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Wow... What a Message

ivyguiler@gmail.com (Ivy) — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 23:30:52 +0000

This video was posted on Twitter today by Jonny Macintosh. I just can't get it out of my head. So I thought I would share it with you. I hope it affects you in the way it has me.

Now THAT Is Some Inspiration!

ivyguiler@gmail.com (Ivy) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 03:37:09 +0000

Talk about inspiration -- No Doubt performing Paul McCartney songs. WOW doesn't even touch this one. Check it out:

What Only a Three-Year-Old Could Teach

ivyguiler@gmail.com (Ivy) — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 00:55:56 +0000

"Saying 'thank you' is a way to be polite, isn't it mommy?"

That was the first time I heard it.

"Isn't it mommy?"

Speedy is at the age where the meaning of being polite and the difference between right and wrong are just absorbing through his every action. When he does something well, he makes sure I notice. When he does something right, he wants my support. When he figured out something complicated, he wants my reassurance.

"Isn't it mommy?"

I hear it at least a dozen times a day. And every time I hear those words, my heart just flutters.

I love it not only because he wants me to be involved, but because he puts his complete faith in the answers I give him. He wants mommy to know he's doing something good, something he's proud of, but he also wants to know mommy is listening and cares.

It's such a simple act, but it really made me think about my faith. What if every time I did something right, I had that reaction toward God.

I know God is watching, listening, knowing all I do - good and bad. But I think I would do more good things if I had that same connection to God as my son has to me.

If I got up and did a morning devotional: "I am working on my discipline and learning your words, aren't I daddy?"

If I put someone else's needs before my own: "I'm loving my neighbors, aren't I daddy?"

If I messed up and asked for forgiveness: "You love me for me, despite my mistakes, don't you daddy?"

I think it would keep things real and keep me thinking about the kind of life I want to live. Every time my son says those words, I remember how important my approval is to him. It's as important to him, as God's approval is to me.

Jesus said to enter the kingdom of God like a child. I think this might have been what he was talking about.

"Was it daddy?"

One Word: FOLLOW

ivyguiler@gmail.com (Ivy) — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 17:42:48 +0000

I thought today would be the perfect day to post this very special post. One Word is an idea started last year by Alece to replace those New Year's resolutions we all make and never keep.

The idea is simple. Chose one word to serve as a theme for the whole year.

I thought today was the perfect day to post this because it's Make Your Dreams Come True Day. My dreams for this year and for my life have a very common theme, that's why my word for the year is FOLLOW.

I want to follow the desires God has for my life without letting myself get in the way. This year, I want to remember that God can do amazing things despite me and my flaws.

Follow.

What does that even mean? According to Mr. Webster:

Proceed or come after: I believe in Christ with all my heart, so I'm already doing this one. But, this year I have to do more than just believe in Christ. I need to come after Christ, be the representation he would want. I also need share who he is with others.

Pursue: To pursue means to seek out. This year I'll be seeking out Christ's desires of my life. Of course being in pursuit means movement, so this year I'll be moving in the direction God gives me.

Obey: This is the hard one. Obeying Christ, at least for me, isn't easy, but it does always work out better. So this year, I have to obey. To obey means I also have to believe that I can do whatever it is God's telling me to do. No more "you can't mean me, God" allowed.

Imitate: Imitating Christ. Now that is a big goal. But I think this part of the definition of "follow" sums it up the best. Christ was love, so this year I have to love. That means forgiving, especially when I don't want to. It means meeting people where they are to share Christ's love. It means going beyond myself and my comfort zone to follow God's direction for my life. And it means loving myself for who God made me to be.

Follow.

This year I'm going to follow.

Make Just One Step

ivyguiler@gmail.com (Ivy) — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 02:24:15 +0000

“Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.”
~ James Dean

January 13th is forever circled on the calendars in the Unscripted household. It's a day we'll celebrate each year by refreshing the vision we each have for our lives. Why? It's "Make Your Dreams Come True Day."

I have no idea who started "Make Your Dreams Come True Day," but I'm sure it's no coincidence it's in January. It's the start of a new year, which always symbolizes a new beginning. As far as dreams are concerned, it's the time of year most people feel hope. It's the perfect time to focus on the dreams and aspirations you have for your life.

If you're like most people, you have big dreams, hefty goals for your life, a list of things you want to do before you die. But, like most people I know, you've probably let life get in the way... more than once. I know I have.

January 13th is the day to remind yourself about what YOU want out of life. That thought is actually the essence of UnscriptedLife. The chance to make sure you're living life to the fullest. It's the reason I started this site, this journey. I gave myself permission to put me first every now and then, permission to have a second chance at life.

Of course my journey is defined by a change in the winds, but for you it could be more simple than that. Maybe there is something you've just always wanted to do, a place you want to visit, a person you want to reconnect with.

Mark Twain captured it best when he said, "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did."

He's right. Why not take a moment right now to stand on your dreams. What will you regret 20 years from now if you don't do? What single step can you take today to get you closer to achieving just one thing you want out of life?

"So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."
~ Mark Twain