Category Archives: tidbits

Today I can..

I’m looking for addresses and found this little clipping in an old day planner.  I’d give credit where due, but it says Author Unknown.

I woke up early today, excited over all I get to do before the clock strikes midnight.  I have responsibilities to fulfill today.  I am important.  My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to have.

Today I can complain because the weather is rainy or… I can be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free.

Today I can feel sad that I don’t have more money or… I can be glad that my finances encourage me to plan my purchases wisely and guide me away from waste.

Today I can grumble about my health or… I can rejoice that I am alive.

Today I can lament over all that my parents didn’t give me when I was growing up or… I can feel grateful that they allowed me to be born.

Today I can cry because roses have thorns or… I can celebrate that thorns have roses.

Today I can mourn my lack of friends or… I can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new relationships.

Today I can whine because I have to go to work or… I can shout for joy because I have a job to do.

Today I can murmur dejectedly because I have to do housework or… I can feel honored because the Lord has provided shelter for my mind, body and soul.

Today stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped.  And here I am, the sculptor who gets to do the shaping.  What today will be like is up to me now.  I get to choose what kind of day I will have.

 

 

 

The Best Gifts

I came across this and thought it was fitting for this particular time of year. 

The Best Gifts to Give

To your friend-Loyalty

To your enemy-forgiveness

To your boss-service

To a child-a good example

To your parents-gratitude and devotion

To your mate-love and faithfulness

To all men and women-charity

To your God-your life

GRACE

My pastor has a great definition for grace– God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense.  Dictionary.com has 20 listed definitions for grace.  A few of the first seven are, elegance or beauty of form, favor or good will, mercy, clemency, or pardon.  Number eight begins with Theology, and contains the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God, the influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them, a virtue of excellence or divine origin, or the state of grace is the condition of being in God’s favor, or one of the elect.  I like the unmerited favor and love of God, because it reminds me that I do not deserve it, but He gives it because He loves me, even when I don’t deserve it.  That’s unconditional love, and we don’t often see that in our lives. 

That all leads up to a story about perfume.  A few weeks ago when Brooke and I were shopping, we came across inner grace.  I loved the name of it, so picked it up to try it.  It smells beautiful as well.  On the packaging it has philosophy, and I’m not sure if that is part of the name, but we found it in JCPenney, in the Sephora section.  I keep meaning to check it out online, and haven’t yet.  Anyway…  the perfume box says” philosophy:  to know peace is to know God.  within the context of peace we can know joy, love, and happiness.  in the absence of peace, we own nothing but the turmoil of our minds that jump from one thought to the next.  to find peace you must shut off your mind and open your heart to the only thing that matters; the gift of the present moment, it is peace personified.”  The body spray says “philosophy: top achieve inner grace you must practice acceptance.  surrender to a power that is greater and more loving than your own.  inner grace is eternal.  inner grace is immortal.  inner grace has no beginning and no end.”  Finally, the lotion says “philosophy:  God is love.  God is peace.  God is trust.  God is joy.  God is family.  God is friendship.  God is fearless.  God is breath.  God is life.  God is wisdom.  God is eternal.  God speaks in whispers.”  It gives me something to ponder every morning, and strive for each moment. 

Missing the web

This is my first time online in two days!  I have been feverishly working on two projects.  One is getting my house back together from Thanksgiving.  I had been following a routine on housework, thanks to Flylady, and seem to have fallen off the truck.  I’ve also been trying to become an organized person, so that has suffered as well.  My second project has been trying to complete a digital scrapbook, or Storybook, for Zach and Brian.  I want to give it to them for Christmas, and have an ordering deadline.  Since Zach won championship this year,(x 2),  I’m trying to document this past year of racing.  But of course, I want it to be perfect…

What else is going on?  Caught the last part of dancing with the stars last night, and felt bad for Mel.  I thought she did very well at all different types of dance.  Helio was great too, and I didn’t vote, so I can’t complain.  Plus, being an Indy person, the mirror ball trophy will look nice next to his 500 trophies.  I also caught up, thanks to Tivo, on Grey’s Anatomy.  I really liked last week’s episode, it was a gripping, edge of your seat episode.  I can’t think of anything that was offensive either!  Other than that, it is status quo around here. 

Stranded

Today I felt so small and inadequate.  It was the worst feeling.  As Brooke, Matthew and I were leaving for church this morning, the car was  slow to start.  I thought at that time that I needed to get a new battery, so we wouldn’t be stranded.  Helpless.  And then it happened.  We came out of church, and were talking to Matthew about his class, and as I turned the key we heard nothing but a click. In that instant, it is amazing how many thoughts can run through your mind.  Matthew was telling me I needed to look under the hood, and Brooke was starving and concerned about getting Arby’s for lunch.  Brian and Zach were gone, so I knew I couldn’t call them.  Luckily, we were at church, and lots of people wanted to help.  Two guys went into the church barn and looked for some jumper cables, with no success.  One of them said he would run and buy some, and his wife offered that they would drive us home.  I ended up callng my father in law, he came, and within minutes we were running.  (Straight to the auto parts store!)  I don’t ever want to be in that position ever again.  Not only did I buy a new battery, but also a battery charger.  I guess it’s like jumper cables but you don’t have to hook up to another battery.  Self sufficient!  That’s what I like. 

FYI on FBI

I have a late night confession for you.  I have seen people wearing shirts with FBI emblazoned on the back and wondered what it meant.  I knew it was not the Federal Bureau of Investigations, but couldn’t quite figure it out until this weekend.  I was shopping at our local christian book store and spotted a card with FBI on the front.  It stands for Firm Believer In Christ.  I’ll share with you what the card says, because I love it so much.  This is on the off chance that one of you out there is as slow as I am in picking up on some of these things! 

The decision has been made, the die has been cast, and I have stepped over the line.  As a disciple of Christ, I will no longer look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.  My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure.  I’m finished with low living, sight walking, worldly talking, cheap giving, and tamed visions.  I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, power or popularity.  I don’t have to be right, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded.  I now live by faith, walk in VICTORY, and labor in love.  The road before me is narrow and rough, but His commission is undeniable, thus my mission is clear.  I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed.  I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.  I won’t give up, shut up, let up, until I have prayed up, praised up, paid up, and spoke up for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  I am a Christian, an Unashamed Firm Believer In Christ! 

Wow!  Let’s all go out with that attitude tomorrow!