I'm not asleep . . . I'm resting my eyes

As I looked around the room I was a bit overwhelmed. There were CPA's, teachers, ministry leaders, students, those that were jobless, abused, and homeless. How in the world was I going to teach a lesson that I felt God had put on my heart and know it would speak to everyone in the room?

Opening up I asked, "Do you feel like there is a leader within you trying to get out but that leader feels trapped by the circumstances of life?" I looked around the room and most everyone was sadly nodding their head up and down.

I know that feeling. It's a feeling of despair, captivity, and frustration. As I've been studying to strengthen the leader in me and stretch my capacity, God has been bringing scriptures, devotionals, people, and sayings to me that all say one thing WAKE UP!

How could I or anyone in my class be living life asleep? We might all come from different backgrounds and be in quite different circumstances, but basically we all get up, run all morning, are frustrated by afternoon, and eventually collapse in bed. What I've noticed is that no matter who you are or what you do you are BUSY! So why the continuous flow of these words WAKE UP?

I remember when I was young and I'd talk my dad into watching a show with me on TV. Sure enough when the good part came I'd say something to him and he wouldn't answer. I'd look closely and he'd be asleep. How could he be sleeping through the good part? I'd nudge him and say, "Daddy, wake up!" His answer, "I'm not asleep. I'm just resting my eyes."

Maybe we are so numb to our busyness, circumstances, and routines that we feel like we are wide-awake. But in reality we are "just resting our eyes." We are caught up doing the same things over and over. We run through each day without even giving attention to our actions and reactions because many of those actions don't require us to be fully awake to participate in -- computer time, TV, holding grudges, arguing, gossiping, etc. Basically, we are asleep with our eyes wide open, but our heart, mind, and soul are fully shut down and unaware.

If we are "resting our eyes" then it is no wonder why the nodding of the heads when I asked, "Do you feel like there is a leader within you trying to get out but that leader feels trapped by the circumstances of life?" If we aren't AWAKE - wide awake - then we are sleep walking through our life. It's hard to develop, train, and raise up the leader within us while we are apathetic and at rest.

Hear the alarm . . . it's time to WAKE UP and live life fully awake, aware and alive!

I don't want to be asleep. I don't want to rest my eyes. I want to be fully AWAKE!

It's Measuring Day

Well, tomorrow is the big day . . . measuring day at the gym. You see, I asked for a gym membership at Christmas. CrAZy me!!! So in January I signed up, along with the Total Solution package they offered, which incorporates exercise, diet, and motivation. Let's all say YEAH for the motivation, I need a lot!

One thing that is great about this program is the accountability built in. You keep track of what you eat. You write down when you exercise. This isn't just something they say you should do -- hmmmm, they ask you to bring in your food and exercise diaries. Urgh!

So, here I am my second BIG measuring day. I weigh frequently and it's recorded, but once a month I get measured from my neck down. Yep, you get it . . . everything (neck, shoulders, knees, ankles and everything else in between) gets measured. While this seems quite intimidating it is actually a motivational booster to see in black and white those inches going down.

I was also reminded this week that having accountability in all areas of our lives helps us stay on track. I had gotten lazy with some writing I needed to do, but a conversation with a friend reminded me just how much I need accountability in that area. I need people asking me, "Hey Alene, how's that writing coming?" Just like I need my fitness coaches asking, "Hey Alene, how's your diet and exercise coming?"

Having accountability partners you can share you dreams, goals, and deadlines with is a sure way to boost your success rate. I've learned also, it is also imperative not to only have accountability partners, but also a measuring date. There's no denying results. Either you wrote another chapter or you didn't. Either you made another sale or you didn't. Either you lost another inch . . . or you didn't.

So, here's hoping that tomorrow all my trips to the gym and my grilled squash have paid off.

Yep, I'm ready for measuring day.

Lessons from 4-H; Feed the Sheep

I grew up loving animals and wanting to be a veterinarian. When I was finally old enough to be in 4-H my dad and I went to a meeting. As we were walking out the door of the house that evening, my mom was saying, "Do not sign up for anything!"

Well, somewhere in those next few hours I'm not sure what happened. I not only joined 4-H, but Dad had signed me up to show a lamb in the upcoming January show. This began a whole new life for me. There was much I had to learn about being responsible for large animals, as well as raising, feeding, and showing this lamb, Suzy Q. Cute name, right?

