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Word study and questions

by | Jan 15, 2012 | Uncategorized

The other day in church our pastor said to us;
“What captivates your heart will determine your destiny ~
what you are passionate about will woo you”
Read that again s l o w l y.
“What captivates your heart will either lead to your demise or to your delight”.
The definition of captivate is this:
to attract and hold the attention or interest of, as by beauty or excellence; to capture;
(when I think if capture I think of an animal who cannot get away)
The definition of passionate is this:
compelled or ruled by intense emotional or strong feeling.
So the question for all of us:
What captivates your heart and your interest most of the time.
Some people get addicted to gambling, some get addicted to shopping, drugs or alcohol, some get addicted to bad choices whether that be in people or in jobs, some are addicted to the Internet or other new things such as texting on their cell phone or playing games on their cell phones.
Addictions are something that enslaves you to something physically or psychologically habit forming.
It is something that pursues you and creates a dependence on it.
The whole point is what captivates your heart and your thinking.
What are  you most passionate about could be harming your soul and spirit
Or it could be positive and helpful.
Pastor said to us, “don’t ever get complacent over the things that take you away from those you love including the Lord”
(complacent: pleased especially with oneself often without the awareness of some potential danger or defect; smug, un-bothered or untroubled)
If what you are captivated by is harmful or hurtful to yourself or those you care for
it is time to let it go and start over.
What captivates your heart will determine your destiny.
Do you know what that destiny is for you?

Sharing some feelings

by | Jan 14, 2012 | Uncategorized

I did it.
I opened my blog to more than ‘who’ I choose.
It is against my grain and personality.
Fear grips me and I feel exposed like ‘someone’ peeking into my life and not asking my permission first.
Most blogs are written so they can be read by anyone.
I am by nature a very private person
but I have been told by more than one or two
that my blog would minister to and help others but
in order for that to happen
the suggestion was for me to open it up.
They can’t be blessed if they never have an opportunity to read it.
In this process it makes me feel vulnerable and watched.
Kind of like someone reading my diary or journal when they didn’t ask first.
I know it IS MORE about ME
than anyone else.
I feel exposed
maybe I will feel ok with the concept in time maybe not.
My husband said to me, “If you wrote a book and sold it
you would never know who purchased and read it
so why are you worried about your blog”
I don’t think I am worried
just feeling vulnerable.
from dictionary.com
vulnerable/vulnerability 
1. capable of or susceptible to being wounded or hurt, as by a weapon: a vulnerable part of the body.
2. open to moral attack, criticism, temptation, etc.: an argument vulnerable to refutation; He is vulnerable to bribery. 
3. (of a place) open to assault; difficult to defend: a vulnerable bridge.
Perhaps it all boils down to actually opening oneself up for others to see
just who you really are.
It is for me “something to think about”

Word of the Year

by | Jan 10, 2012 | Uncategorized

INTENTIONAL
To Be intentional in all things.

To cultivate and move deeper into an attitude of gratitude.

This year I want to become more intentional about many things in life.
Intentional means to choose on purpose.
Making a concerted effort to be intentional about something and knowing the reason why. 
Having a strong sense of purpose toward a goal.
I want to be more intentional about our family, and those we love.
Life is short.
If we lose the opportunity to say ‘we love them’ or ‘we appreciate them’ or ‘we are praying for them’ it is a tragic loss.
I want to be more intentional about our friends.
Spending more time with them and cultivating the deep friendships we have making them better and stronger.
I want to be more intentional about sending notes or cards in the mail.
Everyone wants to be remembered.
Everyone wants to know they matter and they are being prayed for.
Encouragement is a gift we can give to others.
It cost very little and it is easy.
A quickly written ~ “I’m thinking of you” note.  
A quickly written ~ “I’m praying for you” note.
We have lost the art of handwriting these days.
Everything is on the computer or texts on a phone very seldom do we talk to each other.
Voice inflection tells everything.
Be purposeful to call someone and just chat for a while.
It is good to make personal contact when it happens everyone is blessed.
This year I am purposing in my heart to be more intentional in all the details of my life.
Beginning with relationships.

I wonder more and more, if the first thing should be to know people by name, to eat and drink with them, to listen to their stories and tell your own, and to let them know with words, handshakes, and hugs that you do not simply like them, but you truly love them.
– Henri J.M. Nouwen –

Let us not forget

by | Jan 9, 2012 | Uncategorized

Moving into my word for the year this picture is a symbol for me.
We cannot do life alone.
We cannot isolate ourselves.
We cannot think we are an island not needing anyones help or encouragement.
Because we have twin grand daughters this picture is meaningful for me.
I saw them as tiny little individuals laying next to each other needing each other for lifes’ hope
life’s richness and life’s heartbeat.
God created us to need others.
Let us not forget that.
Is there someone you need to call today
or write a note to or go visit?

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