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Saturday, January 31, 2009

What have we learned about ourselves?

On Monday we asked ourselves what was holding us back. On Tuesday we declaired I am......On Thursday we Stated our very own mission statement for the year and on Friday we looked at the things in our life that were mastering us. Today lets take a long hard look at all of these things and ask ourselves what ONE thing can I start doing today to be true to who I am and where I want to be in life.

Here is what I did. I started my day with a cup of coffee and my Bible in hand. I read a couple chapters, prayed and came to say hello to you. After I am finished posting the blog I am going to the gym to workout. I didn't want to do any of the things I am doing..but I did..because it was the ONE thing that would move me forward today to be the person I desire to be, to be the person God desires me to be. It would be really easy for me to just curl up under the covers (It is freezing here)..and let this morning slip away as I feel sorry for myself. It has been an especially difficult week. I am emotionally spent. I know enough to know the times I feel most like doing nothing are the times that require action on my part to move through the sadness..otherwise it will master me.

So tell me what is the ONE thing you will do today to be true to who you are and where you want to be in life?

Everyone that post will be entered into the drawing to be held on Sunday for LAYERS inspired collage for paper projects with meaning and a Beautiful Writing Journal. There will be two separate winners.

Friday, January 30, 2009

What is Mastering You?

It is true that we are a slave to whatever masters us in life. God created us to be free so we know that is not His will for us. Today we will search ourselves and our lives and become honest with ourselves about what is t that masters us. It could be emotions, our work, our lack of time management, depression, spending more than we make, food,the ability to say NO, alcohol, procrastination and a million other forms that it takes on. This requires rigorous honesty. But the truth is you can not begin to become free from these things..unless you first identify them.

I have had many of the above master me during my lifetime. I struggle still with food, procrastination and time management. I have been beaten down by many of the other masters and this has been the beginning of my turning them over to God and asking for His strength to defeat them in my life. God always wins! Because through Him I am more than a conqueror! This is how I know that I will be free from what I am struggling with now.

I also believe that when the student is READY the teacher will appear. Are you ready?

It's your turn..What masters you?

All who comment or email me their answers will be entered into a drawing for
LAYERS inspired collage for paper projects with meaning and a beautiful art journal.Both will be picked on Sunday, February 1st and mailed out on Monday, February 2nd.

Please let me introduce to you my two gorgeous grandsons..Tyler and Wyatt (above right hand corner). They are the apples of my eye and my one joy in growing older. My husband and I are indeed blessed to be their Papa and Nana.


Thursday, January 29, 2009

One Sentence Mission Statement for 2009

On Tuesday in our quest we wrote down who we were. Today are going to create a mission statement for the year 2009..Our own mission statement. First write down what you really want to accomplish this year. I was able to sum mine up in one sentence. You may use as many words as you need. Post this and be put in the February 1st drawing for LAYERS inspired collage for paper projects with meaning (see picture in below posting)or a beautiful journal for you to journal in this year.

Here is what I came up with for this assignment:

In 2009 I want to GROW spiritually and I want to SHRINK physically.

Now it's your turn. What is YOUR mission statement this year?

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Who Are You??

Today we will finish the sentence I AM....This will require you to reflect on who you are and will help you discover more about yourself in our quest this week.

I did this assignment myself and here is what I same up with..

I am Susan. I am wife, mother, daughter, mother in law, Nana, friend, encourager,procrastinator, confidant, the sum of my life choices, artist, scrapbooker, chef, baker,photographer, family historian, writer, smart ass, terrible speller,kind,compassionate,critical of myself, a believer, a Christian, passionate, determined, smart, articulate, pretty good public speaker, sometimes judgemental, sometimes impatient, dreamer, FORGIVEN, a new creation in Christ, dedicated, tired, spent, woman,facilitator,mentor, feminine, unorganized, messy, leader, philanthropist,almost 50,sometimes resentful, sometimes blue, creative, nurturing, madly in love with my husband, lover,whiner,sometimes angry, courageous in conviction,over committed with my time all the time, a mistake maker,a girly girl, over weight, entrepreneurial, prayer warrior,strong, leader and opinionated. I am Susan. I am me.

