On the First Day of Christmas

My True Love Gave to Me... a Partridge in a Pear Tree!

Do you know that the 12 days of Christmas are actually December 26th to January 6th?  Do you know that the poem-turned-carol was originally written to continue passing on the traditions of the Catholic church in Protestand England? 

The True Love who is bestowing gifts upon us is God.  The Partridge in a Pear Tree is Jesus, as He was given to us on Christmas.  Here's the full list of the meanings:

Two Turtle Doves - Old & New Testament
Three French Hens - Faith, Hope, Love
Four Calling Birds - the Gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John
Five Gold Rings - Five books of the Old Testament, which describe man's fall into sin & the Love of God in giving us Jesus
Six Geese a-Laying - the 6 days of creation
Seven Swans a-Swimming - sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit (prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhoration, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy
Eight Maids a-Milking - the eight beatitudes
Nine Ladies Dancing - nine fruits of the Holy Spirit (Charit, Joy, Peac, Patience, Goodness, Mildness, Fidelity, Modesty, and Connectivity)
Ten Lords a-Leaping - the Ten Commandments
Eleven Pipers Piping - the 11 faithful apostles
Twelve Drummers - the twelve points of belief in the Apostle's Creed.

Just some food for thought on this First Day of Christmas!

Gifts of the Spirit, I hear you LOUD & CLEAR!

1 Corinthians 12

New International Version (NIV)

Concerning Spiritual Gifts

12 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. ² You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. ³ Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

⁴ There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. ⁵ There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. ⁶ There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
⁷ Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. ⁸ To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, ⁹ to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, ¹⁰ to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,^[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.^{[b] 11} All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

This is one of the most comforting verses for me, mainly because of the Soul Cries I hear, feel, see, experience.... I had a minister at a non-denominational church try to tell me that my Soul Cries, my gifts of wisdom, knowledge, Faith, and understanding "tongues" (aka the Homily in Norwegian when I don't speak a lick of it) were from a demon, trying to hide in the cloak of Catholicism.  HA!  It's more like his words were that of the devil trying to faulter my beliefs!

Hm.  Well, that being said, what I really wanted to write about is how I have been having Soul Cries like crazy.  I'm not going to share them here, not just yet, but yeah... even though I haven't been at church regularly since the summer, my Faith is in tact, and I have left myself opened, ready, and willing to receiving whatever the Spirit is willing to give! 

Know that I will be in contact with any one of you if your name falls on my heart.  The Spirit has put it there for a reason.

A Healing Prayer Through Worship

My mom's cousin - I believe that makes her my second cousin once removed, right? - is dying, she's fought long and hard with the cancer that has infected her body.  She finds comfort in the Lord's Prayer, in this amazing, worship-filled, meditation of the Lord's Prayer.  I really don't have much else to say about it right now, as I am moved by the Spirit to tears every time I read it.... I just need to share it with you all!

A Prayer of Healing through Worship

Heavenly Father,

We come into Your presence to love and adore You.

Thank You for Your love and Your desire for union with us.

We welcome all that You wish to do through

this healing prayer. We open ourselves to communication with You and Jesus through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Come Holy Spirit, anoint us with healing so deep it reaches back into our blood line; with

healing so wide it impacts our friends and relatives;

with healing so high it draws us into Your holiness.

Holy Spirit, come with Your fire.

Our Father Which Art In Heaven---

Father God,

by Your grace I come to You with all that I am

and all that I ever hope to be.

I am Your child born of Your love.

Jesus brought me into Your presence.

You alone satisfy my soul.

You in me and I in You;

this is the path of healing for my soul.

By Your grace I come into Your presence

with simple, trusting assurance, certain

of Your love for me. In Your presence all

fear and insecurity melt away and deep hurts

become healing memories. In Your presence

I am strengthened and filled with hope. Father

in heaven, I breathe the breath of heaven

deep inside my spirit. Your heaven flows

through me. May the light of Your glory be

present with me throughout this day.

I love You Father.

Hallowed Be Thy Name---

Father,

I choose to live this one precious life in a

way that honors Your holy name. You call me

to worship, and I come. Oh Father, let all

that is within me cry holy. Let every wound

of my past dissolve in the light of Your

wonderful presence. Turn my weaknesses into

strengths, my failures into victories, my sorrows

into joy. Perfect all that concerns me as I

gaze upon Your holiness.

Thy Kingdom Come---

Father,

Your kingdom of love is in my heart.

