"Am I My Brother's Keeper?"

The wisest man I've met in Belize told this story after dinner tonight.

A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife open a package.

What food might this contain? He was devastated to discover it was a mousetrap.

Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed the warning, "There is a mousetrap in the house!"

The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, "Mr. Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me.  I cannot be bothered by it."

The mouse turned to the pig and told him, "There is a mousetrap in the house."

The pig sympathized, but said, "I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse, but there is nothing I can do about it but pray. Be assured you are in my prayers."

The mouse turned to the cow.  She said, "Wow, Mr. Mouse.  I'm sorry for you, but it's no skin off my nose."

So the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected to face the farmer's mousetrap alone.

That very night, a sound was heard throughout the house; like the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey.

The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught.  In the darkness, she did not see it was a venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught.

The snake bit the farmer's wife.  The farmer rushed her to the hospital and she returned with a fever.  Everyone knows you treat a fever with a good chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup's main ingredient.

But his wife's sickness continued, so friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock.  To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig.  

The farmer's wife did not get well; she died.  So many people came for her funeral that the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide enough meat for all of them.

So, the next time you hear someone is facing a problem and think it doesn't concern you, remember when one of us is threatened, we are all at risk.

In the book of Genesis, Cain said this about Abel, his brother to our God: "Am I my brother's keeper?"

We are all involved in this journey called life.  We must keep an eye out for one another and make an extra effort to encourage one another.

Remember: Each of us is a vital thread in another person's tapestry; our lives are woven together for a reason.

Boutique Make-over at the Rock Church Thrift Store

I've been volunteering at the Rock Thrift Store for nearly 7 months now, and it was no question that the area where all of the "brand" named items are located was not very user friendly.

So a team of volunteers and I took the project upon ourselves to give the space a "makeover."

And now I am happy to report that I am so glad it's over! 

What a build up it was to get it done. After countless meetings, planning sessions, questions and fears about how we could pull it off, we did!

I'm elated, everything went as possible with the help of all my friends and volunteers. 

Donating my time for Jesus is so worth it, when the contribution we all can make helps people find their way to God. 

Our design meetings were strategic and creative, and well planned out. However, what I learned again, was that being creative sometimes is best just left to spontaneity. We all got together and in one evening pulled off the entire feat. Now the women's boutique at the Rock Church Thrift Store looks like its had a complete make-over.

Praise God for everyone that helped make it a success!

Faith in the Spirit

I had a moment this evening while reflecting on my day in which my faith, my spirit, and my thoughts all fused into one deeply moving conclusion. 

I had felt quite sad in my heart and spirit throughout my day, although I was surrounded by happy people and the hustle-bustle.  It was because the one thing I have been assigning my highest priority to lately felt a bit empty and out of my hands today. When I got home I felt drained and a bit sad. 

I called my friend back home in Kansas City and talked for a while about faith, about believing in a God that we cannot see, about obeying Him and how if we simply did what He asks, it would make Him smile - just like a proud parent. I discussed the idea that by complying with what God asks, we will be rewarded and blessed far beyond what our minds could have ever imagined.  I concluded that it all has to do with faith.  It's not seeing something, its feeling it and knowing that it's right.

So, my friend and I have been reading a book called, "Jesus Calling" which is a daily devotional that we email our reflections to each other to help keep ourselves accountable. 

I had not read today's passage when I called so I asked my friend to read it to me half way into our conversation.

Of course, the words spoke directly to my heart. Tears filled my eyes and everything I had just spoke about felt completely verified in the daily passage.

Two things it said to me that deeply moved me were:

"Even the most ardent human lover cannot be with you always.  Nor can another person know the intimacies of your heart, mind, and spirit."

and 

"I am freely available to all who call upon My Name, who open their hearts to receive Me as Savior.  This simple act of faith is the beginning of a lifelong love story. I, the lover of your soul understand you perfectly and love you eternally."

It felt like God spoke to me.  He told me that I was right.  I just needed to quiet myself and spend time with Him, which is what I plan to continue working on from now on.  

