Cambi's sick :(

So my puppy is sick and it makes my heart hurt :(

She has been throwing up all day and I wish there was something I could do to make her feel better. It's days like today that I wish dogs could talk!!! I feel like she would say 'Shannon, my tummy hurts! Please make it feel better!'

Please pray for my little girl...we are taking her to the vet in the AM.

Do your best

Life Changing Verse
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

Your Life – What God would like to see

If you invited guests to come to your home, some of you would go all out to make sure everything was clean and neat. You could paraphrase the above verse in this way, “Do your best to prepare your home and family so that you can present yourself to your guests as one who has things in order, a family who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles a broom, mop, vacuum, and all other cleaning tools.” How can we, as Believers, use the same amount of energy (or more) in preparing ourselves for God as we do in preparing our home for guests? If you are going to do your best in cleaning a home, you must do some planning, some hard work, and some evaluating of your efforts. Let’s use these three tasks and the verse above to ask ourselves how we are preparing ourselves to be presented to God.

Planning to present yourself to God: I’m not confident that we, as Believers, think of our relationship with God in this way. Nowadays, as someone wants to pursue more of God, they do it when they “feel” like it. Can you imagine what your home would look like if you only worked on it when you “felt” like it? Planning means to think ahead of when you will spend time…alone with God, in reading and studying the Bible, in praying for your family and others, and in being alert to when the Holy Spirit leads you to serve others. Don’t get into the rut of “just letting it happen”. Be intentional about committing to God some of your time and all of your resources.

Doing hard work to not be ashamed: After you have a plan to spend time with God, then comes the hard work of executing the plan. Let me tell you upfront that the world and Satan will do everything possible to distract you so that you will forget all about your plan. Days or even weeks will go by and, one day, out of the blue, you will finally remember that you had planned to spend time with God. Unfortunately (or fortunately?), these thoughts come when our life takes a hit. Something happens that is not pleasing to us and, then, we remember. This is one reason why we should rejoice in suffering. God wants our attention and He can’t get it while you are off doing your own thing and have forgotten Him. Hard work means discipline and sacrifice. These are two words that strike fear and terror into everyone. True discipline is always “teaching for the future” as opposed to punishment being retribution for the past. Sacrifice is exactly that…giving up something that you have (time and possessions) for someone else. This will be hard at first, but gradually, our time with God will result in joy and contentment that far exceeds anything in this world. You will look forward to discipline and sacrifice because the fruit of the Spirit will be so overwhelming in your life as a Believer. Once you’ve experienced this, you will not want to go back.

Evaluating how you read and understand the Bible: One of the things I am amazed at is how much people think I know about the Bible when I know nothing. As long as I said certain phrases, I was considered a Bible scholar. I did not like myself too much when the Holy Spirit convicted me of my hypocrisy. The very grandest lesson that God taught me through this conviction was that the Holy Spirit is the only Teacher of TRUTH. I know nothing apart from the Holy Spirit. Let me say it another way, total reliance on the Holy Spirit is the only way to correctly read and study the Scriptures. Too many Believers approach the Bible from a “I want to know more about God” perspective. That sounds very religious and theologically correct. But, it has the “I” as the main point of reference. Instead, we should be saying, “Holy Spirit, reveal more of God to me.” With that perspective, your “spiritual discernment” will increase. You will see the things of this world grow strangely dim. You will see the absolute truth about life: live it for yourself and end up miserable and unhappy, or, live it for God and be content regardless of what’s going on in the world.

Do your “best”! I have not done my best. I’m sure many of you have not done your best. What does God think? He loves us unconditionally even though we don’t give Him our best. His love is not based on my performance. That still amazes me! As long as I remember His unconditional love for me, then I want to do my best for Him. His love (expressed through His grace, mercy, and forgiveness) for me causes me to change my life to be more like Him. This is what God would like to see in our lives.

It's HOT in these SOX

*Attention: Please place no judgment on the following pictures!

