I Am Pooped

More Beautiful Snow

2012-02-06T12:29:00.000-06:00

New England Patriots!!!

2012-02-05T10:36:00.001-06:00

I hope they kick the poop out of the GIANTS. We all know what happened to Goliath...it's about to go down JUST. LIKE. THAT. :)

I want some BLING Baby!!! WOO HOO!!!

It's Still Snowing

2012-02-04T14:08:00.000-06:00

The Weather Channel said Omaha is going to get 12 (TWELVE) inches of SNOW!!! Are you ready OMAHA!!?

2012-02-03T22:24:00.001-06:00

Pic from Grand Island, Nebraska. The snow is on its way. Oh and Imperial Walkers too.

I Love that Girl!

2012-02-02T12:30:00.000-06:00

Fiona made this for me using my computer for Valentine’s Day.

The yellow star says: Love

The brown cross says: He has risen.

The red heart says: We love you mom very much so forgive us when we did the bad things.

I will always forgive you Fiona! I do not hold grudges and neither does Jesus. You are my gift from heaven! I Love you so much Fiona. I do. I do. It’s the same for Lauren and Kinsley too. I Love your Da-Da very much.

The purple heart says: We love you.

The white word cloud says: Cecilia Jack and Eli Lauren Fiona Kinsley love you so much.

You are all very special to me. I cannot imagine what my life would be without you. I will always Love you!!! God loves you too!!!

Visualize Your Victory

2012-02-02T10:37:00.000-06:00

Visualize Your Victory

I've had some great victories in my life. God has set me free from so many old sins, bondages and habits. The thrill of freedom I've experienced is absolutely amazing, and it's something God wants all of us to experience.

I still have battles I need to win and obstacles to overcome, and I'm sure you do too. I encourage you to pick one thing you'd like to start working on today.

Next, start visualizing your victory today. Think about what your life will look like when you're free.

I use Deuteronomy 28 as an incentive. I encourage you to read the whole chapter. It basically says that if you obey God, He will bless you, and if you disobey God, you will be cursed. Now that's a powerful incentive, wouldn't you agree?

I like working with God to conquer things and not let the enemy rule me. In fact, I think the most exciting journey in life is simply saying, "God, I want to change. I want to please you."

When you get into that frame of mind, you can get free from one thing and go on to another thing and another thing and pretty soon, you'll start to realize that you have some real authority in Christ.

Don't live your life without the thrill of growing and changing or you'll miss out on the good things God can do through you.

Take time today to visualize the person you want to be and start pursuing God's freedom. Because one day at a time, you and God can do anything!

Prayer Starter:

God, I believe that I can experience Your freedom. Today, I visualize the free person I can be in You. Empower me as I live to please You and walk in the authority You've given me.

Deuteronomy 28:13

The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom.

Hat Tip: YouVersion: Reading Plans: Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional

In Her Own Words

2012-01-26T16:19:00.000-06:00

Kinsley (6) informed me in her own words that she would do whatever it takes to get away from an abductor up to and including kicking his p e n i s if it’s a boy.

Dark Blonde

2012-01-26T11:47:00.000-06:00

I was listening to the news while dyeing my hair. The more Newt opens his mouth to let all that hot air out the more I know I am NOT going to vote for him. I do NOT appreciate his attitude. Ron Paul might be weak on foreign policy but at least he understands what is going on in the United States of America. I am also looking at Mitt Romney. So what if he is a Mormon Millionaire. I do NOT believe Santorum will last long. EnJOYing a nice piping hot cup of tea now hoping I can kick this nasty cold once and for all.

10 On Tues: What's Up?

2012-01-24T15:47:00.000-06:00

1. Tuesday morning ladies bible study is going well. I am really enjoying it.

2. Life is Messy but that’s okay. We already know how it will all turn out.

3. I am almost done with my book.

4. I picked up three more books from the Christian book store yesterday while waiting for Lauren to finish up at her meeting. I can hardly wait to get started. They are all very intriguing.

5. I am debating on whether or not I will watch the State of the Union tonight. I am not sure I want to listen to Obama play the blame game. We already know he wants to raise the debt ceiling. He probably wants to tell us that he plans to “invest” more money so we can “win the future.”