I haven't been this moved by the spirit in some time, so I wanted to share and possibly speak to anyone out there who may struggle with making God a happy dad.  It's not hard.  It just takes a little bit of quiet, intimate time with the One who knows the intimacies of your heart; the One completely whole love of your life.

I pray that all relationships start with Him and that He is the rock on which my relationships are built.

In Jesus' name, 

Amen. 

Loving Ourselves

Read these two things today and they moved me in my heart, so I HAD to share :)

1)

May you become the best you can be.

May the light illuminate your oneness.

May you realize the light which is the oneness. 

May only what’s better to be happen to you.

2)

Resistance comes in many forms: Texting, sex, eating, procrastinating, watching TV, meeting up with friends, and many other undercover outfits...sit down and do the work...day in and day out. When you fail, learn and keep working. Enjoy the soreness of the blows you may have taken the day before.

Do it for the day to day, for the sheer act of doing it, not for the outcome.

It's that simple, but not always that easy:)

Love,

Ms. Panda

Double Rainbows and Purple Carrots

It's been a while since I've written and after glancing at the last few posts - I felt like writing something a bit deeper tonight.  The amount of variety in my life has tripled, similar to my discovery of the existance of purple, yellow and white-ish carrots.

If you are new to my blog, this is how I do it. 

Sometimes I have a lot to say, and other times I haiku.  

Either way, I only write when I am inspired,

so if you are looking for a daily read, I may not be able to deliver. 

However, if inspiration and stimulation is what you seek,

look no further and subscribe right now. ;)

Life is fantastic. 

I look back one year and smile thinking of how grateful I am for the place I am in right now - mentally, physically, spiritually.  Last year was bumpy.  Change was not easy.  Choices were tough and tests were being dealt out like pop quizzes daily.  But I survived.  I may not have aced it all, but I am happy to report that today was a good day.

 

In fact, the last three weeks have been nothing short of incredible. 

Since I found my home at the Rock Church six months ago, my life has taken a turn for the better and I can not be thankful enough.  I say it everyday in my mind and under my breath, while covering my heart with my hand and breathing in slow, deep breaths.  I thank Him for being with me. 

"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13 

I've been reading the Bible, start to finish, and in the very first book - Genesis - I read about the meaning of a rainbow.

Seeing this picture, taken in downtown San Francisco today, I couldn't help but think of this: 

"When the (rain)bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.”

Genesis 9:16

He's got our backs. Whether you believe in Him as a man in the clouds, the divine trinity, maybe a breeze blowing by, or a song that plays on repeat in your head, He is with us.

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

Matthew 7:7

I pray daily for my DJ ministry, and He continues to provide for me, kicking it off with a set of turntables, followed by a club quality mixer, a shnazzy program called Serato, which will surely work a little magic in my learning process BUT most of all - I have been blessed with a teacher who is His most faithful servant and continually leads me to be a better Christian by always accrediting everything to God's glory. 

I am so moved by the intensity of the progress happening in my life, that I can only offer myself to Him and give back everything equally to Him.  He is my rock.  Yet He is also my flower.  I must keep my flesh out of the way and let His spirit continue to lead me.  I am very passionate about what's happening in my life, but I am also keen on the pauses. 

He will lead me there - never early, never late - only right on time.

Just like the music of Miles Davis, pauses are just as important to the completeness of the song as are the individual notes.

Thank God for being within us, for always loving us by grace, and for giving us the language of music to communicate our gratefulness with Him.

Amen.

