Mommy Moment

Day 120:  I woke up about 20 minutes late this am, but I determined long ago that regardless of when I got up, I needed to start my day with prayer and devotion time. As I was wrapping up my reading my son came down the stairs. He came in wrapped in his blanket, plopped down and leaned against me. Immediately I knew I wasn't going anywhere until he decided to get up. He's getting so big that its not often I get time to sit and hug my boy.

I ended up getting into work a little later then normal, but it was so worth it!

Please, God, bless!

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward." Ps 127:3 ESV

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.

BIG Table

Day 119:  Road trip! Today a friend and I dragged our kids out on a short road trip. We went to this cool little restaurant that had a pretty eclectic menu. The theme there is picnic style, so salads and sandwiches were the courses.

We walk in, and there is a GIANT picnic table. I'm not kidding, this thing was HUGE, at least 5.5 ft high! The kids of course gravitated right to it.  It was fun for us adults, too. I felt like a little kid at a grown up table. Definitely a perspective change, and I wondered how on earth did I ever eat at a too big table when I was little?

Sometimes I think we all need a similar perspective check in our lives. In reality, I am small, and God is BIG. He is bigger than me, my problems, my joys, my work, my finances, my family....He is BIGGER. I love the last few chapters of Job where God takes him to task, and questions him. God set the earth in motion. God bounded the seas. God knows when the animals give birth, and hunger. If you haven't read it, you should, especially when you need a reminder of God's HUGENESS.

The best part of all is that I am small, even despised in the world's eyes. But in God's eyes, I am special, and I can't forget that. The perspective of a child--it doesn't mean naivety...it means simple faith; reaching out to the Father for love, comfort, and help; and remembering that I am small, and He is Big.

So next time your feet don't touch the floor, take it as a reminder that God is BIGGER and we are smaller.

Please, God, bless!

"I am small and despised,

Yet I do not forget Your precepts."  Ps 119:141 ESV

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.

Superbowl Bound

Luke Wilson celebrates a 2 point conversion

Day 118: What a crazy game! The Packers and Seahawks faced off in the NFC playoffs, and it was just insane! The first half of the game was a comedy of errors, so many interceptions, fumbles, and just plan goofiness. Seattle looked pretty bad.  But then it was halftime.....

Seattle fought their way back, and took the lead. Then the Packers fought to stay in the game and tied it up for overtime. And then..... Seattle scored in overtime, and it was over.

Today in church our Pastor talked about Abraham and his faith, and talked about 5 lessons we can learn from his story. Ironically, I think the Seattle game kind of mimicked his sermon.

• Faith grows gradually--Sometimes we get too comfortable where we are at, and we settle.  Seattle won the home field advantage 
• Faith steps out--Seattle can't sit on its laurels-they head out onto the field, still believing they are guaranteed the win
• Faith faces obstacles--The game was definitely an obstacle, and a battle
• Faith leads to reassurance--Even though the Seahawks were down, they kept the faith and pushed through the obstacles
• Faith proclaims God--OK, so the Seahawks didn't exactly attribute their win to God, but we all know God knows the beginning to the end, and we know all skills are gifted by Him.  And of course, all things happen for God's glory.  So, even though I'm not necessarily a Seahawks fan, I will proclaim His glory!

Please, God, bless!

"By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going."  Heb 11:8 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

Crab Chowder

Day 117:  When I am not coming home tired from work, I enjoy cooking dinner.  Today I tried something new, corn and crab chowder. Making it was easy...except it seems I didn't have the Old Bay seasoning--so I had to make my own. And, I didn't realize we used all the corn.  Fortunately, I had an extra cup of crab meat (thanks to Costco's supersize container), so instead of corn and crab chowder, it was just crab chowder. While I didn't have the exact ingredients, in the end, it came out really good (I think so, anyways), and it was super easy.

It's kind of weird how what is a chore in some circumstances can be joyful in another. Its the same with cleaning. I like to clean and organize when I have the time to do it, but when I don't, its overwhelming. Maybe it is all just a matter of perspective.

When I didn't have the right ingredients, I just shrugged it off, and substituted with what I had on hand. If I substituted a Godly perspective vice a worldly perspective on things, I think that goes a long way in having all I need to do good things.

