Sometimes you just have to giggle...

I love the minds of little kids...

Dad: So C (12 year old brother), it's important to let your character build as you grow up. There are always men out there who don't grow up.

J (9 year old brother): Dad, are you talking about midgets?

peace.

Stressed in not just desserts spelled backwards

I mean it is, but that's not all it is. The last couple of weeks it has been a significant pain in my back.

You know the knot that lodges itself right between your shoulder blades? Yes, that knot. Well, it is currently residing in my upper back. My trainer commented that I seem to carry my stress there. Really? Thank you Captain Obvious.

But this knot is a reminder to me. It is a reminder to be grateful for good health, I am blessed. It is a reminder to be in prayer for those in constant, debilitating pain, I am blessed. It is a reminder to relax and rest in God, I am blessed.


“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."  (Matthew 6:34 ESV)

I think God has this knot under control. A massage might not hurt either.

peace.

Joe's Addiction

Joe's Addiction

I've been spending a little time around this place, dropping by stuff, food, etc. Sometimes when I tell people where it is, their eyes get a little bigger and they ask me lots of questions about safety.

Granted, it's not your Starbucks around the corner, but you can get a great cup of coffee and if you're really lucky, the life story of someone who will totally bless you for the listening. 

Like this one. Ned the Dog.

So if you are around SE 59th just east of I-35, stop for a cup of Joe and say Hi to Jamie for me.

peace.

In this world not of it...

I've been thinking on John 5 for awhile now. You see in light of recent events, I've begun to wonder how being in this world and identified as a Christian all works together. My feeling recently has been that those identifying themselves as Christians, especially loudly within the media, aren't really who I want to be identified with. 

I want to be a light of God's love in this world. I want to eat with sinners (you know, people just like me) and tell them God loves them. Show them God loves them. I want to help orphans and widows. I want to love well, as Christ did. 

Watching the recent mudslinging in the election, I don't really see a difference between those who profess Christianity and those who don't. Everyone is yelling, demanding, accusing, blaming. Everyone. 

And yet in John 5, I see all these verses. 

¹² “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. ¹³ Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. ¹⁴ You are my friends if you do what I command you." 

¹⁸ “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. ¹⁹ If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." 

Understanding that all these verses follow the "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing..." I wonder how much abiding happens before all our opinionating begins. 

Just some thoughts...and then I read this. It's not just me and I hope it's contagious.

peace.

Why I do what I do...

There are millions of reasons why I do what I do professionally. Literally. 163 million of them to be a little more exact.


The orphan crisis in our world is huge. Stemming from disease, bad nutrition, lack of water, war, social injustice and much more, it is truly a crisis for humanity. But it doesn't have to stay one.

James 1:27 says to look after widows and orphans is the purest form of religion. I like that. It isn't about what I know, it's about how I walk in His footsteps. It's how I show his love. As the Church this is our responsibility. No where in this scripture does it say if you feel like it, if you're called to it, if you want to...It just says to do it.

Here are a few reasons why.

Orphan Sunday 2011 from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.
(if you have trouble viewing this here, click the Orphan Sunday 2011 link above, it's worth it)




Orphan Sunday 2012 from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.  James 1:27

peace.

Thank you Rick Warren.

peace.

and the winner is....

Barb!! I'll get your info set in to Carmex and they'll be sending out your goodies! Congratulations!

peace.

August 1st

I've been a mixed bag of emotions this week. We've all heard about Chick-Fil-A and all the press surrounding their founder's statements. If you haven't heard, how was China during your visit?  (sarcasm, sorry)

Anyway, here's where the mixed bag comes in. I am a follower of Christ. I believe in God and I try to follow him. But the amount of HATE I have heard spewed from both sides of this issue has made me sad, mad, embarrassed, outraged, etc. Hence, the mixed bag.

We live in a free country. A country where it is our right to believe as we wish, spend our money as we wish, support what we wish and do what we wish. My question is "How does what I wish reflect my belief in God?"

I have many gay friends, I love them. I have many fat friends, I love them. I have many gossipy friends, I love them. I have friends who struggle with other sin issues, I love them. And I hope when I am all of the above and more, they love me. Because God does. The only constant wish I am sure I want to exercise is this, "I love because He first loved me." 1 John 4:19

I don't have all the answers but I do know that slinging hate around only hurts those it hits.

Let's try love, it worked great for Jesus.

peace.

Another flavor?

