The End of march 2011

Wow... It's nearing the end of March... have an hour and half left of this month.  I thought I would blog one final time for this month..since I have been slacking at blogging lately.  Life got busy and I put off blogging.  It's all a matter of priorities... I like to vent and share my thoughts, my life, but when I have more important things to do, then blogging gets booted out of my day. And that's been the story of my life for the past few days...  .

 Yet, through it all God has been faithful and good.  I am still recovering from being blessed with a new job.  I am so thankful for this.  The other night at work, I informed my manager but since it was rather short notice, I asked to be put back on the FLEX (floaters, part time) team.  She asked me questions about it, and then had me fill out my resignation form. She said that I had to resign from my part time in kids before they are able to put me back on the FLEX team.  It seemed a little odd to me, but I did it anyway.  And I must admit, if I need to spread news, I should just tell her.  I mean, I only told my manager about my new job and going back to the FLEX team.  One day I come into work and my co-workers are asking me about it.  Even today, I was working in kid's department and around 4pm the phone near the register rings.  I answer it, "Hello, Macy's children's department, this is Amber, how may I assist you?" and the person on the other end is Diane.  I worked with her yesterday when I was working in shoes for a little while.  Anyway, she called because she heard that  I got a new job.  I wanted to ask who told her this...but refrained.  It is interesting how word spreads...

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Schoolwork... that's mainly why I haven't blogged lately...and its what I'll be doing all day tomorrow.  Ahhh, the joys of life...schoolwork and a coffee date for me tomorrow.

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Today, Dayzee chewed a chunk out of my parent's 2 seater couch.  Needless to say, Dayzee is in the dog house for sure tonight.. (just kidding..but she should be). 

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I won hand lotion made in France the other day but since I didn't like how it smelled I gave it to mom.  She loves the stuff.  

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I read this passage on my lunch break and wanted to share it with you..so enjoy and keep walking with the Lord.

Ephesians 3:14-21

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For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom his whole family^a in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20Now 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, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

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some key phrases that caught my eye and made me think about them:

* "being rooted and established in love" - just as a tree has roots that soak up water and other nutrients for the entire tree and is fruit, we too are supposed to be soaking up God's love and internalizing His love for us.  Being rooted in love allows us to be fruitful in love.  Other people can receive blessings from our fruit if we are rooted in God's love. 

* "together with all the saints" - makes me a saint!  I'm forgiven and a saint in the Kingdom of God.! Praise the Lord!

* "Him who is able to do immeasurably more" - God is able to do!  Nothing is impossible for Him! Sometimes I have a small view of God and a big view of my problems.  When instead I need to have a small view of my problems and a big view of my God. 

Looking back...

Last year at this time, my life was so different. I'm so glad God had other plans for my life than I had.  God is so faithful and good.  I can honestly say that I've grown closer to Him this past year with all its ups and downs.  Its so neat to look back on last year and see how God has been working in my life.   He is so faithful and to think that for too long I was the one in charge of my life.  How foolish was that! Very foolish...I know.  I am so thankful that God can use my shortcomings for His glory.  He truly can make all things new and He can make everything work together for good because He is the Creator and Lord of all. Too often I find myself looking back and having regrets when I should be looking forward and trusting Him.  Each day is a new day to walk closer with Jesus. I am so blessed to serve Him. 

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Keep walking with the Lord.  

what a Monday. :)

Today was a most interesting day. 

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Today was the first full day of spring but when I woke up there was snow/ice on the ground. 

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At the morning meeting at work they discussed a new attendance policy. An interesting start to a Monday. 

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I had a full shift at work - which is unusual for a Monday (but its only because it was Kim's day off). 

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A co-worker offered to hook me up on a blind date. I declined. 

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The day at work went by fast even though it was a slow day for business. 

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I was offered a new full time job. I accepted. 

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Stopped at Wegmans for some more Cho-bani yogurt.  And also bought a new nail polish color...it was on sale for 99 cents and I needed a new color for my finger nails anyway.

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My last half of work today was full of thankfulness and praise to God.  I am so thankful that He has provided this new job for me.  So thankful.  Now, I just need wisdom on what to do about my old job.  Should I talk to my manger and go to an on call position?  Or should I just give them my 2 weeks notice?  Prayer is appreciated on this matter.  Lately I've learned that no decision is too small to make on your own strength.  Prayer is so important yet so often we overlook the importance of prayer and hastily make decisions on our own strength. 

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Ephesians 3:20-21

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. 

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1 Peter 5:7

Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

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Matthew 6:28-34

And why are you worried about clothing?  Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.  But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you?  you of little faith!  Do not worry the, saying, "What will we eat?" or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?; for the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own." 

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Praise the Lord! He knows my needs and has answered my prayers.  He truly is my Provider.  He is Faithful and I can trust in Him.

Thank you to all who prayed for my during this time.  Please continue to pray that God will give me wisdom on whether to quit my current job or stay at it part time.

Have a great day!

Keep walking with the Lord and trusting in Him. 

Lost Adventure with @LaBar89 and Dayzee.

