Cold Turkey Christian

I want to know your opinion about becoming Christian. Turning over a new life, taking life in a new direction, to run the race to the ultimate goal... Do you give up everything....or just one leaf at a time...or EVERYTHING at once?
The background of this has to do premarital sex.  I am not judging anyone else's decision on this. I just want to know your opinion.
It is like any other addiction in one's life...you have to decide when it is time to change your life for the better, do you change it all the way or just a little bit at a time?
I want you to know that I am trying to change my life to become the wholehearted Christian I am suppose to be...I know that I haven't been living my life as I should...
Anyone? Everyone?
Prayers are always accepted!!!

My job

I LOVE YOU!

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Why do we try to achieve "perfection"? Because we look at others and want to be like them (Hello Hollywood...American Idol?)  What does it take to stop and realize that I am not going to be famous in the eyes of the world?  I have spent over 30 years wishing away time wanting to be "perfect". To be someone THE WORLD likes...to be in the right clothes, the right car, the right school, the right picture, the right song.  High school was the worse. We all seem to look and see the green grass on the other side....and want to jump the fence instead of DOING SOMETHING to fix our problem.  I thought I was doing something...I was...THINKING ABOUT WHY I WASN'T GOOD ENOUGH....thinking about how everyone would be happier if I had never been born. (Yes, I put a line through those THOUGHTS because that is just what they are...thoughts...things in my brain that are untrue and only cause me to keep THINKING about them until I have fallen into a hole so deep that I don't want to do anything except wallow in my self pity.)

Taking things for granted, I found myself in a low place.  I still had more than some and still do.  I spent last night "searching" for today's post.  I couldn't get my mind to slow down and then of course several friends kept posting really amazing things on Facebook.  Yes God has been using me more to encourage and motivate others.  I want to challenge my friends and family to help keep each other in check.  In other words, if you see, hear, think or feel that I am slipping away from my Creator...call me on it!  HOLD ME ACCOUNTABLE!

I am sorry this is just now getting out - I spent the day with Mom getting pool supplies, tomatoes, mosquito repellent plants, jalapenos, and the oil changed on her jeep.  We also found her a new phone cover, had Mexican for lunch, and wandered around a couple of flea markets.  

Peace out Brussels Sprouts!

A Fence or an Ambulance

Twas a dangerous cliff, as they freely confessed,
Though to walk near its crest was so pleasant;
But over its terrible edge there had slipped
A duke and full many a peasant.
So the people said something would have to be done,
But their projects did not at all tally;
Some said, "Put a fence 'round the edge of the cliff,"
Some, "An ambulance down in the valley."

But the cry for the ambulance carried the day,
For it spread through the neighboring city;
A fence may be useful or not, it is true,
But each heart became full of pity
For those who slipped over the dangerous cliff;
And the dwellers in highway and alley
Gave pounds and gave pence, not to put up a fence,
But an ambulance down in the valley.

"For the cliff is all right, if you're careful," they said,
"And, if folks even slip and are dropping,
It isn't the slipping that hurts them so much
As the shock down below when they're stopping."
So day after day, as these mishaps occurred,
Quick forth would those rescuers sally
To pick up the victims who fell off the cliff,
With their ambulance down in the valley.

Then an old sage remarked: "It's a marvel to me
That people give far more attention
To repairing results than to stopping the cause,
When they'd much better aim at prevention.
Let us stop at its source all this mischief," cried he,
"Come, neighbors and friends, let us rally;
If the cliff we will fence, we might almost dispense
With the ambulance down in the valley."

"Oh he's a fanatic," the others rejoined,
"Dispense with the ambulance? Never!
He'd dispense with all charities, too, if he could;
No! No! We'll support them forever.
Aren't we picking up folks just as fast as they fall?
And shall this man dictate to us? Shall he?
Why should people of sense stop to put up a fence,
While the ambulance works in the valley?"