Just when you think you know Carmex, they surprise you! We're all familiar with the little tubs with the yellow lids (which by the way, have the same amount in them as they have always had, Carmex has just redesigned the container for less waste, see here) but now there are so many additional flavors as well.

I really like the Lime Twist, it's become one of my favs. But it may have some competition...Carmex just sent me a bag full of goodies to announce the addition of Pomegranate! And all I can say is yum.

So you know when I blog about Carmex, there is usually good news for you...well this time is no different! Leave a comment with your name and email and you could win this!

It's a beach bag full of Carmex goodies! They sent me one* and I love it. If you share this blog on Facebook or Twitter, come back and let me know. Up to 3 entries per person, contest ends August 10th.
Good luck and smooth lips!

peace.



*fine print. Carmex does not pay me to talk about them, but they did send me this cute bag. I do it because I genuinely love their products.

Orphan Sunday 2012

I am the Oklahoma coordinator for Orphan Sunday on November 4th, 2012.

What does that mean?

It means I'm looking for pastors, house church leaders, community leaders, family leaders or anyone else with a heart to help spread the news about 163 million orphans worldwide. Raising awareness of this catastrophic issue is the goal.

It means whatever that looks like for you is great with us! From prayer over lunch, watching a video in church or hosting a street carnival for your whole town, the sky is the limit! Your imagination and effort are the only determining factors. All we ask is please put your event on the map.

It means if you want help, I'm here to help. Just please consider doing something on this day with your church, house church, or family. Here is more info and if you would like for Reaching Generations (that's the work I do) to come and do a presentation (7 minutes or whatever you like) just let me know. Email me

Thank you for helping me spread the word!

peace.

For more information about Christian Alliance for Orphans or Orphan Sunday, click on the name. 

Summer Camp

You read it right, I went to summer camp! Not as a camper but as the International Missions representative. Woooo.....

Me & Emily, my niece and camp cohort in awesomeness!

And I had so much fun!

I also discovered something about myself. I'm getting stronger, I'm getting more fit and even eating camp food, I can lose weight! One pound to be exact, but for me, that is a huge success!

I turned down the golf cart they offered to scoot around in and I walked....A LOT!

I think the balance of portion control and activity was the secret. I felt so good. This is a life-changing journey for me and even the little things keep me so encouraged!

Thanks for all your encouragement, too.

If you are wondering if you can change __________ in your life, you can! Choose to believe God wants good things for you, He is your strength, and then make up your mind to do it! If I can, anyone can, trust me on that one.

peace.

Blown Away

Just so you aren't afraid of this becoming a work-out, diet blog...I thought I'd share some amazing news with you.

Last week I was having some thoughts about my job:

Is this too big for me?
Am I really where God wants me?
51 million orphans in Sub-Saharan Africa alone and I want to help, am I crazy?
Where will the money come from?
I don't know enough people, how will they know?

And just when I was thinking it was time to find a new gig, I come back to the office and a $20,000 check has been sent to Reaching Generations. $20K!!!

Now granted, it doesn't answer all my questions but it answers one.

Is this too big for me? The answer is a resounding YES!!! But it's not too big for God. My choice is to stay and get to play, stay and be grateful, stay and watch Him do miraculous things. My choice is to stay.

Don't you just love that!! Plus, I get the absolute joy of knowing that Happy is in a home, being educated, loved by a family and his future is brighter than it ever would have been. I am blessed.

Happy

peace.

I've become a gym rat

I love the way I am feeling these days. Moving feels good. I actually look forward to going to the gym and sweating...OK, I don't enjoy sweating but I do love the results of exercising. And not just the weight loss.

I love walking fast and not breathing so hard I can't talk.

I love climbing stairs and arriving alive at the top.

I love getting down on the floor AND getting back up.

In such a short time I've seen major progress. I'm excited for the days to come.

peace.

300

So I know it's been awhile since I've written. There's been a lot going on. Change in job for me and Jim, change in attitude about many things and then this...

300

Loved the movie, but that's not what this is about. This is about my sin. My sin that has put 300+ as one of my vital statistics. You see, on January 1st, 2012, I weighed 300+ pounds. 331 to be exact.

God has been talking to me about humility. Well, I am humbled. I'm also obese.

I read these 2 blog posts (post 1 & post 2) and was once again reminded that just because it's become an acceptable sin, still makes it sin.

The good news, God has already forgiven me. He has already thrown this as far as the East is from the West. He has already removed 34 pounds (and counting) from my body. I joined a gym, hired a trainer (who I am convinced is trying to kill me, love ya Patrick!) and I've started eating better and moving. Thank you Lord!!

