i was sad to hear of the passing of elizabeth edwards...she was definately a woman i would have enjoyed meeting...she always showed such grace & dignity...during her sickness...as well as during the tabloid news of her husbands wandering...
here is a wonderful article that i think truly describes her as i saw her..."elizabeth edwards mastered grace, maintained dignity" one of her last writings was so beautiful written...
"You all know that I have been sustained throughout my life by three saving graces – my family, my friends, and a faith in the power of resilience and hope. These graces have carried me through difficult times and they have brought more joy to the good times than I ever could have imagined. The days of our lives, for all of us, are numbered. We know that. And, yes, there are certainly times when we aren't able to muster as much strength and patience as we would like. It's called being human.
But I have found that in the simple act of living with hope, and in the daily effort to have a positive impact in the world, the days I do have are made all the more meaningful and precious. And for that I am grateful. It isn't possible to put into words the love and gratitude I feel to everyone who has and continues to support and inspire me every day. To you I simply say: you know"
i would hope that me being faced with what she went through...that i would be able to show a third of the same grace & dignity...
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
my happiness depends on me...
love this quote...so so true...
"Tell everyone you know: “My happiness depends on me, so you’re off the hook.” And then demonstrate it. Be happy, no matter what they’re doing. Practice feeling good, no matter what. And before you know it, you will not give anyone else responsibility for the way you feel—and then, you’ll love them all. Because the only reason you don’t love them, is because you’re using them as your excuse to not feel good."
— Abraham HicksSee More
"Tell everyone you know: “My happiness depends on me, so you’re off the hook.” And then demonstrate it. Be happy, no matter what they’re doing. Practice feeling good, no matter what. And before you know it, you will not give anyone else responsibility for the way you feel—and then, you’ll love them all. Because the only reason you don’t love them, is because you’re using them as your excuse to not feel good."
— Abraham HicksSee More
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
peace...
my girlfriend adena wrote this status update yesterday...
"Just Breathe" - words I saw today in an ad in a fashion magazine. Very appropriate for this season, when we've got hundreds of little demands on our time. It's surprising, but often we don't even realize when we're holding our breath, accompanied by tensed shoulders. So...let's just take a deep, slow breath and consciously relax. Doesn't that feel better?
this is usually the time of year where much of the world runs around stressed to the max...and we focus on everything except the true reason for the season...in this busy month...take time to reflect...not only of His wonderful gift to us...but how He has been there throughout the year...always by your side...
we need to not just simplify our lives and learn to say "enough" to so much we try to do...but learn to be quiet on the inside...make a quiet place inside and stay with Him during this time of year...don't let christmas pass you by...
Monday, December 6, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
making the most of today...
rec'd the pastors email "from the pastors heart" and had to share with all of you...such a great reminder of how time flies...how not to dwell on things out of your control...or to worry about things that you can't change...this is obviously the time of year where we look back and think "where did the year go?"...i know i have thought it...and said it...pastor's words hold true...to make the most of today...
From Pastors Heart
It is hard to believe that it is the first week of December. In fact, I find myself amazed at how fast the 2010 year has come and gone. Many of the recent conversations have included comments from other people regarding their amazement over the fact that we are once again in the middle of the holiday season.
“I can’t believe it is December.”
“Where has the time gone this year?”
“The older I get, the faster time seems to go by.”
The Bible certainly hits the nail on the head when James reports:
But you do not know what will happen tomorrow! Your life is like a mist. You can see it for a short time, but then it goes away. James 4:14 (NCV)
Time is something we will never capture or control. Our lives are brief, described as a mist, a fog, a vapor. First it is there - then it is gone. All the effort, all the planning, all the worrying to control the days of our lives do precious little to grant even one more day to the time we have left.
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Luke 12:25 (NIV)
Scripture goes on to assure us that God has already determined the days and hours of our lives. So what is left for us to do? If all this has been determined, if life is so short, if time passes so quickly – then what am I to do?
Yours is not to count the minutes, hours, days or years – yours is to make them count. Time does move quickly – are you using it to the fullest? Are the days and hours of your life being spent in a manner that reflects the value of eternity? Will the choices and decisions of your use of time be a benefit to others around you in the light of eternity?
Today is December 3, 2010. You will never pass this way again. You have one shot to make today count. This is not a dress rehearsal – this is life. It passes quickly. It passes as quickly as a vapor dissipates. I encourage you not to waste this time or hope for a future date to arrive – it may never come. I would encourage you to spend less time today in worry – it doesn’t benefit your life. I would encourage you to spend less time in amazement of how fast time passes. Spend more time on how you can make your life count.
It is my prayer for you today that this time, this season, this very moment is lived to the fullest. Now – this is the time of your life.
