Monday, May 31, 2010

Memory Monday: Colossians 3:1-2

Memory Monday My memory verse for the week is one I need to memorize for First Place.  It's a familiar scripture to me, but it's a good one to have committed to memory. 

It reminds me where my focus should be -- Heaven.  That's where my Savior is and where I'll be someday soon (because He's coming soon).  Life is not about this world.  It's about the one to come.

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. ~ Colossians 3:1-2 (NKJV)

*Every week I participate in Memory Monday with Joanne at The Simple Wife.  Everyone is welcome to link up with her.

 

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Friday, May 28, 2010

Another Chat Pack Vlog Session

I'm not sure if any of you are still around this late on Friday since it's a holiday weekend, but if you are, Hello!  I waited too long to work on my Chat Pack video for today, so I'm getting it in here quite late in the day.

Just a couple things to wrap this up...

  1. Sorry about my dog barking in the background.  Seems this is going to be a habit with her every time I record a video. {rolling eyes}
  2. Here are the links for the books I mentioned:

Choosing Gratitude: Your Journey to Joy (affiliate link)

Voices of the True Woman Movement: A Call to the Counter-Revolution (affiliate link)

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Thursday, May 27, 2010

Blogging and Your Family

When I read today's post at Gather Inspirit spotlighting Andrea of Under Grace and Over Coffee, there was something she said that grabbed my attention.  She said she,

...started blogging as a means to keep my extended family up-to-date on the happenings of our household. But then realized not one family member was reading it!

How many of you have done this as bloggers?  Did you anticipate that your family would read your blog?  Do they read your blog?

I'm very curious about this.  I know my sister and brother-in-law have read my blog at times, but I don't think they really keep up with it now.  My parents look at it occasionally, but usually only when I've told them there is a specific post that I really wanted them to see.  I'm also pretty sure that they don't know the URL for my blog.

So for me it begs the question.  Why don't our families read our blogs?  Is it that they don't "get" the blog thing?

Let me know if you have any insights. 

Just wondering...

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Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Is That Bengay I Smell?

Tonight is our last night before summer vacation for Word of Life Olympians club at church.  I get to teach the lesson, so I'm going to be giving the kids a challenge to continue on with their daily devotions.  Just because they won't be turning in their books every week, doesn't mean their relationship with Jesus ends for the summer. 

I'm planning a really fun attention-grabber right at the start of the lesson.  Let's just say I'll be acting a little silly -- in public -- which is out of my comfort zone.  But I'm excited about the lesson I'm preparing, so I actually want to be silly with the intention that the kids will remember the visual through the summer months.

In other news...

I've been trying to kick up the fitness intensity in my life over the last week and a half.  Part of that involves The Biggest Loser game for Wii.  I've only used it a few times, but I like the workout I get from it.  I honestly didn't believe I would do well with push-ups, but I did them... and lived to tell about it.

I ran into trouble Monday, though.  I accidentally opted out of the warm-up and went directly into the workout.  (It really was an accident.)  Big no-no!  Now my left calf hurts like the dickens when I walk.  (Is it old-fashioned to use the term "dickens"?  If so, I will never use it again.)  I believe the sore muscle is due to the lack of a warm-up.  Won't do that again.

Hey, but the positive side to it is that it only hurts when I walk on it.  It doesn't hurt when I'm just sitting.

I walked laps yesterday, hoping it would help work that muscle out.  Not happenin'.  But I'm going to attempt walking again today.

So that's what's new in my little corner of the world.  Hope you have a lovely Wednesday.

Oh, and if you smell Bengay.  That's just me.  Sorry.

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Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Grasping at Grace

Let the countdown begin!  I just looked at the calendar and realized I leave for teen camp in 21 days.  Twenty.One.Days.  I didn't realize it was less than 30.  I guess I better get my packing list started.

Do you remember last year and my first experience of helping at camp?  It went pretty well, and I am ready to do it again.  At least, I think I'm ready to do it again.

But am I ready to go for two weeks of camp?  Yes, the juniors' camp is the following week.  And yes, I am going.  It's a day shorter than teen camp, but the children are younger.  That requires the leaders to be a little more hands-on with the campers.

