Beyond

Beyond is moving pass the often self-imposed limitations.
beyond the shame forgetting the pain of the past
No longer clinging to what’s gone but embracing what remains
  all the while understanding there’s more to attain

Moving out of places of comfort to new canvases
  allowing myself to paint with new colors
and trusting that even with these hues beauty can be seen.

Beyond the chains of my own thoughts
but grasping for higher & more loftier ones.

Refusing to be chained to the failures of yesterday
I choose to move beyond what I thought relinquishing my own hopes
so that I might received beyond what I could imagine.

Joining Gypsy Mama for 5-minute Friday. When I saw the word beyond, it reminded me of the song that’s been playing for days on my car stereo.  Sharing it with you.

Full but Empty

The state of being full is in stark contrast to that of being empty. Funny how the two co-exist in our lives. Looking around we see fullness all around us.

Closets bulging,

pantries full of outdated products,

medicine cabinets cramped with meds to heal our every ache and pain,

calendars full of activities,

countertops cluttered with things.

With so much stuff to hold and find places for and so many things in which to busy ourselves, why does beneath the fullness lies the often unvoiced feeling of emptiness within? Perhaps its not the things or to do’s in which we should be relying on for fullness.

 

This is written as part of Five Minute Friday, where you just write without worrying if it’s just right.

Got Questions for You

Well I finally made it back to my blogging home. I’ve been out of town for the past few days.  As I was pondering what to write next here, I discovered I was tagged by Chelle at Chasing the Divine.  No need to rack my wandering brain any longer when I’d been provided an easy prompt to get the juices flowing again. So here’s something light for Saturday. Rules are to answer 8 questions and then make up 8 questions of my own and tag 8 of you lucky readers.

 

And now, for my Q & A from Chelle.

1.  What will you be dressing up as for Halloween?

Hmmm….I guess you can say a Sunday School teacher since tomorrow is Sunday and that’s about the only dressing up I’ll be doing.
2.  What would the title of your autobiography be?

Oh my, now I thought this was going to be easy. First thing that comes to mind is Between Sisters since I spent years being the middle girl or In Pursuit of Self.
3.  If you could acquire any one skill, what would it be?

I wish I had the gift of gab. I tell my mom I don’t know how she ended up with a child like me seeing as she never meets a stranger.
4.  You have your choice of living anywhere in the country world, where would it be?
Maybe some where on a tropical island.

5.  You have 1 million dollars you must donate to charity, which charity do you choose?
Just one?  One who’s mission was serving rural underprivileged children.

6.  What achievement are you most proud of?

Oh golly am I suppose to toot my own horn? I’d say being brave enough to leave a career I wasn’t happy with and go back to school despite  hearing all the “I can’t believe you don’t like ….” from others.
7.  What makes you laugh the hardest?

The things Madea has the audacity to say on Tyler Perry movies.
8.  What is your favorite snack food?

Chocolate chip cookies

 

And here’s where the fun begins for you, if you choose to participate. Here  are my eight questions?

1. What is your favorite season?
2. What phrase do you find yourself saying like your parents, although you thought you’d never be caught repeating such words?
3. What was your first or favorite Christmas gift that you received?
4. Which are you more likely to do: sing karaoke, bungee jump, or speak to a large crowd?
5. When driving do you go the speed limit, just a wee bit over the limit, or make sure you just a little bit under the speed limit?
6. Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give to your younger self?
7. Besides the Bible, what book has had a great impact on your life?
8. What’s something you would include on your bucket list?

Ok, I’m asking the following people to join me in a game of tag by answering my eight questions. Hope you can come out to play but don’t worry we will still be bloggy buddies even if you’re not up to playing.

 

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe…..

Nicole at Coming Alive in Christ

Monica at Wisdom, Virtue and Rubies

Kim at Stuff Could Always Be Worst

Ellie at Ella’s Edge

Sharon at Sharon Sharing God

MTJ at My Thought-filled Journey

Dawn at Guiding Light Homeschool

Pat at My Journey Home

 

You’re all IT! If I missed you and you want to be it, consider yourself tagged my friend. Hope each of you have good night and a refreshing Sunday.

 

Son or Slave ? {Monday Manna}

Today, I’m linking up with Joanne at An Open Book for Monday Manna, which offers fellow bloggers the opportunity to share their thoughts, insights, poems, or devotionals that relate to a specific verse posted at her blog. The verse we were asked to chew on was Galatians 4:6-7.

And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Galatians 4:6-7 NKJ

As I thought on this verse a couple of things came to mind. (1) The difference in motivation of servitude between a son and a slave. A slave serves because he is obligated to do so but a son serves a Father out of love and respect. (2) The difference in benefits/wages between the two. A slave is often paid less than what he actually deserves but certainly he only earns wages for the work he has actually done. If no work, no wages.  However, a son is able to reap some rewards/benefits from his father simply because of the nature of their relationship. As a child of God, I can never do enough or be good enough to earn all of the many benefits that God has made available to His children.  I need not try to earn my salvation but just accept the wonderful gift.

