food. passion. adventure.

Imperfect Birds: thoughts on plot and life

2012-01-16T12:18:00.000-08:00

This bizarrely beautiful and ambiguous novel explores life through the eyes of parents and teens in California in the present day. I'm not sure I could recommend this to a lot of you because there is quite a bit of language, drug use, and sexual activity (though not explained in detail it is mentioned). However, I do think that the novel has something unique to offer in that it honestly doesn't

Human Trafficking Awareness day

2012-01-11T05:49:00.000-08:00

Today is Human Trafficking awareness day. Rather than write something different I decided to simply post a link to my post on my church's blog about this issue. Check it out: Do Something | Human Trafficking: our generation's human rights struggle.

Officially in my new space

2012-01-08T05:44:00.000-08:00

This morning I woke up in my new room. Still not fully unpacked, but mostly settled I arose to a beautiful sunrise. I am so excited to be able to look out my northeastern exposure window and see how it inspires my writing.

What is this stuff?

2012-01-05T14:24:00.001-08:00

Cleaning out STUFF is so cathartic. I am finding that in the process of moving there is far more STUFF than things. What I mean is that when you have to pack up and move from point A to point B, you start to realize what things you can live without and suddenly it's... stuff. I didn't think I had all that much stuff but when deciding what I want to take with me I realized there was much more

100th Post: Moving!

2012-01-03T15:40:00.000-08:00

I have not been the most consistent blogger over the years. I have changed blogs at least a half dozen times, and at one time tried separating out all my interests into different blogs--talk about your ridiculous ideas. But, today marks the 100th blog post at my current blog address. Fitting that this significant entry should be about something significant in my life, this may be the final

Why do I watch the news?

2012-01-02T18:25:00.000-08:00

Do you ever ask yourself, "Why do I watch the news?" It is full of evil! This man killed someone, someone else was arrested for burglary, a woman was raped, and a baby was left for dead. I mean really? Does anyone feel the need to remind themselves that we do not yet live in the new creation? I just have to look in the mirror to know that, why on earth would I want to see it on my TV screen.

May the journey begin...

2012-01-01T08:36:00.000-08:00

Happy new year! I am so blessed to be starting my new year here at home with my family. I am excited to see what God has in store for this fantastic year of 2012. As I have said, I will be reading 20 books this year and specifically finding ways to work on my craft.Well, I have been going over all the titles and their lengths trying to decide when I should read each of them. Looking at my

The Challenge Defined

2011-12-29T18:33:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. There were a lot of great books and authors mentioned. Between all these suggestions and three other lists, I had to pare down hundreds of books to a list of 20. If by some AMAZING feat I am ahead of schedule I may add more to this list but as it stands this is challenge of 2012.Little WomenPride and PredjudiceJane EyreAlice’s Adventures in

Reading like a Writer

2011-12-28T14:38:00.000-08:00

With every new year, there seems to be a new sense of excitement and promise. I just recently started to join the crowd and renew my tradition of new year's resolutions. This year I've resolved to work on my craft. In order to work on the craft of writing, every author recommends two universal habits. 1) write. It seems self explanatory, but you'd be surprised how hard it is to stay in the

Word of the day... well, year.

2011-12-27T15:39:00.000-08:00

Today I was looking for some inspiration, so I looked up the word of the day.adventive \ ad-VEN-tiv \ , adjective;1.Not native and usually not yet well established,as exotic plants or animals.This word definitely describes my life. I am amazed at how one year your life is full of promise, you have everything in your future, and before you realize it you start to look back and suddenly, you're a

Lights out!

2011-12-14T07:05:00.000-08:00

Here I sit in the dark. My only light that which is illuminating from my computer screen. And, somehow without concern, worry, or fear, I knew I would be fed. I knew that I would stay dry. And, I knew that I would be warm. Amazingly, there are so many that don't have electricity in the first place, and I don't have half their concerns when I am suddenly without it. It makes me wonder if we

Advent and AIDS

2011-12-01T13:35:00.000-08:00

Every year I talk and write about how much I love this time of year. The holiday season is one love, joy, peace, and HOPE. This week is the first week of advent--the week of HOPE. How appropriate that today December first is World AIDS day? A day that is set aside to remember the victims of this awful disease falls in the very week of advent in which we remember the Hope or Expectation of the

Let the music ring! eh maybe.

