another, we can always be assured that they are not
only inappropriate but representative of the dark nature of our own
hearts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Ugly and cruel
words spouted off at another in the heat of a hurtful and passion filled moment
show the impact and depth of the wound inflicted. When these same words are carefully thought
out and planned it shows simply that we have allowed our initial hurt to damage
us far more than it actually had the power to on its own. It is a direct reflection of us rather than
the person who was initially in the wrong.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Not only does
forgiveness free us from the weight of bitterness and pain, it is commanded by
our God. Choosing to continue to lash
out at those who have hurt us shows that we are unwilling to follow our God and
His desires. Furthermore, it
demonstrates that have forgotten the magnitude of the grace He extended to us
while we were yet entirely undeserving. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Never would I
attempt to proclaim that forgiveness is easy or that we allow abuse to continue
in any form. What is true however, is
that our refusal to do so hurts us, our relationships with other people in our
lives, and most importantly it hinders our relationship with our Father. Those reasons make not only forgiveness, but
moving past hurts, important enough that I want to work at it
intentionally. I want my words and
actions to suggest that I am making every effort to be the person I was called
to be rather than simply punishing those I feel are not making the same
effort. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03274339762731611836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1070798982850732510.post-27952047982554136432015-05-08T21:10:00.000-07:002015-05-08T21:10:11.239-07:00Five Minute Friday - Meet<div style="text-align: center;">
Five Minute Friday - Meet</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Two months ago I would have insisted that to create and maintain a true friendship you would have to meet that person, in real life. I would have told you that you couldn't know a person's heart through a screen. There are very valid reasons for this position. What that thought does not take into account is what happens when people, who are hungry for authenticity and realness, are brought together by God. I have discussed #the4500 at length in several other posts. I am aware that to the outside world it sounds just a wee bit crazy. Okay, maybe a lot crazy. Two months ago I would have agreed wholeheartedly. But it's not. Talking with these amazing women, reading their words, praying for them, being prayed for by them, sharing heartbreak and victory with them, has changed me. It has made me more brave than I have been in years. It has given me the courage to meet with two incredible women, in real life, who are willing to share life with me as well. These women spread out all over the country have given me confidence, wisdom, and strength. They have given me books to read, thoughts to ponder, and the encouragement to dream big. The critical piece of this whole community is the real. Not one woman has tried to be perfect. Not one has shown themselves as having it all together. Not one has made themselves better than another. Each one of us has come just as we are and shared from our hearts. We have crossed over the selfie boundary and shared videos so that we can hear and see each other. We have texted, and messaged, and laughed and cried. All of this points to how needed this real version of life is to all of us. All of to one extent or the other, is drowning in something. Our hearts and minds long to hear that we are not alone, we are not crazy, and we might have ideas and thoughts that are worthy of being heard. Every single person you meet - whether in real life - or on this whole new world of social media - has a struggle. Every person has a need and a desire. My hope is that we would start treating each other with more grace, more mercy, and more kindness. Including ourselves. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03274339762731611836noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1070798982850732510.post-54381818972293722752015-04-12T09:17:00.000-07:002015-04-12T10:21:36.621-07:00Claiming My Blog<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/13955423/?claim=frw8ne6c2hj">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
What I am Learning from the #the4500</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Part Two of So Many</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I am a writer. These are life changing words. They speak of new dreams and new goals. They speak to my heart and my soul. I have been articulating my thoughts and feelings with words for some time. Adding to them that I would love to be a writer someday. The 4500 (explanation here: <span style="background-color: #edf4ff; color: #888888; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">http://minimooremusings.blogspot.com/2015/03/last-week-i-got-rejection-letter.html) </span> have taught me that to live a dream first you have to claim it. Acknowledge the dream in words. Develop the idea that encompasses your goal. Then, you have to believe that it can and will happen. Believing that your dream can and will happen gives you motivation to do what is necessary to make it happen. It gives you strength to keep going when time and money and life get in the way. Belief gives you hope and hope gives courage. Finally, you have to do it. Want to be a writer? Then write. Want to be a dancer? Then dance. Want to be an engineer? Then study and do engineering type things. Work at what you want. