Even if you look like a muppet...

Just another reminder: Persistence. Preaching to the muppet choir. Who looks like a muppet today? Never give up! Don't forget to laugh while you persist!

Persistence of memory

I love this painting by Salvador Dali.

With stretched out clocks, it gives me the visual that sometimes, life just drags.

And the painting’s title, “Persistence of Memory?” Well, who hasn’t been affected by persistent memories that seem to haunt you lifelong?

 This is a cheery subject, then, huh?

Are you haunted by your past? Are things like abuse, neglect, death and poor decisions following you around in your daily life now? We’re all affected by something in our past, some “persistence of memory” that never seems to let go of us. But please know this; you are not these painful memories. They may have happened in your life, yes, but they don’t define your future or who you are as a most valuable, precious person that God CHOSE to create.

Are you sensing that your life, your circumstances, your failures and despair are just dragging on, without end? Please try to look, with new eyes at what you’re crying about; let the stretched out clocks represent those oblong tears. And apply, like Kleenex to your eyes, the following scripture:

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

Revelation 21:4

This, too, shall pass. There is much more to your life than the pain, obstacles and limits you feel now. You are not defeated; you are a masterpiece, just like Dali’s work.

Whatever “persistence of memory” exists for you, please remember, it is NOT you. You are a much greater creation, destined to not just survive pain, but also to thrive OUT of it. God will make sure that you do! Let God persist in healing you!

Let's be interesting instead of perfect...

“Have no fear of perfection - you'll never reach it.”

Salvador Dalí It's a quote that bears repeating. Ah, Mr. Dali! So wise!!! Looking at his great work, one mnay call him controversial, surreal, bizarre. I think those adjectives are much more interesting than perfect. Let's be interesting!

Isaiah 41:9’s the antidote...

“I have chosen you and have not cast you away.”

Isaiah 41:9

Rejection. Encounter any of it lately? From others? From a chosen group? From yourself? Do you even feel rejected by God?

Rejection is an equal opportunity offended; everyone experiences it? Even Jesus experienced it.

“He was despised and rejected by people. He was a man of sorrows, familiar with suffering. He was despised like one from whom people turn their faces, and we didn't consider him to be worth anything.”

Isaiah 53:3

Sound familiar? So why are you experiencing rejection? No, it’s not fair; it’s not the Love of God being withheld from you. Perhaps, rather, it’s involving the Purpose of God, in that you were born to heal something greater than you imagined. What can you heal today, right now, where you are in your own life? God believes in you to repair the damages; you’re created in His own Image, after all (Genesis 1:26).

One of my favorite quotes is from Bishop T. D. Jakes:

“The antidote for snakebite is made from the poison and the thing that made you go backward is the same force that will push you forward.”
Bishop T.D. Jakes, “Reposition Yourself”

Perhaps, by experiencing the rejection you feel now, whether from others of self-imposed, you can offer a greater work of healing and restoration to others. Why you? Well, why NOT you? You’re a child of the Most High God; your value is non-negotiable, automatic and powerful! Choose healing- for yourself and for others- today!

You are chosen, NOT rejected!

Cast Your Bread

Rejection letters- “I’ll pass”- The very word, “no.” These are all responses that we, as human beings, don’t like in life. No one, that I know of, anyway, enjoys being told, “no.” It starts in childhood, but persists lifelong. But we want what we want when we want it, don’t we?

So, Ecclesiastes 11:1 doesn’t sound too warm and comfy regarding our immediate gratification, “gimme, gimme” mentality, huh?

“Cast your bread on the waters: for you shall find it after many days.”

Ecclesiastes 11:1

It points to an action we need to do to the results that follow “after many days.”

Who’s excited about getting their blessing after many days? Yeah, thought so. We want it to read “you shall find it now.” God doesn’t play it like that, however. There may be some instant blessings and answered prayers, but most of the time, it’s a longer process and waiting period. It’s longer than we desire. It can involve our desires and dreams; it can also involve legitimate, practical things thing our needs for healing and provision.

It’s a challenge; no one is thrilled with waiting. But look at the results of patience:

“But let this power have its full effect, so that you may be made complete, needing nothing.”

James 1:4

You may not see any of what you’re desiring right now. But God tells us that we are “daily loaded with benefits” (Psalms 68:19). He is a rewarding kind of God!

So take where you are now, what you have to offer, even if you feel it’s nothing but failure and mess. Cast it on spiritual water, before God. It’s possible for God to make your life so much better, so much more blessed than it is right now. Please remember, however, that the results may take some time; they may come “after many days.” But they are coming in your direction! The bread’s coming back!

Silly 911

Silly 911- No other reason...

Can't figure out if it's more cat than yorkie pup or vice versa.

Happy Father's Day weekend!!!

Happy Father's Day weekend!!!

