Going Through the Motions

I wonder how many reading this are just going through the motions of life, not living with passion, or for a purpose. I know it can be easy to slip into a rut of life if we don't purposefully live our lives. It can be easy to just go through life and go through the motions. But is just going through the motions how you really want to live? Is it how you want your family, your kids, those you love, those you know, to remember you? Do you want to spend your life asking, what if I had.........??? Or would you rather live intentionally, purposefully, for a greater cause than you or this life, and know that you made a difference, that you lived with passion and zeal?

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

Jesus is the only one who can give you that type of life, who can truly fill up everything you yearn for in life. Money, jobs, and stuff don't fill our lives up with purpose. They usually just make us want more, but a life centered in Christ, while not easy, is the only way I want to live my life, giving everything for Him.

God treats everyone alike. He accepts people only because they have faith in Jesus Christ. All of us have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. But God treats us much better than we deserve, and because of Christ Jesus, he freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins. God sent Christ to be our sacrifice. Christ offered his life's blood, so that by faith in him we could come to God. And God did this to show that in the past he was right to be patient and forgive sinners. This also shows that God is right when he accepts people who have faith in Jesus. What is left for us to brag about? Not a thing! Is it because we obeyed some law? No! It is because of faith. We see that people are acceptable to God because they have faith. Romans 3:22-28

The Weekend

It was a stressful weekend. I have an aunt, and an uncle in the hospitals. There is talk of a pandemic flu outbreak. We have friends going through some tough stuff, and we personally are struggling with a few issues. Amidst it all, though, we know God is still in control and we have to rely on that fact.

To unwind a bit, we left in the middle of a rain/snow storm and decided to go for a drive around a couple area lakes. I can unwind at a lake. There's just something about the water that brings me peace. Once we got out to the lakes, the sun was out and it was pretty. We saw ospreys, several types of ducks, a loon, grebes, yellow-headed and red-winged blackbirds, geese, herons, and deer. We just sat and listened to all the birds for awhile, and enjoyed the noise they were making.

I also got to enjoy some old barns, which is another favorite of mine.

It was nice to unwind a bit and enjoy some time with my hubby.

Snow

On Tuesday, when it got close to 80 degrees, I heard several people worried about 'if it's this hot already, how hot will it be this summer?' I wanted to say as I was walking by these groups of people, IT'S TEMPORARY, enjoy it!! I have lived here for 33 years, and the one thing you can count on is that the weather will change. We get teased with a nice day here and there this time of year, but they are usually few and far between. I know a few of these people, and some were complaining about global freezing a week before the three days of nice weather arrived. A friend texted me this morning 'SORRY.' I didn't know why she was texting me that. Did she know something I didn't know about my job, a family member or friend, or what??? I texted her back and asked why she was sorry. She asked if I had looked outside this morning. I had from a distance awhile ago, but not recently as I was getting ready for work. I opened up the curtain and saw tiny snowflakes coming down. I shut the curtain back up! I just opened up some other curtains, and now the snow is the size of a quarter, coming down extremely heavy. I am not amused! Not at all. I have flowers blooming! I planted bok choy and spinach in my garden. I want to go up to those people who were worried about the hot temperatures and ask if they are still worried about the weather this summer! I am. I think of how it snowed on June 10th last year, and hope it doesn't do the same this year!

The Battle

Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done..C.S. Lewis

I opened up my devotional journal this morning and the first verse I read was "Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul." Psalm 143:8 I needed that this morning. I need a reminder of God's unfailing love. I need to remember each moment of each day to rely on Him. I have been wrestling all night with emotions of frustration, anxiety, and even some fear from some of the things that took place in our teen group. About a third of the group is into some very scary stuff, very dark things. I know there is a spiritual battle going every week, but last night it was stronger than it has been. The darkness reared it's head in a more threatening way, a more real way than it has before. I left filled with sadness, anger, and even some fear. This morning the thought I woke up to was greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world, which comes from 1 John 4:4 you belong to God, and you have defeated these enemies. God's Spirit is in you and is more powerful than the one that is in the world. I needed that reminder.

