Dream Big

All men and women are born, live suffer and die; what distinguishes us one from another is our dreams, whether they be dreams about worldly or unworldly things, and what we do to make them come about... We do not choose to be born. We do not choose our parents. We do not choose our historical epoch, the country of our birth, or the immediate circumstances of our upbringing. We do not, most of us, choose to die; nor do we choose the time and conditions of our death. But within this realm of choicelessness, we do choose how we live. (Joseph Epstein)

Therefore:

Build this day on a foundation of pleasant thoughts. Never fret at any imperfections that you fear may impede your progress. Remind yourself, as often as necessary, that you are a creature of God and have the power to achieve any dream by lifting up your thoughts. You can fly when you decide that you can. Never consider yourself defeated again. Let the vision in your heart be in your life's blueprint. Smile! (Og Mandino)

Though God knew all our days before there was yet one of them, we have the choice to live our lives for Him. So let the vision in your heart be the vision from heaven itself. Serve God and keep His commandments. Enjoy the life He has given you and don't forget.........to dream.

Random Dozen

It looks like this will be my last post for a little while. Just too much on my plate right now and lots to do. Shamefully, I'm bowing out with a random dozen (from 2nd Cup of Coffee)...but only because I am in a rush! So here it is...



1. Tell me something about your favorite teacher.
He used to smoke the green stuff and called me foxy mama.

2. Tell me about one pivotal moment in your life.
I was kidnapped once.

3. About favorite colors--a lot of people will ask you what it is, but I want to know why it is. What feeling or memory does it evoke?
I don't actually have a favorite color...but I guess red makes me feel daring and younger. Kinda weird, I know.

4. What's a sure sign that you're getting older?
My memory is more....selective.

5. Please don't sermonize, but Halloween--is it a yes or no for you?
Yes and no. That's just the way it is.

6. What's your favorite musical?
The Nutcracker

7. Are you more of a city mouse or country mouse?
City, although I love the country.

8. Did you know that it is possible, for a small fee, to name a real star after someone? (It's true! Google it!) If someone were to name a star for you, would you appreciate it for its whimsy and romance, or would you say, "Are you kidding me? For $19.95 we could have gone to the movie and actually bought popcorn."
The latter, only with scrapbooking supplies.

9. What's the craziest thing you've ever been doing
and texted during it? I only thought of this b/c I was about to try to text during my walking video but I didn't.
Talking to someone while texting. It didn't work well.

10. "It's not a party unless _______."
I know lots of people.

11. When you're stuck in traffic or a waiting room, what do you do to pass the time? PS: There are no magazines available.
Sing aloud or think a lot.

12. If you weren't yourself, would you be friends with you?
Oh probably.

I'll be back soon with something you can bite into. No, not food...words. Anyway, Have a good week!

Until next time,
Carmen

A Stroll Through Ecclesiastes

I’ve been mulling around in Ecclesiastes lately. You know, I’ve heard people say that they don’t bother to read this book because Solomon was depressed when he wrote it. My findings are that this book is incredible!! I really love this book! To me it represents the very things we learn as we grow a little older and wiser in this very secular world. Solomon just laid it all out for us a few years ago...well...quite a few years ago.

So I thought it would be fun to look at a few verses that always seem to speak to me. There's plenty more...but here's some of them:

1) Do not give heed to everything that is said, lest you hear your servant cursing you—For often your own heart knows that you have likewise cursed others. 7:21,22

Whenever someone says something about us, we become depressed, angry, outraged or indifferent (depending on who it is). It doesn’t even matter if it’s true. However, here it's put into perspective. I think it’s the splinter/beam issue. It’s so much easier to find fault with others, than with ourselves...and yet we too are often guilty of the very same thing. Any argument on that? Well...not from me.

2) Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, the hearts of the sons of men are fully set to do evil. 8:11

I was surprised to find this little gem when I first came across it. So true!! Isn’t this the world we live in today? Isn’t this what our system is all about? In fact, right seems to be wrong, and wrong seems to be right. It’s not even about what’s true anymore, it’s who can get the most expensive lawyer. Again...no argument from me on this verse.

3) I returned and saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong, neither is bread to the wise, nor riches to men of intelligence and understanding, nor favour to men of skill; but time and chance happens to them all. 9:11

Actually, I love this verse. Once again....it’s not about US! God blessed you! God chose you! God gave to you! God allowed it to happen! You can be fastest, strongest, wisest, most intelligent, understanding and skillful....but time and chance happens to ALL. It kind of brings me hope...because there's still time for God to work on me.

