Okay...It's really been a while....

Wow! It sure has been a long time since I have been on here. And...so much has happened and so much to tell...or not...hahaha. I will just have to fill you in a little at a time. Sure did miss you all and hope there are a few of you still interested in listening and/or reading my rantings. I promise to focus on updating my blog the next few days with pictures and information. Promise!!!

But for tonight....sweet dreams and visions of sugarplums.

Love to you all and hoping you had a wonderful Mother's Day if that applies to you. Mine was very quiet...peaceful..uneventful..

NEEDTOBREATHE - Something Beautiful [Official Video]

Remembering Mark, August 21st

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2078307&id=1247555036&l=022207b60d

Lifehouse - Had Enough (feat. Chris Daughtry)

Loneliness facing up and down these hallways
Secondguessing every thought
Mystified, just spinning 'round in circles
Drowning in the silent screaming with nothing left to say

Everytime I reach for you, there's no one there to hold on to
Nothing left for me to miss, I'm letting go, letting go of this
Lost my mind thinking it through, the light inside has left me too
Now I know what empty is, I've had enough, I've had enough of this.

I believe that love should be a reason
To give and get back in return (to give and get back in return)
I wanna breathe in a new beginning
With someone who will wrap her arms around what's left of me

Everytime I reach for you, there's no one there to hold onto
Nothing left for me to miss, I'm letting go, letting go of this
Lost my mind thinking it through, the light inside has left me too
Now I know what empty is, I've had enough, I've had enough of this.

Inside I'm barely holding on
There's something that's already gone
Inside of me a world is in this all alone

Everytime I reach for you, there's no one there to hold on to
Nothing left for me to miss, I'm letting go of this
Lost my mind thinking it through, the light inside has left me to
Now I know what empty is, I've had enough, I've had enough of this.
Everytime I reach for you, there's no one there to hold on to
Nothing left for me to miss, I'm letting go, letting go of this
Lost my mind thinking it through, the light inside has left me to
Now I know what empty is, I've had enough, I've had enough of this

Hello World - Lady Antebellum (New song)

Traffic crawls, cell phone calls.
Talk radio screams at me
Through my tinted window I see
A little girl, rust red minivan
She's got chocolate on her face
Got little hands, And she waves at me
Yeah, She smiles at me

Hello World
How you been
Good to see you, my old friend
Sometimes I feel, cold as steel
Broken like I'm never gonna heal
I see a light, a little hope
In a little girl
Hello world

Every day I drive by
A little white church
It's got these little white crosses
Like angels in the yard
Maybe I should stop on in
Say a prayer
Maybe talk to God
Like he is there
Oh I know he’s there
Yeah, I know he's there

Hello world
How've you been
Good to see you my old friend
Sometimes I feel as cold as steel
And broken like I'm never gonna heal
I see a light, a little grace, little faith unfurled.
Hello world

Sometimes I forget what livin' for
And I hear my life through my front door
And I breathe it in,
Oh I'm home again
I see my wife, little boy, little girl
Hello world
Hello world

All the empty disappears
I remember why I'm here
Just surrender and Believe
I fall down on my knees
Oh hello world
Hello world
Hello world

When I look at You - Miley Cyrus - Official Music Video

Everybody needs inspiration
Everybody needs a soul
Beautiful melody when the nights alone

Cause there is no guarantee
That this life is easy (yeah)
When my world is falling apart
When there is no light to break up the dark
That's when i (i) look at you
When the waves are flooding the shore and i
Can't find my way home anymore
That's when i (i) look at you

When i look at you
I see forgiveness i see the truth
You love me for who i am like the stars
Hold the moon
Right there where they belong and i know
I'm not alone (yeah)

When my world is falling apart
When there is no light to break up the dark
That's when i (i) look at you
When the waves are flooding the shore and i
Can't find my way home anymore
That's when i (i) look at you

When the waves are flooding the shore and i
Can't find my way home anymore
That's when i (i) look at you

You appear just like a dream to me
Just like a line of school colors that cover me
All i need every breath that i breathe
Don't you know you're beautiful (yeah yeah)

When the waves are flooding the shore and i
Can't find my way home anymore
That's when i (i) look at you

Don Williams -- I Believe In You

What a beautiful old song,,,takes me right back...listening to this song on the old stereo in our house....

Time Space Emptiness

Time
Space
Emptiness
Needing more
Getting less
Ties
Bind
Heart
Mind
Nothing....
Nothing...
Else Matters!!

Peace
Joy
Love
Family
Friends
The heart engorging itself
With love...
Overflowing
Never Ends!

Random Thoughts for Days Past

Some thoughts from my distant past...please bear with me....

