I need to be Tortuous

So we all read the story of the tortuous and hare growing up. The Hare is the fastest runner but of course the Tortuous wins the race. How does that happen? We are feel we should go full force ahead to accomplish our goals. How often have you grown tired and given up to early? There is a line of a song I like that says, "I try too hard and then I give up way too easily..." I feel like thats me sometimes. 

We try to always go above and beyond. Dont get me wrong I dont feel like there anything wrong with that but maybe its not always the best way to get to the end. The Tortuous just did he best and kept doing his best and never gave up. He didnt feel defeated as the hare ran by, he just kept going. 

I feel like I get deterred as I see someone run by me and seeming be so much better than me. I feel like eh I cant ever be that so Ill just stop and try something else. You never get where you are going that way. My challenge is to slow down and stay steady. I like the first part of Heb 12 as it talks about endurance. You ask any distant runner and they know its not about speed its about pace and its about not giving up. 

I feel like the principal illustrated by the Tortuous can be implied in so many areas of my life. I challenge you to be slow and steady. Continue forward with endurance in your life and dont give me.

Rest

Its funny how we don't see the value of rest.

God sees and has always seen the value of it. We don't appreciate the gift rest is. In the old testament they even had a day commanded just for rest. God rested after 6 days of creating the Earth. He was satisfied and He rested.

How often do we feel satisfied with our work and rest? Its true the Bible commands hard work. Paul says in his writings if you don't work, you don't eat. Soloman refers the toils of work under the sun. Colosianns tells us that whatever we do in word or deed to do all to the Lord. So yes we should work hard, but how many times does Jesus say come to me and I will give you rest.

Rest is a precious gift. Being content and resting. Spending time in quiet and peace heals us so much. I am the world's worst at scheduling every free moments I have. We want to do everything, see everybody, and never let anyone down. We want to be all we can be and help everyone. Its a noble ambition at times but it wears us out. Often that quiet time with God gets lost. Remember He says, "be still and know that I am God."  That's a pretty direct command. Also our bodies are made for rest. When we don't rest, we are tired and warn down. How effective can we be when we are exhausted? Temptation seeks in easier and we aren't glorifying God is all we do.

I challenge us all to take time to rest. If you are like me and you like to have your calender full, then perhaps it will taking putting rest and quiet time on your calender. Remember Jesus is our example and He took time away from everyone and all the distractions to rest and refocus. Cant we do the same :)

A wise out saying explored

ok how many of you have heard this (or perhaps said it to someone).....
"if you dont like something change it. If you cant change it, change the way you feel about it."
There are variations of it of course and all and all I like the saying. it goes right along with what Paul says in Phillipians "do all things with about complaining"  and even can go with other verses about "rejoice always."
As i said all in all i like the statement. its true that we are in control of our day to day happiness and sometimes you just have to force yourself to look at the class as half full when all you can see is the air in the top half.
Herels   my question.....how do you know what things you can change and what things you should just accept. Ive been struggling with that concept. At what point is saying "I am who I am" settling for less than we could be and when is it a decleration of being content with how God made us.
I dont have an answer. If you do, great Id love to hear it. The one challenage I do pose is that you should fully consider a situation and pray about it before you decide to either be miserable trying to change it or accept it and learn to love it.


*disclaimer this was typed on my phone and the moblie view is poor.*

I dont have to understand

So its been a while since I posted. A lot has happened in the world.......

Alabama was hit by deadly storms that changed peoples lives forever in moments. We cant ever prepare pychsically for these things. They happen. Disasters come on large and small scales that change our lives. I pray for these people that lost some much and so many. I heard an amazing story of how the hospital was just missed near UA as the tornado came through. Just think how many more lives would be lost if the hospital had taken a hit. Not only the people currently in the hospital but the ER was filled with over 600 people that day. All this reminds me of a line in a song I like.....

"The path way is broken and the signs are unclear and I dont know the reasons why You brought me here, but just because You love me the way that You do, I'm gonna walk through the fire if you want me too."

God's here and God loves us. He doesnt leave us ever no matter what. Help each other remember this and focus on the fact that you are loved and cared for no matter what. Be thankful for what we have but dont forget those who have lost so much.

Pray

God made everyday: Good and Bad

Well its been an interesting few days since I've posted anything. I had a wonderful weekend with my family and to quote my father, "friends who are like family" Saturday marked a relaxing day of flea market shopping with mom and clothes shopping by myself. Then a wonderful relaxin evening grilling with Daniel. Sunday was Easter and as tradition stands we spent it with the Ralstons. Every year our gathering grows which is such a blessing from God. This year included two new babies "cooking" in their mom's bellies and a wonderful new man in my life. Wrapped Sunday up with celebrating Stacy's bday with coworkers.

I say all this to show how God has blessed my life. I can be anything but thankful for the people He has placed in my life. Stop and look around at the families you have. We all have "drama" and issues but we love them and we should cherish these memories. 

