Giggling is Good for the Soul: August 2011

Help!

Today I entered a giveaway on a blog to win a book by Glynnis Whitwer called I Used to Be So Organized. They asked us to leave a comment by answering this question, "Which is more challenging for you--managing your time or organizing your "stuff"? Or, is it a toss-up and both throw you for a loop?"

It got me to thinking about what to write because I know my life is very disorganized, but this is what I came up with,

"I think organizing my things is a HUGE challenge for me, because organizing my time has essentially worked out to comprising lists and using my Google calendar to get me through the week.

On the other hand though, going through my mounds of papers that have been thrown into boxes and tucked away in the corner of my room never to be seen again...well to say that phrase loosely...could and probably will result in me forgetting where and why I forgot to send this and that in. Especially when I get a notice saying, "We regret to inform you..." It can be very frustrating. Granted I am oh so thankful that I have gone "paperless" when it comes to bills and oh so thankful that our technology allows us to do most things electronically otherwise I really would be in a major slump every week/month.

Unfortunately, that is just for bills. All the other stuff still remains unorganized. Sometimes when I have a spare moment I go through these boxes of what I deem "necessary" and make little piles of where each paper, letter, postcard, trinket, etc. should go, but then I get distracted by a phone call or the doorbell and I forget about the piles until later on or the next day (so sad).

I feel like a clutter queen and no matter how I try I can never fully wrap myself around organization -- ha ha..."

I had to take a step back and re-read what I posted because although I view my life as a disorganized clutter-full wreck, God sees me as complete. He sees me as [a contradiction in terms...] his Beautiful Disaster.

I am reminded of a passage in Samuel where God was appointing Samuel to choose the next King from one of the sons of Jesse. Samuel, starting with Eliab, believed that this young man must be "it" because he was so handsome, but God had other plans...

1 Samuel 16:6-7

⁶ When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab, and he thought, "Surely the Lord has appointed this person standing here before him."

⁷ But the Lord said to Samuel, "Don't look at how handsome Eliab is or how tall he is, because I have not chosen him. God does not see the same way people see. People look at the outside of a person, but the Lord looks at the heart."

The key here being that Samuel was so busy trying to look at what was tangible (right in front of him) that he didn't take the time to see things through God's eyes. Thanks be to God in his great mercy that he knows our heart's cry. He knows how many hairs are upon our heads. Basically he knows EVERYTHING about us.

God gives us mounds of grace to work on the "clutter" we carry around in our lives. Whether it be tangible or not. He loves broken vessels. He wants to restore them & fill them up to overflowing so that we can pass some of the overflow unto to other broken vessels that long to be filled up with a genuine and true love that only God can provide.

It is my sincere privilege to have a relationship with the one and only true God and call Him my father and for Him to extend His arms out to me and call me His precious daughter. For truly I say to you, I am a daughter of the King ♥

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Feeling of Freedom

As I sit here and think about the days of the Old Testament, when David danced in the streets before God rejoicing, I can't help but to imagine the joy he must of felt in his heart. With arms outstretched I have no doubt that he danced with a big Kool-aid grin on his face, eyes closed, spinning and twisting this way and that shouting out praises to the Lord.

♫♪With arms wide and heart abandoned

In Awe of the One who gave it all♪♫

This is the song going through my mind right now because that is the image I have of David being totally abandoned before God. How freeing is that?!?! There is no better place then the presence of God. If you don't know who Jesus is then I invite you to experience first-hand this incredible joy David felt. First you can turn to your bible in 2 Samuel 6:14-15 and if you do not have a bible then I encourage you to check out www.biblegateway.com they are a great resource.

14Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the LORD with all his might, ¹⁵ while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets.

David was ecstatic to have the ark of the Lord in its rightful place and the moment it was brought into the city he could not help but to give God praise.

Sometimes we get so "busy" in our daily lives that we forget a simple thing like praise and worship is important to the Lord. It should be a part of our time with the Lord. I know there are at least 3 out of 5 people that hum or sing their favorite songs out loud while cleaning or showering...so it should not be a "task" or a "chore" to just belt out one or two of your favorite Sunday worship songs. Because believe me, God is not uniform about how worship should be.

Let it come from your heart.
Be spontaneous.
Make up your own words
Sing in the Spirit.

