Crazy dreams...

...no limits allowed

When's the last time you let yourself dream? Not the subconscious, sleeping dream, but a REAL, on purpose dream? You may think I'm talking crazy and that dreaming is something you have no control over, but I'm talking about dreaming something for your life, in detail, on purpose, with no limits! Dreaming with no "I'm too old to start that now" or "If I wasn't married" or "If I didn't have kids" or "If I hadn't dropped out of high school or college", "If I had more money", "If I had more time"! No limits, BIG DREAMING!!

I've found that most people don't dream at all. Why? Because they're afraid and they've already made the excuses for why they can't do what they dream of doing; they're "too old", they "don't have time", they "don't have the education", they "don't have the money".

Then there are those who just dream, dream, dream and that's all they talk about! Young girls dream about getting married, having a big house, a big family with big social events. Young men dream of going to college, being successful. Then someone comes along and tells then to "get real" and they downsize their dreams based on someone else's reality.

What they (and maybe you) need is a plan! Dream, dream as BIG as you want to and then make a plan! Will a plan make a dream come true? No, you then have to put the plan into ACTION!

A dream is just a dream until you have a PLAN!
A plan is just a plan until you put some ACTION into it!

Stop being afraid to dream. Don't put limits on your dreams!

DREAM!
PLAN!
ACT!

What's your dream? What's been holding you back? What's the first step to making it your reality?

24,746 things on my to-do list...

...for 2011

In the spirit of "making a list", I thought I'd get a head start on the annual tradition of New Year's resolutions. But instead of dwelling on what I'm not doing well, I thought I'd make a list of all the things I could do to be a better me in 2011. While 24,746 things may seem like a lot, once you read the list I think you'll get that its not going to be too overwhelming! ;)

I guess you could say I'm resolving to take more time for myself, my husband, my family and my community. I have other things I want to focus on too, but this is the fun stuff!

1 5k
4 facials
4 trips to the beach
12 bottles of wine
12 girls days out
12 haircuts
12 massages
12 new outfits
15 pedicures and manicures
26 family nights
52 date nights
52 memory verses
52 yoga classes
52 Zumba classes
156 workouts
200 bare-feet covered
300 meals for strangers
365 hours alone with God
23,360 ounces of water

Just to clarify, these are all minimums! As far as this list is concerned, 'more is more'! ;) Don't worry I will be setting some limits for myself in other areas!

Put some clothes on...

... your neighbor.


I want to introduce you to your new neighbor, my friend, James.

Maybe you met James when he was hanging around with us earlier in the year. Maybe you have no idea who or what I'm talking about and you're thinking, I've never seen this guy and he certainly doesn't live next door to me.

The truth is, he doesn't live anywhere. He's a ... "vagabond", "vagrant", "wanderer"... well not exactly. All of these terms by definition indicate that he'd have no purpose or direction in his travels. But for my friend James, this is a choice, and if you talk to him, you'll quickly find out that he doesn't classify himself as anything more than "a follower of Jesus". I'll let you read his story for yourself, I believe you will find it rather inspiring!

What I will tell you about James is that he is the founder of Clothe Your Neighbor as Yourself. At the foundation of what he does, he sells t-shirts and with the profits, he lives among and provides for our neighbors.

This organization is giving you a chance to kill two birds with one stone in this "season of giving". Here's what I mean:

1. You have a list of people who you want to give something for Christmas

2. You want to be in category 3 and "give back"

When you purchase one of these shirts for that special some one on your list, your new neighbor, James is going to take care of #2 and put you in category 3!

And thus, you will have JOY and LIVE LONGER as a result!

I'll be putting my order in and marking some names off of my list today! I hope you will do the same.

Be sure to check out the CYNY website and to follow them on Facebook and Twitter to travel along with your new neighbor, James.

"..So he asked him, "Which is the most important of all the commandments?" Jesus answered, "Here is the most important one. Moses said, 'Israel, listen to me. The Lord is our God. The Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Love him with all your mind and with all your strength.'—(Deuteronomy 6:4,5) And here is the second one. 'Love your neighbor as you love yourself.'—(Leviticus 19:18) There is no commandment more important than these." -- Mark 12:28-31

Get in Category 3...

...give!

