Forgive Regardless...

There are times when the person you need to forgive is wrong.  

They don't ask for your forgiveness.

They don't care if you forgive them.

They scoff about your pain.

Regardless, forgive.

Choose to forgive.  Ask God to give you the strength to let go.  

God will honor your request and will stand with you.

While you won't always feel release immediately, you will be set free.

Let go.

Receive God's peace. 

10 Things about Forgiveness

Forgiveness 09/15/2014 Top 10 thoughts on FORGIVENESS: 10. We are forgiven as we forgive. 9. Forgive 70 X 7 (the idea is as many times as it takes) 8. Forgiving someone one time isn't necessarily going to take care of it for all time. 7. Every time pain emerges, you need to forgive that person (s) again. 6. Sometimes, it's like peeling an onion.  God only lets us deal with a little at a time, so when the pain comes to your mind, you are dealing with another layer of pain. 5. We do not have the power and strength to forgive on our own. 4. God does possess the strength to help us forgive.  Rely on God's strength. 3.  Forgiveness is not a feeling...it's a choice. 2. Choosing to forgive does not mean you are giving others the right to mistreat you, abuse you, or bully you.  God NEVER chooses bad things to happen to you. 1.  Forgiving them does NOT mean you will be in relationship with them again.  It means you are letting go so God can deal with it. www.lotsagrace.org

God is Calling

Most of the time we tend to think we are calling for God and we aren't being heard. 

Truth is, God is calling us 24-7 and we are not hearing, listening, and sometimes wanting what IS being offered. We are deaf because we don't understand.

Still, God calls. 

The #1 way to hear is to sit in silence with God. Total silence. You and God. 

...for as long as it takes for us to begin to understand the movement of God. 

Waterfall by Chris Tomlin says, "I want to move when you move."  

Problem is, we can't do that unless we are connected. 

God continues to wait. Calls. You. 

Writing with Grace and Flair

I've been getting a lot of questions about writing (mostly on Pinterest) and wanted to share a few thoughts about giving and receiving "grace" with you works and with things you read.

I happen to believe that giving grace is important.

Why?  Because you can take the same essay and turn it into 4 different English professors and you would get 4 very different grades.  You could even run the alphabet.

I've had professors, editors, and critics love my work and hate my work.  Either way works for me because my question back to them is, "did it broaden your perspective?"

If it did, then I succeeded.  If it didn't my follow up question is, "are you willing to allow your perspective to grow?"

I think that's what grace and writing is all about.  We may not all agree, but you will read my work and consider the possibilities.  Then you will give me the right to my viewpoint.  You don't have to agree.  Just let me be me.  Right for me.  Not always right for you, but you allow me to think differently than you.

For some reason it's really important to me to give others grace...the right to be who they are.  The right to:

their own theology
their own philosophy
even their own ideas about raising children

For me?  I prefer a bit of flair, lots of laughter, and loads of grace!


www.lotsagrace.org

10 Reasons to surround yourself with people who know how to LAUGH

10 reasons it's important to be with people who know how to laugh:

10. They laugh and

9.  They don't take themselves too seriously so

8. They are light-hearted so

7. You laugh more and

6. You're more fun to be around so

5. You have more friends and

4. More people to laugh with then

3. Life seems easier to do and

2. The tough times aren't so difficult. 

1. And the #1 reason: When you're being stupid it doesn't matter because they are stupid with you.

Worth More than Gold

What does it look like to:

Surround yourself with people who you can trust? 

First, it doesn't mean you isolate yourself from the world.  

It means you know who you can really trust and you share deep thoughts and dreams with people who support you. 

It means you are careful with what you share until you're sure. 

It means you gauge sharing and receiving. 

Takes time...

is worth it!

Developing friendships with people who really care about you is worth more than gold. 

Work

As I observed Labor Day this year I found myself being contemplative about work.  Now, most people would say, "Ugh!" and I have to admit there are days when I feel that way.  

However, I've been in a place where I couldn't find a job or was freaked out that lay-offs were coming!  YIKES!  In light of that, having a job is a blessing. 

Now, I've worked as a Railroad Clerk, a Day Care provider, a waitress, a newspaper editor, a photojournalist, a still photographer, a framer (not in the sense of housing but in the sense of framing art), an office manager, a worship coordinator, and a mortgage specialist. Everytime we moved, I had to find a new job and sometimes that was good, other times kinda sad. 

