The past couple of days I've had this kind of yearning....you know what I mean? The kind of yearning that inspires CHANGE! Let me go even further...and for my readers...let me be transparent .... I want to be the BEST at all I do. Know the feeling?
**I want to be the best wife** I have the best man, ever. Hands down. I want to be the best I can for him, for me...making our lives the most fulfilled they can be.
**I LONG to create photographs that will inspire, touch, and move those that gaze upon them.** I have been soaking up new concepts,new ideas, researching, and marveling at great photographers near and far . I'm longing for a great blog & website...I just want to be there NOW.
Yearning has been something I've been doing for a couple of weeks now...but I was even more encouraged at Elevation yesterday. Our Pastor spoke on an amazing topic of living inside the box rather than being frustrated by living outside it. When you live inside the box...you make your box larger! It's fabulous stuff...and it's sparked more and more thought about all of this yearning going on in the inside...you must check his sermon out here....go ahead..it's only 30 minutes or so...!
Showing posts with label spiritual. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spiritual. Show all posts
Monday, November 17, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
Happy Endings...
I love Happy Endings. Seriously. I do. But I have to be honest...I'm not a fan of the process it takes to get there (to the Happy Ending, that is.). We all have stories in our lives of how we met Mr. Right or how we got the job of our dreams. We have stories of the children in our lives and more. Those are all Happy Endings.
The key is, what did it take take to get there? Some may have had to go through a ton of heartbreak before Mr. Right was sent into your life. Some may have had to be in jobs they really hated to get the experience or networking needed to get into the job of your dreams. Then there are many that have had heartbreaking journeys with infertility and loss when trying to conceive.
Sometimes when we look at someone...we can only see their happy ending, and often forget to think of the high price that was paid for that happy ending. One more example, my Pastor is an amazing communicator and leader and pastors the 2nd fastest growing church in the nation. Do you think that 'happy ending' (it's never really an ending..but I'm using that phrase to drive home my point...work with me) came without a price? We'd be foolish to think so. All good things require a process.
The process IS the point.
I say all of that for this....it's easy for us to assume that someone has it all together. You can look at the material things they have, the way they look or the happiness they seem to possess...but you don't know the process. So when out driving, standing in line or just assuming that life is easy for everyone but you...remember...the process IS the point. Stick with it. Check out this passage in Galatians 6
The key is, what did it take take to get there? Some may have had to go through a ton of heartbreak before Mr. Right was sent into your life. Some may have had to be in jobs they really hated to get the experience or networking needed to get into the job of your dreams. Then there are many that have had heartbreaking journeys with infertility and loss when trying to conceive.
Sometimes when we look at someone...we can only see their happy ending, and often forget to think of the high price that was paid for that happy ending. One more example, my Pastor is an amazing communicator and leader and pastors the 2nd fastest growing church in the nation. Do you think that 'happy ending' (it's never really an ending..but I'm using that phrase to drive home my point...work with me) came without a price? We'd be foolish to think so. All good things require a process.
The process IS the point.
I say all of that for this....it's easy for us to assume that someone has it all together. You can look at the material things they have, the way they look or the happiness they seem to possess...but you don't know the process. So when out driving, standing in line or just assuming that life is easy for everyone but you...remember...the process IS the point. Stick with it. Check out this passage in Galatians 6
Monday, October 27, 2008
A Heart Check.
All my life I knew these things about myself..
*I must have a creative outlet to exist at my ultimate best.
*I love music and it has to be a part of my life in some shape, form or fashion.
*I would have to travel the globe....
*Social Justice is how I function. I want people to be loved and treated equally.
*Jesus is my rock and there is nothing else that can sway my heart beyond pleasing him.
*The most recent is that after Jesus...nothing trumps Daniel.
*Friends to laugh with and do life with are an essential.
*Serving in my church and community.
*My family to share life with...
I am so blessed. I have so much. These things at the core make up what shows on the outside. These things help to shape Candice Ann Lanning.
I can't help but think that God should have given this wonderful life to someone more deserving, but friends, he gave this life to me. So because he entrusted me with this life...it's my job to share, invest and pour my life into others. I wanted to write about all the things I have instead of all of the insecurities and inadequacies that haunt me on a daily basis.
Click here to read the verses that really struck me .. Jeremiah 10:23-24
Also..yesterday and today..this song has come to mind...we used to sing it at the church I grew up in....Order My Steps...Click here for lyrics...
A sneak peek coming this afternoon!
*I must have a creative outlet to exist at my ultimate best.
*I love music and it has to be a part of my life in some shape, form or fashion.
*I would have to travel the globe....
*Social Justice is how I function. I want people to be loved and treated equally.
*Jesus is my rock and there is nothing else that can sway my heart beyond pleasing him.
*The most recent is that after Jesus...nothing trumps Daniel.
*Friends to laugh with and do life with are an essential.
*Serving in my church and community.
*My family to share life with...
I am so blessed. I have so much. These things at the core make up what shows on the outside. These things help to shape Candice Ann Lanning.
I can't help but think that God should have given this wonderful life to someone more deserving, but friends, he gave this life to me. So because he entrusted me with this life...it's my job to share, invest and pour my life into others. I wanted to write about all the things I have instead of all of the insecurities and inadequacies that haunt me on a daily basis.
Click here to read the verses that really struck me .. Jeremiah 10:23-24
Also..yesterday and today..this song has come to mind...we used to sing it at the church I grew up in....Order My Steps...Click here for lyrics...
