My Cardboard Testimony

I found this over on Renee Swope's blog. Please take the eight minutes to watch it. I couldn't stop the tears from falling.

Our God is a powerful God. He is mighty to save, and He is in the healing and redemption business. I know because He redeemed and healed me.

My cardboard testimony is:

First Side: I Looked for My Self-Worth in the Eyes of the World

Second Side: Now I Find It In Who I Am In Him

What is your cardboard testimony?

If you're still waiting to write the second side, God has the pen and wants to help you. Click on the Ready? button in the right sidebar to know more.

Blessings,

Some Bloggy Business

I have some bloggy business that is way overdue to be taken care of.

Thanks so much to Janel at Dandelion Dayz for nominating me for the following award:

Brillante Weblog Award

The rules for receiving this award are:

1) Put the logo on your blog

2) Add a link to the person who awarded you.

3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs.

4) Add links to those blogs on yours.

5) Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs. (I sent them an email.)

So, to pass on the great feeling I had when I found out Janel had nominated me, here are my chosen 7:

Amy at Just Keep Praying: One of my dearest friends, she has a passion for prayer and uses her blog to encourage people in their prayer walk.

Tammy at Not Mine But God's Story: Tammy is chronicling a story on her blog that takes lots of courage to share. She is such an inspiration to me.

Pat at Are Pantylines a Sign of Godliness?? Should Christian Women Wear Thongs? Check it out for yourself. Pat is writing a book, and she could use your input. I think her deadline is August 15th, so go visit her now and help her out. We met in person finally while at She Speaks, and I so enjoyed talking to her.

Amy Beth at Ministry So Fabulous! She has such a heart, and is funny, too!

Alene at Ordinary is Amazing. Meeting women like Alene, who has become a dear blogging buddy, is the biggest reason I am so glad I began blogging myself.

Amy at Ponderings From the Pathway. She is a sweet friend who is funny and such an inspiration.

Lisa B at Simply His. Lisa is so real on her blog and expresses so well what others of us are feeling.

Thank you again, Janel!

Blessings,

A New Look, A New Direction

So, as you can see, I have a new look...well, assuming you have visited my blog before, that is. :-) Thank you very much to Jo-Lynne from DCR Design. She did a fabulous job, and I am so excited! She was very patient with me. I mean VERY. PATIENT.

Please allow me to explain. If you've been reading my blog for a while, then you know that I attended She Speaks last month. I read Jo-Lynne's personal blog, Musings of a Housewife, and was aware that she had a design business before attending She Speaks. I had the pleasure of meeting her while at the conference.

While there, I attended a blogging session and a session on marketing oneself for bookings (speaking, etc.). In both sessions, the importance of "branding" oneself was a message that came through loud and clear. The bloggers discussed "finding your voice" for your own blog and making yourself memorable, i.e., blogging with the same name, domain name, title of blog, email address, etc., all should match, if possible. This was reiterated in the marketing session but taken a step further in that your blog and/or website, business cards, cover for a demo CD, etc., should all look the same.

I knew when I returned that I had some work to do. I felt that God was telling me to begin immediately so the first thing I did was contact Jo-Lynne about having her do a blog redesign for me. I needed to transform it from a personal blog to a professional blogger/website.

I truly thought that I was going to keep the title the same, use the same verse, and continue on the path I thought God had already set me on. I. Was. Wrong.

Jo-Lynne asked me if I had any ideas on an image for my header. Well, of course, I knew I wanted it to be girly, fun, fashionable...you get the idea. I mean, after all, I thought I was moving forward in the image business. I pored over thousands of images, literally. I couldn't find one thing that was right. I saw several that might work, but nothing that was screaming that it was "the one."

I became quite frustrated. Jo-Lynne was of course trying to help. She offered suggestions, but I knew we hadn't found the right one.

I apologized to her and told her I was very sorry but that I thought I had gotten ahead of myself. I thought when I contacted her that I knew exactly what I was going to do, but that I then knew nothing. I knew I needed to pray about it. Really pray. Again, Jo-Lynne was so patient.

A conversation with God:

Me: Umm, God what exactly is going on here?

Silence.

Me: Why can't I find the right image?

Again, silence.

Me: Lord, this is your ministry. I want it to be whatever you want it to be. It's your title, your scripture verse, your header. Please tell me what you want me to do. I don't want this to be about me, and I know if it is, it is doomed to fail. What do YOU want?

God: My child, do you remember Hebrews 12:1, the scripture verse I gave you for your five-minute talk at She Speaks?

Me: Well, of course I remember it, Lord. What an awesome thing you did there!

God: I didn't give you the verse and the talk just for She Speaks. THAT is your ministry.

Me: Say What?!? Lord, what do you mean?

God: My child, your whole life has been about running your race and trying to figure out who you are in Me. I'm trying to show you the race I have for you to run. Other's are struggling with this same issue. I want to use you to help them. It's all about the race, for all of you.