I hate to admit it, but Suzy Q soon became a chore. Feed. Water. Exercise. Feed. Water. Feed. Feed. Feed.

On those freezing cold mornings when it was drizzling rain I seriously could have cared-less if this cute lamb got exercise, much less food. Confession time, there were even some mornings when I just didn't feed her. My bad! Please don't report me, because I did feel guilty all day at school afterwards.

Although I loved Suzy Q there were days I could have done without her and all the responsibility that came along with her. I seriously would have been fine, going back to my way of life before I joined 4-H. But somewhere deep down, I had such a passion for animals that I knew I had to learn what it took to raise champions. And that I did for the next 10 years, even progressed to showing champion steers and bulls.

Recently, my mind has been wandering back to those animals that I loved and despised all at the same time. I'm continually reminded of what a chore it was to feed, water, exercise, and feed, feed, feed them when all I wanted to do was live a "normal" life like most of my friends.

I'm learning new lessons on "feeding sheep", as John 21 has been very much at the forefront of my thoughts lately. When Jesus asks Peter three separate times, "Do you love me?" He also responds to Peter's "yes", by saying "Feed my lambs. Take care of my sheep. Feed my sheep."

For more on what I'm learning, sign up for my newsletter before next Monday. (It's the brown box on the right hand side of this blog.) The rest of the story will come out in next week's monthly newsletter.

Until then,  does anyone have any stories they'd like to share on the lessons they learned from 4-H?

Chronological Bible

 

This morning I felt a stirring to crack open the Chronological Bible that a friend (Thanks Mel!) had given me for my birthday. I was saving the Bible to use for my daily Bible reading next year, but something today just spoke to my heart and said, "Get the Chronological Bible out and begin reading in the New Testament". 

As  I opened it and looked for where the New Testament begin, I couldn't believe it when my search ended on September 24th - today! Thanks God, for this confirmation that this is where I'm suppose to be this morning.

Let me back up and ask, have you ever had those seasons where you felt God was silent? You searched and searched, yet no peace of an answer. You might feel Him stirring and moving your heart, but no real clarity comes. Well, such has been the last year of my life. After reading a few books, God really began to do a number through His word in my heart and mind. But no clarity, no real answer came for what seemed forever.

If you want to get messed up with me read these books:

The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical by Shane Claiborne

Interrupted - an Adventure in Relearning the Essentials of Faith by Jen Hatmaker

I've spent countless hours praying, seeking, asking, talking to mentors, and wondering what this all means. Finally part of the answer came when my pastor mentioned our church was going to plant a church on the westside of town. Story Here.

I can tell you today that I'm still unclear. I still am confused. I still seek God daily. I can tell you being prompted to crack open my Bible up today and it being today's date tells me Jesus is still leading so I'm just going to follow.

What was so interesting as I begin reading today's passage is:

1. The New Testament was written after a period of silence. 400 years of silence that is. WHOA!!! Alright, I guess my one year isn't much to be frustrated over.

2. As the story of the New Testament begins to unfold you know something new is happening. Yes, I can sense that in my own life. It's just that it is a new-new . . . something unfamiliar.

3. In the beginning Jesus was there and he created everything to give it life. So during the silence God was still there - moving, speaking, preparing. I also can see this in my life . . . moving, preparing, stirring . . .

So friends, if you are experiencing a period of silence just know God is fixing to do a new and incredible thing. You just have to hold on, stay in His presence, and follow daily where He calls.

That's what I'm going to do. 

God just amazes me. 'Nuff said!!!

p.s. sorry for all the caps - blogger is not cooperating with me today.

Developing Self Discipline

I found myself praying this morning for a new level of self-discipline. It seems every time I tackle a discipline -- well, another one rears its head to be conquered. Maybe it has to do with maturity or just another season of life, but I'd sure just like to be done battling my own self-disicpline issues. 


OK - I know that will never happen since we are human, but it certainly is a nice thought!


I was going through some old devotionals I had saved and ran across this one a friend had sent me. It is the perfect reminder of the steps I need to take to be more disciplined.


