Cool, huh?

Proverbs 23:23
"Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding."

Another version words it like this:
"Purchase it upon any terms, spare no pains or cost, neither depart from it for any gain.... also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding."

Pretty much speaks for itself, huh? So cool.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My posts have been mainly of a spiritual nature recently. I can only attribute that to the things that I have been dealing with and the depth God is helping me achieve in Him. These days I find my strength solely in Him and His Word. You know what's cool about it? I really feel it this time; I am not using a cliche phrase! He is working out some major glitches in me. The fearful, intimidated, worrisome girl I was 6 months ago is history! I have overcome HUGE mountains. I am learning patience.
And most importantly, I am getting to know the actual God of the "work" . Wow, do I love Him!

Masterpiece in the making

Leonardo began painting the Mona Lisa in 1503 and, according to Vasari, completed it in four years.

Michelangelo Buonarroti was commissioned by Pope Julius II in 1508 to repaint the ceiling, originally representing golden stars on a blue sky; the work was completed between 1508 and 1 November 1512. He painted the Last Judgment over the altar, between 1535 and 1541, being commissioned by Pope Paul III Farnese.

The Tāj Mahal is a mausoleum located in Agra, India. The Mughal Emperor Shāh Jahān commissioned it as a mausoleum for his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Construction began in 1632 and was completed in 1648.

Wikipedia, February 2007


What nominates a masterpiece to that highly esteemed position? What makes a simple idea into the ultimate creation? I would venture to say time. Years of thinking and rethinking. Doing and redoing. Painstaking precision and detail. Plain old work!

But finally, when the artist has completed his masterpiece....
...When the architect has concluded his design...

We stand in awe.
We travel thousands of miles to see it. We study it. We write about it in our history books. We teach our children about it.

Why? It's a masterpiece. It is the greatest work of it's kind; completed with masterly skill.
A consummate example of great technique and excellence.


So know and understand, this could take years. Just wait. We are simply masterpieces in the making.

God's favorite verbs

My life is currently on hold.
My lack of relationship. My schooling. My business. My ministry.
It's all on hold. Seemingly, nothing is happening.

I am stuck in a ditch. All my wheels are spinning (and throwing mud!!!), but I am going nowhere.

Last week, I reached the end of my patience and decided to tell God just exactly how I felt. You know that prayer....The "I-am-sorta-mad- and-my-heart-hurts" prayer. I don't mean disrespect in any sense of the word; I just feel like I can be real with God. Complete honesty. So, I sat down and bore my heart to my Maker.
Let me tell you how it went:

The Setting--

Me: Balling my eyes out ( completely unrelated to hormones!!).
God: Just sitting with me, waiting for me to talk. I can't describe how amazing His presence was this particular day.

The Dialogue--

I simply said, " Help".
He simply said, "Psalm 37".

So I read it.

"Fret not thyself ....."

"Trust in the LORD...."

"Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart....."

"Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass......"

"Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him....."

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way...."

"Wait on the LORD, and keep his way...."

"And the LORD shall help them...."

The Lesson:

I need to learn to trust Him. I need patience. He knows what I want and what I need. He really does!! I mean, He really, really does! And as much as I hate it, this is for me.


This is trust time. This is delight time. This is commit time. This is rest time. This is wait time.

He's got it all under control. And in the meantime, I have found God's favorite verbs.

my life list

When I was a little girl, I used to read my parent's copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul. We are talking the ORIGINAL one! There was an article published in it that intrigued me. I would read it over and over...( with a flashlight, under the covers. Yes, I was one of those kids!!). The story is about John Goddard and his famous "life list". As a young man he created his list and has worked his entire life checking things off. I have always been into lists, and I can only assume that John's list has some connection with that. I have heard you are 70% more likely to reach a goal if you write it down. I have had this list for some time and I occasionally add to it.
I think every one should have one. Live in today, but keep big dreams for tomorrow.
If you make one, send it to me! I love reading em'!

Win a soul a year
Read the Bible thru every year until I die
read the entire Encyclopedia for fun
"Retire" at 35 from Arbonne
Go on multiple missions trips
Climb a non-piddly mountain
Start an orphanage
go scubadiving
Become an amazing speaker
Design and build my dream home
see the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
spend a New Year in New York City
go on a gondola ride at night in Italy
learn to fly and plane and helicopter
direct a mass choir
read classical sheet music fluently
see an active volcano
visit all the continents
see the Eiffel Tower, London Bridge, Stonehenge,San Simeon, Taj Mahal, The Great Wall, The Pyramids....the list could go on forever... I want to see everything in the world. =)
shop in Harrod's in London and Via Saint'Andrea in Milan
Stay in a glass-bottomed hut in Fiji
spend a month in Hawaii
skydive
become a KinderMusik instructor
record a CD with my ( wherever I am) church choir
have books published
run a marathon
attain my doctorate in Counseling Psychology
Go to the Olympics
Get Married in New York City at Christmas time (with just my family and close friends)
Have at least 3 children
weigh 127 even after I have kids
camp in a desert with a completely open sky
Become an Arbonne Executive National Vice President
Go whalewatching ....blue whales!
go on an African safari
be in a ladies PGA tour =)
see a Men's PGA tour
See all 50 States
Learn two new languages and speak them fluently
go white-water rafting thru the Grand Canyon
Learn to drive a stickshift
go on a cruise
Get to 17% bodyfat
stay in a castle in Europe
be an amazing wife to my someday incredible husband
be a solid, godly, hott, SUV mom =) NO minivan for me please.
develop a ministry that will outlive me
work tirelessly for the Kingdom

control freak

Why is it hard to pray about a perplexing matter, when you know your answer lies therein? Do I fear the answer? I know I cannot chart the course I wish to take. Jesus must do it. Ugh. Why does the control freak in me arise so often?

I am hardcore

I am on the diet/exercise regime of a lifetime. No more mindless snacking or empty carbs for me! Everything I eat now has a purpose.

Alas, I am finding comfort in a cup of tea and a bubble bath these days.

And is that muscle I see? Hmmm, probably too early. Haha. I am so hopeful. I can hardly wait.