2011-11-02T14:34:00.001-07:00

So, it is my tradition to start listening to Christmas every year on Nov. 1. I am going to be honest, though... I'm not that excited this year. I'm looking at my year this year, and really hoping that my usual Christmas cheer kicks in soon, but I'm just not that excited about this holiday season. Anyone else feeling that way this year? I know it's still maybe a bit early for most of you to

Water intoxication

2011-10-25T17:24:00.000-07:00

The new NCIS tonight is about a man who was killed by someone who slipped him some ecstasy causing unquenchable thirst,then drowned him internally by providing him with the water that would cause Water Intoxication and thus death.WHAT!?!?!?!First, I thought, "How is it possible to drink enough water to kill yourself?" Then, "What kind of sick mind would think to do such a thing?"The amount of

Random Facebook Creations Pt. 1

2011-10-11T07:10:00.001-07:00

Those of you who are my friends on facebook have seen me posting pictures of my different pantry/fridge raid meals on my wall. So I decided to take a look at those and put up some of the recipes for you in the next two weeks. Granted I don't know how exact these are since when I cook it is almost never with a recipe. Today...the Kale Concoction!Ingredients:16 oz. Kale12 oz. Frozen Peas12 oz.

Pumpkin Crepes

2011-10-04T09:05:00.000-07:00

CrepesIngredients:1 cup GF flour mIx1/4 cup Sugar1/8 teaspoon Salt1/4 teaspoon Xanthan gum1 teaspoon Cinnamon1/2 teaspoon Nutmeg1/4 teaspoon Clove1/4 teaspoon Allspice1/8 teaspoon Ginger1 ¾ cups Milk3 eggsMix milk, eggs, sugar, salt,andspices together in a blender. Blend on low just until ingredients are blended. Sift flour and Xanthan gum together, then slowly add flour mixture while turned on.

The perfect dreary fall day

2011-09-26T10:14:00.000-07:00

Today was a lovely rainy fall day. I actually really enjoy the rainy days of fall, these are the days that are filled with the things that I love. Warm comfort food, a good movie or tv show, and a delicious dinner. And that is exactly how I get to spend my day.I started a little frustrated waking up to a milk jug filled with exactly 1 oz. of milk. So I had to waste a whole bowl of honey

The story in us all

2011-08-10T18:18:00.001-07:00

Have you ever wondered why you cry at certain movies? Or have you ever had people stare at you because you were laughing out loud while reading a good book and didn’t realize it? What is it about stories

Sake tasting

2011-06-29T19:18:00.000-07:00

Tonight, I attempted to be spontaneous. Thinking I would try to find a friend and go into the city for a night of delicious cuisine... Well spontaneity rarely works well for me and getting together with friends, but the beauty of a night of nothing to do, you rarely end up doing what you think you'll be doing. While waiting for my friend to respond to my text, I thought I would just stop in at

BarbeQue Night!!!!!

2011-06-06T15:14:00.000-07:00

Wow what a fun day. I just spent my entire day preparing a meal for my family from the time I woke up from the time we ate dinner I was cooking (well okay I had some time for lunch in between, but still...)I started my morning by preparing a Molasses-honey glaze and a Barbeque dry rub for the pork ribs that I was to cook later on. slathered on the glaze and rubbed in the mixture of dry spices,

Thankful for celebrating Christmas early

2010-11-25T09:12:00.000-08:00

Every year I hear the same thing from family, friends, and stragers alike... "You are listening to Christmas music already?" or "Why are you watching Christmas movies it's not even Thanksgiving yet?" There is a kind of indignation in their tones as if my passion for Christmas is to be frowned upon because Christmas is only in December and November ought to be time for Thanksgiving. But, allow

Finally getting to the Greek

2010-10-12T07:26:00.000-07:00

Hi there, me again! Well I am finally sharing some of my recipes with you. I wish I had pictures to prove their deliciousness, but I think I am missing some of them. I will look again and see if I can't find them. Anywho...Here is a salad recipe that I created one night because I was serving it up greek style and I wanted a nice salad and a starch that would also be a little healthier than

Where I've been lately...

2010-10-04T14:08:00.000-07:00

I know I seem to write more of these posts explaining why I haven't written than anything else. Well, partly I've been looking for a new job, trying to acclimate to the one I've started, and trying to gear up my home businesses so that I can make ends-meet. Well, I am glad to report that all these things seem to be going remarkably well, despite my poor efforts.I also wanted to start fresh on my

online dating

2010-06-06T12:36:00.000-07:00

So, I'm curious what are everyone's thoughts on Eharmony and services like this? I have been one of the biggest critics of this concept but as I've been thinking about it, I've wondered is this our modern day Yenta? I mean is our generation too busy to find someone strike up a friendship and fall in love, or are we disillusioned with the whole singles church meetings, or is it just that we

United in love

2010-05-05T07:11:00.000-07:00

Unity is one of those funny things. It's one of the things that is so difficult to maintain, and one of those things that ruins us for "normal" life forever. I realize that this seems like a glib outlook on something that is supposed to be so good, but I don't mean for it to be. I just mean that once you experience true unity, you will never be satisfied with an independent life alone.One

I am an artichoke!

