i have been listening to this song a lot lately...love the lyrics...
seasons change...by crystal lewis
Are you going through a dry spell
Yes I've been there before
Where the trees are slowly withering
Where their roots cry out for more
Where the desert floor is dry and cracked
No clouds hand in the sky
No winter rain or spring it seems
No change in sight
(Chorus)
But seasons change
And then they pass
No way to know how long they'll last
I'd love to know the reason why
But God knows
Seasons change
Are you going through a dry spell
I've been there a time or two
Where life seems to stay the same for awhile
You want to change but don't know how to
It's the place where you feel empty inside
Can't put your finger on the need
I look at God and see what I want to be
I look at me and see what I am
Are you going through a dry spell
I was there awhile ago
Now I've come to a place where the rain falls
Where the trees bear fruit and grow
Where I find a refuge in my God
It's a place of surrender I know
I look at God and see what I want to be
He looks at me and sees His own
(Chorus)
But seasons change
And then they pass
No way to know how long they'll last
I'd love to know the reason why
But God knows
Seasons change
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
a life marked by faith...
have you ever noticed how some tv commercials mix just enough truth with their product to make it believable? while that's called false advertisement...the product still comes off convincing...it's not until we purchase the product...and it fails...that the trickery becomes exposed...
in the same way...satan specializes in false advertisement...he's good at making our fears look real when they are not...does that mean all fears are wrong? i don't think so...the fear of standing near a high cliff protects us from getting to close to the edge and toppling over...on the other hand...satan's spooks are full of trickery...they are usually disabling and keep us from progress...this kind of false advertisement can choke our faith and fuel our fears...
have you ever wondered where our struggle between faith and fear began? i have...quite a bit lately...actually...fear was introduced to the human race by a satanic lie...
the garden is the first place where the serpent deceived eve by twisting God's word...the Lord told adam not to eat of any tree in the garden except the tree of knowledge of good and evil (genesis 2:16-17)...if he or eve ate from that tree...they would surely die spiritually...not only did eve eat the forbidden fruit...but she offered it to adam and he ate too...
as soon as adam disobeyed God...their relationship changed...adam was not only afraid...but he doubted God's authority, friendship, and provision...satan's lie told adam that he didn't need God...in fact...adam was persuaded that he could be his own god...self-sufficient in every way...
the same can be true for you and me...at times...you and i live independent of God's presence...we act as if everything depends on us...we wouldn't dare admit that we are in over our heads...we want to appear in control...but God never meant for you and me to be strong in and of ourselves...we were meant to show His strength in our weakness as He provides for our needs...we were created to live like little children...dependent on the care our heavenly Father...
the times we insist on living life our way...in our own strength...we experience the same result as adam and eve...we will live in fear...and this is right where satan wants us...
if we're afraid to try...we never will...if the enemy can keep us contained by fear...we won't be able to fulfill our potential or make a difference in the life of another...satan knows what we are capable of with Christ...to prevent us from that realization...he poisons us with fear...
the truth is what we fear rarely comes to pass...this kind of fear that is fueled by satan's lies can be described by this acrostic:
false
evidence
appearing
real
it's not that we shouldn't be concerned about certain issues of life such as safety and health...but when worrying takes over by keeping us up at night and shutting us down during the day...we've moved into a place we were never meant to live...we must return to living in God's presence and relying on His promises and provision...only then will we be able to distinguish between truth and lies...only then will our lives be marked by faith...and not fear...
in the same way...satan specializes in false advertisement...he's good at making our fears look real when they are not...does that mean all fears are wrong? i don't think so...the fear of standing near a high cliff protects us from getting to close to the edge and toppling over...on the other hand...satan's spooks are full of trickery...they are usually disabling and keep us from progress...this kind of false advertisement can choke our faith and fuel our fears...
have you ever wondered where our struggle between faith and fear began? i have...quite a bit lately...actually...fear was introduced to the human race by a satanic lie...
the garden is the first place where the serpent deceived eve by twisting God's word...the Lord told adam not to eat of any tree in the garden except the tree of knowledge of good and evil (genesis 2:16-17)...if he or eve ate from that tree...they would surely die spiritually...not only did eve eat the forbidden fruit...but she offered it to adam and he ate too...
as soon as adam disobeyed God...their relationship changed...adam was not only afraid...but he doubted God's authority, friendship, and provision...satan's lie told adam that he didn't need God...in fact...adam was persuaded that he could be his own god...self-sufficient in every way...
the same can be true for you and me...at times...you and i live independent of God's presence...we act as if everything depends on us...we wouldn't dare admit that we are in over our heads...we want to appear in control...but God never meant for you and me to be strong in and of ourselves...we were meant to show His strength in our weakness as He provides for our needs...we were created to live like little children...dependent on the care our heavenly Father...