Developing Self-Discipline:
1) Start with small things.
2) Get yourself organized.
3) Don't constantly seek to be entertained.
4) Be on time.
5) Keep your word.
6) Do the most difficult tasks first.
7) Finish what you start.
8) Accept correction.
9) Practice self-denial.
10) Welcome responsibility.
        John MacArthur The Pillars of Christian Character


All ten of these steps are great. But #6 - definitely is what I needed to be challenged with today. I have gotten in the habit of putting off those difficult tasks and the ones I don't care to do until . . . well . . .  they just couldn't be put off any longer.


What step might you need to take to develop a new level of self discipline?

Even the Soil Needs Rest

Did you know that even the soil needs to rest?

It's been a wild few weeks as I've rested. (see previous posts) I've learned much about myself and God.

Reviewing scripture God repeatedly builds in seasons of rest. God created the earth in six days and RESTED. He has since set aside the weekly sabbath rest for us. Did you hear that? He created one day of week for us to rest. He was looking after us and knew what our bodies would need to function properly.

In the Old Testament, God even specifies specifics for the soil to rest every seven years. Farmers still know this is true today, that the soil needs to rest and replenish itself. It's been refreshing to realize that God did speak REST to me. He knew it was time for a season to replenish, refocus, and recharge.

However, what I've learned about myself is that I don't REST well. I have squirmed. I have doubted. I have wanted to charge ahead. Some of this is my in born temperament and personality. I'm so thankful that I had just written and taught the SAVOUR class at BAF, where I was made aware that for some of us resting can be hard work.

My resting season is almost complete. I'm excited to see what God has in store as I'm refreshed, renewed, and revived!

If the soil needs rest, I guess I do too!

Resting is Hard Work

God continues to speak in surround sound. I’m hearing it loud and clear. As a matter of fact, I heard it again this morning . . .

Rest.

Rest.

Rest.

However, I’m just not getting it.

It all started a couple of months ago when my schedule was quite hectic. I was teaching two Bible studies, writing a new study, speaking, and meeting with women. Of course, not to mention keeping up with the family and my photography commitments.

It was very busy and overwhelming on some days, but I just knew if I kept running the race REST was on the way. That is when God began imparting into my heart daily the word REST.

I longed for the commitments to be over. I longed for rest. But the funny thing is as my schedule began to free, I began to question why I needed to rest. First one Bible study was complete and I felt like I could breathe easier. Then another class was over and the weight on my shoulders began to ease. The writing was done and I began thinking, “Why did I think I need to rest? I’m feeling rejuvenated. Yes, I can keep running.”

That is when God began speaking ever so louder REST, REST, REST! It came through His words as I read the Bible, it came through devotionals I receive from others, it came through others speaking those words into my life. REST, REST, REST!

I was hearing it loud and clear. I heard it again today. “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28 NIV)

Strange though, I don’t feel weary. I don’t feel burdened. So, what is rest?

As I rest and pray for clarity, I don’t think God is saying to curl up in bed and rest. I sense it is a resting in Him, and a testing of my obedience. And I have to tell you, resting is hard for this girl! I like running. I like activity. Yes, I like being busy.

I'm learning that resting is hard work. Hard Work!!

Oh Lord, may I not only hear You say rest, but may I actually obey and REST.

Blue Bell, Baseball, and Bluebonnets

Oh my, what an incredible trip to Brenham.

Brenham - close to College Station. Gig’em Aggies!

One of the moms described Brenham – home of Blue Bell, Baseball, and Bluebonnets. You can’t get more descriptive than that. The beauty of that small city is breath-taking. Coming into Brenham the rolling hills were covered in Bluebonnets. Such a beautiful sight and beginning to two fabulous days.

Meeting the moms at Motherly Love was such a joy and treat. I was touched by their devotion to the group and to being better moms. As we chatted about controlling the atmosphere in our homes many of us were touched. As moms, we have a tough job! Yes, it seems like we have to do it all some days. And through it all and even when we don’t feel like it, we need to be fighting for our family. No one else will be doing that for us. Creating a peaceful home front is a great way to start. We are the tone-setters in the family.

How true the saying, “When momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!” Mercy – what pressure?