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This is an important step for me. I am claiming my dream by claiming my blog. While I'm still not even quite sure what that means - I know it is a step. And rather than just publish the link that the handy-dandy help page instructed me to do, I am writing a post as well. Writing because that is what "real" writers do - they write. Thank you to all of my friends who faithfully read my musings. Your likes and comments have given me this dream. Thank you to those who have encouraged me to keep writing because you have been touched by something I have written. It gives me purpose and belief. Thank you to #the4500 for giving me the courage to put this out there and enjoy the ride. Thank you for the words that you write that not only start my brain spinning but push me to use my words more effectively. Thank you for the prayers, and the kind words, and the knowledge that several of you would come and kick me in my behind if I don't get busy! Thank you to those of you reading. A writer can write volumes of words - but the dream is realized when people read them. Now go do something that gets you closer to your dream!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03274339762731611836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1070798982850732510.post-88286703287648038502015-04-07T09:38:00.002-07:002015-04-07T09:39:35.859-07:00Friendships Need Follow Through<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What
I am Learning from #the4500<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Part
One of Like a Billion<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Lesson
One: Friendships need follow
through. Yesterday, I got happy mail! I received an actual envelope with my name
handwritten and inside, a sweet card and a gift. Not my birthday, not an anniversary, just
because. I smiled, I giggled, and I was
greatly encouraged. This friend had thought of me, prayed for me, and then
followed through on an idea. It made a
huge difference in my life. It also reminded
me of the truth that friendships need follow through. Follow through can mean a lot of different
things. The essential part is action, doing
something. This is the hard part for
me. If you want to text – I’m in. If you need prayer – I am on it – often. Actually showing up for dinner, making a
phone call, mailing the letter I wrote – that is hard for me. I don’t know all the reasons why, I just know
I struggle to follow through. But I am
learning that the benefits of action added to thought are abundant and
plentiful. They are more than worth
stepping out of my comfort zone. To my
friends who have been patiently waiting for me to figure this out – thank you
for loving on me and living this out as an example. Thank you for your patience and your repeated
attempts to engage me – even when I don’t respond. To my new friends in #the4500 thank you for
pushing me out of my comfort zone. Thank
you for concrete examples of what friendship looks like. To my dear new friend who made my day
yesterday – you have no idea how much you have blessed me, and pushed me. I am so glad to call you friend. To my precious friend with whom I have been
giving my best effort to follow through with lately – that is just how special
you are – no, really – you are that special.
To any woman who is reading this – let’s do this friendship thing
better. Let’s act more than we
talk. Let’s give more than we get – or at
least try. Let’s do dinner, and phone
calls, and happy mail. Let’s invest in
each other – and reap the benefits.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03274339762731611836noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1070798982850732510.post-75165710709633232582015-04-05T14:15:00.000-07:002015-04-05T14:15:08.688-07:00<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.5636348724365px;">Sunday is here! You made it! There is joy in today. That joy will translate into eternal joy. But the truth is however, sometimes we make it until Sunday and it is not at all what we were expecting or wanting. There is disappointment, anger, sadness, and emptiness. If you are there right now, you are not alone. Julie Presley wrote about just this feeling today. Her post touched me in a mighty way. Its truths resonated with me and I feel compelled to share it. Go to her author page:</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJuliePresley?fref=ts" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.5636348724365px; text-decoration: none;">https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJuliePresley?fref=ts</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.5636348724365px;"> – and click on the Great Expectations: Mary and the Empty Tomb post. Then come back and share your thoughts with me.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03274339762731611836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1070798982850732510.post-22771363868868076252015-04-04T17:23:00.000-07:002015-04-05T14:14:02.196-07:00Come quickly Sunday<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Typewriter"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sunday is coming.
This is truth. A beautiful, life
giving, hope sustaining truth. Friday and
Saturday are long, though. So very long
and hard. The time between that which breaks
your heart and leaves you undone and when healing touches you is almost
unbearable. When I think of Jesus saying,
“My God, My God, why have you forsaken me”, I know that He gets it. No pain could be more raw, more desperate
than the Son of God being ripped apart from His Father. He knows and understand loneliness, disappointment,
poverty, and betrayal. He wants to walk
with you through yours. He wants to love
you, and guide you, and comfort you.
