Chapter 5 Part 1 - True Confessions...

God Is Doing a New Thing: Chapter 5 Part 1 - True Confessions About Being "Reconciled" To My Body: "I have been putting off facing into this chapter, I think. I read the pages up to the place where the Mirror, Mirror Exercise begins. Funny how I did that...It is dated 4 days ago...haven't touched the book since."

Wow...this is EXACTLY where I've beenwith that too. Funny thing is how God has pushed me into it... my body has been poked and examined from every angle...by what seems like everyone that comes near me...lol. I was in the ER on Sunday suffering with anxiety...and had to go through a series of tests and x-rays and so forth. Today I go back to my own doctor for a follow-up. So this whole 'body' thing is getting a lot of focus. More then I'd like it to, really.

Here's one exercise that I did do when I was in the middle of an anxiety attack...I'd lie back (prefferably in a nice warm tub)...tense my body and then let it relax. I would then start at my toes and work my way up. Just drawing my focus to that particular area and give God thanks and praise, for how well it is designed and how healthy it is. Even the areas that I've had issues with in the past...specifically my tummy area and reproductive organs. I came to a place of forgiveness and even more then that...gratitude. Had everything worked the way it was supposed it, I most likely wouldn't have my two precious children in my life...who came to me through adoption. I think that I'm finally ok with my size and shape also...actually it is not so bad for a woman of my age. Ofcoure there could be some improvements on my general health...I especially need to add more recreation into my to-do list...but other then that, I'm very grateful. There are so many far worse off then I am.

So my friends...it is time to move forward...

YouTube - I'm Not Cool - Scott Krippayne

One Day at a Time

USCCB - (NAB) - June 17, 2009:
"Reading 1
2 Cor 9:6-11

Brothers and sisters, consider this:
whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,
and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion,
for God loves a cheerful giver.
Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you,
so that in all things, always having all you need,
you may have an abundance for every good work."

Just keep doing what you feel is God's will for the moment (without getting yourself in a tizzy over it...lol), and God will provide the grace you need.

Fortitude in the Desert

Intercessors of the Lamb - 04-20-09 Desert Spirituality

"In the desert, in the times of waiting, of searching, fortitude, a gift of the Holy Spirit, works so powerfully within us because it gives us the power to change. It gives us the strength to allow God to change us. The Spirit is always saying, "That was okay then, but now I want you to do this or be this. Things have changed. Let this go. Let's do this.” There is always change. We are continuously in a growth process. And it takes courage to change. There will be tests; there will be dry times in prayer. There will be aridity. There will be real desert times. That takes courage. This is when we call on this gift of fortitude. This is when we find the Holy Spirit coming to us with this gift, as if to say, "Hang in there! Hang in there." Even the psalmist used to say, "Oh, Lord, how long? How long do I have to endure this?" Through fortitude, the Spirit tells us, “It is just a little while longer, just a little while. We are almost there." He knows how to give us hope, doesn't He? He knows how to keep us going. This is how the gift of fortitude works. We can persevere. We can stay faithful."

Excerpts from THE FRUITS OF HIS LOVE

Excerpts from THE FRUITS OF HIS LOVE
Mother M. Angelica


The Value Of Suffering
Suffering in any form was, from the beginning of time, a mystery, and a blot on the human race. It was feared, dreaded, and shunned—a sign of contradiction and a curse. Jesus came as man and, because He accepted the consequences of our fall and suffered as we all suffer, He elevated suffering, transformed it, gave it power, and considers the pain of each member of the human race His pain. So much so that when I alleviate the pain of my brother, or am compassionate with his life, Jesus considers this done to Him.
There was suffering, pain, hunger and thirst, before Redemption, and there is still suffering, pain, hunger and thirst after Redemption. Redemption gave me more than an exemption from pain: it gave me Jesus, grace, the Spirit, love, peace and joy. It raises me above pain.God does not will that I suffer, just as He did not will that Adam and Eve sin. But since they sinned and I inherit the weaknesses that are a result of that sin, I do and always will have something to endure.
Christ's Redemption merited for me a participation in His Divine Nature as God through grace, and a participation in His sufferings as Man, through the Cross.
He came down from glory to my suffering level that I might rise from my misery to His Glory. But to do this I must take upon myself the whole Christ—suffering and resurrected.
He took upon Himself my sins that I might sin no more.
He took upon Himself my weaknesses that I might have grace to overcome.
He took upon Himself my pain that I might hold His Hand in mine.
He took upon Himself my humiliation that I might be raised to His Throne.
He took upon Himself ridicule and insult that I might stand tall in persecution.
He took upon Himself the loss of His friends in His hour of need that I might never be alone in the hour of my need.
and then
He stood alone, abandoned by God and man, so that I need never feel desolate or rejected.
Now it is our cross—His and mine.
Now there is a reason behind each tear, each pain, each heartache.
Now the cross is no longer in the mud of despair—it is raised on high and on it is God's own Son.
Now it is no longer a sign of His vengeance but a sign of His love.
Now it no longer destroys but molds and renews.
Now it no longer oppresses my spirit but empties it so that it may be filled with God.
for
Each heartache empties my soul of me and fills it with Him.
Each tear washes my soul and makes it more beautiful to His Eyes.
Each disappointment strengthens my will to cling to Him alone.
*Each anxious day makes me look to Him for support.
*Each tension-filled hour makes me reach out to find serenity in His grasp.
*Each pain is added to His on the Cross to redeem the world.
*Each doubt makes me search for Truth and hold it fast.Each separation gives me an awareness of the one thing necessary.
Each time my love is spurned I know how He feels when I ignore Him.
Each time I am treated unjustly, I know His feelings when He was called a devil.
Each time pride, jealousy, or ambition rears its head I see His Crown of Thorns.


Electronic Copyright © 1999 EWTN
All Rights Reserved

Prisoners of Hope

Joyce Meyer Ministries — Broadcast

YouTube - I OFFER MY LIFE TO YOU

severe test of affliction

USCCB - (NAB) - June 16, 2009:

"We want you to know, brothers and sisters, of the grace of God
that has been given to the churches of Macedonia,
for in a severe test of affliction,
the abundance of their joy and their profound poverty
overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.
For according to their means, I can testify,
and beyond their means, spontaneously,
they begged us insistently for the favor of taking part
in the service to the holy ones,
and this, not as we expected,
but they gave themselves first to the Lord
and to us through the will of God,"

This reminds me of the passage where Jesus heals Peter's mother in law and then first thing she does is gets up and serves the others there.

