I was in the other room, and my new friend Pandora was playing in the other room. A song came on called the Voice of Truth and got my attention so much that I had to drop what I was doing and come bookmark the song. Anyway, I thought since it struck me so much I might as well share! Here are the lyrics:
Oh,what I would do to have
the kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown
Where Jesus is,
And he's holding out his hand
But the waves are calling out my name
and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
time and time again
"Boy, you'll never win,
you'll never win."
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
the voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the voice of truth says "this is for my glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
Oh, what I would do
to have the kind of strength it takes
To stand before a giant
with just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound
of a thousand warriors
shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand
But the giant's calling out
my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
time and time again
"Boy you'll never win,
you'll never win."
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
the voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the voice of truth says "this is for my glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
But the stone was just the right size
to put the giant on the ground
and the waves they don't seem so high
from on top of them looking down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
when I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
singing over me
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says do not be afraid
And the voice of truth says this is for my glory
Out of all the voices calling out to me (calling out to me)
I will choose to listen and believe (I will choose to listen and believe)
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
I will listen and believe
I will listen and believe the voice of truth
I will listen and believe
'Cause Jesus you are the voice of truth
And I will listen to you.. oh you are
What amazing lyrics and so true in my life. When there are so many things pulling me in 20 different directions, Jesus tells us do NOT worry and do NOT be afraid. He is the voice of truth, and I need to pay more attention!
Hope everyone has a great weekend :)
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
Thoughts on The Shack
If you've read the book already, this image is already dancing in your mind, bringing back all sorts of memories! No spoilers though, so don't be afraid to read this... :)I first heard of this book while reading someone's blog comments. Didn't think much of it, until I heard someone talking about in the context of "people are sending it back to CBD (Christian Book Distributors) saying it's heresy". Well naturally, that got me curious! As I heard from more and more people about the book (mostly loving it), I decided it was a must. On my way home from Christmas in North Carolina, I picked it up in the airport. They were offering a 50% back deal if you returned it when you got to another airport, but somehow I knew I wouldn't want to give the book up after I was done.
First I'll say, I really loved the book. It wasn't at all what I was expecting (not sure what I WAS expecting). It forces you to use your imagination and think outside the box. I really enjoyed that part about it - kind of an escape from reality of sorts. I took many things from the book but what seems to have laid itself upon my heart the deepest is regarding the nature of God.
I promised I wouldn't spoil the book so I can't really go farther on that thought except to say this: my prayer style has changed. TANGENT WARNING. Suddenly it doesn't feel "right" to ask God for anything. Including everything from the mundane all the way to biggest things we cry out to God for. I feel I need to be more responsible for my own actions and personality. One of my biggest pet peeves (warranted or not) is when people say things like "well how could it be wrong, that's the way God made me". ACK! I truly believe God made us in His perfect image, and then gave us freedom to make our choices, which is where we royally screwed up. The way we ARE is a direct result of not only our choices and actions but fortunatly or unfortunatly the result of our nurturing and generations before us. How does this relate to the book, well, instead of just asking God to change me, I feel I need to ask God to help me be 100% more aware of the Holy Spirit He gave me. He has already given me my answer, the opportunity to change, and it's up to me to use it and make the effort to do so.
Read it!! :) Regardless of it's controversial nature (for the record, I did not find it very controversial. Different yes, controversial? Nah) I think each person will take something entirely different from the book. I think it will indeed be very helpful to anyone who feels the need to get a clearer picture of God. I will probably read it again at some point and definitely recommend it. Maybe later (after the novelty of it has worn a bit) I will write a post with greater detail!
What did others take from the book that have read it?
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Another New Year...
The New Year comes with mixed emotions for me. So here is my little attempt at a year-end-review so I can remind myself of everything that happened! 2008 held many events that brought joy to my life...
1) Kelly being "done" with cancer (at least the chemo/radiation/surgery parts).
2) My dad getting super healthy and running the Boston marathon.
3) My sis-in-law Jen Shomo (now Rothacker!) getting married, and being able to photograph her wedding.
4) My best friend Kerrie getting married and being privileged as her matron-of-honor.
5) My kittie!
6) Visiting my mom-mom and finding old pictures of my pappy during WWII. Also seeing some of my cousins for the first time in a very long time..
Other mention worthy moments are Jen & Beth coming to visit in February, and the whole Chewning fam coming up in August. Amy and Drew moving here in Feb (or March?). Re-siding our house (another blog, another time). 5 year college reunion. All my photography endeavors. 4th of July at the Richardson camp & Casey's wedding (seeing the whole fam together). North Conway with Paul for our 3 yr anniversary. Hanging out with Heather and PJ twice when they visited from TN.