the times we insist on living life our way...in our own strength...we experience the same result as adam and eve...we will live in fear...and this is right where satan wants us...
if we're afraid to try...we never will...if the enemy can keep us contained by fear...we won't be able to fulfill our potential or make a difference in the life of another...satan knows what we are capable of with Christ...to prevent us from that realization...he poisons us with fear...
the truth is what we fear rarely comes to pass...this kind of fear that is fueled by satan's lies can be described by this acrostic:
false
evidence
appearing
real
it's not that we shouldn't be concerned about certain issues of life such as safety and health...but when worrying takes over by keeping us up at night and shutting us down during the day...we've moved into a place we were never meant to live...we must return to living in God's presence and relying on His promises and provision...only then will we be able to distinguish between truth and lies...only then will our lives be marked by faith...and not fear...
Friday, March 5, 2010
critiquing the critics...
i remember one day in middle school...like it happened yesterday...i had a particularly hard teacher...on her first test, i got a c...i was a good student...and went into her classroom after school one day to learn how to do better on the next test...i'll never forget her sarcastically-spoken words..."you aren't an 'a' student are you?"...many years later...i can think of lots of snappy comebacks...but as a relatively shy 14 year-old...i only remember mumbling something and leaving the room...her critical comment left no doubt about her purpose...to put me in my place...
criticism takes many forms...from "innocent" questions and comments...to direct insults...but the effect of criticism is the same; it can set a woman (or man) on the sidelines of life faster than anything...out of the race…out of God's service...this is especially true in churches...where many men & women avoid serving in order to avoid criticism...
as a semi-perfectionist and sometimes "people-pleaser"...i'm particularly sensitive to criticism...in the past...i have reacted either defensively...or with tears to unkind comments...by looking at Jesus, however...i'm learning to deal with those who find fault with my decisions...either in ministry or in my personal life...i've learned a few questions that help me critique criticism when it comes my way...
what is the truth?
unfortunately...our response to criticism is muddled by a sinful nature...we aren't always able to see the true motives behind our critics...if we have been deeply hurt in the past...we may see criticism as rejection, when it isn't...so i start by asking if the person speaking has a history of truthfulness...if the answer is yes, then i look for the truth in the message...sometimes, well-meaning people offer important feedback in an inappropriate way...if the person speaking unkind words has a history of unfounded negative attacks...or has manipulative motives...then i probably won't place as much stock in his/her comments...
is it just a matter of opinion?
sometimes people just disagree on the details...for instance...if you are planning an event in may and you decide to use orange napkins...someone could say that orange is a poor choice for the month of may and that it should only be used with autumn colors...this is just a matter of opinion and shouldn't be taken personally...
is this a sin issue?
this may be harder to identify as we are often blinded to our own sin...the sin of pride is one that many struggle with and easily overlook...while we may miss it in our own lives...you can be sure others won't miss it...when someone criticizes you...humbly approach the Lord in prayer and ask Him to reveal any sin in your life...
here is an approach i use quite often...
psalm 139:23-24 "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (NIV).
our lives are too short...and our callings too great...to be sidetracked by critics...when i have whined at God that i can't take the negative opinions of others any more...He gently reminds me that His Son got lots of criticism as well...looking at it that way...when i'm criticized for doing God's will and work, it can be taken as a badge of honor and not a reason to quit...
the bottom line is that i long to do His will...but sometimes my feelings get hurt by the unkind comments of others...my desire is to discern the truth in those comments and to seek His will above all else...my responsibility is to see if there is anything in me that needs to change...and with His help...i keep my eyes focused on Him when the negative words of others make me feel like quitting....
criticism takes many forms...from "innocent" questions and comments...to direct insults...but the effect of criticism is the same; it can set a woman (or man) on the sidelines of life faster than anything...out of the race…out of God's service...this is especially true in churches...where many men & women avoid serving in order to avoid criticism...
as a semi-perfectionist and sometimes "people-pleaser"...i'm particularly sensitive to criticism...in the past...i have reacted either defensively...or with tears to unkind comments...by looking at Jesus, however...i'm learning to deal with those who find fault with my decisions...either in ministry or in my personal life...i've learned a few questions that help me critique criticism when it comes my way...
what is the truth?
unfortunately...our response to criticism is muddled by a sinful nature...we aren't always able to see the true motives behind our critics...if we have been deeply hurt in the past...we may see criticism as rejection, when it isn't...so i start by asking if the person speaking has a history of truthfulness...if the answer is yes, then i look for the truth in the message...sometimes, well-meaning people offer important feedback in an inappropriate way...if the person speaking unkind words has a history of unfounded negative attacks...or has manipulative motives...then i probably won't place as much stock in his/her comments...
