scripture to share...

There are so many places in the Bible that speak to my heart and strengthen me. Here are but a few:


Life by the Spirit - Galatians 5:22-26
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

A Prayer for the Ephesians (and us) - Ephesians 3: 16-21
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love may have power together with all the Lord's people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever, Amen!

Instructions on Christian living - Ephesians 4:26-27
In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. And do not give the devil a foothold.

do not put off for tomorrow...

what can be done today.

Simply stated yet this one is so hard for me to follow. I have always been a procrastinator and at times want so badly to break myself of this habit. It does not serve me yet why do I keep finding myself waiting until the last  minute to do something or get something done.

I wouldn't be writing about this except that it is becoming a constant with me right now, I'm rushing to finish assignments by their deadline, hoping I don't get a ticket for my car inspection being expired, and all the while kicking myself for knowing better.

I know that this won't help matters, but as much as I try, I fall into the habit of procrastination. There was a nagging thought in the back of my mind that this has something to do with my state of mind and mood. It doesn't help that in the middle of writing this I darted over and did a search of procrastination help and up pops a website about depression and procrastination. Jeez...not what I wanted to read about, but instead of constantly kicking myself for putting things off, perhaps I should try to figure out WHY I am putting them off or waiting until the last minute to do things. And I know it's not because I work well under pressure. That was my story in undergrad. but now I know for certain it is not the reason I procrastinate.

My mission in the next few days is to recognize and keep track of times when I do not procrastinate, or in other words, when I don't put something off to do later. Starting...NOW!

A View of God's Heart

This photo was taken from my church, Olivet Presbyterian, in Ivy Virginia, last year. The glory of God's beauty was not only seen in the sunset, but also in the spirit of the middle school youth group that met that night.
Fast forward to a year later...the youth group has started up again, the kick-off party was last night. I am one of the leaders that will guide the youth on their walk to knowing the Lord in their hearts. This is a challenge because I am still getting to know Him in my life. But this helps me relate to their questions and struggles even more. I believe I have been called by our Father to help the youth of my church open their eyes and hearts to the Lord and understand what we can do to serve him as a group.
I am in prayer for the Holy Spirit to be with us throughout the year as we grow in fellowship and God's love.

In the Lord...

I take refuge. (Pslam 11:1)

Tomorrow is my dad's 62nd birthday. I wrote him a booklet of 62 sayings called "Words to Remember". Half of the sayings were 'famous' quotes or passages from Scripture that speak to me. The other half were my own words to my dad. I cherish that I can share Our Father with my father. For Father's Day last year, I got my dad a Bible. He told me it was the first one he'd had of his own since he was a child. My dad is on his own walk with the Lord. And for this I am so happy!

When I am not, I am strong in the Lord. In those times where I doubt, hurt, question, worry, wonder, and fear, I must remember Him. My comforter, my rock, my Father.
I am learning to give those things (and more) to God, and to not take them back once I've let them go to Him.
He is teaching me so much through my struggles and challenges. And also through joys and blessings.
Life is a beautiful gift He has given me, my plan is written, and it is up to me to see the joy in each day I am afforded.

New Spaces...Inside and Out

I am in my new house for now...I'm sharing a beautiful cottage with a sweet young woman. The house used to be an old school house and was moved and added on to and it is simply wonderful. It is just where I need to be- out in the country in a quiet space where I can relax and focus on myself.
There are two windows in my room, which is located in the "old" part of the house. The floor boards make noise underfoot and I love it! I am more aware of myself out here. There is even a bird nest outside one of my windows on the porch.
There is light and space...in the house and in me.
Welcome Home!

Choosing to make every moment count...

I want to make every moment count. Lately I've caught myself saying, "there just isn't time in my day for (blank)" but when I do that I'm not admitting what other things I've chosen to spend time on, mindless and meaningless things that do not nourish my soul and recharge my spirit.
Today I vow to make every moment count. Instead of rushing around to barely make it to the 8:30 service, I decided to go to the later one in order to give myself some time to pray and eat a good breakfast. Making these little decisions will, in the long run, have huge lasting results. I feel replenished and ready for my day now.