If you have great tips for creating a peaceful home environment, I’d love to hear them. I’m sure our moms from Motherly Love in Brenham would love to hear them too!

Motherhood is an incredible journey, especially when you can spice it up with Blue Bell, Baseball and Bluebonnets.

How Are You Doing

While I was out and about today I unexpectedly ran into a friend. We visited for a minute when all the sudden she asked, “Alene, how are you doing on your New Years goals?”

Need I say more! Paul sums it up in Philippians 3:15-16 MSG.

“Let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it.”

I must ask, “How are you doing on your New Years goals?”

Look Back - Leap Ahead

It’s New Years Eve. It's a great time to look back, then prepare to leap ahead.

Look back and count your blessings. View your progress. Every year I sit down with my year ends calendar and review the last 365 days making note of the blessings, progresses and failures.

January 1 puts a fresh wind in my sail. It's a perfect time to plan and purpose for the year ahead. A great read to help you find that purpose is Get A Life by Reggie McNeal. My 2009 goals are written. I'll lay them before God and begin stepping forward.

How about you? Are your 2009 goals written out? Do you have a daily plan for accomplishing them? Are you on the right track mentally, physically, spiritually, financially, relationally, etc.?

"Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life." Galatians 6:4-5 MSG

I'd love to know your goals and what you will sink yourself into next year.

If you need an accountability partner let me know. I'll encourage you each step of the way.

2008 was amazing! I'm sure God is waiting to bless your socks off in 2009.

Dreaming of PEACEful Holidays

The hustle and bustle is here. Do you find yourself dreading the stress of December more than ever? If so, there is good news. Seriously, you don’t have to dread the holidays; you can actually come to love them.

There is something magical about this time of year. The season beckons family, friends, and extracurricular activities, all of which sound dreamy and inviting until you and your family can no longer function due to extra holiday stress. And when you are stressed out, chances are your children are stressed too.

What makes holidays exciting? For some families, it is that there are many different activities on the agenda. For others, simple traditions provide the specialness that will be remembered. However, what brings excitement can also bring added stress. To alleviate stress and bring PEACE to your holidays you will need to plan, evaluate, accommodate, control and enjoy your holidays.

Plan. Get out a large calendar and write every single activity you plan to do now through the New Year down. Getting all your holiday school parties, work commitments, family gatherings and traditions down in black and white will give you an opportunity to view your schedule objectively.

Evaluate. After everything is written on the calendar, spend some time thinking through the schedules to see what is doable for your family. Evaluate each activity carefully asking yourself: Can we afford this? Are there any scheduling conflicts? Does this activity add stress to our already-busy schedule? Does this activity add value to our holidays? Your stress easily carries over to your children. Evaluate whether your children can cope if their schedules change. If they tend to stress out, keep to your regular routines and incorporate only a few extra holiday celebrations.

Accommodate. Once you have taken an in-depth look at your family’s calendar for the season, it is time for some give and take. Maybe instead of your child attending three different Christmas parties with his friends, he’ll need to pick the one he wants to attend the most. This will give the family more time together, as well as help out with finances. Instead of the extended family having four get-togethers, maybe it is time to scale back to one. Do you need to put a financial limit on the gifts? Finances are a major cause of stress during this season. Children are very accommodating, especially when they know the limits.

Control. Once you decide what will benefit your family and bring peace, it’s time to take control. Don’t relax your normal boundaries, because that can just create tension. Set holiday bed times, making sure the children still get enough sleep to avoid crankiness. Monitor their diet. Living off holiday sweets and gingerbread houses create sugar highs and lows which can cause children sibling squabbles. Maintaining structure within the home will help children cope with crazy holiday schedules more effectively.

Enjoy. With a little preplanning, enjoying the holidays will not seem like just a dream. It is possible. The holidays are precious times perfect for building upon family relationships. Don’t let the Grinch steal perfect holiday moments and memories from your family. Plan for it, and expect to enjoy each moment.

PEACE is attainable. Grab a cup of coffee, sneak away with your calendar and think peaceful holidays. You will be amazed at the peace that will come when you plan, evaluate, accommodate, control and actually enjoy your holidays.

Oh yes, I’m dreaming of peaceful holidays. I hope you are too!

Here's to a Change

So my motto for this year has been “No sloppy living!”

