Crazy Noodle Soup!

Day 8:  Have you ever had the feeling that nobody is listening?

These days it seems like people ask questions, but don't want the right answers. It's kind of like asking the plumber how to fix the sink, and then telling him he doesn't know what he's talking about--cardboard pipes should work just fine!

I was having this conversation with a pal at work, and I made the comment that we are all just noodles in a soup of crazy! And as my visual thinking would have it, this is kind of what came to mind!

The fact is, sometimes people would rather have the argument than the right answer. Some days I'm not sure how to respond. If I'm at work and a superior says pink when I know its blue, I have a hard time saying, "You're right!"  That's not my nature!  But as pink seems to be the new blue any more, it's almost easier not to say anything than to provide a true response.  I think the tricky part is to do this while being gracious yet not veering from REAL Truth.

I am always amazed at how current the Word can be.  More often then not people just want to hear what they want to hear, regardless of what's right.

Please, God, bless!

"You’re going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food—catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They’ll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. But you—keep your eye on what you’re doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God’s servant." Ti 4:3 MSG

Inspired by "365: A Daily Creativity Journal: Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life!" I decided I should be more conscientious of my creative side. I chose to modify this one year challenge (9/23/14-9/24/15) to create something each day that would also force me to focus my perspective on a Godly world-view.  

Protection from the Venom of Human Opinion

Day 7:  When I'm not sure what to review for my morning reading, my go-to is Proverbs, usually the chapter aligned to the day of the month.

When I read the news, a blog, or even a recipe I sometimes make the mistake of browsing through the comments.  While the Internet provides many advantages, one of the obvious downsides is that quite often one's opinions are spewed like venom without conscience or filter. Maybe its easy to be obnoxious, insulting, and downright nasty in a one way conversation with some level of anonymity.  So much for civil discourse.

Communication of this nature certainly should make one think before posting any thought online. That being said, this fact should not serve as an excuse to shy away from Truth.  Stand strong in Truth.  Just make sure you're using the right plumb line.

Please, God, bless!

"The fear of human opinion disables.  Trusting in God protects you from that."  Prov 29:25 MSG

Inspired by "365: A Daily Creativity Journal: Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life!" I decided I should be more conscientious of my creative side. I chose to modify this one year challenge (9/23/14-9/24/15) to create something each day that would also force me to focus my perspective on a Godly world-view.  

Busy Like an Ant!

Day 6:  I had a slow start this am, and because of me we ended up missing church.  But, once I got going, I got GOING!  I think I did all but one thing on my checklist.  I made tortillas for Tuesday's quesadillas, lunches for tomorrow, corn bread for the chili tonight, and got stuff ready for the yard sale.  Throw in a good workout and end the day with doing nails, and a nice cup of tea.  (Sorry, my doodle wasn't allotted much time today.)

What I did NOT do was sit my butt on the couch with my laptop.  I realized that even with good intent, its too easy to get sucked in checking the news, recipes, and of course Pinterest.

Sometimes I think its easy to get sucked into our business.  But it is equally as easy to get sucked into doing nothing really worthwhile.

I like my relax time like the next person, however, I think I will keep a clock on my "clicking-time" to make sure I'm not frittering my time away.

"Go to the ant, you lazy man!Observe its ways and become wise. It...prepares its provisions in the summer and gathers its food in the harvest."  Proverbs 6:6-8 ISV

Inspired by "365: A Daily Creativity Journal: Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life!" I decided I should be more conscientious of my creative side. I chose to modify this one year challenge (9/23/14-9/24/15) to create something each day that would also force me to focus my perspective on a Godly world-view.  

An Artist at Work

Day 5: Its been a busy day.  But, I do appreciate this challenge to create something each day.  It
makes me stop, take a breath, and focus if only for a few minutes.

I'm not sure what prompted this little doodle, but it was a really quick one.  I don't know why, but I thought it was kind of funny, seeing the "artist" at work.

I think if we look hard enough, we can see God at work each day...and I think that is pretty amazing!

"But as for you, O LORD, you are our Father; and we are clay,and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hands."  Is 64:8  ISV

Inspired by "365: A Daily Creativity Journal: Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life!" I decided I should be more conscientious of my creative side. I chose to modify this one year challenge (9/23/14-9/24/15) to create something each day that would also force me to focus my perspective on a Godly world-view.  

Trust Fall!

Day 4:  I was talking with a dear gal pal over breakfast this am and the discussion turned to living on less money.  Its a scary prospect-losing control over our ability to provide. If we were called to live on less, could we do it?

Its easy to get comfy with our stuff. Its just as easy to fall into the trap of thinking we need more stuff; like a kind of grown up security blanket.

