I have a bad habit of saying things like, "Oh Jesus!" and "Jesus, take me now."
Churchy, legalistic people would surely take offense to such statements.
But my God loves me, has a great sense of humor, knows my heart and understands where I'm coming from.
He's not offended by my sass. He's seen and heard it all.
In fact, I had to smile at church a few weeks ago as we were singing one of the old hymns.
I don't know any of them by heart....that's fine.
It's called a sacrifice of praise. :)
And though it's true that I have a preference to contemporary worship music, I can and do participate in true worship even with old songs that don't have a driving rock beat behind them.
I have to purposely check my heart and my attitude at times if I'm really being truthful, but I do come around.
I'm sure hymn lovers wish they would pass out ear plugs!
It's okay that we are all different. It keeps it interesting.
And we really are all one body, made up of many, many parts.
One of the lines in the song was, "Take me now, Jesus," or something like that.
Like I said, I'd never heard it before.
I laughed, inwardly of course and a smirk came across my face.
I'm always amazed at how God speaks to me in even simple moments like that.
'Cause really, that's exactly what I was thinking just before the next lyric slide came up with that same phrase!
"Jesus, take me now." :) or was it, "Take me now, Jesus" ?
He won't of course.
Billy Joel was right all along. Only the good die young.
Or so it seems.
And it looks like I'm gonna be here a while.
I am very aware that one of the first commandments is "Do not take the Lord's name in vain."
It's not the first but I'm pretty sure it made it to God's Top Five list.
Personally, I can't stand hearing kids say, "Oh my God!" I usually even OMGosh when texting.
Truly.
But sometimes I have to ask to be excused for my outbursts.
Just in case his heart reading radar is not on when I might yell an, "Oh, Jesus!"
I quickly add, "I'm not cussing. I'm calling on ya!!" And I mean it.
"For the love of God, people please!" is another Fave.
Used usually in times when I am trying to evoke some sort of peace into a situation.
Blessed are the peacemakers ya know. They shall inherit the earth.
Then there is one of my all time favorite go-to line/verses.
The one I use when I have had enough and need him to move mightily on my behalf.
I've been using it a lot lately.
Before I share it I will say that I use it only on days when I can fully comprehend and understand what the word GRACE means.
Those times when I know that I really am the righteousness of Christ...
Days when I know that I know, despite the enemy's tries and lies of convincing me God's not going to move on my behalf, because I'm not "good" enough.....
In those moments when I have a firm & deep understanding of who I am in Christ, I pull out this one.....
"God, you see this situation...you know all that I've gone through...you know all of my faults and failures...but I know that you love me and YOUR word says that it is not because of my deeds, or because I am good or right, but for YOUR holy names sake (getting louder on this part) again, not because of me or anything I've done, but for YOUR HOLY NAME'S SAKE....please! Come to my rescue!"
yada, yada.
Specifically, I shared this recent prayer tonight with my friend Pat. I told her exactly what I've been telling God.
"People are looking! Everyone is watching to see how this is all gonna play out, ya know. My life has been a roller coaster of ups and downs. And we both know that I have a big mouth, and well, honestly, right now, it's not looking so good...so, again, not for me, but for you, Lord! 'Cause otherwise, I'm just looking like an idiot! And you wouldn't want that would you? "
Then Pat says to me, in her very straightforward, no nonsense tone, "Well, it'd just be embarrassing for him really."
I love this woman!!!
Bahahaha! Can I get a witness?
“Therefore say to the Israelites, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: It is
not for your sake, people of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for
the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you
have gone." Ez. 36:22
By Ez. 37:11 it says, "Then he said to me: “Son of
man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and
our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ 12
Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: My
people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring
you back to the land of Israel. 13
Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and
bring you up from them. 14 I will put
my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then
you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the
LORD."
Can I get an Amen???
Friday, December 2, 2011
Happy Fun Girl: Inspection Report says: Cracked Foundation
Happy Fun Girl: Inspection Report says: Cracked Foundation: Being in real estate for several years, I have seen and read many, many inspections reports. Agents and sellers fear them, buyers freak out ...