My Doggie Poop Song

So my dog, Annie, likes to pee as she walks and tonight I began to sing the tune to a popular 90's song, "whoop! There it is!" with these lyrics instead.
Enjoy ;)

Potty over here

Potty over there

Waive your paws in the air

Shake your derrière

These three words

And a circle you may

Poop! There it is :)

Loooooong Suffering

In Galations, one of the fruits of the spirit is long suffering. It's basically another term for patience and it's probably the hardest one to master. Regardless, with all of the dismay over the movie theatre massacre in Colorado, I wanted to share this passage from Joyce Meyer in my daily devotional, "Battlefield of the Mind." "The time between suffering and thanksgiving is when the devil truly attacks our thoughts. He may begin by saying, "If God really loved you, you would not have to go through this." The truth is, we'll have problems if we're believers; we'll have problems if we're nonbelievers. But as believers, we'll also have victories. As believers in Jesus Christ, we can have peace in the midst of the storm. We can enjoy our lives during the hardships because we truly believe that God is working on our behalf to bring deliverance." Amen!

A Little Sumptin Sumptin'

"An intellectual is someone who says a simple thing in a difficult way;

An artist is someone who says a difficult thing in a simple way."

-Charles Bukowski

"Language and magic. Where is the connection?  Think about it this way: 

When we form letters to write words, we create something out of nothing,

so that the still air or the empty space on a page fills with meaning,

as if a wizard created a blizzard out of a clear blue sky.

-Roy Peter Clark, The Glamour af Grammar

The Donkey in the Well

In my daily devotional for today, Joyce Meyer wrote:
"One of my favorite stories is about a farmer's donkey that fell into a dry well. The animal cried pitifully for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do for his poor donkey. Finally, he concluded that the well was too deep, and it really needed to be covered up anyway. Besides, the donkey was old, and it would be a lot of trouble to get him out of the pit.
The farmer decided that it was not worth trying to retrieve the animal, so he asked his neighbors to help him fill in the well and bury the donkey.  They all grabbed shovels and began to toss dirt into the well. The donkey immediately realized what was happening, and he began to bray horribly. Crying would be our normal response if somebody was mistreating us this badly, so this donkey was responding the same way we would at first, but then he got real quiet.
A few shovel loads of dirt later, the farmer looked down the well and was astonished at what he saw.
With every shovel of dirt that hit the donkey's back, the donkey would shake it off and step on top of it.  As the neighbors and the farmer continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he continued to shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon the donkey shook off the last shovel full of dirt, took a step up, and walked right out of the well.
We can learn so much from this story. When trouble comes, if we will get still and listen, God will tell us what to do." It was too good to keep to myself!
Hope the next time trouble comes, we stay still and listen to God.
Amen!

My Fergie-like Rap

The other day at the bar I work at, I told a bartender to,
"pour that beer into that cup!" just being silly.
But the cocktail waitress I was working with laughed at me and said, that sounds like a rap.
So I started saying it over and over fast and we all laughed and smiled.
The next morning, I woke up in a super good mood and was getting ready to go volunteer at the Rock Thrift Store when I remembered the bar rap. I thought about God and how I could reword it to be Christian.
So this is what I came up with:
"Pour His love Up
in your cup
In your cup
In your cup 

And drink it up
Drink it up
Drink His love 
Up out of your cup!"

Haha! I think it sounds like Fergie from the "Black Eyed Peas" especially if you compare it to the "Humps" song.

Here's the official video for those of you who don't know who Fergie is - or the song I am speaking of...

 

Anyway, I can't get it out of my head, so I wanted to write it down here!

Hope you have a great day!

xOx,
Ms. Panda

This is the Stuff I Live for...

Last Thursday, I attended my fourth DJ class as provided by the Rock Church's Cross Fader Ministry. Every since I joined the Rock Church in San Diego, I have been wanting to learn how to DJ so that I could produce electronic Christian music.  I like dancy-type club music and have felt a calling to mix up the two genres - I even blogged about it back in May.

So for Thursday's class, we were challenged to bring as many guests as we could and the person with the most people would win a prize.  I woke up dreaming about my teacher asking me to name five guys and five girls that I could text to come to our class.  I started rattling off names, but then I got stumped.  In my dream, he began to hand out prizes to others in the group.  I woke up certain that I would not be the winner, but started texting friends to come with me anyway.  Out of 25 or more texts sent out, I had a few "maybes" but only one person followed through.  I told my teacher about my dream and we laughed about it together.

