Ooops I mean The One Where I'm Not Shocked By The Grammy's.
A friend of mine phoned Monday and was in a ruckus about The Grammys. Did I see the show? Did I see the couples "ceremony"? Did I see Beyoncé and Jay-Z? Did I see Katy Perry's performance?
Oh.My.God!! What is the world coming to!! How much lower will it sink until it implodes on itself? The Horror!! My eyes are bleeding!
Me.... sigh.... really?
Really? The Christian world is all upset because the fallen world behaved...well...fallen.
It's the Grammy's, It's not Church! It's not a Billy Graham Crusade! Christian Artists were there, although I prefer Switch Foot's stance on the Christian Music issue, some weren't, some left, some decided this event wasn't for them.
There's a large debate about Natalie Grant leaving and tweeting about it. Lots of "good for her" "what a real Christian" comments. I'm neither here nor there about her going, staying or leaving. If you want to leave, leave. But don't tweet and facebook about it, it just stirs up controversy where none is necessary.
This was the 56th annual Grammy's. It comes on every year, hence the word annual. Surely people watch it. Christians have seen it at least once in the past 56 years. I'm not quite 56 years old, but I can tell you I've seen it at least 30 times if not more. I know what to expect. In the past 5-10 years or so, there's been an "up the ante" attitude about who wore what and how little of it, who was the most inappropriate, who had the best performance, who had the worst, you get the picture...
People, even Christian people have seen it. When you accept the invitation to go to the Grammy's you know that you're not going to church. You shouldn't expect robes, habits, choirs or a message from the bible. You probably will be offended by performances, by language, by lack of clothing and other worldly ways.
But here's my question: Why are we (Christians) so shocked that a fallen world acts fallen? Why is the world vilified because it doesn't live up to Biblical Standards?
Why is the world expected to live up to standards that the Christian doesn't? Ok, so there are homosexuals, is that really rocking your world? How many Christian men are addicted to pornography? How many Christian women are addicted to pain medication? How many Christians had sex before marriage? How many Christian women (and men) were involved in abortion? Before you bust out with an answer.....
The abortion stat: 1 in 4 women. Not "the world" but 1 in 4 of all human beings in the North America who are women (and men) regardless of their religious stance.
So what there was an "equality marriage" ceremony! So what?! How is that affecting your daily life? Your walk with God? Honestly? If you watched the majority of couples were mixed race.
We set up a Biblical Standard before an unbelieving world and hold them to it, vilify them for not living up to it, while we cower under grace. We get our feathers ruffled because they aren't like us, guess what.... they aren't supposed to be.
I liken that to punishing my cocker spaniel because he's not a giraffe. Be a giraffe!! Be Taller!! Be a giraffe!! Eat Leaves! Why aren't you a giraffe!?
The world is coming to an end! Yea, I know, it's been coming to an end since the beginning. And until there's two angels visiting my house telling me that my city will be destroyed because there aren't even 5 righteous people to be found in it, I think it's safe to say things are pretty good here in the old USA.
Deteriorating from it's original design, I'll give you that. However, that's been going on since the garden. So why all the feigned offense? It should be no surprise that "the world" live up to Christian Standards.
There's all this clinching of fists, and ruffled feathers, and audible gasps, and holier than thou going around. When last I checked the only standard is the one where we can't live up to it and are in need of a Savior. Why is there the propensity to hold the world up to a standard we can't and don't live up to?
Dog Be A Giraffe! Non Christian Act Like A Christian! Live up to my Christian Standard! Wear all your clothes! Live up to my Christian Standard! Stop swearing! Live up to my Christian Standard! Stop dancing, especially on TV!
This attitude doesn't promote change. People don't come to Christ because of a set of rules, but because of His Kindness.
I heard this song today, I think it's fitting for the occasion.
Alternate Route: Nothing More
To be humble, to be kind.
It is the giving of the peace in your mind.
To a stranger, To a friend
To give in such a way that has no end.