So there it is..the good, the bad and the ugly of who I am...SO...

Now it's YOUR turn..Who are you? Post your I am..in the comments or email it to me at smsummerville@hotmail.com and you will be put in a drawing for the book Layers inspired collage for paper projects with meaning and another drawing for a Beautiful Journal...If you post everyday tis week..you will be enterd into the drawing 6 times...

You do not have to list as many things as I did but try to think of at least 10 things that you are.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Inspiration to create. New Blog Giveaway!


Let's start off this week with some inspiration to create. We will be diving into a journey of self discovery and honesty with ourselves this week and for your effort one of you will receive this most excellent book...LAYERS Inspired Collage for paper projects with meaning. Everyone that post their answers to any of the questions posted this week will go into a drawing for this book and also for the BEAUTIFUL journal that I mention last week. Both names will be pulled on Sunday, February 1st and sent off to you on the 2nd.

Today we will ask ourselves the hard question What is holding me back from reaching the goals I have set for myself? The answer for me was a tough one to be honest about. I had to look at lack of self discipline as the number one character defect keeping me from not just one but almost all of my goals. I had to write about this in order for it to really sink in. I was specific..I named the exact areas that lack of discipline had effected my weight, my relationships, my health, my creativity, my writing, my success and my finances. I was then ready to start working o my goals one at a time and was able to see clearly the discipline it would take to achieve success in these areas of my life.

Post here with your own answer to the question:
What is holding you back from reaching the goals you have set for yourself? If you wish to email me instead of posting you may do that at smsummerville@hotmail.com. All who respond will be put into the drawing.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Hello from Sunny Florida

Just checking in to let you know that the Winner of The Purpose Driven Life book this week is Bree. Bree, Please email me with your home address and the book will be on it's way to you soon.

Skip and I are in Florida on business and just for today a little bit of down time. I will be back online Sunday afternoon after we return home.

Let me leave you with this question..What one thing do you want to accomplish this year that you still need to write down and start working on?.I will share mine..I want to start an exercise program. I did write it down and I did sign up at a gym..but I need to start working out. I will start Monday. What about you??

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Habits

I am your constant companion.

I am your greatest asset or heaviest burden.

I will push you up to success or down to disappointment.

I am at your command.

Half the things you do might just as well be turned over to me,

For I can do them quickly, correctly, and profitably.

I am easily managed, just be firm with me.

Those who are great, I have made great.

Those who are failures, I have made failures.

I am not a machine, though I work with the precision of a machine and the intelligence of a person.

You can run me for profit, or you can run me for ruin.

Show me how you want it done. Educate me. Train me.

Lead me. Reward me.

And I will then...do it automatically.

I am your servant.

Who am I?

I am a habit.


WOW..This really made me ponder what habits I have that build me up and which ones tear me down. I am making a list. I want to conquer my bad habits before they conquer me.

Share some of your habit with me and be entered into a drawing for a beautiful journal that will be awarded on February 1st.

For Those of you following along in The Purpose Driven Life please read chapters 6 and 7 on www.thepurposedrivenlife.com and post your thoughts on the last two chapters on this site and be entered in the last drawing for the book The Purpose Driven Life to be held on Friday.


Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Dreams

Have you sat down and defined your dreams this year? I took time to do this at the beginning of the year. It is important to see them on paper, to look at them often, to do something each day that will bring me one step closer to my dreams.

I love this quote by T.S. Elliot
"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go."

What are you will to risk to reach your goals? For me it is the risk of failing, of looking bad, of exposing my real dreams to others...I am ALL IN this year.

What are your dreams? Share them with me.All that do will be put in a drawing to win a journal to write your dreams in. The drawing will be held on Sunday, February 1st!

At the upper right hand side of the blog you will see my first art journal page for the A Year in The Life of An Art Journal. We are doing the ABC's this year.I hope you will join us. Visit the blog by the same name in the blogs I visit.

