O Where, O Where Have My Socks Gone?

A few years ago, my friend gave me a pair of socks--a very special pair of socks. They are pink. And they say, ''boys are supid, throw rocks at them."

After wearing these socks once or twice, I let my cousin borrow them. And I've never seen them again. I miss my socks. They look like this:

If you've seen my socks, please contact me at jmbflower@aol.com

Helpless

I can do nothing apart from the empowering of Jesus Christ and His Spirit in my life. I realize that more and more everyday! I want to become less so He can become more. I read this today and it was so encouraging. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

"Do you desire to speak for Jesus -- how can you unless the Holy Spirit touches your lips?

Do you desire to pray? Sadly, what dull work it is unless the Spirit makes intercession for you!

Do you desire to subdue sin? Would you be holy? Would you imitate your Master? Do you desire to rise to superlative heights of spirituality? Are you looking to be made like the angels of
God, full of zeal and love for the Master's cause? You cannot without the Spirit--'Apart from me you can do nothing.'

O branch of the vine, you can have no fruit without the sap! O child of God, you have no life within you apart from the life that God gives you through His Spirit!"

-Spurgeon/Begg (Morning and Evening/Truth for Today)

10 Things I Want to Do Before I Die

1. I want to go on safari in Africa.

2. I want to do the tango in the rain.

3. I want to read all the books on my list.

4. I want to lead as many people as possible to Christ.

5. I want to get a massage.

6. I want to see what my hair looks like red.

7. I want to skydive.

8. I want to run a marathon.

9. I want my dad to walk me down the aisle.

10. I want to scream at the top of my lungs in the largest library in the world.

Cosas Necesarias

I need to pray, constantly.

I need to start eating breakfast more often.

I need to be in the Word every day.

I need to acknowledge God's presence every moment.

I need to wake up a few minutes earlier.

I need my friends to hold me accountable.

I need people to confront me with my sin.

I need to understand the difference between a "need" and a "want."

I need a nap. Or do I want a nap?

Memories

It's amazing the silly things we remember that will never leave us. I'm having one of those memories at this very moment. I was in a Halloween play in 6th grade. The premise was this--some friends were hiding in a graveyard to play a practical trick on a boy who "never gets scared." I was the vampire--the ultimate scare. Believe it or not, I even remember my line, "good evening creature of the night. Just stepping out for a bite?" (said in a Transylvanian accent of course). How funny. With that said:

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Where Is God?

Smoke from countless fires contaminates the air around me--thousands have lost their homes, some have lost their loved-ones. Where is God? God is on His throne.

My mom has cancer. My aunt has cancer. Where is God? God is on this throne.

My friend has a brain tumor. My friend's little brother is in jail. My friend's baby has leukemia. My friend's dad has cancer. Where is God? God is on His throne.

We live in a fallen world. Bad things happen. Sad things happen. And the sovereignty of God is only comforting if He is our highest prize. If my mind is set on the things above, then no matter how bad things seem here, my hope and joy is found not in this world, but in the next. When the glory of God is my highest aim, then even in the midst of terrible circumstances I will be able to say, "blessed be the name of the Lord!"

Lord hear my prayer and my cry,
I lift my voice to You on high.
Bring comfort and peace to those in pain.
And may I dare not ever complain.
Help me find rest in You alone
You are God, You are on Your throne.

Little Things

The other day when I got home from work, I went into my room and my mail was sitting in a neat pile at the bottom of my bed. Such a simple thing, but it meant so much to me. You see, I've been staying in the house myself for the past few months and my dad recently came home. So to me, that pile of mail on my bed says my dad is a considerate gentleman. It says he was thinking about me. It says he went out of his way to serve me. And it says he loves me. Sometimes it's the little things in life that mean the most.

Tu t' amuse

VERY FUNNY
"A Colorado judge knows just where to hit noise ordinance violators: right in the ears.When a violator of the Ft. Lupton, Colorado noise ordinance is found guilty in Judge Paul Sacco's coutrroom, the perp is sentenced to a full hour of Barry Manilow and friends. The violators, who are often convicted of turning up their hip-hop music too loud, serve their sentence in Sacco's courtroom as he blares a loop of Manilow, Dolly Parton ("I Will Always Love You"), and Karen Carpenter through a boombox for an hour. 'When you have a person playing rap at extreme volumes all over the city, and they have to sit down and listen for an hour to Barry Manilow, it's horrible punishment,' Sacco told CBS in Denver. The city sees very few repeat violators."