We are Love
We are One
We are how we treat each other when the day is done.
We are Peace
We are War
We are how we treat each other and Nothing More
To be bold, to be brave.
It is the thinking that the heart can still be saved
And the darkness can come quick
The Dangers in the Anger and the hanging on to it.
We are Love
We are One
We are how we treat each other when the day is done.
We are Peace
We are War
We are how we treat each other and Nothing More
Tell me what it is that you see
A world that’s filled with endless possibilities?
Heroes don’t look they used to, they look like you do.
We are Love
We are One
We are how we treat each other when the day is done.
We are Peace
We are War
We are how we treat each other and Nothing More
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Friday, January 24, 2014
The One Where It's Like Every Other Day... {#oneword365 Link Up}
I'm behind on many things....Like Blogging
I'm part of a link up group. It's called Trusting Tuesday.... yeah, it's Friday. A week later from when that started.
I also forgot to give my kiddo funds for a Youth Gathering.
I've run around here frustrated about a variety of things. Work, Household Things, Thankful Things (it's the 24th, I have 7-8 thankful things), Running Things (missed 5 runs this month).
This thing that appears to be an awesome opportunity that I just can't find peace about, is it fear or is it not for me?
But my word isn't Peace.
It's Trust.
And I feel that there are many things thathave are falling into place as I Trust,
just pause every day and Trust
T - Thank Me (1000Gifts)
R - Read Me (The Bible, 12 books this year)
U - Use Me (Where you need me)
S - Strengthen Me (To be the vessel)
T - Teach Me (To be poured out)
I'm part of a link up group. It's called Trusting Tuesday.... yeah, it's Friday. A week later from when that started.
I also forgot to give my kiddo funds for a Youth Gathering.
I've run around here frustrated about a variety of things. Work, Household Things, Thankful Things (it's the 24th, I have 7-8 thankful things), Running Things (missed 5 runs this month).
This thing that appears to be an awesome opportunity that I just can't find peace about, is it fear or is it not for me?
But my word isn't Peace.
It's Trust.
And I feel that there are many things that
just pause every day and Trust
T - Thank Me (1000Gifts)
R - Read Me (The Bible, 12 books this year)
U - Use Me (Where you need me)
S - Strengthen Me (To be the vessel)
T - Teach Me (To be poured out)
I've had many opportunities to trust this year. Just Trust. I don't have to understand it with my limited thoughts or earthly smallness. I only have to Let That Thing Go and Watch Him Perform on my behalf.
And in Letting It Go... things and stress and stuff out of my control (isn't all really though) and yea, we really live in this house and it probably won't look like a model home at least not while the kids are living at home. And Lord knows I only have a few short years left.little heart ache
here> And in Letting It Go... things and stress and stuff out of my control (isn't all really though) and yea, we really live in this house and it probably won't look like a model home at least not while the kids are living at home. And Lord knows I only have a few short years left.
The Thanking and Reading and Using and Strength and Teaching, it's all leading somewhere and for now that somewhere isn't specific, but I
A break through with a group of Young Lives Mommas.
An interview that I'm excited about, interested in, looking for ways to Trust about.
A new and improved teenager, after a few weeks of counseling and some changes in our family goals, he's chatty and open and sharing, and well I'm a hopeful Momma. My heart is full.
Reading a new (to me) version of the bible, The Message, Remix, Bible In A Year. It's cool. To be honest I've been a version snob for many years. It's refreshing to read these familiar stories in new ways. Before I know it this bible will be marked up. I find myself using it for Bible Study.
Church is just awesome! I'm so glad we made the switch. I'm getting bolder about asking people to come with us. No one has showed up yet but I keep asking. Trusting.
I keep reading blogs. And She Reads Truth. And reading my books. I'm on Desperate's last chapters. So Excited to have a book done and finish another one. I have half read books all over the house! Committed though to reading them! I'm also open to book suggestions! And find my second home at Half Price Books!
I keep Being Hungry and Thirsty and I find that in Trusting, I'm being Filled.