Sometimes the battle is overwhelming. At times like this I need to turn to God's word more than ever and be reassured that He is in charge, no matter what happens. Jesus has already won my battles because He died on the cross. I need to take those battles and give them to Him and not let them have victory over me. I already have victory in every battle I face, even if it may not seem like a win here on earth. I need to remember each day as I face those battles to be prepared:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6: 10-17

We are in a spiritual battle, a war, and we are all warriors. We have to choose which army we belong to, God's or satans. The battle isn't easy, but I choose Christ.

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13

Flowers!

I went to work early on Monday, so I could leave early. The forecast was saying temps in the low 70's and I just had to get out and enjoy at least part of the day. I arrived home early afternoon, and headed to one flower bed. I must say, the weeds seemed to have multiplied over the winter! I had pesky knapweed and annoying clover trying to ruin my tiered bed. I put on the gloves, grabbed the shovel and went to work digging those weeds out. After I was finished, I planted a few new lilies in the upper tier, and will save the lower tier for petunias. I also took some time to just sit in the sun for a few minutes, basking in the wonderful heat! It felt so good, especially on a body that had been digging and bending for over an hour. As I was sitting on my bench, I enjoyed listening the mourning doves, red-winged black birds, song sparrows, kill deer, and I even heard a meadowlark. Not bad for living in town! I know spring has officially arrived because I was also chased away from one area of the yard by some wasps, and I saw some yellow jackets out front.

My hubby gave me some beautiful Martha Washington geraniums for Easter. While it's still too cold to plant them in the ground, they enjoyed a day out!

In my front flower bed, the violets and one tulip plant made their grand appearance, as well! It was a wonderful day to be outside, enjoying God's beauty. My hubby and I worked in the yard until dark, and we got a lot accomplished. Thank you God, for such an amazing day.

First Day Fishing

Our nieces were here for the weekend. We enjoyed a lot of fun times. We tried to fly kites, but the wind wasn't strong enough, they rode bikes, we played mini golf, went to lunch, and we enjoyed a couple hours out on the lake, both for a boat ride, and trying to catch some fish. We didn't catch any fish, but we enjoyed being out there. One niece likes to fish more than the other, and would still be sitting out there trying to catch her first fish of the year if we would have let her. While her sister says within ten minutes of no bites, 'let's go for a boat ride, because I don't want to sit her anymore,' the other says 'No! Let's keep fishing. It's so beautiful out here, and we just MIGHT catch a fish!' It was pretty back in the bay, and quiet. We saw an eagle, ducks, geese, an osprey, and once back at the boat launch, a lot of people. We enjoyed our time, and we laughed a lot. It was a great weekend!

Learning

You learn to speak by speaking, to study by studying, to run by running, to work by working; and just so, you learn to love by loving. All those who think to learn in any other way deceive themselves. ~Frances de Sales

Being There for Others

Too often we under estimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. ~Leo Buscaglia

Are you willing to smile at someone you meet as you walk by them? It's one of the easiest things there is to do, but it can really brighten up someone's day. You never know when you will be the only one in that persons day who gave them the free gift of a smile. I know that smiles always brighten my days! How about just saying something nice to someone or doing something nice for someone? Have you lost connection with an old friend? Why not pick up the phone and give them a call. You never know what may be going on in their life that they need to talk about. After receiving a text last night, I made a connection with someone I have lost contact with over the past couple months. She needed to talk, as she's going through some very tough stuff right now. I'm glad I made the call, even though it would have been easy to ignore.

I met with the teens I work with and most of them just really need someone willing to listen. One is struggling with depression, and she has a history of cutting, but hasn't cut for two months. She is trying to use some of the tools she is learning to keep from letting her messed up home where alcoholism rules the house, keep from bringing her down, but she is down. She really opened up last night, so I hope and pray that helps her. She cuts because the pain of cutting feels better than the pain she is dealing with in her home. I didn't try to fix her, nor did the others in the room. We just listened. Most people just want someone in their lives who will REALLY listen to them. Someone who will focus on them, not on what is going on around them, like the tv, cell phones, other people.

Why did every girl in my group say they were lonely or depressed last night? Because we have become a nation focused on self. We don't want to be bothered by others problems or take the time to listen. But, when you do take the time to engage in someone else's life, you reap the rewards as your heart is doing what it was meant to do. If we love God, and love others, our lives have purpose and meaning. Acts of kindness and caring makes a difference to the receiver, and it makes a difference in the giver, as well.