That’s why He was willing to suffer in the first place. He is not shaming you because you aren’t over
it yet. Saturday teaches us that it
takes time. He is not blaming you for
your contribution to your pain – He ushered the convicted thief into
paradise. He does not abandon you
because you doubt. His own disciple doubted
and He willingly showed Thomas the wounds in His hands. He just wants to love on you. He quite literally knows the way out of
Hell. He wants you to make until
Sunday. Sunday, come quickly! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03274339762731611836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1070798982850732510.post-56621873315567563462015-03-19T19:18:00.001-07:002015-03-19T19:18:35.591-07:00Five Minute Friday - Real<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Real. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For
real?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">That is the prompt for Five Minute
Friday.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Stop it.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Is all the world coming together to send me a
message?</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Folks, it just got real.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">What is real is that we don’t have time to be
messing around with stuff that isn’t meaningful, and powerful, and
important.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We no longer have the option
to play – unless playing is your real and important.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Mothers, teachers, artists – you keep
playing.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Dreamers keep dreaming – but let’s
start moving at the same time.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Let’s
start making these dreams into realities.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">How?</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Yeah, I don’t have that part
yet.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s coming.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m not just leaving that part out.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">But it is go time.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">For real.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">What is it that you wish was real in your world?</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Let’s make it happen.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Five Minute Friday is five minutes of writing from the heart. Without worrying about editing, and without fear. Just write. Join us at </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">http://katemotaung.com/five-minute-friday/</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03274339762731611836noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1070798982850732510.post-19050967132389932292015-03-18T17:32:00.002-07:002015-03-18T17:32:08.353-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Last week, I got a rejection letter. A kind, gracious, funny letter that explained
that 5000 people had applied for 500 positions and I was one of the 4500. So bummed.
I had applied to be a part of Jen Hatmaker’s launch team. Jen is an author and has a book called, For
the Love, coming out in August. I desperately
wanted to read it early and be a part of her team. Disappointment flooded over me. Until I re-read the letter. First, as a bonus, the 4500 received four
chapters of the upcoming book. Four
chapters is a pretty good consolation prize.
Second, the letter was encouraging and even uplifting. In fact, it made me smile. I was touched that this author would take the
time and energy to make us feel like we were important to her. Ignoring the fact that it was 10:40 and I
should be going to sleep, I decided to try and send her a shout out on
Twitter. While tweets are not really my
thing – 140 characters is almost never enough for me to share my thoughts – it is
also the easiest way to connect with someone.
So, I tweeted. Twitter then
showed me the latest tweets that others had made that had a connection to my
tweet. Several women were tweeting about
their similar feelings – and getting a response from our beloved Jen! Megan Card, Megan Hall, Katie Curry, and
Rosemond Cates were cracking me up.
Wanting to be a part of this group – I joined in. I was more than a little giddy when they
included me in their little group of awesome.
I was stunned when Jen Hatmaker included me in a tweet. The whole thing pretty much rocked my
world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> My world
continues to be rocked every single day.
The 4500 has turned into a whole thing.