VERY SAD
In her acceptance speech for Best Reality Program (My Life on the D-List) Kathy Griffin shouted an obscenity to Jesus and exclaimed, "This award is my god now."

FUNNY (AND SAD)
Back in 1971 a man named Mike Flynt was suspended from his sr. year of college football at Sul Ross State University for fighting. Now he is 59 years old and he just reenrolled and is going to play his "sr. year" of football. His old coach said, "He's an idiot." "Gosh dang, Mike, you're not 20 years old anymore. You're liable to cripple yourself."

Change of Plans

I had big plans for the weekend. I was going camping in Yosemite. And I was ready to hike Half Dome. God had other plans. I woke up feeling terribly sick--nauseous to be exact. It wouldn't be wise to sleep in a tent for two days and push my body to the limit by a challenging hike.

And I had to remember--put people above things. God wanted me to spend time with dear friends and their unsaved brother. God wanted me to catch up with a ministry partner, and God wanted me to be encouraged by a friend. None of that would have happened if my plans had come to pass.

I never stop, but God says he wants me to be still. When I'm still, He reveals things to me and speaks to me through His Word, and gives me a deeper and clearer discernment of events in my life.

I make plans, but God directs my steps.

Indicators of Pride

By: Dave Norton (adapted from Stewart Scott)

-Complaining
-Lack of gratitude
-Expectations not being met
-Seeing myself as better than someone else
-Inflated view of my importance
-Lack of using my abilities
-Self-pity
-Perfectionism
-Talking too much
-Seeking independence or control
-Caring too much what other people think
-Devastation because of criticism
-Unteachability
-Sarcasm
-Lack of service
-Lack of compassion
-Defensiveness/blameshifting
-Lack of prayer
-Resistance to authority
-Minimizing sin
-Jealousy, envy
-Deceitfulness
-Lack of close relationships

On Prayer

“Pour out your heart, and don't hold anything back. He sees right through us, He sees to the depth of our heart, how can we hide anything? Beseech Him, clinging to the cross, waiting upon Him patiently. He hears us and He wants us to tell Him the things that afflict us and trouble us in this life.”
-Greg Dominguez

Little Bit of Life

I went to a Craig Morgan concert at the House of Blues last night. Not only did I go, but I got to meet him! I am always impressed when a performer sounds just as good live as they do on album. Craig puts on a really great show--he has so much energy and is constantly UP. He is so gracious to his fans too. Craig signed the bed of a truck for one of his fans in a wheel chair! The band performed a new song called, "Looking Back with You." This song hasn't been recorded yet, but should be soon. The song brought tears to my eyes. It was written for Craig's wife--it's about growing old together and looking back on all the memories. It was really sweet. What a fabulous night. Did I mention, Craig is a Christian--that makes it even better! It's encouraging to see someone on the road of fame still walking with the Lord!

Blessed Be the Name of the Lord

Blessed be your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where the streams of abundance flow
Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be your name

Every blessing you pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say...

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name

Blessed be your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all as it should be
Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be your name

Every blessing you pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say...

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, Blessed be your name

Good Stuff (Drink it Up)

I read this article today by Darrin Patrick. My friend passed it along to me. I thought it was so good, I had to post it for you, my dear readers (few but loyal).

Discerning your Near Idols
By Darrin Patrick

That most basic question which God poses to each human heart: has something or someone besides Jesus Christ taken title to your heart's functional trust, preoccupation, loyalty, service, fear and delight? In order to get to the bottom of what the Bible calls idols, and what Dick Keyes calls your "heart title", ask yourself these diagnostic questions:

What other than Jesus has become your main source of significance, happiness, meaning and purpose?

What other than being a child of God are you using as your primary identity?

What have you substituted for God in your life?

What have you used to make yourself feel accepted or worthy before God, yourself and others?