2010-04-19T10:32:00.000-07:00

No this is not some strange spin on a Little Rascals joke. I have been realizing that God's love is amazing that He wants to marinate our hearts in it. But, I am an artichoke. I have so many layers of thick garbage just enclosing my heart and so much waste surrounding my heart that He has to peel back every layer so that my heart can just be soaked in His love.I am not even close to ready for

Adventure over Excitement

2010-03-20T20:40:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been another month since I have updated my blog, and I've realized some very important things since my last update... Not least of these is that it is important to not equate excitement with adventure. Excitement is a mere reaction, an emotion, just something we feel from time to time. But adventure, ahhh. Adventure is a beautiful journey. Adventure is where we go, what we do, and

A thankful heart, is a happy heart

2010-02-22T21:04:00.001-08:00

I have long since forgotten this lesson from Veggie Tales. Tonight as I did my devotions I was reminded of the fact that God wants me to learn how to be content where I am. Long ago I discovered that I was quick to become complacent in my walk with God. And, as He has awoken my heart for His justice, I think that I traded peace for passion. I have overwhelmed myself with injustice, I have put

Real and basic theology

2009-12-03T16:48:00.000-08:00

Okay so I don't want to gross anyone out or to be "un-ladylike" but I had an incredible realization this morning that I feel like was such a 'real'-life theology moment that I just had to share it with you. Having made that clear allow me to preemptively apologize for this part of it but like I said it was a "REAL-LIFE" moment so it's just the reality of life we all have a

Mystery and adventure

2009-11-18T06:01:00.000-08:00

So I don't understand a lot of things. But one thing I think I've learned is that if you think God wants to do something in your life be ready for both an adventure of excitement and a journey of confusion.I've found myself considering things that I would never have thought about before. I have gone places that I never saw myself going. And, I'm doing things that I never thought I could.Be ready

grinning dragons can't hide the princess forever

2009-09-30T14:30:00.000-07:00

*disclaimer this has absolutely nothing to do with romance... so don't read that into it please.I had a realization recently that there are two kinds of women in this world. 1) Those who don't know how to be themselves. And, 2) those who don't know how not to be themselves. But I think that we all struggle with the same thing, we all want to be someone else. I know this not just from personal

Wait A Minute

2009-09-18T11:24:00.000-07:00

Do you ever have this problem?"I know I am not living my life the way I should be. I don't want to struggle with this same issue over and over. I've just learned this, why am I learning it again?"Sound familiar? How 'bout this?"No matter how hard I try I just can't seem to get a handle on this!"Well, I feel like I am often not doing enough for the Lord's work, or not where I think I should be

What's happening?

2009-09-16T10:13:00.000-07:00

Well, I have decided that for a time, I must take a short break from this blog. I have a lot of struggles with fund raising for my internship, and I need to spend more of my time focusing on that. I hope that this will be a very brief break and to be back updating at least once a week. I think that is a realistic goal for my current schedule. God bless you all, have anything you want to

Cutting back and reevaluating

2009-09-10T14:24:00.000-07:00

I just realized this past week that I am allowing stress to creep back into my life. There are a lot of contributing factors. But, one of them is that I am not doing anything that I feel is being done well. So, I am pulling back an re prioritizing... so I will be taking a little time off from the blog and will resume probaby at 2-3 posts a week for a while. I'm sorry,but I hope to resume soon

More about goals and results

2009-09-04T21:23:00.000-07:00

Remember, it's not about the result, it's about working toward your goal! And it's going to take time... I just finished watching one of my favorite movies about goals with my brother...Here's some inspiration from that movie!Rudy Reuttiger devoted over 8 years of his life working toward that one goal.... he had the commitment to a dream, to a goal, and spent most of that time with very little

Act now, wish later

2009-09-03T21:10:00.000-07:00

Goals are such ominous things. Most of us have a laundry list of these items we call goals, when really they would be better described as wishes. And, what's worse they are often wishes that we have no power to grant ourselves, or even try to grant. We want to see, go, feel or get.... this, that, and the other... Goals are much different. A goal is something that you don't just desire you do

It's not in your hands. So... What are you going to do about it?

