Daily Musings

Compassion Creates Community

2015-02-20T09:10:00.000-06:00

Image Credit: Lily's Creations

The dirty, wild, curses-like-a-sailor-child you look at daily and see only positive qualities in: curiosity, intelligence, energy, desire.

The single mother of three children whom you see as you order breakfast from her at the restaurant in the morning and pay her for your gas at the station on your way home in the evening.

The man you grew up with who won’t even make eye contact with you in the grocery store since he mysteriously stopped coming to church.

The elderly shut-in woman who went out of her way to not only cut you with her words, but spewed her venom loud enough that a crowded room heard it all has recently became a widow.

WHAT ABOUT THEM?

You see them, too. Don’t you?

Surely I’m not the only one surrounded by people matching not only the above descriptions, but so many more. Hurting people. Broken people. Struggling people. Prideful people. Angry people. Neglected people.

People crying out in the most reclusive or rejective ways for help.

HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Many people seem to respond to their behavior rather than their pleas for help.

But I look at these people, truly look at them, and try to see the world, myself, as it must appear from their perspective.

And I see a reflection of myself, not in what they see, but in they eye I’m looking out of. I have been each of those individuals in one way or another. I have cried out in all the wrong ways for help.

All I ever wanted was someone to push back against my boundaries and do something to help me. Something. Anything.

And I wonder, when I hear people tell me not to get involved, to mind my own business. What has happened to the our feet of compassion?

Can we really stand by and watch as our fellow brothers and sisters struggle just to make it through another moment, let alone another day?

CAN WE REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

What if I carry their groceries out? Am I lifting one small burden of their almost broken back?

What if I drop off one of MY bags of groceries on their front porch with a note of encouragement?

What if I simply look him in the eye, stretch out my hand, and honestly tell him how much I’ve missed talking to him?

What if I volunteer to mentor that child? Pick them up once a week or so just to do something they would like to do. Maybe even offer to wash their clothes while we hang out.

What if I give the zoo family pass I have to the waitress? Will a day out with her kids that has no price tag attached help her create memories?

What if I pick up the shut-in widow for church next Sunday? Can I set down my pride to relieve some of her pain?

I can do any one of those things without sacrificing much time or money. Yet the impact of the gesture would echo around my community.

Compassion freely given or stingily withheld creates the community we are leaving for our children and grandchildren.

We can choose not to get involved and mind our business by doing nothing, or we can choose to get involved and mind our own business by showing compassion to those God places in our path.

View the other #1000Speaks posts on compassion HERE.

February Bloglovin' Blog Hop

2015-02-19T00:21:00.001-06:00

Join the February Bloglovin' Blog Hop here! I'm still paying forward the blog love!

Leave me a comment with the # of your blog and I'll give you at least one extra social media shout out! :D

Leave me a comment with the # of the favorite blog you READ on the list and I'll give you AND that blog at least one extra social media shout out! :-)

Co-Host Carrie

1, Please follow your host and co-hosts.

2. Add your link directly to your Bloglovin' profile in the linky. You will need to manually upload your profile photo.

3, Visit and follow at least 2-3 other bloggers.

4. Tweet and share this hop!

<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.happykidsincblog.com/p/bloglovin-blog-hop.html" title="Happy Kids, Inc." target="_blank"></a></div>

Beautifully Broken

2015-02-17T11:06:00.000-06:00

At the end of the sermon Sunday, a video was played showing several people engrossed in their electronic devices while life was going on around them. One of the images was a proposal taking place in front of a sunset.

For some reason the image reminded me of vacation.

Typically our family takes a beach vacation. I sit under an umbrella and read book after book for a week or more while the rest of the family scavenges for shells, shark’s teeth, sea glass, sand dollars, and various other treasures. Every so often I will join them in the water to cool down a bit, but I never stay too long for fear of burning.

Vacation is my chance to catch up on recreational reading that I don’t get to do much of during the rest of the year. Some years I have read as many as twenty novels while lying on the beach under an umbrella.

This year my teenagers started making comments about me reading months before we packed for our dream trip to Sanibel Island. They weren’t being mean, simply dreaming out loud what vacation would look like for all of us.

However, it kind of hurt my feelings that they were counting me out of their plans. They had already decided that I would sit in one spot, babysit our belongings, and read by myself while they did all the things we had been talking and dreaming about since they had been in elementary.

Not this year. I thought. This year I’m going to do everything everyone else does. I’m not going to be holder of the stuff. I’m not going to be the responsible one, the good behavior example. We only have a couple summer vacations left before they leave for college. Who knows if we’ll ever travel as a family again after that. I’m going to participate. Not watch.

When it came time to pack, I didn’t include any physical books. I didn’t download any e-books onto my Kindle. I didn’t even grab a magazine for the road. And I didn’t say a word about what I wasn’t doing to anyone else.

When we headed to the beach on day two, no one even packed chairs down the path. If mom wasn’t sitting in them, no one else would feel a need to go keep her company every so often.

All three members of my family had found extremely unique, amazing shells within a day or two of combing the beach. I spent pretty much the entire time on the beach searching for my something special, and hadn’t found anything worth showing off.

After being excited for one of their umpteenth awesome finds, I found myself sitting in the sand digging through an enormous pile of shells, frustrated, discouraged, disappointed, and just a wee bit jealous.

God, out of everything out here, I just want to find ONE special thing. I don’t need to find tons, but I’d like to take ONE thing home that I can say I found. One special shell that is whole. No missing pieces. No brokenness. One perfect, special shell just for me.

And when I looked back down at the pile of shells in front of me, all I saw was the same pile of shells that was there before I prayed.

It wasn’t long after that when I rose to take the daily sunset picture. Sunset on Bowman’s Beach was the daily highlight. We made sure we were present for God’s nightly light show. Every night was something different.

As I struggled to frame my shots of the sun melting into the ocean around all of the other attendees, I again became frustrated.

Just one perfect shot! If only those people would move! They are intruding on my view of your show, God.

It was in that moment I finally heard what God had been trying to say and my eyes filled with tears as I realized what I had been doing.

I wasn’t looking for special; I was looking for perfection. I was totally missing the special in my search for something that doesn’t exist outside of God.

Carrie, I created each of those people and each of those shells. They are all absolutely special and perfect. You’re looking at the wrong things. Of course they’re missing pieces, cracked, broken, and discolored. They’ve weathered the storms of life. Been battered by an uneven, rocky ground. They’ve been out their depths and totally washed up. And they are beautiful. Stop looking for perfection and see the beauty that is within each one.

Immediately I was humbled and had an entire new outlook on the images before me. Handcrafted by God. And He knew not only every individual chip, crack, broken piece, and hole, but He also knew the events that caused each imperfection to exist.

I wonder how often we get caught up in perfection that we miss the beauty God has placed right in front of our faces. See, I put down my electronic devices and books, and I still almost missed it. I spent most of my time searching for something that wasn’t even what God had prepared for me.

Has God placed any beautiful broken things in front of you this week? Are you trying to fix them or are you simple loving them as God’s creation?

This post was shared on:

Wake Up Wednesday Blog Hop

Co-Hosting Week #3 of Chain Linky CLIMB Party

2015-02-15T20:36:00.001-06:00

Remember when we were kids and we tried to climb EVERYTHING? Join us this week as we CLIMB from blog post to blog post!

Share your posts and share other's blog posts!We'll have a great time swinging around from post to post!!!

If you read this blog post and join the CLIMB, please leave me a comment so I can make sure to give you an extra shout out on social media!!!

Co-Host Carrie

Tweet #ChainLinkyCLIMB

<a href="http://www.godsgrowinggarden.com/p/chain-linky-climb.html" rel="”nofollow”" target="_blank"></a>

WELCOME!

It's the month long Networking Blog Hop

Networking means helping each other grow!! If you want to promote a CLIMB link, then use #ChainLinkyCLIMB on Twitter or Google+ so that we can all help each other grow!