There are many graces that come through suffering...and we can glorify God by allowing those abundant graces to flow from us to others as it was intended. The main thing is to give yourself to the Lord first and then be obedient to His will as you give of yourself to others according to your means.

YouTube - Whatever You're Doing (Something Heavenly) - Sanctus Real

It's time for healing time to move on
It's time to fix what's been broken too long
Time to make right what has been wrong
It's time to find my way to where I belong
There's a wave that's crashing over me
And all I can do is surrender

(Chorus)
Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but somehow there's peace
It's hard to surrender to what I can't see
but I'm giving in to something Heavenly

Time for a milestone
Time to begin again
Reevaluate who I really am
Am I doing everything to follow Your will
Or just climbing aimlessly over these hills
So show me what it is You want from me
I give everything I surrender...
To...

(Chorus)

Time to face up
Clean this old house
Time to breathe in and let everything out
That I've wanted to say for so many years
Time to release all my held back tears

Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but I believe
You're up to something bigger than me
Larger than life something Heavenly

Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but now I can see
This is something bigger than me
Larger than life something Heavenly
Something Heavenly

It's time to face up
Clean this old house
Time to breathe in and let everything out

YouTube - Definition of Me- Steven Curtis Chapman w/ lyrics

The truth of femininity

USCCB - (NAB) - June 15, 2009:

"We are treated as deceivers and yet are truthful;
as unrecognized and yet acknowledged;
as dying and behold we live;
as chastised and yet not put to death;
as sorrowful yet always rejoicing;
as poor yet enriching many;
as having nothing and yet possessing all things."

Not sure why I'm still on this subject but the only reason I can think of is that God wants more to come out of it. The above passage is from today's readings...interesting.

As Christians fully living out our life of faith, the world will NOT see us as we trully are. We cannot be judjing ourselves by their standards.

Look at the picture below...this is what I'd consider femininity...fully embracing what God has called you to be and doing it in a way that does honor to your particular sex.

I went out to buy a skirt.

Conversion Diary: I went out to buy a skirt. - The diary of a former atheist

I thought this article (link above) was great. It really explains my own struggles with the whole shopping world...and the 'mirror' in particular.

I took one of those silly facebook quizes yesterday that asked 'how girly are you'...and I was slapped in the face with 'you are 12% girlie'...huh? I'm VERY girlie thank you very much. AH. Well...I think that what fully mature stay at home moms (maybe even homeschooling)that are focused on their kids think of as being 'girlie' or actually the term I like best 'feminine' and what the world things are two different things. Shopping for ourselves is pretty much non existent, hair and make-up? If I get to brush my hair and wash my face with ivory soap, once in the morning then I'm doing just fine thanks. Menicures? Sure...I cut the kids nails pretty regularly...or at least I used to...which reminds me. My own though...I guess they don't mean picking at them, do they? Heals? Sure I own tons of healed shoes...I might even be tempted to wear a pair to church...but quite frankly they are'nt that great for running after kids. I do like skirts though...and to wear my hair long(so be it if it is not colored)...and to take nice long hot baths, and I like pretty things around my home, and to watch chick-flicks...doesn't all that count?

Anyway...just some thoughts...

YouTube - Shout to the Lord - Hillsong

I made it to Mass (in the midst of a anxiety attack)and by the Grace of God was able to stay through the entire thing. Shout to the Lord was the closing song (this was a traditional Catholic Mass...so it a bit un-usual...but God has no boundaries), I think I was the only one singing with arms up in the air and with tears flowing down my face...but oh well. After Mass I was able to receive the 'Annointing of the Sick'...what were the chances of that as well? God is so good!

My comfort, my shelter,
Tower of refuge and strength;
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to worship You.

Shout to the Lord, all the earth,
Let us sing
Power and majesty, praise to the King;
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name.
I sing for joy at the work of Your hands,
Forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand,
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.

YouTube - Third Day - Communion

Blood-Covenant and Communion

Blood-Covenant and Communion : A Catholic Reflection:

"When we receive Holy Communion, we are covenanting to pour out our lives in total love for the Lord, to repent of our sins, be washed in His blood (see Rv 7:14), and to obey the Lord in every detail of our lives. Make a blood-covenant in Holy Communion today on this feast of Corpus Christi."

I'm betting that most of my visitors are not Catholic...so I'm not sure how familiar you are with the fact that we don't have 'altar calls' like other denominations do. However, something that I've heard before really struck me. Communion time is the Catholic's 'altar call'. When we leave our seats and come forward to receive the Body and Blood of our Lord, and the priest says 'the Body of Christ' as he hands us the Host (or places it in our tongues)and we then say 'AMEN'...we are saying so much with that very simple word!

Body and Blood

USCCB - (NAB) - June 14, 2009:
"While they were eating,
he took bread, said the blessing,
broke it, gave it to them, and said,
'Take it; this is my body.'"

Today in the church it is the Feast of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Again...how timely...as I'm dealing with the body both on the TW study and my personal cross of the moment.

I've heard it often throughout the years in different homilies and books that we too are called to be 'Eucharist' to others. While watching Joyce Meyer online yesterday this subject came up again. She read the above passage and then made the point that we are to blessed and then 'broken' before we can be given away as 'food' for others. This 'breaking' is a very important part of our Christian walk. I for one don't much care for it...lol...but then again, I'm not quite there yet anyway. It's good to know that even through the 'breaking', Jesus is right there by our side...and still feeding us with His own Body.

Solitude...a dwelling place of God

Intercessors of the Lamb - Teachings:
"The more light that comes into our souls, the more we are going to see the specks and dirt and dust. It is a beautiful process because it is initiated by the Holy Spirit. He is light. He wants to give us light. He doesn't want us to be in the dark. We are His children. He does not want us to stumble and fall. Everything about the world is darkness. Everything about God's Kingdom is light and He wants us to have this light.

In order to receive this light we have to have some time alone with Him. Solitude is where God dwells. Solitude is not a means to God like silence is. Silence is like an atmosphere--a climate. But solitude is a dwelling place of God. And that is very important."

Dear Lord, give me the strength to not fight this calling into solitude...but to instead look forward to the Light in faith and hope.

New Creation

USCCB - (NAB) - June 13, 2009:

"So whoever is in Christ is a new creation:
the old things have passed away;
behold, new things have come."