Please, God, bless!

"Besides, God is able to make every blessing of yours overflow for you, so that in every situation you will always have all you need for any good work." 2 Co 9:8 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

Stereo of Days Gone By

Day 116:  As I was organizing some things in my son's room, I plugged in the radio we had bought him some time ago that he used to use for his CDs.  It was stuffed in the corner and dusty, so I cleaned it off, connected a cable so he could plug in his phone and pump his iHeart into its speakers.

Times have changed.  I thought of my first major purchase as a kid.  I saved up over $100 to buy myself a stereo.  It was silver, with cool, light blue accents.  It had a turntable, dual cassette player, radio and an 8 track, and two boxy speakers.  Times have certainly changed...

I find that things are so very different now than when I was younger.  I'm sure every generation feels that way, but technology has drastically changed our society so much so that information is instant, opinions are unfiltered and rampant, and 5 minutes of fame is cheap.

Some days I find myself longing for days gone by, thinking things were better then, simpler.  Maybe they were, maybe they were my rose-colored glasses.

The Bible tells us that asking why things were so much better before is not wise.  I guess I see the point.  Its fun to reminisce, but yearning for times gone by is a habit of fools. We can't relive the past, and we are progressing-arguably faster-towards the culmination of times.  My focus should be on the here and now, the day that God has given me, the gift of another opportunity to live according to his will and purpose.

Please, God, bless!

    "Never ask “Why does the past seem so much better than now?”
      because this question does not come from wisdom." Ec 7:10 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

Why Grass?

Day 115:  I tend to be a details person. I suppose that's the project manager in me. I don't know about anyone else, but I think its the details that show care and attention, an addition of that something extra.

Because of this it can take me forever to read in my Bible. I'm not kidding! I happen to believe that every...single...detail... in the Bible is in there by design, for a purpose, to add something extra. I'm constantly stopping as I read and saying to myself, "Why is that there?" "Why is this phrased that way?" "What is the point of mentioning this?" You get the idea...

So, this evening I am reading and I stop here...

 "Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was plenty of grass in that area, so they sat down, numbering about 5,000 men." Jn 6:10 ISV

And in my typical fashion, I pause..., Why do we care if there was plenty of grass? What difference does it make if they sat on soil, dust, clay, rocks a road, or grass? Why not just say, "Have the people sit down....There were about 5k people?" It seems like a trivial thing, but this same detail is mentioned by not only John, but Matthew, Mark!

So, I stopped.                      

I pondered.

                                             And I began to study grass.

The Hebrew word used for grass is dese and is first used in Gen 1:11 when God made vegetation on the third day. The word is used about 50 times and is indicative of new grass, after a fresh rain.  God made the grass to feed the animals. Grass is lush; lack of grass is devastation, desert, barrenness.

I suppose John could have just said, "Have them sit down, there were a lot of them."  But by adding that detail of the grass, not only does it conjure up the image we get from Psalm 23-God's care for his sheep, providing a lush, comfortable place to rest.  But notice, there is a LOT of grass, more than enough grass for the many people to plop on.  He provides in abundance.  The grass is tender and fresh, like after a new rain-therefore its soft and pliable, not hard and scratchy. It is comfortable to rest on.  And, have you ever waited for a few rainy days to mow your lawn?  The grass multiplies exponentially and grows like crazy!  After the life-giving waters, there is growth.

Yeah, I think I get why the grass is an important detail.  I hope you do, too!  May we never look at grass the same!

Please, God, bless!

 "Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number." Jn 6:10 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

Work Out, Worn Out

Day 114: I'm on week 3 of 8 for this workout series that my dear hubby bought as a "family" gift for Christmas.  It seems I'm the only "family" member inclined to use it.

I've been good about doing it, but geez....its tough.  I really hate those jumping things.  You know what I mean--the mountain climbers, the jumping from a squat, high into the air and back down to a squat, skip lunges, etc.  Today we had to do a series of a push ups and then jumping up to a surfing position.  This workout alternates between the jumping things, and the floor things, like crazy sit ups, planks, kicks and crunches.