Here's how the Giveaway & Co-hosting works - the co-hosts from the previous month's CLIMB will have the opportunity to participate in a Giveaway during the next CLIMB - that gives co-hosts 2 months in a row of blog growing fun!! (If you would like to co-host please sign up at the end of this post using the last "Linky")

Also, our CLIMB GIVEAWAY! Please enter below -one person will win:

- $20 Paypal cash from Sew Crafty Angel & from Cuddlebug Cuties

- 1 Ad Space on A Peek Into My Paradise - $30 value

- 1 Monthly Ad Space on God's Growing Garden - $15 value

- A gorgeous Necklace with natural raw marble beachstone by ShorelineDesigned - $20 value

MARVELOUS MARBLE NECKLACE

Marvelous Marble - Natural Raw Marble Beachstone from Lake Michigan, Black Waxed Cotton Cord, White Recycled Glass Krobo Bead Unisex Necklace"Simple and elegant Stone. Glass. Fiber. I have found and drilled this Lake Michigan raw black and white marble beachstone, hand drilled a 5 mm hole, hand strung it onto a quality waxed cotton cord and topped it with an ice-white recycled glass Krobo artisan bead. This unisex necklace can be worn long as is - perhaps for layering with others, or you may snip and re-knot the cord to your liking. As is, the necklace as tied will hang a long and leisurely 27 inches including the 2 inch glass and stone pendant."

by ShorelineDesigned

Total prize value is $85!!

CLIMB Giveaway Rules & Conditions: - this is open worldwide (void where prohibited)

- You must be 18 years or older to enter

- You MUST have a blog to win the Ad spaces (otherwise these will become a second place prizes)

- You must live in the lower 48 of the United States to win the Necklace (otherwise this will become second place prizes)

- You MUST have a valid PayPal account to win the Paypal Cash (otherwise this will become a second place prizes)

- This Giveaway is open from January 31st, 2015 until February 28th, 2015

- Winner must respond to email within 48 hours or a different winner will be chosen

- Giveaway Hosts & Co-hosts can NOT enter this Giveaway!, however - FEBRUARY 2015 CLIMB blog hop co-hosts ARE allowed to enter this Giveaway (provided they are not also part of the Giveaway)

- correspondence is done through email and the winner's email addresses will only be used to deliver or set-up e-prizes. Email addresses will NEVER be sold or shared.

- All prizes will be delivered by the contributing Bloggers/Shop Owners.

- if you have any questions or concerns about this Giveaway please email one of the hosts:

Angie: angeliquetower@gmail.com

Angel: sewcraftyangel@gmail.com

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now onto the CLIMB (blog hop):We have changed it up a bit - instead of linking your homepage you may now link up to 4 of your family friendly blog posts per month!!

By participating in this blog hop your understand that your link might be featured &/or promoted on our blogs & social media. Also, by participating in this blog hop your email address will be added to our CLIMB list & you will be sent an email reminder next month.

Remember - If you co-host you will receive a free Weekly Sidebar Ad and your blog button will appear on both Angie's blog & Angel's blog!!

(The Ad will run live a few weeks after you have co-hosted)

Love--Don't Panic

2015-02-14T11:43:00.000-06:00

If we were having coffee, it would have to be later in the day this weekend. I’m tired. Exhausted, really.

Sometimes I can plan and prepare for this type of physical and emotion attacking week, but this one I felt I was totally prepared for.

WHAM!

I wouldn’t say anything bad happened, but when you hit survival mode by 8:15 on Monday morning, well, it gives you an inkling of what’s coming.

So, I did what all overwhelmed, panic attack looming, over-time employed, mothers of teenagers do when they find themselves hanging on by a thread.

I drank more coffee, ate more sugar, got up earlier, stayed up later, and made sure to spend a bit of time doing things for me. I left work when everything wasn’t quite finished. I read a book that I have a book review coming due on. I went and watched a movie. I had dinner.

Yeah. I’m a party animal!

At one point during the week I could feel the panic attack coming on. My breathing pattern was changing. My eyes were expanding in my head. My thoughts were racing.

This is new for me. Recognizing the symptoms before they get too far.

So, I shot my hubby a quick e-mail at the break.

I’m feeling a little overwhelmed today. Tears...panic attack pending…

And in less than two minutes I got an e-mail back.

That stinks! I love you anyways ;)

Um, who wouldn’t stop and smile at that reply?

Take a deep breath. Assess the situation. Nothing terrible is happening today. What do you need to do right now? One thing. Not everything. Do that.

Yes, I still went home exhausted. Wore out. Feeling emotionally wiped out. But with one quick e-mail response, the full-blown panic attack was averted.

What do you do when you get overwhelmed? Can you recognize the symptoms of impending meltdown?

Do you need someone to strategize with you? Talk you down? Or just remind you that you are loved?

Do you have to withdraw from everyone even if that means leaving work or your own family immediately?

I’d love to hear what others do. I will need to find some other strategies as my husband will soon be released to return to work and won’t be able to respond to me immediately for much longer.

Let's Go to the Hop! The Valentine's Day Hop!

2015-02-12T06:58:00.000-06:00

Happy Valentine's Day, friends!

I'd love to help you grow your blog love this week, so join us in the Valentine's Day edition of the Bloglovin' Blog Hop! I read some AMAZING posts from our contributors last week, and can't wait to visit all your blogs this week!

Share love with your friends and invite them to hop with us!

I'd also like to encourage everyone to try to leave at least one person you don't already know on the hop some comment love, repost their blog on Twitter, and share your favorite post from someone else on your Facebook page. You'll be surprised by the love you'll receive in return!

1, Please follow your host and co-hosts.

2. Add your link directly to your Bloglovin' profile in the linky. You will need to manually upload your profile photo.

3, Visit and follow at least 2-3 other bloggers.

4. Tweet and share this hop!

<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.happykidsincblog.com/p/bloglovin-blog-hop.html" title="Happy Kids, Inc." target="_blank"></a></div>

Put the Stones Down!

2015-02-10T21:49:00.000-06:00

In the past two days I’ve done quite a bit of reading where Christians have made harsh statements about other Christians based on decisions they make. One instance was a church website that went as far as to say that anyone that didn’t share the churches beliefs wasn’t actually a Christian to start with and would burn in Hell.

Another included many Christians arguing about the legality of Christians watching a particular movie. It ended with many Christians stating that born again believers would not have a desire to watch said movie. Therefore, anyone saying they were going to watch the movie and claiming to be Christian were either never saved to start with or living intentionally in direct rebellion to God’s will.

And then the Christians on the other side throw out the “Judge not…” from Matthew 7. The “judging” Christians comeback with Ezekiel 3:18-19 if they’re talking to non-Christians and Matthew 28:15-17 if they’re talking to Christians.

I really want to just put on my teacher voice and yell, “Knock it off! What is this argument benefiting either side? Why did you even bring these subjects up?”

You see, Paul addresses a similar topic in Romans 14. I’m going to change food to wine for a contemporary topic that is still very much relevant.

Let’s say two Christian families attend a non-denominational church that has no strong belief on partaking in alcohol. Believers are left on their own to decide what God speaks to them about partaking of alcoholic beverages. It is not condoned nor condemned.

One family has searched the scriptures, prayed, and waited for God’s answer. They are at peace with the decision that Jesus water to wine was not grape juice, but fermented juice that is present day wine. They do not drink to become drunk, but they do enjoy an alcoholic beverage with dinner several nights a week.

Family two has an adult member that has struggled with an alcohol addiction. After being sober for 16 months, they have returned to church and are becoming grounded in the faith they were raised in. They feel that alcohol is not only a sin, but will destroy their family if given any foothold at all in their lives.

Both families meet for dinner on a Friday night. Family one goes to order a bottle of wine. The recently sober member of family two asks if they could please not drink in front of their family because they have pledged not to have anything to do with alcohol to God.

Which family is right?

Most of us want to choose a family to be right. We want the answer to be black or white. Right or wrong. One way or the other.

The truth, however, is somewhere in the gray.