6. Oh who am I kidding? Of course I will watch the State of the Union. I’ll probably be tweeting as I watch, listen and puke. I am multi-talented like that.

7. I’ll be leaving to pick up the kids from school soon. I can’t wait to hear all about their day.

8. Have you joined my blog directory yet? It’s called Blog Mommas. What are you waiting for?

9. I wound up burning 500 calories on my treadmill yesterday. Go Me!

10. What have you been up to?

Brrr

2012-01-23T10:20:00.000-06:00

We got a little bit of snow last night but not enough to call off school. I must admit, we have really lucked out in the snow department.

I have some running to do today. I ran the kids to school. I ran home. I will run Lauren to a meeting. I will run to the Christian book store while Lauren is at her meeting. Then I will run and pick Lauren up from her meeting and then run us both back home. Then Don, Lauren and I will run to our weekly appointment, we’ll run back home, and then by the time we are all done from that it will be time to run and pick the kids up from school. By then the only running I will have left to do will hopefully take place on my treadmill.

In between the running will be chores and reading, reading and chores. Someone has to take care of all that, right? It might as well be me.

Where I Belong

2012-01-21T19:56:00.000-06:00

All I know is I'm not home yet
This is not where I belong

21 Suggestions For Success

2012-01-21T19:39:00.000-06:00

21 Suggestions For Success

by H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

1. Marry the right person. This one decision will determine 90% of your happiness or misery.

2. Work at something you enjoy and that's worthy of your time and talent.

3. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

4. Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.

5. Be forgiving of yourself and others.

6. Be generous.

7. Have a grateful heart.

8. Persistence, persistence, persistence.

9. Discipline yourself to save money on even the most modest salary.

10. Treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated.

11. Commit yourself to constant improvement.

12. Commit yourself to quality.

13. Understand that happiness is not based on possessions, power or prestige, but on relationships with people you love and respect.

14. Be loyal.

15. Be honest.

16. Be a self-starter.

17. Be decisive even if it means you'll sometimes be wrong.

18. STOP blaming others. Take responsibility for every area of your life.

19. Be bold and courageous. When you look back on your life, you'll regret the things you didn't do more than the ones you did.

20. Take good care of those you love.

21. Don't do anything that wouldn't make your Mom proud.

When You Believe in God BUT...

2012-01-21T11:10:00.000-06:00

The Christian Atheist

Believing in God but Living as If He Doesn't Exist

by Craig Groeschel

They claim to know God,
but by their actions they deny him.
They are detestable, disobedient
and unfit for doing anything good.
Titus 1:16

This is the new book I am reading and I am almost halfway through it. I am currently on Chapter 8. Here is a listing of all the chapters and what they are about.

A Letter to the Reader

INTRODUCTION
A Recovering Christian Atheist

CHAPTER 1
When You Believe in God but Don't Really Know Him

CHAPTER 2
When You Believe in God but Are Ashamed of Your Past

CHAPTER 3
When You Believe in God but Aren't Sure He Loves You

CHAPTER 4
When You Believe in God but Not in Prayer

CHAPTER 5
When You Believe in God but don't Think He's Fair

CHAPTER 6
When You Believe in God but Won't Forgive

CHAPTER 7
When You Believe in God but Don't Think You Can Change

CHAPTER 8
When You Believe in God but Still Worry All the Time

CHAPTER 9
When You Believe in God but Pursue Happiness at Any Cost

CHAPTER 10
When You Believe in God but Trust More in Money

CHAPTER 11
When You Believe in God but Don't Share Your Faith

CHAPTER 12
When You Believe in God but Not in His Church

AFTERWORD
Third Line Faith

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

"This book is for anyone courageous enough to admit to their hypocrisy. I hope it pushes you, challenges you, and disturbs you. And if you're honest before God - as I am trying to be - perhaps together we can shed some of our hypocrisy and live a life that truly brings glory to Christ." ~Craig Groeschel

If you decide to order the book from the above link I might get credit for it through my Amazon Associates Account OR you can pick it up from your local Christian Book Store. I’ve also seen this book sold at places like Barnes and Noble OR Sam’s Club. It is a pretty popular book so you should have no trouble finding it on your own.