April Observances and Holidays

I was looking for some printable calendars today to hang up in my cubicle at work and came across this list. It's different things to celebrate, or to remember, for the month of April. Now, I realize we are half way through the month, but I included the entire list. Make sure to mark your calendar for Daffy Duck's Birthday on April 17th, and National Pigs in a Blanket Day on April 24th! Also take note that it is National Frog Month, and National Stress Awareness Month. Hmm, seems like a funny coincidence that stress awareness month is when taxes are due! As humorous as some of these observances are, it proves that there are things in each of our lives to celebrate, even if they are silly.

Month Long Observances

April Is Autism Awareness Month
April Is International Guitar Month
April Is Keep America Beautiful Month
April Is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
April Is National Frog Month
April Is National Garden Month
April Is National Humor Month
April Is National Mathematics Education Month
April Is National Poetry Month
April Is Stress Awareness Month

April 13th Thomas Jefferson's Birthday Born in 1743

April 14th Titanic Struck The Iceberg Shortly before midnight on April 14, the ship collided with an iceberg causing the ship to sink at 2:20 AM on April 15.

April 15th First McDonalds Opens By Ray Kroc in Des Plaines, IL, 1955. Income Tax Day, Leonardo Da Vinci Birthday Born in 1452.

April 16th National Eggs Benedict Day, Slavery Abolished in D.C. By Lincoln in 1862.

April 17th Daffy Duck's Birthday He debuted in a Warner Brothers cartoon in 1937. Sherlock Hemlock's Birthday

April 18th Pet Owner's Day, First Laundromat Opens In Fort Worth Texas - 1934. Great San Francisco EarthquakeIn 1906. Paul Revere Day Paul Revere rides to alert patriots that "The British are coming..." - in 1775.

April 19th Humorous Day

April 20th Cuckoo Day, National Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Day

April 21st Kindergarten Day The first kindergarten was founded by Friedrich Froebel in Germany in 1837.

April 22nd Administrative Professional's Day The fourth Wednesday of April. Earth Day, Girl Scout Leader Appreciation Day

April 23rd Home Run Day Hank Aaron hits his first home run in 1954. International Sing Out Day, Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day The fourth Thursday of April. William Shakespeare's Birthday Born in 1564.

April 24th Pigs-in-a-Blanket Day, Arbor Day Usually the last Friday of April. Celebration dates may vary from state to state.

April 25th Anzac Day Australia, New Zealand. National Telephone Day

April 26th Hug a Friend Day, National Pretzel Day

April 27th Tell a Story Day, Walter Lantz's Birthday-The creator of Woody Woodpecker.

April 28th Poetry Reading Day

April 29th Zipper Day Modern zipper invented by Gideon Sindback in 1917.

April 30th National Honesty Day George Washington inaugurated as first US president in 1789.

One's we missed!

April 1st April Fool's Day, One Cent Day

April 2nd Hans Christian Anderson's Birthday, International Children's Book Day

April 3rd Find-A-Rainbow Day

April 4th 1st Home Phone InstalledIn 1877. NATO EstablishedIn 1949.

April 5th National Read a Road Map Day

April 6th North Pole Discovered In 1898.

April 7th No Housework Day, World Health Day

April 8th Passover Begins at Sundown, Ponce de Leon Day Born in 1460. He discovered Florida and searched for the Fountain of Youth.

April 9th 1st Public Library Opened In 1833, in Peterborough, NH.

April 10th Encourage a Young Writer Day, National Sibling Day

April 11th Jackie Robinson Day On this day in 1947, Jackie Robinson became the 1st African-American in modern major-league baseball. U.S. Navy Acquires its 1st SubmarineIn 1900. It was a 53-foot craft designed by Irish immigrant John P. Holland.

April 12th Easter, Space Shuttle Columbia First Launched Crewed by John Young and Robert Crippen - 1981

Take up the Cross

“A man named Simon from Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was coming from the fields to the city. The soldiers forced Simon to carry the cross for Jesus” (Mk. 15:21)

Simon grumbles beneath his breath. His patience is as scarce as space on the Jerusalem streets. He’d hoped for a peaceful Passover. The city is anything but quiet. Simon prefers his open fields. And now, to top it off, the Roman guards are clearing the path for some who-knows-which-dignitary who’ll march his soldiers and strut his stallion past the people.