A sneak peek coming this afternoon!
Monday, August 25, 2008
Flip Flop
I have had these black pair of Rainbow Flip Flops for the past 8 years. I have worn them...walked many miles in them...been through great times and some really bad times in them too. These flip flops have been with me everywhere. They have been a comfortable friend for me. Sadly, over time these flip flops have worn thin and the leather is cracking. They look dirty and dusty. Even worse..they are hurting my feet when I walk longer distances. I need a new pair. It hurts me to leave the old pair...and I know that I need new ones...as the old pair just won't last that much longer.
Just the other day...Daniel surprised me and ordered a new pair of the same flip flops for me. When they arrived at our front door, I was excited that they had arrived. I took them out...and they looked great. One problem--they weren't comfortable. They were stiff. They hurt me as I walked on. I remembered when I had bought my first pair--they hurt the same way. It took time for them to get broken into.
I couldn't help but think that's the way our walk with the Lord can be. We've been in a certain season or level with the Lord...operating at a place where we are comfortable without need to move forward. We can stay in that place a really long time. But...there comes a time when we need to move to another level. It's hard to move past what we've known and what has been comfortable and moving forward is the only option. If we stay where we're at...our old place will be like those old sandals...and they won't last much longer to accommodate where we need to go to.
Moving into a new season can be exciting and look great when we receive a glimpse of the season of where we are going. But once on that journey of going to that place...it can feel 'stiff' or 'uncomfortable'...
Just a thought.
Just the other day...Daniel surprised me and ordered a new pair of the same flip flops for me. When they arrived at our front door, I was excited that they had arrived. I took them out...and they looked great. One problem--they weren't comfortable. They were stiff. They hurt me as I walked on. I remembered when I had bought my first pair--they hurt the same way. It took time for them to get broken into.
I couldn't help but think that's the way our walk with the Lord can be. We've been in a certain season or level with the Lord...operating at a place where we are comfortable without need to move forward. We can stay in that place a really long time. But...there comes a time when we need to move to another level. It's hard to move past what we've known and what has been comfortable and moving forward is the only option. If we stay where we're at...our old place will be like those old sandals...and they won't last much longer to accommodate where we need to go to.
Moving into a new season can be exciting and look great when we receive a glimpse of the season of where we are going. But once on that journey of going to that place...it can feel 'stiff' or 'uncomfortable'...
Just a thought.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Wind Blown Out Of Your Sails
Ever just felt defeated? There are so many things in our life that we often allow to dictate our worth. Even things that are beyond our control can dictate our worth. We allow someone’s words, criticisms (constructive or not), traffic, family….to determine our worth.
I am so guilty of feeling this way at times. Circumstances determine my countenance at times, and that should not be so. My worth is not found in my own abilities…but my worth is in Christ. I am a child of the most high king—and no matter what is going on, he is watching me and you—and we ARE important, so much so that Jesus gave his life to us on the cross. It’s sobering to think about it.
In Isaiah 49, I imagine Jesus speaking this about us, though I know he’s talking about Israel…in my estimation Israel equates to his people…and that we are. I am amazed that God would even think of us to allow us to be a part of his vision. Check out Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Bible and his understanding of this passage. The commentary really brought out God’s love for me to light. I pretend to be no scholar—so check it out and see what it may mean to you.
Allow the Lord to speak into you and allow him in you to dictate your worth. You were placed on this earth to be so much more than someone making it day to day. You were made to flourish, make a difference and feel empowered by the wonderful power God has placed within us to accomplish MUCH for his kingdom. I believe there is DESTINY in you.
I am so guilty of feeling this way at times. Circumstances determine my countenance at times, and that should not be so. My worth is not found in my own abilities…but my worth is in Christ. I am a child of the most high king—and no matter what is going on, he is watching me and you—and we ARE important, so much so that Jesus gave his life to us on the cross. It’s sobering to think about it.
In Isaiah 49, I imagine Jesus speaking this about us, though I know he’s talking about Israel…in my estimation Israel equates to his people…and that we are. I am amazed that God would even think of us to allow us to be a part of his vision. Check out Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Bible and his understanding of this passage. The commentary really brought out God’s love for me to light. I pretend to be no scholar—so check it out and see what it may mean to you.
Allow the Lord to speak into you and allow him in you to dictate your worth. You were placed on this earth to be so much more than someone making it day to day. You were made to flourish, make a difference and feel empowered by the wonderful power God has placed within us to accomplish MUCH for his kingdom. I believe there is DESTINY in you.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Charlotte...is where it's at...
Did you know that Charlotte just got rated the best city to live? (article here)Call me crazy...but I consider it to be no accident...I believe the 'spiritual atmosphere' is changing and that God is really doing something in Charlotte.....
Sunday, March 23, 2008
If God Ain't Good!
I just wanted to take a second to brag on God. Today at Elevation of the 4833 people in attendance....He came into the hearts of over 500 people. That's 500 individual lives that asked Jesus to be their Lord. I am convinced that God is the coolest thing and most rewarding thing I've ever witnessed in my lifetime. That's only something a big God can do.
Thank you Jesus for caring about people. Thank you Jesus for the sacrifice you made for us all. I am forever grateful for you. I am so honored that Daniel and I get to wake up and be a part of something bigger than ourselves.
All glory to you, my Lord.
