I saw this commercial the other day and loved it:
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
The day Grant fell over laughing!
My sweet nephew was 14 months old the day I took this video. I took my coat and made it "dance" along the floor. Grant thought it was hilarious as you can see. He's great for my ego. The sillier I am, the more he laughs! LOVE this kid!!!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
A cup of coffee...
This is awesome. If only we could always have this kind of attitude.
A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee...You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.
In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what you see."
"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied. Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma the daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, b ut after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.
"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength? Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?
Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot , it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level?
How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean? May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.
When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so at the end, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.
May we all be COFFEE!!!!!!!!
"It's never too late to be what you might have been." -George Eliot
A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee...You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.
In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what you see."
"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied. Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma the daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, b ut after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.
"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength? Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?
Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot , it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level?
How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean? May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.
When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so at the end, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.
May we all be COFFEE!!!!!!!!
"It's never too late to be what you might have been." -George Eliot
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Building Strong Muscles
I'm torn. Rip torn. Literally. I've been working out hard this month; made a commitment to myself, not a pesky resolution. I'm sore. It hurts to move my arms. It hurts to type even these words. Yet... I smile. It's a good kind of pain. A tearing and rebuilding kind of pain. I'm breaking down my old muscles and building new ones, stronger ones. While I might be in pain for a time, it's for the greater good.
Wow. That can be applied to life as well. Imagine the possibility for a moment. Did you know that flowering trees bloom best, only after they've been pruned? (I'm tired and honestly can't think of any more examples, but I know you know what I mean.) I think the same is true in our lives. While God doesn't enjoy making us suffer, in some cases it really is in our best interest.
Oh, I fight change. I struggle with storms in my life. I vainly believe I'm enough. Enough to get me through. And when I flop on my face... again... and my loving Father picks me up, again. Forever and always. I know as much as He loves me, I'm still headed for rough waters. Discipline. Refinement. It's never easy. But when I look back over my life, the times where I grew the most were the result of a war being raged within my soul. I don't say that to sound dramatic or to create some sort of crescendo within my writing. But rather, it's a depiction to illustrate my point.
Every single day, I know Satan wants me. I know He wants to drag me into the abyss but because I'm a Child of God, He has no power over me! The only power He has --- is the power I give Him! Think about that for a minute.
I once heard, you live your life in obedience to Someone, it's up to you whom you'll serve. I'm stepping on my toes here. It's hard to justify the decisions I've made when it's really so black and white. Oh, I know I'm washed in the blood of the Lamb. I don't deny that. I just, wish, I had made some better choices along the way. The encouraging thing to know, the Father has a soft spot for screw ups. I mean, look at Jonah. There are many examples where He used people like me to fulfill His mission. So, there's hope. Always hope.
I've traveled down a small rabbit trail, back to my point. Tearing down to build back up. Change. God's up to something, I'm just not sure what yet. There's a crackle in the air as though something is about to pop. Maybe it's the walls I've hidden behind for years. Maybe it's that I'm changing, from the inside out. I can tell I'm different than I was, even a month ago. Sure, I still struggle with depression, but I woke up one morning and decided I wasn't going to let it control me any longer. I wanted to change... for myself and no one else. I wanted to stop making excuses and push through *whatever* it is that got me where I am today. Boy, I'd love to have Bob or Jillian as my trainer. They'd kill me. But boy would I secretly love it!
I'm really excited about something I recently decided to do. You see, I've been working out at Curves for more than a year now. While I love it there, the people are great and I know they really care about me. I think I need more. I think I need to get out of somewhere that I feel comfortable and push myself to do more... to be more... Until I get over that hump, I honestly don't believe I can reach my goals.