Jesus Rebukes

2012-01-19T10:46:00.000-06:00

Matthew 8:23-27

Jesus Calms the Storm

23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

Mark 4:35-41

Jesus Calms the Storm

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Luke 8:22-25

Jesus Calms the Storm

22 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. 23 As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.

24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”

He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25 “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.

In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”

My Thoughts:
No matter how big the storm, Jesus will handle it.

10 On Tues: Chicken Scratch

2012-01-18T08:43:00.001-06:00

1. My life is crazy busy. My life is so crazy busy I do not have much time for blogging. My life is so so busy crazy insane that I am lucky if I can get myself to bed by 9 o’clock.

2. I finished my book this weekend. I could not put it down. I have added it to my life changing category of books. LOVED it! I will probably read it again to make sure I didn’t miss anything.

3. I have been running but not the calorie burning kind of running. Can you imagine how quickly I would lose weight if I ran a mile for every errand ran?

4. I am big into devotionals this year. I have two that I read from my phone and four at home. Two of them are Alanon devotionals I pulled out of my stash from the early nineties, one is a self esteem devotional, and another I picked up from our local Christian book store.

5. My writings as of lately are the equivalent of chicken scratch. We are going through some things: BIG things.

6. I am busier at church and I like it. Between Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday evening I feel well fed. Surrounding ourselves with positive influences has been good for all of us.

7. We have not had a lot of snow this year. I am not complaining.

8. I must say that we have the best family counselor. She is an expert at what she does and the best part, she is a believer. She gets me, she gets my family, and she understands what it is we have all been through individually as well as a family.

9. God is always good no matter what is going on: good, bad or ugly.

10. Yes, I realize today is Wednesday. I told you I was busy...

The Awakening

2012-01-13T09:52:00.001-06:00

The Awakening
by Sonny Carroll

A time comes in your life when you finally get it... when in the midst of all your fears and insanity you stop dead in your tracks and somewhere, the voice inside your head cries out - ENOUGH!

Enough fighting and crying, or struggling to hold on. And, like a child quieting down after a blind tantrum, your sobs begin to subside, you shudder once or twice, you blink back your tears and through a mantle of wet lashes, you begin to look at the world through new eyes.

This is your awakening...

You realize that it's time to stop hoping and waiting for something to change, or for happiness, safety and security to come galloping over the next horizon. You come to terms with the fact that he is not Prince Charming and you are not Cinderella and that in the real world, there aren't always fairy tale endings (or beginnings for that matter) and that any guarantee of "happily ever after" must begin with you and, in the process, a sense of serenity is born of acceptance.

You awaken to the fact that you are not perfect and that not everyone will always love, appreciate or approve of who or what you are...and that's OK. (They are entitled to their own views and opinions.) And you learn the importance of loving and championing yourself and, in the process, a sense of new found confidence is born of self-approval.

You stop complaining and blaming other people for the things they did to you (or didn't do for you) and you learn that the only thing you can really count on is the unexpected. You learn that people don't always say what they mean or mean what they say and that not everyone will always be there for you and that it's not always about you. So, you learn to stand on your own and to take care of yourself and, in the process, a sense of safety & security is born of self-reliance.

You stop judging and pointing fingers and you begin to accept people as they are and to overlook their shortcomings and human frailties and, in the process, a sense of peace & contentment is born of forgiveness.

You realize that much of the way you view yourself and the world around you, is a result of all the messages and opinions that have been ingrained into your psyche. You begin to sift through all the junk you've been fed about how you should behave, how you should look and how much you should weigh, what you should wear and where you should shop and what you should drive, how and where you should live and what you should do for a living, who you should marry and what you should expect of a marriage, the importance of having and raising children or what you owe your parents. You learn to open up to new worlds and different points of view. You begin reassessing and redefining who you are and what you really stand for.

You learn the difference between wanting and needing and you begin to discard the doctrines and values you've outgrown, or should never have bought into it to begin with and, in the process, you learn to go with your instincts.

You learn that it is truly in giving that we receive and that there is power and glory in creating and contributing and you stop maneuvering through life merely as a "consumer" looking for your next fix.