And somehow, after all of this.. I still feel like 2008 was lacking on some level! You can see from above that I have many reasons to be joyful, and I certainly am. However "happy" isn't a word that I have found myself using on a regular basis. For the sake of my readers it's certainly best that I don't go into detail here but I will say this: I've found myself less understood than I want to be, less involved than I want to be, and less respected than I want to be. In a lifetime where I am using to being a person who is trusted, loved, and accepted for who I am, I feel like the winds have shifted. Then again, it's only at certain times and in certain places I feel that way, and the majority of people in my life have nothing to do with this!! So sorry for the downer moment - but It's on my mind as I look into a new year. This year holds many possibilities - many of which I am greatly anticipating. My personal resolution is to be less complacent, to take action, to not fear wearing my heart on my sleeve, and to trust God more and more to be the person He has created and called me to be. It is my duty to love and be loved, and in 2009 instead of surviving, I'm going to try thriving.
1) Kelly being "done" with cancer (at least the chemo/radiation/surgery parts).
2) My dad getting super healthy and running the Boston marathon.3) My sis-in-law Jen Shomo (now Rothacker!) getting married, and being able to photograph her wedding.
4) My best friend Kerrie getting married and being privileged as her matron-of-honor.5) My kittie! 6) Visiting my mom-mom and finding old pictures of my pappy during WWII. Also seeing some of my cousins for the first time in a very long time..
Other mention worthy moments are Jen & Beth coming to visit in February, and the whole Chewning fam coming up in August. Amy and Drew moving here in Feb (or March?). Re-siding our house (another blog, another time). 5 year college reunion. All my photography endeavors. 4th of July at the Richardson camp & Casey's wedding (seeing the whole fam together). North Conway with Paul for our 3 yr anniversary. Hanging out with Heather and PJ twice when they visited from TN.
And somehow, after all of this.. I still feel like 2008 was lacking on some level! You can see from above that I have many reasons to be joyful, and I certainly am. However "happy" isn't a word that I have found myself using on a regular basis. For the sake of my readers it's certainly best that I don't go into detail here but I will say this: I've found myself less understood than I want to be, less involved than I want to be, and less respected than I want to be. In a lifetime where I am using to being a person who is trusted, loved, and accepted for who I am, I feel like the winds have shifted. Then again, it's only at certain times and in certain places I feel that way, and the majority of people in my life have nothing to do with this!! So sorry for the downer moment - but It's on my mind as I look into a new year. This year holds many possibilities - many of which I am greatly anticipating. My personal resolution is to be less complacent, to take action, to not fear wearing my heart on my sleeve, and to trust God more and more to be the person He has created and called me to be. It is my duty to love and be loved, and in 2009 instead of surviving, I'm going to try thriving.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Coca-Cola, the cause of obesity.
I couldn't wait to get to my blog this morning. On my way to work I was listening to 1030am (it stimulates my brain so I don't swerve due to sleepiness). They were giving random news stories and this one struck me - as pretty much the most rediculous thing I've ever heard. I went on google news to check it out and here's a little snippet of an article:
Paterson also reportedly plans to increase taxes on insurance policies, on non-diet sodas under an "obesity tax," reviving the state sales tax on clothing, and changes in funding of hospitals and health care provides that could shift more health costs on individuals and employers.
So yes obviously from the title of my blog I'm reference the non-diet soda obesity tax. You've got to be KIDDING me New York! 1st of all, clearly they are not aware of the millions of non-obese consumers who happen to enjoy regular soda over the IMHO discusting alternative. 2nd of all, have they not heard of the studies that show people who drink diet soda end up eating more because it is less fulfilling? 3rd of all, why don't you just add tax on regular sugar while you're at it... diet soda aspartame has not only been shown to mess with your overall health, but has been shown to cause cancer as well. The cost difference is said to be about 15 cents and to add about $400MIL (not sure if that was all the new taxes combined or just the soda). Really New York?
Anyway, just thought I'd throw that one up here for a few giggles. People never cease to amaze.
Paterson also reportedly plans to increase taxes on insurance policies, on non-diet sodas under an "obesity tax," reviving the state sales tax on clothing, and changes in funding of hospitals and health care provides that could shift more health costs on individuals and employers.
So yes obviously from the title of my blog I'm reference the non-diet soda obesity tax. You've got to be KIDDING me New York! 1st of all, clearly they are not aware of the millions of non-obese consumers who happen to enjoy regular soda over the IMHO discusting alternative. 2nd of all, have they not heard of the studies that show people who drink diet soda end up eating more because it is less fulfilling? 3rd of all, why don't you just add tax on regular sugar while you're at it... diet soda aspartame has not only been shown to mess with your overall health, but has been shown to cause cancer as well. The cost difference is said to be about 15 cents and to add about $400MIL (not sure if that was all the new taxes combined or just the soda). Really New York?
Anyway, just thought I'd throw that one up here for a few giggles. People never cease to amaze.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
a day in the office
I just got into work, and a minute ago the office landlord came through the door. His name is Mr. Miller, and he's about 75 years old (I think older actually). I had my hood was up when he came in and he said "are you cold in here?". He walked straight to the thermostat to see what it was set on. "72" he says. I was immediatly reminded of last year, when I used to set it at 80, and thought "phew"! I said I was fine, and that I had just come in from outside and still a little chilled from the cold air.