Ooh, it's scarey. I don't like doing things alone; though you'd think I'd be used to it by now. (Oh man, Kristin, I know if you were here, you would have just hit me for saying that. Hey, at least I caught it, right?) A new place where I don't know anyone and they don't know me. Co-ed. Almost a little overwhelming. But, I'm about 95% sure that I'm going to cancel my membership at Curves and join the YMCA. There are many different reasons why I've made this (almost) decision, but I'm still sad to leave my friends behind at Curves. I just think, at this stage in my life, it's the right thing to do. Curves has been my building blocks. They've taught me the fundmentals, now I'm ready to take my training wheels off and see how riding on my own feels. (Although, I'd love to work out with a buddy. Anyone interested??)
To come full circle... change, albeit scarey at times, is what makes the world go round.
Wow. That can be applied to life as well. Imagine the possibility for a moment. Did you know that flowering trees bloom best, only after they've been pruned? (I'm tired and honestly can't think of any more examples, but I know you know what I mean.) I think the same is true in our lives. While God doesn't enjoy making us suffer, in some cases it really is in our best interest.
Oh, I fight change. I struggle with storms in my life. I vainly believe I'm enough. Enough to get me through. And when I flop on my face... again... and my loving Father picks me up, again. Forever and always. I know as much as He loves me, I'm still headed for rough waters. Discipline. Refinement. It's never easy. But when I look back over my life, the times where I grew the most were the result of a war being raged within my soul. I don't say that to sound dramatic or to create some sort of crescendo within my writing. But rather, it's a depiction to illustrate my point.
Every single day, I know Satan wants me. I know He wants to drag me into the abyss but because I'm a Child of God, He has no power over me! The only power He has --- is the power I give Him! Think about that for a minute.
I once heard, you live your life in obedience to Someone, it's up to you whom you'll serve. I'm stepping on my toes here. It's hard to justify the decisions I've made when it's really so black and white. Oh, I know I'm washed in the blood of the Lamb. I don't deny that. I just, wish, I had made some better choices along the way. The encouraging thing to know, the Father has a soft spot for screw ups. I mean, look at Jonah. There are many examples where He used people like me to fulfill His mission. So, there's hope. Always hope.
I've traveled down a small rabbit trail, back to my point. Tearing down to build back up. Change. God's up to something, I'm just not sure what yet. There's a crackle in the air as though something is about to pop. Maybe it's the walls I've hidden behind for years. Maybe it's that I'm changing, from the inside out. I can tell I'm different than I was, even a month ago. Sure, I still struggle with depression, but I woke up one morning and decided I wasn't going to let it control me any longer. I wanted to change... for myself and no one else. I wanted to stop making excuses and push through *whatever* it is that got me where I am today. Boy, I'd love to have Bob or Jillian as my trainer. They'd kill me. But boy would I secretly love it!
I'm really excited about something I recently decided to do. You see, I've been working out at Curves for more than a year now. While I love it there, the people are great and I know they really care about me. I think I need more. I think I need to get out of somewhere that I feel comfortable and push myself to do more... to be more... Until I get over that hump, I honestly don't believe I can reach my goals.
Ooh, it's scarey. I don't like doing things alone; though you'd think I'd be used to it by now. (Oh man, Kristin, I know if you were here, you would have just hit me for saying that. Hey, at least I caught it, right?) A new place where I don't know anyone and they don't know me. Co-ed. Almost a little overwhelming. But, I'm about 95% sure that I'm going to cancel my membership at Curves and join the YMCA. There are many different reasons why I've made this (almost) decision, but I'm still sad to leave my friends behind at Curves. I just think, at this stage in my life, it's the right thing to do. Curves has been my building blocks. They've taught me the fundmentals, now I'm ready to take my training wheels off and see how riding on my own feels. (Although, I'd love to work out with a buddy. Anyone interested??)
To come full circle... change, albeit scarey at times, is what makes the world go round.
Daniel Bashta
Daniel's new CD came in the mail today!!!! It's everything I thought it would be and more! Check out his website and support his amazing ministry!!
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Father, Give My Dreams Wings!
I heard this song on the radio this morning and it's been on my lips all day.