OK, now that I have placed the tag line at the top, let me explain. I know that I now live in Georgia and I am fully prepared to be called a Georgia Peach but there is something you must know which may cause me to lose my future 'Georgia Peach' title... I am a RED SOX fan! >this is where you go ahead and get out all the yelling and screaming out of your system< Done? OK let's move on...

Yes, I am a Red Sox fan and have been for several years, long before I moved to this beautiful southern state. Now, I do like the Braves and I attend games and cheer for them whenever they are not playing the Sox. Is that wrong? I don't think so.

So anyway, today was the last game of the Red Sox/Braves three game weekend series. Let me tell you, it was bumpin HOT. Not just a little hot, it was well in the 100 degree range and for the first time, I wasn't excited about having lower level seats. But being the creative people we are, my brother, Jen and I improvised...

First creative purchase...fans! And not just any fans...these fans lit up when they spun around:)

Second, snow cones! Refreshing colored ice always makes things better!

And lastly, you gotta have the gear :) Hats make sunny days easier!

Besides losing the game, we had a blast. And the best part besides my brother being there to hang out was the 260 pound man that ran across the field in the top of the 9th. I assume he was a Boston fan, probably drunk and I believe whole heartedly that he was trying to through the pitcher off! So for that, I give him mad props :)

I'm an F-A-N-A-T-I-C

I'm a F-A-N-A-T-I-C, Fanatic
I rep Christ till I D-I-E, Fanatic
I'm not extreme, I'm redeemed with faith
To serve a God whose extremely great
I'm a Fanatic

Still singing the LECRAE song from camp! Dang it, I want to go back...NOW!

Remembering Michael...

By now the news of Michael Jackson's death has reached every country and almost every person that knew who he was or followed his career. People are listening to Thriller and Smooth Criminal while updating their Twitter and Facebook status' with Jackson lyrics and memories. It's a hard day for some and for others it's a day of rejoicing for the life he lead.

I have read so many articles today on Michael's death, his legacy, the debt he was in and just the overall effect that his unexpected heart attack has left on the POP world. It's amazing the impact this man has had on music in his 50 years on Earth.

When I first heard the news, I immediately looked at CNN to see if the news was true and sure enough I heard correctly...

(CNN) -- Entertainer Michael Jackson died after being taken to a hospital on Thursday having suffered cardiac arrest, according to the Los Angeles County Coroner's office.
A Los Angeles fire official told CNN that paramedics arrived at Michael Jackson's home after a 911 call.

A Los Angeles fire official told CNN that paramedics arrived at Michael Jackson's home after a 911 call.

Paramedics took Jackson, 50, from his west Los Angeles home Thursday afternoon to UCLA Medical Center, where a team of physicians attempted to resuscitate him for more than an hour, said brother Jermaine Jackson. He said the famed singer was pronounced dead at 2:26 p.m. PT.

I was in such shock that I kept looking through articles in order to soak up as much information as I could. I came across this article on CNN...

"Between approximately 2:40 p.m. PDT and 3:15 p.m. PDT today, some Google News users experienced difficulty accessing search results for queries related to Michael Jackson," a Google spokesman told CNET, which also reported that Google News users complained that the service was inaccessible for a time. At its peak, Google Trends rated the Jackson story as "volcanic."

WOW! He is still topping charts even after his death :)

The articles just kept coming and coming and are still coming...not all of them were positive but all are informative! I mean Michael's reputation wasn't the greatest but you have to think about all he's accomplished!!