Thank you Jesus for caring about people. Thank you Jesus for the sacrifice you made for us all. I am forever grateful for you. I am so honored that Daniel and I get to wake up and be a part of something bigger than ourselves.
All glory to you, my Lord.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Mafia
No. I’m not in the mafia. But I’ve got a great story.
Last night our homeslice, Ally, invited us over to a ‘friendly’ game of Mafia and Spaghetti at their place (they live 4 houses down from us). We invited Shannon & Jenny to come along with us, for they had not yet experienced the game before.
We played several games…and it was full of sarcasm, accusations and harsh tones (it’s the whole point of the game to accuse people of being in the mafia. If you’ve never played….go here to see the rules )
So the great story. Well in the final round, I was the ‘cop’. It was my responsibility to find out who the mafia was. In the round, I had found out who the mafia was. I wanted to reveal as quickly as possible who the mafia really was. Why, because in the rounds before when others were the cop, they did not help out the townspeople. SO, as we were asked to wake up…I didn’t give the narrator time to say who had been killed that round and blurt out…”I want to be a useful cop, I know who the mafia is…it’s so-in-so.”
All of this happened in slow motion, as it was coming out…my husband was trying to stop me…and I kept going….and pointing at the mafia….Then my husband (the narrator), looked at me and said…’Candice, you were just killed.’
What does that mean? That means, I wasn’t supposed to talk or reveal who the mafia was. That ended the game, because of course, the townspeople, voted her off.
Wow. I mean, I just blurted it out. I should have known better, but after the games prior…I knew that I wanted to be useful. The mafia person was upset that they had been revealed, which made me feel worse than I already felt. Thankfully, the entire crew got the biggest laugh from it…and it will be a memory engrained in our minds forever.
Where am I going with this? Sometimes we can be so convinced that we know what the Lord wants us to do next. We’ve got the next steps figured out. So, instead of waiting to hear His voice, we go ahead and take another step (or blurt out) in the direction that we think will be most useful. I’m so thankful in times like that, that God is like a GPS …he doesn’t give up on us, but he redirects us to get us back on the path we need to be on.
Last night our homeslice, Ally, invited us over to a ‘friendly’ game of Mafia and Spaghetti at their place (they live 4 houses down from us). We invited Shannon & Jenny to come along with us, for they had not yet experienced the game before.
We played several games…and it was full of sarcasm, accusations and harsh tones (it’s the whole point of the game to accuse people of being in the mafia. If you’ve never played….go here to see the rules )
So the great story. Well in the final round, I was the ‘cop’. It was my responsibility to find out who the mafia was. In the round, I had found out who the mafia was. I wanted to reveal as quickly as possible who the mafia really was. Why, because in the rounds before when others were the cop, they did not help out the townspeople. SO, as we were asked to wake up…I didn’t give the narrator time to say who had been killed that round and blurt out…”I want to be a useful cop, I know who the mafia is…it’s so-in-so.”
All of this happened in slow motion, as it was coming out…my husband was trying to stop me…and I kept going….and pointing at the mafia….Then my husband (the narrator), looked at me and said…’Candice, you were just killed.’
What does that mean? That means, I wasn’t supposed to talk or reveal who the mafia was. That ended the game, because of course, the townspeople, voted her off.
Wow. I mean, I just blurted it out. I should have known better, but after the games prior…I knew that I wanted to be useful. The mafia person was upset that they had been revealed, which made me feel worse than I already felt. Thankfully, the entire crew got the biggest laugh from it…and it will be a memory engrained in our minds forever.
Where am I going with this? Sometimes we can be so convinced that we know what the Lord wants us to do next. We’ve got the next steps figured out. So, instead of waiting to hear His voice, we go ahead and take another step (or blurt out) in the direction that we think will be most useful. I’m so thankful in times like that, that God is like a GPS …he doesn’t give up on us, but he redirects us to get us back on the path we need to be on.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Soaking and a little bit of elbow grease....
Two nights ago…I cooked dinner for my sick husband who had come home early from work. (Poor thing, I hate it when he’s sick). I had baked pork, string beans and carrots. I wanted to be sure to be really attentive to Daniel, since he wasn’t feeling well. So I got the string beans and carrots on the stove in separate pots with water to a boil. I left them there, on high temperature (to cook faster, or course) and checked on them once…adding water. I then went back to my husband and thought that they would be fine.
All of a sudden it began to smell really weird …like something was burning. I ran over to the carrots. The water had completely dried up…and the carrots were stuck to the bottom of the pot with black mess all around. BOO. I couldn’t have been away from the pot for more than just a few minutes.
I was amazed at how quickly it burned, without me even seeing it coming. It took MUCH longer to soak the pot, clean it and see if it was even useable at this point. It took 2 or more days of soaking and my husband’s elbow grease to get it back to normal. Surely, we thought we were going to have to throw this damaged pot away.
It hit me square between the eyes in a moment (and I shared it with Daniel then too), that it’s amazing how quickly bad things can happen in our lives…bad choices can be made in moments, accidents happen in moments, bad things can happen to us in just moments…and it takes a lifetime of soaking and ‘elbow grease’ to get our lives healed from that experience that only took moments to affect us. At times, I’m even amazed at how God can heal a heart (body, mind, soul, life and more) that looked as if it was beyond repair.
This is a very basic concept, and at times I think we make it difficult. God can truly take something bad that happened to us in only moments and restore it and make it worthy of use, love, healing, a testimony to change others and more.