“There he is!”

Simon’s head and dozens of others turn. In an instant they know. This is no dignitary.

“It’s a crucifixion,” he hears someone whisper. Four soldiers. One criminal. Four spears. One cross. The inside corner of the cross saddles the convict’s shoulders. Its base drags in the dirt. Its top teeters in the air. The condemned man steadies the cross the best he can, but stumbles beneath its weight. He pushes himself to his feet and lurches forward before falling again. Simon can’t see the man’s face, only a head wreathed with thorny branches.

The sour-faced centurion grows more agitated with each diminishing step. He curses the criminal and the crowd.

“Hurry up!”

“Little hope of that,” Simon says to himself.

The cross-bearer stops in front of Simon and heaves for air. Simon winces at what he sees. The beam rubbing against an already raw back. Rivulets of crimson streaking the man’s face. His mouth hangs open, both out of pain and out of breath.

“His name is Jesus,” someone speaks softly.

“Move on!” commands the executioner.

But Jesus can’t. His body leans and feet try, but he can’t move. The beam begins to sway. Jesus tries to steady it, but can’t. Like a just-cut tree, the cross begins to topple toward the crowd. Everyone steps back, except the farmer. Simon instinctively extends his strong hands and catches the cross.

Jesus falls face-first in the dirt and stays there. Simon pushes the cross back on its side. The centurion looks at the exhausted Christ and the bulky bystander and needs only an instant to make the decision. He presses the flat of his spear on Simon’s shoulders.

“You! Take the cross!”

Simon dares to object, “Sir, I don’t even know the man!”

“I don’t care. Take up the cross.”

Simon growls, balances the timber against his shoulder, and steps out of the crowd onto the street, out of anonymity into history, and becomes the first in a line of millions who will take up the cross and follow Christ.

He did literally what God calls us to do figuratively: take up the cross and follow Jesus. “If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross each day and follow me” (Lk. 9:23 CEV).

by Max Lucado, taken from His Name is Jesus

Legacy

Yesterday I attended a celebration of a life well lived, a life that was not wasted but filled with love. People stood up and talked about the impact this wonderful lady had on their lives, and how they will miss her. Her family talked about the love, encouragement, and example she was to them. The faith she has in Christ is living on in many of her family members, and they have great hope of being with her again. One of her neighbors talked about how she noticed and remembered all the small details in everything, and how we all should see the small details in the lives of those around us, because that is what makes a difference. Another brought up how even though she had many health challenges and could have easily given up on things, she kept busy and active, and didn't give up. Another man talked about how you find friends through life, but few become life friends, true heart friends. I have one of those friends, and she was sitting in front of me, grieving the loss of her grandmother. She is someone who I can laugh with, cry with, be myself with, and she can do all those with me as well. We support each other, we pray for one another, we encourage each other with scriptures. We usually know what the other is going through before we even open our mouths, and we have found that God thinks it's funny to sometimes challenge us in the same areas of our spiritual life. I will write her an email or start to tell her something and she will start to laugh and say she's dealing with the same thing, or vice a versa. We can be open and honest with each other, and although we sometimes don't like what the other may say, we always know it's something that needed to be said, and we work through it and our friendship grows to a deeper level. We also know that true friendship means you are always there for the other one, no matter how far apart you may be. I thank God for my friend, my true heart friend. Yesterday, I wept with my friend, and her family. Her grandma touched my life, as well. She was a great woman, who will be missed by many, but who leaves an incredible legacy and she will live on in each of her family members, and the memories they have of her.

The pastor said something like this: we all are born and we all die, that is a given, but in the in between we have a life to live. How are you living yours? Are you leaving a legacy, are you making a difference? Do you give your all to life? How will you be remembered?

We can all make excuses-I'm too busy, I'm too old, I'm too young, I have health issues, I don't want to get involved in an activity/ministry because I might get hurt by someone, I can't be friends with someone because I got burned by a friend before, I work, I have kids, on and on, but when you get to the end of your life, what will matter? Who will show up to your funeral and what will they remember about you? Will you have made a difference? You still have time to change, to leave a legacy, to make a difference. Grab that opportunity while you can, don't wait!