What's my take on all this? Well, I am one of those people rejoicing over the life and career Micheal had. Michael Jackson started in the music industry at the age of 11 with his brothers as a member of the Jackson 5. He defined the art form of music video with such ground-breaking videos as "Billie Jean," "Beat It" and the epic "Thriller." Jackson's sound, style and dance moves inspired subsequent generations of pop, soul, R&B and hip-hop artists. He was so creative and innovative with his music that he left us all wanting and waiting for more. He sold out concerts all over the world. Five of Jackson's solo albums – "Off the Wall," "Thriller," "Bad," "Dangerous" and "HIStory," – are among the top-sellers of all time. He sold an estimated 750 million records worldwide, released 13 No.1 singles and became one of a handful of artists to be inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Guinness Book of World Records recognized Jackson as the Most Successful Entertainer of All Time and "Thriller" as the Biggest Selling Album of All Time. Jackson won 13 Grammy Awards and received the American Music Award's Artist of the Century Award. I mean if that's not something to rejoice about I don't know what is!

Michael, your life and legacy will be forever remembered!

God-breathed

Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way
or another--showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting
our mistakes, training us to live God's way.

2 Timothy 3:16 (The Message)

Pay it forward

I have this theory...I was going through the toll this past Sunday and I saw this little old lady beside me that was frantically trying to find 50 cent to go through the toll. There were two cars behind her and apparently they were in a huge rush because they were blowing the horn and throwing their hands in the air. Definitely not fun to be that person that is holding up traffic but I have totally been in that situation before and believe it or not some people really don't have change in their car. It's kind of a last minute thought, you know.

So my theory is this, if the person in front of that lady had thrown in 50 cent for her, the line would have kept moving...like a pay it forward kind of thing. What if we all paid for the car behind us? I think it might cause a domino effect. You see, most people have their 50 cent in hand and ready to throw in the basket or hand to the clerk, so when you pay for them maybe they will pay for the car behind them. If it continues on, it will eventually get to that little old lady or person who doesn't have 50 cent thus creating a good deed for the day and showing someone grace and love.

I think it could work! What do you think?

Oc-ta-what?!

I'm staring at the screen wondering if I'm even awake! Squinting a bit to see the words on the screen..yep, there they are...I am awake, but I sure don't feel like it.

I have decided that me and 8 AM jobs don't mix very well. Well, actually it's not the job, it's my lack of discipline. I mean seriously why do I need to stay up soooo late when I know that I have to sit at a desk all day the next day writing emails and making phone calls...that just screams 'Shannon you're going to fall asleep at your desk!'

I honestly don't have a conclusion to this problem except go to bed earlier or switch careers and neither of those are in my vocabulary at the moment, haha.

So why the rock star late nights? I'm glad you asked... It's because of a little thing called socialization and it's one of my favorite things!

Last night was so much fun. It's was Austin and James' birthday and what better way to celebrate than to hit up Nori Nori for an adventure in sushi land. (side note: I'm not a big sushi fan but last night it was all about trying as much as possible) There were some creepy crawly things on that bar last night. Let me see what I can remember...snails, roe, raw tuna, raw salmon, pretty much any raw seafood, eggplant, mussles, mushrooms in a shell(who does that), something beet reddish purple... wait I have a photo:

You may not be able to see that very well but that sushi roll is totally reddish purple and surprisingly good!

Oh and there was octopus. Yep octopus! And you best believe I tried it. I didn't actually swallow it but I tried it and that's all that matters.

Take a look...

You can't really hear the conversation very well but basically octopus is too chewy for me...blah!

After sushi/creepy crawlers, we headed to Fado which is one of my favorite little pub restaurants! Atmosphere was great, people were great, the view was great...well not exactly but we found the good in the concrete construction area:)

I must say it was birthdays well celebrated! Austin and James, may God bless your years to come and give you many more awesome moments like last night.

He, stood up when they sat down

Oh my gosh...it's been almost a week since I've posted and I'm pretty sure I have left you all in a panic and in a constant state of wonder for how the week turned out. Well today is your lucky day because I'm going to fill you in a little bit :)

I'm at my desk in the NAMB office building daydreaming about being back in the 100 degree heat playing basketball with the students, watching them engage in worship and just being surrounded by people hungry for the word of God. It brings tears to eyes to think about all the experiences from last week. I don't have any pictures at the moment so I will try to describe a few things vividly so you can paint your own picture.