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Inspection Report says: Cracked Foundation
Being in real estate for several years, I have seen and read many, many inspection reports. Agents and sellers fear them, buyers freak out when they read them and overbearing underwriters will screw up a deal over them. (That just happened a few weeks ago) Ugh!
When a buyer pays for a home inspection, the licensed inspector will look at all of the operating systems. They will check out the plumbing, central heat & air, electric, roof, among other things and of course, most importantly, the foundation.
I live in an area where there are primarily, old, historic homes. Read: They need work!
Typically, homes here have lots of charm and character, but they need cosmetic work and updating to meet current code regulations and modern living "requirements". :)
I say this with a smile because it is amazing what people "require".
"I want a wonderful, large historic home with lots of character, central heat and air, 2 or more bathrooms, lots of great storage and walk-in closets!"
Okay Rocky! Watch me pull a rabbit out of the hat!
It doesn't exist.
Old homes were small.
Those people only had like three outfits a piece when their homes were built.
Walk-in closets were not necessary.
Inside plumbing was a luxury back then. So, probably not going to find 2+ bathrooms.
Most educated buyers are aware of this and fine with that fact and they will often make a purchase after first finding out that the "bones are good."
Inevitably, I hear this too, "Oh! There are cracks in the plaster on the wall!"
Knowingly, I nod, "The house has been here since 1863...yep, there are some cracks."
But is the foundation solid?
Is it? Is your foundation solid?
Ironically, I've noticed recently that mine is cracked. :)
Seriously.
Most of these homes are on pier and beam which tend to move around a little depending on weather conditions.
Many have settled.
Settling is not fun.
There is a crack in the southeast cornerstone of my house and I know that it needs to be fixed.
To begin making repairs, the foundation must be set solid and firm.
Luke 6:49 says, "But anyone who listens and doesn't obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will crumble into a heap of ruins."
I need a foundation expert.
I also wonder if that's the real, hidden meaning behind the story of The Three Little Pigs?
The first house was made of straw.
The second was made of sticks.
And finally, the third little pig built a solid home that couldn't be huffed and puffed and blown away.
He built a home out of bricks.
Bricks are solid and they must be set on a firm foundation.
In 1 Cor. 3:10, Paul says, "Because of God's special favor to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. For no one can lay any other foundation than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. Now anyone who builds on that foundation may use gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw."
Huh.
Maybe James Orchard Halliwell-Phillipps was aware of this verse also.
He's the wig wearing guy that wrote the Three Little Pigs and had it published in the mid 1800's.
Apparently he attended Jesus College in Cambridge.
According to Wikipedia of course.
I assume he probably learned at his Jesus College the importance of building on a strong foundation in Christ.
I love to build sandcastles, but as pretty as they are and as much fun as they are to make, when the tide comes...they always wash away. As does everything else I've ever tried to build on my own.
As I am rebuilding, I pray.
Lord, help me to build (or rebuild) on that which cannot be shaken so that when the Big Bad Wolf shows up again, I shall not fear, but know that the skilled and trustworthy builder of my life has built this house with His very own hands.
Huff and Puff all you want fur face.
I'm still standing strong.
When a buyer pays for a home inspection, the licensed inspector will look at all of the operating systems. They will check out the plumbing, central heat & air, electric, roof, among other things and of course, most importantly, the foundation.
I live in an area where there are primarily, old, historic homes. Read: They need work!
Typically, homes here have lots of charm and character, but they need cosmetic work and updating to meet current code regulations and modern living "requirements". :)
I say this with a smile because it is amazing what people "require".
"I want a wonderful, large historic home with lots of character, central heat and air, 2 or more bathrooms, lots of great storage and walk-in closets!"
Okay Rocky! Watch me pull a rabbit out of the hat!
It doesn't exist.
Old homes were small.
Those people only had like three outfits a piece when their homes were built.
Walk-in closets were not necessary.
Inside plumbing was a luxury back then. So, probably not going to find 2+ bathrooms.
Most educated buyers are aware of this and fine with that fact and they will often make a purchase after first finding out that the "bones are good."