2009-09-01T18:01:00.000-07:00

So, we've been talking talking about singleness and a lot about how it's okay to be single, how we need to be okay with being single, and I've tried to give away some books. Most of what I've been discussing so far has been very ethereal and I haven't really been getting down to the practical nitty gritty of how our singleness affects us. This is something I would like to remedy this week by

Who has your attention

2009-08-31T10:39:00.001-07:00

Today I just want to take a moment to remember the One for whom our whole lives is meant to bring glory. The One in whom we live and move and have our very being. The only One that brings meaning to this Chaos of life. And, I want to ask the simple question... Have you been captivated by Him today?

No book giveaways

2009-08-30T10:00:00.000-07:00

So, I guess no one wanted a free book this week. I'll have to hold onto them and give them away another time. I'll See you all here tomorrow.

the long awaited etymology lesson

2009-08-27T13:40:00.000-07:00

So I've been promising that I would explain the etymology of the word, "virtuous." First, allow me to explain for some that do not know, what etymology means. "Etymology" is defined as the study of words and their origins. (Hope that helps, click on etymology if you want more info.)So anyway, here's the irony of "virtuous" it is currently and most often used to refer to a chaste, pure, or

I'm trying to give away books and I can't

2009-08-25T14:00:00.000-07:00

Hey all I have some more thoughts on this for ya, but I really want to hear what you thought of the show first! Leave me a comment on yesterday's post, so I can start to move on with thoughts about singleness and more discussion. [Sorry I was going to share some thoughts with you all but my train of thought was completely lost... my co-worker just did Cartwheels down the hallway between our

Manic Monday: Take a lunch break!

2009-08-24T05:24:00.000-07:00

Take a lunch break today with Gary Chapman. Since we're on the topic of singleness I wanted to highlight this broadcast on Moody Radio today! Everyone should listen to this program but especially single ladies out there! Today at 12 noon (CST) Gary Chapman will be interviewed on Midday Connection about singleness. He will be discussing his new singles edition of The Five Love Languages. In

Sorry some unexpected stuff today!

2009-08-21T19:45:00.000-07:00

I thought I was going to post more this week, but it's been busy, for the meantime I've got a great radio program to listen to, and I will pick it up tomorrow, with a possible give away next week! :-) Keep posting your comments, I might just make it a spontaneous give away.Chris Fabry interviewed Leslie Ludy and I was able to get my question answered about how to "not think about relationships

The Virtuous Woman: who is she and how is she defined?

2009-08-19T10:20:00.000-07:00

So often we hear about the Proverbs 31 woman. We listen to so many different opinions on what it means to be a Proverbs 31 woman. But how many people have you heard talk about being a Proverbs 31 "single" woman? None? Me neither.Why is that? Well to be honest I think it is a two-fold reason. 1) Hyper-literalism in our interpretations of Scripture. and 2) No one knows what to say about it.

a Bicycle built for two at a Table for one

2009-08-18T14:49:00.000-07:00

Ever hear this one? "Well I know I am going to get married because it's one of my desires, and God is going to give me the desires of my heart." Have you ever felt like you had the rug pulled out from under you when you believed this?Well, I want to hear from you all this week. This is going to be a hard hitting week, so I need your help with interaction. I am going to tackle the topic of "

Just need to take a break and refocus, I do...

2009-08-17T18:08:00.000-07:00

Unwind with a glass of wine (or water for those of you not allowed to drink) take a deep breath and let this classic musical serenade your worries away....

Among the living

2009-08-15T05:46:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a very long week of sickness and misery, I am finally alive again and on the mend. Thank you all for kind thoughts and prayers while I was under the weather. I will begin next week fresh. I know I said I had more thoughts about God as our Father and us as His daughters, but I will save those for another week. Thank you again my friends I will see you back here next week.

Manic Monday: Sick of being sick

2009-08-10T18:39:00.000-07:00

I am sick again and was out of town all weekend, sorry everyone... I know that I left ya hanging for a while, I will hopefully feel better tomorrow, and be able to pick up the topic again. I still have a lot more to share with you all on the topic of God as our Father, so I will pick it up this week when I start feeling better, and can think clearly enough to write. I feel so miserable I want a

Are you my Daddy?

2009-08-06T14:16:00.000-07:00

I think of this great book by PD Eastman, Are You My Mother? If you didn't read this as a child or to your children, you need to go babysit some kids and find it at the library to read to them, it's a great book with a cute little bird, how can you go wrong with that? This baby bird is looking for his mother, and he begins this journey to asking all sorts of animals and other sorts of things if

Our Father Who Art In Heaven...