A hashtag bearing, Facebook group creating, thing. And it has been phenomenal. Every day I meet more women who are authentic
and brave and strong. I have met people
who think just like me and people who think drastically different from me – and
they are all working towards making this world a better place. I am so unbelievably honored to be one of
#The4500. Oh, and the book – LOVE IT! Hysterically funny, thought provoking, and
important. Jen Hatmaker addresses topics
from fashion disasters to the importance of being around people who get you and
care about you. She discusses the
craziness of back to school and writes an open, candid letter to churches. I will warn you – do not try and read For the
Love while someone in the room is trying to sleep. The laughing kinda keeps them awake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03274339762731611836noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1070798982850732510.post-89679228328926594682015-03-07T10:16:00.001-08:002015-03-07T10:16:32.625-08:00Thanks Teachers<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.5636348724365px;"> In the midst of all the controversy of state and national testing of students, there is this: my children have had amazing teachers. As a teacher, and a mother, I believe I have a pretty significant understanding of what makes a teacher effective. So I make that statement with a clear understanding of its meaning. My children have been provided an education that is significantly above just good. These teachers have taught my children the academic information they need to beco</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.5636348724365px;">me successful. They have come early and stayed late to spend time with my kids to ensure that they understand the material. They have altered lesson plans, materials, and presentation formats to make sure that my children are learning at the highest level. They have inspired, encouraged, and pushed my kids. My kids are better people because of the influence and effort of these teachers. Teachers who invested so much of themselves into their students. Teachers who cared about each and every student who entered their classrooms. Teachers who taught my kids how to learn, not just facts. Teachers who taught my kids to explore, and be curious, and enjoy learning. In this season of high stakes testing and even higher stress levels, I want these men and women to know how grateful I am for what they have given to my children and to our family.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03274339762731611836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1070798982850732510.post-522160981585726182015-02-15T15:27:00.000-08:002015-02-15T15:27:05.866-08:00Be Still and Rest<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> You know that
moment when you come face to face with the crazy in your world and have to
decide whether to lean full into it or figure out how to accept or change it? That moment struck me hard and fierce this
morning. I woke up sad, and angry, and
scared. I’ve been fighting those
feelings most of February for a host of reasons. I’ve tried squashing them, ignoring them, and
denying them. None of those strategies
have been in the least bit successful. So
this morning I started just to let them out.
Out of sheer desperation, (why does it have to come to that), I opened
my devotional. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">The first
line: “Never become extremely upset over your circumstances.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Me: Shut Up!!
Are you kidding me? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">It goes on: “’Do
not fret.’ Never get unduly upset! Stay
cool! Even for a good reason, worrying
will not help you.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> Me: For
the love!! Fine!! Slap me with truth. Geez!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> At this point, it was exceedingly clear
that I needed to finish. The words were
piercing my heart and soul. Honestly, it
was a little frustrating. I have some
blasted good reasons for being upset.
The truth of the words, however, is real. Never once has worry solved a problem. Worry hurts me and produces no positive
change. Rationally thinking through the
issues so as to arrive at a workable solution – that might work. Sharing my thoughts and ideas on the subject
with those who might be able to effect some change – that might work. Accepting that sometimes, “it just is what it
is” and determining what I can do in spite of it – that might work. Repeatedly fretting over situations that I
cannot change – never going to work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> So, I slowed down. Took a deep breath. And read the rest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Dear Restless Heart<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Typewriter"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">“Dear restless heart, be still;
don’t fret and worry so;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Typewriter"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> God has a thousand ways His
love and help to show;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Typewriter"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> Just trust, and trust, and
trust, until His will you know.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Typewriter"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> Dear restless heart, be
still, for peace is God’s own <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Typewriter"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> smile,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Typewriter"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> His love can every wrong and
sorrow reconcile;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Typewriter"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> Just love, and love, and
love, and calmly wait awhile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Typewriter"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> Dear restless heart, be brave; don’t moan and
sorrow so,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Typewriter"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> He has a meaning kin in
chilly winds that blows;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Typewriter"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> Just hope, and hope, and
hope, until you braver grow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Typewriter"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> Dear
restless heart, recline upon His breast this hour,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Typewriter"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> His grace is strength and life, His love is
bloom and <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Typewriter"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> flower;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Typewriter"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> Just rest, and rest, and rest, within His