Lost

I walk upon a deserted island
Barren and vast
Searching in all directions
for some sign
Some fulfillment
Only receiving an empty stare
Reflecting back
Nowhere to run
Nowhere to hide
Only emptiness
Deep emptiness
Staring back at me
Emptiness everywhere.

**********************************************************************

Babe

My sweet
sweet Babe
I often pray for you
I hope you suffered
little
I hope the angels
came for you
And took you some place
beautiful and sweet.

Sweet Baby
I often think of you
I can close my eyes
And envision you
You here with me
I miss you
I miss you since
you've been gone.

***********************************************************

A Lonely Portrait

Dreams that have burned to ashes
Smiles that have turned to tears
It seems like a welcomed sadness
As I surrender to my fears

The heart that is lost forever
Always giving that love in vain
The painting a lonely portrait
Me~
Hiding that love away
Again.

*******************************************************

Enough

Lover it's not I who didn't try
Hard enough
And this is why I'm saying goodbye
I've had enough
Lover don't you see
The pain in me
That's plain in me
That's plain enough
You're never here to catch the tears
I've cried for us
I've tried and tried to put aside
The time to talk,
But without luck
So I'll just lay this letter
Upon your sweater
And I'll just walk away
And this is why
I'm saying goodbye
I've had enough.

***********************************************
Upon My Couch I Lie...

Now I don't feel any pain
I should consider love again
and not let months and years roll by
at least I ought to have a try.

It's all too easy on one's own
supportive friends -- a telephone
and of course I have to mention
the marked absenc of love's tension.

But memories and sentiment
mean I dwell on what it meant
to love another loving soul
life was sweeter, I felt whole.

I slump and gaze with dreamy stares
remembering my love affairs
my mind is cute and must be credited
all the bitter bits get edited.

Mmmm--some warm man to court me,
bait me
someone smart to motivate me
be romantic, sentimental
intelligent but not judgmental.

Give me space, be unsuspicious
always find me quite delicious
he'll love my body and my brain
and I'll be great in bed again.

I know I cannot lift a finger
to find a love song or a singer
if you could send a man along
well who knows--I might try a song.

But now I have no energy
so brave new man must come to me
it is chutzpah I confess--
could you give him my address?

*********************

Tiger

I was never the man-eating tiger
You always convinced me I was.

You mistook my snarl...
it was laughter.
You misunderstood my claws...
I needed attention.

The tiger golden in my eyes
was the sun..
Drowned in growls of
Storm clouds.

I would gladly have given
my skin
for your
Trophy room...

But you were never the
Mystical Rajah
I almost convinced you
You Were.

Never Alone - Lady Antebellum w Jim Brickman

Dedicated to my dear, dear brother ....
I love you Mark and miss you more then you will ever know.


May the angels protect you
Trouble neglect you
And heaven accept you when its time to go home
May you always have plenty
The glass never empty
Know in your belly
You're never alone

May your tears come from laughing
You find friends worth having
As every year passes
They mean more than gold
May you win but stay humble
Smile more than grumble
And know when you stumble
You're never alone

(Chorus)
Never alone
Never alone
I'll be in every beat of your heart
When you face the unknown
Wherever you fly
This isn't goodbye
My love will follow you stay with you
Baby you're never alone

Well I have to be honest
As much as I wanted
I'm not gonna promise that cold winds won't blow
So when hard times have found you
And your fears surround you
Wrap my love around you
You're never alone

(Chorus)
Never alone
Never alone
I'll be in every beat of your heart
When you face the unknown
Wherever you fly
This isn't goodbye
My love will follow you stay with you
Baby you're never alone

My love will follow you stay with you
Baby you're never alone

May the angels protect you
Trouble neglect you
And heaven accept you when its time to go home
And when hard times have found you
And your fears surround you
Wrap my love around you
You're never alone

(Chorus)
Never alone
Never alone
I'll be in every beat of your heart
When you face the unknown
Wherever you fly
This isn't goodbye
My love will follow you stay with you
Baby you're never alone

My love will follow you stay with you
Baby you're never alone

Pink Performance 2010- Glitter in the Air

Have you ever fed a lover with just your hands?
Close your eyes and trust it, just trust it
Have you ever thrown a fist full of glitter in the air?
Have you ever looked fear in the face
And said I just don't care

It's only half past the point of no return
The tip of the ice burg
The sun before the burn
The thunder before lightning
The breathe before the fraze
Have you ever felt this way?

Have you ever hated yourself for staring at the phone?
You're whole life waiting on the ring to prove you're not alone
Have you ever been touch so gently you had to cry?
Have you ever invited a stranger to come inside?

It's only half past the point of oblivion
The hourglass on the table
The walk before the run
The breathe before the kiss
And the fear before the flames
Have you ever felt this way?

