Trekking with Me

So this past month I embarked upon an adventure: I have been been doing a body-reset program called " Whole30 ".  The program is very intense, with straight-forward guidelines: basically you have NO sugar, No grains, and No dairy, for 30 days. When I first realized what it was about and what you were suppose to do, I was like " NO WAY! I could not do that! "  Yet, always the cheerleader for health and holistic living, I proclaimed to my friend who was saying she was going to do it, " I will do it with you to support you! " September 30, after 10PM I ate my last 3 Tim-Tam cookies, fully dunked in a creamy cup of tea, saying a sweet farewell to sugar, grains and dairy-laden drinks for my next 30 days!! And what an adventure it has been.... Typical Whole30 breakfast: I have always eaten eggs and coffee,  but now I was omitting cheese, toast, and cream!! ...The first 48 hours I experienced flu-like aches, crankiness, headaches, as my body screamed...

I have just begun reading a book called Searching For Home by M. Craig Barnes.  The first chapter has brought me to tears as he describes the common human plight and deep desire for home, that wells "up from the soul." The first chapter ends with these words about hope: " The entire biblical story depicts men and women roaming from one disconnected experience to the next, unable to be at home where they are, uncertain that they will ever find where they ought to be.  Eventually, we just built a tabernacle or a temple and occasionally worshiped a God who seemed far away. But just as God was never one to settle or remain in exile, neither can he resist entering the dark wood to find us and join us on our nomadic, meandering journey. We thought we were stuck in just another day through the purgatory or hell from which there is no escape.  But from the perspective of heaven, there is purpose and even direction to our days.  If may be hard, after all these years, t...

An idea has been flapping around in my head... over giving.  I can't exactly do a "comment on my blog and in two days you may win this magnificent prize" - kind of contest or drawing, though I don't think it would be too hard for the five of you who read; you should get a prize just for visiting, as it means a LOT to me.  BUT, I wanted to give something via my blog. I love to give things that have changed or touched my life to others.  Something God used to show me more of Himself or helped me grow or change... so, I thought I would share a few things that have made a difference, this year, in my life.  Then, you can either order it or download it and enjoy it - like a Christmas gift from me to you! So here ya go... Hunger For Healing  by J. Keith Miller. I had to read this for a class last Spring; this book has seriously changed me - or rather, the Truths the author fleshes out in these pages, have done a marvelous work in me.  grab a copy and re...

"Tis the Season to be Jolly...." I have rolled into this season with mixed emotions.  I am facing saying "goodbye" to my brother and his family in a few days.... the semester is closing fast and i am not sure what is happening next.  It is haunting me like an invisible ghost - something is there i just don't know what. These unknowns, and closings and changes... ugh, i can't really say i am all that jolly. YET, in the last few months I have sensed in my being a gentle settling... i love my new church, i love the potential ministry opportunities... I am hopeful for what is ahead and God keeps reminding me His heart is worth Trusting even when I can't see: He fills me with inexpressible joy and peace. So today... I decorated the house a little tiny bit.  I don't want the neighbors to think I am a heathen.  I have to admit Christmas decorations are beautiful and make me feel so at home and loved.  On the other hand, I am kind of lazy in that I run...

Hey Friends!!  I am a fan of the Chronicles of Narnia and I am absolutely lovin' that they are making some Great movies based on this series!! My FAVORITE Story in the series is about to be released this December; believe me, I will be there opening night!!! As my anticipation has been growing, i got an idea!  It has been many moons since i read this particular book - and i want to read it again before seeing the movie.  Sound fun?? Well, it would be even MORE FUN if i had a few friends reading it with me - or reading it with your family - and then to all go see it... of course, ideally together - but at least we can all plan to see it and then we can compare notes!!! Sorta like our own little book club and movie review team.   Some of you may already be reading it... and are ahead of me...  So... do I have any takers?? I am going to begin reading it this weekend - during my Thanksgiving break.  If you want to join in on reading with us - tell me; if you ...