Class was awesome!  It was a smaller group than normal, so I got a 20 minute personal lesson on a set up I had not learned yet.  I learned scratching techniques, like the "stab" and the "orbit."  I talked to the DJ I was learning from about my dream of mashing up secular music with Christian music - especially since the club music seems to ask all of the questions that Christian music answers.  It's like the two genres are screaming to be mixed up together!  Plus, no one is really doing it - so the DJ pulled up a song called, "Sandstorm" which has a popular club beat, and once it reached it's peak moment, he set up the Christian song, "He Reigns" to play its chorus Acappella.  It was EXACTLY what I was talking about and we were all dancing around like maniacs bouncing and smiling!  It really fired me up!

Just then, my other teacher stopped the group and announced that he wanted to change the rules for the contest that night.  He mentioned that there were two students who had made it to every class and wanted to suggest a DJ "Battle" between them.  MY heart immediately began to race.  He chose this one other student first and then walked over to me and called me out!  I was scared to death, but also excited and honored all at the same time!

The other student and I "Rock Paper Scissor"-ed to see who would go first and I won, so I gave him the honor.  I stood behind as he demonstrated the skills he had learned in class for one minute straight and then it was my turn!

During my one minute showcase, I danced and wiggled that record back and forth to "Scratch" and smiled so much!  It was such a great time!  The class cheered for me and through audience applaud I took the title of the first  "DJ Battle Champ" of my class!

That night I couldn't wipe the smile off my face and I thanked God over and over for the opportunity.  It reinforced my path and recharged my spirit!  I am already trying to get into private lessons with a couple of my teachers, as I hear that in the next few months, the class may offer a set of tables to the most promising student. 

Life is a journey and you must take steps to fully utilize the spiritual gifts that God gives you.  As I overheard in church on Sunday, every single person on this planet is part of a body.  While you may be the mouth, she may be the heart, he may be hands, and I may be the voice - we must all perform individually to make up that smiling, loving, singing wholeness that is what God intended when He made us. 

What are you waiting for?  Find out your part here.!!!!

Til next time...

xOx,
Ms. Panda

Divine Intervention (In Haiku)

God's intervention,

A term for a miracle

In the human world.

I prayed for this day

And cried when it came to be -

It touched me deeply.

Coincidences?

Or are they God incidents?

Let your heart decide.

When the preacher spoke

I knew it was God talking

He answered my prayers!

The message was strong!

It reached deep into my heart

Strengthening my faith.

I prayed after church

For an extra ten minutes

Asking for answers.

He responded fast.

That call was answered quickly.

I knew what to do.

I once trusted guys.

Now am committed to Him.

He answers my prayers.

I have seen glory

He has shown me He is Lord

I am second now.

Our relationship

Takes priority in life

And rewards me huge!

Nothing can fill voids

Like the love of Jesus Christ

You must first believe.

He can not be seen

If what you seek is a man

He is a presence.

Within my own heart

The Holy Spirit speaks up,

Leads me through this life.

Prayer - talking to God.

Meditation - listening.

Practice both often.

Amen.

Ms.Panda

Dreaming of Apples

The other night I had a dream: 

I dreamt of these different apples sitting in a basket on a picnic table.

 There were a few types - like Gala, Red Delicious and Fuji. 

The one I normally prefer is the Fuji, for the sweetness and tartness. 

However, in my dream the one called Fuji was the Red Delicious. 

I remember struggling to try the Red Delicious because it looked like a normal Red Delicious.

But when I woke up, I remember that apple tasting so amazing, 

and juicy and tart that I am still craving one to this day!

I took my dream to mean this:

Sometimes we think we know what we want, 

but the taste left in our mouths is not what we thought we would receive. 

Then, the ones we least expected to taste great are actually what we preferred!

Be open minded. 

xOx,

Ms. Panda

Unicorns and Butterflies (in haiku)

Try some unicorn!

Increase your daily levels

Of hearts and sparkles.