2009-08-05T19:09:00.000-07:00

When was the last time you addressed God by a name other than God? What was it? My earthly father (a great man to be sure) and I were having a discussion some time back about Jesus mission on earth. We were talking about this because we have both been in agreement that for a while now Evangelical Christianity has been too "me" focused. We surmising from what we saw in scripture, and asking

Topic Tuesday: Daughters of the King

2009-08-04T14:39:00.000-07:00

This week I want to talk about something that is so near and dear to my heart, and something that I think affects every area of our lives. Our self-worth. I don't mean to make this all about us, but as we discussed yesterday, we have to be reminded of who we are, and whose we are. This is so incredibly vital to how we look at life.If we don't remember that we belong to God. That we are His

And the winner is...

2009-08-03T14:42:00.000-07:00

PM Radio! You've won the drawing. I did not have an email address that I could access from your account so you will have to contact me. Just go to my profile and email me or leave a comment with your email address. I need your home address so that I can send the book to you. Congratulations! I hope that you continue to follow. Blessings, and for the rest of you, keep it up, there will be

Manic Monday: faithful reminders

2009-08-03T07:53:00.001-07:00

Today's Manic Monday moment is more on a serious level. I don't just want us to laugh and take time out of our day to relax. That is all well and good, ultimately however, it has a very limited affect. Because too often we take our minute here or there, and as soon as it is over we are tense again, or upset again, or frustrated that we didn't have more time because we didn't even get ourselves

Last Chance

2009-08-01T09:04:00.001-07:00

Hi again to you all, this is the last post of the week and therefore the last chance to win the book. I wanted to let you know, too, that I am going to select a winner at midnight tonight. Just a reminder here's what you have to do to be entered in the drawing. you have to leave a comment on a blog entry from this week, and you must be or become a follower of the blog. If any commenter is not

Don't forget to follow.

2009-07-30T19:52:00.001-07:00

Just a reminder for those who want to be considered for the drawing.... You have to also become a follower of the blog.

Soul Dieting

2009-07-30T04:42:00.000-07:00

This does not mean dieting on only soul food, I'm afraid this would not have the desired result, that dieting is usually supposed to bring. Summer brings with it swimsuits and with them efforts to lose weight. So it is not a wonder that I am thinking a lot about diets. But, thinking about diets reminds me of an old post from this blog before it became Tenacious Femininity. [click here]Are we

Relax!

2009-07-29T05:15:00.000-07:00

What do you think is the number one thing that keeps you from being calm and trusting in the hand of the Lord? What are some techniques and tips you've found useful for staying calm in the face of distress? What stresses you out? How do you feel this is different for women than it is for men?

Topic Tuesday: A new study, laziness and a give away.

2009-07-28T03:04:00.000-07:00

I am a little too tired this week to think of a new topic. I have a lot to catch up on and will likely not be able to blog everyday, so in order to keep the excitement going with the new blog I am going to do a give away this week. This week I will give away the book that my small group is starting tonight... CRAZY LOVE. This is a fantastic book and I wrote a review of it a while back here's a

Manic Monday: Crummy way to start

2009-07-27T10:38:00.000-07:00

Today, I'm not feeling so well, and stayed home thinking I may have strep. The good news I don't have strep. The bad news is that I just have a crummy onset of a cold then, how mundane and annoying. No but in all seriousness I'm glad I don't have strep I just wish that I wasn't feeling sick at all. But, I love this clip from gilmore girls, I know how ya feel Lorelai!

Final Thought Friday: Am I a Walking Target???

2009-07-24T09:59:00.000-07:00

I mentioned on Tuesday that I would tell you what I define as small and not small. In order to do this I want to go back to the first scripture passage I mentioned in 1 Sam. If you read this passage you saw a woman who was vexed by her husband's other wife. Bearing children was everything to these women at that time, and this woman, Hannah, could not give her husband any children. (That's a

It's not my problem

2009-07-23T06:25:00.000-07:00

Okay so I've been talking a lot about getting irritated. But maybe you're saying that's not a big deal. I mean if I get irritated by small things like people's knees in my back or kids making noise when they don't have to, why should that really matter that much. It's not my problem if I get irritated, it's the problem of the person or people who are doing the annoying thing. They don't have

Bashfully Beleaguered - a confession of an easily irritated female

2009-07-22T04:00:00.000-07:00

I have to admit that I hate stereotypes. I despise hearing broad statements about a particular people group. However, what I hate more is seeing the stereotypes being proven. And, unfortunately I have to admit after much of my observations of my own life and the lives of women around me it seems that most days we prove one of these stereotypes to be correct. The stereotype I am talking about

Topic Tuesday: let's define small.

