Every thought is a seed. If you plant crab apples, don't count on harvesting golden delicious.
- Bill Meyer
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
April 27, 2009 reflection on daily devotion
Have you ever felt your efforts were too meager to make a difference? Or that you were inadequate compared to others in terms of your financial resources, intellect, talent, or appearance? Have you ever thought, If only I had more…[you fill in the blank], I could make a real difference? Many of us feel as though our meager gifts, our inadequate efforts, are insufficient for God. Yet all God asks for are "five loaves and two fishes" (Luke 9:10-17). Nothing is too small when Jesus uses it. Nothing is meager or inadequate when Jesus blesses it. Nobody is insignificant when Jesus chooses him or her. Where do you need God to take something small in your life and multiply it to provide not only what you need, but more than enough?
Sunday, April 26, 2009
April 26, 2009 reflection on daily devotion
Are you down? Look up!
April 26, 2009
Sheila Schuller Coleman
"I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." – Psalm 121:1-2
Where can we go when we need help? The psalmist tells us we find help when we lift our eyes to the hills. He continues, "My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth." Wow! When we are spiritually struggling, an emergency call to the God of the universe brings him to our rescue! He is just one prayer away. His power saves. His power can invigorate your faith. He loves and longs to help his children. He is never too busy and your problems are never too insignificant—he knows you need him. It's up to you to make the call. It's up to you to look to him for help. When things look down—look up—to the hills—where your help comes from! Your help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!
Where can we go when we need help? The psalmist tells us we find help when we lift our eyes to the hills. He continues, "My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth." Wow! When we are spiritually struggling, an emergency call to the God of the universe brings him to our rescue! He is just one prayer away. His power saves. His power can invigorate your faith. He loves and longs to help his children. He is never too busy and your problems are never too insignificant—he knows you need him. It's up to you to make the call. It's up to you to look to him for help. When things look down—look up—to the hills—where your help comes from! Your help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!
* * * * * * *
If things begin to take a downward turn today, get up from what you’re doing, walk outside, look up to the hills (or the heavens), and say aloud, “I need you, Lord. Please help!”
Share your thoughts...
If things begin to take a downward turn today, get up from what you’re doing, walk outside, look up to the hills (or the heavens), and say aloud, “I need you, Lord. Please help!”
Share your thoughts...
Friday, April 24, 2009
song ~ the motions
The Motions
by Matthew West
This might hurt, it's not safe
But I know that I've gotta make a change
I don't care if I break,
At least I'll be feeling something
'Cause just okay is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of life
I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
instead of going through the motions?"
No regrets, not this time
I'm gonna let my heart defeat my mind
Let Your love make me whole
I think I'm finally feeling something
'Cause just okay is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of this life
'Cause I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
instead of going through the motions?"
take me all the way
(take me all the way)
take me all the way
('cause I don't wanna go through the motions)
take me all the way
(I know I'm finally feeling something real)
take me all the way
I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
instead of going through the motions?"
I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
instead of going through the motions?"
take me all the way
(take me all the way)
take me all the way
(I don't wanna go, I don't wanna go)
take me all the way
(through the motions)
take me all the way
I don't wanna go through the motions
by Matthew West
This might hurt, it's not safe
But I know that I've gotta make a change
I don't care if I break,
At least I'll be feeling something
'Cause just okay is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of life
I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
instead of going through the motions?"
No regrets, not this time
I'm gonna let my heart defeat my mind
Let Your love make me whole
I think I'm finally feeling something
'Cause just okay is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of this life
'Cause I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
instead of going through the motions?"
take me all the way
(take me all the way)
take me all the way
('cause I don't wanna go through the motions)
take me all the way
(I know I'm finally feeling something real)
take me all the way
I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
instead of going through the motions?"
I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
instead of going through the motions?"
take me all the way
(take me all the way)
take me all the way
(I don't wanna go, I don't wanna go)
take me all the way
(through the motions)
take me all the way
I don't wanna go through the motions
Sunday, April 12, 2009
song ~ on my knees
I love music! As you can tell, I blog about songs I get introduced to that really hit me. Many times they come at a time when I am facing some difficulty...this song I heard yesterday on my drive home from work and then I heart it again while I was working late last night here at the house...kinda of like the message was something I needed to hear yet again..."Misty, your need is to be on your knees and listen"...
