Matter of Perspective...

~

Now, I'm not exactly Kenny Rogers' biggest fan, but I have always loved this song and the great 'twist' at the end. It's not only a sweet little song about a boy playing some baseball, but about life and how you look at it. And today, playing with Emery, I was reminded of it so thought I'd share...

~

"The Greatest"

Little Boy, in a baseball hat

Stands in the field with his ball and bat

*

Says I am the greatest player of them all

Puts his bat on his shoulder and he tosses up his ball

*
And the ball goes up and the ball comes down

Swings his bat all the way around

The world's so still you can hear the sound

The baseball falls to the ground

*
Now the little boy doesn't say a word

Picks up his ball, he is undeterred

*

Says I am the greatest there has ever been

And he grits his teeth and he tries it again

*
And the ball goes up and the ball comes down

Swings his bat all the way around

The world's so still you can hear the sound

The baseball falls to the ground

*
He makes no excuses,

He shows no fears

He just closes his eyes and listens to the cheers

*
Little boy, he adjusts his hat

Picks up his ball, stares at his bat

*

Says I am the greatest; the game is on the line

And he gives his all one last time

*
And the ball goes up like the moon so bright

Swings his bat with all his might

And the world's so still as still can be

And the baseball falls, and that's strike three

*
Now it's supper time and his mama calls

Little boy starts home with his bat and ball

*

Says I am the greatest; that is a fact

But even I didn't know I could pitch like that !

Is he not just the cutest?

~

But, don't be fooled by the cute little face...

He's a natural born athlete, that one!

~

Look for him on the pro circuit in about 15-20 years!!

~

There's no tellin' what kind of damage he could do if his aunt could actually pitch the ball !!

This life is not my own...

"...we are beginning the process. Please pray for us as we are navigating a whole new venture and need loads and loads of wisdom to get from here to there. We are really enjoying the process and have gotten to know some super people along the way. We know that if this is something we are supposed to be doing that it will happen, and if not, not. There is a lot of freedom that comes with knowing that your life is not your own."

~

Wow. I don't know about any of you, but these were the words I needed to feast on tonight. In the search of 'the right home' for me and being so confused and frustrated and overwhelmed w/ it all... this last sentence just penetrated right to my heart, bringing the comfort and reassurance that I've been needing. The reminder that this life is not my own, just so long as I belong to Jesus. Whew! There is definite freedom in that thought! Thank you, Anita (Renfroe) for that reminder!

Meme

* some things change... some things don't *

One could never participate in too many 'Meme's' and sweet Shana just passed this one along to me ~

So here goes......

Rules: Each player answers the question themselves.
At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blog and leaves them a comment letting them know that they've been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you've answered the questions on your blog.


10 years ago I:

1. Had just broken my engagement to my then fiance
2. Was working at Blue Willow Inn... (who knew I'd still be there!) : )
3. Took line-dance lessons w/ Jodi and Michelle : ) YEE- HAW!
4. Thought John Michael Montgomery was 'the bomb' ; ) (What ever happened to that sweet dimpled boy anyway...?)
5. Wasn't sure what to do w/ my life (still trying to figure that one out!)


5 things on today's "to do" list:

1. Get the transmission fluid changed out in my car
2. Get brake light fixed on said car
3. Pay rent
4. Do bible study homework
5. Find some GAS!!!


5 snacks I enjoy:

1. Chocolate... anything
2. Peanut Butter crackers (just ask Savannah) : )
3. Lay's potato chips (especially bbq flavored)
4. Cookies
5. Ice Cream


5 things I would do if I were a millionaire:

1. Right now... HOLD ONTO IT! : ) (all but 10 %, of course...)
2. Give to the charities that most touch my heart
3. Trade in my (dented) car for a hybrid (or at least something diesel-operated) : )
4. Buy a decent home
5. Pay off my medical bills


5 places I have lived:

1. Ottawa, Illinois
2. Sheridan, Illinois
3. Covington, Georgia (at home w/ folks)
4. Demorest, Georgia (at college)
5. Covington, Georgia (in apartment)


