New Year's reading

Okay - I've started this year off by reading two books simultaneously that are telling me to trust God more. I suppose that's something I still need to know so God decided to knock me over the head with it.  I'm reading Jen Hatmaker's 7: A Mutiny Against Excess, and William P. Young's book The Shack. Ever read either of those? NO SPOILERS! I'm not finished with them yet. Will be glad to blog about them more later (prepare yourself - when I talk about books I tend to get carried away...)but what a way to remember whose I am! Yay!  Go Princesses!

God Opens Doors

All at once all the prison doors flew open and everyone's chains came loose.  Acts 16:26b

I had the privilege to go to Legoland, CA this past weekend with five amazing kids who had made it to the North American Championships with their robot.  Because they had poured hours and hours into their project, the robot had been scoring 630 points in practice. When they got to CA and used their one practice session allowed to them, the robot's color sensor wasn't happy with the stage lighting, and our robot became erratic.  The kids went right into problem solving mode - Can we shield the sensors? Reprogram the robot? - and they worked hours on solutions. They came up with three plans, but were unable to test them until the competition. For each round (there were three), they used a different plan, and the robot responded in various ways, but their final score was only 435.   The winning robot got 605.

What amazed me about these kids is they didn't give up and instead of looking at this is a failure, they turned it into a learning opportunity. While disappointed, they are already working on how they can improve their robot for next year.

Sometimes when failure strikes, it's hard for us to move forward and see the other paths. I think what these kids showed in their problem solving can be used in daily life situations. Don't quit, and just because one door closes, doesn't mean another hasn't opened. There are always other answers. Look around - not down.

God's Wisdom

This says it all:

The Power of Prayer

Spiritual Warfare by Ron DiCianni | Christian Art - Christian Framed Prints | Tapestry Productions          

           As a praying parent, this is one of my favorite paintings.

         April’s Princess Project topic empowers us. God doesn't send us out alone to face the world and the Enemy. He not only backs us up but He equips us with His armor. Your prayers are important too – your prayers bring angels to defend and protect you. Notice the details in the painting - the battle raging outside the window.

         Remember whose side you are on this month, and who is on your side.

Resolutions? Nope - it's More of a To-Do List!

     I have taken on the task of being princess of my castle.
     I usually work at my writing job quite a few hours per week but I've realized we are drowning in clutter and disorganization and perhaps for a short while my time would be better spent bailing us out.   So I've made a check-list of things I want to do to help my family. (These are NOT New Year Resolutions. Been there, done that.)

         1) De-clutter the house.  This is harder than you might think. I've found I have an emotional attachment to certain "things" and that makes it difficult to part with them. But... I gave eight garbage bags of clothes to charity and transformed one of my closets into a new work space. What do you think?
         2) Make a meal plan.  I used to do this, coupled with a weekly grocery list.  I've re-started by making a meal plan for the month of January and actually put together several meals and froze them.  I feel AWESOME about that!
          3) Get our finances in order.  We've always worked off of a budget, but I'm thinking of getting one of those fancy computer programs that tracks your every dollar.  ( I have to be diligent about entering all my expenses.  Am I expecting too much from myself?)  What programs do you like best?
          Empowered by the King of Kings, and a whole lot of prayer (will you pray for me 'cause I need it!) , I strive to be a more organized and calmer woman by the end of the year!
     

Ramblings and Updates

Just a bunch of rambling....
     First off, after clearing eight garbage bags of clothes out of my closet, my friend and I were finally ready to convert my one closet into my home work space!  I'll put photos on my Facebook page.  Check it out!  I am so excited about it!!
       This isn't really on topic either (for this month's theme) but I posted about a month ago that I was inviting some neighbor's over for a Bible Study.  We met and it was awesome!  We had a great time and I think it's going to be fun making some new friends.  We are a mix - some strong Christians, some just curious, and a self-proclaimed agnostic, so it should prove to be a great ground for discussion.  Plus, it's fun to get together with my neighbors, who I would otherwise not see!
         On to other topics, I am thinking ahead for December's Princess challenge, Respecting the King. What a great way to remember the true meaning of the season.  I'm going to focus on ways to put Jesus back into Christmas in my own life.  I'll keep you posted. What are some of your ideas?

Innate Wisdom

A bird has built a nest in our bathroom fan.   I hear momma bird go out and then come back in.  She gives a screech (which I think sounds a bit frightening) but then I hear little bird voices peeping excitedly, I assume for food.  This very noisy process continues for about 10 minutes, several times a day.

It occurs to me that God is generous with wisdom.  The bird knows how to take care of its babies.  The peonies on my front porch know when to open – and it’s interesting to watch the black ants eat away the green covering so the pink flowers can burst forth. 

We, too, have a deep, innate type of wisdom.  My body tells me when I’m hungry, it heals me when I am cut, and when I’m cold (like I was in the pool on Sunday) tiny little bumps form on my arms and hairs stand on end in an  attempt to keep me warm.