Inevitably, I hear this too, "Oh! There are cracks in the plaster on the wall!"
Knowingly, I nod, "The house has been here since 1863...yep, there are some cracks."
But is the foundation solid?
Is it? Is your foundation solid?
Ironically, I've noticed recently that mine is cracked. :)
Seriously.
Most of these homes are on pier and beam which tend to move around a little depending on weather conditions.
Many have settled.
Settling is not fun.
There is a crack in the southeast cornerstone of my house and I know that it needs to be fixed.
To begin making repairs, the foundation must be set solid and firm.
Luke 6:49 says, "But anyone who listens and doesn't obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will crumble into a heap of ruins."
I need a foundation expert.
I also wonder if that's the real, hidden meaning behind the story of The Three Little Pigs?
The first house was made of straw.
The second was made of sticks.
And finally, the third little pig built a solid home that couldn't be huffed and puffed and blown away.
He built a home out of bricks.
Bricks are solid and they must be set on a firm foundation.
In 1 Cor. 3:10, Paul says, "Because of God's special favor to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. For no one can lay any other foundation than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. Now anyone who builds on that foundation may use gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw."
Huh.
Maybe James Orchard Halliwell-Phillipps was aware of this verse also.
He's the wig wearing guy that wrote the Three Little Pigs and had it published in the mid 1800's.
Apparently he attended Jesus College in Cambridge.
According to Wikipedia of course.
I assume he probably learned at his Jesus College the importance of building on a strong foundation in Christ.
I love to build sandcastles, but as pretty as they are and as much fun as they are to make, when the tide comes...they always wash away. As does everything else I've ever tried to build on my own.
As I am rebuilding, I pray.
Lord, help me to build (or rebuild) on that which cannot be shaken so that when the Big Bad Wolf shows up again, I shall not fear, but know that the skilled and trustworthy builder of my life has built this house with His very own hands.
Huff and Puff all you want fur face.
I'm still standing strong.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Happy Fun Girl: God is my Garmin
Happy Fun Girl: God is my Garmin: Sometimes I love getting lost. Just hitting the open road and venturing out to see new sights helps me get insight. There are other times w...
Happy Fun Girl: Love Shack
Happy Fun Girl: Love Shack: "The Love Shack is a little old place where…we can get together...."
There are a lot of people I’d love to get together with.
Actually,...
There are a lot of people I’d love to get together with.
Actually,...
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Little Miss Goody, Goody...
When I was in junior high, I had a guy friend who liked to call me, "Little Miss Goody Two Shoes."
I prefer to be called Little Miss Sunshine but, whatever.
He also burned the butt of my brand new brown corduroy pants with a small blow torch during science class in the 8th grade.
Just because you forgive, doesn't mean you forget.
Well, unless you're a burn-out.
Ha!
The cynical crowd would say I do these things for my own self-gratification.
It reminds me of that "Friends" episode.
The one where Phoebe hates PBS.
(In case you haven't seen it, Phoebe selfish-lessly has babies for her brother and his wife.)
"Self-less good deeds don't exist!" insists Joey.
"It made you feel good, so that makes you selfish. There are no un-selfish good deeds. Sorry!"
Phoebe replies that there are "totally good deeds that are self-less."
And then goes about trying to find one...but Oh! That's hard.
Because doing some thing good for others, ALWAYS makes you feel good!
Or does it?
One of my personal favorite things to say is, "No good deed goes unpunished!"
It goes something like this.
"I got you a cup of coffee."
"Is it a double soy latte two shot espresso?" she says back.
"Umm?? I'm sorry. It's just a cup of coffee."
Now I feel bad.
I have now become.....a Beast of Burden!!
"I brought you packets of cream and sugar."
Then comes the eye roll.
An eye roll? For real?
But, but, the word says "I am blessed to be a blessing!"
No, no I'm not. :)
Not usually anyway.
After baking bread for an acquaintance, "I only eat gluten free."
Gluten free? I was confused.
There's no glue in it? Two Googled words later, I realize.....I really am quite an idiot.
A few months ago I tried to help a client/friend who was stranded on the side of the road about 7 miles outside of town.