A caterpillar-

Fantastic, but butterflies,

Metamorpahstic!

The Boss Loves You!

I went to dinner tonight at my best friends' sushi bar and when the bill came it was nearly a full comp. 

The description for the goodwill read, "The Boss Loves You." 

It made me think:

If the "Boss" loves you, then everyone loves you. 

There's no greater love than that of the boss.

He gives purpose, knows how well you're doing your job and is the judge at the end of it all. 

 Point: Do a good job.

Make the boss happy. 

Amen.

Courageous

Just FINALLY watched the movie, " Courageous ,"  and am still drying the tears from my cheeks.

Without telling the whole story, I want to post a copy of the "Resolution" that the fathers in this movie pledged to their families in a ceremony setting.  

The words are moving, inspirational, reassuring, and tremendously positive! 

I hope that if you are a father and you are reading this, you will consider this resolution for yourself and your family. 

Imagine the blessings it will bring to your home life.  

Think about it.

In love,

Ms. Panda

California vibe - in Haiku

Energy is smooth :) 

Flowing like the ocean breeze

Through swaying palm trees.

Amazing to breathe

The cool, crisp, fresh mountain air

Coming from the east

Driving down the coast

The road humming underneath

Beaches passing by.


The vibes in Cali

Come from many different things

Most from within me ;)

Prayer Works!

"To be disappointed in someone is to have belief in someone. People are human. They are not perfect. Sinners sin. Pray for them," Pastor Miles from the Rock Church in San Diego. Don't waste time worrying about situations and people. Worry is a pack of ravenous wolves - scary and negative. Belief is freedom and liberation from worry. God has a plan and everything is part of that plan. He loves us so much and just wants a relationship with us - one where we are completely humble and servant. He wants our trust to be in Him, not in man. Whatever problem we are facing, talk to Him. PRAY. He will answer. And you will feel better with all that negative energy and weight lifted from your life. Trust God. Judging and preaching to someone isn't the answer. Just love them and treat them equally. Don't judge. That's for Him to do. If you love someone who is hurting themselves or you, pray for God to fill their heart and heal their pain. Pray that God will answer your call and show His love and He will.

Blogathon Haiku Day 2012

Today is Day 21 of the Word Count Blogathon and the theme is HAIKU!

This style of poem, which you can learn about here, is composed of 17 sound units

divided into three parts - one with 5 units, one with 7 units and another with 5 units.

Here is one I wrote in Calligraphy for my pen pal:

Here are some I wrote today while I waited an hour at the DMV:

I love my haikus

They roll off my mind like wheels

Spinning in control

Poetry is life

A writer's means to speak it

A reader's glimpse in

Visual headlines

Written thoughtfully to see

What I am feeling

Haiku anywhere

Sitting in the DMV

Waiting to be called

It's 5-7-5

All it takes to come alive

In the haiku world

Spinning, twirling free

The sun shining down on me

Day after eclipse

The moon blocked her face

We poked holes through paper plates

The same as sixth grade

What a day it was!

I wrote a meaningful blog

And changed perceptions!

Today is a new day!

Full of opportunity

And love in my heart

Thanks for being here,

For reading the poems I write -

An eclipse of mind.

xOx,

Ms. Panda

Some of my favorite haiku posts from the past:

Numbers and weekdays

Mix so nicely in my mind

Imagine, Twosday.

Spiritual toys...
Play with them every day
and watch your light grow.

I see the word "love"

On the phone pole in the street

Just as you call me

She finds prince charming
Only exists in her books
But keeps believing

A moment to think
Of a thing called love, in ink
How shall I write it?

Karma maniacs

Cashin' in and styled out

On universe gifts

Aren't you curious
To know and live God's purpose?
It's why you are here.

Relax and enjoy
Trust that he has brought you here
To show you the way

My Favorite ALL-TIME Haiku:

Honest to a fault
I wear my heart on my sleeve
Like a truth tattoo

Homeless and Heartbroken

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."