Closer to that door...

Maybe we're closer than we realize to that opened door of blessing and opportunity. Do we see it? Do we reach for it? Do we believe it? Do we believe God?

"I know the plans that I have for you, declares the LORD. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope."

Jeremiah 29:11

The Power of Prayer

Possibly some first steps down this yellow brick road?

Never underestimate the power of prayer. More to come... Thank You, God!!!

Anorexia: Sobering Effects...

Bette Page: In the eye of an era's beholder?

Bette Page is gorgeous, right?

She was a sex symbol in her time, risque, putting more of a face to fetish culture. Now, she's an eternal part of our pop culture psyche.

However, I have to wonder, if she showed up on the scene today, would we pick her apart, criticizing her flaws and telling her to "drop ten pounds?" Hmmm. I wonder.

Here's to you, Bette!

Thanks, Bethenny!

Just finished an incredible book! Thanks, Bethenny Frankel!!! You're an inspiration!

Dive in it

It’s been a great day of writing today. As usual, my imagination makes things worse than the actual reality of things. Fear: false evidence appearing real. Playing with the paralyzing fear, it’s easy, I guess, to be too confined with doing something absolutely perfectly or “right.”

So, after avoiding some work on my new book, I decided to “just do it.” I dove in. In an ideal situation, I’d love to have the book already perfectly completed. However, in reality, it’s more like what the late comedian, George Carlin once said:

“Just do the next thing.”

So, I did.

I may not have looked as graceful as the beautiful tiger here.

I’m more of the flailing “I can’t swim” sort. But, nevertheless, I dove in. I did it. I’m not paralyzed now; I’m energized now. Diving is so freeing.

Perspective

“Perspective: When two seemingly parallel lines meet at a vanishing point on the horizon.”

My high school art teacher would be proud I still remembered that definition; it was drilled into us teenage students. This and the French alphabet still seem to stick with me. Anyway, recently, I came across some of my old high school artwork, particularly, lessons in executing examples of this artistic principle.

Yes, we’d practice working on our names, attempting to re-create the block letters of the “20th Century Fox” Film Company logo.

Get the picture? Eh, maybe my name in a high school art project isn't as epic as the film logo. But, nevertheless, we’d always work on creating elements of perspective, trying to make things “vanish” to that vanishing point, giving the optical illusion of depth.

It got me to thinking, what’s the focus of our perspective when we view ourselves? What illusion are we trying to create? What are we trying to make “vanish” in our lives? With eating disorders, it seems, especially, that we’re trying to make our bodies disappear. But there’s something more to it. A lot of us think that if we just try hard enough, work hard enough, perform well enough, we can make our problems- and literally, ourselves, disappear. The thing is, however, this objective, like an artistic study on perspective, is an illusion. It’s not reality, only manipulated “perspective.”

So, what can we look at, look to? Yes, I will answer with my typical answer: God.  And how do we view God? Through Jesus,

“…the author and the finisher of our faith …”

Hebrews 12:2

It’s about a change, a shift in perceptions. How can we even begin to view ourselves in a healing, healthy way if we don’t view God as Someone Who loves each of us, regardless of image or performance. Ah, yes amazing Grace!!!

“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”

Romans 6:14

Just because... (Think on whatever's cute today)

Sometimes, a cute focal point is what we need, something that melts our hearts and makes us go "awwwh."

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

Philippians 4:8

We could all benefit, therefore, from Dr. Tiny Cat. Enjoy and be blessed!!!

Motivation

Is everything perfect? No. Is everything easy? Oh, certainly not! But is what you and I are doing in vain? No! Wherever we find ourselves in our lives, it’s safe to say, probably, that we’re in need of motivation, motivation of the God kind!

The now of our lives does count; it’s not hopeless. Failed? It doesn’t make us failures. Apply the hope that God is helping us, Again, with Romans 8:28.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[a] have been called according to his purpose.”

Can we be motivated by that? Will it make everything feel easy? Probable not, but it will turn out all right.

In need of motivation? One of my favorite quotes is from the late tennis pro, Arthur Ashe:

“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.”

Look at the image of this pencil, underlining the word, “Motivation.”

It’s a simple pencil, nothing fancy, nothing that requires a while lot in degrees, in qualifications. It just takes some pressing to make the mark. Just press a little today, even it means making the faintest of lines. Just breathe, be in God’s grace; we already are, anyway.

Let God motivate us, then, not fear, not pain, not revenge.

All things DO work together for the good…all things!!!

Grab that pencil today; it’s a new start to our lives!!!

Where there's a will...

It's never hopeless! God honors Romans 8:28, in everything, IN SPITE OF everything!!! It WILL work out for the best!!!



I can

Just another reminder...

Sometimes we see to SEE it in action, literally spelled out in front of us.