Scripture speaks of alcohol taken to cure stomach ailments. It talks about alcohol and men of leadership in the church. It speaks of Jesus turning water into wine. It speaks of the crowds thinking the apostles were drunk when they were preaching.

It also speaks of being sober-minded. Too drink or not to drink?

The answer is clear.

Let. It. Go.

Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them. Romans 14:3

Sometimes we are free to live according to the promises we have made God as long as it doesn’t create a problem for someone else.

If I’m a recovering alcoholic and you drink in front of me, you’re causing a problem for me. If I’ve made an oath to God that I personally will never eat beef, that’s not your cross to bear. I can’t expect everyone else to live by the promise I made with God.

Yes, sometimes we are called to warn someone that they are headed down a slippery slope called sin. But we warn them and then we pray for them. We don’t berate them publicly. We don’t harass them. We don’t stone them.

I may choose not to participate in what they’re doing. I may even separate myself from their company because of their decisions. But I don’t proclaim for all to hear that they are on a one-track path to Hell with no hope of returning to God.

We can choose not to condone without choosing to stone.

Will you join me in putting the stones down? Let’s help somebody up instead of reminding them of just how low the world thinks they are.

This post was shared on:

Motivation Monday

photo credit: The narrow gate via photopin (license)

photo credit: via photopin (license)

photo credit: Rocks, Stones and Pebbles via photopin (license)

Divine Devouring Fire

2015-02-09T23:24:00.000-06:00

I came across the above quote on my facebook feed today, and it really caused me to think. It had no scriptural reference. Nor did I recognize the name associated with the quote.

“Your Lord is a fire...”

No. No, He isn’t. He’s mercy and love and creativity--not destruction.

What an awful way to present God. And this is a Christian site sharing this!

Well, I ran across the image a couple times this evening, pausing to ponder its meaning each time.

Before reading The Crucible with my high school Juniors, we do quite a bit of background work to make sure we understand the history behind the witch trials. In order to understand the history, we must familiarize ourselves with the core beliefs of the Puritans.

As part of the front-loading process, we read an excerpt from the sermon Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. My students don’t typically appreciate the excerpt. However, it gives them a clear picture of how the Puritans of this time viewed God.

And every time I scrolled past this image, I kept seeing God gingerly holding a spider between His index finger and thumb, as if it were the most vile thing ever created, over the raging fires and flames of an inferno called Hell.

The God I know created the spider from His imagination and creativity. He loves His creation. He does not abhor His creation.

Discipline? Yes. Give them freewill to choose heaven or hell? Yes. But to barely hold them over hell and then intentionally let them go? No.

So, imagine my surprise when I was reading the Bible this evening and stopped with Hebrews 12:29.

For our God is a devouring fire. Hebrews 12:29

Our God acted as a devouring fire when He consumed (burned up) all of our sin when He accepted His Son, Jesus, as a sacrifice for our sins. Our sins are ashes once we invite Jesus to become our personal Lord and Savior.

Where do we all gather when we’re camping?

What about the church hayride and bonfire?

Christmas Eve to read the Christmas story?

When it’s cold outside?

Don’t we rush to the fire? Don’t we draw in and huddle close? Do we find ourselves inviting others into the circle so they don’t miss out?

That fire isn’t all a destructive thing.

It brings warmth. Ability to cook. Light to the darkness. Fellowship. Protection. It provides comfort.

So, if the Lord is a fire, and He lives in our hearts, what condition should our hearts be in?

Cold? Lukewarm? Or bonfire blazing?

On the Other Side of Mourning

2015-02-07T23:34:00.000-06:00

Have you ever lost something that was important to you? I mean something more than an object. Something that really can’t be replaced.

Something like your joy or peace or desire to serve.

What happens when you lose something like that? How do you feel?

I’ve mentioned before that a couple years ago a Christian counselor told me I needed to take at least a year break from the church I was serving in because of the stress it was causing me. I really struggled with that suggestion. I quit going to counseling because of it, and continued serving in church.

And my stress levels continued to cause increased anxiety until I entered a period of great loss. The loss was so devastating to my spirit that I found myself in a period of mourning.

My season of mourning couldn’t have been any clearer if I had thrown ashes on my head and dressed in sackcloth.

My joy? Gone.

My walk with God? Hindered by the overwhelming emotions.

My serve? Out of guilt and obligation.

And I had tried everything to get out of this ‘funk’.

Prayer. Bible study. Counseling. More involved in serving. Encouraging others. Loving those I didn’t even like. Saying yes when I knew I should be saying no.

I finally hit rock bottom in the most freeing way.

In a final conversation with myself I decided I couldn’t be so miserable any more. God didn’t create me to be in a perpetual state of mourning. This had gone on for too long.

I had punished myself for long enough.

God loved me, forgave me, and had work for me to do. I had to get up and get well.

That has almost been a year and a half ago.

Not an easy year and a half. On the other side of mourning is a lot of anger, hurt feelings, additional loss, a totally different kind of mourning, and then, sometime when you aren’t paying attention, the ashes get swept up.

Then, you find yourself out of town late on a Saturday night for an annual family event. You’ve missed church most years on Sunday after that event. You could have made it this year, but no one sets an alarm and everyone oversleeps. Then when you finally wake up and realize church has already started and you can’t make it, you’re sad that you’ve missed church.

And that thought made me smile.

I was actually SAD that I missed church.

I didn’t feel guilty for missing church; I felt disappointed that we missed out. I wasn’t worried about who had to cover my jobs and what complaints I would hear about. I wasn’t concerned about who might think we were looking for a new church or skipping church because we were mad at someone or weren’t truly Christians.

I was simply sad that we had accidentally overslept and missed church.

It was a huge breakthrough for me.

I’m actually happy again. At work. At home. At church.

That last one was hard to type. I’m afraid to say it.

But this evening as I drove home from work I paused as I heard a song on the radio for the first time in a long while.

“Let me see redemption win

Let me know the struggle ends

That you can mend a heart

That’s frail and torn

I wanna know a song can rise

From the ashes of a broken life

And all that’s dead inside can be reborn

Cause I’m worn”

-Worn by Tenth Avenue North

I have. I used to bawl through this song because it was my prayer, but now it is my praise! God can mend a heart no matter how frail and torn! I am singing again...from my heart not from routine! The ashes are being shaped into something new! And that new? It’s beautiful!

Are you struggling? Do you feel alone? Past the point of redemption?

Friend, God has great plans for your life! He’s not done! He can restore, redeem, and renew whatever is broken or worn out in your life. No, there’s no quick fix, magic pill, but if you ask Him, He will do it!

And I don’t want you to have to do it alone. I’d like to help someone out the way I wish someone could have been able to help me. To help bear the burden. To pray you through. To speak words of encouragement, motivation, and, yes, sometimes tough love.

If now is your rock bottom, here’s your sign and your hand up! If you haven’t hit rock bottom, but you’re close enough to see it, don’t wait! Reach up for help now.

Shared with Motivation Monday

photo credit: Among the Ashes via photopin (license)

Coaching Authentic Learning #WeekendCoffeeShare

2015-02-07T09:56:00.002-06:00

If we were having coffee I’d ask if we could just meet at my house.

Sure, it’s a mess, but I’m tired and would rather lounge around in my comfy clothes than dress to meet you out.

I make us a couple cappuccinos in the Tassimo. Or I could make the mochas or white mochas if you’d prefer. Tea? I can do breakfast tea.

Oh, could you grab some pastries on your way over, though? Anything would be great!

It’s still too cold to visit outside, but we could sit in the kitchen or the living room and catch up. Or just calm down.

Do you teach, too? Were your students bouncing off the walls yesterday? You would think after a snow day we would have all come back to school better, but it was actually worse.

Someone did mention it was a full moon too. That does make an impact. I wonder why it isn’t ever a POSITIVE impact.

What’s your best full moon story? Deliver any babies? Crazy naked person show up at your door? Werewolves?

You know I could focus on the crazy all morning, but do you know what the best part of my week was?

