Random Question for Friday

I got a new phone.

And it's a smart phone.

Yes, I know I'm late to the game but I'm cheap and I wanted to wait until there was an affordable data plan out there.

And know I'm slightly addicted.

So, I'm trying to cut back. Big time.

Do you struggle being addicted to new gadgets? Any gadgets you're slightly addicted to now?

Romantic Comedies Study

I was listening to the radio and they were talking about this study. It seems that all those romantic comedies may not be good for our relationships. Here is the link.

Romantic Comedies Can Damage Your Relationships

Now, I'm not crazy about studies like this because sometimes they can be too broad. However, I can't deny that in the past my expecations in relationships and my friends' expectations in relationships haven't been effected by these movies.

Thoughts?

When God Repeats Himself

God speaks to everyone differently, but for me when God keeps bring up the same subject over and over again...I know He's trying to tell me something.

There are two things in my life right now that I'm  praying for like a mad woman and the message God is clearly speaking to me is "Don't give up!"

And strangely, it always seems to be tied to the verse Nehemiah 4:14 "...Don't be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers,your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!"

This verse is about a guy named Nehemiah who despite incredible odds, rebuilt the wall in Jerusalem. This guy refused to give up.

I don't know what God has for me but I do know that He doesn't what me to give up what I'm praying for.

Has God been repeating Himself with you, lately? What's He saying?

Grace

Lately I've been thinking about how Christians (myself included) give or don't give grace to others.

And I came to realize that sometimes we can be horribly inconsistent.

When someone messes up royally, we tend to sweep it under the rug and pull out the grace card to justify their sin.

But when it's something small, we tend to act like that person has committed a felony and we shred up the grace card and stomp on it.

I got to thinking about this because of something that happened about a week ago.

A friend of mine made a mistake (a small one) because they were hurt. The mistake was wrong, but I was surprised at the lack of mercy and grace some people had. It's as if they had no pity that this person was wounded.

In this instance, I was the only one trying to persuade everyone to have a little pity and understanding.

Now before you give me my halo, let me tell you that I'm not always this way.

In fact, this whole post is about the hypocrisy I see in myself. When someone screws up big time, I tend to extend grace...sometimes to point where I don't confront the behavior.

But in the little things, like if someone is just simply late to meet me some place, there is no grace at all. They were late, they're insensitive and selfish, and that's that.

Crazy.

So I'm asking God to give me more of a balance when extending grace. And that I will see people the way He sees them. And for heaven's sake, just give people the benefit of the doubt sometimes, especially in the little things. After all, God has given me so much grace when I don't deserve it.

Do you see yourself doing this sometimes? Thoughts?

Random Question for Friday

Yesterday, someone told me that I'm an animated talker...meaning that I bob my head and use my hands when I talk.

I'd never noticed that before.

So here's my question for you. Are you an animated talker or are you a hold still don't talk with your hands kind of talker?

Conquering Fears

I'm all about conquering fears. In fact, I'm trying right now to conquer a few of my own. And it's proving to be quit a battle.

But there is one fear that I have no desire to conquer. Ever.

Jumping out of a plane at 10,000 feet.

You see, a friend's b-day is coming up. And she and a few of my other friends are going skydiving. I'm going...but only as ground support. My size fives will be firmly planted on the ground with a video camera in my hand to record their stupidity...I mean bravery ;)

Some people believe in doing radical (and somewhat dangerous) activities to conquer their fears. I am not one of them.

I prefer the pray to God and ask His power to take my fears away while my feet are firmly planted on the ground method. Then obeying His voice and doing what He tells me (hopefully it will never involve skydiving...or I'm in trouble).

Of course, I'm very proud of my friends' courage to do what they're afraid of. That's is always admirable. And I will be their biggest fan when they do it...I'll just be cheering on the ground instead of 10,000 feet up in the air.

What about you? How do you conquer your fears?

Rain

I love the rain.

It's calm and peaceful.

It cleanses and makes everything clean.