"Will you do me a favor" he asks. "Sure!" I said. (Usually he asks me to make sure the hall lights are off when I leave, or that the door is locked). "Will you show me how to use that machine that you and Thom (my boss) got rid of a little while ago"? OH DEAR. He was referring to the printer/fax/copy/scanner that I had wars with a few months ago. I swear he watches people walk to the dumpster and scavanges whatever we put in! I hesitated and said "I'm not sure if I can do that, did you fix it?". "Oh, it's broken?" he asked. LOL. I said "yeah, it jams up real bad, I don't know if it would be worth your time to try to get it working". I could sense his dissapointment. I hated to let him down, but last time we had a less-than-fabulous printer (before the one he's talking about) it sat here in our office for about a month. Mr. Miller came in when my boss was here and asked if he could have it. I had told Thom before that it was a power surge that took out this particular printer. It was dead, and there was no way to revive it. He obviously either didn't remember, or didn't believe me, because he told Mr. Miller to have it, and to come back when I was around and I would give him the paperwork to get it all set up. Ugh! When he came back, I handed him the CD that came with the printer with the software/drivers etc on it, and he said "what do I do with this?". Giving up, I told him politely that maybe his son could help him set it up, to which he said "yeah ok" and walked out the door. Haha. That may sound like a mean thing to do but you have no idea how hard it is to get through to these people sometimes!
Well then he started telling me a story about how he was in a store yesterday about to ring out, and because he's in there a lot he knew the employees fairly well. He said to the woman behind the counter "where's the black lady that normally works here?". He then says to me "I don't know how you would have handled this situation..". Apparently, the lady behind him was IRRATE that he had used the work "black" and began to give him a speech about how he couldn't do that, and was going to be in trouble, and he was only to refer to people as African American. WOW! I didn't know people were still out there like that (am I being ignorant here?). I told Mr. Miller that there are some people that will do anything to feel like they have power, and that as long as he didn't give her his name and address, he had nothing to worry about! Lol. Anyway, as Mr. Miller finally walked toward the door, on his way out he said "turn up the heat if you need it!".
Aaaaw, what a nice old man. Such a pleasant surprise to hear someone tell me to turn the heat UP! It's freezing outside (29 deg right now). It's too early to be that cold!
"Will you do me a favor" he asks. "Sure!" I said. (Usually he asks me to make sure the hall lights are off when I leave, or that the door is locked). "Will you show me how to use that machine that you and Thom (my boss) got rid of a little while ago"? OH DEAR. He was referring to the printer/fax/copy/scanner that I had wars with a few months ago. I swear he watches people walk to the dumpster and scavanges whatever we put in! I hesitated and said "I'm not sure if I can do that, did you fix it?". "Oh, it's broken?" he asked. LOL. I said "yeah, it jams up real bad, I don't know if it would be worth your time to try to get it working". I could sense his dissapointment. I hated to let him down, but last time we had a less-than-fabulous printer (before the one he's talking about) it sat here in our office for about a month. Mr. Miller came in when my boss was here and asked if he could have it. I had told Thom before that it was a power surge that took out this particular printer. It was dead, and there was no way to revive it. He obviously either didn't remember, or didn't believe me, because he told Mr. Miller to have it, and to come back when I was around and I would give him the paperwork to get it all set up. Ugh! When he came back, I handed him the CD that came with the printer with the software/drivers etc on it, and he said "what do I do with this?". Giving up, I told him politely that maybe his son could help him set it up, to which he said "yeah ok" and walked out the door. Haha. That may sound like a mean thing to do but you have no idea how hard it is to get through to these people sometimes!
Well then he started telling me a story about how he was in a store yesterday about to ring out, and because he's in there a lot he knew the employees fairly well. He said to the woman behind the counter "where's the black lady that normally works here?". He then says to me "I don't know how you would have handled this situation..". Apparently, the lady behind him was IRRATE that he had used the work "black" and began to give him a speech about how he couldn't do that, and was going to be in trouble, and he was only to refer to people as African American. WOW! I didn't know people were still out there like that (am I being ignorant here?). I told Mr. Miller that there are some people that will do anything to feel like they have power, and that as long as he didn't give her his name and address, he had nothing to worry about! Lol. Anyway, as Mr. Miller finally walked toward the door, on his way out he said "turn up the heat if you need it!".
Aaaaw, what a nice old man. Such a pleasant surprise to hear someone tell me to turn the heat UP! It's freezing outside (29 deg right now). It's too early to be that cold!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Happy Anniversary to ME :-)
Today marks 3 years!! Crazy how time flies. I have nothing but awesome memories of my wedding day. It coudn't have been any better. My family and friends (minus a few that I wish could have made it!) all on that beach together as we said our vows, it was just picture perfect! Tonight we are going to RuthsChris for dinner. It's the same restaurant we had our "reception" at in Maui. I'm looking forward to a yummy steak!! We are taking tomorrow off of work so we can sleep in. And the best part is that it's supposed to be 65 tomorrow so it will be fun to get out of the house. We are probably going to do a little shopping for each other since we didn't get gifts ahead of time. FUN :)
1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Well I hope everyone has a great day! Enjoy the warmer weather if you are around here.
1 Corinthians 13
1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
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