Oh Lord, I'm standing on Your Word...I need to be made new. I'm in a dark rut at the moment...but I know that You are here with me Lord. I WILL be still and listen...I honestly can't do anything else.

be still and know

Our God is so amazing. He has been showing me all kinds of things about my latest struggle...including what is actually going on (exercise(and I use the term loosely) induced hyperventilation due to post nasal drip). He's also directing me on what to do about it (stay away from dairy, and drink more water is part of it). I also need to put some things on the backburner and 'be still'. I have a one day retreat tomorrow...so that should be a good kick off.

Responsorial Psalm

USCCB - (NAB) - June 12, 2009: "Responsorial Psalm
Ps 116:10-11, 15-16, 17-18

R. (17a) To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.

I believed, even when I said,
'I am greatly afflicted';
I said in my alarm,
'No man is dependable.'

R. To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise."

I've been going through pretty severe anxiety lately. I've turned it over to the Lord...and have suffered in (relative)silence, but now I feel Him leading me to post about it...to humble myself and request the prayers of others on the journey with me. I want to be released from this affliction...not so much so that I won't suffer...but so that I can stop focusing on myself. There is nothing like an anxiety attack to magnify every little blurp you may be feeling.

I'm feeling that He wants to do more with this...use this for my benefit somehow. In prayer, I asked Him 'why now, Lord...I have so much that needs to be done'...His response... 'All you need to do is obey Me!'. Wow...ok, Lord...I hear Ya. He goes on to say, 'Be still and know that I am Lord'. I want to cry....

Battlefield of the Mind

God Is Doing a New Thing: Chapter 4 - A Path of My Choosing Part 2:
"Keep praising Him for His attributes, his provision, His grace, His love...any thoughts of self, trade them, replace them with thoughts of 'Oh, God! How GREAT you are!' 'I need YOU so much!' 'Thank you for all YOU do and are!' 'Thank you that YOU are bread for my hungry heart!'"

Poetry in Motion

Holy Experience: Attend to Your Life and You Make it Art: "Maybe it's just me who is still learning that it's not perfection that makes one's life a work of art. It's how one sees. It's taking me a lifetime to wrap the corners of my heart around it: beauty isn't a product to be be found in the material world. It's a function of the way the eye and soul work together."

You really need to click on the link above and go read the entire thing...BEAUTIFUL!

"But we all, looking on the glory of the Lord, with unveiled face, are transformed according to the same image from glory to glory" (2 Corinthians 3:18)

You are a work in progress. In fact, the Lord calls you His poetry. You are His poetry in motion, His masterpiece. (Ephesians 2:10) ---Thin Within p48

Today's First Reading

USCCB - (NAB) - June 12, 2009:
"Reading 1
2 Cor 4:7-15

Brothers and sisters:
We hold this treasure in earthen vessels,
that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us.
We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained;
perplexed, but not driven to despair;
persecuted, but not abandoned;
struck down, but not destroyed;
always carrying about in the Body the dying of Jesus,
so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body.
For we who live are constantly being given up to death
for the sake of Jesus,
so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

So death is at work in us, but life in you.
Since, then, we have the same spirit of faith,
according to what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke,'
we too believe and therefore speak,
knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus
will raise us also with Jesus
and place us with you in his presence.
Everything indeed is for you,
so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people
may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God."

Isn't it amazing that today's First Reading is exactly what we're dealing with in our TW study right now? God is so good.

"For we who live are constantly being given up to death
for the sake of Jesus,
so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh." Less of us, more of Him. We have to constantly put to death our 'fleshy and sinful nature'...so that Jesus's life within us can grow.

"While I'm Waiting" Music Video- from the movie FIREPROOF

Lyrics to While I'm Waiting :

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Takeing every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve you while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord

Observation and Correction

Here is how this principle works. At any given point in time, you can choose to note any behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes that haven't worked for you'. --Thin Within p 36

Then it is what you choose to do with it that makes the difference.

1)You can choose to Listen to the Holy Spirit, which will bring conviction, further observation and corrective suggestions. Which then lead to Peace, joy & abundant life.

Or
2)you can choose to listen to 'the world, flesh or devil' who will offer you the club of condemnation and lead you to repeat the behavior. It then further leads you to stewing, denying, rebelling or striving.

When you walk the path of God's provision, your focus is on God. You will experience the way in which He inspires, enables, and empowers you every step of the way. It is a path on which we are being progressively conformed to the image of Christ. We rest in the fact that God knows we are flawed, and we praise Him that He has provided the solution for our problem. He loves us so much and wants absolute intimacy with us. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).--Thin Within p38

USCCB - NAB - Psalm 98

USCCB - NAB - Psalm 98:
"Shout with joy to the LORD, all the earth; break into song; sing praise.
5
Sing praise to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and melodious song.
6
With trumpets and the sound of the horn shout with joy to the King, the LORD.
7
Let the sea and what fills it resound, the world and those who dwell there.
8
Let the rivers clap their hands, the mountains shout with them for joy,
9
Before the LORD who comes, who comes to govern the earth, To govern the world with justice and the peoples with fairness."

What? You don't feel like singing? Things aren't going as you think they should? All the more reason to sing praises to God. To focus on the good and what is going right instead of all the little things that aren't quite there yet. It is such a temptation to dwell on negative thoughts and stressful situations. It is time to give it all to God and just allow Him to use it all as He will. Sing praises!

YouTube - Jars of Clay - Something Beautiful

[verse]
If you put your arms around me
Could it change the way I feel
I guess I let myself believe
That the outside might just
Bleed it's way in
Maybe stir the sleeping past
Lying under glass
Waiting for the kiss
That breaks this awful spell
Pull me out...of this lonely cell

[chorus]
Close my eyes and hold my heart
Cover me and make me something
Change this something normal
Into something beautiful

[verse]
What I get from my reflection
Isn't what I thought I'd see
Give me reason to believe
Never leave me incomplete
Will you untie this loss of mine
It so easily defines me
Do you see it on my face?
And all I can think about
Is how long
I've been waiting to feel you move me

[chorus]
Into something beautiful
Into something beautiful

[bridge]
And I'm still fighting for the
Word to break these chains
And I still pray when I look
In your eyes, you'll stare right
Back down into something beautiful

[chorus]
Into something beautiful
Into something beautiful
Into something beautiful

Day 5: My Body, Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

"But we have this treasure (the presence of God)in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us (2 Corinthians 4:7)

The jar of clay referred to in this pasage is you. It is your body and your soul (mind, emotions, will, and feelings). We are vessels, containers of the life of God. But we are not the contents of the vessel. God is. We cannot produce His life, but we can reflect it. The beauty and value of the vessel is found in what it contains. We continue to be transformed more and more as we look to God rather then ourselves."--Thin Within p48

These little jars of ours can get all beat up sometimes with a few cracks here and there...but it doesn't have to detract one iota from it being able to proudly showcase what is within. In fact the scripture passage is telling us, that the weaker the vessel the more God can be glorified...because we'll be able to tell for sure that it is all coming from God and not from ourselves.