It is not I who live but Christ who lives

in me. I am identified with my risen Lord

Jesus and Your kingdom is established in my

spirit. In coming to know Jesus, I am

discovering who I am, Precious Lord. Your

kingdom has come into my emotions,

and they are in a healthy balance.

Your kingdom has come into my mind,

and it is sanctified. Your kingdom

has come into my body, and I am becoming

healthy. Your kingdom rules my heart, and

I live a life of richness and depth. Your

kingdom has come into my mouth, and I speak

words that heal and liberate. Because Your

kingdom rules my life I am resilient and

filled with hope in all circumstances.

Thy Will Be Done---

Father in heaven,

unite my will with that of Your son.

Thank You for giving me a spirit of

submission, tender and open to the

Holy Spirit. In every circumstance I

commend myself to Your grace and choose

what is pleasing to You. Father,

I delight to do Your will. When I

lay my life before You and say "Thy

will be done," You receive it

as an act of worship. Wonderful Lord,

You have come tenderly into the deepest

struggles of my life and whispered, "Just

keep your eyes on Me. Trust Me to take

care of you." You have come into my

broken heart and made it a place of worship.

You have drawn me to praise You when

everything in my world was in ashes.

You have called me to trust beyond all

reason. I lay my life upon the altar of

Your love and say with joy in my soul,

"Thy will be done." Jesus, I trust in You.

On Earth As It Is In Heaven---

Father,

my heart beats with Your heart

for me to live in Christ.

Thank You, Holy Spirit,

for bringing my life into harmony

with heaven. Thank You, Holy Spirit,

for teaching me how to walk with

Jesus in His resurrected life. Thank

You, that the attitudes of heaven

are my attitudes. I think Your

thoughts and walk in Your presence.

I carry the light of Heaven wherever I go.

Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread---

Father,

you have always taken care of me, and

You always will. You give me what

I need each day and prepare for my

tomorrow. My faith is growing. Thank

You for my daily joy that draws me

to worship when sadness comes. Thank

You for Your healing balm that soothes

the day's aches and pains. Thank

You for Your perfect love that soaks

away my fear. Your tender daily

care in every area of need draws me

to my knees in worship. Thank You

for walking with me day by day.

In our growing friendship You have

never failed me, ever. I love You,

Father. I love You, Jesus, Bread

of Heaven. I love You, Holy Spirit.

Forgive Us Our Debts---

Father,

thank You for Your gift of mercy in my life;

Your mercy that reaches my heart, because I have

forgiven those who hurt me. I confess my sins and

receive forgiveness. I am free from condemnation

and safely united to You. Your truth has made me free.

I love You Father.

As We Forgive Our Debtors---

Father,

by the grace of the cross I let go of

bitterness resentment and unforgiveness.

If there are hidden roots of unforgiveness,

thank You for shining Your light on them.

I entrust this area to You. Thank You, for

turning injury into compassion and hurts

into intercessions. Forgiveness brings

heaven to earth. I love You, Father---

And Lead Us Not Into Temptation---

Thank You, Father,

for keeping me on a path that leads to holiness.

With Your grace I see temptation when it comes,

and brush it off the path. Your love is stronger

than the urge to sin. Thank You for healing any

areas of my soul that might be vulnerable to temptation.

Jesus, You are my Shepherd and my hiding place. You

guide me to safe pastures. I am responsive to the

voice of the Holy Spirit who warns me of trouble ahead.

Thank You, Father. I Love You.

But Deliver Us From Evil---

Father,

Thank You for protecting me from every evil and for

bringing me a gift of peace. You have broken the chain

of oppression, delivered me from depression, anger, guilt,

and fear. At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow;

addictions, perversions, hopelessness, worthlessness,

loneliness and despair must bend their knee to the

name of Jesus. I cast down every argument and every

high thing in me that exalts itself against the

knowledge of God. I bring every thought into captivity

to the obedience of Christ. Thank You for giving me

the power over all the power of the enemy. Nothing

shall hurt me. You have given me a spirit of praise

and worship, which is my strength in the face of the

enemy. Thank You for Your armor, Your name, Your blood,

Your Spirit. No weapon formed against me shall prosper.

Thank You Father. I love You.

For Thine Is The Kingdom.. And The Power.. And The Glory Forever

Father,

every gift You have given me, every dream, every talent,

every possession, every resource and hope for the future,

I return to You with love. All is Yours.