5 jobs I have had:

1. Babysitting
2. Walco (don't ask...)
3. Mental Health Dept. (surprisingly, not as a patient as a result from aforementioned Walco!)
4. Stanley-Proto Tools
5. Blue Willow Gift Shop


The rules say I have to tag 5 people.
So I'll tag:

1. Jodi
2. Dianne
3. Luanne
4. Lydia
5. Michelle H.

Infinite Grace

Infinite Grace 2008

Well, got back from our 3rd annual Women of Faith weekend... and it was amazing as usual.

I only wish I could share more of it with you.

It's always a bit overwhelming to be able to relay every nourishing nugget we are fed there through the Women of Faith 'porch pals'. But, this year, it's especially difficult for me to share because unfortunately, I don't think I actually retained much of it!

Don't get me wrong.

I was blessed every second of the time spent in that arena. And as previously mentioned; I laughed. I cried. And felt God tugging on my heartstrings with each and every single one of those precious speakers and singers.

Unfortunately, however; due to the medication I had decided to start taking Friday (w/out thinking about it), I observed half of the conference through closed eyelids! I could've just curled up and fallen asleep right there in my seat. It didn't occur to me until Sunday that that was probably the reason. (Up until that point, I just figured it was due to the high altitude of our seats!) : )

Thankfully though, I did take a couple of notes during the pre-conference Friday, so I am able to share SOMETHING of the experience with you all. And how it still spoke to me, despite my semi-comatose state... : )


Okay, let's see... my complete notes from Patsy Clairmont (Friday morning)... *drumroll*

1. Condemnation -vs- Conviction
2. "God has not forgotten you."

Tada!!

Okay, now let's see what I picked up from Jan Silvious, later that day... *drumroll*

1. "Do what you can or have to do. And leave the rest to God."
2. "Pray this prayer: 'Lord, I give everything I know of me to everything I know of You.' "

So, there you have it, Folks. My lengthy notes from an entire weekend of amazing speakers. Aren't you glad you had me to attend so I could now impart such wisdom for you on my blog?
Had I known I wouldn't retain the rest of the conference, I might've tried taking notes then, too! But, just trust me. It was an incredible weekend. One that may have momentarily bipassed my mind, but has left definite tracks on my heart. : )

Now, what still managed to speak to me, through my haze of remembrance was this...

No matter how long you wait to actually make the effort to 'pick up where you left off,

God is always there waiting... and on the same page.

~

You know the part I had mentioned from Patsy's being : "Condemnation -vs- Conviction" ? I had just read that same thing in my Priscilla Shirer book "Discerning the Voice of God" Wednesday night of last week. The book I've had since May. I had picked it up in searching for some kind of peace and guidance about being in the housing market, feeling very pressured and overwhelmed by the whole thing. And Priscilla sweetly pointed out that "There's a difference between God's convicting voice and the Enemy's condemning voice. Condemn means to consider something worthy of punishment. Convict means to bring something to light in order to correct it." (Almost verbatim of what Patsy then spoke Friday.)

~

And the part that spoke most to me about my situation: "The Thief's voice, unlike God's voice, threatens and intimidates on the basis of fear: 'If you don't do this, you'll be sorry!' It may order you or try to force you to do things. It is often urgent and pressing, sermonizing and demeaning: 'Do this now! If you wait, all will be lost!' " She reminds me that nowhere in the scriptures does God rush anyone into anything. He'd rather 'patiently and persistently give us clarity before requiring obedience'.

~

Whew!

~

Reading that by Priscilla already made me feel much better, but then to have Ms. Patsy reiterate?... well, every little reinforcement helps.

~

And Patsy's sweet story of how she came about "God has not forgotten you." - well, that was just sweet and very encouraging. (Too long to include here, but I do actually remember that part, so maybe I'll share that one later down the line...) : )

~

Then, Jan Silvious got up to speak and began speaking on the story of Moses, being placed in the basket, and ending up in the Pharoah's palace...