I struggle with alot of physical issues. Nothing really serious but just enough to put a damper on things. When it springs up, I often wonder why is the Lord allowing this now. I think I have my answer.

Today's First Reading

USCCB - (NAB) - June 10, 2009:
"Reading 1
2 Cor 3:4-11

Brothers and sisters:
Such confidence we have through Christ toward God.
Not that of ourselves we are qualified to take credit
for anything as coming from us;
rather, our qualification comes from God,
who has indeed qualified us as ministers of a new covenant,
not of letter but of spirit;
for the letter brings death, but the Spirit gives life."

He has 'qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of letter but of spirit' (not of legalism but of grace). The Spirit gives life.

Praise God for His constant prodding and feeding of our spirits...leading us further and further along. The Lord is indeed putting a new ministry in my heart as I discern Godly goals for my life...if there is anyone reading this, if you could pray for His will to be done...and for me to be able to respond accordingly.

Blog Roll

Hi there. If you are currently reading the Thin Within book and blogging about it, would you leave a comment with the name of your blog so that I can add it to my side bar?

Rescue

There is hope!

This pendulum-swinging lifestyle is reflected in what we call the 'path of my performace'. Living this way is falling into the trap of the legalist.

In this situation self is actually the focus rather than God. Even if the person is a believer, he or she will think that the solution to any failure is to 'try harder'. This struggler is always searching for the next book, the next program, the next church service, to find the 'key' to success. What is missing of course, is the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit enabling us to 'observe and correct'.

The truth is, grace isn't missing at all. It just hasn't been fully embraced. Those who find themselves in this predicament are like thirsty travelers who are unaware of a nearby fountain of life-giving water. The legalist swings from feeling good about her accomplishments on the one hand, to realizing that she can't keep up the pace on the other hand. Eventually she just gives up altogether, seeing herself as a 'failure'. Self-loathing sets in and she wallows in guilt, self-condemnation, self-pity, and sin. Before long, she goes out in search of another diet, another regimen, another set of rules.

Thankfully there is an antidote to this pendulum pandemonium. There is hope! There is no reason to stay stuck. Our God is willing and He is able. If you find yourself on the path of your performance, you can jump ship into an ocean of grace, deeper than any sin, broader than any transgression. It is cool, refreshing, and free. It cost our Savior everything, but in His love He offers it freely to us. --Thin Within p40-41

Oh my...talk about being convicted. Praise You Lord for loving me too much to allow me to remain where I'm at...for showing me the Light of Truth.

YouTube - As The Deer

USCCB - NAB - Psalm 99

USCCB - NAB - Psalm 99:

"Exalt the LORD, our God; bow down before his footstool; holy is God!
6
Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel among those who called on God's name; they called on the LORD, who answered them.
7
From the pillar of cloud God spoke to them; they kept the decrees, the law they received.
8
O LORD, our God, you answered them; you were a forgiving God, though you punished their offenses.
9
Exalt the LORD, our God; bow down before his holy mountain; holy is the LORD, our God."

"Exalt the LORD, our God; bow down before his footstool; holy is God!

Day 4: A Path of My Choosing

No food can even begin to compare with the satisfaction that comes from basking in His presence. No drink can quench the thirst of the soul crying out for the Lord. --Thin Within p36

One of the most memorable homilies that I've ever heard was at St. Colman's in Brockton over a decade ago. This was pre kids, so it was just me, my husband and our cousins and best friends, Joe and Grace. The four of us would bring it up in conversation long after the event...giving each other silly quizes on it like 'what was the cat's name' lol. Even though I no longer remember who preached it...I do remember the subject. 'Basking in God's presence'...the preacher told us of his cat 'Rinquist' and how at every turn he'd find the cat just lying around in his driveway just basking in the sun'. That cat didn't have to work very hard to be in the sun...he just needed to find the right spot and enjoy it. Same with us in the Son's presence.

For today Lord, may I be able to climb on Your lap and just soak in Your presence...even the midst of my daily chores and routines.

By the way my cousin/friend Joe is now basking in God's full presence in heaven. For the rest of us, we'll just have to settle for a little taste of it.

Burning Bush Conversations

Holy Experience: Journaling as a Spiritual Discipline: <br>Burning Bush Conversations:
"God, hear me saying....
.... heart beat ....
I am dry and brittle and
ready to snap

God, I hear You saying...
.... heart beat ....
How else to be kindling for
a burning bush?"

Waiting...

Mark Mallett » Blog Archive » High Seas:
"Even Jesus Himself had to wait for His mission, growing in humility, wisdom, and knowledge.

But we want holiness now. Along with our food, videos, success, text messages, and nearly every other form of communication and gratification. As a result, we have slowly un-learned how to wait—'how to grow and become strong.' Instant gratification is one of Satan’s special weapons, for in bringing it to our times, he has made waiting and suffering almost unbearable, even to the modern Christian. "

Perhaps the biggest lesson that I'm learning right now is to wait on the Lord.

Beyond Measure

God Is Doing a New Thing: Chapter 3 - Going For Godly Goals - Part 1:
"PLEASE DO NOT USE THE BATHROOM SCALE AT ALL!!! I know this is radical, but you know how I have been singing the song 'Focus on the Lord Focus on the Lord?' The scale is THE BEST WAY TO STOP FOCUSING on the LORD and to focus on yourself and your supposed performance! PLEASE DON'T GO THERE! You and I both have done that before and has it served us well? NO!"

Well...when I asked the Lord for a new name for this blog and felt Him leading me to 'Loved Beyond Measure'...I didn't realize the full impact of what He was asking me. WOW. I'm taking Heidi's challenge and am going to be putting away the scale until the end of this study. This is a little bit out of my comfort zone...time to fly in His arms!