May Your name be glorified, may Your kingdom come.

Take Lord, receive, All my liberty, My memory,

my understanding, my entire will. All that I have

and possess. You have given all to me; To You,

O' Lord, I return it. All is Yours. Dispose of it

wholly according to You will. Give me Your love

and Your grace, for this is sufficient for me.

Amen!!

Psalm 34:18

As the holidays are drawing near, I am even more painfully aware that I am single and working on the "getting out there" part of post-break up-life. 

It's hard.  It sucks.  I have gone back to church a few times, my old church, the mass where I felt my faith-community was, but it's not the same.... I feel like I've got a scarlet letter on my chest, like I've grown horns at my temples, and from some people, I most definitely feel the proverbial cold shoulder. 

Don't get me wrong, others have welcomed me back with incredibly open arms and hearts that needed healing, both theirs and mine, and it was absolutely wonderful... but I still feel like I no longer belong. 

Today's verse of the day is Psalm 34:18 "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." 

I don't necessarily feel entirely broken hearted, but there are pieces and parts of my heart that are certainly and indefinitely broken.  I don't feel like my soul is decemated, but there are corners that still need to be held, comforted, and nurtured back to its fullest state of being.  Not only regarding people from church, but other people in my circle of friends.  And I know, I know in my heart of hearts, that they're hurt by some of the happenings over the last 12 months, and it is a time for all of us to learn together, how to comfort one another, heal and move forward.   Knowing God is holding me close, even the tiny broken bits of heart & soul that I hide from everyone but myself, helps me to take that next step...

On Hallowed Ground

Sometimes I need to unplug, back out of the busy-ness around me, and just be in silence.  That's not easy to do in today's world, let me tell ya!!!

The other day I thought I'd managed to escape the insanity as I sat at the little pho restaurant by my office, but nope... in walked some pretty loud customers and out walked my peace of mind.  I tried losing myself in my book again (on my kindle -shhh! don't tell!) but it was a futile effort.

Wednesday was another one of those days where I just needed to be.  Silent.  No chance of being bothered by anyone.  I was feeling the Spirit call to me, and I just needed to listen.  I needed more than just the silence of my car in the parking lot.  I needed to just find Peace.  Quiet.  God. 

I found myself at the local cemetary.  It was a beautiful, warm Fall day, the sun was out, the wind was tickling the branches of the trees that stood watch over the 100 year old head stones, and it was perfect.  Absolutely perfect.  Stepping foot on hallowed ground, I swear I could feel the Spirit fill me from my feet up to the top of my head.  I righted some of the flags and flower pots that had been toppled over by wind, and brushed off piles of leaves from the headstones, saying a little prayer for each person as I walked by. 

God didn't tell me any deep secrets or bless me with any profound epiphanies.  He didn't solve world hunger or give me the healing touch to cure all cancer.  He was just present.  With me.  In peaceful silence.  It was so humbling, so fulfilling, so.... *sigh* perfect. 

I promise you, cemetaries are not always creepy.  I encourage you to spend some time in one.  (I know that sounds creepy, but I promise, it's not)

"For God alone, oh my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him." ~Proverbs 62:5

My "Soul Rehab" Playlist

Here it is!  It's been put together for a bit, but I kept forgetting to bring the journal page that had it... Sorry, no hyperlinks just yet...

I Can Only Imagine, Mercy Me
Take My Hand, The Kry
Lord, I Need You, Matt Maher
Beautiful, Mercy Me
Only Grace, Matthew West
There is a Way, Newworldson
Help Me Find It, Sidewalk Prophets
Worn, Tenth Avenue North
Redeemed, Big Daddy Weave
Need You Now, Plumb
Forgiveness, Matthew West
Carry Me, Josh Wilson
I will Rise, Chris Tomlin
He Won't Let You Go, The Kry

There are, quite obviously, SOOO many more songs that could go on this list, oh, the healing power of music!!! 

What songs help get you over that "hump" when all else seems to fail?

Filling a Void

I found this post from about two months ago - for some reason it didn't get posted..... it was the idea of the first step to my post I just published, "When in Doubt...."

---

A few months ago I posted about my God-shaped hole not really being God-shaped so much as being St. Stephen's-shaped.... There's no way I could have ever known that, 5 months later, I'd have a boyfriend-shaped hole too.