Unless you are cut off from all forms of media, (and if you're reading this, I know you're not) you are probably in one of the following two categories:

1. Super excited that Christmas is coming, making your list, shopping, putting up your tree, planning Christmas Eve with your family, pulling out your Christmas CD collection, driving those in the next category insane!!

2. Super agitated that Thanksgiving isn't even here yet and we're already talking about Christmas, I mean Halloween wasn't over before the store had out the Christmas decor and now there are pre-Black Friday sales, c'mon!

Well, I'm here to form a third category for you!

3. Hallelujah! Christmas is coming and I am living in abundance because the Lord sent His only Son, Jesus, to die for my sins! I have more than I need and I am super excited to give back this year at Christmas!

Now, I know there are some of you out there who want to be in category 3, but don't know where to start in the "giving back". Maybe you just don't know of anyone in need or don't "trust" charitable organizations. You know, I actually have people who come to me during the holidays and ask if I know of a charity or organization they can give to at this time of year, even those who do not recognize the true meaning of Christmas (you know the part about "I am living in abundance because the Lord sent His only Son, Jesus, to die for my sins!").

Well, I'm here to help! Over the next several weeks, I intend to introduce you to some ministries and some people who I know and love who are serving others in a real and tangible way!

An article I recent read by Drs. Oz and Roizen over at Success Magazine has this to say about helping other:

Almost every study of longevity indicates one secret that makes people healthier and happier: helping others. Some research shows a 60 percent decrease in mortality figures among those who help others; they’re aided by what’s called the “helper’s high.” Specifically, it’s the dignity, the joy, the passion and the purpose of helping others that have these beneficial effects, whether you’re helping another person quit smoking, building a home for a family in need or mentoring a child at school.

So, if you want to find JOY in the season of giving and LIVE LONGER, stay tuned!

Laughter is the best ...

...exercise?

Ok, maybe not, but a 2005 study showed that "Ten to 15 minutes of laughter could increase energy expenditure by 10 to 40 calories per day, which could translate into about four pounds a year"!

Jason and I laughed for a solid hour and a half tonight watching Due Date.

I will warn you that there are a couple of crude scenes that I could have done without, but I absolutely recommend it as a date night movie for adults. I might even go as far as to say married adults given the couple of "crude scenes" which I would have been embarrassed to have seen with a man other than my husband.

Don't get me wrong, there was no nudity or anything unless you consider plumber's crack to be more nudity than you can tolerate. Having managed my father's tire shop for a couple of years, I recognize the plumbers crack as an ergonomic issue for mechanics! ;) Anyway I digress!

Laughing with my husband was great "exercise"! What is the last movie you laughed out loud the whole way through?

God's Power and Grace...

...I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power. -- Ephesians 3:7


As I have been preparing for our mission trip to Honduras, I have been led in my Bible reading to Ephesians. One of my favorite all time verses has always been Ephesians 2:10 -"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

As I have been reading in Ephesians I have found Paul's Prayer for the Ephesians. I have been repeating it daily as my prayer for our mission team and for the people of Honduras. I ask you to join me in this prayer over the next week:

A Prayer for the Ephesians

¹⁴For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.²⁰Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. --Ephesians 3:14-21

I earnestly believe that God has had this planned for me from the time He formed me in my mother's womb. From the time I was a teenager, I wanted to join the Peace Corp, but fear held me back. Not just my own fear, but the fears of my family and friends as well. It wasn't until I had a real relationship with God that I was able to overcome that fear and go on my first mission trip a couple of years ago. Can you imagine what God could have used me for if I had been obedient and in relationship with Him for all of those years?

Attitude is a decision...

...rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; - Romans 12:12 (NKJV)

We've all heard it before, "Attitude is everything"; "Your attitude determines your altitude".

According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, the word "attitude" means "an internal position or feeling with regard to something else." Other words often used as synonyms are: "disposition, feeling, mood, opinion, sentiment, temper, tone, perspective, frame of mind, outlook, view, or morale."