~

On the way into the city Friday morning, Mom and her friend, Pam had just been discussing what they had been going over in their new bible study class on Wednesday mornings... and I bet you can guess what the topic of discussion had been for them... Moses, in the basket, ending up in the Pharoah's palace...

~

On the same page...

~

And her prayer of surrender just struck a real chord with me. And it's a great reminder for when I feel so buried under all my stress.

Oh, yeah. And she stated that modern science has proven that a large % of physical problems start in the mind... I can attest to that, for sure. But, good to know I'm not alone in that. : )

~

Then, Saturday, their guest speaker was Max Lucado. It was a real treat to get to hear him speak. I had only read his books until now, but have always enjoyed them. But, the parable that he had used in demonstrating God's love for us was that of the prodigal son.

~

Before I picked up Priscilla's book last Wednesday, I picked up John MacArthur's "A Tale of Two Sons" Tuesday night after bible study. The more indepth look at the parable of the prodigal son.

~

So, there you go!

~

I may not always be as in-tuned as I'd like to be, but at least I know that when I am plugged in, He's always right there with me! : )

~

And, indeed, He truly does live.

~

And if you ever doubt this, just watch Nicole C. Mullen sign this song while singing it in person. The chills that it brings to your skin and the tears it forms in your eyes will be all the proof you need. : )

Infinite Grace

You know, it's so funny... in "Stepping Up", we just wrapped up going over Psalm 126 - the very scripture that Sheila Walsh used to sum up the Women of Faith conference from last year...

~

I thought of the Psalmist's words in Psalm 126:2: Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.

~

The 2008 Women of Faith conference in Atlanta is now just 3 days away and I can't wait!

This will be our 3rd year going and every year is just amazing.

You laugh.

You cry.

Sometimes, with Anita or Luci, you laugh until you cry!

Totally, a 'chick' weekend.

: )

But, oh so good for the soul!

And I just found out that Stephanie from over at 'Notes from the Soul' is going, too! How exciting to be able to share in it w/ another blogger! So, I was just wondering if there happened to be any other fellow Women of Faith out there attending WOF in the ATL this weekend?

~

You can take the kid out of Georgia,

but you can't take Georgia out of the kid...

~

Jodi and Jeremy have been in Disney World this weekend with the kiddos and sounds like they're having a great time. She finally posted about it yesterday and I just had to share this part, if you hadn't already visited her blog:

~

...We found out later the nap idea wasn’t such a good one. Our dinner reservations ended up being at 9:00 last night. Savannah fell asleep on the way there and Emery was so hungry by the time we got to the restaurant that he stopped, turned to the bus driver and said, “Esscuse me, Shir. Could you take us to ‘da Waffle House?”

~

Now, is that not just the cutest thing EVER? That kid cracks me up. Wish I were there w/ them... but, can't wait to hear more about it when they get back!

"Rock the Vote"

Alright... I haven't mentioned MercyMe in like 5 posts, so... : )

In their latest post:
http://mercyme.org/blog/2008/09/19/choose-our-next-single/
the guys are looking for feedback on which song to make their next single. And if you're like me, you're ready for an opportunity to vote where there's actually something exciting to vote for (!) so, here's your big chance to get in on the excitement!

The choices are:

~ Goodbye Ordinary
~ Alright
~ My Heart will Fly
~ Finally Home

I think they're all Alright, so it's hard to say... (although you may have already picked up on my personal favorite of the selections given). : )
But, honestly, the more I listened to my cd today and really thought about what I could hear being played on the radio... I would love to hear "Time Has Come"! - It's not one of the choices given, but it's upbeat. It's catchy. And also a great motivational anthem of sorts and a great reminder!

Oh, well. I would love to hear any of them on the radio. So, they can't go wrong. : )

Check 'em out for yourself... http://www.mercyme.org/listen/playerwimpy.swf

And go ROCK THE VOTE ! ... Alright ?

: )