Insta-Weekend

This weekend was like most weekends--huge.  Here's a glimpse of what went down in my world.

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It's ok to take the long road

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It's ok to take the long road.
     to ride the bike
     to take the long walk

In a world that always pushing us to do things fast--to get the job done--it's ok to take the long road.
     to slow down and inhale the beauty
     to rest from the caos
     to relax in the awkward moments
     to breathe in life

To really live life & absorb it all.
     to take it all in

To just...
                  be.


Life is not a destination.  Life is a journey.  Long.  Hard.  Painful.  Fun.  But all worth it.  In encourage you, slow down and love life.  All of it.

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Think about it, Do it

I'm sharing this commercial because I avidly believe in it's message.  I hope it leads you to think about life and your family and driving safety.

Some driving safety suggestions:
1.  Slow down in construction zones.  There are workers on the road and their life is precious.
2.  Discourage passengers to help. Encourage passengers to have fun but be safe.  I drive with teenagers in my car quite often.  They love to open the door while the vehicle is moving.  Be honest with them and explain why this is dangerous.  Recently, I told one of them why this made me so agitated and they stopped acting a mess.
3.  Buckle up.Yes, it's the law, but it also saves lives.  I know quite a few people who disagree with me, but I've seen the statistics and I've experienced the loss.  It does save lives.
4. Move over for emergency vehicles.  They are either going to a medical emergency or leaving one and if you or your family member was in that vehicle you'd want everyone to move.  Seconds matter.
5.  Pay attention.Do not text and drive.  If you're tired pull over.  The great thing about technology is we all have apps that can take care of texting.  I know that my commute to work takes at least 30 minutes.  I can get a lot of work done in 30 minutes especially correspondance but resist the urge to text and drive.  I just downloaded a new app.  It's called Voice and I can text, email, update Facebook, and tweet all with my voice.
I know that these are all tips that you've read or heard but it only takes one mistake to end a life.  I do pray that God protect your steps and your ways.  Thank you for taking the time to read this post!

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Women's Retreat Recap

Wow.  So it's been over a week since I've been back from Branson, Missouri, where we had the Cathedral of Praise Grace Women's Retreat.  (Read more about our discussion here.)  We really had so much fun...maybe even too much fun.  There is one thing that is undoubtedly true.  God changed lives during that retreat.  I know that He opened my eyes to several things about my personality that I've got to deal with if I'm going to be all God has destined me to be.

God's like that, you know.  He reveals areas, weaknesses, ideals in our lives that are unlike His character or that don't line up with His Word, but rather than just changing us (which would be so much easier) He leaves the us with the responsibility to fix those issues.  Oh, the power of the Holy Spirit is there to lead and guide us through the changes...but ultimately the choice to change is ours to make and the steps we take are ours to walk.

So here's some changes that I'm going to be working on...
1.  Be quiet more and listen.  Don't be pushy even though you believe to the very core of your existence that you're correct.  People don't respond well to that attitude.  And, yes, you are passionate about everything, but not everyone has to be passionate about everything too.
2.  Don't be so hard on yourself and on other people.  We are all sinners saved by grace.  You sin and mess up.  They sin and mess up.  Pray for God's grace to love with His compassion.  (I've been working on this one for a while, but I still have some more work to do.)
3.  STOP PROCRASTINATING.  You don't have to be afraid.  Just do what you know to do and continue to walk in God's Word.  The steps of righteous people are ordered of God.

Below are some pics of the trip.  If you ever go to Branson, please promise you will go to the College of the Ozarks and watch them milk the cows.  It was so cool...for real. :)

Don't forget to enter the 50 Follower Celebration giveaway for a $25 Target gift card.  It ends tonight!

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Christ's Character

Last week was such an interesting week.  I saw God answer prayers that I had quit praying about, but I also had some major set backs in some relationships that I value greatly.  But through these circumstances God brought me to a place of realization and learning.  NO ONE IS PERFECT.

Reality is, I've sinned and messed up royally.  Other people sin and mess up royally too.  But despite their mess ups I have to respond with grace and mercy.  Maybe it's because of my pride, maybe it's because I have too high standards, but that is a hard task for me to live by even if it's in God's Word.

Proverbs 17.9 says, "Overlook an offense and bond a friendship; fasten on to a slight and good-bye friend" (Message).

An acquaintance of mine, Joshua Watts, tweeted last week, "One of the greatest marks of bearing Christ's character is our response to someone else's sin."

Is it possible that one of the reasons I'm so mad is because my friend's failure reminds me of my own downfalls?  Could it be that their failure to "live by the rules" makes me struggle with my own desire to live completely, 100%, sold-out?  Do I "hate" them because "they" made me question my faith?  No, I don't hate them...but I'm scared.  I'm scared that if they can mess up then I might too.

Truth is even when I mess up, because I will, God's grace and mercy is a covering over my life.

My prayer:  Lord, help me to respond with grace, mercy, and understanding.  We are fallen creatures who live in a fallen world.  You are love and your love helps me to cast out all fear.  Help me to live completely dependent on your love alone and help me to bear your character when my friends fall.  Because more than I want anything I want to point others to You and Your love.

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