You learn that principles such as honesty and integrity are not the outdated ideals of a bygone era, but the mortar that holds together the foundation upon which you must build a life.

You learn that you don't know everything; it's not your job to save the world and that you can't teach a pig to sing. You learn to distinguish between guilt and responsibility and the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say "NO". You learn that the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry and that martyrs get burned at the stake.

Then you learn about love. Romantic love and familial love. How to love, how much to give in love, when to stop giving and when to walk away. You learn not to project your needs or your feelings onto a relationship. You learn that you will not be more beautiful, more intelligent, more lovable or important because of the man on your arm or the child that bears your name.

You learn to look at relationships as they really are and not as you would have them be. You stop trying to control people, situations and outcomes.

You learn that just as people grow and change, so it is with love; and you learn that you don't have the right to demand love on your terms, just to make you happy.

You learn that alone does not mean lonely. You look in the mirror and come to terms with the fact that you will never be a size 5 or a perfect 10 and you stop trying to compete with the image inside your head and agonizing over how you "stack up."

You also stop working so hard at putting your feelings aside, smoothing things over and ignoring your needs. You learn that feelings of entitlement are perfectly OK and that it is your right, to want things and to ask for the things that you want and that sometimes it is necessary to make demands.

You come to the realization that you deserve to be treated with love, kindness, sensitivity and respect and you won't settle for less. You allow only the hands of a lover who cherishes you, to glorify you with his touch and, in the process, you internalize the meaning of self-respect.

And you learn that your body really is your temple. And you begin to care for it and treat it with respect. You begin eating a balanced diet, drinking more water and taking more time to exercise. You learn that fatigue diminishes the spirit and can create doubt and fear. So you take more time to rest. Just as food fuels the body, laughter fuels our soul; so you take more time to laugh and to play.

You learn that for the most part in life, you get what you believe you deserve and that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

You learn that anything worth achieving is worth working for and that wishing for something to happen is different from working toward making it happen.

More importantly, you learn that in order to achieve success you need direction, discipline and perseverance. You also learn that no one can do it all alone and that it's OK to risk asking for help.

You learn that the only thing you must truly fear is the great robber baron of all time; FEAR itself. You learn to step right into and through your fears, because you know that whatever happens you can handle it and to give in to fear, is to give away the right to live life on your terms.

You learn to fight for your life and not to squander it living under a cloud of impending doom. You learn that life isn't always fair, you don't always get what you think you deserve and that sometimes bad things happen to unsuspecting, good people. On these occasions, you learn not to personalize things. You learn that God isn't punishing you or failing to answer your prayers; it's just life happening.

You learn to deal with evil in its most primal state; the ego. You learn that negative feelings such as anger, envy and resentment must be understood and redirected or they will suffocate the life out of you and poison the universe that surrounds you. You learn to admit when you are wrong and to build bridges instead of walls.

You learn to be thankful and to take comfort in many of the simple things we take for granted; things that millions of people upon the earth can only dream about; a full refrigerator, clean running water, a soft warm bed, a long hot shower. Slowly, you begin to take responsibility for yourself, by yourself and you make yourself a promise to never betray yourself and to never ever settle for less than your heart's desire. You hang a wind chime outside your window so you can listen to the wind, and you make it a point to keep smiling, to keep trusting and to stay open to every wonderful possibility.

Finally, with courage in your heart and with God by your side you take a stand, you take a deep breath and you begin to design the life you want to live as best as you can.

Thought Provoking

2012-01-10T20:17:00.000-06:00

The light turned yellow, just in front of him. The old biker even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk. The tailgating woman was furious and honked her horn, screaming in frustration, as she missed her chance to get through the intersection, dropping her cell phone and makeup. As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered her to exit the car with her hands up.. he took her to the police station where she was searched, fingerprinted, photographed, and placed in a holding cell. After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal effects. He said, "I'm very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flippin off the guy in front of you and cussing a blue streak at him. I noticed the 'What Would Jesus Do' bumper sticker, the 'Choose Life' license plate holder, the 'Follow Me to Sunday-School' bumper sticker, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk, so naturally.... "I assumed you had stolen the car."