I found this article from Dr. Ellen Duke in my Inbox recently:

Choose Your Attitude

Although we don't yet fully understand the mind/body connection, we do know that a positive attitude can:

• Help improve mood, self-esteem and sense of well-being

• Decrease depression, anxiety and hostility

• Lessen pain and other bodily symptoms

• Speed recovery

• Enhance immune function

• Extend longevity

We also know that to a great extent, our attitude is determined by how we decide to think about events. This "self-talk," whether positive or negative, is so powerful that it determines not just our emotions, but the condition of our physical and mental well-being as well.

Three simple action steps to help optimize your emotional health:

1. Acknowledge that you're in control. The great thing about your attitude is that it's yours. You cannot control what others say or do, but you can control how you react to it. Simply put, no one can put you in a bad mood unless you give them permission!

2. Be thankful. Put things in perspective. You are alive, something that billions of those before us cannot say. You have food, shelter and safety. Something that millions alive today do not enjoy. Appreciate your countless blessings!

3. Don't worry about the small stuff. Remember what's important, and ignore the little things. Focus on the larger picture and you'll find less frustration in your daily interactions with others. The things that matter most are your health and happiness and your family's health and happiness.

This prompted me to wonder what the Bible says about attitude, as I believe the Bible is the best and most trustworthy "self-help" book available to us all! I think Dr. Dale A. Robbins sums it up best in his article, "Check Your Attitude":

How To Develop Good Attitudes

1. Identify and Repent of Bad Attitudes

Acts 8:22 "Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you."

2. Submit Your Attitudes to God

Bring your attitudes into obedience to God’s Word. Apply discipline to your thought life — submit your thoughts to those of Christ’s. A good attitude is a matter of faith, disregarding your feelings, with a determination to embrace God’s outlook and disposition.

2 Corinthians 10:5 "casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ..."

3. Equip And Feed Your Attitudes

Dwell on the things that God’s word tells us to — those good and virtuous things. If you dwell on the negative, your attitude will reflect the same.

Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy; meditate on these things."

Now, one of the best attitude quotes I've read recently, "When life gives you lemons, throw them back and demand chocolate!" Now, that's attitude!

Go out and make it great day, because, yes, the day is what you make it! may God bless you all!

God thinks you're cool...

"The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you; the Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace." - Numbers 6:24-26

"In other words, God’s smiling at you. Think about it. Every time you smile at someone you’re saying to them, “I approve of you. I accept you. You’re cool.” God not only approves of you, He’s smiling over you. He loves you! You need to get that so deeply rooted within your heart that nothing can ever take it from you." - Joyce Meyer

10 Principles of Prosperity

Last night, I witnessed what I consider to be one of the greatest honors in my lifetime. Our oldest daughter was baptized! I can just imagine the joy and a host of angels singing in heaven, rejoicing that another soul has been dedicated to our Lord! I can remember the feeling of relief and security I, myself, felt at the time of my own baptism and I am overjoyed that she is now feeling these same things! She will be on a journey of joy, but it will not be unclouded by temptation from Satan. It may be that he chooses to work harder in her life now than ever before, but now she has the power & the authority of Jesus Christ as her weapon! Praise God!

I wanted to share part of the sermon that the minister shared last night because it was a great message. He pointed out that we all struggle with some form of addiction, maybe we don't see it as such, but do all have something that adversely affects us. Consider this as the definition for addiction and I believe you will be able to point out at least one in your life:

"An addiction is a persistent behavioral pattern marked by physical and/or psychological dependency and tolerance that causes significant disruption and negatively impacts the quality of life"

The 10 Principles of Prosperity

Understanding the 10 principles of prosperity and applying them to your life are the first steps in your recovery from addiction.

1. If God’s against it, so am I.

• Galatians 5:19-24

2. Every sin has its origin in your heart.

• Jeremiah 17:9; Proverbs 4:23; Romans 13:14

3. It is easier to keep the heart clean than it is to clean it after it has been defiled.

• Proverbs 22:3; Proverbs 6:27-28

4. You cannot fight a fleshly appetite by indulging in it.

• Ecclesiastes 5:10; James 1:14-15

5. Small compromises lead to great disasters.

• Luke 16:10; Matthew 6:24; Romans 6:16

6. Those who do not love the Lord will not help us serve the Lord.

• John 5:18-20; Proverbs 25:15-16

7. Our sinful habits do hurt those who follow us.

• Romans 14:7; 1 Corinthians 10:23, 24

8. It is not possible to fight a fleshly temptation with fleshly weapons.

• II Corinthians 10:3-5; I John 4:4

9. We lose our freedom to choose when we give in to temptation. The consequences of our choices are inevitable, incalculable, and up to God.

