by | Life Application
I am a runner! Sometimes I’m still baffled when I say those words. I used to weigh 330 lbs! In August I went to the New Balance store to purchase my first pair of running shoes. This was serious business to me.
Yesterday my shoe broke. I did what any girl would do: I took the shoe to my mother and asked her to super glue the bottom. She said, “Why don’t you call the store and see if they can fix it?”
“You can’t do that,” I said. “I already bought the shoes. They’re three months old. They are broke. They aren’t going to just fix them.”
So I called them. The clerk told me to bring the shoes down and they would look at them. I walked out of that store one extremely satisfied customer. I was greeted with super friendly customer service. Instead of fixing my shoe, she gave me a brand new pair! A brand new pair of shoes! And she did it with a smile.
New Balance in Branson, Missouri stands by their guarantee. I’m impressed and would certainly recommend them to anyone, whether you’re a runner or simply looking for a comfortable pair of shoes.
And yes, I called and apologized to my mama for not listening the first time. Do what your mother tells you!
by | Life Application
Today is National Chocolate Day! Yes folks, there is such a day.
I have a floating cloud of beautiful light and dark brown colors running through my mind. I see chocolate covered peanuts and pretzels. Oh wait, there went a Snickers bar.
I see chocolate chips, Reeses Peanut Butter cups, and Butterfingers oh my!
But the best part – M&M’s.
And then…. The Calorie Queen flew by and completely popped my dream bubble. How rude!
by | Life Application
A friend of mine has always said, “Acceptance is not approval.” After about the hundredth time I found myself wishing she would never say the words again. Now I find myself quoting her. I’ve been thinking a lot about that lately. Right now it’s ringing true in my life.
Let me tell you a few things about me…
- First of all, I’m not organized. I’m done pretending like I am. My papers stack up and my area looks cluttered. But I know what’s there. My inbox is a mess.
- The clothes in my closet are not neatly categorized according to color or season. Yes, my winter clothes are combined with my t-shirts.
- I mainly live out of my clothes basket. I try to do laundry by Wednesday, and if there is anything clean left in the hamper I hang it up. Yes, it’s wrinkled because it went straight from the dryer to the basket. But I’m a Downy addict, so at least the wrinkled shirt smells wonderful. Oh, and I don’t own an iron. However, I do know how to use one in case of an emergency.
- I love my Smurfs t-shirt, my shorts, and my flip-flops. I don’t always look classy, but I look comfortable.
- My car is a storage unit. You will find books in my backseat, a package of rice cakes for the go, a portable fan (I never leave home without it), my guitar, and a few shirts in the floor board. It’s in desperate need of a car wash, and maybe someday I will make it there.
- I’m horrible at making beds. I wake up in the mornings and search for my sheet that I kicked off who knows where because I’m always tossing and turning. I throw it over the bed and top it with my comforter. There is no tucking and folding.
- My brain is more scattered lately than it used to be. I forget things. You can tell me three times and I’ll probably still forget. I don’t do it to bother you, it just happens. But if you write it down three times, remind me another few, then ask me to do it after I missed whatever it was I was supposed to do, I will get it done.
- I cry at movies of all kinds. I cry when you cry. I cry at Hallmark commercials. I quit pretending to be tough, and I’m okay with that.
- I hate injustice and my need to protect others flares up intensely when I see it. I tend to forget sometimes that God is plenty capable of handling things Himself. But He is usually quick to remind me.
I’m not perfect. Parts of me are a mess. Some people in my life accept me for the messy, unorganized, t-shirt wearing, emotional girl that I am. Some people in my life are still trying to change me. I’m learning to be content with both. I’m thrilled to be accepted for me. Sometimes it hurts when I’m not. But if I try to change the person that is trying to change me, then I’m no different.
I write this to encourage you that although you may not approve of something in the life of someone you love, that doesn’t mean you can’t accept them. God created us each uniquely.
I have come to terms with the fact that posting this will not likely get me a date soon. (Note: If you are an organized guy who loves to cook, clean, do laundry, and go to the grocery store, we can plan the wedding today.) However, it makes me feel better to let the world know that next time you see me you will know I got dressed out of the hamper, threw my wrinkled sheets on the bed, and my eyeliner is running because I’m a woman and I got emotional during the song playing in the car while I was eating a rice cake because I forgot I was meeting you and missed lunch.
by | Faith Lived Out, Life Application
I was recently sitting in the dentist’s office waiting for a friend. After my mini power nap and waking up wondering if the stares indicated I had been snoring, I decided I should entertain myself with some reading. Good Housekeeping was staring at me so I gave in.
The featured article was written about two celebrities who manage to keep their friendship strong despite having their own families and the demands of Hollywood. It was a great article. But then…
Both were asked what role faith played in their family lives. There were some interesting answers to say the least.
Actress #1: “I’m half Jewish and half Christian.”
Actress #2: “I was brought up within the Christian tradition, [but] I had a fairly secular upbringing. The guiding moral principles, the ethical principles, much of the philosophy, if properly applied, is very good. And I love Christmas. I know all the carols and all the songs. In spite of our secularism, we observe the Christmas tradition. And we talk about the [Christmas] story. It’s a very great story, and I grew up with it. It’s very interesting and full of metaphor.”
The definition of metaphor is a figure of speech in which one thing is spoken of as if it were another.
There is no metaphor regarding the birth of Jesus Christ. Is there such a thing as being half Christian? We can be half German and half Irish, but can we be half Christian? I think not. It’s all or none in Christianity, as it should be.
We are to love the Lord our God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our mind and with all our strength. Mark 12:30.
Are you all in?
by | Life Application
Where can you hear a ventriloquist sing a tune from Les Miserables while holding a baby in his arms? Where can you see a singing Spanish chihuahua? Where can you hear the story of the Arc of the Covenant along with an inspiring illusion that gives God the glory? Only at the Hamner Barber Theatre!
If you are looking for laughter, then Jim Barber is your guy. If you’re looking for some amazing illusions, such as the world-famous Vertigo, then Dave Hamner and his wife Denise are the ones you want to see.
I was both amused and impressed with the variety of entertainment from this high dynamic duo.
Not only was the show great, but the Veteran’s tribute was by far the best, most respectful tribute I have seen. You could tell there was a lot of thought put into this tribute. It wasn’t just a song with an American flag waving in the background, asking our Veteran’s to stand up so we could honor them. It was a true, heartfelt, well planned message from two amazing entertainers! 
If you’re coming to Branson, whether you’re bringing your children or you’re just a couple getting away for the weekend, come and check out the show. You won’t walk away disappointed!
by | Faith Lived Out, Life Application
Today’s History Lesson…
In 1987 the town of Midland Texas was changed forever when 18 month old Jessica McClure fell down an abandoned well. 58 hours later she was rescued. Do you remember that day? Were you in a panic with the millions of others watching the live coverage on CNN?
Three years after that my mother went through the terror of the unknown, I imagine, just as Jessica’s parents did. I disappeared. She received a phone call from the police department stating that I had been taken from my father’s house. They told her to sit calmly and wait by the phone while they looked for me. If you were told your child had disappeared would your first reaction be to sit calmly by the phone? Mine neither. Obviously I was found.
But this reminds me of another story.
What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost. – Matthew 18:12-14
God sits and waits for us every time we wander away – every time we fall into an abandoned well. We are his sheep. He doesn’t want to watch any of us go astray. You don’t have to wait 58 hours to be rescued from him, stuck in the terror and fear that controls your life. You don’t have to wait another second. He’s waiting now to pull you out of the pit.
Are you ready?