Have you been busy serving on committees and involved in various ‘religious’ programs in an attempt to prove your worthiness of salvation or that you are ‘good’ Christian? To be actively involved in Christian service is admirable and is something I believe that we should do. But what motivates you to serve? If it’s anything other than love and obedience to the Father, perhaps you’re serving from a slave mentality.

What does that verse speak to you?

Yes, You Matter to Me

My sweet blogger friend One Heart, has been hosting a meme this week and I finally took the time to write up my post. She asked us to tell about how blogging has enhanced our lives in some way. Many assume that what they do here in blog-land has little significance (me included). I can’t even recall what triggered my desire and facilitated my courage to actually start a blog but when I did, I only thought it would be for my own eyes. I couldn’t fathom that anyone would actually be interested in reading my thoughts as I struggle along in my journey with Jesus. 

Yet, in this journey,  I’ve met so many other members of the body of Christ that have encouraged me, strengthened me, reproved me, and brought me laughter as I’ve read their blog posts. Their words were often confirmation to me and at other times comforting to know that I’m not alone. At other times, I found their posts answered unvoiced questions of mine.  For fear of missing someone, I will not begin calling names but every time I’ve visited your little corner of the blogosphere, you’ve enhanced my life. Having you stop by mine refreshes me as well because I realize that there’s many other things you could do with your time.

So I take great delight in honoring you for all that you do. God has given each us the ability to do certain things well. And whether your blog is laced with humor, truth, daily living, encouragement, tips or a mixture of many things, do it with all He’s given you.

Have a great weekend. One Heart, I squeezed this in before the clock turned midnight for me :)

Flow to You

Since seeing this video, this song has become one of my favorites. I'm joining One Heart in Way of Worship.

The If(s)

If, is such a small word but one that often has one looking back in regret. At other times it has us glancing fearfully toward the future wondering if I should, could or would. Ellie tagged me to participate in an "If I were" themed meme.

If I were a MONTH: I'd be January because it’s when everyone is focusing on the possibilities of what could be in the new year, while saying goodbye to the year gone by.
If I were a DAY: I'd be Saturday because it’s a day to slow down from work and spend it doing the things you love.
If I were a TIME OF DAY: I'd be the time when the sun first cracks the sky to wash away the darkness of the night.
If I were a SEASON: I'd be spring because it’s when new things are budding forth.
If I were a PLANET: I'd be Earth.
If I were a DIRECTION: I'd be pointing up towards Heaven.
If I were a TREE: I'd like to be planted by the waters.
If I were an ANIMAL: I'd be a lion bold and fierce.
If I were a: MUSICAL INSTRUMENT I'd be a flute.
If I were a FRUIT: I'd be white seedless grapes because they’re my favorite.
If I were a FOOD: I'd be chocolate loved by many and useful in many applications.
If I were a COLOR: I'd be blue coloring the sky or the ocean.
If I were a BOOK: I’d be Proverbs because it holds so much wisdom for everyday life.
If I were a SONG: I'd be a slow tune.
If I were a MOVIE: I'd probably be a rather boring one.
If I were a FLOWER: I'd be a tulip swaying in the wind.
If I were a FACIAL EXPRESSION: I'd be expressing wonder because there are so many things I ponder about in this life.

Now I'm suppose to tag someone, so if you're reading this post and you've yet to participate in it consider yourself tagged, my friend.

I'm It but You May Be Next

Two of my blogger friends, Lisa and Ellie, tagged me to participate in the 5 for 5 meme. I'm suppose to answer 5 questions 5 times. 

Where were you five years ago?
1. Living in the same house I am now
2. Stuck in a place of spiritual darkness and frustration
3. Journaling more faithfully than I am now
4. Contemplating going to graduate school
5. Dreaming about starting a nonprofit organization

Where would you like to be 5 years from now?
1. Happily married hopefully
2. Walking more freely & closely to God
3. Working a job that I love
4. Living, loving, and laughing more than ever
5. Traveling

What is on your to do list today?
1. Answering these question and posting to my blog (guess I can check that off)
2. Read my Bible
3. Finish my case notes for work
4. Listen in on a virtual women’s summit
5. Watch Survivor tonight (yep I love that show)

What 5 snacks do you enjoy?
1. Chocolate Chip cookies
2. Peanut M&Ms
3. Yoplait yogurt
4. Harvest cheddar sun chips
5. Chex mix

What would you do if you were a billionaire?
1. Give tithe and offerings first
2. Invest
3. Ensure my mother was financially secure
4. Create trust funds for my nieces and nephews
5. Build a youth development center in my hometown that would teach character development, life skills, financial literacy and business planning.

Finally, I'm suppose to tag 5 other people to participate. If you've already been tagged, I send my apologies. I missed your post. For anyone who would rather not participate, I promise not to be offended and will still be visiting your place. :0)

Linda, Heiress, Chris, Bluebutterfly, and Tabitha you're it!