Joy while ya Run!

This is NOT a blog about running or jogging...
or any other physical exercise for that matter!

When the women ran to Jesus' tomb as told in
Matthew chapter 28, the angel tells them that
Jesus is ALIVE and that they should go tell
the others.
They're afraid.
They're scared.
Probably shocked and fairly freaked out.
But they obeyed.

They took off running even though they were
afraid. EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE AFRAID!

It says in Matthew 28:8 that they were
"AFRAID but FILLED WITH JOY" as they ran.

Then they literally ran right into Jesus.
And those fears hit the road! Gone!

Even in our most confusing,
"freaked-out,"
afraid moments
we must obey God's leading.

We must keep telling others what Jesus has done
for us!

That's when the JOY hits!
Run,
Tell,
Do,
Obey,
Go,
Smile!

There's JOY as we RUN in obedience to Jesus!

And Joy overcomes the FEAR!

And this kind of running in obedience leads
us right into a deeper encounter with Jesus!

And then there's even MORE joy!
And more running to obey!

(no NIKE's required!)

Currently Unclutter Your Home: 7 Simple Steps, 700 Tips & Ideas (Simplicity Series) By Donna Smallin

"Phresh & Phocused?"

My 16 years old really has a grip on things.

I think you'll agree. CLICK HERE!

"Right, Mom?"

On Monday my youngest daughter,
who is 8yrs. old, and I watched a
History Channel special about
Martin Luther King, Jr. I was using the program to
explain more about the history of
our country and the huge significance of our
new President, Barak Obama.

Thankfully we have "TiVo."
Every few minutes she said, "Wait, can I ask you question?"
Then she would go on to ask some of the most insightful,
understanding and discerning questions you can imagine.


"Why did the people treat other people like that?"

"Didn't they know that God loves everyone the same?"

"Was the whole USA mean to black people?"

"Weren't any of the white people Christians then?"

"MLK didn't fight? Why did people fight about him?"

"What was happening in Detroit when MLK was alive."

"Why didn't they protect him from the shooter?"

"What happened to the white people who stood up for
what was right?"

"I wouldn't care what people said, I would've been friends with anyone,
no matter what color they were... and, well, I am now, too."

"Mom, if our family lived when MLK was alive, we would've been friends
with black people even if the white people were mean to us...
right, Mom?"

I could only nod...
I was too choked up to answer.


What a day in history!
I'm proud to be an AMERICAN!

Snowy World

I like living in Detroit!
And I like snow!

Our little slice of the city
doesn't clear the streets,
(no money)
so the snow just keeps piling up.
We drive in deep groves.
Parking on the street
(driveways don't exist)
and hiking over giant piles of snow to get into
your car... well, CAN be a pain.

It can be funny, too... if you wipe out!

Here's a few pics to show you the fun we've had.

These first 3 were last Monday!




"Billy Brrr-sy"
The snowman just
chillin' on the deck.
(my husband's creation)










Our backyard!
I stuck my head outa the
upstairs window to take
these! ha!











Notice the snowman
being made in the bottom
left corner?







Then... more snow... about 10 more inches
came during the week. Here's the deck
railing. Cool lookin'!

















Poor "Billy Brrr-sy"...
he's totally covered
in snow!

I love it, though.






The Colorado-girl in me is NOT sick of this!
I still love it!
I can't help it!

Happy Week!

The Bum Bracelet

My childhood friend, Paula, and her husband, Jerry,
are missionaries to Zambia!
(That's a country in Africa...
for my geographically challenged friends!)

They're blog is so insightful and yet so hilarious!
And THIS BLOG about the Bum Bracelet...
well, you just HAVE to read it!
(It's called "Magic, Miracles and Martains")

The Winner is...

After a random drawing by my son, Max, the winner
of the book is.....

K. Cleaver

I've already emailed you, K, and look forward to
getting the book in the mail to you soon.

THANK YOU to everyone who reads this blog and
to those of you who took the time to respond!

Happy Wednesday!

Still Time!

Still time to win a book about change!

Busy doesn't always mean IMPORTANT

In response to my friend, Freddie's, blog, I wrote the following.

I know that there's so many things that I do the hard way.
My motto is often,
"Why do anything easily when you can make it more difficult!"... ugh!
So, I'm asking God how to streamline what's important and
eliminate what isn't even needed in the first place.
Busy doesn't always mean important!


It's buggin' me now.
"Jesus, help me to be wise and use my time wisely.
(I feel like I keep saying this every year, but as I reflect
I realize that there are a few areas that I've improved upon...
perhaps another blog for another day.)

Just another reminder that I want Jesus to guide
EVERY step of every day!
He knows what's important.
And He's most important to me!

(I'm giving away a book about CHANGE...
see Jan. 9 post!)

Quick... change it! or NOT!

Quick change may work for a decorating show
(with a team of 22 highly skilled carpenter & decorators).

Quick change may work for bed sheets,
diapers, socks, outfits
and plans for where you're going out to dinner.

But quick changes don't happen when it comes
to ME...
or YOU

I'm reading this great book about realistic change.
I'm only a little way into it,
but have found it very applicable.

Very little "resolutions to change" happens
unless there's a realistic plan in place.
But, I cannot even attempt to make
changes in my life unless I know
they're being directed by God!

This book gives 52 ways to make change a reality...
and the first point is given BEFORE you even
read the first chapter...
So DON'T skip the intro!

I have another copy of this book to give away, and would
love to pick you.

IF YOU WANT the FREE copy of Karen Scalf Linamen's book,
ONLY NUNS CHANGE HABITS OVERNIGHT then please list:

1. one thing that you've changed in your life and
2. what you think made it successful

I'll give it away on Wednesday, Jan. 14th.

Happy Weekend... make it count!

True Lie!

Many of you have heard me say this over the years....
but I needed a reminder & maybe you do, too.

We often believe a True Lie:

"You're not good enough."

It's TRUE because even my very best is like a filthy
rag compared the the amazing righteousness of God!

Isaiah 64:6 " We are all infected and impure with sin.
When we proudly display our righteous deeds,
we find they are but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves,
we wither and fall. And our sins, like the wind, sweep us away."

But it's a LIE cuz it's JESUS IN me that makes all things
possible! HIS righteousness makes me good enough.

Romans 5:18 "Yes, Adam's one sin brought condemnation
upon everyone, but Christ's one act of righteousness makes
all people right in God's sight and gives them life."

Phil. 4:14 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

So the next time you're throughin' around the thought that
you're not good enough, remember...
Of course you're not, but
(if you've given JESUS your life)
He's MORE than enough!

So You're Gunna change, huh?

If we think we're gunna change something this year it's probably
a good idea to stop & think about some changes we've most recently
made.
What made them work?
What was the key?

If we've experiences failed attempts at change...
What went wrong?
Why?

It's more than deciding to change...
we MUST have a plan.

and I'm admitting it... my plans for change are still
a little sketchy. But as I talk to God, He's showing me
what to change & then beginning to explain the "how's."
The Bible is the lamp & light that directs my way!
(Psalm 119:105)

sigh.
always room for growth.

Yippee! Cheer & Shout!
Always room for growth!

Currently Only Nuns Change Habits Overnight: Fifty-Two Amazing Ways to Master the Art of Personal Change By Karen Scalf Linamen