Yes, This this really is my life. Enjoy every chapter.
Speaking of enjoying things, I found a real nugget of inspiration the other day in John, Chapter 10, verse 32. Seriously, if you are ever inclined to be a little sassy or sarcastic, you will appreciate the humor in this passage.
"At my father's direction, I have done many good works...For which one are you going to stone me?"
Bahahaha!!! Do you know who said this? JESUS!!! :)
Let's read it again. "At my father's direction, I have done many good (deeds), which one are you going to stone me for?"
Okay, one day...He and I will totally high five in heaven over that one!
I just can't describe how much that amuses me and gives me joy!
God gets me!
He understands my heart when I smile and say,
"Truly, no good deed goes unpunished!!"
Or unnoticed.
"And the good deeds done in secret, will someday come to light.
Shine on baby! Shine on!!
I prefer to be called Little Miss Sunshine but, whatever.
I think I called him Burn-Out.
He also burned the butt of my brand new brown corduroy pants with a small blow torch during science class in the 8th grade.
Just because you forgive, doesn't mean you forget.
Well, unless you're a burn-out.
Ha!
Admittedly, I am a good deed do-er.
Not so much for the recognition, but because it just feels so good to do nice things for other people!!
The cynical crowd would say I do these things for my own self-gratification.
It reminds me of that "Friends" episode.
The one where Phoebe hates PBS.
(In case you haven't seen it, Phoebe selfish-lessly has babies for her brother and his wife.)
"Self-less good deeds don't exist!" insists Joey.
"It made you feel good, so that makes you selfish. There are no un-selfish good deeds. Sorry!"
Phoebe replies that there are "totally good deeds that are self-less."
And then goes about trying to find one...but Oh! That's hard.
Because doing some thing good for others, ALWAYS makes you feel good!
Or does it?
One of my personal favorite things to say is, "No good deed goes unpunished!"
Have you noticed that?
You try to do something nice for someone and then you get.....THe ZiNgER!It goes something like this.
"I got you a cup of coffee."
"Is it a double soy latte two shot espresso?" she says back.
"Umm?? I'm sorry. It's just a cup of coffee."
Now I feel bad.
I have now become.....a Beast of Burden!!
"I brought you packets of cream and sugar."
Then comes the eye roll.
An eye roll? For real?
But, but, the word says "I am blessed to be a blessing!"
No, no I'm not. :)
Not usually anyway.
After baking bread for an acquaintance, "I only eat gluten free."
Gluten free? I was confused.
There's no glue in it? Two Googled words later, I realize.....I really am quite an idiot.
A few months ago I tried to help a client/friend who was stranded on the side of the road about 7 miles outside of town.
"Can you come pick me up?"
"Sure!"
I went 15 miles out the wrong highway, and then....ran out of gas.
Yes, This this really is my life. Enjoy every chapter.
Speaking of enjoying things, I found a real nugget of inspiration the other day in John, Chapter 10, verse 32. Seriously, if you are ever inclined to be a little sassy or sarcastic, you will appreciate the humor in this passage.
"At my father's direction, I have done many good works...For which one are you going to stone me?"
Bahahaha!!! Do you know who said this? JESUS!!! :)
Let's read it again. "At my father's direction, I have done many good (deeds), which one are you going to stone me for?"
Okay, one day...He and I will totally high five in heaven over that one!
I just can't describe how much that amuses me and gives me joy!
God gets me!
He understands my heart when I smile and say,
"Truly, no good deed goes unpunished!!"
Or unnoticed.
"And the good deeds done in secret, will someday come to light.
Shine on baby! Shine on!!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
God is my Garmin
Sometimes I love getting lost.
Just hitting the open road and venturing out to see new sights helps me get insight.
There are other times when I hate getting lost.
Sometimes, I just want to hurry up and get where I'm going already!
Without making a bunch of wrong turns and hitting potholes every 5 miles.
The word says, "man makes his plans, but God directs his steps."
I've cried out to God repeatedly and said things like, "Please Lord, please, give me direction on what you want me to do and where you want me to go."