2009-07-21T05:48:00.000-07:00

Okay so after my run in the John Cleese yesterday (this is a bit of an obscure reference but props to the one who can figure it out) I became even more irritated because my train then came within 3 minutes of the station and we had switch failure that delayed us another 30 minutes. I seriously wanted to tell the conductor to let me off the train because I could have walked

Manic Monday: Little Annoyance, Big Frustration

2009-07-20T09:14:00.001-07:00

Today on the train I was in a fairly good mood. My devos were pretty good. And, though I didn’t really want to get out of bed I got up in plenty of time as to not feel rushed. I felt like I had a good start to a new week. Then… I got on the train. I was so irritated when I sat down and the next thing I felt were a pair of knees in my back. Some of you may or may not know this about me. It

Simply Saturday: Garage Sales and Charities

2009-07-18T09:01:00.000-07:00

Today I am starting a Saturday tradition of tips and thoughts on simplifying our lives. Too often as women we make things more complicated than they need to be. So every week on Saturday I will talk about a relevant topic related to keeping it simple, or I will post a tip for a way to make our lives simpler. Today's topic is STUFF!!!! If we are honest I think most of us would agree WE HAVE TOO

Final Thought Friday: Love me, Need me, Want me...

2009-07-17T07:43:00.000-07:00

The final thoughts for this week are short and sweet. We all need each other! We all need to be needed! Especially as females we want to be wanted. We need to be needed! And, we all love to be loved. Unfortunately while we feel all these things many of us never want to admit that we need others, want community, thereby struggle with showing people love. We dealt with so many things this

Take me! Leave me! I don't give a S***!!!

2009-07-16T07:40:00.000-07:00

I know it's strong language, but I think if we're honest there are times we'd like to say this phrase to people. We're tired of the expectations, the stereotypes, the self-righteousness...And, the unfortunate thing for both parties is that it is not likely that you will ever tell that person how you feel. Now I don't advocate an outburst like the title of this entry. However, if we are ever

Legalistic about love

2009-07-15T13:19:00.000-07:00

The fact of the matter is we all encounter legalism at some point in life. We will all encounter someone, whose standards we do not meet. Someone who we feel like we will never please. Someone who most of us would rather just live and let live without ever crossing paths. Most of us tend to take these unfair expectations and pretend we are someone or something we aren't because we fear

Topic Tuesday: Come Just As You Are

2009-07-14T13:59:00.001-07:00

The Topic for this week was inspired by a status update that sparked a lot of discussion. My very good friend posted this today as her status and received 15 comments about it." thinks "just be yourself" only works if you genuinely are what the people around you expect you to be. I'm very open to hearing counterviews on this. I'd LOVE to be wrong. But experience..."Seeing that there were so many

Manic Monday: The Medicine of Laughter

2009-07-13T18:48:00.000-07:00

Today I was at work in a very nearly empty office. My co-worker and I had a good time playing music in the two cubicles, it was a much needed good time. We had a great time laughing at our music and just random things that struck us throughout the afternoon. I believe that everyone needs to laugh at least once a day and enjoy the bizarrely silly things in life, so if you haven't laughed today

Life's great... then I went shopping

2009-07-08T21:24:00.001-07:00

Today I went to the happiest place on earth, that's right I went to IKEA! :-)Just a sea of show rooms, designing ideas, and prices that are actually in my range. I love shopping when I am shopping for things that I enjoy shopping for. I love shopping for anything when I actually have money to afford what I want. But in the midst of all this shopping I am reminded about what I don't have.And,

Thank You, Even Though I Never Knew You.

2009-07-07T07:29:00.000-07:00

Good taste! No one could ever dream of faulting her for not having it. The taste for the finer things in life was her specialty. Wearing high heels as often as she could, and loving designer clothing, She was the manager of the finest cosmetic company in the business (Clinique) at one of the most expensive department stores around (Von Maur). She was the kind of girl who, wanting a designer

Manic Monday: A Breath of Fresh Air

2009-07-06T20:46:00.001-07:00

Monday kicks off the work week and often feels like a kick in the head. Every Monday I am going to focus on busyness, and offer a moment to breathe.So, in honor of our first full week of the new blog I am going to end the day with a song to stop think and Breathe. Manic Monday entries will all be brief and be a call for a time out! I will try to find a special performance from either a female

Yin and Yang: A Movie Review -- Bride Wars

2009-07-03T03:00:00.000-07:00

A good working title for this movie would have been Bridezilla vs. Jabba the Fud. The ever predictable romantic comedy Bride Wars certainly did not make any Oscar nominees shake in their boots, but proves faithful for a night of girlie fun. Though the movie is predictable it still delivers a few twists and turns for your viewing pleasure (even if you do see them coming a mile away), as well as