A lovely Friday late morning/early afternoon adventure with my brother and our puppy.  We started out on a yellow trial at Frances Slocum State park.  Somewhere we crossed paths with the red trail.  We stayed on this long red trail.  It ended up being part of a big loop.  We have no idea where we were at for this trip.  We would highly recommend that the park people properly label the trails so that we know which trail we are on.  Just a tip. It would also help emergency units reach an injury if the trails were not only named but had mile markers.  

Anyway, Dayzee had a great time.  She was sniffing and at times Sean let her pick which way to go when the red trail split. It was a beautiful almost spring day.  The only thing that I didn't plan for was all the mud. The trails were either a big puddle or a muddy mess.  I guess that's my fault for wanting to go on the trails too early in the season.  

It was perfectly enjoyable.  Next time I will take a compass along.  

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a bunch of thoughts...like a bunch of grapes, (seedless for your enjoyment)

Well, It has been a while since my last note of ramblings...

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The concept of surrender has been a repeating theme/lesson in my life for the past few months.   Currently I'm slowly reading "The hole in our Gospel" by Richard Stearns and came across these two sentences I thought are worth sharing. First off, he uses the comparison of the Christian being like a soldier and says that "without that surrender a soldier is not useful to the army, and a Christian is not useful to God."  Surrender is key to service to God.  That is something that I needed to hear because so often I like to hold on to things or people instead of giving God complete control of the situation/person.   The second quote goes off of my previous thoughts, mainly that "God can't give you the blessings He has for you until you first put down the other things you are clutching you hands."  God wants to bless our socks off if only we would give Him a chance to do so by surrendering.

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My 40 days of water has been interesting.  I found out that there are 46 days in Lent - so I can cheat on my 40 days of water 6 days.  Traditionally these 6 days are Sundays.  It has not been easy for me.  I found out that I really really like my morning cup of java. But life goes on - with or without coffee. 

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I think getting of Facebook for a while has been good for me.  Not only has it taught me to value face to face relationships with other people, but I've also realized how much facebook can make people miserable with life.  I have this new theory: the more time a person spends on facebook the less likely he/she will be with their situation in life because they compare themselves to all of their "picture perfect" facebook friends.  These "picture perfect" facebook buddies never have a care in the world, according to their status updates but status updates do not always reflect the truth.  We struggle on the inside but put up status updates that reflect how we want others to see us instead of actually posting the truth of the matter.   I may not know what is "going on" with my friends because I'm not on the facebook but I don't need facebook to live life.  Facebook is a distraction from life.  Life is here and now.  It is human interaction.  It is not interacting with another person by liking their status. I think I better stop while I'm ahead...

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I had an interview today - so prayers are appreciated.  It's all in God's hands.  I am trusting Him and praying a lot.  That's really all I can do...and I can hope that they get back to me sooner rather than later.  I am not a patient person...which is something I need to work on. 

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Today in my devotions I read Deuteronomy 31.  I just want to share verse 6:  "Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them [israel's enemies], for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you.  He will not fail or forsake you."   I really love that last sentence.  God will not fail or forsake us.  We are not in this life alone.  It is God who goes before us and we are to faithfully follow Him.  He will not lead us and then leave us.  God is a faithful Guide.  He is the Good Shepherd and knows how to care for His sheep. 

glimpses of march.. pictures of Dayzee

I finally decided to take some pictures the other day... I figured to take my camera out when I walked Dayzee to get some good pictures of her.  I have many more pictures that didn't turn out well, but here are some of the good ones.  The last picture is of her and my little brother.  He loves to get on all fours and play with Dayzee.  (He doesn't know that I got this picture of him :) 

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an update...of sorts...

well, being a monk for a month is a lot harder than i thought.  I do confess that i have not been faithful in keeping my word regarding all that i planned on giving up.  last night i slacked and watched a tv show. and i did go on facebook to look at the camden ministry page and to say hi to my cousin (and i looked at my brother's recent updates while i was there).

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So, although I haven't been 100 percent faithful, it has been nice to be "free" from these worthless distractions. This is a new week..so I will do my best to keep my priorities in life straight and not get distracted with worthless timewasters.  Anyway, this will be a busy week - school, work, Sean comes home, and the concert Saturday night.  With all this to do, I will stay pretty busy.  

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Today i have work later, schoolwork to do now, and maybe running in the afternoon.   Tomorrow I have the same things happening but in a different order. Wednesday is no work but Awana night.  Thursday I work all afternoon/night because I switched days so that I can go to the concert Saturday night.  And Sean comes home Thursday :)  Friday is hw, and work at night.  Saturday is concert day! So excited.  And then its Sunday. 

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Speaking of Sunday, I had a nice day of rest yesterday.  We went to McDonald's for lunch (something that we haven't done in a long while) and then we stopped for Green mountain coffee.  On our way home, we took a peek down the store because chad and his friends were putting a lift kit on his jeep.  Once home, i did a little reading and some napping.  Revolution was cancelled so it was a very relaxing night... until I tried to fall asleep and couldnt because I had a nap and coffee in the afternoon.  So I did a little late night reading.  Or, I should call it early morning reading.  