I got to do what I love and watch it work.

I was terrified about introducing this argumentative research paper to my seventh graders. My fear grew when I realized the topic I chose was too deep.

I planned a week for this portion of the unit. We’re on week three.

It’s been slow. Painstaking. Work.

However, this week.

This week I’ve watched a few teams in each hour finish. I’ve coached teams through “aha moments” and watched them jump the hurdle and sprint for the finish. I’ve asked the teams that finished early to turn around and coach the teams that weren’t to the typing stage yet. And there I saw magic.

I watched “coaches” sit down in between partners, help them get organized, develop a plan, and get them motivated in a way I had not been able to do.

I watched as one “coach” met with a set of partners for a few minutes and moved on. Odd, I thought. Until one of the partners hollered at me, “Mrs. Tripp! We are almost done with our figurative language. ‘Coach’ explained it to us again and it finally makes sense! We get it now!”

I had been attempting to move that particular group through that stage of their writing for three days. They should have been one of my first groups done. A few minutes with a student coach was all it took.

I had students ask to explain examples of figurative language they found on the internet. When I broke it down to a concept they would understand I couldn’t believe the reaction. “Mrs. Tripp!” one exclaimed placing both hands on their forehead, “That is deep. It absolutely makes sense, and now I understand, but you have to think to see that. Wow. We read that at least twenty times trying to figure it out. Just wow. That’s perfect. Exactly what we’re trying to say, but in a different way.”

At the same time another student on the opposite side of the room hollers my name, “All of this thinking is starting to hurt my head. Who knew these things meant other things? You really have to pay attention. Now I have to read the whole thing again. My head is going to be killing me!”

Did I mention I was worried about teaching them source cards, notes cards, and how to do a works cited page?

Yeah, at this point in time I am amazed at how much authentic learning has happened in our classroom. And how much of it I didn’t plan.

My English 3 classes have been just as motivated.

My week has been everything I haven’t expected. The good and the bad.

What about yours? Has anything gone GREAT that you expected to bomb? Or, like my yesterday, has anything gone crazy that you expected to be great?

I’d love to hear about your week over coffee!

This post was shared with:
Literacy Musing Mondays

photo credit: Teaching via photopin (license)

photo credit: Educational Postcard: "To become adults capable of thriving in the new workplace, students..." via photopin (license)

photo credit: Good morning via photopin (license)

Disenchanted's Enchanting Book Review

2015-02-05T00:00:00.000-06:00

Disenchanted by Leigh Goff

Heroine: Sophie Goodchild

Hero: Alexavier Mather

Where: Wethersfield, Connecticut

Sixteen-year-old Sophie is half-witch and half-ordinary and wholly fits in no where. She is struggling to discover who she is while attempting to present only the version of herself she wants others to see.

In the midst of her struggle, a battle rages between good and evil. Unfortunately for Sophie, the lines aren’t quite as clear between the two sides as others believe they should be.

The Mathers have been locking witches away and even killing them for years. Can she keep herself from falling in love with one of Judge Mather’s sons? Can Alexavier Mather protect both of them from the curse that one of Sophie’s ancestors placed on his family?

Throughout the book Sophie struggles to balance family relationships, friendships, dating relationships, coven relationships, and appearances of relationships for those trying to bring harm to her. She tries to master the skills to become a herbalist and tries to control the skills of spellcasting that are already within her.

Sophie discovers that everyone in her life is different and gifted in some way. Even the people she thought were Ordinaries.

A story that starts out feeling a lot like a mystery with some romance thrown in, winds up feeling more like a book about the battle between good and evil. Characters are forced to choose between doing what’s right because it’s what everyone wants you to do, because it’s easiest, or because you have decided to risk your own life to save the lives of others. Characters have to choose whether to sacrifice or steal.

While Sophie’s character is well-developed, the hero, Alexavier, is not as developed. His “criminal” past is never fully explained to the point that the reader finds worth in it’s inclusion. The “curse” placed on his family doesn’t drive the plot enough to make it as mysterious as it seems throughout the text. When I discovered what the big secret was, I was really disappointed. There was no secret.

After the heroine puts so much on the line to heal the past and the present, she gets no happily-ever-after at all in the end. Her personal past isn’t healed, but everyone else’s is. Her present that was looking up, is now completely undone.

While I would absolutely recommend this book to my middle school and high school students, I do think it was lacking a little depth in the hero and secondary characters.

I also desperately hope there is a sequel coming so that Sophie can have some kind of HEA. I felt so sorry for her at the end of this book. I guess it just felt a little too much like real life for me. I wanted everything to work out.

If you enjoy fiction, fantasy romance, witches, historical fiction, debut novels, YA novels, books about good vs evil, or simply trying something new, then this book is for you!

Welcome to the Month Long Virtual Book Tour

for Disenchanted, the recently released YA

Fantasy novel by Leigh Goff.

About Disenchanted:

A dark curse, a forbidden love, an impossible choice.

Orphaned sixteen-year-old Sophie Goodchild is an outcast among the ordinaries and her coven, but not because she’s untalented. Descended from a powerful Wethersfield witch, her spellcasting gift is awkwardly emerging, but that’s the least of her worries. The boy she’s forbidden to fall for, a descendant of the man who condemned her ancestor to hang, carries a dark secret that could destroy them both unless Sophie learns how to tap into the mysterious power of her diamond bloodcharm.

Suspenseful, dark, romantic, and brimming with old magic, Disenchanted captures the intrigue of New England’s witchlore.

Book Details:

Title: Disenchanted

Author Name: Leigh Goff

Genre(s): Young Adult, Fantasy Romance

Publisher: Musa Publishing, LLC http://www.musapublishing.com/

ISBN: 978-1-68009-045-1

Date Released: 12/19/2014

Add Disenchanted to your Goodreads Shelf:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23485048-disenchanted

Purchase Your Copy at Musa Publishing:

Disenchanted by Leigh Goff

Purchase Your copy at Amazon:

Disenchanted

About the Author:

After taking several writing courses in college and attending professional writing workshops after I graduated from the University of Maryland, University College, I began writing young adult fiction with purpose. I joined the Maryland Writers’ Association and Romance Writers of America and became an approved artist with the Maryland State Arts Council.

My debut novel, Disenchanted, is now available, and I am working on my next, The Witch’s Ring, which will be set in Annapolis.

Follow the Tour:

Jan. 19 Review ~ Bookaholicfix.wordpress.com

Jan. 20 Spotlight ~ http://saphsbookblog.blogspot.com/

Jan. 21 Guest Post ~ http://www.dreamlandteenfantasy.blogspot.com

Jan. 22 Guest Post ~ http://saradanielromance.blogspot.com

Jan. 23 Character Interview ~ http://sharonledwith.blogspot.ca/

Jan. 24 Guest Post ~ http://shirleyfrancesbooksandmore.com/

Jan. 26 Spotlight ~ http://www.drcpromotions.com/

Jan. 27 Review ~ http://sbkbooksandmore.wix.com/s-and-n-books-

Jan. 28 Guest Post ~ http://dawnsreadingnook.blogspot.com

Jan. 29 Spotlight ~ http://www.babsbookbistro.net/

Jan. 30 Spotlight ~ http://saphsbookblog.blogspot.com/

Feb. 2 Spotlight ~ http://sloanetaylor.blogspot.com/

Feb. 3 Spotlight ~ http://jojodebrazza.com/

Feb. 4 Spotlight ~ http://musapublishing.blogspot.com/

Feb. 5 Review ~ http://www.dailymusingsbycarrie.blogspot.com

Feb. 6 Spotlight ~ http://saphsbookblog.blogspot.com/

Feb. 9 Review ~ http://themissphyrelibrary.wordpress.com

Feb. 10 Guest Post ~ http://karynd19.tumblr.com

Feb. 11 Review ~ http://authorsandralove.blogspot.com/

Feb. 12 Spotlight ~ http://saphsbookblog.blogspot.com/

Tour Coordinated by Sapphyria's Book Promotions

Linking up with Book Musing Monday at Mary-andering Creatively.