La La La La La La La La

There you are, sitting in the garden
Clutching my coffee,
Calling me sugar
You called me sugar

Have you ever wished for an endless night?
Lassoed the moon and the stars and pulled that rope tight
Have you ever held your breathe and asked yourself will it ever get better than tonight?
Tonight

Once Soundtrack - All the Way Down

You have broken me all the way down
Down upon my knees
And you have broken me all the way now
You'll be the last you'll see

And some fight you gave
When I pushed you away
From me

And in the morning
When you turn in
I'll be far to sea

And you have broken me all the way down
You'll be the last you'll see

And what chance have we got
When you missed every shot
For me

And in the morning
When you turn in
I'll be out of reach

And in the darkness
When you find this
I'll be far to sea

And you have broken me all the way down
You'll be the last you'll see

"I dropped a tear in the ocean, and whenever they find it I'll stop loving you...only then..."

love builds up the broken wall and straightens the crooked path. love keeps the stars in the firmament and imposes rhythm on the ocean tides each of us is created of it and i suspect each of us was created for it” --Maya Angelou

"Every one of us is called upon, Probably many times, to start a new life..,,"

"Every one of us is called upon, probably many times, to start a new life. A frightening diagnosis, a marriage, a move, the loss of a job... And onward full tilt we go, pitched and wrecked and absurdly resolute, driven in spite of everything to make good on a new shore. To be hopeful, to embrace one possibility after another - that is surely the basic instinct... Crying out: High tide! Time to move out into the glorious debris. Time to take this life for what it is." - Barbara Kingsolver, High Tide in Tucson

"Damaged people are dangerous.
They know they can survive."

~Josephine Hartfrom

“The best thing about dreams is that fleeting moment,

when you are between asleep and awake,

when you don't know the difference between reality and fantasy,

when for just that one moment you feel
with your entire soul
that the dream is reality,

and it really happened.”

Thoughts of You

I sit alone in the quiet darkness,
Thoughts of you running through my mind.
And somehow the night is not so dark,
And I am not so quite alone.

I hear a dog bark in the distance,
And I wonder who is trespassing into my thoughts.
But then the stillness engulfs the darkness once again;
And my mind wonders back to thoughts of you.

I can see you standing next to me;
And with your presence, I feel warmth and safety.
Suddenly, you vanish from my vision;
But the warmth from your presence is still surrounding me.

And as I drift of into peaceful slumber,
My thoughts are still of you.
For you are not only in my thoughts,
But in my heart too.

For you have lit a light within my heart;
And no matter how obscure the darkness is surrounding me may be,
The light within me will brighten everything.
And I will stay safe and warm with you forever.

Today

Today I stopped Crying.
I stopped wallowing in Sorrow.
Today I moved up and out of that rut
and BACK into LIFE.
Today I looked forward to TOMORROW and
stepped past
all MY yesterdays.
Today I began to LIVE
Again.
Differently this time.
Happier, Content and Smarter.
Ready to begin.
Today I begin
Begin to
Live Again.

Evanescence - Understanding

You hold the answer deep within your own mind. Consciously you've forgotten it. That's the way the human mind works. Whenever something is too unpleasant, too shameful for us to entertain we reject it, we erase it from our memory, but the imprint is always there.

We wash it all away, we wish it all away, we hope it all away, we ??? it all away.

The pain that grips you
The fear that binds you
Releases life in me
In our mutual shame we hide our eyes
To blind them from the truth that finds a way to who we are

Please don't be afraid
When the darkness fades away
The dawn will break the silence screaming at our hearts
My love for you still grows
This I do for you
Before I try to fight the truth my final time

We're supposed to try to be real. We feel alone when we're not together, and that is real.

Can't wash it all away
Can't wish it all away
Can't cry it all away
Can't scratch it all away

Lying beside you
Listening to you breathe
The light that flows inside of you burns inside of me
Hold and speak to me
Of love without a sound
Tell me you will live through this and I will die for you
Cast me not away
Say you'll be with me
For I know I cannot bear it all alone

You're not alone, honey, Never. Never.

Can't fight it all away
Can't hope it all away
Can't scream it all away
It just won't fade away

Can't wash it all away
Can't wish it all away
Can't throw it all away
Can't scratch it all away

Can't fight it all away
Can't hope it all away
Can't scream it all away
? it all away
? it all away

But the imprint is always there, nothing is ever really forgotten

Because I'm dying too,
because I'm dying too,
because I'm dying too,
because I'm dying too,
because I'm dying too

Rachael Yamagata - Faster (Video)

I can't talk to you
You think I'm lost inside my mind
You're like an old tattoo
And I know you'll fade in time

I'm not the girl you think you know
I'm not the girl you waited for
I'm not the one for you
It's just one thing left to do

Why don't you let me be?
'Cause I'm a million miles away
Why don't you set me free?
You don't treat me like you said

I won't tuck you in one last time
I'm taking back what is mine
For me, I belong to me

And I'm going faster, you're going backwards
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone
I'm going faster, I know what I'm after
I should've been after it all along

I'm going faster
I'm going faster

That's the last black eye
I hope I ever give to you
Yeah, I had a good time
But what's a girl supposed to do?