I admit, I was skeptical. I believe that I am getting better at "hearing" God's voice and discerning what He is telling me to do, but I really had my doubts about this.

Was this right? Should I move forward with this for the blog? I mean, I was creating a new "brand." This was supposed to basically be the launch of my ministry, the way that people would know and remember me. What if I had made a mistake? Oh Lord, help me!

I began to search for illustrations about running. My doubts and fears were not assuaged when I searched through thousands more images, and I still couldn't find the right one.

A side note here. When I am in "the zone" like this, I usually have something specific in mind. I may not be able to articulate clearly what that "something" is, but I will know it the instant that I see it. And in this case, I wasn't finding it.

At first, I was only looking through illustrations because that was what I wanted. I didn't want a photo. As I sat there looking through images, I heard God telling me to "persevere" (more on that in another post), that "it" was there. After I had been through all the illustrations related to running and women and found absolutely nothing, I decided to try photos...

And. that. was. when. I. found. "it". A photo of a pair of Converse "Chuck Taylor" sneakers sitting on a Bible. Are you kidding me?

Me: God, you said it was here!

God: Yes, My child, I did.

Me: God..umm, I don't want to complain, but it's not an illustration. I really wanted an illustration, and besides, the color is wrong. The sneakers are pink. I really wanted red.

I want, I want, I want. But God let me have this and brought to my mind a friend from my old church with whom I haven't spoken in a while. She is a graphic artist. I sent her a link to the photo and asked her if she could convert it to an illustration and change the color of the sneakers to red. And doncha' know? Of course she could! And so, she did. We were back in business!

I didn't want to jump the gun again, so I made sure to continue asking God about the title, tagline, etc. And what you see here is what He gave me.

Okay, this post is already quite long, although I know it has been a while. Still, I'm going to end here, and I will be back tomorrow to share more.

Blessings,

Update to Yesterday's Post

I forgot to mention in my post yesterday that when you check out the Pantylines blog, you will see a couple of posts on there by a new friend of mine. Here name is Sadie, and I had the privilege of sharing a room with her alter ego, Paige, at She Speaks last month. I simply love them both! Paige has such a fire and passion about her, and Sadie..well, she made me laugh myself right into an asthma attack! Seriously! They both love the Lord, and have a message to share. Be sure to read Sadie's posts, and stay on the look out for more from Paige and Sadie. I truly believe God has great things in store for them.

Yes, I'm Still Here and Something For You to Check Out

I am still around. Sorry I have been MIA. The truth is, I have been spending way too much time on the computer, and lots of things around the 'ole homestead have suffered. I needed to take a short computer hiatus and spend some time on some other things. I should have communicated that I guess, and I do apologize. I can't promise to be back blogging regularly just yet, but I'm getting there. Please bear with me. On that note...

In the meantime, please check out the above blog by my blogging buddy, Pat Layton, whom I had the opportunity to meet and talk more in-depth with at She Speaks. Pat is a great lady who has a passion for the Lord and for women. She is an author, noted speaker, and ministry leader and is currently writing a book for which she needs your input. Please visit her blog and post comments on the questions asked there. They may be used in the book. Your answers to the questions posed are the basis for the book.

There are some really thought-provoking questions about real issues women face. Visit Pat's blog, Pantylines, here.

Thanks, and I will try to come back in a couple of days. Have a great weekend!

God Bless America

I still get chills every time I hear the Star Spangled Banner and see our flag waving proudly in the breeze. I admit I am guilty of sometimes taking the freedoms I enjoy living in this country for granted. I am reminded in those times when I hear the National Anthem, though, and am often moved to tears.

I love the country in which I live. I am thankful more than words can express for all those who have fought to secure my freedom of speech, to worship, and to lay my head down at night knowing that I and my family are safe. It truly is "The Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave."

God Bless America!

Reach For the Sky

"Do you think I should get a running start?"

These words were spoken by Eric Applebaum, the young boy who hangs out at Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (a magical toy store) each day. He is speaking to Molly Mahoney, Mr. Magorium's apprentice.

The scene went something like this. Eric is standing in front of the toy store. His hat has somehow gotten lodged way up above him on the sign in front of the store. He is jumping up trying to reach it. Molly approaches and asks what he is doing. He tells her he is trying to get his hat. Molly tells him he's going to need a ladder but Eric says, "Nah!" Molly then says to Eric, "That's at least 7 feet high." Eric's response?

"Do you think I should get a running start?"

I absolutely loved that. He wasn't deterred by the seemingly insurmountable task at hand. He just thought that perhaps he needed to approach it a different way. Ahhh, the optimism and resilience of youth.

I can recall a time when I had that. When I was a young girl, I would stand in my yard and look up at the sky. I loved the fluffy white clouds that reminded me of cotton balls set against the beautiful expanse of Carolina blue sky. I remember thinking that the clouds didn't seem very far away. I wanted so desperately to touch one. I wondered if they really felt like cotton.