I do have a favorite memory from the week, so I will share!

Thursday night I was sitting at the sound board with my headset on, intently listening to the message Ed Newton was bringing while also thinking about all the things I needed to get ready in order for the production to continue running smoothly. Somewhere between writing the phrases that came out of Ed's mouth and thinking about how to transition from Brock to Matt with no down time, Ed entered into an invitation time. At that moment I stopped the wheels spinning in my head because I saw the greatest sight, one that only God could paint.

Standing in the center aisle with a green Vege Tales shirt on...the one with Larry's face staring right at you...there was a young boy, probably 13 or 14 proudly raising his hand. It took me a minute to caught up and realize what was going on. This boy was kind of standing on his tip toes and when I caught a glimpse of his face there were tears running down his cheeks. A counselor, I assume with his group stepped in to aisle and the young boy gentle laid his head on the man's chest. Upon Ed's request, the young boy and counselor headed to back where they then entered a room, a counseling room. Yes, if you haven't picked up on it yet, that young boy wanted to be saved. He wanted Jesus in his heart and he couldn't sit down any longer!

Emotions were raising and tears starting falling from eyes. You see, that young boy accepting Jesus reminded me of how precious and how mighty our God is. That boy painted a picture of what loving and trusting truly meant. He, in front of all his friends, stood up when everyone else was sitting down. He, in front of hundreds of other youth his age declared he wanted a relationship with Jesus Christ no matter what how much snickering was to occur behind his back...cause we all know how middle school kids can be. He, knowing that his life could change and would change walked down that aisle and said the words that make my heart beat a little faster, "I want Jesus Christ to be my Lord and Savior." Goosebumps I tell you...happens every time!

I saw that boy when he came out of the room and he had a perma-grin on his face and not only that, his counselor and several of his friends greeted him with hugs and perma-grins as well. One of the young boys next to him said, "I am proud of you!" What a great moment in that boy's life!!!

There were tons of other great experiences and each one of them was priceless but I'm not gonna write them all out. My blog would be ten pages long and I was college student once so I know how annoying reading that much can be :)

Once I get some pictures I'll post them!

SuperWOW 2009...miss you already.

Busy

I apologize to those of you who do read my blog daily. I have been super busy for the past three days. The schedule here in Jekyll is pretty packed...

Wake up at 7:00 AM...2 worship sets, recreation, seminars, sometimes lunch and dinner, a few meetings scattered throughout the day, bonding with the students, fixing production problems, taking pictures...1:00 AM bedtime!

Yep, that leaves no time for writing! But believe me, I will have plenty to write about when I get home from this amazing week. So be ready to read:)

SuperWOW 09: day 2...first worship set

I promised you pictures and I never break a promise :)

This is what I get to work on all week:



I'm pretty sure I was born to work in some sort of production! Thank you God

If you love these pictures you will love the others taken by my good friend Camron Ware! Check them out www.visualworshiper.com

SuperWOW 09: day 1

I rode across that bridge yesterday! The one that lead me to the place where dreams are made of and lives are changed. A place where you can make a difference just by being yourself and wearing floaty things in the parking lot while chasing youth with water guns. You're now wondering what the heck I am talking about and the answer is...

Jekyll Island!

...yep, I'm at SuperWOW!

I've been waiting a full year to get back here. What can I say, I missed the brown murky water, haha. But in all seriousness, I missed the people, the fellowship, the reason and just the experience.

Today was a great start to what is going to be a great week. We set up the convention center...decked it out with all sorts of lights, cameras, sound equipment, merchandise tables and fun ideas! I will have pictures up tomorrow so you can see what I'm talking about.

Funny moments from the day:

* SuperWOW Snuggies, you can worship without getting chilly or losing the warmth of your blanket.
* Putting the basketball goals together backwards.
* Whole staff dancing and singing 'Don't Stop Believin'

There will be more! I love working camp:)

More to come tomorrow!!

A good hug!

You know what I love...

Hugs!