I am back in SC after a nice week with family: six days with parents, grandparents, brothers and sister-in-loves, nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles as well as seeing old friends and visiting my home church and hitting the beach for some sun and surf made for a great vacation! I love a good road trip and traveling but what makes a good trip great is coming home! I missed my bed - I slept in three different beds in six nights, caught a nasty sinus cold and two pairs of shoes got left behind (to be returned in my brothers return trip!) AND ate way too many calories - but hey, that is all part of going on vacation, right!? So... hitting the health diet today! (Just finished off a yummy cucumber/tomato/feta cheese salad... believe it or not, that was my breakfast!) Somewhere in the past six days, I thought about The Shack. I came up with three significant points: Relationship, Trust, and Goodness. Relationship: I know many had issues with the presentation of "God, the F...

I finished reading "The Shack" last night. I have many thoughts I want to reflect upon; but I read it kind of quickly and want to re-read a few chapters so I can better grasp that which grasped me. I want to thank those who have recommended the reading of this book. I thought it very interesting when I posted on my FB page that I was reading it, I received many comments, from folks I do not usually hear from; their comments were a mixed review. This book has surely stirred up some things. I am glad. Personally, my heart was very blessed, my being affirmed and the Truths God has been whispering into my Soul were simply confirmed. I am heading to FL today to hang out with family and friends from my hometown. I have given myself an assignment: to post a few reflections on this book. So, over the next few days, I am going to re-read a few chapters and share my thoughts. I would love some feedback; no arguments please ;-) After reading the book, it actually grieves m...

“For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!”- Romans 5:10 Nee's book I recently finished unpacked Romans for me so well. The Truth does set you Free. In His Light we see Light.... I am an avid reader but sometimes when you are taking in so much - reading for school as I am - it feels like you are trying to drink from a fire hydrant. In my personal reading I want to slow down and allow these things to truly permeate in my Soul, or all the FRESH WATER doesn't truly nourish your thirsty heart. This verse was the "verse of the day" on Biblegateway.com today... it is a wonderful reminder: God is for me. In and through the Life of Jesus I have Salvation... I have Life...I have Light, Peace, Hope, a Sure Foundation.

I just finished reading this book; it was a bit heavy in the middle but after the final chapters, I think I may need to go back and see what I slept through! IT was SO GOOD. Oh the blessing I have received in pushing through! Here are a few quotes... "The unconditioned priority of God in His universe is a truth celebrated both in the Old Testament and in the New." "Because He is, we are and everything else is." "...[T]he man who has been taught even slightly by the Spirit of Truth... will crave to know God with a vital awareness that goes beyond words and to live in the intimacy of personal communion." "For sin's human captives God never intends anything less than full deliverance. The Christian message rightly understood means this: The God who by the word of the gospel proclaims men free, by the power of the gospel actually makes them FREE!" (caps added by me) Referring to the gulf between the Spirit of Christ and the world, "Ther...

Here I sit, tears streaming down my face - it is not often that a teacher will sit in her classroom, so touched by the content of her subject that the heart is touched, triggering a memory. It is one of the richest moments to experience. I teach history, American history to be precise. Today we finished watching a video about WWI and the devastation the world experienced through that travesty. As I have walked with my students through this time period, my memory has been stirred. A memory floats up from a book in the "Anne of Green Gables" series - of which i was a huge fan. My favorite in the series was the final book, "Rilla of Ingleside." For those who are familiar with Anne, Rilla was Anne's youngest daughter. This story took place during the early 1900's and WWI weaves into the story in a fantastic way. (you must read it!) Anyhow, I identified with Rilla in a special way. She had a very special relationship with her brother - very much li...

Books are SUCH treasures! A friend sent me a link to a new widget I could not resist! I love reading and enjoy sharing my treasures with others. Take a look at my "Book Shelf" and see if you find something interesting and new to enjoy! Have fun!

I am a fan of an author by the name of Ted Dekker. Among his books, the most recent book i read by him was quite interesting...it is short, but worth the read! I think our view of God's kingdom, of death, and of life is far too small. He IS an AWESOME God...i believe we have lost the meaning of that word in this generation. Go pick up "The Martyr's Song"....and expect the unexpected!