One time I heard this curt response, "You keep asking me for direction and what you need is a whole lotta correction."
:)
I love it when people are direct.
I understand direct.
I just don't always follow direct-ions so well.
That's why I've decided that I should probably invest in a Garmin.
I need to know where I'm going.
Wanting to increase my knowledge on the many products available, I began my research.
Yes, I Googled it.
Turns out, there are a lot of different ways that tell you how to get somewhere.
I just need to know The Way.
One of the models I previewed gives you the time, date, coordinates and elevation.
It will accurately display your current location...within 10 feet.
That's good because sometimes I feel like I need a big circle sticker on my head that says,
"You are Here!"
This tiny box will light up with a legible map display, day or night and even give you the cycles of the moon. Beautiful!
I'm a moonchild, that will come in handy because I can get lost at both dark or dawn.
Oh! And it floats...
Hope floats!
I'm not sure why it would need to float, I guess it's portable so you could take it on a boat.
"Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale, a tale of a fateful trip."
Gilligan needed a Garmin!
Jonah needed a Garmin!
"Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord."
Jonah was eventually forced to take the turn-around.
God created each of us for a purpose and he knows which way we should go.
Don't we all want to move in the right direction? Don't we all want to live our lives to be meaningful and "make a difference" oriented?
I do.
Sometimes the road less traveled is very windy.
I have to remember to pay attention to the road signs.
Stop!
Caution.
U-Turn.
Slippery when wet.
Okay, not that one.
But you get my drift.
Jesus said, "Follow me."
"I am the way."
Psalm 119:58 says, "With all my heart I want your blessings. Be merciful as you promised. I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow your laws."
Yield!
I've decided that maybe the Garmin Nuvi 255W is the one for me.
The description says it "leads the way with voice-prompted, turn by turn directions and with it's widescreen display....you'll always get the big picture."
I think I'd like that.
Just hitting the open road and venturing out to see new sights helps me get insight.
There are other times when I hate getting lost.
Sometimes, I just want to hurry up and get where I'm going already!
Without making a bunch of wrong turns and hitting potholes every 5 miles.
The word says, "man makes his plans, but God directs his steps."
I've cried out to God repeatedly and said things like, "Please Lord, please, give me direction on what you want me to do and where you want me to go."
One time I heard this curt response, "You keep asking me for direction and what you need is a whole lotta correction."
:)
I love it when people are direct.
I understand direct.
I just don't always follow direct-ions so well.
That's why I've decided that I should probably invest in a Garmin.
I need to know where I'm going.
Wanting to increase my knowledge on the many products available, I began my research.
Yes, I Googled it.
Turns out, there are a lot of different ways that tell you how to get somewhere.
I just need to know The Way.
One of the models I previewed gives you the time, date, coordinates and elevation.
It will accurately display your current location...within 10 feet.
That's good because sometimes I feel like I need a big circle sticker on my head that says,
"You are Here!"
This tiny box will light up with a legible map display, day or night and even give you the cycles of the moon. Beautiful!
I'm a moonchild, that will come in handy because I can get lost at both dark or dawn.
Oh! And it floats...
Hope floats!
I'm not sure why it would need to float, I guess it's portable so you could take it on a boat.
"Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale, a tale of a fateful trip."
Gilligan needed a Garmin!
Jonah needed a Garmin!
"Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord."
Jonah was eventually forced to take the turn-around.
God created each of us for a purpose and he knows which way we should go.
Don't we all want to move in the right direction? Don't we all want to live our lives to be meaningful and "make a difference" oriented?
I do.
Sometimes the road less traveled is very windy.
I have to remember to pay attention to the road signs.
Stop!
Caution.
U-Turn.
Slippery when wet.
Okay, not that one.
But you get my drift.
Jesus said, "Follow me."
"I am the way."
Psalm 119:58 says, "With all my heart I want your blessings. Be merciful as you promised. I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow your laws."
Yield!
I've decided that maybe the Garmin Nuvi 255W is the one for me.
The description says it "leads the way with voice-prompted, turn by turn directions and with it's widescreen display....you'll always get the big picture."
I think I'd like that.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)