And not just any hug...a hug that squeezes you so tight that when you leave that person you can still smell the cologne on your skin and clothing! A hug where the feeling you had at that very moment stays with you the rest of the evening.

I had one of those hugs last night and they make me smile :)

Screen on the Green

I have fabulous news...Such good news that I can't keep it in any longer! OK are you ready for this?

It didn't rain last night :)

Now you're wondering to yourself 'Why is that such good news?' Well because no rain = Screen on the Green. Yep, that's right it's that time of the year when they play movies in the park and last night was Field of Dream...a classic!

It was quite an adventure and learning experience for next time!

*First there was parking and what we found out the hard way is, if it says Exit Only,
it really mean Exit Only.

*Second, three year olds have way more rhythm than me. Seriously, who knew a kid that young could do the 'Walk It Out' and it look legit?

*Third, trash cans laid down smell...really smell! But trashcans stood up block all hopes of seeing the Big screen. Solution...move the trash can far away from the group, then it becomes someone else's problem.

*Fourth, sitting up for a long period of time can make your butt really sore!

*And fifth, when you say your going to do something, do it or Triplett will get mad :)

Here are some pictures from the evening:

What I needed to hear today...

So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take
your everyday, ordinary life--your sleeping, eating, going-to-work,
and walking-around life--and place it before God as an offering.
Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him.

Romans 12:1 (The Message)

Spence's take on LOVE

My friend Spence's blog about love...he's such a good writer!!

This past week I was in Spain and Italy with this guy. I have a few things to say about the week in other posts but for now I want to tell you about some observations on the subject of Love.

Last week while on a run around Barcelona I saw something that made me stop and just watch. It was an elderly couple sitting on a park bench talking. Not just having a conversation, but talking and looking at each other as if no one else mattered… Their body language said, “We are in love and always have been… for the past 50 or 60 years.” I didn’t see this once but I saw it multiple times. I stopped and just watched and wondered what they were talking about. What is it about them that make their love so lasting?

Of course… I don’t know anything about these people I saw. They could be going through hard times for all I know, but for the moment I experienced I saw love in the purest form.

I imagined these couples as friends, best friends, lovers, parents, companions… enjoying life as it happens with the good and the bad.

At the end of the day the couple sits on a park bench… the man with an arm around his bride looking off into the distance gazing at the years behind and loving the moment at hand… as almost if they sat there basking in the thought… we’ve made it and we’re still going.

You see… sometimes I look around and feel like we miss that moment. We get caught up in it all and the moment passes as miss the focus… each other.

I think since going through my divorce I look at love a little differently. Love is not a mythical feeling but a real emotion - a living and growing life.

Love is the one thing couples can have together that is only for them. It’s their special way to be in each other’s lives completely. It’s that bond that won’t be broken if always paid attention too and put at the top of relational priorities.

Love is deep. I look forward to the day where I can be married again, sit with my bride on a park bench, as we grow old together and still be in love.

We’ve all said it at some point… I want to grow old with someone. But do you really believe that? I do. I’ve seen old couples sitting on a park bench sharing the warmth of the day’s sun with each other. There’s a security there…

So love… is it worth it? Yes. Can it be found? I believe it can. Can you grow old with some one? Absolutely. Can you be in love after all these years? Yes… it’s worth the journey.

Love is never lost; it’s just there waiting for the right combination of people to discover it.

Tug of War

Stressed...Worried...Freaking out!

Those all sum up me today.

There is so much going on around me and finding out...or the lack there of...is making my stomach turn and my head hurt. My appetite has left the building and my thoughts have now taken over my work ethic and my socialness( if that's even a word).

The Bible tells us in the book of Matthew, not to worry...


"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 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. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

...and I can think of tons of people, sermons, counselors and friends who can repeatedly tell me, 'Don't worry it's going to be fine. Everything is going to work out' but I still have doubts and fears and this consistent turning in my tummy. How do I release these fears? I do to conquer my doubts?