Just close your eyes and with arms outstretched, give your heart to the Lord in song. I guarantee you that He will meet you there! ♥♥♥

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Stumbling Into Grace by Lisa Harper

First and foremost, let me say that this book could not have come at a better time in my life! I find this book enchanting and I simply cannot wait every morning to read it in my daily devotion. The author is engaging and she has the best sense of humor that is extremely relate-able.

This book is great as a solo devotional or possibly in a small group setting. Either way really. It is an easy read and definitely full of meaty morsels to apply to one's life. I think even guys might enjoy this spunky author and her quirky mix of biblical truths with modern spins on them.

I am now curious to see if this author has other books I might enjoy as well. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book and I most definitely recommend anyone and everyone to take the opportunity to read this lovingly put-together piece of artistry!

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Plagued with Fear

I know it has been a while since I last wrote, but I have been afraid to. Afraid of rejection, afraid of not being liked, afraid that people would find out my deep dark secrets and think the worst of me...blah blah blah...you name the fear and I probably have it. Yea, it looks like I have come down with a case of Fear-anoia

This all started about a month ago when I noticed that there was a spider on my wall. Now I am not in anyway shape or form a fan of spiders. In fact they make my skin crawl and I act like a little screaming Mimi when they are about. Suffice it to say that I was not having it. I got my tissue out ready to grab that sucker in the folds of my Kleenex and toss it in the toilet, but the moment I got up to crush it there was a much BIGGER spider directly below it and I literally shrunk back as shivers went down my spine.

I froze in fear, my mind racing as to where was the nearest shoe to clobber this mammoth beast with. I carefully moved anything blocking it's way as to get direct aim at it. After finding the right shoe I sent it hurling straight at this whopper of a spider only to have the critter fall to the floor trying to get away. Panic took over because I did not want that THING getting away!

I started to hit the floor until my shoe came into contact with the spider's body. Repeatedly I beat it to a pulp until the spider lay motionless with missing limbs. I felt bad about hurting one of God's creatures, but I was in so much fear that this animal would harm me that I was not thinking logically. It was my nature to attack it. For several nights after that I would be in fear that spiders were going to inhabit my bed or room that I would check my walls and ceiling for spiders every night before I went to sleep.

I started to pray for good to remove the fear and protect me as I slept. Every time I have prayed that prayer God has eased my fear. I also give all of my worry and anxiety to God because he says in His Good Word to Cast my cares on Him for He cares for me (1 Peter 5:7). It is so important to not dwell on those things that cause you to fear, like worry and anxiety. God calls us to Worry about nothing, but to Pray about EVERYTHING (Philippians 4:6)! Even those things we think are so insignificant. Take them to the Lord in prayer.

God has opened my eyes to the blinders I had on. To the mask of fear that has been engulfing my life. For so long I have been plagued by fear. It eats at me day and night. The Enemy works overtime to keep me in the dark, but God is there with his bright beam of light shining ever so bright and in the midst of that darkness he is like the Light of Eärendil and he will blind all my enemies with the power of His blazing light and glory.

He is starting to open up the places in my heart where fear has dwelt and for this I am thankful! Here is great Psalm to declare over your life when in doubt in fear. Use this as a prayer for you and/or your loved ones. It has brought me great comfort.

Psalm 91 (NIV)
¹ Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.^[a]
² I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
³ Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
⁴ He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
⁵ You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
⁶ nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
⁷ A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
⁸ You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
⁹ If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
¹⁰ no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
¹¹ For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
¹² they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
¹³ You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
¹⁴ “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
¹⁵ He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
¹⁶ With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”

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Living Life in the Zone - A 40-Day Spiritual Gameplan for Men By Kyle Rote and Joe Pettigrew

I wanted to give this book review blogging a chance. So I am going to review my first book. The title is above. I hope you take the opportunity to read this book as I give it 4 stars. The book is obviously meant for a man or several men to read together. Let's say in your small groups or bible study. Any men's ministry would benefit greatly from this book.

This book is an ideal map of God's plan broken down and focused on different areas of a man's life. It is the perfect companion to any small group or men focused study. It helps bring you to the core of what God has in store for your life. It is extremely relate-able due to the book speaking from sports minded individuals and most men love sports in one form or another.

Give this 40 day Spiritual Guide a try to experience growth in your faith and walk with God.. See what wonderful things God can do in these areas of your life and how he can improve them.

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