Lessons Learned From Gideon

I have been studying the life of the biblical character Gideon.  He was a fascinating character.  Here are some lessons I have learned from the book of Joshua, chapters 6, 7 and 8.  Priscilla Shirer, the author of the Bible study I am using, offers the following tweets that have really helped me.

#Choose to make today's decisions with tomorrow in mind.
#Is there any baggage from my past that is weighing me down?
#Unity does not mean "sameness" it means "oneness of purpose."
#What are some ways I can foster unity?
#"For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers." (Prov. 11:14)
#Ordinary is often the disguise of the divine.
#Opened eyes precede revelation.
#"One generation shall declare your works to another." (Psalm 145:4)
#Pride forgets.  Humility remembers.
#Weakness unlocks the door.  Humility opens it.
#Many of life's external difficulties find their root in the internal reality of pride.
#Lead your heart.  (Don't "follow" it.)
#Bigger doesn't always mean better.
#Don't try to hold on to what God is asking you to release.
#It's all about relationships.
#Your resources are in your relationships.
#God's patience = restraining power.
#Gifts don't work unless they are opened.
#God's grace and mercy makes all the difference.
#Uncommon weapons are needed for uncommon battles.
#A vessel's value is not determined by it's composition, but by it's contents.
#God can do great things with a willing vessel (especially when it is broken to reveal the blazing flame of His own fire.)
#Empower the next generation.
#Working tirelessly is not the same thing as working persistently.
#Passion doesn't negate weariness, it just resolves to press beyond it.
#Give attention to the good gifts in our lives, no matter how small they may seem.
#Don't make a decision without seeking God.
#Am I more concerned with my comfort than the goal at hand?
#True commitment trumps convenience.

Father's Day pic of the fam!

You think you're ready.....

.....until it's time to say goodbye.

We will miss you Cody!

(When the vet said he had cancer I thought I would be ready when the time came, but it was harder than I thought it would be.)

Remembering happy days like the one in this picture with Rebekah!

Happy Easter!

Thanks to Jesus for dying for my sin and for rising from the dead! Happy Resurrection Day, everybody!!

11 Random Things....

Pic of Mark and I at a "50's" Party.

I was challenged to do a post about 11 Random Things and I think it will help jump start my writer's block. Thanks, Tiffany!

Here are 11 Random things about me.

1. I love white-powdered donuts and Pepsi together. (It goes back to childhood!)

2. I was a Cheerleader in High School.

3. My Vocal Instructor told me I had to pick between Cheerleading & Vocal Performance.

4. I chose my vocal teacher's wise advice.

5. March is one of my favorite months.

6. I have just recently taken on yet another job!

7. I don't like to shave my legs! I only do it when absolutely necessary!! (On a bet from a friend in high school, I once went a year without shaving my legs.)

8. I've always wanted to sing the National Anthem at a sporting event.

9. I like basketball.

10. I like Kansas University, even though I live in Missouri.

11. I love dark chocolate and a good cup of coffee and together they make me very happy!

Okay - now I will answer Tiffany's 11 Random Questions to me.

1~ What is your favorite childhood memory?

I used to have a play house as a kid....spent hours "playing house."

2~ What song is playing in your car right now?

I've been listening to a lot of variety. Even checked out Adele lately.

3~ Do you sing out loud when you drive?

Most definitely. Usually with one hand in the air and tapping my foot, too.

4~ What is the one place on earth you would travel if money was no object?

I'd go back to the Holy Land. Didn't get to see everything.

5~ What is your favorite book?

It changes every week! :)

6~ What is your favorite movie?

Probably "Remember the Titans"

7~ What seems more scary to do ~ Scuba Dive or Sky Dive?

Sky Diving seems more scary than Scuba Diving.

8~ What is your favorite thing to do with your spare time?

In the month of March, it's watching "March Madness" with my fam.

9~ What are you passionate about?

Music/and Leading People in Worship Through Music

10~What are you afraid of?

I don't like Spiders and Snakes.....:)

11~Are you Happy?

Happiness can come and go but true joy can never be taken away. "The joy of the Lord is my strength!"

I'm a Better Reader than Writer

I've got writer's block right now and I've also decided that I'm better at reading blog posts than writing them. So, I will probably just be reading and commenting on other people's blogs instead of writing posts myself, unless the writing bug returns and the block stops....:)

Top 10 Personal Play List

Here's what I am listening to right now.....

10. Hold Me Together - Royal Tailor

9. Stronger - Mandisa

8. Happy - Ayiesha Woods

7. Son of God - Starfield

6. Just Let Me Cry - Hilary Weeks

5. Motion of Mercy - Francesca Battistelli

4. Like My Mother Does - Lauren Alaina

3. If I Only Had Today - Hilary Weeks

2. Keep Changing the World - Mike's Chair

And the # 1 song on my playlist right now:

1. MOVE - MercyMe

What about you? What are you listening to these days?