Another way to discern our idols is to begin to take note about what we get emotional about as our idols are revealed because they arouse powerful emotions when our idol is threatened or taken away. If your begin to pay attention to your emotional life you can begin to discern your idols.

Questions that expose Near Idols (Keyes, Keller, Kaufman)

What do I worry about most?

What, if I failed or lost it, would cause me to question whether or not I wanted to live?

What do I rely on or comfort self with when things go bad or get difficult?What do I do cope?

What are my release valves? What do I do to feel better?

What do I think most easily about? What does my mind go to when I am free? What preoccupies me? What do I daydream about?

What makes me feel the most self-worth? What am I the proudest of? What do I want to be known for?

What do I lead with in conversations?What do I want to make sure that people know about me fairly early on in the conversation or relationship?

What prayer, unanswered, would make me seriously think about turning away from God?

What do I really want and expect out of life? What would really make me happy?What is my hope for the future?

I am Thankful

The more time passes, the more I see God's grace in my life. Last night I was surprised by about 20 of my friends for a birthday dinner. I have honestly, never felt more lavished with love in all my life. I intensely felt God's favor and His hand of blessing upon me in such a vivid and real way. It was an experience I will never forget. What more could a girl ask for than to be surrounded by brothers and sisters in the Lord who want nothing more than for me to love Christ with all my heart and soul? I deserve judgment and hell, but God has given be nothing but long suffering and reward. It's amazing. It's incomprehensible. It's overwhelming. And I am thankful!

Attention Christians: It's Okay to Have Fun!

Christians are allowed to laugh.

Christians are allowed to enjoy themselves.

Christians are even allowed to be goofy and silly.

In fact, God tells us to enjoy life to the fullest in Him. I've been accused of "acting young" (being immature), but I think people have a false view of what "maturity" is. Maturity does not mean putting on airs and acting serious all the time. True maturity is the discernment to act appropriately in any given situation. Scripture calls that propriety.

It would be unwise for me to spend more time analyzing this--then I'd begin to worry too much about what other people think of me. My highest goal, my highest pursuit is to please Christ. I can't worry about fitting into any mold anyone else may have for me.

Some people take themselves too seriously--they need to learn how to enjoy this life that God has given them. It might do them some good to spend time with someone like me. :o)

Tale As Old As Time

Beauty lies within.

Charm is deceitful,
Beauty is vain.
But a woman who fears the Lord,
She shall be praised.

A Haiku

Inspiration

God is my shepherd--

Even the octopus knows.

Inspired by Jen.

A Reason to Smile

YOU, O LORD, HAVE MADE ME GLAD BY YOUR WORK.
Psalm 92:4

Do you believe that your sins are forgiven and that Christ has made a full atonement for them? Then what a joyful Christian you ought to be! How you should live above the common trials and troubles of the world! Since sin is forgiven, can it matter what happens to you now? Luther said, "Smite, Lord, smite, for my sin is forgiven; if You have forgiven me, smite as hard as You will." And in a similar spirit you may say, "Send sickness, poverty, losses, crosses, persecution, what You will. You have forgiven me, and my soul is glad." Christian, if you are thus saved, while you are glad, be grateful and loving. Cling to that cross that took your sin away; serve Him who served you. "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."1 Do not let your zeal evaporate in some little exuberant song. Show your love in meaningful ways. Love the brethren of Him who loved you. If there is a Mephibosheth anywhere who is disabled, help him for Jonathan's sake. If there is a poor tried believer, weep with him, and bear his cross for the sake of Him who wept for you and carried your sins. Since you are forgiven freely for Christ's sake, go and tell others the joyful news of pardoning mercy. Do not be contented with this unspeakable blessing for yourself alone, but publish widely the story of the cross. Holy gladness and holy boldness will make you a good preacher, and all the world will be a pulpit for you to preach in. Cheerful holiness is the most forcible of sermons, but the Lord must give it to you. Seek it this morning before you go into the world. When it is the Lord's work in which we rejoice, we need not be afraid of being too glad.

Spurgeon, "Morning and Evening"

What Would I Look Like As a Simpson?

To see Chela as a Simpson visit: http://marcella-marcella.blogspot.com