This post has been shared with Freedom Fridays.

{Comment} Love Is In the Air

2015-02-04T23:00:00.000-06:00

Love is in the air!

Can you feel it?

Oh, wait! That's sleet, freezing rain, and a teeny, tiny bit of snow.

Ok, so it's cold outside. Go ahead and snuggle up with a cup of coffee, a fleece blanket, and your favorite device to read on. Share your blog posts and read a few from some new bloggers!

Do me a favor? Leave the # of the blog hop member that you liked BEST this week in my comment section so I can check them out specifically too. I'll leave them a comment and make sure they know that YOU sent me. Let's share some comment love this month!!!

1, Please follow your host and co-hosts.

2. Add your link directly to your Bloglovin' profile in the linky. You will need to manually upload your profile photo.

3, Visit and follow at least 2-3 other bloggers.

4. Tweet and share this hop!

<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.happykidsincblog.com/p/bloglovin-blog-hop.html" title="Happy Kids, Inc." target="_blank"></a></div>

Shocking Statements from Students

2015-02-03T19:58:00.000-06:00

I’m hosting an assignment in my 7th grade English class called “Love or Money?” My students have paired off and chosen a topic to write an argument essay about where individuals have had to make a choice between love or money.

For example, choosing a job that requires a lot of traveling and being away from your spouse and kids or choosing to take a lesser paying job and staying home. Or marrying the person you love with no money over someone willing to marry you who is loaded.

There are many ways the topic could be viewed, and I have been amazed by some of the topics my students have chosen.

Today I had several pair of students struggling to write the introductory paragraph of their essay. The very last hour of the day one particular group had been struggling for quite a while and kept asking me what they should do. I really wanted each group to work through the struggle on their own, but I needed to do something to help them break through the barrier of writer’s block.

So, I asked them about their topic.

“We’re arguing that pro-athletes should play for the love of the game instead of a paycheck.”

“Ok, then why don’t you introduce the topic by making a shocking statement. Choose a different career. A job that would appall the public to discover that someone was doing the job simply because they were getting rich, not because they loved their work.”

“But Mrs. Tripp, that’s what we’re doing! About athletes.”

“No, a different career. One where people typically don’t make a large sum of money and the public would be outraged if they did. A career where we expect people to do it for love, not money.”

As one partner shakes their head in confusion, the silent partner starts getting excited. “I get it! Like the person who runs the homeless shelter doing it to get rich, not to help the homeless people! That’s wrong! We would have a fit if they made a salary like pro-athletes.”

Nowhere in my mind was the manager of a homeless shelter lurking. There aren’t homeless shelters in our small, rural community. I can’t even fathom how this student came up with that idea.

But a loud and crazy classroom got quiet immediately and was impressed by the answer. Other groups offered compliments on the idea, while others added additional ideas.

You know, this “shocking statement” introduction is a stretch. However, it will accomplish two things in these students’ essay: One, it will catch the reader’s attention, and two, it will parallel the obscene amount of money we give to those who simply exercise and play a game for a job.

I wonder how much the statement has done already, though.

How many students left thinking about homeless shelters? About the people who live in them? About the people who choose, and LOVE, to work in them? About the money it takes to finance them? About what they can do to make a difference in the life of someone else?

I wonder if the argument changed from if pro-athletes should play for the love of the game or the money to is it fair that pro-athletes make millions while others can’t get a meal or a comfortable night’s sleep without the generosity of someone making barely minimum wage.

I wonder how often we miss the shocking statement right in front of us because we’re too focused on the little details.

I can’t tell you that my students left our classroom changed today, although I suspect they did, but I can tell you their teacher left changed today.

What lesson have you learned lately in a place where you didn’t expect to learn that lesson? If we are open to learning something new, we can find lessons everywhere!

This post was linked with Wordless Wednesday.

The TGIF Blog Instagram Hop

This post is shared with:

photo credit: BES Photos via photopin cc

photo credit: Chicago Man via photopin cc

Everlasting Name Change

2015-02-02T21:38:00.000-06:00

Changed.

Different.

I've been thinking about how God changes people. Particularly about how he changed people's names.

Abram to Abraham

Sarai to Sarah

Saul to Paul

Simon to Peter

It seems such a little thing. Women get married and change their names every day. People start businesses and choose names that represent their product, brand, or philosophy.

We give people nicknames based on their characteristics, habits, or humorous one time events.

My sister's name was Beth all of our childhood. The story is I wanted a sister named Beth. When she started school in a new district in 8th grade she decided to go by her given name, Elizabeth.

I think I'm the only person, her older sister, who hasn't made the switch. It's not her name. Not who she is to me. (No, I'm absolutely not tearing up as I type this in a restaurant eating by myself. Sniff.)

We'll be at a gathering where I'll hear someone call, "Elizabeth!" And I wonder who they're talking to.

And Elizabeth is actually my sister's given name.

I have to ask myself what happened when God changed Abram's name to Abraham.

For 99 years he had been known as Abram, his given name. We aren't talking about a teenage name change. We're talking a century.

We aren't talking about a whim here, either. We're talking about God.

It's not like you're walking back into church telling the story of chugging a gallon of milk without taking a breath at youth camp only to discover it expired a month ago and was full of chunks second before you literally blew chunks over the 50 youth gathered around you cheering, and now they all call you Chunky Udder.

This isn't that story.

This is standing in the town square wondering why the person named Abram won't answer the individual who has hollered their name at least ten times. This it's getting annoyed by all the people who keep thinking you're some guy named Abram. This is you not realizing that you were Abram before God changed your name and now you are Abraham.

Ok. So you're thinking I've lost many mind today, aren't you?

Let me make Abraham a different name and see off you can connect.

My name used to be Gossip, but God changed it to Confidant and Counselor.

Every day someone recognizes me by my old name, Gossip, and tries to get me to respond to that name, but I didn't change my name, God did. People confide in me because they know they can trust me to keep their personal information just that, personal.

Maybe your name used to be Cutter and people still call you that. Or Addict, or Adulterer, or Hypocrite, or Cheater, or Thief, or any of a million other things.

And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations. Ezekiel 36:26-27

Did God change your name?

Yeah, people may not ever forget who you were before. And in some cases that's smart of them. (Please note the SOME cases.)

However, what people call you won't influence God's name for you. Just like my sister will always be Beth to me, you will always be known as the name God gave you to Him.

This post was shared on the Motivation Monday Linky.

This post was shared on Fellowship Friday.

This post was shared on: http://www.nannaswisdom.com/

This post was shared on:

This post was shared on

photo credit: Alan O'Rourke via photopin cc

Firework Worthy Kisses, Goals, & Public Restrooms

2015-02-01T12:51:00.000-06:00

If we were having coffee, they’d be extra hot on this rainy day. With a shot of whipped cream on top, just for a smile.

I’d tell you that January ended in a bang for me. As I walked to the top of a section in the Edward Jones Dome last night, my husband stood to let me through to my seat and spontaneously leaned over to give me a quick peck on the lips as I passed him.

Well, I’m glad that our section was still mostly empty at the time because I’m pretty certain if those around didn’t see the actual sparks, they heard both of us shout!

The static electricity in that small peck was charged enough that I checked for over an hour to see if I A) had a hole in my lip or B) was bleeding. Since neither was true, well, I guess after 20 years we’re still seeing fireworks when we kiss!

I started to tell you that January was a disappointing month for me in regards to my goals and my dreams. Then I read this #WeekendCoffeeShare post by Robin Rivera at Writeonsisters.com and decided to see if I could calculate comments on my blog for one month.

In 2013 I started blogging daily in January for a couple different challenges. This is the first year I didn’t get all 31 posts done. I didn’t even get close.

My goal this year? My do over? My writing and speaking. Redo the blog. Make it intentional. Make an impact. Build a community. Use it as a platform to start finding speaking engagements.