The cookie cutter answer would be 'give them to Jesus and he will take care of them.' I can't even begin to tell you how many times I've turned everything over and then come back weeks later only to realize I never let them go. Like, I said that I gave them up but in reality my hand was still latched on tightly like someone playing tug of war. It's a constant game and no matter how hard I try, I can't let go.

I don't want to win the game but for some reason I can't walk away from the game. I can't put the rope down. I'm playing this game of tug of war all wrong. The goal is to let the rope go and allow the one on the other end to take the glory instead of pulling until the other one loses control.

How do I do this? How can I get to the point where my worries and fears are laid down instead of clinched to so tightly?

Don't quit

"The temptation to quit will be greatest just before you are about to succeed."
~ Old Chinese Proverb

He restores my soul

What would it take to restore your hope?
What would you need to re-energize your journey?

Though the answers are abundant, three come quickly to mind.

The first would be a person. Not just any person. You don’t need someone equally confused. You need someone who knows the way out.

And from him you need some vision. You need someone to lift your spirits. You need someone to look you in the face and say, “This isn’t the end. Don’t give up. There is a better place than this. And I’ll lead you there.”

And, perhaps most important, you need direction. If you have only a person but no renewed vision, all you have is company. If he has a vision but no direction, you have a dreamer for company. But if you have a person with direction—who can take you from this place to the right place—ah, then you have one who can restore your hope.

Or, to use David’s words, “He restores my soul.” Our Shepherd majors in restoring hope to the soul. Whether you are a lamb lost on a craggy ledge or a city slicker alone in a deep jungle, everything changes when your rescuer appears.

Your loneliness diminishes, because you have fellowship.

Your despair decreases, because you have vision.

Your confusion begins to lift, because you have direction.

Please note: You haven’t left the jungle. The trees still eclipse the sky, and the thorns still cut the skin. Animals lurk and rodents scurry. The jungle is still a jungle. It hasn’t changed, but you have. You have changed because you have hope. And you have hope because you have met someone who can lead you out.

Your Shepherd knows that you were not made for this place. He knows you are not equipped for this place. So he has come to guide you out.

Mr & Mrs Matt Martin

Greenville, South Carolina! What a beautiful place for a wedding!!

The chairs were set

The rose petals were sprinkled

The bride was given away

The music was played

Please welcome Mr & Mrs Matt Martin

Me and my twin for the day

And there was bubbles :) I love bubbles!

Congratulations Matt and Jennifer! My God bless this new chapter of your life.

Love

If you can imagine the perfect way to show someone Christ, what would it look like?

For some, it would be breaking out a Bible and preaching a sermon to them in hopes that they would receive Christ. For others it might be, holding an event where you can come and enjoy music, food and entertainment while hearing some teaching but not be too forceful with your religion. For a few it might talking about Jesus, all the good deeds that they've done that day or how much they go to church in order to look religious in hopes to start a conversation.

How would I do it? I'm glad you asked...

I would be ME and love on people!

I know... too simple of an answer but that's all I got.

I am definitely not a saint, I don't know everything there is to know about scripture and on most days I feel more like a sinner than someone who is actively following Christ. I worry with the best of them and my thoughts are not always on what God has for me. I complain, I get frustrated, I doubt. Some days I don't pray enough and other days I pray for all the wrong reasons. So then, why would I be ME when trying to share Christ with someone? Well, Because sometimes just being you shows more then any act, any event or any sermon.

I may not be a saint and I may not have all together, but what I do have is an intense desire to love on people. To learn their stories. To hear their heart no matter what it may entail. To let them speak about their fears, what they don't understand and what might be the reason they have never chosen to follow Jesus. Sometimes listening can be far more effective than speaking.

And, it could be anyone! No one should be declined from being loved on. I feel that every person deserves to be loved no matter their addictions, their preferences, their personalities, or their situations. No one should be over looked when it comes to us sharing Christ or showing the love of Christ. We are called to love and I haven't found any place in the Bible that excludes certain people from receiving our love!

