God is...

I don't know about you, but often times I need reminded just who God is. I have always loved anything that vividly describes the attributes and character of God, weather that be a song, poem, book or scripture. These characteristics and names of God personalize Him and help clear away the worldly misconceptions that my mind often creates about Him. Lately, I have found that it helps me to repeat in my mind different attributes or names of God to chase away whatever is trying to fill my mind and heart with fear, doubt, or sin. I repeat things like "God is my Shield, my Strength, my Portion, Deliverer, Strong Tower, my very present Help in time of need", which are lyrics from one of my favorite songs. There is another song that has been speaking to me lately, as it lists many of the names of God and reminds me just how masterful my God really is.

Things I have Learned Part 1

I have been reflecting lately on the things that I have learned thus far in my 28 years here on earth and thought it might be a good idea to write them down....So here is my first installment of Things I have Learned. Since today is Mother's Day I will dedicate this post to Things I have Learned from my mother...(or grandmothers)

- Never put your elbows on the table while eating, no singing at the dinner table, do not talk with food in your mouth and always wear a shirt to dinner (this was mostly for my brother, but a good lesson for all)
- Say Please & Thank You ALWAYS.
- Phone etiquette: When the caller asks for you by name, never say "this is her". It is always, "this is she". If someone can't come to the phone say...I'm sorry they are unavailable, may I take a message. NEVER reveal where they are or why they can't come to the phone (ie, bathroom, shower or otherwise engaged).
- How to set a table (though I forget this often & have to ask for clarification of what utensils go on which side)
- Clothes look & fit better when you stand up straight (and with the proper undergarments)
- Hospitality. This is a gift my mother so strongly poses & has passed just a little bit of that on to me.
- Standing up for what you believe in. My mother is gracious, yet strong. She knows what she believes in & stands up for it, no matter the cost. I admire that & strive to do the same.
- The importance of being Conscientious. My mother is so thoughtful & strives to take every one's feelings into account. I love this about her & am glad she brought me up to do the same.
- Fear & Anxiety are no match for our God. As a child/young adult I struggled a great deal with being anxious & fearful...my mother has always been patient & kind with me in regards to this & has given me Bible verses & prayed with/for me countless times to let go of this fear & rest in the promise that our God is in control. I know she may not have understood some of my irrational fears, but she never made me feel stupid for feeling that way, just gently lead me back to truth.

My mother has taught me SO many other things; things I may not even realize yet & I am so thankful for the way she continues to speak into my life. Because of her, I am a better person.

Speechless

I am left Speechless with tears streaming down my face.

Something Bigger

I think we all yearn to be part of something bigger. Something bigger than our own ideas, talents, and lives. We want to know that our life has purpose and that we can make a difference. We feverously cheer on sports teams, join civic organizations, volunteer at the local soup kitchen, and donate money to charities all with a deep desire, though sometimes unrecognized, to make a difference and feel like we are somehow a part of something much bigger than ourselves. I think this is where the new phenomenon know as "Flash Mobbing" takes root. In a flash mob it appears as though random people in a public space come together to preform an orchestrated dance routine. This happens in the midst of every day life, at parks, train stations, in busy shopping centers, etc.. Each time I watch one of these videos, I study the expressions of the observers, they are shocked, in awe and often times beaming from ear to ear, as if they are enveloped by something bigger than themselves. I recently came across the flash mob video below, preformed by a church in Houston Texas at a local park as an outreach tool. Each time I watch, a smile creeps across my face because not only are these people a part of something much bigger than themselves through the flash mob experience, they are a part of something much bigger than any of us can ever comprehend through the One they are singing & dancing for. And while I was not a part of this flash mob experience, I am a part of the body of Christ, which is their reason for gathering. And what bigger or better thing to be a part of? Our Savior has called us to join with Him and his family to be a part of the ultimate experience and in this experience our desire to be a part of something bigger is completely and wholly satisfied.

Judging & Evaluating Myself

More beautiful words from the book Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. This book is completely rocking my world, heart, faith & mind.

STOP JUDGING AND EVALUATING YOURSELF, for this is not your role. Above all, stop comparing yourself with other people. This produces feelings of pride or inferiority; sometimes, a mixture of both. I lead each of my children along a path that is uniquely tailor-made for him or her. Comparing is not only wrong; it is also meaningless.

Don't look for affirmation in the wrong places: your own evaluations, or those of other people. The only source of real affirmation is My unconditional Love. Many believers perceive Me as an unpleasable Judge, angrily searching their faults and failures. Noting could be farther from the truth! I died for your sins, so that I might clothe you in my garments of salvation. This i show I see you: radiant in My robe of righteousness. When I discipline you, it is never in anger or disgust; it is to prepare you for face-to-Face fellowship with Me throughout all eternity. Immerse yourself in My loving Presence. Be receptive to My affirmation, which flows continually from the throne of grace.

I so often compare myself to others without even realizing and it leaves me focusing on everything else but the things that need to have my attention. I'm so very humbled that my God knows this and gently, lovingly calls me into communion with Him in spite of it all.