For those of you following along with me in The Purpose Driven Life at www.purposedrivenlife.com, please read chapter 5 and share your thought on the chapter with me. All that comment will be put in a drawing on Friday for a copy of the book A Purpose Driven Life.




Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Meet Rachel Whetzel


I am excited to introduce Rachel to you as she welcomes us into her world of creativity. We all have creativity in us..God gave us this gift. Each month we will explore the many different ways we use our creativity to benefit ourselves and others. Rachel's creative outlet is through Art. She has enriched her own life and encourages others to find their own inner artist and explore what is hidden deep with in them. She is the owner of two creative challenge blogs Guttergirlz and A Year in the Life of An Art Journal where she challenges us monthly to dig a little deeper. She is the creative director of Tally Scrappers and her dream is to start a business where she can share, teach and inspire the love of art in children. Above you will find my own Tribute Layout to Rachel..She has certainly enriched my life. I chatted with Rachel a while on Sunday and here is what she had to say.





Susan: When did you fall in love with Art?

Rachel: I have always loved art in one form or another. When I was a child my mom always encouraged me and signed us up for classes in art, drawing and watercolors.

Su
san: You have inspired so many to Art Journal and creatively scrap their story Rachel. Tell me, who was your inspiration?

Rachel: Well my mom was really my first inspiration and it was she that told me that Emily Falconbridge was hosting a art journal challenge Deck of Me on her blog. After that I starting looking up resources on Art Journaling and ran across the book Journal Revolution Rise Up and Create by Linda Woods and Karen Dinino .It was then that I started to own the artistic side of myself. I knew I was an artist.I always thought in order to claim the title artist one had to make a living at it. This isn't true.

Susan: Rachel, there are so many people that would love to start on this journey of Art Journaling and scrapping but don't know where to start. What is your advise for them?

Rachel: First I would say NOT OT LET OTHER PEOPLE DEFINE WHAT YOUR ART IS. OTHER PEOPLES RULES DO NOT APPLY TO YOU. There are no rules..only self imposed ones.

I would join a group where people encourage you and appreciate your art.Find one that you are comfortable with. A few I would recommend are Guttergirlz,A Year in the Life of An Art Journal and Tallyscrappers.

I personally love the miniature or ATC size art journals because they are easy to keep up with. You don't ever feel like you are bitten off more than you can chew.
You can find two of them going on now at A Year in the life of an Art journal and also
on Emily's Blog.

Susan: Thanks Rachel for sharing your insight, wisdom and resources with us.
As a special Thank You for taking time to share I will be sending you a copy of Living The Creative Life.

The following is taken directly from Rachel's Blog Memories of Mine to Thine and written by Rachel:


Art Journaling... or really, ANY form of creativity... at the risk of sounding totally off the deep end... it's something I don't know what I ever did without!! Still, when I'm encouraging other people to take the leap and try it for themselves, it's hard to get them to take the leap and TRY it. They have reasons why they can't or won't... and so, to all of you who might be feeling that this isn't "for" you...
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't be intimidated. You have creativity in you. You've always had it in you. It's been there from the day you were born. It will be there until you die. What you do with it is up to you. When we are children, we BELIEVE that we are creative. We don't doubt it... but then somewhere along the way, someone, or something, tells us that we DON'T have it. Or that what we have isn't good enough. Or that we HAVE to color inside the lines, and that skies can't be pink, and trees can't be purple. That grass can't be red. But without pink skies, there would be not magical sunsets and sunrises. Without purple trees, there would be no America the Beautiful. Life is NEVER in the lines. There are rainbows all around us. They tell us that words have to be said just right, or that we have to say so much that ANYONE can understand. That's NOT what art journaling is about!! It doesn't MATTER if no one else knows what encrypted message to yourself you've written. It doesn't matter if you are simply embracing the idea of another human. It doesn't matter if your paper matches, or if your embellishments are acid free. It doesn't matter if you know HOW to use a paint brush, or how to apply the paint. What matters is the CREATIVITY that you allow to be inside you once again. What matters is connecting with that part of yourself that we so often deny. What matters is the experiment. There is a kid in you that knows that there is beauty in simply scribbling one color all over a page. That child in you knows that this simple thing alone is enough. The kid in you knows that there is beauty in getting painty fingers. The beauty of smelling the glue as you paste things down. You have it in you, but you can't BE creative if you don't exercise your creativity. You have to let it breathe. You have to give it sunlight. Think of it as a seed. Waiting under the earth for the winter to end. If you don't let it see the sun, it will grow and bloom. It will always be IN you, but you MUST let it out for it to grow.