10 On Tues: 58 Degrees

2012-01-10T20:00:00.001-06:00

1. I’m back!

2. I’m thrilled to be able to participate in the Women’s Bible Study with my oldest daughter at our church. She’s doing a Beth Moore Study called, “James Mercy Triumphs.” I’m doing a study on the books of Ruth and Esther.

3. Yes, my daughter is home from Marine Recruit Training. I am proud of her journey and all that she has accomplished. She is home for good working on herself and reconnecting with her family, as it should be.

4. We have been through a lot and through this process I personally have learned a lot about integrity, encouragement, and true friendship. I want to personally thank those (you know who you are) who prayed for us and jumped right in with hugs and honest concern about what was happening. I will never forget your strength and your kindness.

5. Last year many horrible evil things happened that affected all of us in different ways. Some instances were shocking, unbelievable, detestable, unsustainable, life sucking, joy stealing, and in many cases just plain dumb. I’m glad 2011 is over.

6. Everything happens for a reason. God is working in our lives every day. He uses ordinary every day events to shape our lives. He may seem hidden but He is not absent.

7. Bones is pregnant with Booth’s child. When did that happen? I need to watch more TV!

8. I can’t wait to get our new dishwasher this Thursday. I’ve been washing dishes by hand for almost two weeks. I’m just glad the old one didn’t conk out until after the Holidays. Our new dishwasher is going to be so quiet you’ll wonder if it’s even running! How nice is that!?

9. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. (Psalm 91:11-12)

10. Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it fully. (Proverbs 28:5)

Outside of Me

2012-01-10T17:03:00.000-06:00

Someone said something unkind about me. Are my feelings hurt? Yes. Should they be? No. How do I overcome my hurt? By detaching myself, "turning it off," until I can figure out what lies behind it. If it was retaliation for an unkindness I did, let me correct my fault. If not, I have no responsibility in the matter. Should I ignore or challenge? No, I will let it go; least said, soonest mended. Nothing can hurt me unless I allow it to. When I am pained by anything that happens outside of myself, it is not that thing which hurts me, but the way I think and feel about it.

Today's Reminder

Let me not take to myself, and suffer over, the actions and reactions of other people. Other adult human beings are not my responsibility, no matter how closely their lives may be intertwined with mine. I will not allow myself to be troubled by anyone else; my one problem is to improve my own way of living and looking at life.

"God teach me to detach my mind from what others say and do, except to draw helpful lessons and guidance from them."

There is no need for me to figure out what lies behind it. I know what lies behind it. God showed me something last year and I will never forget the lessons I have learned as a result of His Guidance. I live a pretty transparent life before God. He sees everything. I have no responsibility in the matter. What happened took place outside of me. I am not responsible for what other people do. It is what it is.

Wait

2011-12-07T09:39:00.000-06:00

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

~Psalm 27:14

Trust

2011-12-06T11:23:00.001-06:00

Man has always been beset by worry, and the pressures of modern life have aggravated the problem. To men of all time Jesus said, “Take therefore no thought for the morrow . . . but seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33–34). Many of you are filled with a thousand anxieties. Bring them to Jesus Christ by faith. He will bring peace to your soul and your mind.

I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

–Psalm 34:4

Knowing You hear me, Lord, as I talk with You brings me peace in the midst of any storm.

Hat Tip: A Thousand Anxieties

How appropriate and applicable Sunday’s Sermon was. This “Don’t Worry” theme has been popping up all around me.

I am putting my focus on Him and concentrating on what’s important to me: My Family. I don’t have time for negativity, drama, gossip or innuendo. I am busy making peace in places where I know peace will flourish.

God will do the rest because I am not in control. I can only control myself. I am not responsible for the choices other people make and will no longer allow it to rule over my life.

Do Not 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.

–Matthew 6:25-34

Hopelessly Entangled

2011-12-01T13:50:00.001-06:00

If you’ve had a relationship like Sally’s or Sarah’s, you know how conflicted it makes you feel. You love but you hate. You trust but you suspect. You enjoy but you want to get away. You understand but you just can’t excuse. You embrace but you want to push back. You know you are needed but you feel abused.