I have to confess I forgot about that motto over the summer. It was too much fun lazin’ by the pool with friends and havin’ late night girl time with a bowl of ice cream. Think about it - 2009 is only 120 days away! Yikes!

So I’m back in the groove. Trying something new!

I’m getting up between 5-5:30am to get a jump on my day. (I love it!)
God has been so gracious to wake me up singing His praises over me.
I have my prayer and quiet time early.

It’s all good except I’m sure I look a fright at that hour when I see Hubby out the door. (Sorry Hubs)
Oh yeah, I’m using a new facial cleansing system.
And I’m pondering that hair color.

Here’s the biggie!
I’m working out.
Drinking water by the bottles.
I’m writing every spare moment I get.
And I’m dog tired and falling asleep by 10pm. (I hate this!)

I think before long Hubby won’t even recognize me. Shoot, I might not even recognize myself. I’ve never been an early riser. Oh, I do love my late nights. That darn motto!

“You’ll never change, until you change!” I heard that quote months ago on a Will and Grace Show and it is so true. I'm singing that Brady Bunch song. You know the one -- come sing along. "When it's time to change, you have to rearrange - who you are and what you want to be." Don't forget the best part now -- "Sha na na na na na na na na. Sha na na na na!"

So . . . Here’s to a change and NSL!

I’m amazed I’ve done well for four days! Yes, you can laugh!!! I am.

How are your 2008 goals coming? Do you remember what they are? Just checkin'!

Sha na na na na ~

Insurance Called Faith

The road of discipleship is not straight. There will be a curve called Failure, a loop called Confusion, speed bumps called Friends, red lights called Enemies, and caution lights called Family. You will have flats called temptations. But if you have a spare called Determination, an engine called Perseverance, insurance called Faith, and a driver named Jesus, you will make it to your destination.

Amen!

I would ask your prayers these next couple of days as I travel to Houston with a friend and her 12 year old son for some medical testing. Pray for clear results from the tests, an extra measure of wisdom for the doctors; along with peace, comfort and strength for my precious friends.

Rejection - Ouch!

Rejection might as well be a four-letter word in my dictionary. It hurts. It stings. And it leaves whelps on the ol’ self-esteem and confidence. Ouch!

In my world of writing, I’m learning to keep the suave handy for the bumps and bruises. Just last week I got a couple more stings – rejections! Ouch again! Oh, they were nice rejections. They weren’t full of any four-letter words, even though it hurt like they were. But somehow even a nice rejection is still a reeee-ject-ion!

The silly thing is I actually got some great news for some incredible opportunities and even got a YES, but still all I could focus on was that rejection. I realize rejection will either make you better or it will make you bitter. Hummm? I get to choose. I do want to be better.

I want to be a better leader, a better writer, and a better communicator. All of which doesn’t happen over-night. Shucks!

John C. Maxwell writes in The 360 Leader, “The key to personal development is being more growth oriented than goal oriented."

Well, I’m certainly being forced into growing. A dear friend told me this week I should save all my rejection letters. Before I could shout “ARE YOU NUTS!” she reminded me that those are a true sign that I’m accomplishing something. I sighed - True?

Rejection is never easy. Even as a child I can remember certain instances when I felt so rejected that it still hurts to this day. Actually, some days I could just throw a big pity-party over what happened years ago.

When I let myself get to that place I’m always reminded of what true rejection is – it’s being charged with a crime you didn’t commit, while your best friends betray you. It’s being spit upon, being called names, being stripped naked and mocked in front of multitudes of people. It’s being beaten with many blows and then being hung on a cross to die.

We can learn a lot about true rejection from the life and death of Jesus!

That’s true reeee-ject-ion!

Amazing that I let a little rejection letter get me down.

I'm Not Ready

As I’ve spent time praying over the year ahead today, I’ve realized God has opened doors for some incredible opportunities. These opportunities will not only give me a chance to share God’s amazing love, but they will grow me as a leader.

Ooh-wee! Becoming the leader I need to be is a scary thing because it brings with it such enormous responsibility.

I’ve read many leadership books, but there is something different about actually putting that knowledge into practice.

How do I lead a team for a greater purpose? How do I lead so that the team feels like a team? How do I share the vision? How do I? How do I . . . ?