YouTube - Leona Lewis - Footprints In The Sand Lyrics

I was reminded just now of what the Lord showed me a while back...how it doesn't always 'feel good' to be carried...especially if we preffer to have our feet planted on solid ground. So...it is altogether possible that instead of enjoying being carried high in the Lord's arms, we find ourselves struggling to get back down. So sad when we look at it that way. For today Lord, remind me that when things aren't going exactly as I expected them to and I start to feel off kilter...remind me that I'm being held in Your loving arms and I just need to relax and enjoy it.

YouTube - Shine Jesus Shine

Watching the High Lights

Watching the High Lights : A Catholic Reflection:
"We have put ourselves in a position where we desperately need the Holy Spirit day by day, moment by moment, to keep us 'set aflame and burning bright' (Jn 5:35). Satan will tempt us to take a 'breather' by stepping out of the hot lights into the darkness (see Jn 3:19); however, stepping away from Jesus is the devil's trap. We must continually come to Jesus (Mt 11:28), and never move away from Him. Jesus will always give us light (Eph 5:14).
We must fix our eyes on Jesus (Heb 3:1), the Light of the World (Jn 8:12). 'Walk in light, as He is in the light' (1 Jn 1:7)."

Today's Gospel Reading

USCCB - (NAB) - June 9, 2009: "Gospel
Mt 5:13-16

Jesus said to his disciples:
'You are the salt of the earth.
But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?
It is no longer good for anything
but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
You are the light of the world.
A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket;
it is set on a lampstand,
where it gives light to all in the house.
Just so, your light must shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your heavenly Father.'"

God created us for His glory. He wants our lives to reflect His joy, love, grace and compassion so that people will recognize Him in our countenance. The Bible calls this 'glorifying God'. You might say that we become advertisements for how wonderful God is when our lives display His majesty and wonder to the world." Thin Within p.27

Day 3: Going For Godly Goals

"As you listen and draw closer, you will hear God speak specifically to you about His plans for you--plans for a hope and a good future. And as you continue your journey, you will want your own visions, plans and goals to line up with His. Our sincere desire is for you to experience the freedom for which you were created and to catch the vision that God has for your life. Today we will focus on the purpose of life and the blessing of adopting Godly goals."

I'm a great fan of the book 'A Mother's Rule of Life' by Holly Pierlot...it has changed my life. It is an awesome tool to help with setting Godly goals. It shows us the five areas that need to be addressed...Holly calls them the 5 'Ps'. P1= Prayer, P2=Person, P3=Partner, P4=Parenting, P5= Provider. I have prayerfully and with the direction of the Lord set up my own 'rule'by examining each area of my life and seeing what needs to be done on a practical level to maintain it...it is so freeing to see it all in black and white and not have to re-invent the wheel each day on what needs to be done around here. While I'm 'waiting on the Lord'...instead of focusing on my stomach or being tossed everywhere by my ADD tendencies, I instead set out with the grace of God to just do the next thing on my 'rule' aka to-do list. I thereby live in the moment and that is where the Lord meets me...in my regular day to day activities...washing the dishes now becomes a wonderful dialogue with the Lord.

He Chose Me to Be

He Chose Me to Be by Mother Angelica

"Your body, you know, is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you since you received Him from God. You are not your own property; you have been bought and paid for. That is why you should use your body for the glory of God. (1 Cor. 6:19) We have a tendency to think our body is our own and we can do as we please with it. But this is not so. We were created by God—created as weak human beings—part animal, part spiritual. Our dignity as human beings was degraded by pride and rebellion in the beginning by our first parents Adam and Eve and then by our own wrong choices. God's love for us devised a way to raise us above our degradation—above our own nature, and set us apart as beings He could rightfully call "sons." He sent His own Son to take our flesh upon Himself—live and die as one of us and then rise from the dead so we would be delivered from our slavery to sin. What a price was paid for one so fragile in nature, so vacillating in will, so prone to evil. The Great King looks for a peasant to raise up to the dignity of a Prince. Each one of us is a kind of Cinderella, who is beckoned by the King to live a new life. The choice is ours, but the prize is His—He has already a right to everything we are, everything we possess. He has only good to give us. Why do we so often prefer what harms us? Is the right to choose good and evil more precious to us than peace, happiness and joy? Would we rather be miserable and misuse our freedom to choose rather than be humble and admit God Knows what is best for us? What price He paid to save us and what price we pay when we do our own will? No, we do not have a right to do as we please with our life or anyone else's. Our life belongs to God and that God is powerful enough to maintain it, good enough to sustain it and provident enough to care for all its needs.

Week 2 Assignment! Keep Focused! :-)

God Is Doing a New Thing: Week 2 Assignment! Keep Focused! :-): "If we develop an ability to focus on Him, praise Him, pray to Him, we will find that those things that lure us to food when we aren't physically hungry will fade! Honestly! Not only that, but a lot of other challenges in our lives will fall into their rightful place. It is the 'Seek first His righteousness and all these things will be added to you as well' principle again!"

Our challenges will fade because He will provide for our needs. He will either remove the challenges completly, or He will provide us with enough grace to endure it...either way it is a win-win situation. So...why don't we (I) utilize this font of grace more often? I want to bring it ALL to Him...nothing is too big or too small for my Heavenly Father. I can tell right away when I begin to lose focus...my anxiety goes sky high, a bunch of things just seem to go way out of control and get to overwhelming proportions. This was never God's intent for my life.

There is a misconception by some that God created us and then left us alone to fend for ourselves. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

YouTube - DON MOEN - Creator King

He loves ME...

His is an active love that has motivated all that He has done since the beginning of time. When He paints the evening sunset, it is because He loves you. When a child embraces you, it is because He loves you. When the birds sing, the sun rises, the flowers waft a heavenly scent, it is all because He loves you.

He was inspired to initiate relationships with human beings from the beginning of creation because it is in His character to love. He woos you and draws you, placing in you a desire to draw near to Him. That desire is kindled by His love for you. His word reminds us that we love Him only because He first loved us. ---Thin Within p18

YouTube - Don Moen - Rescue

TW Day 2

He desires you to know Him--to be in relationship with Him, and to be absolutely authentic before Him.