Just a thought.
All of a sudden it began to smell really weird …like something was burning. I ran over to the carrots. The water had completely dried up…and the carrots were stuck to the bottom of the pot with black mess all around. BOO. I couldn’t have been away from the pot for more than just a few minutes.
I was amazed at how quickly it burned, without me even seeing it coming. It took MUCH longer to soak the pot, clean it and see if it was even useable at this point. It took 2 or more days of soaking and my husband’s elbow grease to get it back to normal. Surely, we thought we were going to have to throw this damaged pot away.
It hit me square between the eyes in a moment (and I shared it with Daniel then too), that it’s amazing how quickly bad things can happen in our lives…bad choices can be made in moments, accidents happen in moments, bad things can happen to us in just moments…and it takes a lifetime of soaking and ‘elbow grease’ to get our lives healed from that experience that only took moments to affect us. At times, I’m even amazed at how God can heal a heart (body, mind, soul, life and more) that looked as if it was beyond repair.
This is a very basic concept, and at times I think we make it difficult. God can truly take something bad that happened to us in only moments and restore it and make it worthy of use, love, healing, a testimony to change others and more.
Just a thought.
Friday, March 07, 2008
Leftovers
Daniel sent me the sweetest e-mail the other day (imagine that, right?). In the letter, he describes of how he would love for us to end up working together one day (which is something we both want). He then goes to say, and I quote him, “I don’t want to be away from you 10 hours a day and then only give you my leftovers from the day.” Wow. Really? A man would want to spend his days with his wife and she likewise. Amazing right.
It caused me to reflect on our year of life together thus far. How can we make the most of this time in our lives… this time, when we are crazy-busy with work and obligations…? How can we be intentional about what time we actually get to spend together? If you were waiting for an answer, well…we are still working on that one…but I think it starts with planned date nights out, cooking dinner together, working in the yard, spending our free time together …and more. We can be creative as we like….the key is intentionality.
The same can happen in our spiritual lives. We spend the days working away…that work could be for the Lord or not….that’s not the issue…and we end up with so little time for the Him. If we’re lucky, we end up giving the Lord our leftovers. What kind of relationship can we expect to have—when the Lord only gets what’s leftover?
Do I have the answer on how we remedy that? I think the answer will be different for every person…but I do know one thing, the key is intentionality. We often hear that cliché, ‘you make time for what’s important to you,’ or like Matthew 6:21 (The Message) states, “The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.” These are so true.
What it comes down to…is a deep heart check for all of us. What we truly love is not something we will give our leftovers to. Let’s be intentional about giving God our best.
It caused me to reflect on our year of life together thus far. How can we make the most of this time in our lives… this time, when we are crazy-busy with work and obligations…? How can we be intentional about what time we actually get to spend together? If you were waiting for an answer, well…we are still working on that one…but I think it starts with planned date nights out, cooking dinner together, working in the yard, spending our free time together …and more. We can be creative as we like….the key is intentionality.
The same can happen in our spiritual lives. We spend the days working away…that work could be for the Lord or not….that’s not the issue…and we end up with so little time for the Him. If we’re lucky, we end up giving the Lord our leftovers. What kind of relationship can we expect to have—when the Lord only gets what’s leftover?
Do I have the answer on how we remedy that? I think the answer will be different for every person…but I do know one thing, the key is intentionality. We often hear that cliché, ‘you make time for what’s important to you,’ or like Matthew 6:21 (The Message) states, “The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.” These are so true.
What it comes down to…is a deep heart check for all of us. What we truly love is not something we will give our leftovers to. Let’s be intentional about giving God our best.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Watching out for you.
Watch this video...and then read the post, please.
So, what did you see while watching this Chicago Bulls vs. Charlotte Bobcats game that we attended last night. Did you notice the players? The crowd? The court? What did you notice? Well, I'll tell you one thing that you probably didn't notice...and that I didn't notice either...the referees. Yup. That's right. They have to be in tip top shape to run up and down the courts to keep up with the players. They have to constantly have their eyes on the game at all times. They make calls in the game that protect players, that get them back in line, and more. Their calls really can decide the game ultimately, whether we think them fair or not. The crazy thing is, we are working so hard to 'play the game' that we rarely notice the referees. That is, of course, unless we are playing in a way we shouldn't...and we don't want to be caught...then we tend to notice.
It can be the same in our lives spiritually. We are playing this game of life. Trying so hard to 'score' success, happiness, etc. that we can at times rarely take time to see or notice our personal referee (AKA: Jesus). Jesus is in the most tip top shape, he runs up and down the courts with us, protecting us, praising us, discipline us, and making some 'calls in our life' that are for our good. The crazy thing is, we are working so hard to play this game, that we can fail to notice or appreciate Jesus.
This may be a stretch for some...but the comparison just kind of hit me at the game last night.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Same simple mistakes.
So...the past couple of times I've mixed cake or brownie batter....I've messed up one essential item: water. The recipe will call for 2/3 cup of water, and for whatever reason...I guess I'm not paying attention...I put in 1 2/3 cup. I get in a hurry or start chatting with my husband...and invariably make the mistake.
Well, last night....I got the urge to make cupcakes for my husband to share with his co-workers. I started mixing this wonderful butter cake recipe....the last ingredient to add was the water. I grab my 2 cup measuring cup. I go to fill it up...and see that it says 2/3 across the cup...but it's on the opposite side. I don't think twice about it and dump it into the mixing bowl.