Ok so now I guess I get to what I really want to say here. I have been sick the past two days and while trying to work have realised my attitude has not been one of thankfulness. I have been caring for the type of patient that really frustrates me (self induced ETOH related illness) but does that give me any reason to be less thankful. I left work early today sick and was reading through m Bible and decided to stop in Ecclesiastes. I came across this verse in chapter 7:

           ¹⁴ In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other,so that man may not find out anything that will be after him.

I have always loved Ecclesiastes and Proverbs for their straight forward wisdom. You know, God made every day. We are never promised "sunshine and bunny rabbits" everyday of life. However should that change our attitude and gratitude. Today I was blessed in many ways by wonderful people in my life. However, I was grumpy b/c I felt bad and had a "ridiculous" patient. It shouldn't have been that way. I seem to remember a verse or two in the Bible saying, "Rejoice always"

Discipline

"Therefore I run thus not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified." I Cor 9:26-27

Wow that verse says so much to me. Discipline is a word we all have heard and intuitively know what it means but can we handle it. We live in a society where we want what we want when we want and we often get it. Most of dont know how to discipline ourselves. I know I struggle with this in various aspects of my life. How do I discipline myself to even take the time to read and pray? How do I form this habit?

I find something else very interesting in this verse. Paul says he preaches to others but he himself could still become disqualified. Wow. That hits home. How often do we "help" others do the right things in their life whether it be encouraging healthy behaviors, discussing money issues, or telling them how to study the Bible more? We may give great advice and have all the right answers but do you do it yourself? Its easy for me to gain the knowledge to know what to do and its even easy for me to encourage others to be better; I struggle with doing it myself. I struggle with having in consistent Bible study.

I challenge you to think about where you lack discipline. I welcome any ideas of how you can be more disciplined in daily life. Pray for God to give you the wisdom just like it says in James 1. He will grant wisdom.

Balance

Well, this is a subject I am trying to figure out and probably will be forever. How do you balance everything in your life? There is work, family, friends, significant others, church activties, daily chores and so much more.

I struggle with two things regarding this. One I have a hard saying "no" when someone asks me to do something. Two knowing when I need to stand up for myself and give myself a break.

By nature I want to take care of things and make things easier for those I love. All these are good things I believe but when we wear ourselves so thin it cauese strain on our bodies and our relationship. All this said I havent even touch on our spiritual life. I dont know about you but for me when things are going good, my personal God times gets come back.

We live in a world that says dont stop, try harder, go futher, and never slow down. God says, "Be still and know that I am God." countless times Jesus withedrew to pray. There are many other examples of the benefits of alone time with God. It renews us. Dont be afraid to tell your friends and famiy that you need time.

There is definitely more to say on this subjext but I am falling asleep while typing, would love to hear thoghts on balance and person reflextion time with God.

Its the little things.....

This could very well become a reoccurring title for this blog.......


Sit back and look outside, if you are in middle TN you will see a slight breeze blowing and the sun shining. Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE sunshine and warm weather. I love being outside and I love nature. Oh days like these its easy for me to have a smile on my face but this morning as I sat in church I had an even bigger smile on my face.


God blesses us so richly and we so often don't see it. I truly believe that our blessings are the in the little things. You may not be the riches person, the fastest runner, or the smartest student but what has God given you? Hes given you freedom and the chance to worship Him. I sat there by a wonderful Christan man that God has placed in my life and the other side of me was the Bennetts. A family with 3 young girls and two parents who have been such a blessing in my life. My relationship with all of these people started when I didn't expect to find such wonderful relationship but you God knows what we need. As we worshiped God and studied His word, I realized once again that God is always there for us. He never forsakes us.


So today the things I am thankful.......


1) Sunshine and warmth
2) Eating lunch on the deck with 3 beautiful girls
3) Katherine and Darren Bennett and the influence they are in my life.
4) Daniel; God gave me just what I needed when I didnt even know something was missing.
5) Getting to worship with people I love surrounding me.


Thats just a few of the little blessing in my life that don"t cost any money or require any fame. I believe the best things in life really are free. What are you thankful for today? Who are you thankful for? Tell them and tell them why!

Get outside and enjoy God's creation!

Nostalgia

Why do the simplest things bring us such comfort and take us back to a happy time?

This morning as I was using a new shampoo the smell caused this effect. Its rosemary and mint. When I was growing up on Tobylynn drive our neighbor grow herbs in her yard. I remember her frequently giving us a sprig of mint to smell when we were playing outside. I dont remember much about this lady expect for I always felt she was such a nice lady.

Stop a minute and think about what takes you back to your childhood. Think of something that makes you smile. I was blessed with a happy childhood and loving parents. Perhaps you weren't but remember what it was like to be a child. The world felt so big and yet you found joy in. Try to find joy in daily things of life.