Ok...in order to know Him, we have come before Him and listen (be still and know that I am God). In order to be in relationship with Him, we need to come to Him frequently and again 'listen'...like any other relationship it requires give and take. Ofcourse 'listening' is not merely 'hearing' but soaking it all in and acting on what we are hearing. Then there is the authenticity stuff...ooo...that's a little harder for me. I'm thinking that it may be a bit harder for many of us...remember how Adam and Even 'hid' once they discovered they were 'naked'. There are many ways of hiding and 'nakedness' is not simply an absence of clothes. We need to come fully before the Lord without any pretence and without any thing else that may block our way.

Oh Lord, may I be fully authentic before You today...wipe away anything that is not from You.

Abbey-Roads: Deus caritas est.

Abbey-Roads: Deus caritas est.: "Who can separate us from the Love of God that comes to us in Christ Jesus! And so it is that between them there is but a single life, a single love ... The Love between the Father and the Son... The Holy Spirit."

Holy Experience: Soul ADD

Holy Experience: Soul ADD: "Lord, when I pay attention to everyday graces...
I'm spending my life in God-worship. Could there be a better investment?

Cause me today to pay attention to Your gifts.... a cure for Soul ADD."

Yes...spending our life in God-worship is exactly what we were created for. Oh Lord, let it be.

Waiting on the Lord part 2

God Is Doing a New Thing: "Waiting for the Lord will never leave us wanting. He WILL meet us. He WILL satisfy. This is where the wording of things is a bit awkward...If we wait for hunger, our focus is on our body, ourselves. But waiting on the Lord, our focus is on HIM. He will then say, 'Guess what, dear one? Your body needs fuel now. Come and dine with Me!' Isn't that a glorious thought? :-) No guilt, no condemnation, no self-focus. Then our meal time can be a time of praise and worship... 'Lord, thank you for the amazing flavor and texture in this food. You are so creative! Thank you for the abundance. Thank you for supplying my needs. You are an awesome Provider! Thank you for my body that YOU have created--fearfully and wonderfully!'"

This is AWESOME! I admit...this is a new perspective for me. The other times down this road, I waited was on hunger...yikes. You get exactly what you seek. I want it to be different this time.

special situations...

Blogger: God Is Doing a New Thing - Post a Comment:
"For those who have diabetes, it is always best to talk with a doctor, but the Hallidays know many people with diabetes who have done really well with this approach. Typically, you don't want to wait long after the first signal of hunger. Don't wait for a growl. That is NOT a sign of hunger for most people and can cause you to really crash if you wait for that...or to eat too soon! Either way, a growl isn't reliable. Then, what you eat is vital. If you know that there are foods that make you feel good physically, then ask God to help you to have those on hand for when you are hungry. It doesn't take much to fend off a true blood sugar crash...it is just the right something that the Lord will lead you for your body."

Heidi posted this on her comments section and I thought it was so brilliant that I needed to post it in a place that I can re-read as often as needed. I don't have 'diabetes'...but I do have other 'issues' with blood sugar that will be helped by the above suggestion.

Waiting on the Lord

God Is Doing a New Thing: "I challenge you to begin to wait for physical hunger before you eat. (Yes, I know some may take issue with this phraseology, but I think it fits for people just starting out or others of us who 'pre-empt' hunger by eating for a variety of *other* reasons!). Note when you are drawn to eat and *aren't* hungry and ask God to show you if you are not hungry, what it is that is making you think about food--why are you drawn? Food only satisfies physical hunger. All other 'needs' or wants require something else to be satisfied.

What do you learn about yourself and about God as you wait for physical hunger before eating?"

It is 7:30 PM right now and I've done my fair share of eating outside of hunger already today...so it is time to stop and give it a rest. One little step...

The only answer

God Is Doing a New Thing: "I felt God impress upon my heart that maybe someone here can use the encouragement found in some of the words that were a part of the prayer at the end of the chapter...


Lord, You are the only answer to the emptiness I feel when I am not with You. The fullness of Your being is what I crave. The intimacy of Your embrace is what I long for...Help me to make You the first place I run to when I have longings in my heart. I don't want to waste time turning to other things that will never satisfy the need I have for intimacy with You. My soul waits for you, Lord. (Psalm 33:20) Amen."

Thanks Heidi...that's exactly what I needed.

"You see, when I am vulnerable, I am prone to being "needy"--to feeling empty. This is when I can start reaching for anything to fill the emptiness...




As you and I continue the early part of this sojourn we want to ask God to make each of us--I want to ask Him to make ME--to be aware when I am doing this before it happens. This is the crux of much of our disordered behavior and disordered eating. It really isn't about the food, the computer, the books, the busy-ness. It is about my heart, about your heart...and, mostly, about GOD."

Here Heidi touches on the exact thing that I was referring to in my previous post...that when I stray from the awareness of His constant care and nurture is when I start feeling the need for 'self care'. Funny...the name of this blog is 'Nurturing Self' and yet that is the exact thing that I need to get away from. It is not about being a martyr, or rejecting the good things that God brings into our lives...but just making sure that they come from His own hand and in His own timing. All good things come from Him...but He sets proper boundaries for our own good.

God Is Doing a New Thing

I'm redoing the Thin Within study along with Heidi from God Is Doing a New Thing. I'll use my blog here to post my own reflections on it and to really digest all the wonderful stuff that she is putting out there without taking up too much space on her comments box (even though I plan to make use of that too).

"God wants our hearts to belong to him (not to some 'skinny' ideal or even to some vision of 'health and wholeness!'). As we relinquish our hearts to him, we WILL change from the inside out."

I need to relinquish my own desires in order to embrace His fully...and that means letting go of what I SHOULD weigh, or what size I think I should wear...and even how I need to feel. I know that God loves me more then I love myself and I need to trust that He won't lead me in the wrong path. 'ALL' I need to do is act in obedience to Him and He will take care of the outcome...whatever that may be.

2.) Are you willing to foster an awareness of Jesus' presence in every moment of your life? You can do this in your heart even in the midst of a hustle bustle work schedule or being with your kids or running errands or whatever you do. Truthfully, there is no way to experience the kind of lasting, deep, penetrating transformation that we really need apart from developing an awareness of his constant care and presence with you. Truly, this can be quite simple, but it is NOT easy!

I really hunger for this 'awareness' of His constant care. I think it is when I stray from it that I get myself in trouble and try to grab for it in my own way (and that's never good). It is like the kid from the rich family but yet feels the need to go begging for food at the neighbor's house...how pittiful really.