Iced In....

Since I've been iced in for countless hours/days here in Indiana, I have been dreaming of beautiful far off places...

Venice


Greece


Africa


Rome


*Photos from Google Images

Powerful

Talk about Power...I plan on printing this out & posting it on my mirror to declare each morning.

Women of Excellence Creed
I am a woman of God, a woman of virtue, faith and love.
I know that death and life are in the power of the tongue,
So I speak life over my entire household.
I love myself because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
God’s fingerprints are all over me. I know that upgrades are nice
But not necessary.
I will walk by faith and not by sight. No weapon, which means, no man, no
Woman, no job, and no situation that is formed against me will prosper.
God has chosen me; I will make a positive impact on all those around me.
If I live according to the word of God every day, I will live in peace,
Prosperity, joy and emotional stability for the rest of my life.
I am a “Woman of Excellence”.

© 2005 Alicia Ramsey

Powerless

I am powerless; or I often live a powerless life rather. I'm not talking about power by the world's flimsy standards. The power I am talking about has nothing to do with my career, social status, financial means or political affiliations; instead has everything to do with who I belong to. I walk around like I am being tossed by the wind in this life full of unpredictability, instead of someone who has all power and authority in Christ. I am a daughter of the King and therefore I have been granted access to all He promises in His Word, yet how often do I live like it? For a long time I have had this stirring in my heart for something that was hard to describe in words. I most often notice this stirring when I hear someone speak or pray with strong conviction and passion. I finally realized that what grips me the most is that they speak and pray with Power, power in their Creator, power in the life & death of their Savior. I want that Power, & truthfully, I HAVE that Power, I just need to stand up & claim it. Most recently I have been reminded & awakened to the Power I have in Christ through the song Your Great Name by Krissy Nordhoff & Michael Neale.

Your Great Name
Lost are saved, find their way
At the sound of Your great name
All condemned feel no shame
At the sound of Your great name
Every fear has no place
At the sound of Your great name
The enemy, he has to leave
At the sound of Your great name

Jesus, worthy is the Lamb
that was slain for us
Son of God and man
You are high and lifted up
And all the world will praise
Your great name

All the weak find their strength
At the sound of Your great name
Hungry souls receive grace
At the sound of Your great name
The fatherless find their place
At the sound of Your great name
The sick are healed, the dead are raised
At the sound of Your great name

Redeemer,My Healer, Lord Almighty
Sustainer,Defender, You are my king


Those lyrics give me chills every time I hear them. This song has become my Anthem...something I listen to just about every day to remind me of the unbelievable & unwaivering power I have in my Father.

Favorite

I love this movie. It speaks to my soul. Seriously, I get a sense of overwhelming joy when I watch it.

Traditions

Apparently long periods of time with no blog activity is my "thing"....pressing on...

I love traditions. I enjoy participating in old traditions and creating new ones. I love how they bring people together and make you feel like you are a part of something much bigger than yourself. Traditions bring a sense of belonging. Whether it's holiday traditions with my family or silly traditions that I do with my friends, there is something about sharing this common experience time after time that gets me. My family has certain traditions surrounding Christmas that I adore...
We always go to Christmas Eve service and then come home and have appetizer-type food for dinner. Then we open some presents from each other and always get new pajamas from my parents. Christmas morning we wake up and open the rest of the presents & our stockings (my personal favorite) and have a delicious breakfast made by my sweet mom. We spend the rest of the morning hanging out together and then the last several years, we have started to go see a movie together as a family. After the movie, we go back to the house & have Christmas dinner. It's wonderful...we just spend the day together. This year Christmas was different...not bad...just different. Christmas Eve was very much the same...with the delightful added blessing of my beautiful niece Emma, who lit up the evening. Christmas day was what had me feeling a little off. My sister had to work all day & my brother & his family were having Christmas at their house before coming over that night. So that left me & my parents. We slept in & got up to have breakfast together. Then we all just kinda stared at each other...not really sure what to do for the rest of the day, as we were waiting for the rest of the family to get there. It was weird. I did some laundry & mom cooked, while dad watched TV & took a nap. It felt more like a typical Saturday then a holiday. I started to feel lost without the traditions that we had followed for so many years. I like knowing what to expect at holidays & began to fear that we were turning into one of those families that just does whatever. I guess I was afraid that we were losing something...something that had bonded us for so long. I realize this may all sound a little dramatic, but to me, there was security in our traditions & without them I felt insecure. While I was pondering all of this, my brother & his family arrived and my sister got home from work & we celebrated Christmas, a little differently than what I was used to, but we celebrated none the less. We talked & laughed & reminisced about past Christmas's & enjoyed watching Emma & Jacob play with their gifts. It was then, as I looked around the room that was filled with these people that I love so fiercely & have experienced so much with that I realized, the thing that I love most about our traditions is that they are "Ours". We have created them together and will create many more & the common thread is that it will be done Together. In that, I find security.