On My KneesDennis Jernigan
When I don't know what I need
I need to get on my knees
When waves of doubt crash over me
I need to get on my knees
On my knees I find refuge
On my knees I find grace
On my knees I can feel You
Like we're meeting face to face
When I don't know what I need
I need to get on my knees
When I don't have strength to stand
I need to reach for Your hand
When life feels like sinking sand
I need to reach for Your hand
In Your hand I find refuge
In Your hand I find grace
In Your hand I can feel You
Like we're meeting face to face
When I don't have strength to stand
I need to reach for Your hand
When life leaves me with no choice
I must listen for Your voice
When lies confuse me with their noise
I must listen for Your voice
In Your voice I find refuge
In Your voice I find grace
In Your voice I can feel You
Like we're meeting face to face
When life leaves me with no choice
I will listen for Your voice
On my knees I find refuge
On my knees I find grace
On my knees I can feel You
Like we're meeting face to face
When I don't know what I need
I need to get on my knees
When I don't know what I need
I need to get on my knees
When waves of doubt crash over me
I need to get on my knees
On my knees I find refuge
On my knees I find grace
On my knees I can feel You
Like we're meeting face to face
When I don't know what I need
I need to get on my knees
When I don't have strength to stand
I need to reach for Your hand
When life feels like sinking sand
I need to reach for Your hand
In Your hand I find refuge
In Your hand I find grace
In Your hand I can feel You
Like we're meeting face to face
When I don't have strength to stand
I need to reach for Your hand
When life leaves me with no choice
I must listen for Your voice
When lies confuse me with their noise
I must listen for Your voice
In Your voice I find refuge
In Your voice I find grace
In Your voice I can feel You
Like we're meeting face to face
When life leaves me with no choice
I will listen for Your voice
On my knees I find refuge
On my knees I find grace
On my knees I can feel You
Like we're meeting face to face
When I don't know what I need
I need to get on my knees
Thursday, April 9, 2009
song ~ one thing
There is lots going on right now creating fear and chaos in many lives, and today this song really struck home to me and I want to share it with you...
One Thing
by Paul Colman
Here I am
In a river of questions
Can I pour my heart out to a listening ear?
I see this life
Its valleys and mountains
And I think of all the roads that brought me here
I've questioned my reasons
This life I'm living
I've questioned my ability
To judge wrong from right
I've questioned all the things that I've ever called certain
My race, my religion, my country, my mind
But the one thing I don't question is you
You really love me like you say you do
You really love me like you say you do
Hold me
Hold me
I've questioned significance
Meaning and relevance
Does the work I'm doing really matter at all?
Well I've questioned my friendships
Alliance, dependence
Who will still be here when I fall?
Only one thing doesn't change
Only one thing stays the same
All I know at the end of the day is your love remains
One Thing
by Paul Colman
Here I am
In a river of questions
Can I pour my heart out to a listening ear?
I see this life
Its valleys and mountains
And I think of all the roads that brought me here
I've questioned my reasons
This life I'm living
I've questioned my ability
To judge wrong from right
I've questioned all the things that I've ever called certain
My race, my religion, my country, my mind
But the one thing I don't question is you
You really love me like you say you do
You really love me like you say you do
Hold me
Hold me
I've questioned significance
Meaning and relevance
Does the work I'm doing really matter at all?
Well I've questioned my friendships
Alliance, dependence
Who will still be here when I fall?
Only one thing doesn't change
Only one thing stays the same
All I know at the end of the day is your love remains
Monday, April 6, 2009
1st Quarter Progress on 2009 Resolutions
I received my first quarter email from Glenn Shepard on where I am with my 2009 Goals & Resolutions. This is what I submitted to him on where I stand on my goals for the year (review blog entry on 1/1/2009 for goals set):
1. 75% of this goal is met with anticipation of goal accomplishment by July 2009
2. 10% Not much progress made on this...I need help!
3. 0% progress: have not found exercise routine yet that works with my schedule of two jobs, 6days a week, 12-15hrs a day...I am frustrated with this because I know this would benefit me in many ways if I could just find a way to make it work with my schedule
4. 40% progress: still desire to excel in this even more
5. 25% progress in head knowledge & self talk but not much progress in actual actions
THANK you Glenn for your encouragement!