Salicylate Sensitivity

Salicylate Sensitivity - All about salicylates and salicylate sensitivity

symptoms

Zenni Optical

Zenni Optical - Complete prescription eyeglasses from $8.00

Food Diary Print-Out

Food Diary Print-Out

Food Diary Print-Out

Food Diary Print-Out

13 Things That Improved My Health...

High Desert Home: 13 Things That Improved My Health...

I thought this was great.

MinuteClinic

MinuteClinic — Pioneer and Leader in Retail Health Care

Thought this was an interesting development.

SPD Coping

SPD Coping - What To Do In a Meltdown

I like the one that says to 'rearrange furniture'...now that explains my unexplainable urge to move furniture around everyonce in a while.

Actually, as I search for ways to help my children...I'm learning a whole lot about myself.

Thin Within

Thin Within, Christian Weight Loss

I think God has used Sue (again) to reach me and get me back on track with TW...and I think Advent is the perfect time for it.

You Are Valentine's Day

You Are Valentine's Day

You are a true romantic who places the ultimate importance on love. You are warm hearted, and you find it easy to care for people. Love is what drives you - and you have a love to give. You enjoy making someone's day. You're full of surprises. What makes you celebrate: Being with the person you love on a special day At holiday get togethers, you do best as: The sentimental one On a holiday, you're the one most likely to: See it as romantic and special

What Holiday Are You?

Typealyzer

Typealyzer

I thought this was right on...for this part of me anyway.

Starting the next phase

Well...I'm done with phase one and I'm amazed. I lost another two pounds this week, even though it was hormonal time and I usually end up gaining. So...a total of 6.5 lbs in two weeks is incredible for me. Best yet, I'm feeling really good. I now start adding most fruits and whole grains. I had a bowl of oatmeal this morning and it was so yummy! I'm pretty sure that the weight loss will slow down at this point and I'm ok with that...since I'm feeling better, I'll probably start back up on my exercise routine.

End of week one

I'm down 4.5 lbs...whoohoo...it is unbelievable for me. Anyone who has been with me a while knows how much I struggle for every little half pound. This was amazing and so darn easy. I wasn't hungry and had no cravings...even with tons of candy from Halloween in the house. I feel thinner...lol...especially in my tummy area...my pants fit much better. I feel healthier overall too...even though we've had a bug in the house and both kids sick...I only felt like I was getting sick one day and bounced back up quickly. Normally it would have taken me down and had me laid out for a few days.

I only exercised one day so far, but I'm really hoping that as I feel stronger and more energized I can actually start exercising on a regular basis.

So here we go...week two...please say a prayer for me that I can continue this journey to better health.

South Beach Diet

South Beach Diet

South Beach Diet for Beginner

South Beach Diet for Beginner

Will be starting this tomorrow...please say a prayer for me.

YouTube - Thin Within Video 1a

I need to get back on track with all of this and it was really nice to see all the videos online. Maybe this is the answer to my prayers...once again.

Coping with Grief and Loss

Coping with Grief and Loss: Guide to Grieving and Bereavement: "Kübler-Ross proposed these stages of grief:

Denial: “This can’t be happening to me.”
Anger: “Why is this happening? Who is to blame?”
Bargaining: “Make this not happen, and in return I will ____.”
Depression: “I’m too sad to do anything.”
Acceptance: “I’m at peace with what is going to happen/has happened.”"

I think I just hit the 'depression' stage...I was hurting before, but now it seems at times like it is all too much to handle. I thought that I had been toughened with my mom's death and it wouldn't be possible to ever be able to hurt that bad again...but I was wrong. I miss my dad so much and I ache to hear his voice...

Zenni Optical - Complete prescription eyeglasses from $8.00

Zenni Optical - Complete prescription eyeglasses from $8.00

Darn...at these prices...I can buy a new pair to go with each outfit...WOW.

Mom Makeover

I'm reading this book and am totally loving it! It is just what I needed to get myself going...direction with little baby steps...with you working on something (and journaling it)each day.

Blogthings - What's Your Personality Type?

Blogthings - What's Your Personality Type?

You Are An INFJ

The Protector You live your life with integrity, originality, vision, and creativity. Independent and stubborn, you rarely stray from your vision - no matter what it is. You are an excellent listener, with almost infinite patience. You have complex, deep feelings, and you take great care to express them. In love, you truly see relationships as an opportunity to connect and grow. You enjoy relationships as long as they are improving and changing. You can't stand stagnation. At work, you stay motivated and happy... as long as you are working toward a dream you support. You would make a great photographer, alternative medicine guru, or teacher. How you see yourself: Hardworking, ethical, and helpful When other people don't get you, they see you as: Manipulative, weak, and unstable

What's Your Personality Type?

Why You Will Eat Less in the Future

Why You Will Eat Less in the Future - Yahoo! News

Sounds fine to me.

Turning "Someday" into Today

Turning "Someday" into Today

"I come before you today to give you permission to start letting go.

Someone smarter than me once said, "You can have everything. You just can’t have everything right now!" To reach your goals and live the life you want, it takes priorities and patience—the ability to choose between two competing wishes, and the willingness to set one aside for now and wait.

You can build the path that you want to walk on, and decide which steps to take. It’s important to you—to your health, your goals and your family—that you take some time to exercise and plan healthy meals. You should treat it that way and give yourself permission to take that time without feeling guilty. The irony is that by being healthy and taking time from your schedule, you’ll be able to take care of more of that "other" stuff in the long run.

Besides, is anything on your to-do list really more important than your health? When it comes down to it, those choices may not be so tough after all."

Stress management

Spirit Daily - Daily spiritual news from around the world:
"All of us have tensions!
It is how we manage them. The saints learned how to regain their peace by looking at negative matters in a positive fashion.
When we don't control our thoughts -- when we hover over an issue, when we let things pile up, when we're in a negative mode -- we magnify tension.
Give it to God. Put it in a 'box' for Him. And if it's someone causing you stress, recall the Littler Flower -- who, stressed over a fellow sister who prayed loudly and rattled rosary beads in the chapel, asked God to love the nun through her, despite her own irritation. That defused the situation."

it is grace that heals

Spirit Daily - Daily spiritual news from around the world:

"Go through your life and meditate on practices that could have increased your risk of disease -- of cancer, of diabetes -- and (in the Name of Jesus) dispel them. Ask forgiveness for abusing the temple of the Holy Spirit (which is what your body is) and pray again until your organs (particularly potentially troubled ones) are filled with grace.
It is grace that heals."