Phillipians 4:13  "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."

Isaiah 41:10 "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am  your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

2 Corinthians 12:9  But [Jesus] said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

I believe this and I know it to be true.

Please pray with me as I end this journey of sin and continue this journey of health and push ups.

peace.

P.S. I also relate to this more than ever.

Life with Dexter

So many of you know that we adopted a little rescue named Dexter. Here are just a few pictures that will explain why we kept him.  WARNING: Cute overload is entirely possible. Please observe only at your own discretion.

peace, love and dexter.

Supporting Nepal

Many of you already know that my daughter, Andrea, and her husband, Bijay, are in Nepal visiting the Lama family. It's the first trip to Nepal for Andrea and the first trip home for Bijay in many years.

They are staying with Bijay's parents whose home is an orphanage. They have taken in 28 children from 5 to 17 and in addition to being pastors, they are caretakers of these children.

Needless to say they are busy folks!

So to do my little part, I'm selling some jewelry from Nepal and all the money goes back to them. Here are some example pieces, I have more.  I'm asking $5 per piece, but like I said it all goes to them, so give whatever you feel compelled to give.

Just leave a comment and we'll figure out payment and delivery.

Thank you for your support of New Creation Children's Home 

peace.

Mama Mia!

I took my sister to see the cheesiest, ABBA filled, musical in spandex last night. We had a great time, mostly because we're sisters and we love each other.

The sets were great, the costuming amusing and colorful, the supporting cast-Terrific!!! Loved the actresses who played Tanya & Rosie. 

MAMMA MIA! North American Tour 2010 (photo by Joan Marcus)

But here's where it went wrong in my humble opinion. The leads, Donna & Sam, were weak and pitchy. He was sharp, she was flat. It was not good. Some long held notes, painful.

Now I understand that some ABBA music isn't very forgiving. It's has broad ranges and high extremes. But isn't that why they audition and get paid? I've seen many shows by many companies in OKC and this was my least favorite.

Maybe they were just having an off night. It happens. I heard on the radio this morning from the leads that last night was their 450th show. I'm hoping they have not all sounded like last night sounded. 

If you love ABBA, spandex, and platform shoes...get your tickets and go check it out. The encore was fabulous!

peace.

Whitney Houston

There are times when the death of someone you've never known still causes reflection. When Michael Jackson died, I reflected on how his music was the soundtrack to much of my youth.

When I heard about Whitney Houston, I stopped and sighed. She was barely older than I am. Her voice has inspired me over the years. I loved her spark, her joy. Her talent is such a great loss. But when I got to really thinking, her talent has been greatly unused for a time. In recent years, she has seemed so sad, so bereft of all the effervescence she had been known for. Addiction and abuse had definitely taken it's toll.

One of my favorite Whitney moments

How sad is it that this beautiful, talented, gifted woman succumbed to a life of abuse, addiction and neglect?

But for the grace of God, there go I. What talents have I hidden under a bushel? Not a bushel of addiction but hidden none-the-less.

I want to be a faithful servant, investing my talents as God leads.

peace.

Sick

So this week I've been sick. 7 days worth. Off work, feeling gross and a little sorry for myself. I'm not a good sick person, I don't like it, I quit.

But God is always so faithful to keep things in perspective for me.

This week a dear friend's 17 year old daughter was having trouble sleeping and breathing. They took her in for a chest X-ray and found a large lymphatic mass. After tests and surgery, there is a good chance she has Hodgkins lymphoma. The whole family has been a testimony to the faithfulness of God. Join me in praying for Lorelei.

I'll feel better soon and I've stopped whining about being sick. Thank you, God.

Peace.

Pay It Forward

So if for some reason you haven't seen me talking about this EVERYWHERE (a little excited) I'm putting it here as well.

I got to be part of a blessing. So amazing that God would use me, choose me, let me get to have all the fun! Hope you enjoy.


 

They should have included a blooper reel...it would have shown us chasing the money through a parking lot on a windy day because yours truly dropped it. Grace I tell you, grace.

If you'd like to help Joe's Addiction, I'd be glad to take cash, clothes, coats, blankets from you to them. They also have a Free Store where people in need can come get what they need. LOVE this place and the people. Go get a great cup of joe and find out why.

1806b Southeast 59th Street  Oklahoma City, OK 73129
(405) 601-2962


(east of I-35 on SE 59th)


peace.