Now you see why she is such an inspiration in my life. Rachel's blog (Memories of Mine to Thine) her challenge blogs (Guttergirlz and A Year in the Life of an Art Journal) as well as Emily Falconbride's challenge blog (e) can all be accessed from the blogs I follow at the side.You can also access Tally Scrappers where Rachel is the art director and which I am proud to be a member of.

Now Rise Up and and Create!

Share with me your creative story. How do you create? How did you start?


Monday, January 19, 2009

As Promised

I interviewed Rachel Whetzel yesterday and later today I will treat you all to the full interview and lowdown on Miss Rachel and invite you into her world of creative inspiration. You will not want to miss this. One of the questions I asked Rachel is who inspired her. When I ask myself that question I have two people that come immediately to mind. Rachel is one of those people and my daughter Sarah (also an outstanding artist) is the other. I will interview Sarah later on in the year.

I have a bit of a family emergency going on right now and do not have time right now to put this up...but I will try to be back later this evening with the full scoop.If not this evening then first thing Tuesday a.m.

For those of you following the purpose driven life with me...go to www.purposedrivenlife.com and read chapter four..Post any thoughts you have on this chapter and be entered in to win A Purpose Driven Life book or Devotional this coming Friday.

See you all later today.

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Some Days Never Come

"Someday, I can take her on the cruise.""Someday, I will have time to call and chat."
"Someday, the children will understand why I was so busy."

But you know the truth don't you? You know even before I write it. You could say it better than I.

Some days never come.

And the price of practicality is sometimes higher than extravagance.
But the rewards of risky love are always greater than its cost.

Go to the effort. Invest the time. Write the letter. Make the apology. Take the trip. Purchase the gift. Do it. The seized opportunity renders joy. The neglected brings regret.
Max Lucado

I LOVE this author. I have almost all of his books. In 2000 I was blessed to meet him on a buying trip I was on for the bookstore I owned at the time. He is just Max..So real...Just like he write. I highly recommend any of his books.

How are your somedays looking? I have two friends that lost their husbands unexpectedly that can tell you that they wish they had a someday back. Who do you need to spend time with?, Call?, go to lunch with?, Apologise too? Who do you need to tell that you LOVE them or that you are Proud of them or maybe just how IMPORTANT they are to you? Don't wait for someday...Some days never come.

Share with me something you will do TODAY that you have been waiting for SOMEDAY for.

For those of you following along on our Purpose Drive Life quest..you read chapter three yesterday so now answer this question. All that do will be entered to win The Purpose Driven Life Book or Devotional (Your choice) when you do.

Remember you can go to www.purposedrivenlife.com and download and print the first seven chapters for FREE!

Here is the question:
If you asked your family and friends to describe what DRIVES your life, what driving force or motivations would they mention?

Peace and Love until tomorrow..Susan

Friday, January 16, 2009

No, Not Bungee Jumping!

When was the last time you tried something out of your comfort zone? I am not thinking of anythin as radical as bulging your corneas with bungee jumping. No, I have in mind expanding your sense of yourself in an artistic adventure.

I have a number of friends who have tried their hands at painting. Some choose watercolors, others oils, while others dabbled with acrylics. Across the board they had wonderful results.

We owe it to ourselves to make room for artistic expression. After all, the creative process puts us in touch with the Creator.
PATSY CLAIRMONT

So speaking of creating...I told you that I would introduce you today to a friend of mine that is also a creative giant that could change your life...Oooops! Our schedules are both so full that the first time I can get with her to interview her is Saturday...So..I will post the interview on Monday bright and early.Sorry to disappoint..