If you were blessed with parents like mine, tell them so. My parents invested time in me and my growth. Prov 22:6 tells how important it is to have parents that invest time in your spiritual life. Remember the command to Honor your father and mother. When you think of your childhood, were your parents loving and kind. Tell them so but really either way if you are an adult its still up to us to follow the command to Honor our father and mother. So thank you Mom and Dad for loving me and teaching me.

Positivity

What a beautiful day! "This is the day that the Lord has made." Isn't it always easier to say that on a beautiful day like today. How do we say that on a not so great day? Perhaps today was that kind of day for you. Maybe it was sunny and pleasant outside but there was a storm in your life. How do you handle those days? How do you remember that "This is the day that the Lord has made."

I'd suggest that positivity and thankfulness are whats its all about. In Philippians, Paul says that he has learned to be content in whatever circumstance. Its all about our view. We've all heard the glass half full vs half empty argument, seems a bit silly but its true. You have to choose to see things in a positive light. I argue that being thankful for all our blessings makes it hard to see things negatively.

When you feel negative, stop and count your blessings. We are all blessed. God is in our lives and there no matter what the storm. Positivity is contagious so help others by spreading this. 

Are you Committed?

I often encounter various types of families and relationships in my day at work. Today I took care of a man with advanced Alzheimers, to the point where he was childlike, disoriented, and even combative. In a few hours, he wore me out with trying to give him medicine, feed him breakfast, and just keep him safe. What amazed me was that his wife took care of him day in and day out. When her and her son arrived, he had a spark in his eye. Was he any less confused or disoriented? Not really but she knew how to handle it. This is a level of commitment that amazes me.

I feel no one wants to truly commit anymore. We want to be able to have a way out. If thinks get hard, we run. Our society seems to be all about the easy way out. Well commitment isn't easy. Ask the wife or husband who takes care of their love while their mind and/or health are declining, ask the athlete who trains day in and day out, or ask the parent who tirelessly takes care of their child. There are many things to be committed to. How to do commit yourself and how do you prioritize your commitment.  

Commitment yields positive results. We should above all be committed to God and His Word. Ps. 37:5 states, "Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act." and Prov 16:3: "Commit your work to the LORD,and your plans will be established." Everything we commit ourselves too should center around God and our trust and faith. 

Well this has been another rambling. I guess I want to challenge you to strengthen your commitments in your life.

• Commit yourself to God: study His word, pray, make him the priority.
• Commit yourself to your spouse, boyfriend/girlfriend: Show them you love them, have patience, and listen.
• Commit yourself to your friends: be a friend who is there in good and bad times, who makes them laugh when they want to cry, or just holds them when they need to cry.
• Commit yourself to your health: God blessed us with bodies to use in His service, why do we abuse them.
• Commit yourself to love and positivity in your life and all your interactions.

 

Value....How Much is it Worth

Ok here goes some of my ramblings.....

   From an early age we learn about value. We learn that the toy we want costs money; we learn to baragin and trade with our siblings, cousins, and friends. At some point we realize that people have value. The issue arrises in how we, as kids, learn to "earn our value."

   We've all used the phrase, "its not worth it." How often do we think, I'm not worth it? Maybe you've felt this because you didn't make the team, you failed the test, you're slightly overweight and don't feel pretty, or maybe someone has told you "you're not worth it."

   Where do you find worth? As a nurse, I encounter people who have hit rock bottom so to speak and no longer feel they have any value. These people come to me after they have attempted suicide. They have no hope in thier mind. They feel life has left them behind and its just "not worth it"

    Self worth comes from where you place and find value. Life is fickle. The world will let you down. Sock markets crash, friends fail you, sickness strikes, and other storms come in life. So are we hopeless? By No Means, as Romans 8 states, "We are more than conquers through Christ."

    So how do have self worth in a world that seems to constantly knock you down? You place your value on God, because He's placed value on you. You bask in His word, His love, and His promises. He will not leave you or forsake you.

    Don't feel like you are worth anything? Christ died for you. Would God have given His son for someone of no value?

  Remember this and try to encourage others that they are valuable in Christ! 

I'm Gonna Do It!

Well.....I have long thought about starting a blog. I have questioned whether I would say anything worth while, or whether I'd even keep up with it or not. I'm tired of excuses holding me back. I guess you can say that's true in many areas of my life. I don't try b/c I'm scared it wont last or I'll somehow fail. Well enough of that, I'm determined and this is my first test.

So welcome, I hope that I will say something here that will make a difference. I am one of those people whose mind is constantly analyzing a situation. I am constantly contemplating life. I am a Christan. I believe with all my heart that there is a God who loves me and sent His Son to die for me. The bible is His message to us. I'm trying to follow it and understand life. I am truly blessed with amazing friends and family. I am blessed to live a "safe" life, have a job and freedom. I don't thank God enough for thee things though.  I need to do better. I need to focus my every moment on Him. I'm not sure how to do that yet, but I'm trying.

Well that's a little background about me. Please feel free to comment on any of my ramblings as they happen. See you soon.