• Proverbs 5:22; Proverbs 20:17; Proverbs 9:17-18

10. God balances guilt with blame. Accept the blame for your actions, and God will remove the guilt.

• John 1:9

My life has been touched by addiction in many ways, my own and those of loved ones. You can be delivered from these strongholds in your life. Prayer is a powerful thing and that's where it starts.

---
Resources found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Addiction and http://www.ruhammond.com/_mgxroot/page_10766.html

They call me Mimi...

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. - Psalm 127:3-4

In case you didn't know I'm a Mimi! Yes that's right a 34 year old "grandmother"! Yes, it's just barely possible, but this is just one of the many joys brought into my life by my amazing husband and "our" children.

The children that call me "Mimi" are a true blessing from God. I love all three of them more than I would have ever dreamed possible. There's just nothing sweeter than hearing, "Thank you for dinner Mimi!" "I love you too Mimi!" "Mimi, you are beautiful!"

Meet my sweet babies:

"I love you best.
I love you most.
I love you high.
I love you low.
I love you deep.
I love you wide.
I LOVE YOU THIS MUCH!"


"I love you this much" by:Lynn Hodges & Sue Buchanan

Holy Week - The Tale of an Almighty Hero

"It's official, my favorite week of the year has begun! Today my Hero came into town on a donkey to die for my sins!! Thank you Jesus!"

This is my favorite time of year! I always like to reflect on exactly what happened the week that Jesus suffered and died for my sins. I've wanted to post the details, but haven't taken the time, so I was excited to see that Carmen from the JoyFM posted this today -

"While many of us are familiar with Holy Week, we may not all know the specific time line of the week. - The point being:

He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5

Sunday, March 28th - Palm Sunday
2 mile journey to Jerusalem from Bethany, where Jesus stays each night

Monday, March 29th
Jesus protests financial transactions within the temple; argues with chief priests

Tuesday, March 30th
Jesus predicts/announces the date of his execution; debates with religious leaders; responds to question about greatest commandment

Judas contracts to betray Jesus

Wednesday, March 31st
Jesus warns against religious leaders, calling them hypocrites and snakes;
From Mount of Olives, Jesus mourns Jerusalem's rejection and pending destruction

Thursday, April 1st - Maundy Thursday
6:00pm-11:30pm
Last supper with disciples - Passover meal

11:30pm
Garden of Gethsemane - Jesus waits for his arrest

Friday, April 2nd - Good Friday
1:00am-1:30am
Confrontation in Garden and Jesus' Arrest

1:30am-3:00am
Trial 1: Annas, former Jewish High Priest for 16 years - Jesus receives initial physical abuse

Trial 2: Current Jewish High Priest, Caiaphas, and the Sanhedrin Court - Jesus bloodied by abuse

3:00am-5:00am
Imprisonment at Caiaphas' palace

5:00am-6:00am
Trial 3: All the Jewish elders, including the High Priest, scribes and whole Sanhedrin. They decide to ask the Roman government to kill Jesus

6:00am-7:00am
Trial 4: Hearing before Roman governor Pilate, who declares, "I find no guilt in this man."

7:00am-7:30am
Trial 5: Hearing before Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great, who had jurisdiction over Galilee. Jesus refused to answer any questions so Herod returned him quickly to Pilate

7:30am-8:30am
Trial 6: Pilate repeatedly tried to release Jesus but the Jewish leaders continued to object. Pilate physically tortured and beat Jesus beyond recognition seeking to satisfy the Jewish leaders. However the Jews demanded that Jesus be crucified. Pilate resisted but eventually gave the order to execute Jesus

8:30am-9:00am
Pilate's Roman soldiers take Jesus into the court ("Praetorium") and enjoy mockery and continued torture, including driving thorns into his skull

9:00am-12:00noon
Jesus forced to carry his own cross, then actual crucifixion

12:00noon-3:00pm
Momentous final 3 hours on the cross

Some of the things that Jesus spoke from the cross:

"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
Jesus is talking about his executioners because they do not understand or know that Jesus is God.

