Better than the birds cont'd...

So, on wednesday I blogged about the birds and how we are better than them.  On friday I came home to a BIRD inside my apartment!  On saturday I was still scratching my head wondering 1) how did the bird get in here?  2) WHY was the bird in here?

The past few days were so busy, packed full of running around and places to be.  All enjoyable things but I was having trouble enjoying anything because I was so worried about having enough time, money, sleep, etc.  When all was said and done I had enough money, just enough sleep, and plenty of time.  But one thing I did have that I just got done stressing the importance of not having, was WORRY.  I worried about everything I had no control over.

This brings me to the "bird revelation", I believe God allowed that bird to come and hang out in my apartment to make me slow down and stop worrying.  The bird didn't seem worried, even when he crashed into my bathroom mirror.  Instead of getting to where I was in a rush to be, I had to stay home and help this bird make its way out the window.  

After about an hour of playing chase the bird, and cleaning up bird poop, he made it out the window unharmed.  Now I can look back and be thankful for the inconvenience of Mr. Bird.

The End

Better than the Birds

"Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them.  And how much more valuable are you than the birds!"  Luke 12:24

I am better than the birds for goodness sake!!  What on earth do I ever have to worry about?  Care...that's different than worrying.  Worrying consumes your time and energy.  And not to mention it does not add a single minute to your life.  

If we would all live like we believed this PROMISE that God gave us we could enjoy this life so much more.  This doesn't excuse anything bad happening to us but the way we deal with it can make huge impacts, not just on ourselves but on others around us.  

So, let's remember... we are better than the birds!!!

Mom

I've known this lady for almost 27 years now, and I'd like to introduce you to her...your life will never be the same.

She stands at about 5 feet 2 inches, dark blond hair, blue eyes, has a laugh that is literally contagious and will at all times ONLY be wearing either black, white, brown, or beige and boots with wool socks in the winter (okay, starting in late august) .  She's one of few people I know who can look 10 years younger than she really is.

This lady still resides in New Castle, PA...although some say she lives in "Chrissy World".  It's not a bad place to live really, I've heard it's the most posative, happiest place to be, especially when you are in a bad situation.  Luckily she's been in "Chrissy World" every time I have had a problem.  

I have not seen this lady is almost 7 months!  I can't wait to walk into her house and smell the scent of pine, or cinnamon.  When I get there she will make me the perfect cup of coffee and will have a warm blanket for me on the couch.  We will probably do some shopping, and I will buy all her Christmas presents right in front of her.

Let's face it I am basically becoming this person more and more everyday, especially since it is early November and I am already listening to Christmas music, and my apartment is decorated in the same colors as her house.  I'm here to let you know I am okay with this.  When she is finished with this side of Heaven she is going to be sitting at the right hand of the creator of the universe!  That's how great she is.

Love you mom ;)

ps.  her favorite color is green

Made for Each Other

"Honesty with God is not sufficient.  We give God permission to reshape our lives when we risk self-revelation and confession to others.  We can't grow in Christ by ourselves.  We are people made for community."  (Discipleship Essentials by Greg Ogden)

I do not thank God enough for the abundance brother's and sister's in Christ that I have surrounding me.  Four years ago when I began taking my walk with Christ to another level I remember not feeling like I could ever sit too long with another believer.  I was amazed at their dedication to their creator and I wanted to be like that.  I am definitely not what I should be but I am not what I was.

We were made for one another, to hold each other accountable, to encourage, and just to be in relationship.  He made us in his image, so when we have that strong desire to be with someone we can remember that he put that desire in our hearts.  It will never go away.

Just as we desire to be in intimate relationship with one another, He desires that same community with us.  

I heart fall

 Pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkins, apple dumplings, chili, leaves, corn stalks, hayrides, scarecrows, scarves....  these words are only a glimpse of what fall does for me.  This season is slipping away and I can't hold on tight enough to keep it here.  

It's always gone before I get to do all the fall things I wish I had more time for.  This past weekend I was honored to be in a wedding of a good friend of mine.  We stayed in an amazing home basically on top of the world, when I looked out my window from my bed in the morning I was literally above the clouds.  What an awsome view I had!  It was peek season for the leaves and the sky could not have been more blue.  With the random wild turkey crossing the road, and the leaves blowing around as we drove down the road it could not have felt more fallish ;)  (I don't care if thats not a real word).

And then we get to end fall with Thanksgiving, that is so cool because we get a huge opportunity to be thankful for all the beauty we got to enjoy and end it with a HUGE meal!  It's like a feast for he eyes...and then the belly!  

This brings us to the Christmas season, don't even get me started on the scents of Christmas.  Love it.

People Watching

This is an extremely captivating activity, if you want to call it an activity.  Either way I love to do this!  I feel like I can know so much about someone or at least see a little window in their life.  Emotions are visible and they aren't always pleasant to witness.  But what a perfect nudge it is to have the opportunity to be able to pray for someone who looks like they need it, or even to rejoice with someone who is visibly excited for what is happening.  Seeing someone else laugh or even yawn can be so contagious.  People watching is something we all do.  Let me list a few examples :  at the coffee shop, as I am now ;) the single guy with his Bible and a notebook, what's he thinking?  Obviously he is seeking wisdom, guidance, hope, and love.  What is better than that!?  To my right a mother and daughter just talking the daughter looks to be middle school age...it's likely she won't be so willing to spend time in public with her mother in a couple years, but she will somehow come back around and realize how cool her mom really is ;)  Another table of a couple of high school girls, how I wish I could go over there and tell them that they are beautiful without all that effort.

So many times I see someone look at some else they do not know and you can see in the "people watchers" face they are being judgmental, not knowing the first thing and making up their minds too quick.  I have tried to redesign my people watching skills into looking at it as an opportunity to pray for that person.  I'm not talking about getting face down on my knees and talking to God for an hour, but He hears even the quickest whisper or thought.  By doing this we can make huge impacts and never even know about it.  Those are probably the best kinds to make, because you can't even try to take credit.

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."  Ephesians 6:18

Good people watching places ;)

1.) airport

2.) driving (be careful)

3.) weddings

4.) salon

5.) coffee shop