Book Review: Are Women Humen

2009-07-02T07:08:00.000-07:00

Dorothy Sayers is one of the most intelligent women to ever live. Her complex and profound thoughts are clearly expressed through her beautifully simple writing style. This two-essay compilation shows her strength and avant-garde ideals. Sayers uses rhetoric and logic to convey the importance of women's rights. Beyond even just women's rights, she explains the importance of human rights and

Tenacious Femininity

2009-07-01T07:03:00.000-07:00

"I like to help women help themselves, as that is, in my opinion, the best way to settle the woman question. Whatever we can do and do well we have a right to, and I don't think any one will deny us." -- Louisa May Alcott"When to think about sex was considered indelicate in a woman, and to think about anything else unfeminine." -- Dorothy Sayers"A woman is like a teabag, you never know how

New Design for a New Blog

2009-06-23T16:49:00.001-07:00

Hi all, This is the design of the new blog starting next month. Hope you like it!

blog makeover!

2009-06-20T00:59:00.000-07:00

this blog is about to change. i am preparing some ideas for what this blog is to become. the title and topics are about to be specified for one audience, now before I tell you who the audience is that I am going to target I want to tell you that if you do not fit into this audience you should not feel like you can't read anymore. in fact, there is a possibility that you will find the topic even

Workers in the field

2009-06-11T09:17:00.000-07:00

(Photo courtesy of http://www.sonofthesouth.net/american-indians/farming.htm)Today I was reminded of how beautiful it is to be a worker of Christ. You may not think you're even doing much for the Lord right now, but Ephesians 2:10 assures us, "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them."Christ has created us new,

Time OUT!

2009-06-09T10:36:00.001-07:00

Remember on Saved by the Bell, when Zack Morris would stop time at random? Do you ever wish that you had that power to just stop time and not feel pressured by all the things that you have to get done. Just take a time out! This is actually possible (at least in some respects). God places us in a community to give us a glimpse of eternity. Have you ever had a friend with whom you were just

New Topic for June: παροικία άγιος

2009-06-02T10:53:00.000-07:00

Holy Community!This month I'm going to focus on the role of community within the Church and within our individual lives. Community is a vital part of life, and what is more, it's a vital part of our union to Christ. When we are united with Christ in our salvation, we become a part of something so much larger than ourselves. I know that so many of us know this, but how often do we really think

Why Kris Allen was wrong...

2009-05-23T13:32:00.000-07:00

New article on Allvoices.com http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/3283806-why-kris-allen-was-wrong.

Welcome back Kotter!

2009-05-20T09:13:00.001-07:00

So it's been a while, sorry about that. But, I promise to be more consistent with my posts from here on out.Today's post is just a reunion post of sorts. I do want to get the creative juices flowing and get the critical thinking chewing again, but because I have been awol for so long, I didn't want to just dive right back in. So, let me ask all of you who read... is there anything in particular

It's Crunch TIME!

2009-05-02T19:32:00.001-07:00

Okay so the reason I haven't been posting is because I've been busy with school and my photography website--WARNING!!! *Shameless plug incoming* Which can be found at:www.kikeephotography.comSo, I just felt like writing a tiny update on my lack of blogage. (Blog is a made up word anyway, why not make up new blogging terms). So I will resume blogging either after I finish my final paper on May

Give me your eyes...

2009-04-13T09:32:00.000-07:00

In keeping with the theme of being a Micah 6:8 Christian... I wanted to reflect on song. The song Give Me Your Eyes has been on the radio for a while now, but it's still one worth reflecting on. Last week I asked the question, "What does it look like to be a Micah 6:8 Christian?" Today I want to ask, "What do you see when you're a Micah 6:8 Christian?"I got off the train last week and was so

Left is Right

2009-04-08T12:42:00.000-07:00

I've been getting involved on a lot of these Christian social networks. Almost every day I find another blog or another website on Social Justice. I think that partially this is really cool to see. The body of Christ is finally wanting to be the body of Christ and wanting to represent our Head the way we ought to.Then I wonder if some of this isn't just another form of talking the talk. The

God wants His children to suffer?

2009-03-27T10:27:00.000-07:00

Something that has puzzled me lately is the idea of suffering for Christ and suffering with Christ. First, I know that to suffer for Christ is a great honor, but to suffer with Him? What does that even mean? Second, it seems that to suffer with Christ [to partake in His suffering] is a prerequisite for partaking in His glory, and if that's the case, then I want to know how do I suffer with

Have I told you lately that I love you

2009-03-23T14:42:00.000-07:00

How often do we tell God that we love Him? sure He knows our every thought so He actually knows better than we do how much we love Him. But when Abraham was asked to sacrifice Isaac. God replied to his willingness, "now I see..." that you do not love anything more than your God. (paraphrase) If He looked at us would He say the same? Jesus said, "if you love me you will obey my commands."Sometimes

Take Me All the Way!!!!

