Fear

God has shown me gradually and recently that I am hindered by fear. I'm afraid of being the fearless, religious wacko. I'm afraid of being unrelatable, annoying, and over the top, and unreasonable, and too religious.


This is a lie. "Don't go deeper with God because you will become unreasonable if you truly believe it." It doesn't even make sense. And CANNOT be a reason not to grow.


Do you believe the lie?

Free 1411

Did you know you can call Google, and get information for free?

The number is 1-800-GOOG-411.
Save it in your cell phone right now. You won't regret it.

Check it out here:
http://www.google.com/goog411/

Also, you can text Google for free for information. The number is 46645 (GOOGL).
Text the business name, city and state.
Save it to your cell phone right now.

Your welcome.

Be Nice

I don't know about you, but most of the time, in public, I just want to follow the culturally acceptable societal norms, not cause any trouble, and get through situations (travel, eating out, etc) without unneeded trouble.

Recently, I'm boarding a 777 airplane. Huge. 2 isles. 9 seats across. 4 different seating cabins. I was late. Last on the plane, in fact. As I'm walking to my seat, I notice all the overhead bins have been closed. Wondering where to put by large carry-on bag, I hear an announcement "The overhead bins are full. If you have a carry-on that will not fit under the seat in front of you, please bring it to the front of the plane to be checked." that's me.

At this point, I'm in first class. On my way to the front of the plane, I climb over an unsuspecting first class passenger as a large man refuses to let me by otherwise. Another first class passenger opens and overhead bin, and I see it is empty.

I immediately think "What do I do? Last time I even tried to put a suit coat in first class, I was practically thrown off the plane. Better not use THEIR overhead bin."

I come across my first flight attendant and try to hand him my bag. He points to the overhead bin. I say "Oh, I wasn't sure...I'm not a first class passenger..."

He literally throws a hand on his hip, cops and attitude, smirks, and says (like a disgruntled teenager) "Yeeeeeeeeeees. It's empty, isn't it?!"

i instantly felt tiny. insignificant. stupid. once I crawled back to my seat, I was convicted:

Who have I treated like that? too many people, I'm sure.

Be nice.

How to do anything

If you haven't already heard, Wikipedia now has a rock'n How-To section:



http://www.wikihow.com/



Look up "Build a Hidden Door Bookshelf"...and start there.
I recently learned how to get a sour smell out of towels and how to fold towels into animal shapes.

Busyness

I am so tired of this topic. I've also resorted to the fact that it will only get worse.


Recently, I got a wake up call. God revealed that I had been doing life my way for quite some time. My way just happens to include running around worrying about everything. Stressed out, tired, failing at everything, no realistic expectations, and no time with God.


"To pursue intimacy with Christ, you will have to fight for it. You'll need to fight busyness...fight accusations..." (Captivating, p. 125)


God make me a fighter. Feisty. You may have noticed. How about I use this energy to protect my time with God instead of fighting the fight of life my own way?


I'm not completely sure what this looks like. But, I want it. maybe it means less internet time, less working from home, less phone time, less shopping? More rest, more confidence in God, more peace, more clarity, more to offer others?


Sounds like a fair trade.

Denton's Coffee

In case you didn't know, there's a great coffee roaster right in Denton, Texas:



http://www.bookishcoffee.com/



They ship, subscribe, and I hear their bean makes a great "Rocket Coffee"

Romance

I don't think we give God enough credit (otherwise known as praise) for how much he romances us on a daily basis. No, I'm no reading one of those Christian-let-God-be-your-lover books. I've felt this for a long time, but felt silly for thinking it. God likes beautiful things. He makes them. Redwoods. Monarch butterflies. Every sunset. Bluebonnets. Sunshine. Breezes.



I will never forget my 25th birthday. I love the moon. My mom tells stories of me, as a little girls, talking out the car window to the moon during nighttime rides. So, it's only fitting that on my 25th birthday, God gave me a full moon. That's right. He put it up there big and bright, in the cloudless night, on my birthday. I knew right away he knew I would love it, and see that it was from him.



For you skeptics, I know that we can really dig this kind of stuff up if you want to read into everything. That's not what I'm doing. Think of something beautiful that has stirred you. Maybe something in nature or a child. God makes all these on purpose. He has put this all before us as a tiny glimpse of what Eden may have held.



Thank you Lord, for glorious breezes, the colorful fall leaves, and breathtaking sunsets. It is a simple reminder of your strength, beauty, sovereignty, and individual love for each of us.