@ ? ! & %

I mean no reference to profanity. It is... a lack of words. I feel some strange sense of obligation to this blog. I'm struggling with thoughts about soul transparency, and thoughts of over-exposure. I read one blogger's writings yesterday about how they do not ever talk about their blog. Because it blurs real life. Then I realized how annoying I probably appear that I talk about mine. Then I read a book last night about how EVERYONE is weird, and we all pretend that there is a level of normalcy that we are desperate to achieve.

So... maybe I am weird that I want people to read this blog, maybe I'm even more weird that I want people to comment, maybe I'm the weirdest person you will ever meet because secretly, I want you to start a blog so that I can comment on you too.

So, here are my thoughts:

1) I want you to read this thing.
2) If you disagree, tell me. Then I can get mad because you don't think that I am profound and deep, and thus challenge my perceptions, etc, and I'll blog about it the next time around.
3) I like comments. I like comments anywhere... here, phone calls, text msgs, email, myspace, facebook, in person. I'm an equal opportunity lover of comments.
4) I assume that if you don't comment then: a) you think I'm an idiot, b) you're too busy, or c) you're just lazy
5) I am fully aware that these presumptions are ridiculous, but to think that I would think otherwise is presumptuous that I am always rational; ergo, you don't know me at all.
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On to other things... Mr. Phil Stacey is officially a part of the top 12 American Idol contestants. When he cried last night, I cried. I'm so excited for him. I sent out a mass email to people several weeks ago asking them to vote for him! Phil is truly talented, and while he's not done the best, I can't imagine the pressure I would feel standing in front of a few thousand people, and knowing that several Million televisions were on me too. My voice would probably crack a few times too. I would be "pitchy". (I am so tired of hearing Randy say this, that I want to "pitch" him too.) Paula would probably tell me how incredible I look, simply to avoid saying "Honey, can't you do anything else?". Simon no doubt would be critical and tell me that hiding behind my purple contacts doesn't help my singing, and that I'm "awful", "horrendous", or "the worst hotel-lounge act" he's ever seen. And I would cry (because I'm me!), and try to have some witty comeback. ... I've totally veered off topic... Anyway... keep voting for Phil. I'm amazed to see God working through this. He will use anything. Even Simon Cowell to get Glory. God is not respecter of persons.

03.08.2007

"I have held many things in my hand, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess." Martin Luther

Thankful Tuesday

Things I am thankful for:

• grace
• mercy
• Love
• Flavored water so that Lent is easier.
• Good books
• hugs
• photographs
• being understood
• My family
• the spiritual heritage that my grandparents formed
• My roommate J.
• my king-size pillow
• funny cards
• little notes
• good hair days
• the fact that I like my hands
• bible studies that feed my soul
• COMMENTS
• biblegateway.com -- without I would not be able to so easily look up every possible translation of a scripture
• warm afternoons
• snow in winter!!
• fitting into the first pair of Jeans I try on
• my really good job
• co-workers that I care about and who bless my life
• God's provision for my husband :)
• My best friend L.
• history with people, so that you can pick up a conversation even when you haven't seen them in a while
• Salvation (I just wanna shout!)
• Being forgiven
• good P&W songs (I'm into Rita Springer right now... awesome!)
• Clinique -- (actually other people should be thankful that I use it!) :)
• getting to sleep in
• daylight savings time changing so that it's not SO Dark SO early
• My big blue bible
• journals
• two cell phones -- everybody thought it was excessive, but it is a blessing!
• The Holy Spirit moving in my life so "loudly" these last six months
• that God knows what I need, and loves me enough to not let me have what I think I want
• Babies... good gravy all the babies!
• being able to travel to NYC and stay for free... :)
• my entire college experience
• friends who know me well enough to ask what's wrong and know when I'm not being honest, and pressing on anyway
• all those faceless bloggers who have encouraged me with their words
• Good quotes
• Scripture -- the Word IS Alive -- living and powerful
• Cute shoes
• Freedom
• Hawaii
• David Caruso -- (y'all didn't think he was going to be left off this list, did you?)
• green and pink pens
• The person who invented hair color, specifically, the founder of Clairol. (I am deeply indebted to you.)
• text messages when I need them.
• snail mail
• anything lavendar and vanilla
• Provision
• faith -- that I have something to believe in
• Healing power
• prayers that pierce and penetrate the Throneroom of God
• Coca-Cola and Dr. Pepper
• a desire to be organized
• new sheets
• emailed devotions that are EXACTLY what I needed to hear/read TODAY
• **(updated) Family Feud, and my friend A. who would be my first choice to go on the show.