Take the pictures off the wall
They don't look like us at all
They don't look like friends
I've got new things to begin

Why don't you let me be?
'Cause I'm a million miles away
Why don't you set me free?
I belong to me

And I'm going faster, you're going backwards
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone
I hang from the ceiling, I feel what I'm feeling
I should've been feeling it all along

I'm going faster
I'm going faster

I'm going faster, you're going backwards
You're going to miss me when I'm gone
I hang from the ceiling, I feel what I'm feeling
I should've been feeling it all along

I'm going faster
I'm going faster

I Can Only Imagine

What an amazing video. This song speaks to me in more ways then I can ever say. Thanks to a good friend for reminding me of this treasure and all that God has provided.

Gary Allan - Life Ain't Always Beautiful

What a beautiful ride...

Life Path Number 4: The Pillar

Your Life Path Number: 4

Those with a Life Path Number 4 are the earth on which everything good is built. You are probably the most trustworthy, organized and practical person you - or your friends - know. Life Path Number 4 people have a gift for planning and following through with their plans until the end (a rare and powerful combination of characteristics). Although you have an idealistic nature and constantly strive for perfection, your feet remain firmly on the ground. Unlike the more dreamy numbers, you are always looking for ways to make things perfect using the tools at hand. You are an idealist, but only in the sense that you refuse to quit until you have built your ideal world. This may show itself professionally, where you will probably not be in a leadership role but instead apply your talents by attending to every detail and ensuring they are completed. You leave the big talk to others, preferring to put your proverbial shoulder to the wheel to see the big plans come to life. This may come as a surprise to you, but you are famous for your will power. While you are walking along not even noticing the effect you have on those around you, you quietly develop a reputation for personal strength that borders on sheer stubbornness. You don't mean to be stubborn, it's not due to your ego - it's simply that once you have made a decision (after careful and lengthy deliberation) it takes an earthquake to change your mind. This is one of the challenges of being a Life Path Number 4: changing paths mid-race. Even though you are very intelligent and may see the wisdom of changing a plan, it cuts to your core to do so: you like to see a decision through to the very end, good, bad or ugly. This may be frustrating for others at times, but shows its beauty in the fierce and eternal loyalty to give to your spouse, your workmates and your family. Everyone needs a Life Path Number 4 in their life.

Couldn't Have Said It Any Better...

"Seconds, hours, so many days
You know what you want but how long can you wait
Every moment last forever
If you feel you've lost your way...."

Isn't that the truth...the time it takes to get from one place in your life to another sometimes feels like it's just ticking by...just ticking by. You know everything you've done is for all the right reasons, but what if ....Gotta keep fighting and never giving up. Gotta keep climbing and breathing...you'll make it through...to a better you...a better place..a better life... a better love...just gotta keep breathing. Every step you climb, every peak you cross, gotta keep moving out of that valley. Gotta keep on climbing...knowing it's all there for you...just knowing...

"With every step you climb another mountain
Every breath it's harder to believe
You'll make it through the pain
Whether the hurricanes
There are no boundaries
There are no boundaries..."

Adam Lambert- No Boundaries (Live Version) FULL VIDEO

Seconds, hours, so many days
You know what you want but how long can you wait
Every moment last forever
If you feel you've lost your way

What if your chances are already gone
Started believing that I could be wrong
But you give me one good reason
To fight and never walk away
Cause here I am still holding on

Every step you climb another mountain
Every breath it's harder to believe
You'll make it through the pain
Whether the hurricanes
To get to that one thing
So you think the road is going nowhere
Just when you've almost gave up on your dreams
Then take it by the hand
And show you that you can
There are no boundaries
There are no boundaries

I fought to the end to stand on the edge
What if today is as good it gets
Don't know where the future's headed
Nothing's gonna bring me down

I've jumped every bridge and I've run every line
I've risked being saved but I always knew why
I always knew why
So here I am still holding on

Every step you climb another mountain
Every breath it's harder to believe
You'll make it through the pain
Whether the hurricanes
To get to that one thing
So you think the road is going nowhere
Just when you've almost gave up on your dreams
Then take it by the hand
And show you that you can

You can go higher, you can go deeper
There are no boundaries above and beneath you
Break every rule cause there's nothing between you
and your dreams

Every step you climb another mountain
Every breath it's harder to believe

Yeah, there are no boundaries
There are no boundaries

With every step you climb another mountain
Every breath it's harder to believe
You'll make it through the pain
Whether the hurricanes
There are no boundaries
There are no boundaries