What I've found from working all of those jobs is that while work is good, it's the people who make or break the job.  The most unlikely position for me (as a creative junkie) has been being a mortgage specialist. What changed how I see my job is the people I work with. As I have good days and bad, there have been people who have come along side me and shared in my successes and failures. It's almost as if when I failed I didn't fail alone.  

My prayer for you is that you have compadres who share your journey and support you along the way. 

Surround yourself with people who know how to laugh, who forgive quickly, who are there to pick you up when you fall, and who believe in the person God created you to be.  

There can be no greater friend. 

Deb

What is a Sacrifice?

In a real way it's giving up something that's important or meaningful to you.  

When we give of our time, talents, or gifts we are relinquishing something valuable.  

That's why the sacrifice in the Old Testament was important to God.  We were remembering God. That was very pleasing to God.

The greatest gift we can give God and each other is active listening, active serving, active loving.   

Give grace to those you meet.  Love unconditionally.  Be attentive.  It's a great sacrifice that CAN change the world. 

Geekie

Okay.

Confession time.

I know I am a geek.

Geekie.

Theology Geek.  Restoration Geek.

I didn't come to this place in life easily.  I came kicking and screaming.

I didn't really WANT to go to Seminary.  Didn't want to have a M.Div.  Didn't want to go gaga over Moltmann.  Those things weren't on my bucket list.

I had easy light-hearted things on my bucket list.  Sit on a mountaintop and pray for hours.  Go to a tiny cafe and strike up an interesting conversation with the locals about who God really is.  Find a really great old rocker and sit for hours listening to the wind.

Instead I became a geek.

Here's the thing about being a geek.  You become opinionated, stalwart. You stand fast.

I recently heard a song, "Greater" by Mercy Me.  I was intrigued.

I listened to other songs on the album.

I was more than intrigued.

I made a purchase and listened to the songs over and over again.

Know what I noticed?  (Well, besides the snappy tunes and great instrumentals).  I experienced GREAT theology.

I experienced restoration in my soul.

Thanks, Mercy Me for feeding my geek.

God

God is in you.

God is for you.

God is with you. 

God does not remember your past mistakes...they are gone forever.

God sees you as you were created to be.

You are perfect in the eyes of God.

Receive God's blessing today!

Chronicles of Deborah

Saturday night.

Went to church.

Ate.

Came home.

Put bag down.

Forgot mail.

Got mail key.

Dogs barking.

Run out quick.

Shut door.

Oh my.

Key inside.












Find a neighbor who is home.

Call a locksmith.

Wait.

Locksmith comes.

Inside.

Find a check.

Where ARE those stupid checks???

Oh yea.

Pay the locksmith (who actually was a Godsend).

Take dogs out.

Bring dogs in.

Unleashed Eddie.

Turned to grab the pup.

Eddie darts out.

Mad half crazed running down the street screaming "EDDIE!!!  EDDIE!!!  STOP!"

He slows...lunge for him.

Fall down.

He stops to poo.

Sneak in.

Grab his neck.

Drag him back.

Move lumber left outside.

Splinter.

Really God?

Are you trying to get my attention or is this just a great Saturday night show for the Angels whilst they eat popcorn?

One more question to ask when I get there...

17 Ways to Realize your Dreams

#1  See yourself in 5 years

#2 Visualize yourself being who you've always wanted

#3  Pray - ask for what you've always wanted

#4  Plan one step toward your dreams

#5  Write a story about yourself living your dream

#6  Put a note on your mirror telling yourself it's possible

#7  Reject any negative self talk against your dreams

#8  Paint a sign or a picture that reminds you of your dreams

#9  Tell 3 friends (who you really really trust) to encourage you

#10  Meditate on your dreams

#11 Thank God for your dreams

#12  Find a scent that reminds you of your dreams

#13  Build a strategy beginning today, tomorrow, in a month that will lead you to your dreams.

#14  Believe in yourself

#15  Believe in your dreams

#16  Seize every opportunity to move toward your dreams

#17  Receive the abundance of your dreams

Grace

I've been mulling around a song in my head. A song about grace.

But I've been frustrated.

The problem is words and even music don't come close to being able to describe grace. I find I am unable to effectively express how very much grace changes me, daily.

Thing is, I have not experienced life without God's grace. I am unable to imagine what life would be like. I've not known that kind of hopelessness. 

So writing a song about grace sounds a little cheesy.