If you have please show me!

So there you go. There's my method. It's not difficult, or embarrassing and it's not something that takes years to learn. It's just you being you and showing people, all people what Jesus' love really looks like:)

What's your method?

Hug for me :)

It's emails like this that let me know I am definitely working for the Lord...

Shannon,

You are an angel. I will use this DVD with a men's group and my Bible class to call them to pray for our nation. I plan to ask my pastor to show it one Sunday morning in the three worship services attended by around 2500 people. I will let you know about the response to the DVD. I am looking forward to showing it. If you are married, tell your husband that you deserve a hug today or get somebody to hug you for me.

Thanks again.
James

P.S. I am 80 years old and continue to serve as semi-retired hospital chaplain. I was commissioned by the old Home MIssion Board in 1979. I retired from full time five years ago. "Ain't God good," as Jerry Clower often said.

Doesn't that just warm your heart? :)

Romans 15:4

Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to
teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement
as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.

Romans 15:4 (New Living Translation)

Seek First...

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things
shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33

Do you ever struggle with priorities? Do you let the things in life that really aren’t very important crowd out the things in life that really are very important?

It is interesting to me that when people are on their death bed, they never talk about how they wished they had worked harder, made more sales calls, closed more business deals, climbed higher on the ladder of success. No. What they talk about is relationships. They wish they had lived more for the Lord. they wished they had spent more time with their family and friends.

A SUCCESS OR A FAILURE?

Years ago, I ran across this true story of a “successful” father who lost sight of what was really important.

A young man was to be sentenced to the penitentiary. The judge had known him from childhood, for he was well acquainted with his father–a famous legal scholar and the author of an exhaustive study entitled, “The Law of Trusts.” “Do you remember your father?” asked the magistrate. “I remember him well, your honor,” came the reply. Then trying to probe the offender’s conscience, the judge said, “As you are about to be sentenced and as you think of your wonderful dad, what do you remember most clearly about him?” There was a pause. Then the judge received an answer he had not expected. “I remember when I went to him for advice. He looked up at me from the book he was writing and said, ‘Run along, boy; I’m busy!’ When I went to him for companionship, he turned me away, saying, ‘Run along, son; this book must be finished!’ Your honor, you remember him as a great lawyer. I remember him as a lost friend.” The magistrate muttered to himself, “Alas! Finished the book, but lost the boy!”

REWRITING YOUR STORY

Be totally honest: are you falling into the same trap of that “successful” lawyer dad? Are you trading the eternal things, the things that really matter, for the temporal things that are destined for the ash heap? The time is now to take a sober inventory of the direction of your life. What do you see? Does the picture need some work?

It is not too late to turn things around! Start first by seeking the Lord and His will for your life. Then focus you thoughts and attention on family and friends. Life is more than just deadlines, “to do” lists, work, work and more work. Life is meant to be savored and enjoyed. God wants to use your life today to bless others, starting with your own family. Take time for God, time for worship, prayer, and Bible study. and time for those special people He has put into your life. May it never be metaphorically said of you that you “finished the book but lost the boy.”

Where did the months go?

Oh my goodness...it's June!! Where did the first five months of 2009 go? My list of things to accomplish hasn't gotten any smaller and the year is almost half over. What is my deal? I need to get crackin!

Things I hope to work on in the month of June:
1. Making more time for myself
2. Quit stressing over the things I can't control
3. Stop trying to make things happen and let God make them happen
4. Sleep more..add more naps in my day!
5. Meet some new people
6. Find my prince charming and ride off into the sunset, haha
7. Eat some crab cakes at Barbara Jeans
8. Write in my journal more
9. Read the Matthew, Mark and Luke again
10.Sing more :)

I think I can accomplish most of those in 30 days. I mean let's be honest I was able cross off three things in the month of May and I had 31 days, that's pathetic. June will be different.

So which ones do you think I'll accomplish? Any guess...