Almost Gone. No, make that Almost Here!

It's almost the New Year! Only three more days to get it right in '07!

Gosh, so much to think about. What to do, what not to do…

I'm thinking that 2007 was a fairly prosperous personal growing year as I approach a crossroads with myself. However, I am seeing the coming days to be a more directed growing season. Kind of like when you put a stake behind a rose bush to point it's new shoots up and over an archway. I like that.

Too many years of not growing was really starting to wear me down. Oh, there has been continual upward motion in areas of my life such as, work, finances, net worth... But is that all there is? I think not! Don’t misunderstand my point, it's good to progress in those area's. After all, that is the purpose of an occupation I guess. But what are we really occupied with? A job? NO THANKS! I do work of course, and for the most part enjoy doing so. But the purpose of a J O B is to make money so that we can spend that money on needs and wants. But why be occupied with this if it's only a means to an end? Why do we spend countless years caught up in the proverbial hamster wheel, going to work to get the check to pay the bills that support the wants of our twisted ideas of success? I do not want to do this anymore. I do not desire riches out the Wazoo so my neighbors will like me because of my "stuff". I do not want to look at the toys that reside across the street from me and rush to put on my working boots and leave those I love behind so that we too may HAVE, HAVE, HAVE.

This year, in 2008, I will commit to grow in a direction outside of myself. I'm not too sure where that will lead me. I have my ideas, but because I'm too stubborn and would hate to have to admit I thought I should go right when it was really left, I will spend more time to think n think…. Then I will pray for guidance and the courage to obey... After that, I think I should just wait in the quietness for God. I have noticed that when you quietly wait, he has a tendency to plant a stake in just the right place that will arch you toward the perfect blooming spot.

John 15:1
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener."

Pasted from <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2015;&version=31;>

Mary's Song

(Luke: Chapter One)

46And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord"
Definition of glorify: to give the highest praise.
When was the last time we gave the highest praise? No not praise... the HIGHEST praise. That would mean to give more praise to God than to our friends, our job, our money, our spouse, and even our own parents and children.

47"and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,"
Definition to rejoice: to feel joy, to show happiness.
Everyone's expression of happiness and joy is different. Whatever mode of expression you are blessed with... use it!


48"for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, "
Giving over to the calling of God shows humility to his wishes. Even the little things that we do for others are noticed by Him as a gift at his own feet. She was just a young girl but how humble her spirit must have been to be able to accept knowing she was the servant to God to bring the Christ into the world. wow......


49"for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name."
Definition to Mighty: Having or showing great power, skill, strength, or force: a mighty orator; a mighty blow. Imposing or awesome in size, degree, or extent: a mighty stone fortress.
How can one in today's society not call upon the awesomeness of what's behind this verse? It is a great thing to know that a stone fortress is our home in such an unsettled world. In him we need no other power. Our skill and strengths are hewn to perfection to conquer our enemy in Satan by just one mighty blow of the shear holiness of his name. I've always known it, but never really tried to wrap my mind around it too much until now. Woa... I've never felt so powerful in all my life as I do in these thoughts....

50"His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation."
Synonyms to Mercy: leniency, clemency, charity. These nouns mean humane and kind, sympathetic, or forgiving treatment. Mercy is compassionate forbearance.
Not many of us portray the gift of mercifulness, and expecially compassionate mercifulness! That's asking a lot! I can recall one person in all my years that I know without a doubt is blessed with this gift of naturally being merciful to all people. Thankfully he happened to have raised me. Otherwise I may not have bene here to write this blog! As I grow older and experience more I understand how "BIG" it is to grant mercy. It's not easy for me in a lot of instances. But the mercifness of God knows no boundrys. There's nothing we can do or could have done to waver his descision of saving each and every one of us from our own demise if only we shall accept the mercy. And to think Mary knew this before experiencing the life of Christ.

51"He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts."
I am thinking Mary is probably remembering all the stories told to her like how Joseph was sold as a slave because his brothers thoughts of him were jealousy, but in the end they were left desperate and surprised that they were calling upon the very one they once hated. It's interesting how we so often come back to what we once turned our back on. I have been scattered before as I'm sure most of us have. It's not a place of contentment, but it does show the powerfulness of God, and I suppose that in it we can find the mighty deed of this same arm that scattered us to be the one wrapping around our shoulder when we finally decide to turn back and bask in the blanket of his warm mercy.

52"He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble."
Definition to Humble: Not arrogant or prideful.
In this it is important to keep our spirit small in ourselves. Easier said than done! We can never be or acheive more than what the Almighty allows. Even Mary, in all the graces we give to her name today was JUST MARY. Had she not been, she would not have been the one chosen. That's a tough act to follow!

53"He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty."
Maybe Mary is speaking of her own hunger? But not physical hunger. Who knows what was in her heart in the days leading up to these days. I'm thinking it was probably being prepared by God to receive what was about to happen. The Christ could have been carried by any girl. But maybe only this one was hungry enough to receive. How hungry are we? What riches in this world are comparable to that of Christ? Not one.