There are no boundaries

Lady Antebellum One Day You Will

Lady Antebellum, One Day You Will Lyrics

You feel like you’re falling backwards
Like you’re slippin’ through the cracks
Like no one would even notice
If you left this town and never came back
You walk outside and all you see is rain
You look inside and all you feel is pain
And you can’t see it now

Chorus
But down the road the sun is shining
In every cloud there’s a silver lining
Just keep holding on (just keep holding on)
And every heartache makes you stronger
But it won’t be much longer
You’ll find love, you’ll find peace
And the you you’re meant to be
I know right now that’s not the way you feel
But one day you will

You wake up every morning and ask yourself
What am I doing here anyway
With the weight of all those disappointments
Whispering in your ear
You’re just barely hanging by a thread
You wanna scream but you’re down to your last breath
And you don’t know it yet

Repeat Chorus

Find the strength to rise above
You will
Find just what you’re made of, you’re made of

Repeat Chorus

One day you will
Oh one day you will

Rascal Flatts - Things That Matter

The past is gone
Things that matter
Things that don't

Time ain't on my side
Don't want to leave this world
With why didn't I?
Why didn't I?
Yeah why didn't I?

Sometimes I take on this world by myself
Thinking I got all the answers
Don't need anybody's help
Well god was right there waiting for me all along
To fall down on my knees surrender all
Things that matter
Things that don't
Things that matter
Things that don't

FB 2009

Carrie Underwood - Wasted

Standing at the back door
She tried to make it fast
One tear hit the hard wood
It fell like broken glass
She said sometimes love slips away
And you just can't get it back
Let's face it

For one split second
She almost turned around
But that would be like pouring rain drops
Back into a cloud
So she took another step and said
I see the way out and I'm gonna' take it

I don't wanna' spend my life jaded
Waiting to wake up one day and find
That I've let all these years go by
Wasted

Another glass of whisky but it still don't kill the pain
So he stumbles to the sink and pours it down the drain
He says it's time to be a man and stop living for yesterday
Gotta face it.

Cause' I don't wanna' spend my life jaded
Waiting to wake up one day and find
That I've let all these years go by
Wasted

Oh I don't wanna' keep on wishing, missing
The still of the morning, the color of the night
I ain't spending no more time
Wasted

She kept drivin' along
Till the moon and the sun were floating side-by-side
He looked in the mirror and his eyes were clear
For the first time in a while

Hey, yeah,
Oh, I don't wanna' spend my life jaded
Waiting to wake up one day and find
That I've let all these years go by
Wasted

Oh I don't wanna' keep on wishing, missing
The still of the morning, the color of the night
I ain't spending no more time
Wasted

Kelly Clarkson - You Found Me (with lyrics)

Adam Lambert - Mad World (Studio Version)

Love this artist. Love his sound. This song just spoke to me.

P!nk - There You Go

P!nk - So What

Chris Daughtry - Over You

WOW!!!
That's really all I can say.

Demi Lovato,Jonas Brothers,Miley Cyrus,Selena Gomez-"Send It On" Music Video (HQ+DOWNLOAD+LYRICS)

Demi Lovato - Gift Of A Friend - Official Music Video

So very true...

Lady Antebellum - Need You Now

Just love, love, love this song...
Speaks to our need....

Demi Lovato - Don't Forget - Official Video (HQ)

Love this gal...I think she has a great future.

Miley Cyrus - The Climb - Official Music Video (HQ)

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."

Leo Buscaglia

When you come right down to it, the secret to having it all is loving it all.

-Dr. Joyce Brothers

Forgiveness

"Nothing worth doing is completed in our lifetime,
Therefore, we are saved by hope.
Nothing true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history;
Therefore, we are saved by faith.
Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone.
Therefore, we are saved by love.
No virtuous act is quite as virtuous from the standpoint of our friend or foe as from our own;
Therefore, we are saved by the final form of love, which is forgiveness."

Reinhold Niebuhr

"What you thought before has led to every choice you have made, and this adds up to you at this moment. If you want to change who you are physically, mentally, and spiritually, you will have to change what you think."

Dr. Patrick Gentempo

"Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world."

C.S. Lewis

A Pearl

"A pearl is a beautiful thing that is produced by an injured life. It is the tear [that results] from the injury of the oyster. The treasure of our being in this world is also produced by an injured life. If we had not been wounded, if we had not been injured, then we will not produce the pearl."

Stephan Hoeller

Thoughts from Pastor Lenny...that Spoke to me...Wanted to Share...Enjoy!

