// August 28th, 2008 // No Comments » // Uncategorized
Thanks to Jon on SCL for this post. Saves me from having to take a sledge hammer to the writer’s block and still allows me an awesome post for the day. Besides, it’s all I’ve thought about all day. God is the same, every day, no matter what we do. Awesome, huh?
// August 6th, 2008 // No Comments » // Uncategorized
I’ve been lurking (albeit politely) at this beautiful woman’s blog for almost two weeks now. Not sure how I got to it – divine intervention perhaps. But it is the most heart-wrenching, Lord-loving, raw and honest blog you will probably ever read. This family needs your prayers. Please lift them up and know that the power of prayer is remarkable. It has been awesome to see so many people literally on their knees in cyberspace praying for this family. Don’t be surprised to see yourself wrapped in God’s arms by the time you make it through a couple of the posts. His strength is so evident in her blog.
// July 28th, 2008 // No Comments » // Uncategorized
OK, so it’s not my birthday. But it was my birthday “weekend” (like at my age I need one of those) and I got a birthday pie and I got birthday presents and I got birthday hugs and spent time with birthday friends. Ol’ practical me. Sometimes God speaks through friends….and Walm@rt gift cards, free produce, and shampoo samples. Now I’m prayerfully drained and it’s bedtime but I can’t stop praying now – it’s just too early. He’s still got some work to do, some light to shine, some grace to give, some hearts to enter, some heads to clear. I will help like it’s my job. Because it is.
// June 27th, 2008 // No Comments » // Uncategorized
Haven’t been to the gym lately – so long that I should call it “James.” (props to the voice on TV I heard say that the other night…) It’s been too nice outside to spend the time among the sweat, odor, and germs that hover over the hummm in there, so I’ve been choosing instead to bike or walk through moldy cornstalks and left-over tornado and flood garbage on the bike trail. Great options, huh?
// June 5th, 2008 // 1 Comment » // My Fabulous Life
It’s been a dry spell on the treadmill, bike trail, and even the streets. If it’s not pouring down rain and 35 mph winds, the treadmills are full when I get to the gym and I don’t get my fix. Let me clarify “fix.”
On the trails, it’s my “new favs” playlist on my iPod. On the street, it’s a sermon on my iPod – Pastor Mike, Justin, Pastor John – they all make me feel safe out there in the dark.
But in the gym, my fix is 11:11, 1.11, 111….you get the picture. No matter what I’m listening to on the mill or EFX, no matter how focused I may be on “According to Jim” or my iPod, or even the 6:oo news (that would be channel 11 on cable – honest!), my eyes always glance down and every single time, no less than two, and sometimes 4 LED displays will give me those elevens throughout my workout. Minutes. Calories. Distance. METs. It’s uncanny.
I used to ask what it meant, but now I know. It’s just the Holy Spirit talking to me, telling me “All Will be Well.” Sometimes I purposely cover up the display, and will see elevens on the clock, or even on the machine next to me. Those Godwinks don’t surprise me any more – they just bring peace. They remind me to keep the faith, live in service, and that God’s grace is mine. And tonight, at 111.1 calories, I took a drink. Boy, did I. From the Cup. 
So as I’m writing this, I get this picture in an email from KT. Not an accident, this was an
from above. (If you can’t read it, it’s Hebrews 11:1). Go figure. God is so good.How about you – have you been paying attention to your subtle visits from God?
// May 21st, 2008 // No Comments » // Faith
always basking in Christ’s love. On Mother’s Day they took her off the vent and it was week before she landed safely in God’s arms. Back to where she belongs. As I looked around the church and visited with so many people I hadn’t seen in a very long time, I was reminded me of how disconnected I’ve become in the last couple of years with so many people I enjoy and who bring joy. Old friends, really old friends, and old “forever” friends. When I took my salad to the kitchen, I thought to myself “This is where I want to be…in the church kitchen, communing and cooking with some of the most delightful, selfless, and giving women I know.” There is so much therapy in a church kitchen. Something sacred and promising about stirring a roaster full of scalloped potatoes and ham.Life is what happens
When you’re busy making other plans.
I’m really praying for life to “happen” right now. The days are so full, so busy, so worrisome sometimes, that I feel like life is just something that’s happening outside of myself. I’m an observer and not a participant like I so long to be – like I used to be. My life is running me, and it’s running me ragged. Autopilot, GPS not included. Oh, to get away from the demands of the daily grind and to share my time with God’s earth, the dirt, the spring, the tennis court, the bike trail….I don’t want excitement. I don’t need to be entertained. I just want to stir the scalloped potatoes and bathe in the joy that God intended.
That’s what Judy’s doing now.
Tea today: Double Green Matcha
// May 17th, 2008 // No Comments » // Faith
I listened to a great podcast sermon tonight as I exercised (or if I’m honest with myself – rehabbed) – Pastor Caroline on Mother’s Day. She told of Hannah in a clear, poignant way that I was able to really embrace. And it simply reflected life – how everything and everyone belongs to God. It was a great “mom” talk, but also for daughters, beloved Gmas, and really anyone. It ended with a beautiful prayer 
as only Caroline can do, and a funny, uplifting song. Good thing, or I’d have been in tears all the way home from the gym. Some people just inspire the tears right out of me. It was the only way to end a week that was far from normal, far from fulfilling, and far from pleasant. But listening to God’s word is the only way to end (or begin,… or sustain) any week.
Tea tonight: Earl Grey Green
// April 23rd, 2008 // No Comments » // Uncategorized
I was thinking about what to write tonight as I was on my walk around the lake – it’s been one of those inner-turmoil days where you keep telling yourself “hope is the feeling you have that the feeling you have isn’t permanent.” It was just sort of a punch-in-the-gut, kick-in-the-pants kind of day. Lots of guys and little boys fishing – so precious. Lots of runners – so young. Lots of walkers – most faster than me. Today they didn’t make me too chipper – for some reason it all made me sad.
it just sort of made me even more of a “Debbie Downer” after the day I’d had. So here’s a sincere apology – Jess, I promise, I will NEVER take Fiskars to my hair again! I’m REALLY sorry! NO MORE hack jobs that I think I can do myself! You fixed me up good and hopefully I won’t look like Posh Spice tomorrow when I fix my own hair.
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