Remembering, Reflection & Resolutions

January 4th, 2008 Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Well, we’re off to the races.  The year has started out with a bang.  The phone has rung off the hook for three days and my ‘return email’ list, as well as my ‘to-do’ list, continues to grow.  

I’ve written all my thank you notes but my Christmas decorations are still waiting for proper boxing.  Best-case scenario?  They will rest peacefully in the attic by Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday.  Worst-case scenario?  Valentines.  :-)

My husband and I met yesterday to discuss the New Year and all the opportunities it will bring.  We’ve been praying diligently for clarity and a willingness to move in any direction God may lead.  We’re excited and expectant as His track record is FAITHFULNESS to the impth degree!  

But some of the most important time I’ve spent over the last 4 days has been what I call ‘Remembering, Reflection and Resolutions’.  It’s where I do… just as it sounds… remember all the ups and downs of the previous year, reflect on what worked, what didn’t and especially on what I’d like to see changed in the upcoming year.  I purpose time to be deeply thankful for the good, bad and ugly of it all, then set out to make my New Years resolutions.  Yep, I make them every year.  

I know some folk are completely against making New Years resolutions because of the two-week track record most have in keeping them.  :-)

But to me, It’s an important part of bringing in the New Year.  It helps me to center, start focused and act with intention.  More importantly, it offers my soul some peace and helps keep fear at bay.  It just plain ‘ole does my spirit good.  

I’m sure life has started out with a bang for you too.  But in this newly birthed year, consider taking an hour or two over the next couple of days for your own Remembering, Reflecting & Resolutions.  Just bet it will do you some good as well.  

Real Life

December 13th, 2007 Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

I’ve had the flu.  I’ve lost some time.  I’m behind on my Christmas shopping.

I have friends who are in crisis.  Not a ‘bad hair day’ kind of crisis.  The kind of crisis that will take weeks to heal.  Maybe years.  The kind of crisis that will leave an ugly scar.  The kind that requires of a friend, the tightest hug, a most sincere prayer and a trip to Starbucks for a triple espresso to talk it all out…every afternoon for a week.  

I love them so I feel their pain.  The sorrow is piercing.  My sleep shallow. 

But it’s CHRISTMAS!!  Can’t we put all our questions and challenges on the shelf for a couple of weeks?

No.  This is real life…and real life sometimes happens at Christmas.  

Jesus tells us that giving our life for our friends is the greatest love we can show.  So, the shopping can wait.  

When I’m in a crisis, I long for a comforting word.  Don’t you?  A word that brings my soul peace.  ”Come to me, all who are tired from carrying heavy loads, I will give you rest”  Jesus says in Matthew.  I’ve experienced this to be truth.  

My sincerest counsel to any readers who may be in a ‘real life’ crisis today…Go talk to God and share your heart honestly with Him.  Your soul with find rest and comfort in Him.  

 

Speedy & Little Guy

November 21st, 2007 Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Two amaryllis bulbs were planted and placed on my fireplace mantle about 4 weeks ago.  Both receive the same amount of light, have been watered the same and at the same intervals.  Yet, one is 3.5 inches taller than the other.  Obviously, both are growing but at different speeds and heights.  

I think they talk to each other.  The shorter one is saying, “Hey Speedy, why are you growing so fast?  Slow down and enjoy the season”.  The taller one shouts back, “Why aren’t you keeping up little guy”?

Maybe they are not communicating at all.  But every time I walk past my living room I pause and wonder why two bulbs planted exactly the same are growing differently.  

Sometimes, I wear myself out striving to grow.  Gotta reach my full potential as fast as possible.  

It’s yet to be seen but I think ‘little guy’ may be around longer to enjoy than ’speedy’.  I’ll let you know.

 

40 Questions

August 1st, 2007 Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

I’m always encouraging women to ‘get real’ so when Kelly sent this to me, I thought I’d get real and respond to this fun questionnaire in my blog.  I’m thinking of making it an annual event…. Enjoy…

1.  What time did you get up this morning?  5:30 AM…went straight to the gym.  (thanks for pulling me out of bed Mike).  

2.  Diamonds or Pearls?  Diamonds AND Pearls…and Rubies.

3.  What was the last film you saw at the cinema?  Music and Lyrics 

4.  What is your favorite TV show?  Ellen.  laughing out loud is good for the soul so when I can, I watch The Ellen Show.  Everybody needs to laugh at least once a day.  

5.  What did you have for breakfast?  Coffee with skim milk.  One whole egg plus two egg whites-scrambled with a sprinkle of real bacon bits.  

6.  What is your middle name?  Denise

7.  What is your favorite cuisine?  I love to eat.  Anytime… Anything.

8.  What foods do you dislike?  Dislike?  Food?  I don’t think so.

9.  Your favorite Potato chip?  Terra Chips.  A side so special it can turn an ordinary meal into an extraordinary experience.   