tender power,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Typewriter"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> Dear restless heart, be still! Don’t struggle to be free;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Typewriter"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> God’s life is in your life, from Him you may
not flee;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Typewriter"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> Just pray, and pray, and pray, till you have
faith to see.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Typewriter"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Edith Willis Linn<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Typewriter"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">I am continuing to allow those
words to soak in and change the frantic pace of my heart. I am tossing them about and trying to really
grasp the truth contained in them. There
are times when just going full tilt into crazy seems like the best choice. Wallowing in self-pity, and anger, and
frustration appears to be easier. Initially, it might well be easier. It would not. however, remain easy. Thus, the plan has to be acceptance or
change. For me, most of my crazy is out
of my control. What I can control, is my
reaction. So, for today at least, I am choosing
to be still and rest in Him. God is bigger and He's got this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03274339762731611836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1070798982850732510.post-69077831092689299402015-01-24T09:41:00.002-08:002015-01-24T09:41:21.602-08:00Five Minute Friday - Share<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Five Minute Friday is five minutes of writing straight
from your heart. I preface with that by
way of explanation. Should you choose to
read what follows, understand that it is my heart laid out in words. I am fully aware that there are many who will
not only disagree with me, but disapprove of sharing. Please, just understand that I am putting my
truth out there as clearly as I know how, that this is the deepest part of my
heart and soul. I share as a way of
explanation, in the hopes that some might understand where I’m coming from and
why. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> I love Jesus. My saying that, or anything related to that
is not meant to shame anyone, belittle anyone, convince anyone, or harass anyone. It is just the truth. And for me, it is the most important
truth. And the why is the most essential
part of the whole thing, and the reason I keep blabbing about it. I realize that religion and faith and Jesus
stir up crazy, powerful emotions. That’s
not what I’m talking about. If we can,
let’s look at this rationally. If I
truly care about another human being then it is logical and rational to think
that I would want to share what is most important to me with that person. Again, if I care about a person, it is
logical and rational that I would want them to know and be a part of what
brings me joy most especially, if I truly believed that it would bring them
joy. Therefore, if I truly believe that
Jesus literally has the power to get people into Heaven, and if I truly believe
that He is the only way to get to Heaven, it is logical and rational that I
would feel compelled to share that with the people I love. Please hear me clearly, I am not arguing
about how valid my beliefs are, or whether you agree. What I am saying is that if I am willing to
share my favorite restaurants, my favorite stores, my favorite movies with you,
why would I not share with you that which I believe is the key to all things
good? If I claim to care about you, but
keep from you the one thing I think will determine your eternity, than I am
either a liar or inherently cruel. One
more thing, the fact that I think you need a Savior does not and never has
meant that I think you are somehow worse than me. It does not mean that I believe you don’t
deserve to go to Heaven. It means that I
believe that every single person, eve, other than Jesus, needs a Savior. Most certainly, me. My wanting you to know Jesus has never, ever
been about judging you. Yes, there are
people who are all about the judgment and the anger. That’s not me. I just think that I have the most wonderful
gift ever, and I want to share it. That’s
it, period.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03274339762731611836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1070798982850732510.post-42850584841029956422015-01-19T16:03:00.003-08:002015-01-19T16:03:59.485-08:00Reflections on Martin Luther King Jr. <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> As I graded papers today,
I was struck most by the notes my fourth graders took on an animated movie
about Martin Luther King Jr. While it would be impossible to encompass the work
of Martin Luther King Jr. in one hour, their notes show that his message was
very clear. The following sentiments are the ones that showed up, in some
version, repeatedly in my students notes:</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<span style="background: white;">~Anyone can make a
difference in the world.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">~He was always
doing good things for other people</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">~He wanted everyone
to be friends.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">~He believed in
non-violent protests.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">~He changed the
world.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;"> There is so much to
say about who Martin Luther King Jr. was, the impact that he made on the world,
and the work that is still left to do. But, these five ideas, noted time after
time, are powerful components of that conversation. They are also a great place to start if we
want to change our world.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03274339762731611836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1070798982850732510.post-49562540572804059292015-01-17T11:05:00.001-08:002015-01-17T11:05:53.813-08:00Five Minute Friday - SendLinking up with Kate Motaung and Five Minute Friday. Where writers are able to write for five minutes, from the heart, on the same prompt. No editing, no over-thinking, just writing. Friday's prompt - Send.<div>
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Like farmers in the midst of a terrible drought, we cry out
to God to send us grace, send us mercy, send us love, send us peace. We groan from the weight of the grief, of the
stress, even of the mundane. We need
refreshment. We need strength and joy
and hope. The good news is that He will
provide everything we need. But not
always in the ways that we think or expect.
Sometimes, we have to look for the joy, sometimes we have to give grace
and mercy to receive it, sometimes we have to take the time to refresh
ourselves. When we really stop and take
the time to invest in other people, to look for the good in the world, we will
find little pockets of beauty and joy.
We will receive back in the measure that we have given. It’s really a beautiful design – give and
get. Hard sometimes, but most certainly
worth the effort. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03274339762731611836noreply@blogger.com2