is it just a matter of opinion?
sometimes people just disagree on the details...for instance...if you are planning an event in may and you decide to use orange napkins...someone could say that orange is a poor choice for the month of may and that it should only be used with autumn colors...this is just a matter of opinion and shouldn't be taken personally...
is this a sin issue?
this may be harder to identify as we are often blinded to our own sin...the sin of pride is one that many struggle with and easily overlook...while we may miss it in our own lives...you can be sure others won't miss it...when someone criticizes you...humbly approach the Lord in prayer and ask Him to reveal any sin in your life...
here is an approach i use quite often...
psalm 139:23-24 "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (NIV).
our lives are too short...and our callings too great...to be sidetracked by critics...when i have whined at God that i can't take the negative opinions of others any more...He gently reminds me that His Son got lots of criticism as well...looking at it that way...when i'm criticized for doing God's will and work, it can be taken as a badge of honor and not a reason to quit...
the bottom line is that i long to do His will...but sometimes my feelings get hurt by the unkind comments of others...my desire is to discern the truth in those comments and to seek His will above all else...my responsibility is to see if there is anything in me that needs to change...and with His help...i keep my eyes focused on Him when the negative words of others make me feel like quitting....
Thursday, March 4, 2010
beauty...
today i met with a new client for a closet audit...she had found me via a blog post where i was being interviewed...which directed her to my blog...she sent me an email and asked what my territory was...and if i would be willing to travel out her way...i agreed...and so today was our first meeting...
she lives a little past sausalito area...and it just so happened that prior appointments had to be rescheduled...until today...so i got ready for my hour long drive...expecting it to be a time of reflection...and it was just that...
the thing is...i think sometimes we get so bogged down with "stuff"..even while driving...our brains are going 100 miles an hour...and we get to our destination...without seeing all the beauty around us...
today...God gave me a perfect day...most days...when driving across the beautiful golden gate bridge...the tips of it are hidden by the city fog...even then its vastness is so beautiful...but today...probably because of the rain we have been having...it was so clear...so beautiful...i drove across it...and i remember looking across the water...and thinking how much beauty God has given us...and what a shame that most days...maybe because we have gotten accustomed to the sites...or because of busy minds...taking over...we just don't notice...
it was a wonderful 2 hours...of driving...to take in His goodness...His mercies...His love...
and to acknowlege that sometimes...we need to take a breather...and notice the beauty all around us...they are gifts from our Father up above...
she lives a little past sausalito area...and it just so happened that prior appointments had to be rescheduled...until today...so i got ready for my hour long drive...expecting it to be a time of reflection...and it was just that...
the thing is...i think sometimes we get so bogged down with "stuff"..even while driving...our brains are going 100 miles an hour...and we get to our destination...without seeing all the beauty around us...
today...God gave me a perfect day...most days...when driving across the beautiful golden gate bridge...the tips of it are hidden by the city fog...even then its vastness is so beautiful...but today...probably because of the rain we have been having...it was so clear...so beautiful...i drove across it...and i remember looking across the water...and thinking how much beauty God has given us...and what a shame that most days...maybe because we have gotten accustomed to the sites...or because of busy minds...taking over...we just don't notice...
it was a wonderful 2 hours...of driving...to take in His goodness...His mercies...His love...
and to acknowlege that sometimes...we need to take a breather...and notice the beauty all around us...they are gifts from our Father up above...
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
time...where does it go?
everyone has wasted a minute...an hour...or a day...and lived to regret it...God gives us twenty-four hours every day...but some are better at managing them than others...
i have concluded that if we want to accomplish anything...we will never find time...we have to make time...
our twenty-four hours are precious and can never be regained...i am in the process of learning to manage my time more wisely...
"the most precious thing a human being has to give is time...there is so very little of it...after all...in a life..." ~ edith schaeffer
i have concluded that if we want to accomplish anything...we will never find time...we have to make time...
our twenty-four hours are precious and can never be regained...i am in the process of learning to manage my time more wisely...