Psalm 147:3

Before I even knew her name, my heart broke for the homeless girl holding the sign that read:

"Sober, Homeless, Hungry, Down on Luck."

I only had a butterscotch flavored Dum Dum lollipop to give her, but Amanda was very greatful.

She stood by my back window of my car as my dogs barked, but then licked her face. 

She remarked, "This is true therapy."

She mentioned she had a dog, who was back at her tent.

I asked, "Where are you staying?"

She told me, "The foothills of Presidio," which is ironically close to the Spanish Mission that was built as a safe haven for weary travelers during the early settlement of California.  Each mission stood approximately a day's hike away from the next.

She added, "I just left the river 'cause I got a black eye from someone who wanted the $10 I made out here one day."

I asked, "What do you need?"

She said, "A sleeping bag.  I just left my husband two days ago at the river.  He was smoking crystal meth."

I told her that I was on the way to my church's thrift store, just around the corner and would see if I could find one for her.

She thanked me and the light turned green signaling my departure.

When I entered the warehouse for the Rock Thrift Store, I knew exactly where to go, as I volunteered there last Monday.  There's a bin in the back that is full of items intended just for homeless and I bet you can guess what was sitting right on top. 

I not only found a sleeping bag, but also a soft comforter, a cozy jacket and even an air mattress. 

I would definitely say, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."

Or better yet, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." -Matthew 7:7

The thrift store employees knew that God had put this on my heart and didn't charge me for the items, when normally you would need a voucher. 

So I bagged them up and took them to her.  As we stood there on the corner, she told me her story, which you can read some of it here.  She used to have a cat named Angel that would sit on her shoulder, but he got hit by a car and she couldn't get afford to get him out of the shelter, for they wouldn't release him unless he went straight to a surgeon and Amanda didn't have the $2,000 to pay the specialist.  Tears welled up in her eyes as she talked about it. 

She now keeps the company of a dog named, Hades, and says that people often ask her, "How can you be homeless and have a pet?"

Her answer is simple.

"Imagine you lose everything and are living in the middle of the woods in a tent.  Could you stand to be alone?"

I also used to wonder how people could be homeless and care for themselves and an animal also.  I used to think that they were just using the pet to invoke sympathy from passers by.

Now I get it.  This is the reason they are alive. 

Without the love of the pet, they would be all alone, and worse, feeling loveless.

Amanda describes pan handling, “It’s like being an animal in a zoo, standing out here with people pointing and staring,” she says. “It’s the most humbling thing a person can experience.”

I gave Amanda my phone number and told her to call me if she ever needed to just talk.

I really hope she reaches out, because as the writer mentioned in the article, Amanda has an "air of decency about her" and I know that God has a plan for her.  She already has a very powerful testimony to share. I just hope that my role in it isn't done yet.

Here is the type of life Amanda is living.

If you see one of these "tent cities" pop up by you,

chances are there is an "Amanda" out there who needs you, too.

And I pray that it breaks your heart, just as it did mine, so that you won't just feel bad,

you will actually DO SOMETHING!

xOx,

Ms. Panda

On Working

Nothing worth anything comes very easily.

Work is one of those things.

Like, really though, who do you know has a job that they love and just fell into it easily and effortlessly?

Not very many people, I am sure.

I just worked a ten hour day and when I came home, took a long, hot bath.

When I got out of the bath, I fell asleep easier than a baby on a car ride.

Like the water in the tub, I was drained!

The LAST thing I wanted to do was wake up and write my daily blog, 

but somehow, in an act of fate, I had left my interior light on in my car and my roommate noticed.  

He woke me mid-slumber to shut it off and now that I am awake, 

I figured it a supreme opportunity to get this written.

I'm sure we've all been here before - 

So tired we crashed out with our bedroom light still on...

Cranky and sleepy like a little toddler, but we don't have that excuse any more...

Awoken abruptly by an outside force, when we surely could have slept for a day straight.

Yeah, that was me just a few minutes ago.  

And now that I am up and had to sit in front of the computer searching for a topic to blog about, 

nothing felt more natural.