And GRACE is NOT cheesy.

Grace is eternal.

Alive.

Forever.

Now I'm wondering if the song should be:
NOT cheesy...yea yea yea
no
not cheesy
yea yea yea
never cheesy
yea yea yea
Grace is never cheesy!

No?  Okay, I'll keep working on it...

The Journey

The journey is filled with ups and downs

ins and outs

arounds and throughs.


The journey is joy, laughter and hope

family and friends

sunshine and smiles.


The journey is sorrow, sadness and pain

family and friends

thunder and rain.


The journey is dancing round and around

dancing with love

in sorrow and joy.


The journey is the point.

The journey is life.

The journey is.

Overwhelmed

From time to time we all feel overwhelmed (unless of course you are that one in a million who thrives on stress). 

I am not one of those people!

When I am feeling overwhelmed, I give up. 

Throw in the towel.

Let go.

I don't do it because I am quitting. Or because I just refuse to deal with the stress.

I do it because I've learned that when we are at our weakest, that's when God is strong. Scripture tells us, "my grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness."

Letting go means I am giving God space to take over. 

Breath deep. Relax. Release it to God.

Be A-MAZED at what God is about to do!

Keep at IT!

I've been writing speeches, papers, Science Projects, newspaper articles, and a plethora of other things for longer than I care to think about.  I was around 11 when I started writing and giving speeches.  One thing sticks out.

My dad saying, "keep at it."

I would write a draft of a speech and take it to him and he would point out the good points and then he ALWAYS asked what made it unique from any other speech.

"What makes this great?"

I would trek off to my room and pout for a bit and then dig deeper for the 'zing'.  Sometimes it would take a while, but eventually something would emerge. Here's the deal though.  If he would not have asked me the hard questions, I would not have put my whole heart into it.  See, telling me there WAS more MADE more.

I can't say it was pleasant, or warm and fuzzy, or exciting.  Many times it was painful.  Digging deeper hurt.  Telling myself what I've written is okay but not great is difficult.  Having someone else tell me is even harder.

A few months ago after I completed a book (which I was ready to publish), an experienced editor read parts of it.  I expected her to come back and say, "it was just great!"  Know what she said?

"Now, don't get me wrong...it's good," with a smile.  "It's just not great."  Smile again.  "I think you can do better.  Just slow it down a little.  Take more pauses between writing the chapters.  Rest and let it settle.  Take time to let the greatness emerge."

Really?  A lot of research went into this book...lots of difficult translating from ancient texts.  Didn't she realize that?  Didn't she know how hard I worked?

Discouraged, I put the book aside.

I hated it.

I loathed the process.

I didn't want anyone else to read it.

Ever.

Then I heard my dad's voice in my head saying, "keep AT IT."  Dig deeper.  Dig until it hurts.  Put your heart into it.

I haven't touched it for six months, but I think I'm about to read the first chapter again.  So, back to my room I go.

Mull and wait.

Slow it down.

Think and pause.

Let it rest and settle.

I WILL come.  I know it will because I am keeping at it.

What a day!

What to do when the dog runs off, the car won't start, you're two hours late for work, everything you touch falls apart at work, and when you go out to leave work your car won't start yet again?

Makes me wonder if I should have stayed in and skipped the hassle. But, as it is I decided to stick it out. In my younger days I would have stuck it out because I was certain it wouldn't get worse.

Now I know it can...

So why did I stick it out?

I've learned (the hard way) that there's good and bad in everything.

I choose to look for the good.  I focus on that.

#1 It was a beautiful morning! 

#2 I was able to round up the pup (a miracle)!

#3 I have roadside assistance.

#4 While I waited for them I cleaned out my car.

#5 I have a job where I can use comp time (so I still got paid). 

#6 God sent me (through channels) a great quote on failure.  See: http://blog4retreats.blogspot.com

#7 And my daughter was headed my way when I got off work. We jumped the car, went and got a new battery, AND I won't have to go through this next winter when it's 10 degrees and windy!

It's a WIN WIN!!!

I thank God for faithful provision!

(More coming on the questionable alternator)

Being Human

So, I've been working on being human.

A series of events brought this on, but it wasn't really anything I wanted to do.

See, I liked my life the way it was. I go to work, I write, I restore old things. I spend time with my family and friends.

It's comfortable.

Predictable.

I like predictable.

The problem with being human is that it's real.

No masks.