I notice that the batter is a bit more watery in consistency than it should be. UGH! It hits me.... I grab the measuring cup...I had filled it up to the 1 2/3 cup level. Now, before I had even started making the cake, I said to myself, "Pay close attention Candice.....or you will get this wrong."
Sure as the sun does shine, this happened to me again.
Daniel was grilling for our dinner and walked inside as I just griped to myself out loud at my mistake. He, being the wonderful husband he is, just rubbed me on my back and said, "Don't worry Candice, it's no big deal...just throw it out and make the chocolate cake instead."
But I had to have a little pout moment. I asked Daniel just to give me a second to just get over it. I decided not to make any cupcakes at all and sat down. I couldn't believe I had done it again...same simple mistake ruined the whole batter.
I think the same can happen in our walk with Christ. We can be going along following the 'recipe for life in the Bible' and then BAM...sin creeps up in our life. Perhaps the same sin over and over. When you realize it..you just want to react. UGH!
Then, Jesus, rubs us on our back (metaphorically speaking) and says, "Candice (or insert your name here), it's okay, just seek repentance and start over again." Now the question is, do we start over again? Do we say to Him, "Jesus, I'm going to need a break right now to just get over this?" or....Do we just give up?
Logically, answer one is the correct one....but sometimes it's the most difficult to accept that Jesus' forgiveness is so easy and readily available. Instead, we decide to take a break from Jesus, or just give up all together.
Just a thought.
Well, last night....I got the urge to make cupcakes for my husband to share with his co-workers. I started mixing this wonderful butter cake recipe....the last ingredient to add was the water. I grab my 2 cup measuring cup. I go to fill it up...and see that it says 2/3 across the cup...but it's on the opposite side. I don't think twice about it and dump it into the mixing bowl.
I notice that the batter is a bit more watery in consistency than it should be. UGH! It hits me.... I grab the measuring cup...I had filled it up to the 1 2/3 cup level. Now, before I had even started making the cake, I said to myself, "Pay close attention Candice.....or you will get this wrong."
Sure as the sun does shine, this happened to me again.
Daniel was grilling for our dinner and walked inside as I just griped to myself out loud at my mistake. He, being the wonderful husband he is, just rubbed me on my back and said, "Don't worry Candice, it's no big deal...just throw it out and make the chocolate cake instead."
But I had to have a little pout moment. I asked Daniel just to give me a second to just get over it. I decided not to make any cupcakes at all and sat down. I couldn't believe I had done it again...same simple mistake ruined the whole batter.
I think the same can happen in our walk with Christ. We can be going along following the 'recipe for life in the Bible' and then BAM...sin creeps up in our life. Perhaps the same sin over and over. When you realize it..you just want to react. UGH!
Then, Jesus, rubs us on our back (metaphorically speaking) and says, "Candice (or insert your name here), it's okay, just seek repentance and start over again." Now the question is, do we start over again? Do we say to Him, "Jesus, I'm going to need a break right now to just get over this?" or....Do we just give up?
Logically, answer one is the correct one....but sometimes it's the most difficult to accept that Jesus' forgiveness is so easy and readily available. Instead, we decide to take a break from Jesus, or just give up all together.
Just a thought.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Bobcats vs. Miami
Daniel and I went to our first of many Bobcats game. It was amazing to see Wayne Wade, Shaq and more. We of course got there early...so ....there is NO ONE in the stands yet.
Good times.
I have to admit though, what would a good game be without 'hecklers'? It's like no matter what sporting event you attend, there are those group of guys that feed off of one another's negativity and criticisms. I just want to turn around and say..."so umm...why don't you try to play with the big boys...and see how long you last..." But ...it would do me no good. So my husband says to me, "Candice, I just ignore them...they just metl into the background noise. Good advice, but difficult to actually follow.
I think it's the same in life. Sometimes we have amazing and good things going on...but there will always be the naysayers that have to be behind with their criticims and negativity, but like my husbands stoic example at the game. Just tune them out. God has ordered our steps, and if we follow him....the naysayers voices may be there, but they kind of melt into the background noise that no one notices. Just a thought.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
The Bless Back Project.
I'm just beyond words at this point. We just started the series (i.e. capital campaign)DOMIINATE . Amazed. So much so that our church shared 40,000 dollars with the congregation to go and bless someone in the community. Confused? You can visit the site at Bless Back Project .
I would tell you more....but instead, how about you listen to it here (it may be Monday or Tuesday before it's up......wait for it... :)
I would tell you more....but instead, how about you listen to it here (it may be Monday or Tuesday before it's up......wait for it... :)
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Keep Holdin' On.
Yeah. I love that song by Avril Lavigne .
I am one of those people that I'll use a napkin OR will open some candy...and instead of throwing the trash away, I hang onto it. I will hold it all day. I will walk by trashcan after trashcan...and still have it in my hand. Sometimes I'll even walk by the trashcan and after I've walked by I think, "I should hurry real quick and go back to throw that away." Instead...I keep on walking. There are times when I will have trash in my hands and Daniel will realize it and say, "hand it to me, I'll throw it away for you." Often times, I'll let him, but sometimes I just tell him not to worry about it...that 'I'll get to it later." I have even sat trash down somewhere (like in the car) with every intention of throwing it away...and will come by later and pick it up...and just hold onto it for a while.