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maybe i'll give facebook up for lent.  even though we don't practice lent... i think i just may....

some encouragement for the day...

I was encouraged today with this passage and thought to share: Matthew 6:25-34 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. A few things: 1. worry doesn't help. we need to cast all our burdens on God because He cares for us.  2.  God is faithful to provide for our needs 3. Heaven, not the world, should be our focus.  4. Today should be our focus and we should plan for tomorrow but not worry about it. Its in God's hands.  5.  God is more than able.  . Keep seeking first His kingdom!   Keep storing for yourself treasures above and not treasures here and now.

a modern Monk for a month...

Recently, I've been lazy in my walk with the Lord.  I haven't been pursuing Him with my whole heart, soul,  and mind.  I've been giving Him a part when He requires my all.  Since today begins a new month, I thought that it is a perfect time to begin anew.  Today is the day to clear out the trash and the little distractions that keep me from seeking the Lord with all my heart.   Here is a little excerpt from a book I'm currently reading (currently meaning...been working on reading it for a while..)

"When you are determined to do something, you go after it with zeal.  You say "no" to anything and everything that distracts you.  You give up some things, and discipline yourself not to do others.  You don't think of it this way, but you are going through a type of death.  You are "dying" to things that are of lesser importance to you.  They have no hold on you.  And at the same time you pursue you goal with all your body, mind, soul, and strength.  When you are pursuing the thing you love, you can lose all track of time and the whole world can recede into the distance.  You are caught up, and totally focused on the thing you love....

Why do we not put the same determination into seeking God, so that we pass through the death of lesser dreams and drives and find the resurrection life in Him that is beyond all death and all earthly powers?  Why do we not put the same energy into knowing and doing the things of God?"  (taken from "A Place called There by Kingsley Fletcher. page 80) 

Zeal and determination is what I need in my walk with the Lord.  I haven't been determined enough to press on to know Him more.  I've allowed little worldly things to distract me.

Right now, I think it would be a great experience to be a 'monk" for the month of March.  Escape the fast pace of the world and hide away on the country side reading and studying the scriptures.  It would be so refreshing to get alone with God and not worry about the daily demands placed on me.  

Although that sounds great, I know it isn't possible.  I have work that needs technology (the lovely hw).  I have to go to work.  I have to answer my phone.  I have to go to the dreaded dentist this month...so not looking forward to that.  But even though I can not get away from the world, this month I think I'm going to use some zeal and determination in my life.  I'm going to practice some personal discipline in order that I may have some sweeter times of fellowship and may grow closer to Jesus this month.  I've been practicing physical discipline lately with running...even when I don't feel like running.  Now, I just have to transfer my sense of discipline to my spiritual walk. 

Here is how I plan on practicing discipline in the month of March. This month I'm not going to waste my time watching a TV series, a movie, or spend time on facebook.  I'm going to take a month fast from these things in order to get my priorities straight and seek God first and foremost. I never really fasted from something for this long...so this should be a big stretch for me.  I admit that it will be difficult because there will be times (especially when break comes or when Sean comes home) that I will want to sit back and watch a TV show or movie.  But there is no eternal value in this form of entertainment.  There will be no reward in heaven for watching tv or sports.  So, why should I watch tv?  The same with facebook.  I use it to keep in touch with people but lately I've been on it less.  I've been using twitter more because it isn't such a waste of time. I update my tweet and that's done.  Anyway, this month I wont be on facebook.  If my facebook status changes it will because I tweeted.  I will not log into facebook.  I will not use tweetdeck.   This will be a challenge for me because I'm considering going to Camden on the 19th of this month.  I have a FB invite sitting unanswered in my facebook account.  The reason why I haven't yet responded to it is because I don't know my work schedule.  I will find out on Friday if I can make the Camden trip.  However, either way - I will have to talk with those going by my mouth and not over facebook.  I think we have to figure out rides and such - which will be a challenge since I wont be on facebook this month.  Another challenge for me will be when Selah concert comes to church. I like to look at other people's pictures of the event- but I guess I'll have to just take my own camera and look at my own pictures.   With all that said, I'm setting aside the time I'd spend on facebook or in front of a tv show (i'll still watch the news), in order to draw near to God.  Now, just because I'm doing this doesn't make me a better person.  I am still a sinner in need of God's grace.  However, I am doing this so that I can distant myself from needless distractions and spend more time with God.  I need a change.  I'm tired of being in a rut. I think its going to be a great month because  I will be relying on God's strength to say no to tv and fb.   I'm not going to make a big deal of cutting out tv and facebook from my life.  I'm going to keep it a secret as much as possible.  And who knows... I may like this modern monk lifestyle and continue it in April.  

 I'm writing all of this so that I will have a written record of my journey..and so that I will have a sense of accountability.  Since I'm writing all this, I am more determined to keep my word.  I know at times it will be easy to stray..but then I will remember this post.  Spiritual discipline is a practice that I think we as Americans have neglected.  So I would also take this chance to encourage you to practice a spiritual discipline this month - more time in the word, scripture memorization, more time praying, fasting, giving, serving or whatever the Lord places on your heart. 

Philippians 3:7-14

"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."