Shine Today

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...

Today's message was led by our youth.  Got me thinking.  A comment made stated that those born in the late 80's to late 90's desire to be a part of something big.  I've taught some of these kids.  I've shared the gospel, taught about the way we should live, spoken to them about planting seeds, shared bible stories, shared stories of martyrs, and so much more.  Yet, right in the middle of today's message, I asked myself "where are they now?"  This led to the following... Where are they? Did we do enough, did I? How many young people sat through chapel, youth, main service, heard the truth about Jesus, even committed their life to Christ, only to walk away?  I look back and think about all the young adults who have walked through my life.  I think about some of the messages I taught to so many of them.  I remember what some of them said they wanted to do.  I had really great talks with so many, but my heart breaks as I consider where the...

So, I read a blog today about limits (you can find it here http://leadingandlovingit.com/ ).  It got me thinking.  There are things I really want to do but just can't seem to find the time to get serious about it (like this blog & photography).  I realize I am a mom (who also happens to homeschool) and I can't just leave my youngest at home by herself, but that's not the point (that's just a good excuse).  What really caught my attention is the simple truth - we all have limits.  And we need limits in order to function at 100% at the things we do.  It's just, how do you figure out what to say no to and what to say yes to? I have seen people do it.  No, I am not comparing myself, just stating a fact.  I am not looking to be superwoman, just a woman who can run her household efficiently.  I wouldn't mind de-cluttering a bit more too.  And, I want to finish.  Not just start in one room or one corner at a time. I've been ther...

I have come to realize that most of my life has been just doing, just being.  For me, I never had to be told to do my homework, I just did it.  I didn't have to be told to get a job, I just did.  Lots of things, I just do.  Its been this way since I was little.  By the time I first learned how to tie my own shoes, I did it, no help, even if it took 30 minutes to get them tied, I did it (my mom tried to help, but I always said I can do it).  Even when it came to teaching my kids how to do math, I can show them all the ways to solve a problem, but learned that I was just doing it, not really teaching it.  This comes in to play in several areas of my life.  The problem is that there are times I need to have an answer as to HOW I do it or WHY I do it.  Or, better yet, to show someone else how or why to do something.  But, my words rarely seem to come out right.  When this happens, I watch the response of the one I am trying to explain...