RAK winner of The Purpose Driven Life is Nikki Z....please email me with your address and watch for your package from Amazon.

For all of you that are following along in The Purpose Driven Life..you too will have another chance to win the book by reading Chapter three( you can find it at www.purposedrivenlife.com) and posting your thoughts on the book so far. I will challenge you to follow along with me through next Friday with a new prompt each day. I will randomly pick a winner again next Friday.

So tell me about your artistic expression......What do you do to express yourself artisicly. I have started an art journal and I will be learning new techniques and art meduims through this year. This is such a blessing in my life...

I would LOVE to know what YOUR creative outlet is..maybe I want to give it a try!


Thursday, January 15, 2009

Break Out Of Your Little Plastic Mold

How long has it been since you did something outrageous? How long has it been since you ate watermelon and tried to see how far you could spit the seeds? Or gathered big arm fulls of lilacs and brought them to friends so their homes would smell like spring? Or marched in a parade or climbed UP and down the escalator? Take a chance. Break out of your little plastic mold and become a DINGY person (not din-gee but DING-ee) even if people think you are fresh out of a rubber room situation.

Did you ever watch a child swat madly at specks of dust hanging suspended in a shaft of sunlight? Children delight at such innocent, simple things-and so can you. Become a child again. Laugh! It's like jogging on the inside. Look for ways to enjoy your day-however small or trivial-even finding a convenient parking space! Look for a field of flowers and see FLOWERS, not WEEDS.
Barbara Johnson from Living Life Between Estrogen and Death

Wow..I just love to read what and listen to Barbra Johnson...but I must admit my idea of outrageous is a little different than hers...mine include taking chances...doing something you have always wanted to do..trying something that you have never tired because of fear of not being able to do it or not doing it well.
Be creative...find your inner creativity and use it to better yourself and others.
I working on this in my life right now.

It has been a tough week for me. Keeping my eyes lifted upward and staying focused on the positive always helps me. How about you?

So...did you read Chapter two of The Purpose Driven Life?? Remember you can read it for free on www.purposedrivenlife.com where the first seven chapter have been printed for you free. If you have and you want to be in the drawing for the Purpose Driven Life Book and Devotional just answer the following questions in a comment or directly email me at smsummerville@hotmail.com to be entered into the drawing. I will collect the names from those that answer the questions today and the last day they were posted and announce the winner on Friday....

Speaking of Friday...You are in for a treat. We will have our first guest interview here tomorrow. You are going to be so inspired!!!

here are the questions:

1.What events or experiences in your life have hinted or suggested that maybe you were created for a specific purpose?

2. How would your life change if you began to live each day confident that God loves you deeply and has a purpose for your life?


Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Get Messy

Too often we play it safe because we are afraid of making mistakes. But God is a Gd of color, of light. He is CREATIVE and SPECTACULAR in every way. He doesn't hold back in His Self-Expression!

The great Master painter allows you and me to take up our little paint brushes and paint our lives in a multitude of colors-some that clash, some that take others by surprise or provoke disapproval. In all this He looks down on us in Love, He smiles, He celebrates our uniqueness.

So take risk with your kids, do crazy things, surprise your husband. Have a dinner set up in your yard with candles and music. Dress in a whole new style. Change your hairstyle or color. Paint a wall-every wall! If you have seen the television show the Magic School Bus, You will remember Miss Frizzel's motto: "Take chances, get messy, make mistakes. AMEN Miss Frizzel
Sheila Walsh from The Great Adventure.

Starting this blog was all part of picking up my own small paint brush this year. I have also started an Art Journal (prompted by our special guest this coming Friday) and a Spiritual Journal which is both written and artful prompted by my friend Minda..I have been looking at hers on her blog for a while now. I am getting crazy with my grand babies..laughing, dancing, playing, playing play dough...making cookies with them. I am writing devotionals that I want to put into a book for each of my children, I am submitted articles to magazines, I am planning a wildly romantic night for my husband when we are away in February, I joined the Y with my mom...this will give us a chance to have some quality time together while getting healthy...I am sharing my real self and OPINIONS with others..Hmmm..that could get really messy..LOL..