OCD? Maybe. Control freak? Possibly. Forgetful? Absolutely. When I keep the trash in my hands, their is often little room for me to hold on to anything else, especially no room for things of importance.
I find that often times...it's the same with with 'trash' (aka: sin, disappointment, hurt, sadness, bad habits, wrong people in our lives, etc.)...we'll pick it up....and we'll hold onto it. We will pass by 'spiritual trashcan after trashcan' and not throw it away. We'll even pass by a trashcan and after passing contemplate on whether or not we should go back and throw it away...but we refuse to. There are times when the Lord will ask us, "hand it to me, I'll throw it away for you." Sometimes we will give it to him, and sometimes we won't and just tell Him not tow worry about it, that we will 'get to it later.'
When we keep 'trash' (aka: sin, disappointment, hurt, sadness, bad habits, wrong people in our lives, etc.) it prevents us from having room to hold onto anything else, especially the good things that God wants us to have.
Try Psalms 55:2, Pile your troubles on God's shoulders—he'll carry your load, he'll help you out. He'll never let good people topple into ruin. and 1 Peter 5:7 , -Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
This kind of just smacked me in the face today when carrying trash in from breakfast to work...and having to tell myself to throw it away.
So throw it away already!
I am one of those people that I'll use a napkin OR will open some candy...and instead of throwing the trash away, I hang onto it. I will hold it all day. I will walk by trashcan after trashcan...and still have it in my hand. Sometimes I'll even walk by the trashcan and after I've walked by I think, "I should hurry real quick and go back to throw that away." Instead...I keep on walking. There are times when I will have trash in my hands and Daniel will realize it and say, "hand it to me, I'll throw it away for you." Often times, I'll let him, but sometimes I just tell him not to worry about it...that 'I'll get to it later." I have even sat trash down somewhere (like in the car) with every intention of throwing it away...and will come by later and pick it up...and just hold onto it for a while.
OCD? Maybe. Control freak? Possibly. Forgetful? Absolutely. When I keep the trash in my hands, their is often little room for me to hold on to anything else, especially no room for things of importance.
I find that often times...it's the same with with 'trash' (aka: sin, disappointment, hurt, sadness, bad habits, wrong people in our lives, etc.)...we'll pick it up....and we'll hold onto it. We will pass by 'spiritual trashcan after trashcan' and not throw it away. We'll even pass by a trashcan and after passing contemplate on whether or not we should go back and throw it away...but we refuse to. There are times when the Lord will ask us, "hand it to me, I'll throw it away for you." Sometimes we will give it to him, and sometimes we won't and just tell Him not tow worry about it, that we will 'get to it later.'
When we keep 'trash' (aka: sin, disappointment, hurt, sadness, bad habits, wrong people in our lives, etc.) it prevents us from having room to hold onto anything else, especially the good things that God wants us to have.
Try Psalms 55:2, Pile your troubles on God's shoulders—he'll carry your load, he'll help you out. He'll never let good people topple into ruin. and 1 Peter 5:7 , -Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
This kind of just smacked me in the face today when carrying trash in from breakfast to work...and having to tell myself to throw it away.
So throw it away already!
Monday, September 10, 2007
Let your yes... be yes and your no...be no
It's true. It's a pet peeve of mine. Follow through. If you say you are going to do something, do it.
Where's this coming from?
Lately, Daniel and I have been dealing with a couple different circumstances that have had individuals (whether business or personal) saying one thing, but doing another. We send courteous e-mail and/or phone calls, with no responses. We remain patient, even when we don't feel like it.....
So I guess it's really started allowing me to give myself a heart check. Does my yes mean yes? Does my no mean no? As Christians, it's so important to be honest, up front and truthful.
Matthew 5:34-37 (The Message)
Empty Promises
33-37"And don't say anything you don't mean. This counsel is embedded deep in our traditions. You only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, 'I'll pray for you,' and never doing it, or saying, 'God be with you,' and not meaning it. You don't make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace. In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true. Just say 'yes' and 'no.' When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong.
These are just some ideas rattling through the brain...
More about the weekend to come...it was quite the adventure!
Where's this coming from?
Lately, Daniel and I have been dealing with a couple different circumstances that have had individuals (whether business or personal) saying one thing, but doing another. We send courteous e-mail and/or phone calls, with no responses. We remain patient, even when we don't feel like it.....
So I guess it's really started allowing me to give myself a heart check. Does my yes mean yes? Does my no mean no? As Christians, it's so important to be honest, up front and truthful.
Matthew 5:34-37 (The Message)
Empty Promises
33-37"And don't say anything you don't mean. This counsel is embedded deep in our traditions. You only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, 'I'll pray for you,' and never doing it, or saying, 'God be with you,' and not meaning it. You don't make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace. In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true. Just say 'yes' and 'no.' When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong.
These are just some ideas rattling through the brain...
More about the weekend to come...it was quite the adventure!
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
A Psalm.
Psalm 42:8 (The Message)
6-8 When my soul is in the dumps, I rehearse
everything I know of you,
From Jordan depths to Hermon heights,
including Mount Mizar.
Chaos calls to chaos,
to the tune of whitewater rapids.
Your breaking surf, your thundering breakers
crash and crush me.
Then God promises to love me all day,
sing songs all through the night!
My life is God's prayer.
