Just Because There's Truth There...Doesn't Mean You Say It

I was in the seventh grade. One of my good friends was wearing a short and somewhat tight skirt.

What did I do?

I went behind her back and told my classmates about the awfulness of her skirt. And of course, she found out.

It hurt her so bad, it took me two days to get her to talk to me. She finally forgave me, but it took a while for our friendship to get back to the way it was. I learned two lessons that day that have stuck with me.

1. Never talk behind someone's back.
2. Just because something has truth in it...doesn't mean you should say it.

I was thinking of all this because lately I've run into a few people who have the habit of chattering about others behind their back. And I realized in every instance, they weren't making up vicious lies or anything. They took a small element of truth and made assumptions about that person. And decided to tell the whole world about it.

Much like I did when I decided to gab about my friends skirt.

I'm more convinced every day that we should all listen to Thumper in the Disney movie Bambi...with a little addition of my own.

 "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all...(even if there's a little bit of truth in it)."

That last part is my addition.

Random Question for Friday

If you looked at my ipod you would see that I like singer/songwriter music, alternative music, and a few pop songs.

You would also see that I'm not at all into rap or country music (with the exception of the Rascal Flatts...for whatever reason I actually like some of their songs).

What kind of music would I find on your ipod? What kind of music will never be seen on your ipod?

Hannah's Heart

Crushed. Desperate. At the end of her rope.

That's the picture we get of Hannah in 1 Samuel. She's got no children in a culture where being a mother is everything. And she is made fun of and taunted year after year because of it.

I've got to believe that wasn't the first time she had begged God for a child.

But for whatever reason, God decided it was time to answer her prayer.

As I was reading this, I couldn't help but wonder...

Why this time? Why at this moment did God answer her prayer? Was her prayer especially desperate this time?

Truthfully, I never really arrived at a solid answer. I can only think that it was God's timing for that prayer to be answered and come to pass. I guess it's the mystery between each person and their relationship with Christ. And every situation is different and unique to that person.

The hope I get from this story is to never give up.

Because if God has given me a desire like the one in Hannah's heart...I've got to believe He'll answer that prayer in His timing and in way that's better than I could ever imagine.

Double Standard?

Why is it when an older woman dates or marries a younger man she's called a cougar or puma but when a guy dates a younger woman he's a just a regular guy?

Am I the only one who finds this  double standard interesting?

Now I'm not into dating guys 8 years (or more) younger than me...but still...I don't think women should be called names because they find someone who happens to be younger than they are.

Thoughts?

Circumstances

There are some people who say that all  the circumstances we find ourselves in are random.

Call me a dreamer, but I believe some of the circumstances we find ourselves in are weaved together in a beautiful way towards the plan God has for us.

I mean...take a look at the story of Ruth.

She made the choice to stick with her mother-in-law and move back to the land of Israel.

And of all the fields in that area, she just happened to work in Boaz' field.

Boaz just happened to notice her.

Boaz' just happened to be the guy who's job it was to take care of her (he was a distant relative).

And even when it seemed there was a kink in the plan, God came through.  Another guy was in line to marry Ruth (thus leaving Boaz in the cold), but he decided he didn't want to marry her. And Boaz was next in line.

Hmmm...kind of makes you think God wanted those two together.

I know some circumstances are brought on by evil and by this fallen world and have very little to do with God. But I believe that it's the little things, the circumstances that we normally wouldn't notice, that God uses to bring us into His plan for our lives.

The Upper Hand

At the beginning of the year, I fasted along with members of my family.

We believed it would be the best year for all of us.

So far, it's been one of the hardest.

I guess I thought after fasting, everything  would magically fall into place. But it hasn't.

I was getting a little discouraged until God reminded me of something Beth Moore said in my Bible study this week.

God always had the upper hand.

Even when things look bleak, God's got it under control and will turn it around. Then she made another great point. I'm paraphrasing but basically she said that we'll never know the thrill of God coming through for us if we don't have what seems like an impossible issue staring at us right in the face.

Well...I've had a lot of those lately so I guess I'm going to see God come through in some big ways this year.

I just hope it's sooner than later.

And in the meantime, I'll remember that God has the upper hand.

Random Question for Friday

So...I need to get my hair done. Bad. I usually just highlight it blonde and get it trimmed.

Nothing too drastic.

But that doesn't mean I haven't had my share of crazy hair do's. I remember one time in college I had this brilliant idea that I needed to be a red head. Never mind it is the hardest color in the world to match. But that didn't stop me. Even when my hairdresser said she didn't think it was a good idea...it was full steam ahead!

I ended up having dyed red hair and dyed red eyebrows to match.

It was a disaster.

Needless to say in less than a week I was back to my blonde hair again. After several deep conditioning treatments.

What's the worst hair experience you've ever had?

The Power of a Good Story

Stories are powerful.

They make us cry, fill us with hope, inspire us to action, and challenge us to change.

I think that's why I love a good story.

It can be from a book, a movie, a personal story, or a story about someone's life in the Bible.

Right now I'm reading about the the life of Joshua in the Bible.

It's fascinating.

This guy's mentor was Moses. When God chatted with Moses, Joshua was actually there right beside him! It's clear that God prepared this guy from day one to fight and lead the people of Israel through the Promised Land.

It reminds me that God has great plans for us. And that fills me with hope.

What's a good story you've read or heard about lately? It can be a personal story, a story from a sermon, book, movie...it doesn't matter. Feel free to share!

Closer the Victory...the Harder it Gets

Anyone who has grown up around church has probably heard about the Wall of Jericho about a hundred times.

You may have even re-enacted the story in Sunday School by marching around blocks as a little kid.

But the real wall of Jericho wasn't made of blocks.

In fact, history tells us it was actually two walls. And exterior retaining wall about 12-17 ft and a wall behind that about 25 ft. tall. It surrounded a town that was probably 9 acres.

Can you imagine marching around that?

The people of Israel did. They marched once around the wall for six days.

But on the seventh day something changed.

According to what God told the Israelites, it was the last day for them to march  around the wall before it would come crashing down to the ground. You think God would give them a break. After all, they were so close.

But that's not what happened.

God actually asked them to march longer. This day they had to march around the wall seven times.

As I read this, something jumped out at me.

Sometimes the closer the victory...the harder it gets.

Sometimes when God's about to answer a long awaited prayer or deliver us from the circumstances we're in, He asks us to dig deeper than we ever have to achieve victory.

And that ecnouraged me because honestly, it's been really rough lately. But I feel like God is telling me to fight harder and not give up no matter what.

If you're where I am right now and it seems as if things are getting harder not easier...have hope. Because victory might be just around the corner.

Loss

I don't have much to say today. Last week, I lost my "Grammy" who I loved and who I know loved me very much. Please be in prayer for my family.

Random Question for Friday

Since I just got back from vacation, I thought this would be a great question to ask for Random Question Friday.

What's the best vacation you've ever been on?

Vacation

I'm headed for vacation with my family.

And I can't wait.

For the next seven days I'll be hanging out by the pool, shopping, and pretty much doing nothing.

Thank you God for vacation.