In today's The Message was John 14, so familiar, read with new eyes today. Read on to one of my favorite biblical commentaries Matthew Henry.
John 14:1 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.
Commentary:
Let not your heart be troubled. Christ took notice of it, observed it. He is acquainted with all our secret undiscovered sorrows. With the wounds that bleed inwardly. He knows we are afflicted. How we are affected in affliction. How near they lie in our hearts. Jesus is cognizant of our troubles. That we are overwhelmed. He knows our souls in adversity.
The Remedy is Believe. Greek: Pisteute
To have confidence. To Entrust.
Believe in God. His Perfection. His Providence. His Principles.
I keep Being Hungry and Thirsty and I find that in Trusting, I'm being Filled.
In today's The Message was John 14, so familiar, read with new eyes today. Read on to one of my favorite biblical commentaries Matthew Henry.
John 14:1 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.
Commentary:
Let not your heart be troubled. Christ took notice of it, observed it. He is acquainted with all our secret undiscovered sorrows. With the wounds that bleed inwardly. He knows we are afflicted. How we are affected in affliction. How near they lie in our hearts. Jesus is cognizant of our troubles. That we are overwhelmed. He knows our souls in adversity.
The Remedy is Believe. Greek: Pisteute
To have confidence. To Entrust.
Believe in God. His Perfection. His Providence. His Principles.
Monday, January 6, 2014
The One Where I Choose Books
So when we first began to attend Cornerstone Church one of the first things the pastor challenged us to was to read.
Yes read the bible daily. But to also read books. Inspiring books, fiction books, books about faith, books on topics you enjoy..... Just read. Ten pages a day.
I took the challenge and read
The Hobbit (if you count reading the first 5 chapters, seeing both movies bad reading the last five chapters!)
I've been reading blogs lately. All sorts. It seems like many bloggers read, are in book clubs, have book recommendations.
Now that I read, maybe I'll add a section.
Anyway, these are my first book choices for my 10 pages a day challenge this year.
The Hiding Place. Will read this with my kiddo.
The Message - bible in a year. I wanted a different version. My ESV is all marked up. Which is a good thing. At least it's been read!
Desperate - still reading it. Book from last months stack.
The One Where I Don't Push It (or push it real good)
Saturday was the first race of the year! It was dreary and cold. I didn't want to go, but I laid my flat mama out anyway.
I text my friend - made sure we were still on. Went to bed. But not to sleep.
My sister was texting with me, I finally had to tell her I needed to sleep I had to be up early for the race. Yea, it's just a 5K but still I needed to sleep. I've been up late quite a bit over Winter Break.
I got up on time. I got dressed. I made coffee and breakfast. I picked up Holly. I needed to be there a bit early because I forgot to register! Yea, I'm that girl. The one who knows I need to register and then don't thinking I'll have plenty of time.
We got parked, walked to Winfrey Point and made it there just in time for me to register. I got my chip anyway, they ran out of bibs. Holly and I tried to stay warm while looking for other friends. I saw Mimi and Clay.
I knew Shannon was coming but I hadn't found her yet.
It was race time so we headed to the start. And we're off! I felt good. I was happy the wind wasn't whipping off the lake. We were sort of sheltered from it. I've been at races where there was a significant lake effect.
I made it to the one mile mark and decided to unwrap my hand from the jacket, glove, long sleeve situation to look at my garmin. I was running comfortably with a bit of a push. 10.06! Wow. That didn't seem possible.
I kept going. Saw a few runners I knew at the turn around. I slowed down at the water stop, took a few sips and kept going. Not much longer now. I see the familiar bend in the path and know I'm not too far out. Maybe a half a mile. I picked up the pace a bit, but not really pushing it. I didn't want to sprint it out. Just see what a comfortable pace is. Without the obsessing I've done in the past. I wasn't out to PR. Just trust the process of not obsessing on times and paces and foot counts. Just running.
