Thursday, January 27, 2011

Trust

Trust seems to be the order of the day.  Three days in a row, every where I turn the word that keeps coming up is trust.

Day one:
Let My love enfold you in the radiance of My Glory. Sit still in the Light of My Presence, and receive My Peace. These quiet moments with Me transcend time, accomplishing far more than you can imagine. Bring Me the sacrifice of your time, and watch to see how abundantly I bless you and your loved ones.


Through the intimacy of our relationship, you are being transformed from the inside out. As you keep your focus on Me, I form you into the one I desire you to be. Your part is to yield to My creative work in you, neither resisting it nor trying to speed it up. Enjoy the tempo of a God breathed life by letting Me set the pace. Hold My hand in childlike trust, and the way before you will open up step by step.
From : Jesus Calling

Day two: From Brave Girls was all about Trust, trust, trust

 
Day three: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

OK, I think I get the message.  Something must be on the horizon that I am going to need trust for. I have got to say, this year, which is only a few weeks old has been filled with lots of stuff to trust God for. I almost wonder if my word for 2011 should be TRUST?

Monday, January 24, 2011

A 100 Day Calendar {Printable for Fresh Starts}

A 100 Day Calendar {Printable for Fresh Starts}

New year - new changes

January seems to be passing by without hardly a notice from me.  I have been dealing with some tough stuff lately and doing a lot of internal processing.  When the kids were all living at home it was so busy that there wasn't a moment to think about anything, just do the next thing.  Now that I am living a quiet and mundane life, which I prayed for by the way and has now become a reality, I find that stuff I never had time to think or deal with is coming to the surface.  UGH!  I guess for JOY to be a reality I will have to deal with some things getting in the way of that.  Isn't life always a process.  There are some really good decisions coming out of all this though.

First, we decided to downsize and move into a smaller place, in town and close to parks, grocerystore, Starbucks, shopping, and close to family and friends. There are some good deals out there but in our price range it will be fixer upper.  Good thing I have a good imagination to see potential in a house.  My husband and I have had some really good conversations about what we want in a home.  We found the perfect place but got our bid in second so we are still looking and hoping the first bidder doesn't work out.

Second, I decided to head down the raw food path.  If you haven't heard of it before then you can go to this website and check it out. There are also some really good books by Victoria Boutenko on Amazon that tell some pretty amazing stories of how raw foods have impacted so many peoples lives/health.  I bought a new Blendtec blender and I am making green smoothies that are so yummy.  I feel like this is a well kept secret that needs to get out somehow.  I'm sure as I figure it all out you will be hearing more on this subject.

Third, we found a church we love in the neighborhood we eventually want to live in.  It is actually just a campus of the church we have been attending.  It is in a really old church building with stain glass windows and beautiful curved wooden pews.  Artistically, it speaks to my artist soul and adds to the whole worship experience.  The people are great and we know some of them already.

Fourth, I decided to get a part-time job.  I would like to contribute to our income now that I have the time and I would love to be out and interacting with people again.  I won't be picky about what I do, but I do want to work in a positive environment.  The challenge is finding a job in this economy and after not working for a few years.  I did mostly volunteer work while raising my kids which should count but I don't think it does.  Good thing I am not in a big hurry because this could take a while. 

Well, that is about all.  As you can see, quite a bit has been going on in the last three weeks.  I wish I could say that I have been creating art but that has not been happening.  After three years of art journaling almost everyday, I am finding it hard to take out my art journal.  Creating has come in the form of writing lately.  I have been going through The Artist Way and journaling through what they call Morning Pages.  Awesome book but it brings up some deep stuff.  I think I will get back to the art journaling again after a break.

That's all I have for now.  Happy January to you all!

Monday, January 10, 2011

One of those days

I have been absent for the last week or so.  We had a very dear friend loose the fight with cancer and go to be with Jesus.  Him and his wife have been dear friends of ours for 20 years. We will miss him but know that he is rejoicing in heaven with Jesus.  The service was yesterday and was a tribute to his life of faithfulness to God, family and friends. So many memories of good times that will be cherished in his honor.

As I sat down this morning I was compelled to write this poem.  Every once in a great while one will pour out of me and this was one of those times.

One of those days 

It's one of those days
when the walls crash down
and no one is around
when breathing in and out
is all that I can manage

It's one of those days
when the sky is gray
and it rains, rains, rains
when the tears flow out
and there's no way I can stop them

As I sit and stare
wondering how I got here
I feel your gentle Spirit
come and be so near

Lord, I need you more than ever
I need your hand
so we can stand together
I need your strength and hope forever
to get me through the now

And when the wind blows strong
when I can't go on
You come and carry me along
until things get better

You show me that You're there
 I don't have to live in despair
all I need is You
and to be thankful for what I've been given

So when it's one of these days
May I fall on my knees in praise
and let You carry me a ways
and not run in the other direction

May the long days be
a platform for Your peace
to comfort and release
all Your presence has to offer

Because all of these days will pass
leaving footprints in the sand
marking times in my life
and how I've lived them