As the month has come to a close, I was really feeling discouraged. I didn’t write at all the last week. I’ve been sick and barely hanging on to teach, prepare youth group, and manage to attempt to sleep. No way to stay current on writing, let alone play catch-up on the missing posts.

After reading Robin’s post, however, I realized that I still have a ton of comments on my blog that I haven’t gotten a chance to respond to. I had never really looked to see how many comments I get in an average month.

Including the few responses I have made, there are a total of 149 comments on posts from January 2015. That makes up 11% of the comments ever made on my blog since I started it in 2008. That’s a big deal: That’s community.

Many of those commentators are the same individuals coming back to read new posts. They are drive-bys. My goals are being reached.

I’ve been contacted by a couple individuals this month about potential speaking engagements. Let me be honest, I’m terrified. I know this is what I’m supposed to do, but I’m so far out of my comfort zone here.

I’m a perfectionist by nature. What if I fail? I don’t know how to do this. I don’t even know what all I’m supposed to be sending them ahead of time. Praying, praying, asking for prayers.

I feel like I’ve hogged all our coffee time today. Do you want to meet again next weekend? I promise to be quiet! Before you go, however, let me share a funny with you.

Last night at the show my almost sixteen-year-old came back from the restroom with a weird look on her face. She leaned over to whisper to me,“You know how the bathroom stalls have the built in trash receptacles for women?”

“Yes.”

“Well, I didn’t notice when I went in that someone had punched straight through the one in the stall and you could see straight through to the next one. Some girl stuck her head through the hole, and said, ‘I see you!’ while I was peeing! I was soooo embarrassed!”

I’m trying to comprehend this, “You mean a little girl?”

“No, I mean like a thirty year old girl. A woman. A grown woman stuck her head through the hole, mom! Then when I come out she’s standing outside telling her friends about it, laughing, and as I walk by she’s like, ‘Hey, that’s her! That’s the girl!’”

Now my daughter looks mortally offended, but this story sounds so far-fetched I’m laughing so hard I’m about to fall out of my seat. Our seventeen-year-old son asks what I’m laughing at, so she leans over me to tell him and he dies laughing while asking her why she didn’t punch the woman in the face.

Even though my husband had walked with her to the bathroom, she hadn’t told him yet, but with the three of us carrying on so, now he had to know. I’m not certain he found it as funny as the rest of us at first, but once he realized there was no way to find the woman and ‘fix it’, he started chuckling too.

I really am sympathetic. Really.

Had I been there I would have confronted the woman. But at this point all you can do is laugh.

So, on this rainy Sunday, do you have any public restroom stories to share that will make me spew my weekend coffee?

Don’t forget to check out all the other great #weekendcoffeeshare posts!

Sharing a Little Positivity

2015-01-28T23:00:00.000-06:00

After a week like this, I can use a little partying, can't you? What about some inspiration? Good reading? A reason to encourage someone else?

Come on over! We're still celebrating a birthday, celebrating our love of words, and celebrating each other. Share a post, share some comment love, share this world that we live in with each other.

This month's banner sponsor!

1. Add your link directly to your Bloglovin' profile (NOT your blog) in the linky below. You will have to manually upload your profile pic.

2. Follow your host, co-hosts, and sponsors. Be sure to say "hi".

3. Visit at least 3 other bloggers in the linky.

4. Tweet and share this hop!

5. Enter the giveaway for free ad space on Happy Kids, Inc.!

<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.happykidsincblog.com/p/bloglovin-blog-hop.html" title="Happy Kids, Inc." target="_blank"></a></div>

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Lighting Fires and Fanning Flames

2015-01-24T10:09:00.001-06:00

You may remember that I posted on my personal and Author and Speaker Facebook pages Wednesday evening that I was excited about getting to set some talents on fire at youth group later that night.

Well, it so happens I wasn’t so sure anyone else was as excited or inspired by it as I was. Sure, they got a little loud as I lit the candle and held the $20 bill over the flame, but I just couldn’t read their eyes well enough to know whether they were getting excited about spiritual gifts or not.

I was actually amazed that the majority of them eagerly answered statements on the youth spiritual gift assessment I handed out. Especially when I told them I didn’t think we had enough time to finish it, but if they were interested they could take it home and do it.

Almost all of them completed it, even if it meant staying late. Then they discussed each others answers. Mostly in quiet conversations between small groups.

I walked between the groups and asked if they had questions, anything they wanted to share, what their highest spiritual gift indicator was, and if they were surprised. They all told me what they got, but stopped there.

I was a bit discouraged. Perhaps my presentation skills had fallen short.

The scripture, the lesson, the message I had to share with them, well, it should have inspired and motivated rocks to shout and praise the Lord.

“It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.” Isaiah 55:11

(Go back and read the other 12 verses of Isaiah chapter 55. You will be glad you did!)

As I was cleaning up and waiting for everyone to be picked up and head out, one student came rushing back from the door.

Although the student struggled with pronouncing the unfamiliar word, the question was clear. “Discernment: what does that word mean? I got that, but I don’t know what it is. Can you tell me before I have to go?”

Not only did I define the word, but another student jumped in to give practical real life examples and explain why discernment was a valuable spiritual gift to have. And I stepped back to listen.

I finished packing up my supplies while apologizing to God. “I’m sorry I doubted. I know that Your Word won’t return void. I know that some plant, some water, and some reap. Thank you for confirming tonight’s lesson even though my faith wavered.”

You see, I have had to build many a fire in my lifetime. Wood heat has been the main source of heat for homes I lived in most of my life.

I know from experience that you don’t just stack up the wood, throw in a match, and have an instant roaring fire.

You have to start small. With kindling or pine needles. Then you can add some small pieces of wood or small limbs.

Once that catches, you can add some bigger pieces of wood. Eventually, the fire is steady enough that you can continually feed large pieces of wood into it.

And once that fire takes hold, it just keeps spreading. It doesn’t stay contained to the one piece match, piece of kindling, or piece of wood that first catches fire.

That fire spreads to every piece of burnable substance it comes in contact with.

I showed up on fire Wednesday night. I had no idea who there might be kindling, small wood, or large pieces of wood. Even more important, I had no idea who God knew was already seasoned wood and ready to catch fire.

But He did.

And His fire spread. And His Word did not return void.

Celebrate by Sharing

2015-01-21T23:00:00.000-06:00

Celebrate good times, c'mon!

Everybody likes a party! Put on your hat. Grab party horn. And let's get to celebrating!!!!

Share your blog with us in honor of the hops 2nd Birthday! Read at least two other blogs and leave a comment. Make sure to tell us that you're celebrating a birthday with us!!!

Happy birthday, Bloglovin' Blog Hop!

This month's banner sponsor!

1. Add your link directly to your Bloglovin' profile (NOT your blog) in the linky below. You will have to manually upload your profile pic.

2. Follow your host, co-hosts, and sponsors. Be sure to say "hi".

3. Visit at least 3 other bloggers in the linky.

4. Tweet and share this hop!

5. Enter the giveaway for free ad space on Happy Kids, Inc.!

<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.happykidsincblog.com/p/bloglovin-blog-hop.html" title="Happy Kids, Inc." target="_blank"></a></div>

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fighting Fear with Faith

2015-01-21T06:09:00.000-06:00

One evening Chris and I found ourselves at the movies with four teenagers. We filled up an entire row, and somehow I had wound up sitting all the way against the wall.

The theater wasn’t all that full as a very popular newly released film was playing in two of the other theaters there, so it wasn’t too bad.

Until three young men walked in right before the feature started playing.

They entered the room single file, silently, and with hands tucked into coat pockets. It was very odd for guys of this age.

I watched as they chose seats away from everyone else, in front of everyone else, and between everyone else and the exit directly to outside the building.

So now, if one of them were a shooter, our only exit point would be the door into the theater lobby located behind us three rows.

Yes, that’s immediately where my mind went. And being a long row of adult-sized people I debated the best way to get an exit strategy communicated to everyone in our row without alarming the full row of people in front or behind us.