From my heart to yours,
Pastor Bret Allen (Bethel Church - San Jose)
It is hard to believe that it is the first week of December. In fact, I find myself amazed at how fast the 2010 year has come and gone. Many of the recent conversations have included comments from other people regarding their amazement over the fact that we are once again in the middle of the holiday season.
“I can’t believe it is December.”
“Where has the time gone this year?”
“The older I get, the faster time seems to go by.”
The Bible certainly hits the nail on the head when James reports:
But you do not know what will happen tomorrow! Your life is like a mist. You can see it for a short time, but then it goes away. James 4:14 (NCV)
Time is something we will never capture or control. Our lives are brief, described as a mist, a fog, a vapor. First it is there - then it is gone. All the effort, all the planning, all the worrying to control the days of our lives do precious little to grant even one more day to the time we have left.
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Luke 12:25 (NIV)
Scripture goes on to assure us that God has already determined the days and hours of our lives. So what is left for us to do? If all this has been determined, if life is so short, if time passes so quickly – then what am I to do?
Yours is not to count the minutes, hours, days or years – yours is to make them count. Time does move quickly – are you using it to the fullest? Are the days and hours of your life being spent in a manner that reflects the value of eternity? Will the choices and decisions of your use of time be a benefit to others around you in the light of eternity?
Today is December 3, 2010. You will never pass this way again. You have one shot to make today count. This is not a dress rehearsal – this is life. It passes quickly. It passes as quickly as a vapor dissipates. I encourage you not to waste this time or hope for a future date to arrive – it may never come. I would encourage you to spend less time today in worry – it doesn’t benefit your life. I would encourage you to spend less time in amazement of how fast time passes. Spend more time on how you can make your life count.
It is my prayer for you today that this time, this season, this very moment is lived to the fullest. Now – this is the time of your life.
From my heart to yours,
Pastor Bret Allen (Bethel Church - San Jose)
Thursday, December 2, 2010
to jacqueline...
i received the most heart felt comment on a blog post i wrote back in november of 2009...the funny thing...is that when i went back to re-read that post...i remember why i felt led to write it...and that is saying alot for me...the girl that has the worst memory ever!
jacqueline...if you are reading this...you have been on my heart all day...i will continue to pray for you...may you truly feel the love of our Father in a special way...
your sister in Christ...
jacqueline...if you are reading this...you have been on my heart all day...i will continue to pray for you...may you truly feel the love of our Father in a special way...
your sister in Christ...
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
dec 1...
...where has this year gone? i wrote a check today...and seriously stopped for a moment when i wrote the date...it is december 1st...it is funny how a year can seem so long and so short at the same time...when going through situations...sometimes life is ever slow...hoping to get through the difficult times in record speed...but yet...life moves so slowly...not at the speed we want...but still...at the right speed...
in retrospect...when looking back...time has flown by so quickly...and you are left...or i should say...i am left to wonder...did i do everything i wanted to do...and even more importantly...did i accomplish everything the Lord would have wanted me to accomplish? did i learn all the lessons i needed to learn? did i give as much as i could have given? did i spend my time wisely? or were there moments where i wasted time...wasted an opportunity...
i know that we cannot live our lives always looking at things this way...but i do feel it is important to think upon these things...at last once in a while...to re-group so to speak...to re-prioritize...to "check-in" with ourselves...and God...are we on track? are we living our lives to our best potential?
as this year comes to an end...there have been life lessons learned...some were difficult...some were hard to accept...but all were necessary to get me to the point at which i'm at today...
and in looking back...although there were times i could have done without...each helped me in growing...in understanding more and more of my Father's love for me...and that no matter what comes my way...or doesn't come my way...He...is the constant...in my life...and for that...i am forever grateful...
in retrospect...when looking back...time has flown by so quickly...and you are left...or i should say...i am left to wonder...did i do everything i wanted to do...and even more importantly...did i accomplish everything the Lord would have wanted me to accomplish? did i learn all the lessons i needed to learn? did i give as much as i could have given? did i spend my time wisely? or were there moments where i wasted time...wasted an opportunity...
i know that we cannot live our lives always looking at things this way...but i do feel it is important to think upon these things...at last once in a while...to re-group so to speak...to re-prioritize...to "check-in" with ourselves...and God...are we on track? are we living our lives to our best potential?
as this year comes to an end...there have been life lessons learned...some were difficult...some were hard to accept...but all were necessary to get me to the point at which i'm at today...
and in looking back...although there were times i could have done without...each helped me in growing...in understanding more and more of my Father's love for me...and that no matter what comes my way...or doesn't come my way...He...is the constant...in my life...and for that...i am forever grateful...
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