I see the finish and I'm see that I can make my goal for the run, under 33 minutes! I looked at the clock as I crossed 33.03! Gun time! Yay!!
I turn my Garmin off (32:47:51) I found Shannon and waited for Holly. She came in a minute after me. We got some water, walked off the race, went to the club house for some snacks and walked back to the car.
Then Hypnotic Donuts! You can't go to White Rock and not go there! Yum!! A little post race goody. Although I know it's not good for me and it's way more calories than I need. It's only once a month. And I've committed this year to not obsess over the numbers.
I text my friend - made sure we were still on. Went to bed. But not to sleep.
My sister was texting with me, I finally had to tell her I needed to sleep I had to be up early for the race. Yea, it's just a 5K but still I needed to sleep. I've been up late quite a bit over Winter Break.
I got up on time. I got dressed. I made coffee and breakfast. I picked up Holly. I needed to be there a bit early because I forgot to register! Yea, I'm that girl. The one who knows I need to register and then don't thinking I'll have plenty of time.
We got parked, walked to Winfrey Point and made it there just in time for me to register. I got my chip anyway, they ran out of bibs. Holly and I tried to stay warm while looking for other friends. I saw Mimi and Clay.
I knew Shannon was coming but I hadn't found her yet.
It was race time so we headed to the start. And we're off! I felt good. I was happy the wind wasn't whipping off the lake. We were sort of sheltered from it. I've been at races where there was a significant lake effect.
I made it to the one mile mark and decided to unwrap my hand from the jacket, glove, long sleeve situation to look at my garmin. I was running comfortably with a bit of a push. 10.06! Wow. That didn't seem possible.
I kept going. Saw a few runners I knew at the turn around. I slowed down at the water stop, took a few sips and kept going. Not much longer now. I see the familiar bend in the path and know I'm not too far out. Maybe a half a mile. I picked up the pace a bit, but not really pushing it. I didn't want to sprint it out. Just see what a comfortable pace is. Without the obsessing I've done in the past. I wasn't out to PR. Just trust the process of not obsessing on times and paces and foot counts. Just running.
I see the finish and I'm see that I can make my goal for the run, under 33 minutes! I looked at the clock as I crossed 33.03! Gun time! Yay!!
I turn my Garmin off (32:47:51) I found Shannon and waited for Holly. She came in a minute after me. We got some water, walked off the race, went to the club house for some snacks and walked back to the car.
Then Hypnotic Donuts! You can't go to White Rock and not go there! Yum!! A little post race goody. Although I know it's not good for me and it's way more calories than I need. It's only once a month. And I've committed this year to not obsess over the numbers.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
The One Where I Dare You
I follow Ann Voskamp's blog and have read her books. The Greatest Gift was a life changer for me. I like her blog, I read it daily.
On her blog I read about The Joy Dare and I encourage you to take the dare! Take some pictures! Find your heart in the moments of thankfulness, even in the mundane, even in the chaos, even in the stress, even in joy, even in sadness. Be. Thankful!
Take. The. Dare.
On her blog I read about The Joy Dare and I encourage you to take the dare! Take some pictures! Find your heart in the moments of thankfulness, even in the mundane, even in the chaos, even in the stress, even in joy, even in sadness. Be. Thankful!
Take. The. Dare.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
The One Where I Welcome You To "Here"
The Eagles said it or better yet give the right man credit Don Henley said it:
you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave (insert guitar solo)
Now then, Hotel California firmly planted in your head! LOL
I say let's change that up and say:
Welcome to HERE! Check out of There, it IS possible. Welcome to HERE!
now on with the blog.......
I see it all the time. I hear it all the time. I used to think the same thing at one time.
I want to get back to this size, this weight, this time, this blah blah blah....
To which I say.... really??
Why would you want to go back to that? Is it a warm fuzzy time period for you? Were you in your optimum health? What about that size makes you want to go back there?
Even my oldest son said to me proudly at our last race, he's down to his high school weight. I honestly was nearly appalled. Granted he's in good shape now and I think he's in better shape than when he was in high school.