Visions Made Material Made Real

I've heard many people talk about a vision board or vision map. I put two and two together and had an idea of what one was, its purpose and process of making one, but I wanted to find out more than just what I assumed it was. So I googled it....(wondering when they will add that word to a dictionary) :)


HOW TO MAKE AND USE YOUR VISION BOARD
http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/How_to_Use_a_Vision_Board_to_Activate_the_Law_of_Attraction.html

Your personal vision board is only limited by the extent of your own creativity. Some of my students have produced simple vision boards and others have made vision boards that could probably sell at an art show for hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. Having artistic ability is not a prerequisite for creating a functional vision board however and the procedures I’ve outlined below can be used by anyone.

The general elements that a well-designed vision board should include are:

Visual. Your subconscious mind works in pictures and images, so make your vision board as visual as possible with as many pictures as you can. You can supplement your pictures with words and phrases to increase the emotional response you get from it.

Emotional. Each picture on your vision board should evoke a positive emotional response from you. The mere sight of your vision board should make you happy and fuel your passion to achieve it every time you look at it.

Strategically-placed. Your vision board should be strategically placed in a location that gives you maximum exposure to it. You need to constantly bath your subconscious mind with it’s energy in order to manifest your desires quicker than you hope.

Personal. Negative feelings, self-doubt, and criticism can damage the delicate energy that your vision board emits. If you fear criticism or justification of your vision board from others, then place it in a private location so it can only be seen by yourself.

Supplies Needed

Foam core board (recommended) or poster board

A large assortment of magazines. You want to make sure that these are in color. You can go to various businesses or hospitals to ask for their old issues.

Glue. I prefer the dispenser type tape rollers, commonly used to mount photos because they are clean and won’t damage your pictures.

Scissors

(Optional) Color inkjet or laser printer

(Optional) 3 1/3” x 4” or larger printer labels. I use Avery #5164 mailing labels that work great.

(Optional) Internet access

Step 1—Compile your pictures. Start by going through your magazines and compiling all the pictures that you can find that are relevant to your goal. Don’t evaluate the pictures or start pasting them onto your board. Just stack them into a pile. If you are internet saavy, then a much quicker method that I do myself is to use an internet search engine to find good pictures that I can use for my board. You can either print the pictures out on paper and then glue it to the board, or print the pictures out onto a self-adhesive label so that it becomes a sticker. This is the preferred method because it is takes much less time to do and you can pinpoint your pictures using very good technology at your hands. Make sure that each image that you put on your board resonates with your heart and makes you excited at the mere look of it. It’s also important when selecting pictures to include anything that is congruent with your goal, such as any changes in your life that might result from obtaining your goal. So if your goal is to have a six figure income, then select pictures of a lifestyle that is congruent with your six figure income. 

Asking yourself the following questions might help you design a congruent vision board:

What would you do differently when you realize your goal?

Where would you travel?

Where would you live?

What would you wear?

What things would you own?

What kind of vehicle would you drive?

What would you do for work?...Or would you work?

Who would you help?

Step 2—Sort and Cut. Go through your pile of pictures and select the ones that impact you the most emotionally. Cut the extraneous material away from the image.


Step 3—Arrange and glue. Start arranging your pictures creatively on your board. Don’t worry about being artistic—that’s not the point. The point is that your board should resonate with your emotions. Arrange your pictures in a way that gives you an emotional connection to your vision board. After you are satisfied with the arrangement, glue all your pictures in place. Additionally, you might want to add writing or drawing on your vision board if you feel that it would better resonate with your emotions. A feature unique to my vision boards is that I also put two labels on the bottom of board that read: “Date created: [today’s date]” and “Date Manifested: [blank]” This lets me know how long my vision has been gestating since its creation and also every time I look at my vision board, not only am I emotionally charged with the pictures, but I also feel an overwhelming sense to see it manifested to completion.