I believe He gave us dreams so we'd get beyond ourselves. It's far too easy to merely exist, going through the motion of life. But oh to live, to live with a Heavenly perspective, now that truly gives you wings!
You who read my blog routinely must think I'm bipolar. One day, I'm all depressed and down in the dumps, then the next, I'm talking about how great life can be! I know, I'm crazy. I've come to realize I've reached a new level of nuerotic. haha I'm telling you, I'm an onion. I've got many layers to my personality. I find it humorous that it's as though I discover new things about myself every day.
Here's a for instance: I resolved to quit complaining about how I look (or don't look) and DO something about it. This step changed me a little. I know that must sound crazy. But it's like many things in my life, I had really good intentions, but never fully followed through. Boy, once I get in my mind to do something though, there's no stopping me!! (Some would call that stubborn, and quite honestly, it's both a good quality as well as a detriment.) However, I made a commitment with myself to work out at least three times a week, as well and write as much as I can. Both are extremely beneficial to me. Though, I didn't realize how much until tonight.
I'm really quite proud of myself. I worked out every day this week. And not just the recommended time, but usually around 45 minutes. When I walked out... I felt strong. Empowered. Capable. A sense of clarity, if you will. Yeah endorphines!! But today, with the threat of severe weather, Curves closed early. I was really dissapointed. A week ago, I would have been like, 'Sweet, now I can go home and get in PJs.' My how times have changed.
My dream to become something I'm not, has inspired me to continue to follow through on that which I began a year ago. I've noticed subtle changes; which is awesome. I wonder if others see it too? I tend to turn inward on myself and "fester", not necessarily in a bad way, but I have to internalize things for me to process them. Anyway, I've traveled down a rabbit trail. Let me get back on the path.
Dreams. God's given me some lofty dreams which can only be accomplished in His strength not my own. Such as:
I believe He gave us dreams so we'd get beyond ourselves. It's far too easy to merely exist, going through the motion of life. But oh to live, to live with a Heavenly perspective, now that truly gives you wings!
You who read my blog routinely must think I'm bipolar. One day, I'm all depressed and down in the dumps, then the next, I'm talking about how great life can be! I know, I'm crazy. I've come to realize I've reached a new level of nuerotic. haha I'm telling you, I'm an onion. I've got many layers to my personality. I find it humorous that it's as though I discover new things about myself every day.
Here's a for instance: I resolved to quit complaining about how I look (or don't look) and DO something about it. This step changed me a little. I know that must sound crazy. But it's like many things in my life, I had really good intentions, but never fully followed through. Boy, once I get in my mind to do something though, there's no stopping me!! (Some would call that stubborn, and quite honestly, it's both a good quality as well as a detriment.) However, I made a commitment with myself to work out at least three times a week, as well and write as much as I can. Both are extremely beneficial to me. Though, I didn't realize how much until tonight.
I'm really quite proud of myself. I worked out every day this week. And not just the recommended time, but usually around 45 minutes. When I walked out... I felt strong. Empowered. Capable. A sense of clarity, if you will. Yeah endorphines!! But today, with the threat of severe weather, Curves closed early. I was really dissapointed. A week ago, I would have been like, 'Sweet, now I can go home and get in PJs.' My how times have changed.
My dream to become something I'm not, has inspired me to continue to follow through on that which I began a year ago. I've noticed subtle changes; which is awesome. I wonder if others see it too? I tend to turn inward on myself and "fester", not necessarily in a bad way, but I have to internalize things for me to process them. Anyway, I've traveled down a rabbit trail. Let me get back on the path.
Dreams. God's given me some lofty dreams which can only be accomplished in His strength not my own. Such as:
- Get married to my best friend, in the midst of a field of wild flowers… barefooted.
- Write a book… and get it published
- Make a difference, in some sort of fashion
- Travel the world with close friends
- Be in two places at once
- Adopt older, "unwanted" children
- Take award winning photography
- Take the road less traveled
- Climb a mountain and repel from it as well
- Take creative classes, such as pottery, drawing and painting
- Ride in a jet
- Take a ride in a hot air balloon
"I want to set the world on fire!" Father, please give my dreams wings!!