This time camp will involve a new experience for me.  Although I know what to anticipate, the newness comes particularly with the junior campers.  I've spent the last nine months getting to know them in Word of Life club and Sunday school.  It will be cool to spend those few days with them, acting as a stand-in-mom of sorts.  My nieces and nephews will be there, too, which will make it extra special for me to be able to spend those few days with them.

Needless to say, in these coming weeks I will be looking to the Lord for grace.  I'm anticipating good things, but the experience is not going to be easy.  This seems to be a season God has brought me to, in order to teach me more about His grace.  Lots of stretching and opportunities for growth these days. 

Some days I fully grasp His grace.  Still other days I fail altogether to grasp it.  I'm just thankful that His well never runs dry.

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

~Hebrews 4:15-16 (NKJV)

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Monday, May 24, 2010

Memory Monday: Hebrews 3:12-13

Last week I missed Memory Monday, only because I didn't have time to write a Monday post.  That doesn't mean I wasn't memorizing scripture.  In fact, I really kicked it into high gear. 

I decided to go back to Psalm 63 and finish memorizing the chapter.  I had stopped a couple months ago somewhere around verse 7.  I was able to commit the rest of the chapter to memory, and now it's in my scripture review box.

I've chosen this week's scripture to remind me that unbelief is rebellion against God, and that there is a danger in the hardening of my heart.  Just as the Israelites were unable to enter into the Promised Land because of their unbelief, so am I unable to receive God's blessing, promises and help when I have unbelief and harden my heart in pride.

Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.  ~Hebrews 3:12-13 (NKJV)

*If you would like to link up with Memory Monday, visit The Simple Wife and join the rest of us.

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Saturday, May 22, 2010

I've Got a New Design!

I am so excited about my new blog design!  I created my own header for the very first time using a tutorial from Blissfully Domestic using the Picasa software.  Love that software... now that I know how it works. 

The new design was also possible because of the Blogger in Draft application and all the new design templates it has available.  It took some playing around with colors and columns and such, but I'm really happy with what I put together.

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Friday, May 21, 2010

Chat Pack (Dixie Makes an Appearance)

Happy Friday to everyone.  I'm always glad when I reach Fridays.  You too?

Another Chat Pack vlog is coming right up.  This time my dog Dixie makes an appearance.

And just for clarification on this video, when you see the edit somewhere in the middle, just know that I did not stop to think about how I would answer the question.  I just cut out all the air time.  I also had to cut out a barking scene.  Really, I wasn't cheating on my answer.

Have a great weekend, everybody!

  

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Thursday, May 20, 2010

Heart Idols

Something has been on my mind that I need to talk about today.

 

  

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Wednesday, May 19, 2010

It's Really Just About the Church Picnic

Do you know which post draws the most people to Discovering Liz from search engines?  You're sure to be surprised when I tell you, with the variety of topics I've talked about in my years of blogging.  It's the post titled Church Picnic from July 2008.  And the reason it was titled Church Picnic is because I was talking about my church picnic. 

I'm afraid everyone who has come from the search engines was looking for either game ideas or food suggestions and recipes.  You poor dears! 

Not having been to Discovering Liz before, you would not know that Liz is not the party-planning-type-of-girl.  Liz has no ideas for games, nor does she have any food suggestions for your church picnics.  That is, aside from the classics: potato salad, deviled eggs, coleslaw, and hot dogs.  Can you really go wrong with those?

In the last seven days alone, 4 out of 6 searches were:

So let me be clear.  Liz does not have any advice for your church picnic planning.  My post really was just about enjoying my church picnic.

I wonder how many more hits I'll get now from all my references to Church Picnic in this post?  {sigh}

  

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Tuesday, May 18, 2010

What An Opportunity!

Voices of the True Woman Movement

True Woman, a ministry of Revive Our Hearts, is giving me an opportunity to read Nancy DeMoss' newest book Voices of the True Woman Movement and discuss it on my blog.  I am so excited for the book to arrive! 

When I receive the book, I will be reading it and blogging my thoughts, chapter by chapter.  I thought I might make each chapter a weekly entry through summer, but I'll have to see if it works out that way.  I might need to double up posts on a couple weeks.  (I will be away at camp during two weeks in June.)

If you would like to read the book along with me, you can visit their online store and purchase one.  I receive no compensation for the link or your purchase.