Step 4—Strategic positioning. The most important part of having a vision board is having it in a strategic location that gives you as much visual exposure to it throughout the day. For most of us, this is in the office, but if that is not possible or appropriate, then try your living room or your bedroom. Some people I know mount their vision boards on the ceiling above their bed so that it is the first thing they see when they wake up and the last thing they see when they go to sleep. If you are sensitive to what others might say of your vision board, then be sure to keep it in a safe area where only you will see it. Negative criticism or justification of your dreams can kill the energy that your vision board releases. As Brian Tracy states, “What they don’t know, can’t hurt you.”[7]


Step 5— Update your vision board. Your vision board has to inspire you. It has to charge you with renewed passion everytime you look at it and over time and as you progress closer towards your vision, you might find that some of the images or pictures on your vision board don’t really carry as much emotional impact on you as they did before. When this happens, you’ll want to update your vision board with new fresh images that do inspire you. You’re vision board is not a finished piece of art after its initial creation. It’s a dynamic piece of art that shifts and changes as your vision shifts and changes. Therefore, if you find your level of passion that your vision board gives you is growing weaker, then update it to bring fresh new emotions to it.

Dance always finds me just when I need her the most...

 I am so very excited to begin dancing again. It's been too long. I had a re-introduction of sorts recently doing some African dancing with friends for Man Ray Day. This was a day-long festival celebrating the artist Man Ray. An exhibit of his work was featured at the University and the festival included drumming, dancing, arts and crafts, and delicious food.
 

But about the dancing...it first started out just me and another woman who had taken classes with the wife of the main or lead drummer. We rehearsed with the drummers for three Wednesdays and met on our own outside of that practice time for some more practice. My body felt the absence of dance, or any kind of workout for that matter. To my surprise, some other friends joined in, one that just so happoened to be visiting from California. It was such a good time. I will post a picture of us when I get it.
We (the dancers) alternated with the drummers and danced to everyother song. We did a total of four dances, each on lasting about five minutes (but it felt much longer in the heat.) Oh yes, did I forget to mention that we were under a tent outside from noon to three. We danced three sets with four dances in each set. My body was electric with lactic acid. I did not stretch sufficiently. But I did get some wonderful massage from my love and my muscles were happy after that.
Dances:
Sinte
Kakilambe
Manjani
CouCou
 
I may even post a video of us dancing if I can figure out how to transfer it to my laptop.
 
Blessings,
me

"Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." Proverbs 4:23

The footnotes in my Bible expand on this:  "Our heart - our feelings of love and desire - dictates to a great extent how we live our lives because we always find time to do the things we enjoy.  Make sure your affections lead you in the right direction.  Put boundaries on your desires:  Don't go after everything you see.  Look straight ahead, keep your eyes fixed on your goal, and don't get sidetracked on detours that lead to sin."


This passage of scripture found me very fittingly this morning after I was talking about this very topic with my love last night before we went to bed. Boundaries are something that I've recently learned to establish in several areas of my life and now this passage and the footnotes give me a whole new way to look at them. 
I really like the part in the footnote that talks about always finding time to do the things we enjoy...this is so true. Yet I am constantly feeling like there is not enough time. Every thing we do, think, feel, believe is a choice. In every waking moment I am faced with choices, most of them do not even require active attention or awareness, but seem automatic like some default setting. I realize that I lose so much awareness of the present moment. Living fully in each moment is not easy because most of the time my mind or my feelings are off in another place. As long as I am holding onto the past or putting myself in the future in situations that have yet to happen (worrying) then I can not BE where I am in that moment....even if it is brushing my teeth, eating lunch, or driving. 
I want to really be mindful, or better yet, be heartful in all I do, all I think, all I speak, and in just being. 


Be beautiful and be with your heartbeat that tells you "now" "now" "now" as it beats because that is all we really have.

hearts everywhere

the dew left this one under a heart-shaped rock...I watched it fade slowly into invisibility.