Amazing.  God has equipped us well.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. - Matthew 6:33

Wisdom is a Process

Wisdom.

It’s more than an accumulation of knowledge.  It’s an ongoing daily acquisition.

When I started writing my latest book A Kid at Heart I thought it would go quickly.  God had given me the title, the subject, and even most of the chapter titles!  My publisher told me she’d like it in six months to a year.  “No problem,” I said.  But God wanted to take me to a deeper understanding of Him first.  Last year was abysmally dark and for the first time I found myself afraid of God – and of what He would – and could – let happen.  Could I still trust Him then?  Could I run to Him as a Father and take refuge in Him? 

For while I couldn’t. Now, coming out the other side of that dark year, a bit battle-weary, it seems I can.   As a child, we not only have the privilege of coming to Him, but we have the responsibility of coming to Him.  Where else, after all, can we go?

Wisdom dictates Him as Lord.  There’s no other way – there’s no better way.  

Wise Choices?

I think most of us struggle with our choices sometimes.  I know that for me, on my birthday last month, I looked at my life and wondered if I was where I should be.  I had dreamed of living on a horse farm, teaching writing at a university and writing novels.  My life hasn't led me there yet, and I'm halfway through.

            Have I made the right choices in my life?

            God, our Heavenly father, is the keeper of wisdom, and He gives it out to those who earnestly seek it. 

            If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.  James 1:5.

            That's a pretty amazing gift!  And, princesses, one we should desire. 

            Solomon was the richest and wisest king in history.  Why?  Because God told him he'd give him anything he asked for.  Solomon asked for wisdom, and because of that, the rest of his life was blessed beyond measure.

            So whether you are struggling with major life choices, or just trying to check off your to-do list, take it before God first.  Ask Him what to do.  You may be surprised at how much more smoothly things turn out!

Not I Should, but I Am

Take a good look at yourself in the mirror and realize that Jesus is living inside of YOU.  The fact that we are important enough for the Holy Spirit to indwell in us should be enough for us to realize how much He values us.  So drop the "I shoulds" and for today, KNOW that you are good enough as you are. God doesn't love you for how good you've been today.  He loves you for how good you've TRIED to be and for WHO you are as He created you.  That  knowledge is the first step towards peace.  KNOW how valuable you are to Him.

Hidden Riches

I just finished reading "Unbroken."  Awesome book.  Very thought-provoking - at least it got me to thinking. Sometimes we ask for something that we think we really want, and God gives us something else - something better - instead.  But it may not look like it at the time.  Sometimes our hardships strengthen us and prepare us for an incredible future.  We just never know.  The apostle Paul says he learned to be content in all things.  Maybe he figured this nugget of wisdom out early in life.

Sharing Knowledge

            I went to my great aunt's 90th birthday party last week.  There must have been over 200 people there to celebrate her! Her kids had printed placemats with vintage photos of her life, and a continual loop slide show displayed photos from her past 90 years.

            While we all ate cake, her family opened up the mic for people to speak.  Person after person got up and the continuing theme throughout the day was how Aunt Louise had helped them in some way.  She shared her food.  She shared her wisdom. She shared her time.  Aunt Louise has spent a lifetime giving from her heart, and because of that a huge ballroom full of family and friends turned up - many from out of state - to attend her birthday party.  Aunt Louise is wise, and people desire what she has to offer.

            James 1:5 promises If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.  But what are we to do with that wisdom once we get it?  I believe it's for sharing.  For helping others when we recognize a need.  It can be the awesome task of traveling to Africa to open a mission school, or the simple task of recognizing that your neighbor could use a home-cooked meal.  

            We never know when what we have to give, is just what the receiver needs.  In God's orchestrated plan, we might feel like such a minute part that we never even realized we have been the butterfly who flapped her wings and caused the windstorm on the other side of the world.   It's the ripple effect; the pay-it-forward.   The warm meal you brought your neighbor maybe gave her the reserves to visit with her teenage granddaughter, who happened to need someone to talk to that day regarding the bully at school, and decided not to go home and take her life after all.  We sometimes don't know what's beyond the obvious, or, for that matter, who we may be helping.

            Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. - Heb. 13:12

Seeking Wisdom

I think most of us struggle with our choices sometimes.  I know that for me, on my birthday last month, I looked at my life and wondered if I was where I should be.  I had dreamed of living on a horse farm, teaching writing at a university and writing novels.  My life hasn't led me there yet, and I'm halfway through.

            Have I made the right choices in my life?

            God, our Heavenly father, is the keeper of wisdom, and He gives it out to those who earnestly seek it. 

            If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.  James 1:5.

            That's a pretty amazing gift!  And, as princesses, one we should desire. 

            Solomon was the richest and wisest king in history.  Why?  Because God told him he'd give him anything he asked for.  Solomon asked for wisdom, and because of that, the rest of his life was blessed beyond measure.

            So whether you are struggling with major life choices, or just trying to check off your to-do list, take it before God first.  Ask Him what to do.  You may be surprised at how much more smoothly things turn out!