If you have not heard of the True Woman movement and want to learn more, please visit their website and blog.  I also personally enjoy visiting Revive Our Hearts for Nancy's daily radio broadcast and for the plentiful resources available to help with everything from scripture memorization, to articles on women's topics, to a 30-day gratitude challenge.  Plentiful resources!

  

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Friday, May 14, 2010

Chat Pack (A Vlog Edition)

Do you have any idea how hard it is for me to introduce my vlogs each week?  I try to come up with some witty, catchy thing to say that will entice you to watch, but honestly I don't know how to promote my vlogs. 

So no fancy introduction here.  It is what it is. 

In today's vlog I answer a random Chat Pack question and also talk a little about my sick cat.  I've also added a few  "enhancements" to the video for fun. 

 

Have a great Friday!

  

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Thursday, May 13, 2010

It's Always the Little Things

Pad of Paper & Pen In the past two weeks the Lord has really been impressing upon me the need to use my time wisely.  Last week I had been feeling the pressure of the various things I needed to complete, but I didn't feel like I had the time to even sit down and come up with a solution to manage my time.  Unless you count last Thursday when I wasted good time and then felt guilty afterward.  {ahem!}

This week started off the same, until the Lord made it evident to me that I really do have time to do the things I need to do.  I just got my priorities out of whack.  If we do the necessary things first, then the rest will fall into place.

First thing in the mornings I've begun to do something as simple as writing down on paper the studying and reading I must get done that day for the ministries and Bible studies I'm involved in during the week.  I couldn't believe the difference it made. 

Really?  Could it be that simple? 

I can look at that short list and know about how much time it should take me to finish my work after I get home in the afternoon.  For some reason, having it down in print makes it easier to assess how much time I will need to spend. 

I know all you list makers and organizing junkies out there are scoffing at me right now.  Listen, I have never been a list person, and I didn't really want to become one.  It's probably the "recovering" perfectionist in me.  If I were to fail at completing the tasks on the list, I would give up.  And then I'd get frustrated.  And mad.

It's just that I'm now seeing the value to doing this one little thing, and I'm pretty sure that the Lord directed me in it.  Typically, if I do something opposite of what I would normally do, I know it's the Lord who's prompted me. 

And if I didn't start using the list, I think I would continue living with guilt day after day for not doing the needful things.  So a list, albeit a small one, will be assimilated into my life.

It's all about the baby steps, you know?

  

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*Photo courtesy of http://office.microsoft.com

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Bailey

Judybirthday_0304 Don't you wish your pets could talk to you?  I wish Bailey could tell us what he feels or if he's enjoying his existence.  Ever since he's been sick and started taking a pill every day, he's just not the same cat.  We don't know him anymore.

He's skinny.  He meows a lot.  He hovers over us whenever we have food.  He hangs out at the kitchen sink all the time.  He never behaved like this before.

I don't know what he needs.  If I wretched three or four times a day every day, my body would be sore.  Does he feel like that?

Today he's looked into my eyes with his sweet green and amber eyes a couple times, as if trying to tell me something.  What, Bailey?  What are you trying to say?  Do you think he knows we've been discussing the possibility that these could be his final days?  He's lived a full life of almost 14 years.

Sometimes we feel sorry for him because he seems so pathetic and helpless.  Other times he annoys us because we've just finished cleaning up mess #4 of the day, and this time it was on our bed...again.

We're not sure what to do.  Sure wish he could talk...

  

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Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Memory Monday: Romans 6:4

Sorry I'm a day late with my Memory Monday, but blogging didn't fit into my Monday.  This week we start a new First Place session focusing on being a new creation.  The memory verse for the week is about walking in the new life we have in Christ.

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. ~ Romans 6:4 (NKJV)

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Sunday, May 09, 2010

Routine

It's Sunday night.  Just when I had everything finished for the week, I gotta get up in about 8 hours and start it all over again.  I'm tired just thinking about it right now.  The irony is that, somehow in some way, routine keeps me going, and I'd be lost without it.

I'll see you tomorrow for Memory Monday and a new scripture for the week.

  

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Friday, May 07, 2010

Chat Pack - Career Path

It's Friday. 

It's a Chat Pack question.

Need I say more?

Oh... click the "play" button.

  

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Thursday, May 06, 2010

You Would Think...

You would think that a girl whose afternoon unexpectedly freed up would just find all sorts of ways to use that time in a productive way. 

Like she could...