It comes down to a matter of trust.

So, if God called us to such a situation, where would I entrust my security?  In my stuff or in God to provide what I need?

It's kind of like a trust fall--and I know for certain where my True Security lies.  

"So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them." Matt 6:31-32  ISV

Inspired by "365: A Daily Creativity Journal: Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life!" I decided I should be more conscientious of my creative side. I chose to modify this one year challenge (9/23/14-9/24/15) to create something each day that would also force me to focus my perspective on a Godly world-view.  

Blood on the Flowers

The striped squill is a flower native to Iraq.

DAY 3:  I had no idea what I was going to draw today.  I was thinking through my day trying to pinpoint what needed a healthy dose of perspective as I sat down and pulled out my laptop.

"Islamic State killed human rights lawyer in Iraq, U.N. says"

This story, and ones like it in the news EVERY DAY--the persecution of Christians, beheading of journalists, kidnapping and rape of children--jar me to a reality that is so evil, so revolting, and so depraved.   Atrocities are being recorded and broadcast all over the world.  The world collectively shudders, but then seems to yawn and switch to a more uplifting or interesting story.  Instead of outrage leading to action, the world numbs until something more vile causes a momentary awakening.

My perspective check today leads me to grieve for those suffering at the hands of such blatant wickedness.  Today I pray that I will never cease to be sickened by such actions;  I pray that I will not become complacent;  I pray against such evil and for those suffering at the hands of such monsters;  I pray the Lord comes soon.

Please, God, bless!

“Then they’ll hand you over to suffer and will kill you, and you’ll be hated by all the nations on account of my name."  Matt 24:9 ISV

Inspired by "365: A Daily Creativity Journal: Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life!" I decided I should be more conscientious of my creative side. I chose to modify this one year challenge (9/23/14-9/24/15) to create something each day that would also force me to focus my perspective on a Godly world-view.  

'Tis the Seasons--Happy Rosh Hoshanah!

DAY 2:   Happy Rosh Hoshanah to all who celebrate this blessed holiday!

Jewish tradition has it that the Adam and Eve were created on this day.  The birth of the FIRST man--its intriguing to me!  I have been blessed by the Jewish Holidays as a Christian in many ways.  In regards to this holiday-also known as the Feast of Trumpets-one thing I can't help but think about is how it is always celebrated in the Autumn'ish time-frame.

If you think about it, its yet another glimpse of the gospel.  Most people tend to think of life to death--new birth to dying.  We think of our seasons from Spring-new life, to Summer-the prime of life.  We then go into our Autumn, where we start to degrade, and then our Winter, where we give our last breath.

A Christian should have the perspective that aligns more like the seasons, ordered according to a Jewish Year.  We begin in Autumn--born into sin, and it isn't until Winter--when we die to our prior selves that we begin Spring--our new life in Christ.  As we mature we produce fruit in Summer--the prime of our spiritual lives.

Please, God, Bless!

"Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds."  John 12:24  ISV

Inspired by "365: A Daily Creativity Journal: Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life!" I decided I should be more conscientious of my creative side. I chose to modify this one year challenge (9/23/14-9/24/15) to create something each day that would also force me to focus my perspective on a Godly world-view.  

Am I Really Here for "...Such a Time as This?"

DAY 1:  Inspired by "365: A Daily Creativity Journal: Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life!" I decided I should be more conscientious of my creative side.  While I may not be as diligent to make my daily quota, I figure it can't hurt to give it a go.

So, here is my "Perspective Doodle" for the day.  Did you ever have one of those days when you wonder why on earth you are where you are?

Its one thing to know that God is in complete control, and has you placed right where you need to be--right now--right here.  But living it every day can be EXTREMELY challenging.

Trying to reconcile what I think is value-added--helping resolve problems, being productive, providing expertise--and the frustration in not being able to see any real results is exhausting, and certainly disheartening.

This perspective check is to continually recognize that truly God can change circumstances and does so in perfect timing.  Joseph, a skilled ruler and administrator was relegated at one point to work in prison, and for quite a long time.  Yet in perfect timing he was moved along to a place where he could save nations!

So, as difficult as it is to wake up sometimes, knowing my input may fall on deaf ears, and may not even be welcome, I have to believe that this work which seemingly leads to nowhere has a greater purpose.

Please, God, bless!

"And who knows but that you have come to your ...position for such a time as this?"  Est 4:14

Inspired by "365: A Daily Creativity Journal: Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life!" I decided I should be more conscientious of my creative side. I chose to modify this one year challenge (9/23/14-9/24/15) to create something each day that would also force me to focus my perspective on a Godly world-view.