1. 75% of this goal is met with anticipation of goal accomplishment by July 2009
2. 10% Not much progress made on this...I need help!
3. 0% progress: have not found exercise routine yet that works with my schedule of two jobs, 6days a week, 12-15hrs a day...I am frustrated with this because I know this would benefit me in many ways if I could just find a way to make it work with my schedule
4. 40% progress: still desire to excel in this even more
5. 25% progress in head knowledge & self talk but not much progress in actual actions
THANK you Glenn for your encouragement!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
1 Year Anniversary at my job
Today marks my 1 year anniversary...
As I reflect on the changes in my work history from the beginning of spring 1996 to now, I can't help but have immense gratitude to God for the job I have now...a deep thankfulness of how blessed I am to have a kind boss, caring coworkers, a great working environment not too far from home! Many times, my days are just downright crazy...but even in the midst of these spells I have never lost heart and always am excited to go back another day and work thru the challenges that come. I can't deny that some days haven't been downright grueling or that I never have had tears of frustration...I have...but the year really and truely has flown by. I have not been perfect and have many things I wish to do differently or excel at even more. My first year has had many challenges to wade thru and overcome...some I have accomplished and some I still yet have to do. I worked as a Billing Assistant with the Billing Manager, Jennifer, for the first 6 weeks on the job (April 1st, 2008 to May 8th, 2008) learning the office structure, working at the front desk and helping with billing & collections...until I came in on that Thursday morning in May to my boss greeting me with "Welcome to your new position, congratulations!" I was shocked...sure, I knew what the end plan was, to let "her" go and for me to replace her as the new Accounting Manager, but now I was able to "move on from salad" as my boss had said to me a few weeks previously! A week into the job, some things came up in trying to figure out where we stood with our finances and in my confusion to understand and put things together I had to explain the situation to my boss and he told me he was too busy to help me, I would have to handle this one alone...this was the first time when he left the office that I buried my head in my arms on my desk and cried. What was I to do? How was I to make things happen and meet deadlines? This launched the beginnings of some intense work in the accounting data to find the errors. I have only taken one day off since I started the job to attend Stephen & Tiffany's wedding last October, and my boss felt that I needed a break...so I am off today and tomorrow to chill and do whatever I want but absolutely NO WORK! It actually feels downright weird to not be working - I think I truely must be a workaholic! But today, I want to express my thanks for the great job I have!!!
As I reflect on the changes in my work history from the beginning of spring 1996 to now, I can't help but have immense gratitude to God for the job I have now...a deep thankfulness of how blessed I am to have a kind boss, caring coworkers, a great working environment not too far from home! Many times, my days are just downright crazy...but even in the midst of these spells I have never lost heart and always am excited to go back another day and work thru the challenges that come. I can't deny that some days haven't been downright grueling or that I never have had tears of frustration...I have...but the year really and truely has flown by. I have not been perfect and have many things I wish to do differently or excel at even more. My first year has had many challenges to wade thru and overcome...some I have accomplished and some I still yet have to do. I worked as a Billing Assistant with the Billing Manager, Jennifer, for the first 6 weeks on the job (April 1st, 2008 to May 8th, 2008) learning the office structure, working at the front desk and helping with billing & collections...until I came in on that Thursday morning in May to my boss greeting me with "Welcome to your new position, congratulations!" I was shocked...sure, I knew what the end plan was, to let "her" go and for me to replace her as the new Accounting Manager, but now I was able to "move on from salad" as my boss had said to me a few weeks previously! A week into the job, some things came up in trying to figure out where we stood with our finances and in my confusion to understand and put things together I had to explain the situation to my boss and he told me he was too busy to help me, I would have to handle this one alone...this was the first time when he left the office that I buried my head in my arms on my desk and cried. What was I to do? How was I to make things happen and meet deadlines? This launched the beginnings of some intense work in the accounting data to find the errors. I have only taken one day off since I started the job to attend Stephen & Tiffany's wedding last October, and my boss felt that I needed a break...so I am off today and tomorrow to chill and do whatever I want but absolutely NO WORK! It actually feels downright weird to not be working - I think I truely must be a workaholic! But today, I want to express my thanks for the great job I have!!!
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