By the time its done, I'm wiped out and I'm lucky if I can get up off of the floor.  It's a good thing it's only 30 minutes--that's why I like it.  Most of the workouts I have are at least an hour and I don't have an hour in the am.  I have 30 min.  So, its working out (haha--pun intended!) and wearing me out!

I saw the verse below and I couldn't resist!

Please, God, bless!

"You know when I sit down and when I rise up..."  Ps 139:2a NASB

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

Smiling Llama

Day 113:  I am usually in a pretty good mood at the office.  Today I had a frustrating discussion with some folks-it was pretty disappointing.  It definitely impacted my mood.  At that point it really is a willful act to change my attitude and get back to a genuine smile. Being grumpy just makes everything harder!

I have learned something over the course of time...for me at least, if I force myself to smile when I don't feel like it, people respond differently, and it isn't too long after that my mood changes back to being pretty darn glad.  At least with the daily annoyances it seems to be helpful.  Try it some time when you are on the phone.  If you smile when you talk, you somehow sound happier.

I saw a pic of this silly little smiling llama and thought, how fun.  It made me smile.  Did it make you smile?  You see, a smile can be contagious, and your smile definitely can impact your mood as well as others!

Please, God, bless!

"A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22 ESV

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

Waiting

Day 112:  Waiting.....we all hate it.  Especially if you've been waiting for something a really, really, long time.  It could be anything--waiting for a line at the DMV or supermarket, a meeting to end, surgery to start, a package, a friend to pick you up, a sickness to pass, grief to end.  It could be something pleasant, like gifts on Christmas morning, a wedding day, first day in a new job....you get the idea.

Like everyone else, waiting is not my thing.  But, it is an essential part of life...and our faith.  Often times God will give us a Word or a Promise, and we may not see any movement for years--just look at Abraham as he waited for his promised son to be born!  Sometimes we are in distress and we are just waiting to get to the other side of it--can you imagine how Moses felt wandering in circles for 40yrs?  Maybe it seems like senseless waiting--traffic, lines, automated customer service lines.

In all of our waiting, God is there with us. I may not know what the Lord is trying to accomplish with my waiting, but staying focused on Him is the only way I can get through it sometimes.  Praying while waiting is always a good response.  It helps me keep the right perspective, and reminds me to trust that God has it all under control.

Please, God, bless!

    "How long, LORD, will I wait expectantly?
      I have placed my hope in you." Ps 39:7 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

Praying for the Persecuted

Day 111:  My husband was watching "Pitbulls and Parolees" and there was a horrid story about a dog who had been adopted, and then turned up in a shelter some time later. When the rescue center picked up the dog they had adopted out some time ago, it was clear she had been abused. She hadn't been fed, she was lethargic, and her collar was so tight it had to be cut off. It was so sad, and of course there were lots of tears on the show, as well as anger with the owners.

Today at church we heard an excellent message about a prescription for spiritual passion. In one part of the message Pastor Val talked about some statistics he had seen regarding the persecution of Christians doubling from 2013 to 2014 in the world, North Korea and Nigeria leading the way.

As I was looking over my notes from the service, and pondering these facts, I wondered, why is it that we are so easily moved to anger, sadness, and tears for a dog but yet each day we read about innocent people being abused, tortured and killed for their faith and we turn our heads and easily move on to the next thing?

Please don't get me wrong. I myself and moved to tears when I see dogs abused.  I think its wrong and evil. But for the sake of comparison, an innocent child, mother, sister, brother, son, father, daughter--when these human lives are persecuted and their stories told, I see less tears, few actions, and very little outrage.

My only point in this quick little doodle is to inject a dose of reality-that people are dying every day for their faith. In the comfort of our homes, with far less risk of death for believing in Jesus, it is very easy to become complacent to the persecution of the brethren, and selective about the things we shed our tears for. Sadly, I admit my guilt in this area.

As I enter 2015, I am moved to pray more fervently for these believers, for their strength, protection, comfort, and rest. Make no mistake, evil that cannot be understood or fathomed is in the world. We ourselves may not at this time be at risk of abuse, torture, imprisonment, or death because we believe in Jesus...but there are no guarantees that will always be the case.

And when it is not, I am certain we would hope that the body of Christ are in tears as they pray for us.

Please, God, bless!

"Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body". Heb 13:3 ESV

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