4) He has made everything beautiful in its time. He also has planted eternity in men's hearts and minds, yet so that men cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. 3:11

I know you recognize this verse. I love this one because it answers why people still look at evolution as something viable. It takes faith to believe anything about origins, since none of us were there. It explains why life on this planet is short no matter how old we are when we die. It confirms to me that there is life after death.

5) All has been heard; the end of the matter is: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole of man and the whole for every man. 12:13

This is a life verse for me. When I find myself complicating things, I always remember this verse. That word “whole” means it is good for us...it makes us whole; all we should be. Maybe it’s oversimplified for some, but it works for me!

Okay, I'm done my stroll and going home to enjoy a coffee now. Wanna join me?

PS: All verses taken from the Amplified Bible.

Until next time,

It's HERE!!

It's a wonderful day! I received the book today that I won from Kelli over at Awesome God, Ordinary Girl. It's "Chicken Soup for the Soul, What I Learned from the Cat." Kelli placed one of her cards in the book to mark her entry, plus a sweet little greeting card with it. Kelli, you really blessed me! I LOVE getting presents and cards!

I couldn't wait to read her entry! Turns out it was wonderfully written; heartbreaking at times, but victorious in the end. The story has some great lessons and even words of advice for the circumstances of our lives. Very clever ending by the way Kelli! Winter's coming, and I'm going to be curling up with this book. I absolutely love animals, but we can't have any because of my husband's allergies. So this will be the next best thing. I'm sure I'll laugh and cry with this book. Thank you Kelli...you've made my life a little bit warmer with your generosity!!

Book Review on "The Shack"

 Hi Everyone,

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! We had Thanksgiving this weekend up in Canada, and there was truly a lot to be thankful for...but not the cold! What happened to Fall this year, I wonder? It's usually my favorite season!!

Anyhow, onto more serious matters. There is a really good review on "The Shack" at the TTP The Theology Program Group on Facebook. It was written by a fellow named Vince Kuipers. I am going to provide my reply to his review below. If for some reason the link doesn't work for you but you would like to read it, I will be happy to send it to you in an email.

Here is my reply to his review:

I had the same concerns as you do about this book, although I could not have broken it up into the various focuses as well as you have. While reading the book, I knew there were a lot of theological problems with it, but I read it to the end anyway. It is an enjoyable book to read, and focuses a lot on unconditional love...which I suppose is what appeals to people. Especially in a world where religion has become demanding to the average person and controlled by a worldly hierarchy that does not understand that the greatest is servant of all .

Many of my friends also read the book, and some bought several copies to give to friends. The book leaves you with that warm, fuzzy feeling; blanketing you in a state of spiritual sleep. "A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of your hands, so shall your poverty come like a prowler, and your need like and armed man."

I think you summed a lot of it up for me when you mentioned repentance, which is not properly addressed in the book. It may leave people with the notion that they can do what they want because God has already forgiven them. Is there then any need to live in righteousness or to consider others as better than yourself? (I know this will rattle some bones in this "me" generation).

As you pointed out, the book is theological fiction, not fact, and it is of intense importance that we remember this while reading it. Unfortunately, there is always some confusion around whether this book is indeed fact or fiction. The fact is, God does love us...too much to let us die without any chance...but there was a price paid. A very high price! Jesus gave His life so that we could live, and yes, He did it for ALL mankind. However, the requirement of repentance before forgiveness, is biblical and makes sense.

I do believe we can choose to forgive someone who has wronged us, but it is only because we've been forgiven that we can willingly forgive others. Anyway, this is more than I intended to write. It is refreshing to see your thoughts on this book, as most have embraced it without thought or concern to its biblical accuracy.

 

I encourage you to go and read his review. It is a bit long, but worth the read. 

Until Next Time,

 

 

What's Love Got To Do With It?

What's Love Got to do With it? 
Well...everything! 
It's so easy to get caught up with life in general. People go about their days impacting others and often don't realize how they've affected someone else. I wonder, how often have I left someone devastated, hurt, happy, grateful, regretful, etc. Could I have reacted differently, or could I have been more understanding? Often we wonder why people behave the way they do or why they say the things they say--and there's usually always a reason--we just don't always know what it is. 


I needed a reminder today. I have to remember it every day. One word...


Love

Whenever possible, always love, no matter what the circumstance is. It's truly all about love!!!


Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

1 Corinthians 13 

BLOG CANDY!!

As some of you know, I started a craft blog recently. So far I have 2 followers (don't be too impressed...one of them is my Mom). Anyhow, I wanted to offer it to all of you as well, so if this looks like something you'd like to win, go to Beyond The Fringe to get a boo at the whole Mini Album. All that's required is for you to comment on the post and follow the blog. If you post a link back to the post on your Blog, I'll put your name in the draw a second time. It would make a lovely handmade Christmas gift!! I'd love for you to visit!!

 

Until next time,

The Little Things

I watched a documentary the other night about the Theremin. For those of you who don’t know what it is, here is a photo of Leon Theremin playing his Theremin:

It’s the only instrument known that you can play without actually touching it. By moving your hands in the space around its antenna, you control pitch and volume. It was invented by Leon Theremin who patented it in 1928. One of his pupils, Clara Rockmore, is considered the greatest virtuoso Theremin player ever.

Back to the documentary.

I watched as they grew in fame. I marvelled at their lives and all the things they went through. Then I was humbled as I watched them meet up again in their old age. 

The thing that struck me was: though she was a famous virtuoso, and he was ahead of his time-- there were few who knew it after all these years. Together they walked out of the hotel, arm in arm, as quickly as their old age would carry them. They were virtually unknown and unimportant to most of the people out there that day, except for the few who knew.

For some reason, it struck me then, that it’s the little things. Sure, we can do great things that may affect many people, but often you will be forgotten. In the end, all that will really matter to you is the little things you do and the kind of person you are. Just as important as the big things, are the little things.

The kindness you showed.

The way you chose your words.

How much you loved.

The pardon you were willing to give, especially to those undeserving of it.

The patience you showed.

I could go on, but I think you get it.

Who are you really?

I’ve included a video of a song you may recognize that had originally utilized the Theremin.

Galatians 5:22,23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Until next time,

Woohoo! I Won!

This morning I woke up, made coffee and sat down at my laptop to check my mail and take a boo around blogland. Imagine my surprise when I opened a letter in my inbox from Kelli at Awesome God...Ordinary Girl, telling me I'd won "Chicken Soup for the Soul: What I Learned from the Cat," in which she is published.

So Exciting!! I love Cats, I love Kelli's Blog...I am a happy camper!!

I cannot wait to receive the book and read Kelli's piece. Thank you Kelli and congratulations on being published in the book!!

If you haven't already, take a moment to head over to Kelli's blog and read her inspiring and thought provoking posts! I promise, you'll be blessed.

Until next time,

Thankful Thursday

Well, it's Thursday today which means I get to give thanks for all the wonderful things in my life. If you'd like to play along, please click on the button above for instructions.

Here are 5 things I am thanking God for today.

1) I am thankful that the weather is back to normal. I know...ho hum...but I really mean it. In Kamloops the summers are extremely hot, and the winters are extremely cold. This year the weather decided to throw us all for a loop and do really strange things at really strange times. It's been a roller coaster ride! Septembers are usually lovely though...and so far, this September has been great. I love the Fall!

2) I am so, so, so thankful for the Internet! With it I have been able to self-diagnose my medical problem and start on some recovery procedures. Don't worry, I'm very careful and am letting my Doctor's Office know what I am doing. It turns out it is something doctor's are not well informed on. So who knows how long it would have been before I could get some relief! I'm sooooo thankful for that because I've been in a lot of pain the last two months!

3) I was reminded again this week how wonderful my blogging friends are. I just started a craft blog, and one of my male blogging friends has actually gone and looked at it a few times and left comments. So sweet!! I also have another blogging friend who has gone and left comments. I so appreciate your loyalties! Thank you!

4) I am also thankful to have a Craft Blog (I know, shameless self-promotion). Honestly though, I love to do things with my hands and be creative. It's something I haven't done a lot of over the years since I had 4 boys who really weren't into crafts, but who kept me running. Give them a chunk of wood and an axe, or an engine to fix, and they'd be happy. So being able to express myself in this way again and share it with others, is a dream come true! Silly, I know, but I'm having fun.

5) I am really thankful that my sister, who was one year old when we left Holland, has gone back to Holland with my Dad to meet all her relatives. Now I know this doesn't apply to me directly, but I really can't wait until she gets back and we can have our chats about Holland. So I guess what I'm really thankful for, is a sister who I can talk with. We often take family for granted...but it's so nice when they're there!

Okay...that's it! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Until next time,