"the most precious thing a human being has to give is time...there is so very little of it...after all...in a life..." ~ edith schaeffer
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
good day...
today is a good day...well actually...every day is a good day...but today...nice little surprises happened along the way...
my day started off by heading over to my mom & dad's house...just for a tiny visit...dad insisted on making me breakfast...i really love that he loves to make me breakfast...it is his way of doing something special for me...how could i say no?
so...after spending some time with them...i headed back home...and perusing through facebook...saw that i had won a give away...from one of my favorite bloggers...there is still time to win yourself...take a look at the blog...denise & i met (online) a while back...and have become good friends...without ever meeting...kind of a strange thing...but it works... =) i'm not gonna fight it...so denise writes about fashion...but she also posts the most incredible pics of cupcakes...seriously my mouth waters when i look at these sweet delights that she posts...
take a look at theswellelife...don't you just love how she changed the book title to reflect my name? so clever that girl...
then...as i started in on email...i received the nicest email from a woman that i will be meeting at the end of this week...she found me via my fashion blog...and has hired me to do a closet audit for her...she just wanted to send me a little note to say how excited she is in meeting me...and getting this partnership started...meaning...closet audit...and then personal shopping...
so...yes...so far...it has been an exceptional good day full of some nice surprises...really...they are blessings...hugs from heaven...=)
my day started off by heading over to my mom & dad's house...just for a tiny visit...dad insisted on making me breakfast...i really love that he loves to make me breakfast...it is his way of doing something special for me...how could i say no?
so...after spending some time with them...i headed back home...and perusing through facebook...saw that i had won a give away...from one of my favorite bloggers...there is still time to win yourself...take a look at the blog...denise & i met (online) a while back...and have become good friends...without ever meeting...kind of a strange thing...but it works... =) i'm not gonna fight it...so denise writes about fashion...but she also posts the most incredible pics of cupcakes...seriously my mouth waters when i look at these sweet delights that she posts...
take a look at theswellelife...don't you just love how she changed the book title to reflect my name? so clever that girl...
then...as i started in on email...i received the nicest email from a woman that i will be meeting at the end of this week...she found me via my fashion blog...and has hired me to do a closet audit for her...she just wanted to send me a little note to say how excited she is in meeting me...and getting this partnership started...meaning...closet audit...and then personal shopping...
so...yes...so far...it has been an exceptional good day full of some nice surprises...really...they are blessings...hugs from heaven...=)
Monday, March 1, 2010
nurturing relatonships...
as much as i love my "alone" time...i have to say...that i am most happiest when spending time with friends & family...this last weekend was full of out of town guests and fun...read: lots of laughs and long talks...
it actually started up thursday nite when i met up with high school friends...dinner and reminiscing about our pranks and such while in school...updates on family...careers...and life...
then i had my girlfriend visit from nashville...although unfortunately her visit was planned rather quickly due to a death in the family...she stayed the weekend...and spent some time with me =) awwww...gotta love that! we ended up meeting up with another girlfriend...and just enjoyed laughing and catching up on our lives...
waking up at 4:30am to take her to the airport was harsh...i admit...but it meant a little more "talk" time with her...which i always welcome...so as i scooted her off to the airport...another good friend was coming into town...
good - bye...hello...
another evening of friends getting together...laughing and catching up...
in all three instances...these are friends that have been in my life for many many years...many times i have heard comments from people as to how i have remained friends for so long with people from my past...or that it is a rarity...
comments like that seem strange to me at times...the thing is...like any relationship...it takes work...it takes time...it takes a bit of sacrifice...of making it work...of investing the time into keeping in touch...have you heard the saying..."you get what you put into it"? why would a friendship be any different?
i cherish the friends that i have been blessed with...but i also (and they do the same) make a conscious effort to keep in touch...to stay in tune with their lives...relationships don't last when they are not nurtured...period...
i woke up this monday morning...very full of joy and love in my heart...friends do that...
it is a new month...a new day...who do you need to call and re-connect with? do it!
and on a side note...19 more days till spring!
it actually started up thursday nite when i met up with high school friends...dinner and reminiscing about our pranks and such while in school...updates on family...careers...and life...
then i had my girlfriend visit from nashville...although unfortunately her visit was planned rather quickly due to a death in the family...she stayed the weekend...and spent some time with me =) awwww...gotta love that! we ended up meeting up with another girlfriend...and just enjoyed laughing and catching up on our lives...
waking up at 4:30am to take her to the airport was harsh...i admit...but it meant a little more "talk" time with her...which i always welcome...so as i scooted her off to the airport...another good friend was coming into town...
good - bye...hello...
another evening of friends getting together...laughing and catching up...
in all three instances...these are friends that have been in my life for many many years...many times i have heard comments from people as to how i have remained friends for so long with people from my past...or that it is a rarity...
comments like that seem strange to me at times...the thing is...like any relationship...it takes work...it takes time...it takes a bit of sacrifice...of making it work...of investing the time into keeping in touch...have you heard the saying..."you get what you put into it"? why would a friendship be any different?
i cherish the friends that i have been blessed with...but i also (and they do the same) make a conscious effort to keep in touch...to stay in tune with their lives...relationships don't last when they are not nurtured...period...
i woke up this monday morning...very full of joy and love in my heart...friends do that...
it is a new month...a new day...who do you need to call and re-connect with? do it!
and on a side note...19 more days till spring!
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