So I looked up these quotes on work and I hope you enjoy: 

“You are never given a wish without also being given the power to make it come true. You may have to work for it, however.”

-Richard David Bach, writer

“Start by doing what's necessary, then what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”

-Saint Francis Assisi 

“Nobody's a natural. You work hard to get good and then work to get better. It's hard to stay on top.”

-Paul Coffey

“Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. Accordingly a genius is often merely a talented person who has done all of his or her homework.”

-Thomas Edison

“If there is no wind, row.”

Latin proverb

GOOOOOD NIGHT!

Imagery

The wire thread through the middle of each precious jade piece. The different shades of green stacked one by one until the strand's length reached desired lengths and the tiny gold beads that separated each stone created a shine like the sun. The wire was tied off and clamped by metal so that the ends my be affixed to the coveted charm. A single cut of leather, fashioned in the shape of love and threaded by Cupid's arrow symbolized the meeting of all this brilliant loving energy. The stones continuously heal their owner and the adornment releases love to all eyes that it meets, granting not just the bearer fulfillment, but also the witnesses who adore it. "Shot Through the Heart" by love and affection, these precious gifts come from heaven above and serve for the greater good on earth. Gleaming like the parts in all their beauty, the gift bearer and receiver bask in the fruits of the spirit - always and forever.

Proverbs 17: 8 

"Receiving a gift is like getting a rare gemstone;

any way you look at it, you see beauty refracted."

10 things I have learned from blogging

Well, I am half way through the month long challenge of blogging every day!!!  YIPPIE!!!
It's been a challenge for me this year, as I feel way busier now than I was last May when I first completed the challenge.

However, as I learned in my favorite blog post by the Blogathon coach, Michelle Rafter, it is better to have a short and sweet 250-350 word post, with bullet points for user friendliness.

So, I am taking her advice.  It's important to listen to your coach.  You will always improve.

So without further ado, here are 10 things I have learned from the Blogathon.

1) Links to other posts in your blog are important!  They keep readers hanging out longer on your blog.

2) Images can drive a ton of traffic to your blog.  Use them ALWAYS!!!  WE live in a browsing culture and  a strong image can be the deciding factor whether someone is going to stop and read, or cruise right by.

3) Find your niche and stick to it. I definitely struggle with this one.  It's hard to be a creative writer and do this.  Discipline is the key.

4) There are a LOT of writers out there.  If you visit other people's blogs and leave comments, then they will do the same.  I guarantee it!

5) You can schedule your posts to go live in the future, which really helps if you need to go on vacation, or take a few days off in a row.

6) Writing at the last minute is not good.   Setting a schedule is important and following through with it is not easy, but nothing that comes easy is worth much anyway.  Try hard to stay focused on posting at the same time every day.

7) Posting at the same time every day will increase your hits. Readers can count on you to publish consistently and that alone can establish accountability with an audience.

8) Look at your most popular posts and determine what makes them so popular.  Then write more like them.  And make sure there are no spelling or grammatical errors.

9) Be more conversational.  It's way more fun and exciting to read a post that feels like the writer wrote it with you (the reader) in mind.  Posts that sound preachy will be left to the sleeping congregation.  Write with more PIZZOW!

10) Creativity is a gift. Even though it's not always appropriate, telling your story and interpretation of things can help a reader relate to the subject at hand, and moreso to you.  Build a relationship with the reader.   Compassion goes far.

He's Calling!!!

There is a saying,

 “Faith is knowing there is an ocean when you can only see the stream.”

If we just release it all to God, and trust in Him,

there is no reason to worry

no reason to fear

no darkness

He is the light and He is calling!

Will you answer?

I did.

And since then I have been called again and again -
and just like a good friend -
our relationship is getting stronger and stronger!

I am not only called to write about my relationship with God,
but also to make music and worship Him,
AND
I do it all for HIM. 

I trust that if I do it all with Him in mind,
with Him in total control,
it will all work out
for His greater plan.