  1. answer questions for the two Bible studies she needs to work on
  2. plan meals for the next week
  3. make a grocery list
  4. start reading one of the four library books she borrowed last Thursday
  5. study her Sunday school lesson

Yeah, any one of those things on the to-do list would have been productive.  But what did she do instead?  Played around with her Flip Mino camera.  And there may or may not have been lip syncing involved.  Just sayin'. 

In my defense, I really was working on my Chat Pack vlog post for tomorrow.  I just got a little distracted.

Oh, Flip Mino.  How I do love thee...

  

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Wednesday, May 05, 2010

A Story of Overwhelming Grace

Some of you have been asking about my key-note address at the luncheon last Saturday, and I thank those who were praying for me.  I thought I'd take a few minutes and let you know how it went.

The entire experience, from the time I accepted the speaking opportunity until this Sunday after church, was completely overwhelming.  When I was able to step back and finally process all of it, I saw God in it from start to finish.

You have to understand what has been going on in my life behind the scenes for months.  I'm going through a very difficult trial that is a total roller coaster ride of emotions.  In the midst of this, I was working to write notes on being grateful in all circumstances, especially in times of trial.  Talk about being put to the test.

One day I shared with a friend that it felt as if I had nothing to give.  I was feeling so spiritually and emotionally weak.  And then I followed up with the statement, "but I guess that's how it should be."  If I was strong and capable in the whole thing, then I wouldn't need God and it certainly wouldn't be His key-note address.  Little did I realize that I was about to experience God's grace like never before.

On Saturday I felt excited and positive, but as the morning wore on, the feeling turned to apprehension and nerves.  Lunch seemed to drag on.  I just wanted to start speaking.  The anticipation was almost more than I could bear. 

I kept thinking about all the people who said they were praying for me.  I knew I had some cheerleaders out there, and they were pulling for me.  I'm not sure anyone knew it, but I was near tears by the time the ladies were eating dessert.  I can honestly say that's the first time I didn't give a HOOT about cupcakes.  {giggling}

When it was just about time to return to the sanctuary for the speaking portion, one of the deacons who was there as part of the program asked if he could pray with me.  I was surprised but so grateful that someone was sensing the need.

I was introduced.  I walked to the podium.  I got my notes, Bible and materials situated, and then I began to talk.  And just like that, all the nerves melted away, and I spoke freely and boldly.

That in itself was enough for me.  For more than four weeks I had kept wondering how I was actually going to do this while bearing the heavy weight of my trial, but He poured His grace out on me and helped me every step of the way. 

Oh, but there's more.

One by one, ladies came to me and told me how God had used the things I said to convict them.  One lady said it had completed some thoughts for her that she had been just discussing earlier in the morning.  She added that, "God really knows what He's doing."  Other ladies said they really needed to hear what I had to say.

It was all God.  I know it was all Him because I truly felt like I had nothing to give as I compiled my notes.  I couldn't imagine what He would do with the words that I had written down.

I was overwhelmed, and all I could do was bow at His feet.  Thank You, Lord, for abundant grace.

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Monday, May 03, 2010

Catching My Breath

I'm not quite ready for a Monday post.  I'm basically trying to catch up from last week and a busy weekend.  Between writing my notes for the luncheon, preparing for Bible studies, a couple of restless nights of sleep, and a full weekend of activities... I'm just now catching my breath.

Where do I start?  Laundry, of course.  The first load is in the washer.

  

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Saturday, May 01, 2010

It's The Big Day

Good Saturday to you!

I'll be getting up this morning and going to First Place as usual.  I'm not prepared very well for today.  I don't have my scripture verse memorized. 

When Bible study is over I'll be coming home for just a little more than an hour and then heading back to church for the luncheon.  Last night I was feeling better about the content of my notes when I had a chance to go over them again.  It's just a matter of whether it's too much or too little to say.

You know what I've discovered?  The topic of gratitude is something you could talk about all day.  There is so much scripture dealing with thankfulness.  I really hadn't noticed how much, until I was consciously looking for it.  I think we glance right over that character trait because we see it as unimportant, but that is so far from the truth.

I'm looking forward to being on the other side of this event, to be able to process everything.  The road to this day has been a months-long journey.  I am ready to close this chapter and move on to the next.

I'll be back soon to let you know how it goes.

  

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