Aim Higher!

With the turn of the weather to downright COLD, I ran on the treadmill this morning. Seven mile runs are becoming my norm, and it is down right surreal! I have discovered that coupled to my body becoming stronger, so too is my mind and my resolve about life precepts including and exceeding the physical fitness realm. Praise Him! I so enjoy God's lessons that cross multiply themselves in unforeseen ways!




I wholly pray that God uses this to challenge YOU to NOT listen to the nay-sayers (including quite possibly the loudest voice - YOURSELF) in your life. You can either walk the Word -"I can do ALL things through Christ" - or you can sit in a puddle of stagnation and throw a pity party for yourself, but you can't do both, and I don't recommend the latter! To ping-pong back and forth is a double-minded trap.... to be forsaken most earnestly! The message of God's triumph and how that triumph is walked out in people's lives is what I desire to deposit in others.

When Christians try, they operate in self; when Christians succeed, they operate in God. He never tries anything, but He succeeds in all things He purposes. This is the power that is available to us!

Seven miles is a personal victory to this gal who wasn't supposed to walk, but I'm not finished yet! ;o)

So, press on -- press up -- putting ACTION to the awareness God brings into your own life! May you aim a bit higher today than yesterday!

Have a fabulous Monday! And remember... today is a GIFT... open it with childlike zeal and gratitude... forsake grumbling and complaining!

"Do all things without complaining and disputing,
that you may become blameless and harmless,
children of God without fault
in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation,
among whom you shine as lights in the world,
holding fast the word of life..."
Phil 2:14-16

Principles

"Principled acts, and even the lack thereof, will always be subject to evaluation. Always. However, the subjective evaluations of man, that surely come to anyone who speaks up for or against a thing, cannot be the compass by which the stand orients itself. To elevate human evaluation to the level of determinate in one's actions is to live as the double-minded man because human evaluation is subjective (ie: changing). God is the only valid determinate, being objective (ie: unchanging). May we as Christians, with courage, face the growing likelihood that negative evaluation by others will come, but may such likelihood never be given the power to silence us when a stand is required." (Deborah Kirby)

Consequences

"Consequences, both positive and negative, are the ropes that bind us to the ship Reality. To cut one loose from the ropes is to doom one to injury and a probable toss overboard in the seas of life. Wise is the one who embraces the ropes rather than seek or desire removal of them." (Deborah Kirby)

Choices

Good morning, dear ones,

I have something on my heart to share, but I need to make this brief.

I want you to think for a moment about actions in our every day behavior. For instance, do you find when you are thirsty you go for a glass of water or do you go for soda, tea, or coffee? How about when you are hungry? Do you go for an apple or do you go for nabs or a cookie?

While we convince ourselves the little actions matter very little, actually, it is the little actions in life that tell us a lot about ourselves. We can easily say we believe God, that His way is best, that we are submitted to walking the way He would have us walk; but when we look to the small actions in life, do those actions confirm our words?

In the two questions I posed to you earlier, the core difference is who made what. The water and the apple are creations of God. The latter substances in both questions are man made. Who knows best about what we need? Obviously God does, but do our selections line up with that belief, or have we convinced ourselves that we can independently select, regardless if our selection be that of impulse or willful choice, something counter to what God has provided for us and still thrive and mature in Him?

I encourage you now to begin taking a hard look at each action you make every day, and ask yourself, "Do my actions confirm what I say I believe about God, His authority, and His wisdom; or do they ultimately confirm a belief that I can do what I want and somehow skirt the consequences?"

As hard as it may be, take the hard look today.... and tomorrow... and the next day. If our desire is truly to be perfected into His likeness, we have to lay down the "toddler I wants" and flesh impulses and begin making choices (actions made with cognitive thought), and yes, especially the smaller choices, that line up with His desire for us.

I Corinthians 4:2 says "Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful." We, as believers, are stewards of many things, from 'the mysteries of God' as stated within the text of I Corinthians 4, to our body, to our resources, to our family, to our obedience, to the Gospel, and on and on.

The definition of faithful is "steadfast following." Meditate on that for a minute.

Question: Who is the "who" your actions testify you are following? Self or God? Are you steadfast following Him, even in the least of your actions? Or do you find you ping pong back and forth between His ways and your wants?

Surely we are all going to slip and miss some times, but "choice" implies a cognitive decision, meaning real thought... not impulse... was put behind the choice before action followed. The goal is for our choices to be Godly choices. So let's commit to being diligent in thinking through our daily choices, and with the diligence of thought, let us determine to do our best to truly line our actions up with God.

Much love to each of you!
Deborah

State Fair Family Fun Friday!

Have you ever seen a chicken like this?

Or this?

How about a fluffy cow? I am talking "fluffy!"

Hang gliding, anyone?

Happy faces... a little wind blown, but happy!

Okay, forget the 'little' wind blown!
A lot wind blown is more like it!

Anyone ready for one last spin?

Ahhh, a piece of serenity before heading out! Great day!

And we might just return for a little bit of fun tonight!
Hot apple cider.... yum!
Sounds like a tempting end to
a windy, cool autumn day at the State Fair!

Blessings!
Deborah

New book review!

I received word that an unsolicited book review was posted today for my book! It was a wonderful surprise to discover this morning!

I wanted to share the link with you:

http://tousey.wordpress.com/2011/10/13/beyond-the-greenhouse-book-review/

The author of the review is doing a book giveaway, too! So, if you will, please share the link on your sites, including Facebook and Twitter!

Thank you in advance!
Deborah

Cycling with the Family!

Thirteen miles of autumn beauty with the family...

A Day in God's Artwork

Today's wind blew us west! What an incredible day enjoying some incredible scenes! I hope these pictures bring a smile to your face as they did to ours!

Cave, anyone?

Three "someones" found it. :o)

Love my girl!

Gorgeous path

Big tree growing out of bigger rock

Can you find two precious people in the picture?

Zooming in helps!

Two "chairs" for two gentlemen

Peek-a-boo!

Dear hubby!

Now where are my pj's?! :o)

Deborah


Before completely signing off tonight, allow me to share two extra photos taken at my in-law's 50th wedding anniversary celebration in September of this year!

Congratulations, P&J!
Love and blessings to you both!

Dear hubby and I at said event....
nearly 18 years and counting!

Cannoli and the Farmer's Market!

One of our favorite family treats is cannoli at Whole Foods, and this was the perfect day for such a treat! Yum!

Thereafter, we scooted off to the Farmer's Market to purchase local honey. While there, I picked up a butternut squash and an onion. Butternut squash soup... here I come! Double yum!

I just love autumn break where I can slow down and take in the crisp blue color of the sky and all the assortment of autumn colors! While life will always have both sides of the coin, I sure am enjoying these days where the "sweet side of the coin" is facing me!

Counting my blessings with gratefulness...
Deborah

Beach Day!

Love a day trip to the beach! It was wonderful!

Sweet dreams!

Deborah

A Much Needed Rest!

Praise be for it is Friday evening! The week is done! But I am more than a little thankful for not just two days of rest in front of me, but nine days.

Nine days of rest and free-spirited adventure.

Imagine! I am happy to have such a privilege of imagination tonight as I say "good-bye" to my week and "hello" to intentional rest.

Should you be interested, I hope to improve my frequency in blogging this week -- sharing moments and photos along my way this upcoming week.

As for you, I surely hope you have a most splendid week. Regardless if your week be one of rest or activity, sow your time wisely and intentionally! Don't let the days slip away without sowing the daily seed God has given you!

Blessings to you!

I hear my pajamas calling....

Deborah