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
Jesus (quoting a line from the Jewish scriptures) cries out at a moment in time when he is not just physically punished, but spiritually separated from God, his Father. God separates Himself from Jesus because all of the evils of mankind are placed on Jesus. This spiritual separation is the heaviest sacrifice which Jesus pays of behalf of mankind, so that mankand does not need to suffer spiritual separation from God.

"It is finished."
Once Jesus felt he had borne the penalty for the evils of mankind, he declared his mission as accomplished.

"Assuredly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise."
These words, spoken to a thief also being executed with Jesus, indicates Jesus' belief that Jesus would continue to live in paradise (heaven) and that Jesus can choose who will be there with him.

"Father, into your hands I commit my spirit."
Jesus believes his spirit, not body, now goes to heaven with God.

3:00pm
Death
Burial

Sunday, April 4th - Easter Sunday
Resurrection! Jesus is alive!

Friends, the tomb is empty!! He is risen! And He's coming back for us. Jesus is the best do-over button we could ever hope for! His grace is enough. And His grace covers you. There's nothing that you have done - or can do - that is bigger than Jesus' ability AND willingness to forgive. In short, you can't "out-sin" the cross. He is alive indeed, but certainly not without nail-pierced hands. Those scars are for you. For me. Accept His gift. Let Him love you today. He wants nothing more. And I want nothing more for you."

I couldn't have said it better myself! Go enjoy Jesus!

A Treasure in the Arms of Christ...

Well the past is playing with my head
And failure knocks me down again
I’m reminded of the wrong
That I have said and done
And that devil just wont let me forget

In this life
I know what I’ve been
But here in your arms
I know what I am

I’m forgiven
I’m forgiven
And I don’t have to carry
The weight of who I’ve been
Cause I’m forgiven

My mistakes are running through my mind
And I’ll relive my days, in the middle of the night
When I struggle with my pain, wrestle with my pride
Sometimes I feel alone, and I cry

In this life
I know what I’ve been
But here in your arms
I know what I am

When I don't fit in and I don’t feel like I belong anywhere
When I don’t measure up to much in this life
Oh, I’m a treasure in the arms of Christ ‘cause

I’m forgiven
I’m forgiven
And I don’t have to carry
The weight of who I’ve been
Cause I’m forgiven

Q & A with Dr. Oz

I know it's been a while and I promise to update you all on the amazing happenings soon, but today I want to share a post with you from a Q&A with Dr. Oz. If this sounds even vaguely familiar for you, or describes someone you know, let's talk and find your\their joy!!

Q. ... I'm 5'1", 200 pounds, and eating is my only pleasure. I have bipolar disorder, fibromyalgia, diabetes, and high blood pressure. I am so unhappy with me. What can I do? -- Carmen, via e-mail

A. What struck us first about your letter was the phrase "eating is my only pleasure," so we're going to help you tackle that first. Some people will tell you that you can't squash your problems with chocolate or a bag of chips, but your brain chemistry would beg to differ. The only problem food really solves is hunger, but it does bring us pleasure. Eating sugary foods or carbohydrates helps us score the feel-good brain chemicals serotonin and dopamine. They boost your mood and make you forget for a moment that you're stressed, bored, angry, sad, or in pain. But of course, the second you're finished, the pain returns, and you need sugar again . . . causing a long-term problem from a very short-term gain.

But there are other more healthful foods that can turn on that "natural Prozac" faucet in your brain. Eating a couple of slices of low-fat turkey can ramp up serotonin levels because it contains the raw material -- tryptophan -- that your body uses to make it; it's also a protein that contains the amino acids your body uses to keep your dopamine levels healthy. But we're willing to bet that you actually get very little pleasure from food because you don't take the time to savor it. If you must have a candy bar, choose healthier dark chocolate, and make eating it last a good 10 minutes, during which you pay attention to the flavor and the pleasure you feel. Today, sit down and write a list of other things that make you feel good, from talking to friends to flying a kite, and whip it out whenever you have the urge to eat your way out of your problems. Time to learn that pleasure comes in many forms. That may solve one of your problems for a longer term.