Hear Ye! Hear Ye!
Caedmon's Call's lyrically compelling song about redemption, "Ten Thousand Angels" will receive a rare and lengthy place on an upcoming episode of the ABC hit drama series "Grey's Anatomy" on January 10th. Featuring vocals by Derek Webb, the song will play for five consecutive minutes during an emotionally charged final scene.
"Ten Thousand Angels" is a bonus track only available on the limited edition of the group's current release, Overdressed, which was in the top 5 of iTunes Editorial list of 2007 for overall "Best Christian Albums".
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
VOTD: I Am A Promise!
"16Everything depends on having faith in God, so that God's promise is assured by his great kindness. This promise isn't only for Abraham's descendants who have the Law. It is for all who are Abraham's descendants because they have faith, just as he did. Abraham is the ancestor of us all. 17The Scriptures say that Abraham would become the ancestor of many nations. This promise was made to Abraham because he had faith in God, who raises the dead to life and creates new things. 18God promised Abraham a lot of descendants. And when it all seemed hopeless, Abraham still had faith in God and became the ancestor of many nations. 19Abraham's faith never became weak, not even when he was nearly a hundred years old. He knew that he was almost dead and that his wife Sarah could not have children. 20But Abraham never doubted or questioned God's promise. His faith made him strong, and he gave all the credit to God. 21Abraham was certain that God could do what he had promised." ~ Romans 4:16-21 (Contemporary English Version)
Potential - The inherent ability or capacity for growth, development, or coming into being.
Wow, this song brings back some memories! Funny thing, no matter my age, I always remember the songs I learned as a kid. (Let that be a lesson to you parents. Kids are sponges, let them soak up the Truth.) For some reason, this song has been floating around in my head. Simple song. Great message:
I am a promise
I am a possibility
I am a promise with a capital "P"
I am a great big bundle of potentiality
And I am learnin' to hear God's voice
And I am tryin' to make the right choice
I am a promise to be anything God wants me to be.
I can go anywhere that He wants me to go
I can go anywhere that He wants me to go
I can be anything He wants me to be
I can climb the high mountains
I can cross the wide sea
I'm a great big promise you see!
I am a promise
I am a promise
I am a possibility
I am a promise with a capital "P"
I am a great big bundle of potentiality
And I am learnin' to hear God's voice
And I am tryin' to make the right choice
I'm a promise to be anything God wants me to be
Anything God wants me to be!
No matter the LIES Satan tries to feed me, I must remember that I'm a promise with a capital "P"! I don't know what He's up to, but I know it's special. He already promised me that in Jeremiah 29:11-13: "I will bless you with a future filled with hope--a future of success, not of suffering. You will turn back to me and ask for help, and I will answer your prayers. You will worship me with all your heart, and I will be with you." I just have to remind myself, over and over. Whatever it takes.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
VOTD: Percolating Coffee
Written: January 28, 2005
"28Do you see what we've got? An unshakable kingdom! And do you see how thankful we must be? Not only thankful, but brimming with worship, deeply reverent before God. For God is not an indifferent bystander. 29He's actively cleaning house, torching all that needs to burn, and he won't quit until it's all cleansed. God himself is Fire!" Hebrews 12:28-30 [The Message]
You’re probably beginning to see how music inspires and affect my votds, well, I’ve been listening to Toby Mac’s new CD, Welcome to Diverse City, as though it’s the only CD I own. The second track, "Catchafire (Whoopsi-Daisy)" really describes my current season of growth. We’ve all heard the analogy of Christ being compared to a consuming fire. Though, I like how this verse states that He’s not only that, but He’s also purifying us to be more like Him as well, and won’t quit until we’re cleansed; which leads me to the percolating coffee analogy.
You see, as I was leaving for work yesterday morning, I heard the coffee percolating in the kitchen and thought to myself what an interesting votd it might make but as much as I tried, I couldn’t make it work. Today, as I was listening to this song on the way to work, it was like He quietly whispered, "OK, now’s the time."