Right now I'm not sure that I'm ready to jump back into the full-on church commitments again, I don't even know if they'd ask me back.... I think I need some time to just be me, but I do want to start filling that void- where my love-lost used to be, where my St Stephen's community used to be. And how will I do that? Well, since it's not really realistic to just unplug and disappear for a week, I'm thinking I might hang out with Jesus for a few hours here and there...

"When in Doubt, Go Where There's None"

That was my facebook comment when I checked in at church yesterday, and it was exactly where I needed to be.

I'd been avoiding going back to church, really, since I was asked to leave music ministry, 02/15/2013 - Ash Wednesday, and especially after leaving my ex-boyfriend.  It's been just too painful.  I went to church on Easter, but not my church.  I went a few times to other types of services, but not my church's services.  But yesterday I was moved by both good & bad things to just hit that "RESET" button and start all over. 

I found myself at St Stephen's about 30 minutes early for Mass, so I shared in some adoration (and tears) before mass.  It felt so right, being there, present with the Body of Christ- figuratively as the other members of the Faith Community sat down, and literally, with the Host on the altar.  The gospel message was perfect for what I needed to hear.... IMAGINE THAT! *soft grin*  God?  Speaking to me?  That's never happened to me before! (note-sarcasm! He talks to me all the time!)

Every one of us suffers, but what do we do with it?  We bring it to God.  We know Jesus is there with us.  We go to church.  We feel Him.  He doesn't "fix" it, but He helps us heal from it, and we do not have to do it alone.

Wise words for this aching soul.

One (or two or 20?) Midnight(s) Gone!

Just a little play-on-words from one of my favorite modern operas Into the Woods.... I can't believe it's been almost a month since my last post.  Not for a lack of brainstorming, just for a lack of making the time.  I've been putting together a playlist that I cannot wait to share with you, but I want to wait until I have all the right YouTube links and whatnot so you can share the music with me without having to go back and forth between windows or tabs - you can just click and enjoy. 


Please stay tuned! (Pun intended) :-)

INVASION!!!

God wants to invade your soul - with His love. 

John 17:26 says "I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."

Tricky guy....

This has actually been my philosophy on His love for a LOOOOOONG time.  Unfortunately, I don't have a moment in time when I ever said "Oh, I like what John wrote, I'm gonna practice that..." no witness testimonies, nothing special that happened... it's just a part of me.  A fabric of my being.  "If I show someone unconditional love and acceptance, then eventually they'll see that it's not really my love, it's God's Love!"  No spectacular "ah-ha" moment, just me. 

Let God invade your soul.  Let the Holy Spirit guide your path towards others, so that you might show them the love Christ had for us, the love God has for us.  You don't have to preach or pass judgement; actions speak louder than words.

Mark's a Smart Guy...

After July 4th, when my life changed and my boyfriend broke my heart, forcing me to break up with him, I have felt the Spirit stirring in my soul- just a little movement here and there, and it's been amazingly helpful.  A lot of my inspiration & the movement I'm feeling has been coming from the various "Verse of the Day" apps & emails. 

Today's was, again, quite fitting!  (sorry, no nifty little post-it picture for this one)

"He said to her - Daughter, your faith has healed you.  Go in peace and be freed from your suffering." ~Mark 5:34

Now, while I don't quite feel completely free from suffering yet, I feel like I'm getting closer and closer!

God, Father, keep speaking to me - I'm listening!

A New Perspective

In light of recent events (as in the last 36 hours!), I re-read Forgiveness and all of those references and quotes have a completely new and more profound meaning to me! 

I'd like to go on a silent retreat, but the last one of the summer is the same weekend as my cousin's wedding.  That will kind of be like a retreat, since it will just be me and the dogs in a cabin slightly off the beach. 

Brief inspiration today - Proverbs 31.  Maybe I will incorporate 31:25 into the ink that I someday want to (but will most likely never) get... 

Forgiveness

Do you ever get the feeling that God is KNOCKING YOU UPSIDE THE HEAD?!  I did today, FOR SURE. 

Last night I asked the Holy Spirit to help lead me down my path, show me that I am right where God wants me... 

Today, I got my answer loud and clear!  First, the verse of the day...

Then, the only song I heard on the radio this morning, courtesy of the commercials and DJ blah-blah-blah, was Matthew West's Forgiveness.  

If that wasn't enough, my horoscope, Gandhi, and Buddha all imparted wisdom on me that basically laid it all out: 

Okay, God, I hear you, loud and clear. Thank you for "Gibbs-smacking" me. 