10.  Favorite CD you’ve been listening to lately?  Matt Redman “Beautiful News” (a MUST have) and Lisa Gungor, ‘Canvas’.  

11.  What kind of car do you drive?  Honda Accord

12.  Favorite Sandwich?  Almond Tarragon Chicken Salad sandwich from Bread & Co.  At home…cheese and crackers, kalamata olives & a caffeine free Diet Dr. Pepper.

13.  What characteristics do you despise?  Lying

14.  What are your favorite clothes?  Depends on where I’m going…but I don’t think you can do much better than a great pair of jeans and a killer pair of shoes.

15.  If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?  Italy, Northern California, Alaska.  (out of these three, I’ve only been to Alaska…can’t wait to go back).

16.  Favorite brand of clothing?  Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Loft or any that sell petite’.

17.  Where would you want to retire?  Where ever my kids are… preferably near water.  

18.  Favorite time of day?  Sunrise on any 60 degree or above day.  

19.  Where were you born?  Ft. Knox Army Hospital in Ft. Knox, KY

20.  What is your favorite sport to watch?  Titans Football

21.  Beavers or Ducks?  Am I too old for this question…’cause I’m not gettin’ it.  Could someone tell me what this means?  

22.  Are you a morning person or night owl?  Morning, I turn into a pumpkin around 9 PM everyday.

23.  Pedicure or Manicure?  Both…are you kidding?  Throw in a massage too! 

24.  Any new and exciting news you’d like to share?  I’m excited to be speaking/singing in Phoenix this week…warm weather…great people!  

25.  What did you want to be when you were little?  Someone who made a difference.  Something bigger than myself.  Still want this now that I’m not so little.  Also…always dreamed of being a wife and mother.  I’m honored to be both.  

26.  What is your best childhood memory?  Going to Six Flags when I was 12 and seeing Peter Brady from The Brady Bunch.  They were filming the day we were there.  He was SO cute!  

27.  Ever been toilet papering?  Oh my Yes, many times.  Once, when WE were papered, my mom went out and started gathering and rolling it up.  She was NOT going to let perfectly good paper go to waste!  We used it for weeks.  :-)

28.  Been in a car accident?  Very minor.  So thankful!

29.  Favorite Restaurant?  You mean one is better than another?

30.  Favorite Flower?  Tulips, Orchids, Amaryllis, Daisies, Roses

31.  Favorite Ice Cream?  Vanilla, Chocolate, Chunky Monkey, Mint Choc. Chip.

32.  Favorite Fast Food Restaurant?  I don’t do fast food often but when I do it’s Jersey Mike’s or Bread & Company.   

33.  How many times did you fail your drivers test?  None

34.  From whom did you get your last e-mail?  From girls in my Free to Be Beautiful classes at the Franklin and Brentwood YMCA.  Go FTBB girls!

35.  Which store would you choose to max out your credit card?  Pierce & Company.  Have you seen the great furniture in there?  Oh yeah…if I’m going to max out a card…that’s where it would be.  But only if it were in the budget and the money was already in my account.  After years and years of marriage…debt free is the only way to live.  

36.  Last person you went to dinner with?  My wonderful husband!

37.  How many tattoos do you have?  I’ve been temporary tattooing every year on our Florida vacation for a many years as I can remember.  Many years from now after my dear mother has passed on, I’ll get a real one…which, come to think, could cause her to turn over in her grave.  Okay, maybe I’ll never get a real one.  but I love them for Florida!

38.  Favorite Magazine?  Real Simple, In-Style, Southern Living.

39.  If you could meet any famous person, who would it be?  Oprah, President & Laura Bush, and Condoleezza Rice.  I wish I could have know Mother Teresa.  

 

 

 

Christmas In July

July 17th, 2007 Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Touring my neighborhood right now is the ice cream man. You know, the guy who winds up and down the street enticing those of us who love ice cream to come outside and buy the frozen treat on a hot July day. Yeah, that guy. 

Well he’s got my attention…and not just because I love ice cream. He’s playing Jingle Bells. Yes, as in the Christmas carol, Jingle Bells! 

I think I get what he’s trying to do….
Sometimes you have to do something radical or ‘out of the norm’ to attract folks to your cause….even if your ’cause’ is ice cream! 

Before my husband gave his heart to Jesus at 19, he often smoked marijuana with his friends. They passed a joint around and talked about life. When he received Jesus, no one told him it wasn’t a good idea to smoke weed, so he continued smoking while telling his friends about the Love of God. No one listened. 

Discouraged, he gave great thought to what he could do to attract his friends to the cause of Christ. 

He decided to do something radical.
He stopped smoking weed. (It was radical to he and his friends at the time)

He didn’t stop hanging with his friends…just stopped smoking. 
Amazingly, his friends started listening to him as he shared Christ. Really listen. They knew Mike …and Mike would not stop smoking pot unless something radical had happened in his life. 

Playing ‘Jingle Bells’ in the heat of the summer seems radical enough to get my attention. 
….I’m going outside…I’m celebrating my birthday this week!