So I wrote a verse thinking of my many callings:

HE'S CALLING

Me: Ring! Ring! He's calling!
It's the Lord! It's the Lord!

Jesus: Answer me, please...

Me: Sing! Sing! It's my calling!
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!

Jesus: Sing from your knees...

Me: King! King! He's almighty!
He is Lord! He is Lord!

Jesus: I love you more...

Me: Bling! Bling! Hit the lottery!
I have scored! I have won!

Jesus:  Child, it's only just begun!

Me: Blink! Blink! I cannot see!
My heart shines! Shines His light!

Jesus: See, now you're free!!!

Me: Think! Think! Now I'm free!
Tell them all! Share His love!

Jesus: Let's meet in heaven above!

Me: Drink! Drink! His blood shed for me!
Eat! Eat! My testimony!

Jesus: I am the three...

The Father, The Son, Holy Spirit inside

Me: Call me home after the ride

Show me love when I walk through the door,
On earth as it is in heaven FOREVERMORE!

Jesus: AMEN!

A Moral True North

In this video, Henry Rollins uses the phrase, "moral compass," and I immediately tuned into it.  

I read the phrase in a recommendation for my event planning skills on LinkedIn, which reads, 

"She is a very hard worker, a great communicator and has a profound moral compass."

According to Dictionary.com, a moral compass is anything which serves to guide a person's decisions based on morals or virtues.

On Moralcompass.com, a group of men compiled a list of those virtues:

Integrity

Responsibility

Compassion

Forgiveness

and continue that if you embody these traits, then whatever organization you serve will have:

Purpose 

Trust 

Camaraderie

They even offer a Self Assessment if you so wish to try.

I found some great images of what am moral compass would look like:

There have even been studies that have found a part of the brain that is the moral compass,

and then decided to play with magnets and try to offset the good judgments of the participants in the study.

In that same study, they also mention a "God spot," which I have also heard about, but when I went to research it, many studies have debunked the theory.  

However, on the subject of the moral compass, let's get one thing straight: 

There is good and bad, 

an angel on one shoulder and the devil on the other, 

the voice of reason, or the voice of desire. 

A moral compass measures  how we choose to interpret and act on our own personal situations.

We are the only ones who ever know what we truly felt, 

and equally the only ones who have to live with our choices.  

Look at the moral compass as a gift - 

choose to use it wisely and it will continually direct you to a true moral north.  

Happy Trails!

Good morning, or Great morning?

And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. (Mark 1:35 KJV) 

 It's no coincidence that I woke up at 5:30am on my own today.

It was God challenging me to get out of bed and spend some time with Him before my busy day begins. For a few weeks at The Rock church in Point Loma - San Diego - our pastor, Miles, has been encouraging us to rise up an hour before our actual day begins and pray.

I've actually woken up most days since that call to action - either on my own, or with the help of Annie (my labradoodle) pawing at my face. But what's interesting is that it's ALWAYS one hour before my alarm clock goes off!

So, in a "God incident" (there are no coincidences) I woke up at 5:30am today when my alarm wasn't set until 6:30. Ha! I didn't rise and shine at that moment however. I did consider it ;) so I half way slept and half way dreamed for another hour until my alarm did buzz. I got up, fed te dogs, let them out and then say down for my morning prayer moment. When I opened the You Version bible app on my iPhone, today's devotional - was the scripture listed above!

This life is not a test, but an opportunity to learn and grow each and every day! Even if you are not on the Christian path like I am, you still have goals and dreams, right?

I am pretty certain if you seek those things out in the light of what is true and right in your heart and spirit, you will succeed! And I am also pretty sure that He will reveal himself to you also - as long as your eyes are not clouded with the ego of pride and selfishness - or by despiriting things like drugs and malicious desires.

Today, I learned that He is here, encouraging me to spend more time getting to know Him and less time "sleeping. in" I hope that you also "wake" early and find your calling!

Happy Morning Mother's Day!

Cheers to the blessings of our families and the joy of babies and children in the world!

Amen!