Your ever-loving servant, 

Melinda 

Prayer Request

I'm having surgery on Friday - should be fairly simple, fairly routine, but it's still surgery.  They still have to knock me out, they still have to cut into me, search & poke & prod & cut, and I still have to recover from it all.  Any prayers you could manage to throw out there for me would me greatly appreciated!  

My mom asked why I haven't been writing much lately, and the answer was because of my health - I've missed a lot of work, been in a lot of pain, and been hopped up on pain medication since the end of March/beginning of April.  I promise to start writing again SOON!  

Until then, I encourage you to think about listening in the silence.... I've written about it a few times... Below are some of the entries, by date. 

Feb 5th 2008

Mar 18 2009

June 26 2012

My God-Shaped Hole

A few "Quests" ago, some of the Life Teen members presented to the kids about how we all have a God-shaped hole in our hearts, our souls, and God is just waiting to fill it for us, make us feel whole again.... It was wonderful, the way it was presented, and I think it really made an impact on the kids - I know it did on me!

Well, I have a hole, but it's not necessarily God-shaped.  It's St.Stephen's-shaped.  It's been a little over two months since I was asked to no longer participate in the ministries on which I served because of a life choice that I made.  I've talked a little about this, but not a lot.

I wasn't sure how to process it.  I'm still not.  There's not a way to fix it.... I am not going back on my choice, to live with my boyfriend.  I love him.  I love his daughter.  We are planning the rest of our lives together.  It finally feels right, to be in love with someone who loves me back, who has been the answer to my prayers, and I can see how God's working in our lives!

I don't feel an absence of God, by any means.  I do feel an absence of the St. Stephen's community.  I still wake up every Sunday wondering what songs we're singing at mass, then have to remind myself that there is no more "we" singing songs.  I wonder what the youth group is doing, hoping that kids are still coming after confirmation, praying that the core team is still able to reach out, spread God's message to those who need it most.  And then there's the core team and the worship team.  I miss them terribly.  Some of them might not realize just how much.  That's what makes me sad, that I lost those friendships, that fellowship.  They are in the throws of planning the Spring Quest for junior high, and I've been praying for them lots.  It makes me sad, that I'm not there, that I'm not able to help find ways to bring God to the teens.

Hmmm... there's a lot of "I" in this post.... but it's about how I feel, so I'm okay with that.

So, yes.... where did I leave off in my thoughts.... ???  My St. Stephen's-shaped hole.  I don't know how to fix it.  I can't ask them to take me back, because I'm still living in sin, in their eyes.  I don't feel sorry for my choice, so I can't confess & be forgiven... *sigh*  Does that mean that I can't come back?  Ever?  I don't know.

There is no answer, not that I can find right now.  I keep praying & asking others to pray for me too.  For healing, mostly, to patch up that hole.  My mom keeps asking me if I've gone to church again, try different churches, and I have the intention to do so, but maybe I'm not ready just yet... I think I'm still mourning the loss of what I had and loved at St. Stephens.  And part of me feels like I can't.  I'm still choosing to live "in sin".  No matter how accepting someone says their faith may be, that's what it boils down to.  Besides - I'd hate to open myself up to another community, to let them in, and then be asked to leave for being a sinner.

I've asked that God use His glorious presence in my life to fill the void.  I'm not quite ready to thank God for any unanswered prayers just yet, so I'm going to keep asking.

Grateful Photos

I know it's a little late, but here's the collage-of-sorts for my lenten thanksgivings!  If I was cool enough to take the time & figure it out, I'd hyperlink each one of these to tell you a little about each one, but I'm not that cool.  If you follow me on FB, you can go there, I have a little blurbs about each one.  All-in-all, it was so much fun to share the big and little thanks with people every day, I find myself still snapping a photo every now and then & saying a quick prayer for the moment of thanksgiving.

3000!

Just another quick shout-out to my loyal readers, thank you for sticking with me.  Tid-bits of Inspiration has hit 3000 views, on an international level! 

Who's with us, as of today? 

United States
Russia
Ukraine
Germany
Norway
Sweden
United Kingdom
China
Canada
Japan

... to name a few...

I'm working on getting my lenten photos together, I can't wait to share them all with you. *grin*

Grateful - Lenten Photos - Stay Tuned!

Usually I try to post something regularly during Lent, this year I've been having problems with blogger allowing me to post photos whenever I try, so I'm going to put all the "Grateful Photos" into a collage and post them after Easter.