When I was 18 I was probably about 98 pounds.....maybe 100 pounds. I was shorter than I am now, I was unhealthy and I was rail thin. I was skinny, I barely wore a size 0, but I was not healthy and I couldn't have run a mile with a gun to my head!
Guess what peeps..... you aren't supposed to be perpetually 18! High School is over! Whatever it is in your past that you're clinging to is.over. O V E R! Over!
There's a great quote going around FB and Pinterest that says something like, I'm not looking back because I'm not going that way.
I'm not going that way. Not to past successes either.
I think some people get stuck in "I did this back then" Like the uncle on Napoleon Dynamite. Always reliving 1982 football game. Guess what it's not 1982! It's not 1992! It's not 2002! It's not April 15, 2012.
Yesterday is gone.
Do your best today. Live for today. Start today!
My initial goal was to get back to my pre pregnancy weight. And I did. But let me tell you; before I was pregnant with my youngest, I wore a size 10. I am right at my pre pregnancy weight, I wear a size 4. The difference is nutrition and exercise.
Go make your today the best it can be..... let go of the rope that's keeping you in the past. Do what you need to do to cross the bridge into the present. I think you'll like it here. :)
You can't be here if you're still living there. You honestly can 'check out any time you like" Check out of there and welcome to Here.
Welcome to Here!!
you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave (insert guitar solo)
Now then, Hotel California firmly planted in your head! LOL
I say let's change that up and say:
Welcome to HERE! Check out of There, it IS possible. Welcome to HERE!
now on with the blog.......
I see it all the time. I hear it all the time. I used to think the same thing at one time.
I want to get back to this size, this weight, this time, this blah blah blah....
To which I say.... really??
Why would you want to go back to that? Is it a warm fuzzy time period for you? Were you in your optimum health? What about that size makes you want to go back there?
Even my oldest son said to me proudly at our last race, he's down to his high school weight. I honestly was nearly appalled. Granted he's in good shape now and I think he's in better shape than when he was in high school.
When I was 18 I was probably about 98 pounds.....maybe 100 pounds. I was shorter than I am now, I was unhealthy and I was rail thin. I was skinny, I barely wore a size 0, but I was not healthy and I couldn't have run a mile with a gun to my head!
Guess what peeps..... you aren't supposed to be perpetually 18! High School is over! Whatever it is in your past that you're clinging to is.over. O V E R! Over!
There's a great quote going around FB and Pinterest that says something like, I'm not looking back because I'm not going that way.
I'm not going that way. Not to past successes either.
I think some people get stuck in "I did this back then" Like the uncle on Napoleon Dynamite. Always reliving 1982 football game. Guess what it's not 1982! It's not 1992! It's not 2002! It's not April 15, 2012.
Yesterday is gone.
Do your best today. Live for today. Start today!
My initial goal was to get back to my pre pregnancy weight. And I did. But let me tell you; before I was pregnant with my youngest, I wore a size 10. I am right at my pre pregnancy weight, I wear a size 4. The difference is nutrition and exercise.
Go make your today the best it can be..... let go of the rope that's keeping you in the past. Do what you need to do to cross the bridge into the present. I think you'll like it here. :)
You can't be here if you're still living there. You honestly can 'check out any time you like" Check out of there and welcome to Here.
Welcome to Here!!
The One Where I Tell You My Plan
Several people have asked me how I lost the weight. What was my plan? What do I do now to maintain?
I began on SparkPeople on 1200 calories a day. With 3 meals and 1-2 snacks. As I was more educated, learned more about what worked for me, I changed a few things up. I lost from 145 pounds to 122. I've fluctuated over the years but I generally hover around 125.
I wanted to up my game though. I didn't want to gain through half marathon training this time. I wanted to get to what I consider a "good race weight" and learn how to fuel my body better. So, I went to see a Sports Dietician. LOVE HER!! Much much love to her. Eve Pearson with Nutriworks CNC (Comprehensive Nutrition Consulting). She got me back on the right track. Back to the basics.