Vulnerable.

I hate vulnerable.

I like comfortable.

Geez this is hard.

A Day Like Today...

Ever had a day where everything you touched went sour?

Yup.

That was today.

Know what I hate most about it?

I'm reminded I'm human.

Frail.

Breakable.

Screwed up.

Need others.

Need to learn to laugh it off.

Need to let go of trying to be perfect.

Need to relax.

Need to accept myself for who I am.

Wait...

What just happened here? 

Listen Well

I had a communication professor in college who was an absolute genius. He was well into the autumn of his life and retired shortly after I graduated. Ergo, all of the 20 something's thought he was just an old geek. I was in my late forties when I returned to school to finish my degree, and I started noticing a recurring pattern from the prof. 

He told great stories. Stories about his old dog, stories about fishin', even stories about his last great meal. Now, I love stories, so I looked forward to going to class. That's about the time I figured out these weren't just stories he was telling for the heck of it. Here's the kicker. With each story he was giving us an example of our upcoming persuasion assignment.

Now I was really intrigued. 

I started following his outlines when I prepared my next assignment, and I started getting A's. 

Everybody said he was giving me A's because I was older. Nobody figured out the ole genius had a hidden plan in plain sight.

All it took to find it was a little listening.

My wise old professor was telling the stories of his life. Each story was layered with a different form of persuasion, a unique outline, and was filled with everything unique and real in his life. 

Really, it just doesn't get much better than that. Because, you see Sharing our true selves is a most precious gift. 

Paper Journey

My journey has included connecting with my story, my heritage, and with my future on paper.

I have stories about my children, my grandchildren, and people who have touched my story. I've been a newspaper editor and a photographer, but in the autumn of my life I suddenly want to draw.  I want to add pictures to the words.

What about you? What is your paper journey?

Do you dream about publishing your works? It's easier than you think to publish, and I would be glad to walk you through the process. At my publishing "net" lotsagrace.org we dream about helping you realize your writing/publishing dreams.

Drop me a line if you have questions...

Yellow Spots

I love texture and color, like glitter.  I could easily be the glitter queen.

But, even though I love specks of color (pretty much everywhere), sometimes I think...well, not so much.

Today at lunch I was talking to a friend as I put catsup on my burger. I always put the catsup on first because I use less catsup than mustard. I was actually think about how much I love mustard, except I hate it that the first few squirts are watery. Then your bun gets all soggy. Eugh.

Anyway, I picked up the mustard and gave it several good hard shakes so it wouldn't be watery.

While I shook my friend was laughing uncontrollably.

I stopped and realized I had mustard everywhere. I had speckles of yellow mustard on my clothes, my face and even in my hair.

okay, so not so much.

We laughed about the 'mustard incident' the rest of lunch and I'm sure it will come up again, and again, and again.

So, here's the deal. Who needs comedians? I have plenty comedy to go around!

Know what? I can't imagine my journey without this much laughter! So, pass the mustard....spread it around.

Oh, and don't forget to carry lots of napkins!

Some Days

...don't go exactly as planned on the journey!

When I woke up my pup had his paw planted smack dab in the middle of my face! When I opened my eyes he was looking at me like, "I'm not moving till you are up."

I got up.

The good news is that I finished my errands,my wash, and my cleaning. Sometimes I wonder how my grandmothers got everything done. 

Not only did they both had a wringer washer and no dryer, they didn't have a dishwasher. 

Suddenly I'm thankful!

It's all about perspective, isn't it?

Journey

What is the journey just outside the walls?

Simply stated, it's our life journey together. Outside the walls because in order to join our stories together, we need to get outside our walls.

What walls, you say?

The walls we build to protect ourselves, hide, control, get our way, or promote our deal. To really connect we need to let go of those things. We need to be ourselves. Our real selves.

So...

What walls surround you? 

Seasons

Do you have seasons in your life that you can identify?

Sometimes I can't write enough and at other times, I need to rest...

As difficult as that is for me, it's important to listen to the voice telling you to stop, rest, and listen to God's voice.

Over the past year I've finished Seminary, written 3 books, and asked God about a thousand times what He has for me. The only thing I hear back is questions. What do you want?

Earlier in my life God didn't ask questions like that. As I get older, it seems like God is giving me choices. One of my choices was to write, help people, listen to their faith journey and walk with them. I realized blogging is a great way to do that!

So, what season are you in? I'd love to hear your comments...