It's funny how so much emphasis is placed on this small girl. But it amazes me everytime I read her words describing this coming event. It's also interesting to remember she is a child speaking to an adult. She is bold enough to speak her heart and the facts that she knows to be true. How often today Christians hesitate. If only we could all be as bold after the Life the Christ on earth as this child was BEFOR the life of Christ. Let us all remember to live in the lesson of Mary's Song.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

REMEMBER THE CHRIST!

Happy Birthday Sarah

So today is Sarah's birthday. The exact time was 9:18 a.m. She is a Monday's child. When she was born she weighed 7lbs, 6.5 oz and was 19" long. There was a bit of snow on the ground that morning and one of the coldest winters we had had in Alabama in several years. She was such a tiny little bundle. I remember that morning as I held her close to me realizing that no one but she and I could ever have that moment. No one. I remember whispering in her teeny little baby ear that no matter what happens in our lives I would never leave her.

Alot has happened in our lives since that day. Some bad, but mostly good. If I listed all the times here that she has brought sheer joy to me I would never be finished, so I will leave that to my own. I have questioned several times why the Lord blessed me with such a child as Sarah, but he did and I thank him every single day of her life for it!

I love you Sarah...

Here's to many many more wonderful years of life!

So, I Wonder What the Angels Thought...

So, I wonder what the angels thought. I mean there they had been for years upon years upon years knowing that they were pretty much "it", since the Adam and Eve blunder sorta blew it for the whole man made in His image idea. Then up out of the blue the Lord decideds to send "himself" to the world in the form of perfected flesh just to scoop what's left of us up from our woeful ways.

Hmmm... Had I been one of the multi-million army of God I think I may have wondered just what the heck is HE thinking! After all, they had their chance and were too selfish and greedy to keep out of trouble! (guess that's why I have no halo! haha)

But as far as I know, no angel took my approach. Instead, that one angel...what's his name... Gabriel was excited enough to clue in the public! I can see him now with his hand thrown high in the face of God asking to be the one to appear in the night to launch this far fetched scheme that the Almighty has up his sleeve! "And YOU... Ms. Mary, are the lucky winner of motherhood to the CHRIST!" Ok, I guess that's probably not exactly how it went, but you get the picture.

So, in pondering further I would venture to guess ole Gabriel, Michael and all their croanies were pretty relieved to know there was finally hope for the creation of all creations, mankind. But I'm sure there was a small part of their hearts that was a little confused and quite frankly sorta afraid of the unknown truth of the revelation of their High God. But being angels they all said yes, they will go befor the Christ.

But did they have any idea just how it was going to impact their celestial workforce? That's the part I'm thinking would be smart for God to have not shared right away. Afterall, now that we all have the option to see the truth, accept the truth and share the truth, their responsibilities just grew by an eternity! What was once hopeless and neverending death is now hopeful and everlasting life. That's a lot of upkeep for a long long time!

Plus, making that known and believable in this post-life of Jesus Christ world we live in is easier said than done.

But look around! They are everywhere! In the miracles of modern day medicines and technology that you see with your own eyes, there they are proclaiming The Christ. When a good thing has come from something bad in our society, there they are proclaiming The Christ. When you slam on your brakes in a sea of traffic to barely miss crashing into the vehicle in front of you, there they are proclaiming The Christ. In the tiny moments of life that leave you with a smile which only you understand, there they are... proclaiming The Christ.

I want to notice them more in the little things.. I want to be more like that. I want to be the one with my hand held in the face of God begging him to "pick me, pick me to tell the good news!"

So what do you think? Will He notice and choose me? For some reason... I think He will. And that's the part that makes me a little nervous.

Stay tuned......

So this is it?

So this is all there is to blogging? Wow! Cool. Think i like it so far. I've been thinking about this for a little while now, but i have given my husband such a hard time over the fact that he plasters his life out there for all the world to see that creating my own little posting spot is me eating a nice portion of poo..... (maybe that's what i should have named it..."me eating poo". lol)



I dont know, it may not last long as I am somewhat (ok... WAY MORE) reserved than others who live with me. Quite honestly I am thinking that jumping into my own blog may be a good outlet for me as well as allow me to understand others sponteniety of "sharing" more. Although i'm not too sure just when i'll have time for it. I know, i know... it's about making time.

But given that i have 175 days until my career change, I mean not that i'm actually counting those days down or anything... i figure now would be a good time to start sliding into some new habits. It would be too big of a stresser to jump into everything at one time, and being more expressive is one of my future 2008 "resolutions". Yes, i know resolutions only last for the month of January, but if i try hard, i'm thinking i should make it through March!



So... I'm sorry Jay... i hope this doesn't make you feel like throwing a fluffball at me! Afterall, i do realize i am blogging although i HATE for you to blog. That's pretty bold of me, huh. Somewhat of a double standard i guess and no longer a fair shot i can take, so just between us... you know how big this is dont you? :) i love you and trust you. We'll talk about this offline though since putting it here would only be sharing it with too many people. lol lol



For the rest of you? Well, just stay tuned. You never know, this may actually become a real thinking place for me and the percentage of my possible routine return could actually soar to something like 30% or greater! Which now that i "thinknthink" about it, leads me to expect you to run! I mean who in the world would be interested in my thoughts? YIKES!!! THAT'S SCAREY!!



HMMM..wonder if you could share artwork here? Guess i'll ask j.