When my life is in chaos, there's something about a quiet rain storm that calms me. And strangely makes me think everything is going to be alright. I can't explain it, but I'm grateful every time God sends a quiet rain storm my way.

What in nature calms you or gives you peace every time you see it?

A Jab and a Smile

Have you ever been with someone and they take a swipe at you or someone else with a smile on their face?

I call it the jab and smile technique.

And I should know about it, because I used to do it. All.the.time.

I would use sarcasm or a cute comment to veil a criticism or issue I had with someone. Until someone pointed out to me that even though I thought I was cleverly disguising my frustration, the person on the other end got my full meaning. And it was more of an insult that I said it with a smile.

So I decided to try and change.

It was tough.

Mainly because I didn't know how to express my feelings in a constructive way. I would do real well for a while and then fall back into my "jab and smile" tactics. But after much practice, I finally discovered how to express my feelings rather than hide behind a quick but stabbing comment. Not that I don't fall on my face every now and then, but for the most part the jab and smile technique is history.

Have you ever struggled with this? Have you ever been on the receiving end of this?

Thoughts?

Random Question for Friday

I've never gone on a  blind date.

But one of my friend's tells a story of a blind date gone wrong and it makes me laugh out loud everytime I hear it.

I'm not opposed to blind dates, just curious of how they usually turn out.

Have you ever been on a blind date?

If not, do you have any blind date stories you've heard about?

Attack

There are some in the Christian community that believe everything is the devil's fault.

Tire blows out...it's the devil.
Tripped down the stairs...it's that guy with the horns and pitchfork again.

I'm not one of those people.

But lately...all the things that have happened to me and those in my family can only be described as a spiritual attack. It has literally been one thing after another.

I don't claim to know everything about spiritual warfare, but I can tell when I'm in it.

And I'm in it.

It's tiring but it brings me closer in prayer for myself and those in my family.

God is bigger and stronger...that's what I remind myself as I walk through this.

What are your thoughts about spiritual warfare/attacks? Any tips?

Loyalty

Recently, my pastor did a message on loyalty and what that means. Before that sermon, I thought I was loyal...now I realize there are areas where I'm not so loyal.

When I think of loyalty, I think of Jonathan, the son of Saul.

This guy defies his father, defies in own self-interest, and remains loyal to his friend David no matter what.

Would I be that loyal to friends or family?

I don't know. I'd like to think I would be.

I guess it's the against my own self-interest part that would be the most difficult. I mean, Jonathan was loyal to David even though every time he helped David, he risked his own life and sabotaged any chance he would have at being the next king of Israel. That is loyalty on steriods.

So as I strive to be more loyal to my friends and family, I will look to Jonathan as an example and only hope that I can come close to that kind of loyalty.

Thoughts about July 4th

I hope everyone had a great fourth of July.  I love this holiday because it reminds me how grateful I am to live in this country.

And how grateful I am for the brave men that stood up and fought to establish this nation.

Lately I've been really looking at our Constitution and all the effort and thought was put into it. It's really amazing all the debates that went on to establish our country.

If you haven't checked out the Constitution or the history surrounding it, I recommend that you do. It really is interesting about all the personalties that made up and influenced our Constitution.

What do think of when you think about the fourth of July? Besided hot dogs and fireworks ;)

Random Question for Friday

The last really good movie I saw in the theater was "Up".  I loved the humor mixed with beauty of the story of Carl Fredrickson's realization that his adventure hadn't ended...there was still more for him to do.

What was the last really good movie you've seen?

Learning Something New

There is something about learning how to something that you had no idea how to do previously that makes your confidence go up and makes you feel like you accomplished something.

This last weekend a learned something new.

Laying sod.

Me and some of my friends helped with Habitat For Humanity and we (and a large group of people from my church) laid sod for two houses thank you very much.

It was interesting to see me and my friends learn how to lay sod (we aren't exactly the type that know home building type stuff).

So needless to say we were pretty proud of ourselves.

Have you learned anything new lately? Please share.