So..post and tell me what chances you are taking or how you have chosen to get Messy this year...For thse of you following along in the first 7 chapters of The Purpose Driven Life ..Please read Chapter Two. One Thursday we will discuss this and you will have anopther chance to post and be entered int to Giveaway of the Purpose Driven Life Book and Devotional. Just go to www.purposedrivenlife.com where you can read the first seven chapter free as Rick has them posted right there for you..

So..come on..tell me your messiness!!

Monday, January 12, 2009

Blog Giveaway and an EXCITING announcement.

I mentioned yesterday that we will be discussing The Purpose Driven Life over the next two weeks....Did you know that you could read the first few chapters FREE. The web address is www.purposedrivenlife.com

Please go to the website and read chapter one . Then answer the following two questions in a comment posted here or a private email that you send me.All that do will go into a drawing for the book A Purpose Driven Life. It will be delivered directly to your door from Amazon...

1.Have you ever wondered about, or felt confused about, the purpose of your life?

2. What ways have you tried to discover your life's purpose that haven't worked?


Now for the exciting news!!
This Friday I will introduce you to someone that just could change your life.
She has used her gift of art and creativity to reach people all over and help them grow and heal through art as their medium. She has certainly challenged me in this area and I have grown as a person as a result of knowing her.

Each month I will interview someone that is using their creative gifts from God to help others , to draw closer to God and to witness through their gift or someone that has used their gifts to work through a painful area of their life. They all are inspirational. They are all my gifts to you.......

Have a blessed Monday!


Sunday, January 11, 2009

"A meaningful life will not be found in the next job or the next car. The way you get meaning in your life is to devote yourself to helping others and creating something that gives you purpose."--Morrie Schwartz in Tuesdays with Morrie

Starting Monday we begin a journey through some of the principals taught in A Purpose Driven Life. We will do this daily in addition to all the other matters of the heart that we will chat about.
I loved what you had to say about purpose. You all inspire me.

I have a challenge for you...I challenge you to reach with in yourself and find your own creative outlet...many of you already have..for some of you this is a new concept. We will be discussing many avenues to creativity and next week I will introduce you to one of my creative inspirations.

So what do you do to create?? Write, journal, art, scrapbook, bake, cook,quilt,sew, knit,build, mentor??? What is YOUR creative outlet?? We are going to examine many of them over the year and I am looking for people to share here on the blog ........so drop me a line!

Have a blessed Sunday...

Friday, January 9, 2009

The Purpose of Life

THE PURPOSE OF LIFE

Mine deep enough in every heart and you will find it:
A longing for meaning, a quest for purpose. As surely
as a child breathes, he will someday wonder, "What
is the purpose of my life?"

Do you ever ask yourself that question?
We will ponder this over the next few days.
I would love to hear from you on this subject..
Chime in anytime.

I uploaded a new layout I did. Just was missing my husband
very badly one night he was away on business this week. This
really helped me..

I am still working on getting the slide show going. I hope to have
it up and operational by Monday....

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Art Journals and Scrapbooks

I love to scrap book and late last year I was introduced to the world of Art Journaling. This has been a life changing experience for me. It is a great outlet for me to release everything that is bottled up. It also helps me work through challenges that I am facing by clearing my mind as I work. I will be uploading a slide show of my work with in the next few days. Tell me what YOU use as a creative outlet?

Wake Up Call!

Today the alarm went off and I quickly turned it off and snuggled back in bed. This is something I almost NEVER do but I had finally reach my "comfort zone"..you know the place where the mattress and your body actually seem to be one..where nothing hurts and you are snuggled in and warm..not too warm, not too cold..just right...The phone rang an hour later and it was my husband calling from out of town. I made coffee, we prayed together and my day began. Praise God for that wake up call..