I think that hits the high points. Today is just one of those things where I want to remember what I'm thankful for, and how blessed I am. You should do the same. Write them down, so that you can read them.

"I said to the Lord, "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing." " Psalm 16:2

National Vocabulary Championship

I am fifteen years too late for this, but I am thrilled to know that it exists.

Actuately descry it at WinwithWords.com

Grace like Butter in Action

This weekend, was interesting, well, as all my weekends are interesting.

I received a phone call Friday morning that scared me. It shook me up. It rocked my proverbial boat.

I hate being vague, I can tell you that the situation is resolved, and God moved. GOD MOVED! Crazy!!! I got to see Grace like Butter. It's so thick that you can't escape it. It permeated every part of my heart and every part of the situation. God spread Grace like butter in my life.

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Last night, I went to a birthday dinner for my friend K. We had such a good time!! :) I'm including a picture from last night, because the ONE guy in the middle, definitely looks like a lucky man, doesn't he?

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I have another friend who is struggling with a very serious situation that is out of (their) hands. Listening to them, my heart is broken for lack of faith in believing that other people can stand in the gap and be an intercessor. I am struggling with what to say to this person, because I feel like my words fall on deaf ears. And I'm not sure what to do but pray about it. I have come to realize, hardcore in these last six months, that I have nothing else to stand on but God. I mean, nothing else. Things have been torn out from underneath, and all that is left is God Almighty. He is everything. God is God, sovereign, good, loving, but still God. Sometimes, we go through trails because God is testing our faith. He never tests us beyond the strength that He has given us to endure the journey. And on the flipside, we are able to see that the journey was necessary for growth. Like the simple fact, you can't get to the top of the mountain without climbing it. You must endure the climb, the steepness, the change in air pressure, in order to see the fullness and glory at the top. The journey back down to where you began is no less important. A climber will tell you it can be just as dangerous, because of the euphoria you feel at the top. Life is full of mountain-top moments where we can clearly see Him. But He loves the journey with us, because we are pressing on for a purpose... we are pressing on for a goal.

God is the God of the journey for me. Just ask me. (Okay, you don't really have to ask, because I am notorious for just offering info.) He is The Almighty of the greatest adventure. He is the God of Love. (Do you remember falling in love? It's a journey... ups, downs, valleys, pitfalls, and wonderful euphoric top-of-the-mountain moments.)

He is my Good God of the Journey, and I don't want to know what I would be without Him.

Grace like _______

I've heard that statement a thousand times finished with the word Rain. I've even sung that song.

Today, I was trying to figure out a title that was more appropriate to my situation and all I can come up with is "Grace like butter". That's right butter. Thick, immovable, hard to wash off your hands. It saturates everything it touches. When it's cold, it's kinda sticky and thick. When it's warm, it oozes into any place it can. That's my kinda grace. Grace like good 'ole fashioned butter. Not the whipped kind either. Grace that spreads. Grace that coats. Grace that fills.

This past week, I have been inundated with friends who have called me discouraged. It breaks my heart. I know it grieves the Holy Spirit as well, to watch the children of God in emotional distress. Last night, during prayer requests, I asked for God to give me the right words of encouragement, so I can say to those people exactly what God wants me to say.

All I can say is Grace. I need God's grace, and my friends do too.

But I know this: "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."" 2 Corinthians 12:9

God's grace IS sufficient, and it is more than enough for us.

We just need Grace like Butter.

Holy Cow it's March!

I can't believe it's March!! That's crazy!

Yesterday, I looked up the cost of one-way airline tickets to Hawaii.

And my heart lept. :)

(Was anyone aware that one-way tickets are $800.00, but round trips are only $1000.00? That seems stupid to me!)

Either way... it's all still very exciting.

My favorite holiday is coming up. I decided to sport the color today for good measure. :) (And can I just say that my new phone takes a better picture than any camera phone I've ever seen?) CRAZINESS!!