She figured my BMR, took measurements, talked to me about what foods I consume, came up with a plan to reach my goal. Even through the holidays I lost or maintained the loss I had. I encourage everyone to see her. But if you can't here's a few tips I've learned from her.
I found this site to be helpful in figuring your BMR FreeDieting The Calorie Calculator is pretty accurate to the figures Eve helped me with. Use the middle number for Fat Loss. Just ignore the extreme fat loss number, let's be honest, it's restrictive and something you won't keep up with in long term.
So you've got your number. (let's say it's 1500)
Divide it by 4: 375
Divide that by 2: 187
I consume 5 meals a day. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are 375 calories
Mid-Morning and Afternoon Snack are 187
Meals should include a carb, a protein and a (good) fat. Snacks a carb and a fat or a carb and a protein. Don't eat naked carbs!
Use a tracker like SparkPeople or MyFitnessPal for nutrition and exercise.
However, I caution you from getting in the mindset of "I exercised today, so I can have all those calories." You'll only maintain where you are now.
I'm not a fan of cheat days or cheat meals. It's all about choices. Not good or bad. But fuel or non-fuel. How will this effect my run? My digestion? My sleep? This isn't a diet, it's how I live. Eat Sleep Run Repeat!
If you go over your calories, use the top number the Maintenance Number for your goal. For instance a party or special occasion and consider it a maintenance day.
Now for exercise and snacks:
If you exercise for under an hour; you change nothing you stick to your caloric allotment.
If you exercise for over an hour; you add in one additional snack
If you exercise over two hours; you add back all the calories you burned. This includes 2-a-days.
Let's say you went to the gym in the morning worked out for an hour, then in the evening you ran 5-6 miles. You'd consume all your calories burned.
I hope this helps you on your journey!
I wanted to up my game though. I didn't want to gain through half marathon training this time. I wanted to get to what I consider a "good race weight" and learn how to fuel my body better. So, I went to see a Sports Dietician. LOVE HER!! Much much love to her. Eve Pearson with Nutriworks CNC (Comprehensive Nutrition Consulting). She got me back on the right track. Back to the basics.
She figured my BMR, took measurements, talked to me about what foods I consume, came up with a plan to reach my goal. Even through the holidays I lost or maintained the loss I had. I encourage everyone to see her. But if you can't here's a few tips I've learned from her.
I found this site to be helpful in figuring your BMR FreeDieting The Calorie Calculator is pretty accurate to the figures Eve helped me with. Use the middle number for Fat Loss. Just ignore the extreme fat loss number, let's be honest, it's restrictive and something you won't keep up with in long term.
So you've got your number. (let's say it's 1500)
Divide it by 4: 375
Divide that by 2: 187
I consume 5 meals a day. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are 375 calories
Mid-Morning and Afternoon Snack are 187
Meals should include a carb, a protein and a (good) fat. Snacks a carb and a fat or a carb and a protein. Don't eat naked carbs!
Use a tracker like SparkPeople or MyFitnessPal for nutrition and exercise.
However, I caution you from getting in the mindset of "I exercised today, so I can have all those calories." You'll only maintain where you are now.
I'm not a fan of cheat days or cheat meals. It's all about choices. Not good or bad. But fuel or non-fuel. How will this effect my run? My digestion? My sleep? This isn't a diet, it's how I live. Eat Sleep Run Repeat!
If you go over your calories, use the top number the Maintenance Number for your goal. For instance a party or special occasion and consider it a maintenance day.
Now for exercise and snacks:
If you exercise for under an hour; you change nothing you stick to your caloric allotment.
If you exercise for over an hour; you add in one additional snack
If you exercise over two hours; you add back all the calories you burned. This includes 2-a-days.
Let's say you went to the gym in the morning worked out for an hour, then in the evening you ran 5-6 miles. You'd consume all your calories burned.
I hope this helps you on your journey!
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