You can’t put your finger on the problem. You know there is one, but if you ever bring it up with the other person, very quickly it is turned into something that is all about you and what you’ve done. You are told in so many words, “If you were different, there wouldn’t be a problem.” Your accuser works to produce guilt in you and evoke pity for himself. You are left to ponder, What can I do to make this better? I must be doing something very wrong.

Over the years, I have talked to so many people entangled in this kind of relationship. Usually they are quite candid about their own faults. They chew their fingernails or tap their feet while telling me, “I am willing to correct what I can, but for the life of me, I don’t know what to do.” They remain baffled because no matter what they do to alter their shortcomings, the relationship stays chaotic and tense. Often they assume they’re the only one in the world with a relationship that is so insane! They feel like a wart growing on the face of a smooth-complected society. They don’t want to talk about the pain because they have been told so often that they are the reason for it. They have almost come to believe it. Since they care about the difficult individual, they feel like a betrayer to mention the problem to anyone. So they keep on keeping on in hopeful desperation, always believing thing will be better tomorrow. But when their tomorrow comes, they are usually disappointed.

My heart hurts for you if you are in this kind of situation. I know how it leaves you crushed in spirit although you look intact on the outside. These things I know about you because the symptoms of a person entangled with a fool are fairly universal:

You can’t figure out why this relationship just can’t work.
You fear losing what you think you have with this person, whatever that might be (you may not be able to define it!).
You feel guilty for failing to find a solution to the ongoing pain.
You are afraid to face the truth and possible consequences. The unknown is very threatening to you.
You know you have to do something to change the destructive dynamics, but you don’t know what you need to do.

The reason you remain in turmoil is that you are trying to relate to someone who has some wonderful qualities mixed with a perplexing set of destructive characteristics. In the beginning you may have admired this person, but soon you found yourself mired in the chaos that seems to characterize the relationship. One minute you hear your own laughter, and you hope against hope that all is well. The next minute you’re on the defensive in response to some inane comment or emotional jab made at you by this one to whom you are trying to relate. If you protest, invariably the person denies he has said or done anything inappropriate. In a few twists of the facts, he tries to convince you that you’re a bitter person or just “oversensitive.” When you have been labeled with all other conceivable insults, there sometimes comes the appellation you hate more than any other: “crazy.” It leaves you bleeding. What can you possibly do or say to counter that one? By the time the encounter is over, you are kicking yourself for even mentioning that you have feelings.

Hat Tip: FOOL Proofing Your Life

FOOL Proofing Your Life

2011-12-01T13:29:00.000-06:00

Many years ago Jan Silvious came and spoke at our church. It was a fabulous event, I purchased her book, stood in line for her autograph, came home and placed her book on the shelf never to be read...UNTIL yesterday.

I am still reading The Ragamuffin Gospel but recently received affirmation that I should put that book down and come back to it at a later date. FOOL Proofing Your Life was screaming at me to pick her up and R.E.A.D. Why didn’t I read this book before now?

I believe I was not supposed to read that book until now. I also believe that I’m not supposed to read The Ragamuffin Gospel until AFTER I read FOOL Proofing Your Life. Someone upstairs is looking out for me in a BIG way! Everything happens for a reason, right?

CHAPTER ONE: Raising Your Relational IQ really GRABBED my attention. I had never really thought about the quality of my relationships in an in dept way before now. This book really breaks it down and explains it detail by detail. Much of this book is bible based for those that look to God for comfort, peace and joy.

Right now I am on Chapter 3. I will admit that I am having a hard time putting this book down. My next post will be an excerpt from the book that I think you will come to appreciate.

I was not told to write about this book or to link to it. I don’t really like to talk about books that I haven’t read…ya know? I have included my online affiliate link which means if you decide to order the book from this page or any of the links on my pages I might get credit for your order.

November Sunrise

2011-11-30T17:10:00.000-06:00

Happy 6th Birthday to Our Kinsley!!!

2011-11-28T14:26:00.000-06:00

I have written your name on my hand. ~Isaiah 49:16

You knit me together in my mother's womb. ~Psalm 139:13

He cares about you. ~1 Peter 5:7

It is not our love for God; it is God's love for us in sending his Son to be the way to take away our sins. ~1 John 4:10

The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works. ~Psalm 104:31