"Did you hear the news? I can't believe it! Have you heard what they are saying?" Whether it is a political scandal, an amazing athlete's hidden life being exposed, a new strain of flu virus or even an important discovery that will change the future radically, there will always be those who are ready to listen and those who could care less. A popular Christmas song asks the question, "DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR?" I believe this is a relevant question for you and me today. We are engulfed by media, sound, voices, ideas and even silent messages entering through the eye gate that speak to us. During the Christmas Season, we will hear pleasant songs, words of affirmation, reminders of the real meaning of Christmas but likely our ears will also take in honking horns, disgruntled shoppers and even the obnoxiously loud relative that has had a little too much of the spiked eggnog. Do you hear what I hear? While contemplating the disciplines that help us have healthy homes, it seems to me that the cultivation of a listening heart is significant. I would like to challenge all of us to consider the value of hearing from God in our hearts. I don't know just how to explain the means by which this "hearing" takes place. I do know that the possibilities of hearing from Him this Christmas will be increased if I will take some time to listen. Psalms 46:10 says, "Be still and know that I am God." It implies my ability to "know" is connected to the decision to be "still." We pride ourselves in our busy schedules, always on the go! "Things to do, places to go, people to see!" In this phrase is captured the idea that I am using the time God has given me to its fullest. Are we really? "God with us" is an invitation to a divine relationship. May I suggest that in the midst of family gatherings and holiday activities, we all take time to be with Him. Our desire to follow Him and do what honors Him can be better fulfilled as we take time to hear His voice in our hearts daily. As each individual in any home is hearing from and growing closer to Jesus, our homes will surely become more healthy. God bless you and may you have a very merry Christmas.

Broken- Lindsey Haun

Here is the video to Broken....listen and believe...

Broken by Lindsey Haun

One of the words I have used quite frequently is "broken"....
It is a very scary feeling to find yourself broken and
know how to pick up the pieces and put ourselves back together or if we even can.
Please read the lyrics below, then read them again....
and keep believing in yourself...
God Bless!

Wake up to a sunny day, not a cloud up in the sky
Then it starts to rain, my defenses hit the ground
And they shatter all around, so open and exposed
I found strength in the struggle
Face to face with my trouble

When you're broken in a million little pieces
And you're trying but you can't hold on anymore
Every tear falls down for a reason
Don't you stop believing in yourself
When you're broken

Little girl don't be so blue
I know what you're going through
Don't let it beat you up
Hitting walls and getting scars
Only makes you who you are
Only makes you who you are
No matter how much your heart is aching
There is beauty in the breaking
Yeah

When you're broken in a million little pieces
And you're trying but you can't hold on anymore
Every tear falls down for a reason
Don't you stop believing in yourself
When you're broken

Better days are gonna find you once again
Every piece will find its place

When you're broken, when you're broken

When you're broken in a million little pieces
And you're trying but you can't hold on anymore
Every tear falls down for a reason
Don't you stop believing in yourself
When you're broken
Oh, when you're broken
When you're broken
When you're broken

What's so important? by *mystics* on Polyvore.com

When You Feel Alone, Open Your Eyes

am I alone... by *mystics* on Polyvore.com

You're Not Alone

God's people, throughout history, have shown how easy it is to become discouraged and feel alone. The instances of this in the Bible are so numerous that you could probably chalk it up to human nature. While constant discouragement is a long-running thread, it is comforting to know God's response in return: a reminder that he's in charge, in control, and we are not to fear because we are never alone.

Moses gave the Israelites several words of encouragement, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." [Deuteronomy 31:6] as well as "For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to them by oath." [Deuteronomy 4:31] and finally [Deuteronomy 20:4] "For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory."

The first quote (Deut 31:6) is one we can and should memorize, as it applies to every stressful situation. The Lord never will leave or forsake us, no matter how we feel alone, no matter what is going on. This quote is repeated almost verbatim centuries later in 1 Kings 8:57 "May the LORD our God be with us as he was with our fathers; may he never leave us nor forsake us."

David, as a psalmist, also praised God for his faithfulness to believers. "Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you." [Psalms 9:10] Later, another psalmist exclaims "In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free. The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The LORD is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies." [Psalms 118:5-7] These psalms and others continually remind us that God is with us at all times.

Most of the Old Testament comments on God's continued presence, the author of Hebrews quotes Deuteronomy again in 13:5-6 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

We have an advocate with God, who pleads for our behalf, Jesus. While he is not present physically in the world right now, he is merely a prayer away from us. Further, he promised to send the Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts, yet another part of God to keep us from ever being alone. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit in John 14:16-17: "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-- the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you." Later, in Acts 2:1-4, the Holy Spirit came on the apostles, just as Jesus promised, and the Holy Spirit is still available to those that ask and receive.

Once again, we have a reminder from Jesus that we're never alone: "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." - Matthew 28:20b

When you feel alone, open your eyes-- the truth that you're not alone is plain to see. God is faithful and keeps his promises even when we don't, and we have his word that he's with us. That promise should be sufficient to carry you through all circumstances.