Please, keep watching!  If you're on facebook, you can find them there...

Blessings to you!

Counting Your Blessings, Not Crying Over Spilled Milk

So, for those of you who don't follow me on fb, I'm wearing a heart monitor again.  Joy.  I've been whining about it since I got it yesterday - it itches, it pinches, it's annoying, I get tangled in the cords, it leaves little round rashes that make it look like I've been wrestling with an octopus....

And then today I found out that a dear, sweet, sweet friend from college had a mastectomy yesterday.  I found this out when I went to her fb page to wish her a happy birthday today.  That's one hell of a birthday gift - let me take your boob to try to save your life.... ??? 

Makes me realize that I should be thanking God every single day that I have to wear this heart monitor, that it's not something worse.  Yes, it's my heart, but it's nothing fatal.  It's inconvenient, but I don't have to have anything cut off or cut out, I don't have to undergo any major medical treatments - although ablation is something that I would do if it was proven to work. 

Two of the sweetest people I knew in college have faught cancer so far.  Crystal is a survivor, an author, an amazing woman of God, and she and her husband are raising three wonderful boys and work in youth ministry world wide.  Becky just had her surgery yesterday, and has dedicated her life to service through LDS, her passion is bringing the Word to the far corners of the world. 

Compared to cancer, my inappropriate heart is something that I will give thanks for, and use my energy that I've been spending on complaining to pray for those less fortunate. 

Both ladies blogs are public, so please, take a peak, and say a prayer.

Someone Else's Food for Thought

Please, take the time to read this post... a few times... and reflect upon it.

Worthless or Worthwhile?

"God measures my worth by the love in my heart, the prayer on my lips, the faith deep within, the hope that never fails, the sufferings patiently endured and offered to God.  These are priceless.  These make a person worth more than the flowers in the fields, the birds in the air.... What is the treasure my heart really seeks?"

This is one of the snippets from the Lenten prayer book they handed out at church on Ash Wednesday...

Hm... Church... the very place I love to be... the institution, the community which I devoted 3-4 nights a week for almost the last two years.... has turned me away because I am a sinner.  It broke my heart - still breaks my heart.  And yet, as I said to my mom after it happened six short (but oh-so-long!) days ago, I have been hurt by people using Faith to justify their actions before, and while it is hard not to have a church, a home, a faith community, I have not lost my Faith.  I still have unconditional love in my heart.  I still have prayer on my lips.  I still have faith deep within - deeper than anyone but God could even begin to understand.  I am still a person worthy of love, of hope, of joy. 

The treasure my heart truly seeks is to be right with God, and I don't feel that my relationship with Him has been compromised at all, if anything, it has been strengthened.

I pray for anyone who has been judged, for anyone who has judged, and for anyone who feels they are less-than-worthy of God's love.  God loves you NO MATTER WHAT, as long as you love Him.

Monday, Fat Tuesday, Ash Wednesday, LENT!

As we fast-approach the upcoming Lenten Season, let us start to prepare our souls for the journey through the desert...

One of the blogs I read had some really need guided questions to help us along in choosing our Lenten Promise:

• What habits do I engage in that are destructive to my spiritual health?
• To what material things am I too attached?
• What areas in my life are unbalanced?
• To what do I devote too much or not enough time?
• Where is my life heading?

Tonight, I plan to meditate on these.... I've already prepared for my positive change that I'm going to try to stick to, but now I need to find a way to really better myself, my spiritual life, find a better balance. 

Lent is Right Around the Corner!

Last year I chose to give up flour & sugar, and I lost 30 lbs- I've also managed to keep that weight off after integrating monitored amounts of flour & sugar back into my diet.

Last night, while planning for youth group, we were talking about this - what people "give up" for Lent... should it really be something so negative?  One suggestion that was put out there that I plan to do this year is this: Take a photo of something or someone for which/whom you are grateful & put that photo where you will see it through out the duration of Lent.  I figured that would be a good way for me to get back into photography and make sure I'm diligent about writing more again. 

What changes are you planning on making to better your life for Christ this year? 

Lather, Rinse, Repeat!

(I'm pretty sure that I've used this title before)

Finding inspiration to share a previous post:

Strength in Weakness

enjoy!

Think... Think... Think....

I know there's people out there reading my blog, I see the stats every day...

What would you like to read about?  I've hit a bit of a dry spell & could use some suggestions....

As always, praying for you, my gentle readers!

~ Melinda <><