But the sensible few, who are practical too,
Will not bear with such nonsense much longer;
They believe that prevention is better than cure,
And their party will soon be the stronger.
Encourage them then, with your purse, voice, and pen,
And while other philanthropists dally,
They will scorn all pretense, and put up a stout fence
On the cliff that hangs over the valley.

Better guide well the young than reclaim them when old,
For the voice of true wisdom is calling.
"To rescue the fallen is good, but 'tis best
To prevent other people from falling."
Better close up the source of temptation and crime
Than deliver from dungeon or galley;
Better put a strong fence 'round the top of the cliff
Than an ambulance down in the valley.

This poem was shared by my cousin, Mercy Hennings.  She posted it after I shared the cartoon I found that a friend shared..... Once again...connections.....

Thankful Tuesday - Method to Your Madness.....

This is a clip from The FlipSide by Mike Purcell, Northbrook , Illinois USA.  He is a retired Naval officer who God called to share his love through this cute little fish character.  Yes he was created after the Ichthys.  According to history, the ichthys was used by underground Christians to find each other as well as meeting places, and tombs during persecution in the Roman Empire.  So I can't find any more information about Mr. Purcell and his creations but I had saved them each time he posted a new one at the Side Stream which is still linked to http://www.christiancartoons.com/.  I will use them from time to time and am going to re-work them into affirmation cards.  I think we have gotten away from being too personal with all of the technology.  It is hard to share with people who you aren't connected with....  Bring back the ARK....A Random Act of Kindness....

And now the reason I chose this one clip....Method to Your Madness.... I have gone through life wondering WHAT GOD IS THINKING.... a)I am no one...why me...and b)why did that happen....
There in lies my problem...I THINK TOO MUCH....Thoughts do nothing but produce more thoughts.
I am slowly being more active - maybe not physically enough to run a marathon but enough to move for God more.  To stop reading between the lines....I WANT TO BE MORE....
Where does this lead me...to my jewelry that I miss making, to fulfilling a need at church, in community, or for my friends, to a completely new road of a mission abroad (that is anywhere I would be required to go and spend at least a week away from home).

Monday Musings

As I was sitting down this morning to reflect on the past few days, I have felt myself become ALIVE.  I have felt drawn closer to God and closer to my purpose, my talents, my reason to be...
I find myself being drawn to motivate, to encourage, and to draw upon that courage and LOVE on all that I can.
I saw myself in church yesterday grow from being bitterly disappointed earlier that morning to standing on the arms of grace and mercy.  I learned that I was giving Satan way too much credit and that my thoughts are actually my undoing...
SO STOP THINKING AND START DOING!!!
The next step...to continue with my walk and grow closer to God and be the light He called me to be.

A long time coming

It has been long time coming for my guilt and shame to catch up with me. I know you are thinking what guilt and shame should a Christian have.  Anytime a Christian falls away from God, we end up with guilt and shame because we have thrown away a most precious gift for something we though was more shiny, was better, was what we needed at that moment.  I had fallen away from God and was becoming what can be identified as a stinky Christian.  Yes I was still a child of God but I wasn't living like it.  My light wasn't shining for Him.  I had turned dark and ugly.  Worse yet, I COULD BEGIN TO SMELL MYSELF.  I knew what I was doing was against God and that it would only result in more heartache and pain than mercy, grace and joy.
No being a Christian isn't about being smiling and happy all the time.  It is about being to able to understand that even though I am down, I am not out.  God has created me and through HIS grace and mercy, I can have joy through the storm.
Oh...boy....I have been spending the last month dwelling on WHY ME...even through my compassion for those in need, I was still only thinking about myself.  I even spent last night hurt because all I could think about was myself.
I know God has blessed me with so much and I have that to share with the world.  I know what my problem is...I am holding on to my Styrofoam cup, longing for the world to fill me up.....I know God created me - not just a masterpiece but a piece of the Master!  I know He had my life planned out before He created me. I am trying to be that light He wants me to be.
I am still listening for His still small voice.....riding in my storm....