I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t know.

I’m excited. I’m being challenged; however, I know I’m not ready.

Yep -- I’m not ready! Yikes, but I’m going anyway.

I’m stepping out where I’ve been called, even when I feel I’m not ready.

Luke 12:47-48, “"That servant who knows his master's will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”

I’m standing on the that fact that if God has called me to it – He will see me through it. Thank goodness!

Do you have any helpful advice for leading others? For creating a team atmosphere? If so, I’d love to hear about it!

Makeover Monday's

My daughter battled acne problems her senior year. We tried everything to alleviate the problem. We looked at her diet, her sleeping habits, her stress load and the problem only got worse. About the time we were making an appointment with the dermatologist a dear friend mentioned we should try Proactiv®. We ordered our supply and eagerly waited. It was expensive, but it was worth the try.

As soon as the product came my daughter began the three part cleansing process. It was amazing within days the acne was gone. Seriously, gone! Her beautiful complexion was back.

My son is now a senior and I tell you there must be something about seniors and acne problems! He asked me the other day to order some Proactiv® for him. I was telling a friend about this and she said I needed to go to the pharmacy and get AcneFree. It was just like Proactiv but cheaper, she said. I figured it was an imitation and probably not as good, but worth the try for half the price.

After a week, I have to tell you, AcneFree has worked just as well as Proactiv. My son’s complexion is clear once again.

I love imitations, don’t you? Especially when they are cheaper! Who doesn’t love a good bargain?

I have carried that way of thinking into my spiritual life too. God says to imitate Him, to become like Him. Ephesians 5:1, “Be imitators of God.” Yet, I often find myself looking for the easy way out, the way that won’t cost me as much. The cost of time needed to get to know God so I can imitate Him. The cost of changing my ugly habits so I can become more like Him.

I realized I wasn't striving to imitate, emulate or try to understand God. I was skimping, looking for an imitation, the simulated and fake relationship that wouldn’t cost me as much. Pretending to be pious doesn’t pay!

The saying is ever so true, “You get what you pay for.” Being imitators of God will cost. It will cost you discipline, time and persistence. But the reward is well worth it, beyond anything we can imagine. Spending daily time to get to know the One we are to imitate is so refreshing and cleansing.

You might be able to skimp and save on products, but you’ll never get to know the Lord intimately and personally by skimping and skipping out on your personal time with Him.

Be proactive, plan and put the Lord first daily.

Spring Cleaning 101

It’s that time of year again – Spring – and I’m loving it. Spring ushers in such a newness and freshness to the year. The cool, crisp mornings are awesome. The air beckons you to breathe deeper, slow down and clean. Oops, did I say clean? I thought spring cleaning was something my mother invented, but no it has a history all its own.

Online Definition: Spring cleaning is the period in spring when time is set aside for cleaning a house. The most common usage of spring cleaning refers to the yearly act of cleaning a house from top to bottom which would take place in the first warm days of the year typically in spring, hence the name. However it has also come to be synonymous with any kind of heavy duty cleaning or organizing enterprise. A person who gets their affairs in order before an audit or inspection could be said to be doing some spring cleaning.

One possible origin: Spring cleaning can be traced to the ancient Jewish practice of thoroughly cleansing the home in anticipation of the spring-time holiday of Passover. During this eight-day holiday there was a strict prohibition against eating anything which may have been leavened. Therefore, observant Jews conduct a thorough cleaning of the house, followed by a traditional hunt for chametz (leavened food stuff).

I’m learning there is so much more to spring cleaning than I ever imagined. I’ve been called to a strict cleaning season this year to get my affairs in order, to rid my home of dirt, and to conduct a thorough clean-up of all that lies around my home that is forbidden. Yes, this will take some serious and organized efforts. My home, my heart and God’s temple are in need of a serious sweeping, dusting and polishing.

This spring I’ll be hanging out in the temple. Actually, I’ll be tackling the temple. It will certainly be a Spring Cleaning 101 class. I have so much to learn about the temple, my heart and my home. One thing is for sure – a cleaning has begun. Spring Cleaning! Believe it or not, I’m not growling! I’m enthusiastically enthralled.

Psalm 69:9 has captivated me, “Passion for your house has consumed me.”