That was the verse of the day at Bible Gateway today. It's a good one. ..."When my soul is in the dumps, I rehearse everything I know of you..." I love that....it's like a one step process for getting out of the dumps....just recite, rehearse and say out loud all the things we know about the Lord, like his lovingkindess, his mercy, his grace, his power, and more. I guess what the author of this scripture might be saying is that...when you feel small because of your circumstances around you....rehearse what you know of the Lord...making Him bigger...which increases your confidence that the Lord is ABLE, to meet all of our needs...and to see us through. That's comforting to me. By rehearsing all that we know of Him...we are forcing our mind to think differently, and with that, we are in turn changing our perspective to a God perspective in the process...and that my friend, empowers us.
I had already finished the first paragraph and the last one...and then read the scripture again..when these lines jumped out at me, 'Chaos calls to chaos, to the tune of whitewater rapids. Your breaking surf, your thundering breakers crash and crush me.' I'm forever trying to make scripture applicable to my own life, so when I try to think of how to do that with these words...I just think of the stuff that that is 'loud' in my life, things that are distracting--but then his thundering breakers crash and crush me. I think that is a postive thing. He breaks me and crushes me, like a potter forms the clay..turning me into what he longs for me to be....then promises to love me and sing songs all through the night....
"Then God promises to love me all day, sing songs all through the night! My life is God's prayer." What an amazing scripture. It's reassurance that the Lord is watching over us in love...and is singing songs to us all through the night. When I hear, 'sings songs all through the night,' it reminds me of a parent sweetly singing over there child at night to get them to sleep. The sound of a parent's voice is comforting, soothing and reassures us that we are protected by that parent. The same with the Lord--he sings over us, his voice comforts us, soothes us, reassures us and makes us feel protected.
How could you not want your life to be God's prayer? It moves me to no end.
6-8 When my soul is in the dumps, I rehearse
everything I know of you,
From Jordan depths to Hermon heights,
including Mount Mizar.
Chaos calls to chaos,
to the tune of whitewater rapids.
Your breaking surf, your thundering breakers
crash and crush me.
Then God promises to love me all day,
sing songs all through the night!
My life is God's prayer.
That was the verse of the day at Bible Gateway today. It's a good one. ..."When my soul is in the dumps, I rehearse everything I know of you..." I love that....it's like a one step process for getting out of the dumps....just recite, rehearse and say out loud all the things we know about the Lord, like his lovingkindess, his mercy, his grace, his power, and more. I guess what the author of this scripture might be saying is that...when you feel small because of your circumstances around you....rehearse what you know of the Lord...making Him bigger...which increases your confidence that the Lord is ABLE, to meet all of our needs...and to see us through. That's comforting to me. By rehearsing all that we know of Him...we are forcing our mind to think differently, and with that, we are in turn changing our perspective to a God perspective in the process...and that my friend, empowers us.
I had already finished the first paragraph and the last one...and then read the scripture again..when these lines jumped out at me, 'Chaos calls to chaos, to the tune of whitewater rapids. Your breaking surf, your thundering breakers crash and crush me.' I'm forever trying to make scripture applicable to my own life, so when I try to think of how to do that with these words...I just think of the stuff that that is 'loud' in my life, things that are distracting--but then his thundering breakers crash and crush me. I think that is a postive thing. He breaks me and crushes me, like a potter forms the clay..turning me into what he longs for me to be....then promises to love me and sing songs all through the night....
"Then God promises to love me all day, sing songs all through the night! My life is God's prayer." What an amazing scripture. It's reassurance that the Lord is watching over us in love...and is singing songs to us all through the night. When I hear, 'sings songs all through the night,' it reminds me of a parent sweetly singing over there child at night to get them to sleep. The sound of a parent's voice is comforting, soothing and reassures us that we are protected by that parent. The same with the Lord--he sings over us, his voice comforts us, soothes us, reassures us and makes us feel protected.
How could you not want your life to be God's prayer? It moves me to no end.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Please leave a message at the beep.....*beep*
For those of you that are friends with me...and have known me for any length of time...you know that I hate the telephone, but even more than the telephone...I despise listening to messages. AHHHHHH! I will leave them on my phone, unlistened to for days...and then after listening to them, I don't write them down...but really have the best intentions of getting back to those individuals leaving the message...and end up forgetting to return the call.
I'm forced to be better about it at work...since I am a volunteer coordinator...at a homeless shelter...it's kind of essential to my work...but with my personal phone...I'm the worst....what's worse...is that I'm no respecter of persons--I'm slack at calling everyone back (with the exception of my in-laws, parents & brother).
I have to stop a minute and think why that may be. Is it because I know that it's going to be a long conversation, and I can't get to it at the moment? Is it because I dread a conversation? Is it because I'm anti-social (hardly, NO)? I really don't know why I hate the phone or messages...but I'm just awful at motivating myself to be better at it. Nothing personal..just I don't care for the phone, I prefer in person or by internet. I can e-mail you back very quickly...I'm the queen of internet savvy.
So...where does that leave us in our journey of, "Why Candice refuses to get better at phone communication?" Well, I had to dig deep on this one, and honestly, I'm still digging a bit. My guess is that A. I'm just not wired to like the phone. B. Maybe there's some psycho-analytical reasoning for it. C. I'm weird. D. All of the above.
So if I loved my friends and family that called...don't you think I would want to use BOTH of the two forms of communication (internet & phone) with them on a regular basis, especially since I don't live in the same town with any of them? I may use one and not the other...but the both combined, well, it can be so much more effective....
