Miscellaneous Missyisms

Random thought: I wonder how people handled the bright sun shining on snow prior to sunglassess. I think I would have had to stay inside.

Something you don't know about me: My socks very seldom ever match. They're always the same color, but never the same sock.

What I'm doing right now: Sitting on Joshua's bed watching him play Lord of the Rings, waiting for Denny and Maren to get home from her volleyball game, and keeping an eye on our dog who has been sick.

Current Favorite Worship CD: Free Chapel, The Power of the Cross

Getting ready to: go downstairs, get a bowl of Cheerios, and play Uno.

That was deep wasn't it?

Strange Alignment???

The planets must be in some sort of strange alignment, I'm just being goofy, but I say that because I've nearly read three books already this year and it's only February 5th. Typically I MIGHT read three books in 6 months.


When I read books that I like, I like to tell others about them. So, here is what I've read:

"Learning to Live Financially Free" by Marybeth and Curt Whalen

"Total Money Makeover" by Dave Ramsey

"Forgotten God" by Francis Chan

Yes, you see a financial theme with the first two. Denny and I KNOW that we need to be better stewards of our money. These books have helped immensely. I would have never expected it, in a financial book, but "Learning to Live Financially Free" really tugged at my heart strings as I read it. I found myself in tears on more than one occassion. I think it's partly because of the transparency in Curt and Marybeth as they tell their story. I think it's partly because of how they tell real life stories about God showing up in the midst of their "Financial" lives. God showing himself as Jehovah Jireh, our Provider. I felt God's presence strongly as I read this.

The other day I asked Denny if he had finished reading it, and his reply was this, "I'm almost finished reading it, but it's funny because nearly every time I read it I find myself teary eyed." So it's not just me, it has affected him the same way.

Total Money Makeover...I cannot say enough good things about this book. My only complaint is I wish we would have read it when we were twenty. We've told our kids that they will be required to read it before they leave home. It is so good in teaching such a smart, practical way to handle your finances. And I have to tell you, I'm not into studying the subject of "finances", but I could not put this book down.

Forgotten God...This book is on a favorite topic of mine...the Holy Spirit. The subtitle is actually"reversing our tragic neglect of the Holy Spirit". I love the way Francis Chan writes and teaches about the Holy Spirit. As we read through the Bible we see story after story of how the Holy Spirit spoke to people. He is still speaking. I love this book. From the same author of "Crazy Love" which is also an AWESOME read!

H.O.M.E.

Ah. Home. Sweet. Home.

You know, when I was younger, I used to look for stuff to do to stay busy. I don't seem to have that problem any more. Don't get me wrong, I love my life, but when I have an evening to stay home, I thoroughly enjoy it.

I can't tell you how long it's been since I sat and just chilled out on Facebook, or typed on my blog. Or read other blogs. While I'm chillin' there's stuff being neglected like toilets that need cleaned. Dressers that need dusted. Mirrors that need wiped down. But it feels so good to do nothing that all the other stuff will have to wait 'til tomorrow. Or the next day. Or the day after that. Ha.

If you're a Colts fan be sure and check your local listings for Colts Specials on TV next week. We've been busy at the television station preparing for all the hoopla. There will be special Colts programming on WTHI next Friday night, Saturday night, and of course all Super Bowl Sunday afternoon. I, for one, can't wait for the big game!!!

Thought I'd Share

In March I have the privilege of ministering through music at an event in West Virginia where Wendy Blight will be speaking. I happened to visit Wendy's blog this morning and saw that today through Wednesday she is on "Family Life Today" with Dennis Rainey.

I'm not sure if that airs in our market, but here is a link to a transcript of the interview. You can read along as Wendy shares her story.

Here also is a link to Wendy's blog.

In The Hard Places

As I type this I'm on my lunch hour, so I don't have much time to share my thoughts. But I wanted to pop in here and share this quote that I read by Dave Ramsey. He says this:

"Most people won't change until the pain of where they are exceeds the pain of change."

I read that and immediately thought "Wow". That is SO true.

It doesn't matter if you are referring to finances. Or weight loss. Or addictions. Or the way we "do" relationships. Or a number of any other varying issues.

I am convinced that this is partly why we go through "hard times". Because there is something in our life that God wants us to change. More often than not it's a behavior pattern, or maybe an "attitude" that we have, but it's something about the way we "do" life that needs changed. And so we come to this "hard" place.

Often times we first want to blame God for being there, but if we step back and look at things with "spiritual" eyes, we'll see that the very thing that we need to change is the thing that has been keeping us in some sort of bondage (relational, spiritual, financial, name your pain) and only in this "hard" place will we see it, and will we feel the pain enough to even consider enduring the pain that "change" takes.

I know that there are some who are going to read this that will think, "what on God's green earth is she talking about."

But there are others who will "get" it.

Listen, you are not in a painful situation without purpose. I promise you that. I promise you that God is not being unloving to you (or me). Oh my gosh no...it's just the opposite, God IN HIS MERCY has allowed it for a reason.

It may be to break free from what has been holding you back from having victories in relationships, finances, weight loss, health....

Or it may simply be that you have forgotten Him for a time, and He's trying to bring you back to Him.

Maybe He wants to prove us faithful, after all it's easy to have faith when all is going well.
Maybe it's to prove Himself faithful.

All I'm trying to say is we need to be open to Him in the hard places. Praise Him in the hard places. Trust Him in the hard places. Change for the better in the hard places. Grow spiritually in the hard places. Follow Him through the hard places.