Decide Today

"THE DAILY MOTIVATOR

Decide today that you will have no regrets. And you'll free
up much time to actually get things done.

Decide today that you'll have no complaints. And your
thoughts can be focused on creative, productive pursuits.

Decide today that you'll carry no anger or resentment. And
you'll bring out the best in those around you.

Decide today to be accepting of whatever comes your way. And
you'll discover much value that would otherwise be hidden.

Decide today to be sincerely thankful for every moment. And
you'll be delighted at how beautiful and filled with
opportunity the world becomes.

Decide today to be truly alive. And joy will pour forth from
your soul."

Need for God

"Sunday, June 22, 2008

Need for God

Self-examination and prayer…should enlighten us
as to why we act as we do,
open our eyes to our passions,
but most importantly to the need for God in our lives."

Be yourself

"Be Yourself

Be strong enough to face the world each day.
Be weak enough to know you cannot do everything.

Be generous to those who need your help.
Be frugal with what you need yourself.

Be willing to share your joys.
Be willing to share the sorrows of others.

Be a leader when you see a path others have missed.
Be a follower when you are shrouded in the midst of uncertainty.

Be the first to congratulate an opponent who succeeds.
Be the last to criticize a colleague who fails.

Be sure where your next step will fall, so that you will not stumble.
Be sure of your final destination, in case you are going the wrong way.

Be loving to those who love you.
Be loving to those who do not love you, and they may change.

Above all, be yourself!"

Season Color Analysis

Season Color Analysis | Spring Summer Autumn Winter

This site seems pretty good. I think I have to go through my closet now and see what needs to go.

I'm an Autumn...who knew? LOL.

"If your coloring is warm and muted and deep rich shades…you are an
autumn. Autumns have golden undertones and often are redheads or
brunettes with brown eyes with golden flecks (their eyes have more
contrast compared to the fairer springs)

Autumns best colors with yellow undertones that are rich, earthy
colors such as camel, most browns, golden yellow, moss green, olive,
mustard yellow, and terracotta."

These are the colors that I tend to wear the most (I especially LOVE brown) and didn't even know why. HA! For example right now I'm wearing brown shorts with a khaki green top.

little brat

Welcome to Bratland - Who is Welcome?: "You are an adult and have important things to do. You hardly have time to play now that you are a grown up. That is precisely why you are in the mess you are in. You have let the weight of the world pull you down in the dumps. If you are in the dumps it’s a good guess your house is a dump. Your inner child has been alone for years and is craving your attention. Children who crave attention will get it any way they can--even if it’s negative."

very, very good...

Intecessors of the Lamb - Teachings

"In the book of Genesis we watch God creating His entire universe and everything upon earth and it keeps saying "And He made this and He saw that it was good, and then this and He saw it was good." But then when He made man in His image and His likeness, the Scripture says, "He saw that it was very good." We have to remember that God sees us as we really are and we are very, very good. It does not mean that He does not want us to get through these problems. It does not mean that He does not want to touch and heal our pain, our hurt, deep in our desire for Him. It means that He wants us to open our hearts, so that we can be fully who we really are, His little children, made in the image and likeness of the entire Trinity and that we can come to see ourselves, and others also, as very, very good. Unless this happens, I do not think we can live out the new commandment to truly love one another as He has loved us, because He loves us without any conditions, just as we are."
Excerpt from Mother Nadine's, "Introduction to Inner Healing," Omaha, 2004

Old Age is a Gift.

(I just got this in an e-mail and I love it!)

Old Age, I decided, is a gift
> >
> > I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I
> >have always wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometime despair
> >over my body, the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the sagging butt.
> >And often I am taken aback by that old person that lives in my
> >mirror (who looks like my mother!), but I don't agonise over those
> >things for long.
> >
> > I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my
> >loving family for less grey hair or a flatter belly. As I've
> >aged, I've become more kind to myself, and less critical of
> >myself. I've become my own friend.
> >
> > I don' t chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not
> >making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I
> >didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled
> >to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.
> >
> >
> > I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon;
> >before they understood the great freedom that comes with ageing.
> >
> > Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer
> >until 4 AM and sleep until noon?
> >
> > I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60&70's,
> >and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love .. I
> >will.
> >
> > I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a
> >bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I
> >choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set
> > They, too, will get old.
> >
> > I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is
> >just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important
> >things.
> >
> > Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your
> >heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child
> >suffers, or even when some body's beloved pet gets hit by a
> >car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and
> >understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine
> >and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.
> >
> > I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning
> >gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into
> >deep grooves on my face. So many have never l aughed, and so many
> >have died before their hair could turn silver
> >
> > As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less
> >about what other people think. I don't question myself
> >anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.
> >
> > So, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I
> >have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am
> >still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have
> >been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert
> >every single day. (If I feel like it)

Health and the Holy Spirit

Spirit Daily - Daily spiritual news from around the world: "Have you not noticed how frustrating it is to try and figure matters out for ourselves? One year eggs are bad for us. Then they are good. We are told to drink eight glasses of water a day. Then we are told that studies don't support that recommendation. Each week, there is a new vitamin that is a panacea.
In fact, there are certain good things for us but each body is different and that's why, along with the suggestions of doctors, we need to ask the Holy Spirit what we should drink and eat."

Facebook Song

Facebook

Facebook :my profile

Anyone here on facebook? I'm having a great time keeping up with family and friends on that site...it is awesome!

Emma p1

More simple pleasures...reading anything by Jane Austen and watching the movies...ahhhhh.

simple pleasures

watching American Idol!

Inspiration

cellspacing="0" bgcolor="#cccccc">

________________ Add this to your site

Darkness

The Journey of a Mother's Heart: Darkness

I am?

Take the Quiz here!

Quote

try on eyeglasses

try on eyeglasses

This is really cool and they have tons of glasses for you to try on.

Mother's Heart in Motion

Mother's Heart in Motion

Where we are striving to love God with our whole hearts and others as ourselves.

Come join us!

TimeWise® Day Solution

TimeWise® Day Solution Sunscreen SPF 25

Just wanted to take a moment to say how much I love these Mary Kay products. I used to use them regularly a while back and then I sank into some kind of pit of depression and anxiety or whatever and just stopped caring for myself. I'm back now...and it feels great!

Try-a-Hairstyle

This one?




or this one?





Try-a-Hairstyle

Having fun with this today.