Found this daily meditation on line and appreciated it as a need I have today. Wanted to share with others...

Meditation–Philippians 4:6-7

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Worry is a regularity among humanity. We anticipate events with concern as to how they will turn out, how we will come across, whether or not we and those that we love will be safe, etc. In some seasons, we look at the future in general and wonder with nail-biting skepticism as to whether or not a positive outcome can be in store. We are not alone in our age, for the apostle Paul here also had to encourage the early church to put their trust and confidence in the Lord.

One thing here is to be completely excluded and another to be entirely our practice. Anxiousness is to have no place in our lives because God is sovereign over every future event. And so we must come to Him in humble, thankful prayer, contented with the fact that nothing will escape Him and all that must be accomplished will come to pass. With such things ahead, being yet mystery to us, we must utter our requests before the throne, placing our concerns, burdens, and desires at His feet. He knows what we need before we ask Him (Mt. 6:8) and yet delights in our coming to Him.

What then is the result of such activity? The calming, comforting, unmatched peace of God. We believe in and come to our Lord in faith that does not see with mortal eyes, and we receive that sort of peace from Him that is more real and beyond us than could ever come from the most tangible, breath-taking, and serene portraits here. At that moment, we have a guard to keep and cover us. We will have known something otherworldly that reminds us of who we are and who we belong to: our sweet Savior, our Jesus. When we are tempted toward anxiety again, temptations which will surely come, we will have in our memory that wonderful peace of God that will encourage us again toward the throne of grace where we find that blessed help in our time of need (Heb. 4:16). Come to Him and know His peace today!

"Life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction”

Antoine de Saint-Exupery

A Change

“"I cannot bear it!" said the pewter soldier.
"I have shed pewter tears!
It is too melancholy!
Rather let me go to the wars and
lose arms and legs!
It would at least be a change.
I cannot bear it longer!
Now, I know what it is to have a visit from
one's old thoughts,
with what they may bring with them!
I have
had a visit from mine,
and you may be sure it is no pleasant
thing in the end;
I was at last about to jump down from the drawers."”

“My eyes anticipate the night watches, That I may meditate on Your word." (Psalm 119:148)

Lord — break my heart for the lost. USE ME. USE ME. USE ME! Push the fear & timidity out of me! Help me to follow Your Spirit’s leading, to hear You when You speak to me, & to be obedient to do what You call me to. Show me anything in myself or my life that needs to change. Help me to grow closer & closer to You. Teach me, convict me, change me, guide me, use me for Your glory & Your purposes, & let nothing get in the way of Your will. In the name of Jesus let Your will be done!

* * * * * * * *

"We must meet people at their unmet need, following the leading of the Holy Spirit."

Jesus didn’t reach out to each lost person in the exact same way, but at their place of specific need. He will guide us in the conversation, & if we follow, He will open them to receive & bring them closer to (or to the very point of) receiving Jesus.

God anoints us with His Holy Spirit when we receive the Holy Spirit & teaches us to use our specific giftings to reach the lost & also to edify & help other believers in their Christian walk as well.

~I read the above in a blog and loved what it said about the "unmet need". I hope you find meaning in it also.

she cannot imagine life without him

Not trying to overwhelm...
But just love these!

she cannot imagine life without him by *mystics* on Polyvore.com

It's your most precious gift... by *mystics* on Polyvore.com

Comforter Creator by Conform and Be Dull on Polyvore.com

God's heart cries out... by Conform and Be Dull on Polyvore.com

An Excerpt from "Seeing Yourself Through God's Eyes" by June Hunt

He alone can see what’s in your heart.
He knows the depth of your emotions.

He doesn’t look at the outward.
He looks deeper.

He looks at... you!
Your inmost being. Your heart. Who you really are on the inside.

Earlier I was talking about a transformation in your heart, your soul, your spirit. This excerpt aptly describes this process just a little bit better then I ever could...

Slowly, after this divine transplant, healing begins and, as promised, your new heart becomes capable of perfect love. Your self-centeredness is now Christ-centeredness. There is healing to replace the hatred; there is a balm for the bitterness. You can face the world with a freedom and a future you have never known before.

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me" (Psalms 51:10). Once you have a changed heart, you have a changed life. You can love the unlovable, be kind to the unkind, and forgive the unforgivable. All this because you have a new heart--you have God's heart!

Personal Enlightenment

Lately, I have been feeling like God is beside me. I mean really feeling Him. I have felt this way before, but not as strongly as I have lately. I don't quite know how to describe it or what it means. I only know that the feeling is overwhelming. So overwhelming that it sucks the breath out of me, makes me dizzy and more often then not, leaves me weeping. I know. I know. I wish I had better words to make someone understand this strong encompassing emotion, but I don't.