Same with my relationship with the Lord...But I do know one thing, there are definite times in my life when I'm just bored praying or reading the Bible. Do I love the Lord? Absolutely. Do I long to serve him? More than anything. Then why don't I communicate better with him on a more regular basis? Why don't I always use ALL the forms of communication with Him? All of those ways combined can be so much more effective, even if I'm not wired to do all forms...
So what does it come down to? I think it takes obedience & perserverance. John 14:21 (The Message) shows the importance of obedience to the Lord,
"The person who knows my commandments and keeps them, that's who loves me. And the person who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and make myself plain to him."
I can also see the importance of perserverance in Hebrews 12: 1-3 (The Message),
"Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!"
Now you're probably wondering, "What does that have to do with Candice being better with the phone?" I guess the spiritual parallel that I gather from it is...perserverance pays off.
I'm forced to be better about it at work...since I am a volunteer coordinator...at a homeless shelter...it's kind of essential to my work...but with my personal phone...I'm the worst....what's worse...is that I'm no respecter of persons--I'm slack at calling everyone back (with the exception of my in-laws, parents & brother).
I have to stop a minute and think why that may be. Is it because I know that it's going to be a long conversation, and I can't get to it at the moment? Is it because I dread a conversation? Is it because I'm anti-social (hardly, NO)? I really don't know why I hate the phone or messages...but I'm just awful at motivating myself to be better at it. Nothing personal..just I don't care for the phone, I prefer in person or by internet. I can e-mail you back very quickly...I'm the queen of internet savvy.
So...where does that leave us in our journey of, "Why Candice refuses to get better at phone communication?" Well, I had to dig deep on this one, and honestly, I'm still digging a bit. My guess is that A. I'm just not wired to like the phone. B. Maybe there's some psycho-analytical reasoning for it. C. I'm weird. D. All of the above.
So if I loved my friends and family that called...don't you think I would want to use BOTH of the two forms of communication (internet & phone) with them on a regular basis, especially since I don't live in the same town with any of them? I may use one and not the other...but the both combined, well, it can be so much more effective....
Same with my relationship with the Lord...But I do know one thing, there are definite times in my life when I'm just bored praying or reading the Bible. Do I love the Lord? Absolutely. Do I long to serve him? More than anything. Then why don't I communicate better with him on a more regular basis? Why don't I always use ALL the forms of communication with Him? All of those ways combined can be so much more effective, even if I'm not wired to do all forms...
So what does it come down to? I think it takes obedience & perserverance. John 14:21 (The Message) shows the importance of obedience to the Lord,
"The person who knows my commandments and keeps them, that's who loves me. And the person who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and make myself plain to him."
I can also see the importance of perserverance in Hebrews 12: 1-3 (The Message),
"Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!"
Now you're probably wondering, "What does that have to do with Candice being better with the phone?" I guess the spiritual parallel that I gather from it is...perserverance pays off.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Thursday, August 09, 2007
I Can't Get No....Sa-tis-fac-tion....
It's not that life has been too busy or bad...just, well...have you ever heard that 1965 hit song by The Rolling Stones, 'I Can't Get No' (the rest of it says...I can't get no, sa-tis-fac-tion....) (p.s.....This has nothing to do with my married life. I am MORE than happy in it....I have the best man I know!) It's just...well...sometimes I feel a bit unsettled. Make sense?
Let me continue with an example...I think that sometimes we are just in a season, a place in life, that we feel that we haven't quite made it to where we are supposed to be...but we are stuck somewhere in between the middle. I've been feeling that way...hard to explain...but I'll try.... Daniel and I have been attending a new church (we love it!), we've been getting involved volunteering in several areas and working to make new friends...but in the process of making friends...it's slow...we don't have couples calling us yet to go out, hang out or anything like that yet. We haven't felt like there are people yet that we can call. It just feels like we are in the middle. We long to have wonderful friendships...it's just a process of building over time, I know this...it just feels slow.
Does it ever feel that way in your walk with the Lord? You read the word, worship, tithe, have a relationship with the Lord...but where you are in that....you still feel like you're not to the next place yet. We long for that revelation moment, where there are no questions...and all is right....but it's a process of building over time, I know this...it just feels slow. I realize that God's timing is perfect...and all things happen in time.
All of this to say....It may feel slow, but keep holding on and trusting in the Lord that his time is good and for our good.
Let me continue with an example...I think that sometimes we are just in a season, a place in life, that we feel that we haven't quite made it to where we are supposed to be...but we are stuck somewhere in between the middle. I've been feeling that way...hard to explain...but I'll try.... Daniel and I have been attending a new church (we love it!), we've been getting involved volunteering in several areas and working to make new friends...but in the process of making friends...it's slow...we don't have couples calling us yet to go out, hang out or anything like that yet. We haven't felt like there are people yet that we can call. It just feels like we are in the middle. We long to have wonderful friendships...it's just a process of building over time, I know this...it just feels slow.
Does it ever feel that way in your walk with the Lord? You read the word, worship, tithe, have a relationship with the Lord...but where you are in that....you still feel like you're not to the next place yet. We long for that revelation moment, where there are no questions...and all is right....but it's a process of building over time, I know this...it just feels slow. I realize that God's timing is perfect...and all things happen in time.
All of this to say....It may feel slow, but keep holding on and trusting in the Lord that his time is good and for our good.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