2009-03-19T15:14:00.001-07:00

I stumbled upon this song on the radio and had to buy it, it's an incredible cry on so many hearts in the Church today. Does it resonate with you? What can we be doing to not just "go through the motions?"

Sanctity of Marriage, a right?

2009-03-17T05:52:00.000-07:00

Hey guys I came across this link on the internet and I'm interested in your thoughts. One thing I have been discussing with others lately is whether the Church should be dictating government policies, and vice versa. It seems to me that when the Church gets involved in politics and tries to make policies based on "biblical values" things get sticky. DON'T misunderstand what I'm saying I not

Diet Religion

2009-03-06T10:55:00.001-08:00

When was the last time you were satisfied by someone's apology if they weren't sincere? Or when was the last time you were talked into believing something that the person themself didn't believe? When was the last time you took a counterfeit dollar and tried to pass it off as the real thing? Never? Me too!Now, I know this is going to sound weird but last week God used something rather odd to

TIme to slow down

2009-03-04T11:54:00.000-08:00

So I started linking my blog entries to converstantlife.com, but I have also started posting photos. Now this Photo is one of those that is dear to my heart because it not only helps me to remember to slow down, but it is also one that I technically should no longer possess. I was shooting in the train station and apparently this is illegal, I was not aware of this when I started taking pictures

Fear and Love

2009-03-03T09:43:00.000-08:00

As I stood in chapel, I surveyed the crowd. I saw a bunch of worn out tired students fighting to stay awake as the gospel singers proclaimed "He's made the difference in me." I was struck by the solemnness of the crowd and the joyousness of those on stage. I found myself wondering once again, is this really living? I am not trying to be critical of Moody Students, in fact, I think that Moody

Acting Christians make an Acts 2 Church

2009-03-01T09:43:00.001-08:00

It was over a year ago that I heard the statement, "We will never be an Acts 2 Church until we are Acts 1 believers."What??? What is an Acts 1 believer? That was my reaction too. Then he explained Acts 1:14 gives us the reason for Pentecost and the transformation that happened there. "All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together..." The first thing he noted was the

Crazy Love

2009-02-25T20:57:00.000-08:00

Okay so it's been way too long... sorry about that, but I am back and hopefully able to be a little more steady once again.I wanted to let you all know about this resource. The book Crazy Love by Francis Chan is incredible. It has really challenged my walk with God, and made me ask the question, "Why not?" a lot over the course of reading it. What I mean by that is, that I think we look at a

If You Will Trust in God to Guide You

2009-01-27T14:25:00.001-08:00

Praise the Lord that He guides us even and especially in our sanctification. I find something so sweet in being corrected because it's freeing. It not only reminds you that you're not perfect (no secret there), but it also reminds you that you are not even seen as perfect. And, what a relief. What a joy it is to know that you aren't perfect and no one sees you that way. I am so thankful that

Inheriting a wretch

2009-01-24T18:51:00.000-08:00

Tonight at church as I reflected on the words of an old hymn that I must have sung a thousand times before. I was struck by the words of the following verse:Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.My heart was overwhelmed. "Thou mine Inheritance..." How amazing it is that I

Redeemed for Glory

2009-01-12T13:19:00.001-08:00

One of the first names of Jesus recorded in John's gospel is the "Lamb of God." John quotes John the baptist who then follows up this title with the comment, "...who comes to take away the sins of the world. This is our God!How often do we really reflect on the saving grace of our Lord and remember that His plan was to "take away" our sin. This is not merely juridical language of a verdict or

Twitter

2008-12-10T19:24:00.001-08:00

The things that you can do online amaze me every day I am so blessed to have a job that allows me to research these things and find out more about them. Inevitably anytime I find something useful for work I find it useful for my own personal use also. Check out Twitter if you haven't yet.www.twitter.com

Thoughts on thanksgiving... or lack thereof!

2008-12-05T12:43:00.000-08:00

In some ways this day should be called the day of gluttony or the day of family drama or the national day of turkey eating. I am not saying this because I am jaded about thanksgiving. In fact, I had a great thanksgiving with my family this year. Rather I was thinking about the name and the focus of the holiday. It would seem that Thanksgiving ought to have an element of giving thanks this is