I have never had much of a relationship with God; I am truly sorry to say. I would like to say that I have, but I can't. I think that I tend to reach out to Him the most when I'm in need or feeling sorrowful. That's very bad. I do say nightly prayers, pray for those in need, and thank Him for my blessings. But I think I do it mechanically, for lack of a better word. I don't quite know how to cry out to God! I don't quite know what words to use or how...I feel very lost.

I am looking for something...I can't quite put my finger on it...but something...Some link...some...connection...something...

I would like to talk about God more. I would like to learn more about God. I would like to understand God. I would like to not be ridiculed for my lack of experience and/or knowledge of God.

I would like to be an instrument for God. Sometimes I think I could be one...other times....I forge my own path and disregard God's.

I know I am rambling and not making any sense, but I want, no I need to know what to do with this feeling.

I am so confused.

I came across this article googling inspiration and such. I found it interesting. I thought I would share it. Let me know what you think. Maybe it will help you in your walk with God. Thanks for listening.

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Personal Enlightenment

While enlightenment, like life itself, is a process it only requires that the seeker begin to move his or her consciousness from ego and mind to heart and begin to live from the inside out. We often fail to recognize that our personal enlightenment is a mere 18 inches away, head to heart. Getting to that point however is easier said, than done.

Ego or as it could be called Edging God Out, will fight you every step of the way. While we truly are spiritual beings having a human experience we have also forgotten our origins. As we begin to live our lives we buy into the race or collective consciousness of separation. We forget that we are all One, with each other and with the Creator. As the longing for that connection to Source swirls within, we search for ways to have relationship with each other and with the Universe. The problem is, because we are still a part of the collective consciousness and our thinking is geared in that direction, we search outside of ourselves.

Religions, churches, and even Spiritual Guru’s have capitalized on both the need to find God and the belief that God is “out there.” Our desire to have relationship draws us to the various spiritual practices that seem to resonate within us. We follow the beliefs and practices of our chosen faith in an effort to return once again to God, but God has not gone anywhere.

The Source of all life is Omnipresent, meaning everywhere at once. There is an old saying: there is no spot where God is not. If this is true, than God is within everything and everyone, even the seeker of personal enlightenment. To find God and enlightenment then, we need look no further than within our very being.

So how does one look within, move one’s consciousness, and/or live from the inside out? It is first and foremost a conscious choice. Once a person has made the decision to have direct communion with the God of their being, it is a matter of taking time to do jus that, spend a little time with God. Prayer and Meditation are perhaps the best vehicles to achieve your desired goal of connection to the Creator. Just as you take time to be with family and friends, setting aside time to be with the God of your being is vital.

Prayer consists of more than beseeching God to answer and fix all that is not right in your life. In fact, Jesus taught us to affirm that all we need is already available to us. Prayer then becomes about being in gratitude for all you do have, all that is right, and to be in gratitude for all that is coming to you now. It becomes about knowing that God already has answered our needs and it is up to us to see the result.

Sending the creator this type of thank you is something Jesus also taught. Each time he prayed he thanked God in advance for answering the prayer he was about to lift. If we look at the way Jesus prayed we will note that he did not beg for what he desired, he simply knew it was answered, and it was. In this way, prayer becomes a way to co-create with God. Much in the same way Jesus co-created the miracles he performed. While he prayed to his father in heaven he also taught us the kingdom of God within. Perhaps, this means than that sending prayers up to the sky is not necessary, maybe we need to direct the prayers within ourselves.

Meditation is simply taking the time to listen. We are often told to listen to the still small voice within, so what or who is that voice if not the voice of God? In meditation, we practice quieting our minds and body for a period of time. Willing our consciousness to move from head to heart where we can sit in peaceful silence and listen. Answers and guidance come when we focus ourselves on the life force within us and stop looking outside of ourselves for enlightment.

Personal enlightment is less than two feet away. As we drop our consciousness from the busyness of our mind to the center of love and light that is our heart, we can rest there in the Presence. In the place of peace, love and joy we are able to open ourselves to the wisdom of the Universe.

OBSTACLES

"Between you and every goal that you wish to achieve,
there is a series of obstacles,
and the bigger the goal,
the bigger the obstacles.
Your decision to be,
have and do something out of the ordinary
entails facing difficulties and challenges
that are out of the ordinary as well.
Sometimes
your greatest asset is simply your ability to
stay with it longer than anyone else."

~ Brian Tracy

Your Core

In the center of your core being

Dwells the truth

Look with tomorrow's eye,

Yesterday's knowledge,

Live the truth today

In the colors of your dreams future

Rest the peace

In your soul's core

Of whom you are

Love is the truth