Shine Today

For most of my life I have been surrounded by photography.  I remember my dad had a darkroom when I was young and I would watch him develop film.  I took a class my senior year that had photography 1 quarter and had some of my pics put in the yearbook.  I remember my history teacher was also the Jr. Varsity football coach.  He gave me a press pass so I could go onto the field during a game!  After high school I took an adult photography class and ended up with the same teacher my dad had when he took the class! Now, here I am in the digital world.  I barely get pics printed, which is a HUGE issue for most people today.  But, I have a desire to capture Jesus in the middle of God's creation.  That may not make sense to you, but it does to me.  I have a great camera thanks to my parents.  But, i just can't seem to get out. I admit it is difficult to see others do it, even make money at it. I am extremely happy for them, don't get me wro...

Just a short note as we get ready to change seasons.  We have had a very dry winter and have continued to have a dry spring.  We had a pretty good thunder and lightning storm not too long ago (at least for my neighborhood anyway), although I would enjoy some more.  And yes, allergy sufferers have been on full notice with sneezing being most of what you hear. BUT, I enjoy this time of year with what it represents. New life.  It is beautiful out right now. New flowers, new tree growth, the air is clearer, it all makes for a positive outlook.  Too often we focus on what is wrong, but lets change that.  Look at the stars at night, and then again in the early morning.  Pick some flowers and put them in a vase.  Go jump on a trampoline (haha, I can say that now because we have one).  The main thing is to simply take the time to focus on the beauty of creation; focus on what we have; and laugh like you just heard the funniest thing every.

"...if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,  then your light  will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday." Isaiah 58:10 in a whole new light.  I have read this verse more than once and sat through teachings on it.  But tonight, I was reading a book out loud to my youngest.  Isaiah 58 is in the book and the author encourages the reader to read it.  I did, and man it hit me hard.  I couldn't get through reading it without tearing up. I had to pause in reading because I was so choked up.  Why? Why this time even though I have read this so many times before?  Because it speaks to my heart.  I SO believe we should live differently. I know, of course we do, but I'm not just talking about what we eat, lack of exercise and being nicer.  I'm talking about the fact that we should be trying to figure out how to live WITH each other, even in the same home.  How ...

Ever wonder why we find ourselves in the exact same place over and over? Feel like you've dug a rut so deep you will never get out? I do. And a thought came to me.  Some time ago we started on a journey but instead of turning left, we kept going right. Slowly we ended up going right so many times that we started going in circles.  Not a big deal if we eventually realize it and turn left, but for me (and i'm sure for others) we stay on the circle so much that we no longer remember how to get out.  Every once in awhile we see the left turn to take us off the well worn path, but we pass it, for whatever reason. The crazy part is we will tell others (or just ourselves) that we can't get off the path or that we don't know how.  But the truth is, we CAN and we DO know how. So, why don't we?  For me, its like i've been on this circle for so long my "want to" isn't strong enough to take me off the path.  I know God is my source and He can take me off the...

To Crave - to long   for;   want   greatly;   desire   eagerly; yearn for;  to have a strong or inward desire We crave lots of things, some healthy, some not so much.  Recently the church I attend did a series on Crave.  Then, the women's group started up a bible study based on the book "Made to Crave."  Both the book and the message series spoke about the truth that we were created to want things.  Of course, over time and with the advancement of technology and the ease of fast food, LOTS of the things we "crave" hurt us in the end.  Today, our pastor laid it out there-Could it be that we crave simply what 'we' want instead of what is best?  I personally don't even have to think about the answer, for me it is a definite yes.   Over the years, I have desired to do what's best, eat better, exercise more, just do better.  I have learned, however, that my habits were established long before I had issues with weight...

I have a problem staying organized and keeping up with housework.  I'm not looking for spot free, dust free, dirt free, everything in it's place.  But, I would like a little more order.  My biggest issue is that I can never seem to finish.  Like, I'll start in one room, mess up another and then never finish either.  Then there's the garage.  I finally was getting close to being able to make it usable, but never finished.  Now it's packed again.  Funny thing is, there really was a time nothing was in it except a car.  The not so funny thing is it gets overwhelming and I find myself spinning in circles.  I can SO see how people become hoarders...

I am pretty sure this one will offend some, but I really believe it needs to be said.  Time and time again I read comments about how amazing the power of it is.  I realized that pretty much the only time I hear about how amazing prayer is is AFTER prayer has been answered the way we want it to be - Got the job! Healed! Found a new home! Married! Safe travels!  - fill in your "answer" to prayer.  How often do we hear about how great the power of prayer is when the answer isn't what we want?  God's answer to prayer is ALWAYS amazing! No matter how He chooses to answer! I have prayed for people to be healed only to see them die or continue to suffer.  I have prayed for marriages only to watch them stay the same or crumble in divorce.  I have prayed for finances, organization, families, prosperity, for people to fall in love with Jesus and many other things only for my prayers to be answered, well with a "no" or a "wait."  Does that change the aweso...