I have just enough training in what we call “active shooter” training to assess most situations and have a plan whether needed or not. Based on generic characteristics, I felt a need for a plan.

Before alarming anyone, I took a moment to assess every other person in attendance. No one else jumped out at me as odd. However, as my eyes made a final sweep around the room, I noticed the third young man taking off his coat and laying it on the seat in front of him.

A different thought process took over.

Carrie, this is three young men together. They are even sitting together. Shooters are typically loners. In the rare case there would be multiples they would more than likely have split up. They are all taking off their coats now. Not packing extra ammo or planning a fast getaway.

I stopped.

It was time to do what I should have done in the first place.

Father, I’m not 100 percent sure about the situation in front of me, but I want to protect those in my care and those you’ve placed in this building with me. If there is nothing wrong here, please give me a feeling of peace so I can enjoy this time. But if I need to be ready to react, please give me a spirit of discernment and make me so uncomfortable that I can’t ignore it.

And in that moment, I relaxed and enjoyed the rest of my evening.

Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”

When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!”

Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey Him!”

Mark 4:38-41

For years I’ve heard that scripture repeated, taught, preached on: “Why are you afraid? Do you STILL have no faith?”

After everything you have witness God do, you are still clinging to your fears. You are still choosing worry over God. Christian people who have put their faith in God don’t worry and aren’t afraid of anything.

And I cringe every time I hear it.

We all face situations in life that bring us fear. Often, I can’t even recognize my need for faith until I’ve felt fear.

I’ve never counted, so I don’t know if this is true or not, but I’ve heard many people say that the words “fear not”, or some variation meaning the same thing, appear more than 365 times in the Bible. That’s at least one time for each day of the year.

I think God knew we were going to be afraid.

Daily.

Faith isn't the absence of fear, but the decision to look fear in the eyes and say, "God's got this, and I'm going along for the ride."

Faith isn’t ignoring our situation. It isn’t pretending we aren’t afraid. It’s acknowledging the fear, giving the situation BACK to God, asking Him what our response should be, and responding as He directs not as our feelings dictate.

Do you feel like you aren’t “good” enough because you still have fears? Well, guess what?

You aren’t alone. Everyone does. If they didn’t, their faith would be fully developed. The only person in human form that has ever reached that status was born with a fully developed faith, and that was Jesus Christ.

The rest of us? We are all works in progress until the day we’re called home.

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:2-4

Gifts, Talents, & Investments

2015-01-19T10:00:00.003-06:00

Who doesn’t like a gift?

Something you didn’t have to work for, shop for, or even expect?

What about talent?

Do you have a talent? What is the definition of talent? Can mopping the floor be a talent?

And there’s the place where gifts and talents meet.

A gift can be something given to someone without expectation of receiving something in payment or it can be a natural ability or talent. A talent can be a natural aptitude or skill or a form of money.

Take a moment to read Matthew 25:14-30.

And this is where so many of us start getting confused. Or jealous. Or angry. Or any multitude of emotions.

More Coke from onetimeblind on GodTube.

(Watch this video!)

Regardless of how we feel, if we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we have been given at least one gift. Sure, it might seem like a small one, but it was purposefully chosen for us individually by God Himself.

Don’t forget: The word is spelled compariSON. We just pronounce it compariSIN. If we are gauging ourselves against the example Jesus left, we’re focused on the right things. However, if we’re only seeing everyone else’s gifts, we’re falling into sin (confusion, jealousy, anger, etc.).

There was no random selection. No placing of gifts into gift bags and then just handing random bags to whomever was next in line.

Each gift was given to the receiver on purpose for His purpose.

It isn’t a question of whether you have a gift or not. It’s a question of whether you’ve recognized what you’ve been given and if you’re using it for Him.

What is your gift?

My Spiritual Gift: Dodgeball from emorawr on GodTube.

(Watch this video!)

I don’t want to get caught putting limits on God, but I have a feeling He didn’t give you the gift of dodgeball. Looks like that one’s already being handled pretty well. Or something like that.

Are you into art? Guess what? Not an accident.

People seem drawn to you? You always have a car full of friends? Not an accident.

Are you a planner? Details are important? Yep. That’s on purpose too.

Clutter drives you crazy? Um, could you be my shadow? Kidding, kind of. Not an accident.

Those odd things that make you different, make you YOU, well, God put them in you on purpose for HIS purpose.

You have a unique calling and gift. It isn’t supposed to look like the one the person beside you has. It isn’t supposed to look like your mom’s, or your dad’s, or your youth leader’s. Stop comparing yourself to them!

They didn’t give you the gift. Someone way more important did. Ask HIM what you’re supposed to do with the talents.

Bury them? Burn them? Or invest them?

Sip and Say

2015-01-18T16:47:00.001-06:00

The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense. Proverbs 27:9

If we were having coffee, I’d probably be like an hour early.

No. Seriously.

I don’t have anyone to have coffee with except for my husband.

If we were having coffee, I’d be so excited that I’d show up WAY early.

I’d smile as we murmured hellos. Sip the foam from my cappuccino, as I listen to anything you’d like to share with me.

Woes from work, tales of toddlers, shopping specials, I’d listen with a professional grace.

Eventually I’d warm up enough to whisper responses over my mug. Basic answers, maybe a question or two about your conversations to keep you talking.

If we were having coffee, and you asked about my week, I’d probably start by telling you about my word FINISH for 2015. This week I actually managed to finish a couple things.

A co-worker’s mother purchased the 250+ novels I had stacked behind my recliner in the living room since July 2014. So, I packed them up and hauled them away.

Once I had that finished, I read an e-book I agreed to review on my blog later this month. First book I’ve read in a while.

I decluttered a pile of papers that had accumulated around the books. They dated back to 2012. Well, the coupons I had cut expired in 2012.

I finalized my resignation from one committee by holding the election to replace my officer position. And I finished three blog posts.

I could tell you that I am far behind on my one blog post a day, but I’m rethinking that too. I just try again each day and focus on what I did get finished instead of beating myself up over what I didn’t even get to start.

If we were to have coffee, I’d tell you the most amazing thing I’ve learned in this 10-Day Do Over Challenge so far is that I can start my do over minutely if I need to. If I mess up, if I miss a day, it’s all ok. I just need another do over and it starts right now.

If we were to have coffee, I’d have to tell you that this sitting down with a female friend to chat and share, is another do over. A chance to build a relationship with someone. A chance to open myself up to the risk of getting hurt and the opportunity of being loved.

If we were to have coffee, I’d leave not only caffeinated, but also elated.

Thanks for letting me join the #WeekendCoffeeShare! If you would like to join, check out Part Time Monster for the linky and additional instructions. If you want to read more, you can find the links there or on twitter or facebook (#WeekendCoffeeShare).

photo credit: Cocoa Dream via photopin cc

Find Faithful Friends--Unfriend the Rest

2015-01-17T08:12:00.000-06:00

Sweet friends, I am so blessed to wake up every morning and find scripture after scripture, motivational quotes, Christian music, prayer, and positivity on my Facebook feed from those I have friended and follow who get up earlier than me.

Many mornings, after my daily Bible reading, I catch up with everyone as I drink my coffee and wake up. I wake up with a Facebook timeline that inspires me to live my day as a light for Christ.

As a scrolled through post after post this morning, I found that I was smiling, excited to go to work, and anticipating God using me to bless someone else. Silly little things on social media spoke to me.

Rushing through the rest of my morning routines found me reflecting on several conversations I’ve had in the past few weeks with various individuals. Some who are simply acquaintances and some who are very close to me, but all have been sharing the same message with me.

“I’m just not spending much time on Facebook anymore. It does nothing for me other than make me angry.”

Friends, I get it. I do.

I’m not even going to attempt to try to encourage people to spend more time on social media. I have no problem admitting that I spend too much time there and need to be intentional about limiting my time.

However, I wonder why we allow a social media site to influence our emotions in such a negative way.

Who do you accept as a friend on facebook?