Life is often like this for me..I get into my comfort zone and would just cruise along if God didn't bring something about to issue a Wake Up Call from above. I am learning to be grateful for those calls...it helps me remember that God never leaves me..that He is not content to let me stay where I am and not grow...that He must wake me up before He can use me..

When was your last wake up call?? How did you respond?

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

The Curious Case of Bengamin Button

I went to see this movie tonight with my son Ede. I highly recommend it to all. The lessons are rich, the movie entertaining and your heart will be both touched and tugged.

What was the last great movie that you went to see? Why would you recommend it?

Monday, January 5, 2009

There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. --Anais Nin

I love this quote. Everyone that reads it seems to walk aways with something different. What does this quote say to you??I will share my views on it on Tuesday so as to not influence your own.
Have a blessed day and bloom today...right where you are planted.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

The Problem With Pain

God whispers to us in our pleasures,
speaks in our conscience,
but SHOUTS in our pains:
it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.
C.S. Lewis

Why is it that I always seem to be in pain before I surrender all? It would be so much easier to surrender all before the pain..Anyone else experience this? What pain in your life is God shouting at you through?



Saturday, January 3, 2009

Can We Talk??

Just so you know ..Since I have started this Blog..God has delt with me on every subject I have writen about each day! So when I put my fingers to the type pad today I am a bit aprehensive wondering what He has in mind for me today.

I almost always name years..I know, that sounds strange ..but really I try to define the year from the beginning.. I did not name it last year but if I could put a name on it after the fact I would call it the year of depletion...me that is..being completely spent..nothing left of me.I turned away from everything that sustains me (God, His word, His prompting, daily prayer, fasting,sharing honestly friends and my husband that hold me accountable,taking care of my body and handling resentments as they surface) leaving me an empty shell trying to run my own life on my own terms..continuing to give of myself..when the truth was...there was really nothing left to give. I know that anything good and positive that came from anything I gave came directly from God and not from me..the real mystery to me is why He still used me...but I am eternally grateful that He did.I never meant to turn my back on the things that sustain me..I just became Too Busy, Too Preoccupied, Too Important . and had Too Many wrong Priorities. So this year ..2009 I am naming the year of GROWING...as He has made it perfectly clear that as His child..He will NOT leave me where I am and allow me to be comfortable. I have come running back and am on my knees knowing that True Peace, True Success, True Fulfillment come only from Him...I can NOT do this(life) on my own...I never could. But I can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me.

So ...What are you going to name this year??

Friday, January 2, 2009

Who Do You Need To Forgive?

As we start the new year many of us focus on what we resolve to do in 2009. We resolve to shed pounds, exercise more, eat healthy, get organized and more. We know that if we do all of the things that life will then be...wonderful.

Many of us work so hard on what we will change externally that we neglect to resolve to change the one thing that can bring us to true peace..our heart. Today we begin by thinking of who we need to forgive. Maybe it is someone that has hurt you so badly that you have chosen in the past to never forgive them.Maybe it is someone that you thought you had forgiven but you are still harboring harsh feeling towards them. Maybe it is even...yourself.

As Corrie Ten Boom tells us in Tramp for the Lord.....Forgiveness is not an emotion...Forgiveness is an act of will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart.

What an example of allowing God to work through you Corrie is.. Who do you need to forgive today? I can't forgive you say...then ASK..God to help you..He knows that we need His divine intervention to achieve this at times,that is where the act of will comes in..You must want to forgive, you must will to ask. There is no true peace without forgiveness. How badly to want to be at peace?

Let me know what you are thinking...I am always here to listen.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

So since it is January 1st... tell me what you want to change in your life..Did you know that you are the only one that you can change? That's right..you can't change anyone else..it all starts and ends with the person you look at everyday in the mirror. So start today by identifying one thing you would like to change and then share it with me...

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog. One thing I have been led to do in 2009 is to create a space of encouragement and inspiration. A space where you are safe to share and where after visiting you feel uplifted and loved. A place where you are encouraged to take what is going on right now in your life and use it to create beauty...to bloom..where you're planted.