I looked up the definition of percolating: "a method of extraction or purification by means of filtration". This is my interpretation of this definition in a practical application: If our life is a Mr. Coffee machine, we’re the coffee beans and God’s the filter, then the "purifying" or percolation process can begin. Ultimately, God wants us to be more like Him, but first we have to go through trials and testing of our faith before any changes in our character can be attained.
First, God must ground the beans (us) up. This usually takes the form of a "storm". During this time, God begins to basically break us as a horse trainer would a wild horse. Though, unlike the horse, we unfortunately have to be broken over and over.
Second, when we get to a pliable/broken state (the ground beans), it’s been my experience that He then places us in a situation where we have to completely and solely depend on Him; which of course, brings us closer to Him.
Third, once we’re broken and depending on Him, then the real percolating begins. As we’re being filtered from what the world wants us to be and into something that looks more like Christ -- the finished result coffee.
Finally, you know how great roasted coffee beans smell, well think about how great made coffee smells (go to the break room or kitchen if you need to). Now remember that while we’re attracted to that smell, I think once we fall so in love with Christ, we too give off His sweet fragrance, so that others "smell" Him radiating from us.
I don’t know if you get my analogy, but it makes sense in my head. I hope He gives you divine understanding, so that you may grasp the concept of percolation. It’s really quite interesting, and for me, resolves some of the "why are you doing this to me, God?"
"28Do you see what we've got? An unshakable kingdom! And do you see how thankful we must be? Not only thankful, but brimming with worship, deeply reverent before God. For God is not an indifferent bystander. 29He's actively cleaning house, torching all that needs to burn, and he won't quit until it's all cleansed. God himself is Fire!" Hebrews 12:28-30 [The Message]
You’re probably beginning to see how music inspires and affect my votds, well, I’ve been listening to Toby Mac’s new CD, Welcome to Diverse City, as though it’s the only CD I own. The second track, "Catchafire (Whoopsi-Daisy)" really describes my current season of growth. We’ve all heard the analogy of Christ being compared to a consuming fire. Though, I like how this verse states that He’s not only that, but He’s also purifying us to be more like Him as well, and won’t quit until we’re cleansed; which leads me to the percolating coffee analogy.
You see, as I was leaving for work yesterday morning, I heard the coffee percolating in the kitchen and thought to myself what an interesting votd it might make but as much as I tried, I couldn’t make it work. Today, as I was listening to this song on the way to work, it was like He quietly whispered, "OK, now’s the time."
I looked up the definition of percolating: "a method of extraction or purification by means of filtration". This is my interpretation of this definition in a practical application: If our life is a Mr. Coffee machine, we’re the coffee beans and God’s the filter, then the "purifying" or percolation process can begin. Ultimately, God wants us to be more like Him, but first we have to go through trials and testing of our faith before any changes in our character can be attained.
First, God must ground the beans (us) up. This usually takes the form of a "storm". During this time, God begins to basically break us as a horse trainer would a wild horse. Though, unlike the horse, we unfortunately have to be broken over and over.
Second, when we get to a pliable/broken state (the ground beans), it’s been my experience that He then places us in a situation where we have to completely and solely depend on Him; which of course, brings us closer to Him.
Third, once we’re broken and depending on Him, then the real percolating begins. As we’re being filtered from what the world wants us to be and into something that looks more like Christ -- the finished result coffee.
Finally, you know how great roasted coffee beans smell, well think about how great made coffee smells (go to the break room or kitchen if you need to). Now remember that while we’re attracted to that smell, I think once we fall so in love with Christ, we too give off His sweet fragrance, so that others "smell" Him radiating from us.
I don’t know if you get my analogy, but it makes sense in my head. I hope He gives you divine understanding, so that you may grasp the concept of percolation. It’s really quite interesting, and for me, resolves some of the "why are you doing this to me, God?"
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