Do you accept every friend request you receive or do you have a list of requirements someone must meet to get acceptance? Let’s face it, we post personal information on facebook. Hopefully it isn’t enough that people could steal our identity or such, but really, if you wouldn’t share the information with someone face-to-face should you allow them access to your friendship online?

I know when I first joined social media platforms I friended and liked everyone I had ever met.

Once.

I didn’t even have to like you or agree with any of your lifestyle choices. If I had been in the same room with you at some time since first grade, then you could be my online friend.

I got to see some pretty interesting stuff people posted. Most of it was none of my business, things I found offensive or immoral, and an overwhelming waste of my time.

But I kept on keeping on. I had like 1000+ friends and they all were reading the things I wrote!

What are your requirements to keep someone on your friend list?

Yeah. I’m certain that those posting vulgar, immoral, and some flat out abusive things from their lives were devouring my lengthy posts focused on Scripture, Jesus, salvation, and getting to church.

They read every. single. word.

Of my posts from a dark time that I couldn’t seem to keep from typing. Those posts that had my real friends and family worried and checking on me. That had me in denial and confused about why everyone was so worried and checking on me.

And then I was in Wal-Mart in my hometown. Where I ran into someone I vaguely remembered.

Well, not their name.

Kinda their face.

Maybe.

And they struck up this conversation with me. About personal things about me and my family. Recent things. And I couldn’t figure out who would have told them any of these things or why they would feel it was ok to share this gossip ABOUT ME with me.

And then they said, “I really like being able to keep up with you on Facebook.”

In that moment I realized one of my worst fears was coming true. I was being stalked.

By followers.

People I didn’t even know knew more about my personal life than people I saw face-to-face every day.

Why was I allowing EVERYONE to be my “friend”?

Are you afraid to unfriend someone? Why?

We’re nice people. Well, most of us are anyway.

We’ve been taught to accept others. To be friendly to everyone we come in contact with.

Friendly. Not friends.

The individual I smile at in a public place may not be an individual I invite into my home with my children. That isn’t rude--it’s responsible and safe.

The individual actively pursuing an addiction I’ve purposefully given up through lots of hard work, yeah, I’m not inviting that person into my closest circle of friends. I will still be friendly when we’re at the same place at the same time, but I’m not going to put myself in the position to fail.

After a second run-in with an acquaintance at best that knew too much in too much detail about my personal life, I took my friend list to God.

1000+ became less than 200 in less than an hour.

Yes, I still friend new people--on a 30-day trial basis.

I also still unfriend old people.

I understand that we all go through hard times. I’ve been there enough myself to know. I can walk that road with you.

I have real friends and family that post obscenities. Unless it’s excessive, I don’t unfriend them. I love them. I share God’s word with them. I hope I influence them in a positive way like so many others do for me.

But I’m not afraid to unfriend someone. I don’t hide them; I unfriend them.

Friends, and I believe you are, please don’t buy into the lie that you have to let everyone into your inner circle. If you wouldn’t introduce your children, nieces & nephews, grandchildren, or furbabies to them and then leave them with them to have a conversation, then unfriend them and find joy in the real connections you make on social media platforms.

photo credit: cherylmsf via photopin cc

photo credit: kaysha via photopin cc

Birthday Celebration & Giveaway: Bloglovin' Blog Hop #105

2015-01-15T09:07:00.000-06:00

Welcome to a birthday party where you can win some presents! This month I am co-hosting a blog hop with some FANTABULOUS women bloggers! We are lifting each other up and helping to grow one another's blogs while passing the cake and ice cream around.

Here, have a piece of cake! Pull up a chair, share your posts, and comment on several others. Let's make 2015 our time to shine!

Happy 2nd Birthday to the Bloglovin' Blog Hop at Happy Kids, Inc! Help us celebrate by joining the blog hop and entering to win!!!

Share the opportunity with others. Everybody likes an invite to a party!

This month's banner sponsor!

1. Add your link directly to your Bloglovin' profile (NOT your blog) in the linky below. You will have to manually upload your profile pic.

2. Follow your host, co-hosts, and sponsors. Be sure to say "hi".

3. Visit at least 3 other bloggers in the linky.

4. Tweet and share this hop!

5. Enter the giveaway for free ad space on Happy Kids, Inc.!

<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.happykidsincblog.com/p/bloglovin-blog-hop.html" title="Happy Kids, Inc." target="_blank"></a></div>

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Focus Not Photocopy

2015-01-14T06:38:00.000-06:00

"Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else." Galatians 6:4

Do you know what your work is? Are you too busy trying to do the work of everyone that you aren't fulfilling your own call? Has comparing yourself to others ever brought you true satisfaction?

This morning as you head out the door to carpool kids, jobs, crazy days of running errands, volunteering, or whatever you find yourself doing, I challenge you to identify ONE job that you really have to do well today. Jot down a few bulleted notes on what successful completion would look like for YOU, not someone you're sure could do it better, and tuck that note behind the visor in your car.

Now, focus on YOUR ONE JOB and don't worry about what anyone else is doing.

At the end of the day, pull that note out (Hopefully it didn't look like the one above or you probably won't be able to check it!), and see if you can mark off the bullets on that list.

I'm going to try this today. I'll share my notes later tonight. Will you come back and share too?

**UPDATE**

Here are some questions to help you share your results with me for my research:

Did you successfully complete your job today?

How do you know?

Did you ever compare your results to someone else's?

Why or why not?

Did intentionally focusing on this one task without focusing on others change anything about the task or your feelings about the task?

photo credit: Judson Collier via photopin cc

This Giant Light of Mine

2015-01-13T20:34:00.000-06:00

“This little light of mine,

I’m going to let it shine!

This little light of mine,

I’m going to let it shine, let it shine, let it shine,

Let it shine!”

How many of you now have that song stuck in your head because you started humming or singing along by line 2?

You’re welcome! ;-)

Yeah. Like many of you I’ve known that song and all it’s verses for ever.

As I got older and headed off to church camp in the summers, I learned a slightly different version of the song.

Addison Road - This Little Light Of Mine Music Video from addison-road on GodTube.

Young adult days brought a third version into my repertoire. I still can’t be trusted to lead this song during worship due to the fact I can’t guarantee what version might come out of my mouth.

Regardless of the words or the version of the song, I learned more about shining my light teaching youth group and raising toddlers than singing the words over and over.

One year as youth leader, one of our youth started holding up BOTH index fingers during the “this little light of mine part” because they had two little lights, not just one and they should shine everything they had.

Yes. Yes they should. I encouraged the behavior.

Not long after that trend began, I was traveling to a youth revival service with my toddlers buckled in car seats in the back. They were singing to pass the time on the drive. As we launched into “This Little Light”, my son stops and says, “I don’t have a little light! I have TEN little lights and that makes a pretty big light. I’m going to shine them ALL!”

As we sang he had both hands raised in the back seat. Ten little lights shining.

Are we selling the light we shine short?

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16

I don’t know about you, but the light that shines within me is only limited by my perspective of that light and the adjective I use to describe it. The Light itself is immense and large enough to illuminate the entire world at one time.

Why are we so busy trying to protect the Light? Cupping our hands around it hoping the breeze won’t blow it out?

Sure, we are reaching out helping others, we are loving like Jesus loves, we are feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, housing the orphans, taking care of the widows, but we do all of it silently as if we’re doing something to be ashamed of. We’re hiding the works God is doing through us under a bucket, and that is about as useful as putting a candle under a bucket.

What are you currently doing that is allowing God’s light to shine through you? Are you trying to limit the light or are you inviting others to bask in it and glorify our Father?

I’m making changes in my daily life by giving up commitments and responsibilities that I think might move me up the ladder in order to chase the dreams I feel God is calling me to--and I’m telling others about it. I’m supposed to write, teach, and speak. So, I’m carving out time to do that. What will the end product look like?

Glorifying God by shining forth His light.

photo credit: My Silent Side via photopin cc

photo credit: S I G U R via photopin cc