Shine Today

New prayer request, just stuff.  What will people think when they read that?  Will anyone ask?  Lost connection, weary, ready for better things, ready for...life.

The ONLY reason light doesn’t shine in darkness is because the light was turned off. “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” ‘When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."’  “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”  “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.”   LIVE AS THE LIGHT!  It is IMPOSSIBLE for it to be dark if your light is on!

I don't want to approach 2013 saying "I hope it's a better year than..." because in my opinion it sets me up to fail.  And worse, what if at the end of 2013 I don't think it was better?  I want to approach 2013 focusing on what was GOOD about the past and pressing on through the trials and difficulties that I am in right now.  I want to approach 2013 with an outlook that I will not just "get through" the year, but that I will make it through because of something greater then anything out there; because of someone greater than me.  I don’t want to just make it through and say “whew, another year, hope 2014 is better.”  I don’t want to miss what lies ahead of me.  I don’t want to breeze past every day like it doesn’t matter.  These words from a song say it better then I ever could “I want to take Your Word and shine it all around. First help me just to live it Lord.  And when I'm doing well, help me to never seek a crown.  For my reward is ...

I recycle.  Only I don't turn the cans and plastics in.  I give them to a gal who goes through my neighborhood looking for cans and plastic.  I'm not sure how long ago it started, but one morning when she came I gave her a few bags of the cans we had.  She was so grateful! She thanked me over and over.  I did it again and soon decided that i would give her our cans all the time.  Sometimes it isn't very much, but sometimes its a large can full.  She tells me i'm good people.  Yet each time she walks away, i'm the one in tears.  i'm the one thinking it isn't right, that i need to do more.  She never expects me to bring them out and sometimes I have missed her.  Yesterday she came by, I stood in my window and held out a finger to tell her hold on. She thanks me like I'm giving her a thousand dollars each time.  This time she took my hand as she said thanks.  Her hand is very cold.  She is always happy when I come out,...

I've been homeschooling for 11 years now.  Actually just into year 12.  And, I still cannot figure out how to "teach."  Such an easy word when you look at it.  - impart   knowledge   or   skill   to;   give   instruction   to-   Yet time and time again, I impart knowledge, I give instruction and my kids stare at me like I said nothing.  Time and time again, when I finish teaching and leave them to finish, I hear "I need help" or end up marking several wrong.  This is where I can have a melt down, start to get frustrated.  Why?  Because I really believe I'm supposed to finish schooling my youngest at home.  And this is where I begin to question myself, " am I really?? "  It seems that no matter what, there are times I just cannot make the way I know how to do something come out in a way that gets the person I'm teaching the ability to understand.  4 kids. a classroom of kids.  various ages...

Life Think of life like a baseball game. You win some games, you loose some games. You'll hit the ball and miss it more.  When life throws a fast ball at you just watch it go by that way you'll be ready to hit it next time. When life throws a curve ball at you, wait and judge where the ball will go and then swing away while you watch it come to you next time. You won't always hit a curve but when you do, you'll feel amazed that you hit that ball out of your way. In the life/game of baseball we all have a coach that helps us get better. At 1st he tells us a few things about how to live this life, but then, in order to get better we need to go to him so that he can teach us more and more-ask for tips, direction and help. He waits for us to come to him but it's our choice to go and seek his wisdom. Now compare life to football, the defensive side will be doing whatever they can to keep you from breaking that line, your coach does his best to help you break that...

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...