The Weekend

It was a busy weekend! The sun was out and our temperatures reached 60 on Sunday!! Part of the weekend was spent helping the nieces find Easter dresses. They tried on several, but finally made their minds up on which ones to get.



I spent much of my weekend thinking of and praying for my friend who lost her grandma early Saturday morning. I know their hearts ache, and that they miss her very much. I hope they can feel the prayers that are surrounding them in this time of sorrow.

We finally got our boat this weekend. We spent some time on the water in training on how to use it, then we loaded up our dog and went out on Lake Coeur d'Alene for a bit. It was cold out on the water on Saturday, but we still had a great time. One thing that didn't go over well with me was when I was standing on the dock, after we finished our training. This couple walks by, and the man is looking at the boat. The guy we are with from the Marina says that we just finished up training because it's a new boat, and the guy in a very snide voice says, 'Wow, it must be nice to not have the economy affecting you and be able to buy a boat!' First, I wanted to tell him it was none of his business, and since he had walked to Hayden Lake, I really doubted he lived in a shack! He was dressed in high end designer labels, as well, so don't talk to me about money. The second thing I wanted to tell him was that yes, we had a bit of a taste of the bad economy since my husband was laid off in November, and we lost three quarters of his retirement because of the stock market. Third, I wanted to tell him that we've wanted a fishing boat for a long time, and have put some money away, plus were using money from some inheritance my husband got from his grandparents estate, but instead I didn't say anything. The guy from the Marina did, though. He said, 'Well, you can't take it with you, and life is short, so why not enjoy it.' The guy just stuck his nose higher in the air as he walked on. Despite the comment, we enjoyed our day. I found it funny to watch men as we were loading the boat up, just staring at it, almost in a lust-filled sort of way. This boat is not a big fancy boat, it's just a simple fishing boat, that holds four people. It's better than the little row boat we've had, and we will enjoy it, but it's pretty simple. I just find it quite funny how men stare at boats. I've never noticed it before, because no one ever stared at our tiny, old row boat!



We also did a lot of yard work this weekend. I cleaned out my flowerbeds and garden beds, as much as I could. Part of the front lawn was raked, windows were washed, the front porch was washed down. It felt good to get some of the winter yuck off the house and yard. It felt great to sit in the sun and feel warmth!

Weep With Those Who Weep

As I sit here in the wee hours of the night, with a house full of my mom, sister, and nieces, I am thinking of and praying for my dearest, closest friend. She and her family are gathered around to say goodbye. Her grandma was rushed to emergency surgery today, only to find out there was nothing they could do for her, and her time is very, very short. The family has gathered around her bedside to say their goodbyes, and to remember. I understand and feel my friend's pain. I was there four years ago, minus one month, when we were in the same situation with my Gram. I know the sorrow, the heart-wrenching pain they are feeling. I want to be there to help fix things, but fixing isn't an option right now. So, I sit and pray. I shed tears not only for my friend and the family, but for her grandma. She's a woman I have only met a few times, but through those times I know she's strong woman, a woman who loves her family deeply and dearly, and I know she is a woman who fights for what she believes in. In just our few short meetings, she is a woman I have grown to respect and honor. I think of her husband as well tonight. I pray for each and every family member, including those who are not here to say their goodbyes as they struggle with being away from family during this difficult time. I am sure that sleep will be short tonight as I weep with my friend, even if I am not by her side, but with her in my thoughts. I pray that she and all the family feel God wrapping His arms around them and that they feel His comfort.

....Weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15

Unite

I have three new inches of snow in my yard this morning, and it's still snowing. To put it mildly, I am grumpy!! Since it's obvious from the weather across our country that global warming is a big farce, made up to waste tax payer dollars, I have an idea to create our own global warming. I think everyone who has a portable heater needs to take it outside, plug it in and turn it on high. Call your neighbors and tell them to do the same. Find your extension cords, and drag those heat producing units to your yard, people! Send the kids out with hair dryers, and let's start melting this snow away!! It's time to end the global freezing we are going through, and send the snow away until Christmas! Do it for your kids on spring break. Do it for the Robins, the Killdeer, and all other birds who don't like snow. Do it for the sanity of those of us who are about to lose ours. If we all work together, we can accomplish this goal! Let's unite, and bring on the heat.