Today, I have a renewed passion for His house, a temple to sweep, and a home to clean. Girls, I’m in dire need of some cleaning suggestions. Care to share?

Pep Rallies

What do you think of when you think of pep rallies? I think of great times, not only from when I cheered but also from years of my daughter cheering. Pep rallies. How can you not be charged up after a pep rally? They are designed to spur on enthusiasm and zeal in whatever arena the rally is held; football, work, political events, etc. My children even have a big pep rally before a big test at school. It gets them motivated to go and do their very best.

I consider Sunday’s a spiritual pep rally. Sunday should be a day of celebration where you come together to motivate one another and to encourage the lost soul walking through the doors of a church for their first time. A spiritual pep rally, wouldn’t that just be awesome if every Sunday was just that? Ah, come on – you know you’d love it.

However, after a pep rally something happens. You don’t just have a pep rally for the sake of having a rally. No, it is to get you fired up about getting in the game and giving it your all.

If Sunday was a spiritual pep rally then you would be motivated and enthused about spending the rest of your week giving life all you had. Getting in the game of life and getting serious about winning. Day in and day out disciplines are what win the game.

So many times though, it is easier to live from spiritual pep rally to spiritual pep rally and never attempt to get in the game. Never attempt to train daily. Never attempt to walk daily with the Lord. You just wait for another pep rally.

Nothing is ever really learned just living pep rally to pep rally. Shoot! Because I could so do that. I could live from one enthusiastic moment to the next enthusiastic moment. However, that is not the life God called me to live. It is not a real life, nor would it relate to others.

I love pep rallies, but it’s time to train daily and give life my all.
Time to tackle all those daily disciplines that will help me be all God called me to be.

How about you – could you use a pep rally?


Ready? OK!

Rah Rah Ree – Be All that God called You to Be!

All Those Spokes

Thank you for your comments to 10 Small Changes. You’ve really got me thinking.

The small changes I listed were things that I could implement as I went through my day to help me achieve the health goals I had set.

I enjoyed your comments because they made me mindful that when I’m out of balance, something suffers. Just like the bicycle I use to have, when the spokes got lose or warped it was not a smooth ride. When I am out of balance what suffers can be my spiritual walk, my physical health or even my family relations.

I view my time with God the hub of all my spokes. That has become the easiest priority for me to keep, only because I battled with it for so long. Self-discipline, ooooh that is tough.

Right now, I feel pretty balanced especially after adding my ten small changes. However, I know it is probably just a matter of time until I’m off center again. In my life, balance seems to come in seasons; I’ll do pretty good, then I waiver, and then crash because my spokes are out of round. Hallelujah, I learned years ago to make God the center hub. It's because of Him I don't totally wipe out.

Daily maintaining the spokes regarding my spiritual, physical, emotional and relational goals is a challenge. It does seem that some days I am out of balance. Thanks for the reminder – I’ll start looking for those loose spokes now. Anybody have a wrench?

How about you, adjusted any spokes lately?



Keep the comments coming – drawing at the end of the week, see Blog Party 2008. Also, you can hop over to Makeover Monday’s for another drawing taking place. Too much fun!

Ten Small Changes

No sloppy living. Claiming those three words for my 2008 motto has been a challenge. My spiritual, emotional and relational life balance has been good; however, my discipline for a healthy lifestyle has been poor. Urgh! Really poor, as in today was the first day I’ve been to the gym.

But I went, yea me! While I was there I listened to a lady talk about small changes. She said instead of making huge drastic changes, just change little things. She challenged us to make a list of ten things we could change right now that would make a difference.

My List of Ten Small Things:

_____Take my vitamins
_____Eat a healthy breakfast
_____Limit my coffee intake
_____No salt, fried foods, sugar, breads, or desserts
_____Eat at least three servings of green, leafy vegetables and two of fruit
_____Do not eat after 6:00 p.m.
_____Schedule tomorrows exercise into my calendar
_____Plan a healthy weekly menu
_____Exercise for at least 30 minutes
_____Drink eight bottles of water

I had to put my list in check-off form. You know how I love those check marks.

Do you have suggestions for small changes that will make positive life-long differences?

Here’s to another healthy day tomorrow.