So, I would stretch as far as I could in hopes of actually being able to reach one. Like Eric, I would jump, but the clouds remained elusive. I never tried getting a running start, though. Maybe that was my problem. I wonder why I don't reach for the sky anymore.

Luke 1:37 states, "For nothing is impossible with God." On the one hand I think, "Dawn, you can't touch the sky. You were a child. You didn't know any better. Now you're an adult, and you know that sort of thing can't happen."

But on the other hand, I have to ask, "Do I believe God's Word to be true?" That verse says nothing. Not "most" things, not "some" things. NO thing. So standing on that premise, I actually could touch the sky if God chose for me to do so.

I didn't have any trouble believing when I was a child that I could do it, so why do I have trouble believing it now when I know the Lord who created the sky and believe He is all-powerful?

But isn't this what we do as adults? We become practical, jaded even. Those things we had no trouble believing as children seem impossible to us as adults.

Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, "I'm telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you're not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God's kingdom. What's more, when you receive the childlike on my account, it's the same as receiving me. Matthew 18:2-5 (The Message)

I think we need to remember this as adults when we are seeking to move forward in whatever it is that God has called us to do. No matter how seemingly impossible the task may be, God has told us in His Word through the words of His Son, Jesus, that "nothing is impossible" with Him.

Jesus also said that we need to have the faith of a child, simple and elemental. When you pray, no matter how monumental the request may be, do you believe that God will answer? Do you believe He can truly use you to accomplish His purposes?

Go stand in the yard and look up at the sky. You can touch the clouds. Even if it is only metaphorically speaking, it can still be done. And if on the first try, you are unsuccessful, well then, maybe you just need to get a running start. The God of the Universe is standing there beside you, and He will lift you up. So, run I say! RUN!

Why Didn't I See This Sooner?

My daughter, like most kids, is out of school this week. She is in a year-round school and just finished with first grade last Friday. Since she only has this week off before starting back to school in second grade on Monday, I am trying to spend as much time with her hanging out this week as I can.

We have sort of been on-the-go so far this week, so we decided to make today a stay-at-home (mostly) and take-it-easy kind of day.

We went to the grocery store and purchased hot dogs and buns, along with onion dip to go with the potato chips we already had. And let's not forget the ingredients for Oreo Cookies and Cream Pie!

They had a table set up with samples. Oh. My. Gosh! My husband has always said I get pulled in by marketing every time. Well, this time I went willingly! That stuff was just too good to pass up. So after a quick lesson on how easy it was to make and a discussion about whether or not I could lessen the fat and calories with skim milk and lite cool-whip, we were off and running to find the makings for this delightful treat. Hey! Somebody needed to reward that nice woman for standing there all day offering people samples. My daughter and I were more than happy to oblige.

Our next stop was the video store located conveniently in the same shopping center. One of our rentals was Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium.

We came home, made our hot dogs, spread out in the middle of the floor with our food and a blanket, and proceeded to have ourselves a picnic while watching the movie.

I am going to have to watch it again...soon. I mean I'm going to have to buy it I think. I must own it so that I can watch it whenever I want. I liked it that much.

I remember when it came out last year before Christmas and was touted as being "the movie" of the holiday season. I saw the trailers for it and thought it looked kind of weird, actually.

Oh people! It was chock (is that a word?) full of such rich life lessons. I don't even know where to begin, so how 'bout this?

"Do you think I should get a running start?" Eric Applebaum in Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium.

More tomorrow on the context of this question and what it reminded me of.

No Promises and a Request for Prayer

I mentioned yesterday about a phone call I received on the way home from visiting my family. It was the unexpected, wish you hadn't received it kind. Not because I wasn't glad the individual who called had chosen to share with me but because I wish the news was not real.

Some years ago, about nine to be more precise, I worked for a very large company. While there, I worked with and for a gentleman whom I will call "John." He had a daughter one year older than me, and in the time that I worked there, he became like a father to me. My husband and I attended his daughter's wedding. The day that I left, I couldn't stop crying, not because I was leaving the job, but because it felt like the end of a very important relationship.

It wasn't, of course, although it felt that way at the time.

We have kept in touch over the years. He and his wife came to visit when my daughter was born. I have pictures of both of them holding her when she was a couple of months old.

The phone call yesterday was from him. In hindsight, I realize now he didn't sound like himself.

He said he needed to share some information with me. He had just gotten out of the hospital on Saturday. He had been diagnosed with kidney and intestinal cancer. He was asking me for prayer.

The doctors think it's curable, but obviously prayer is in order. Will you please pray for his healing and for peace for he and his family during this time?

We were about to hang up, and I thought I should tell him that I love him...but I couldn't. You see, I didn't grow up that way. Saying "I love you" does not come easily to me. As a matter of fact, there are only two people in this world for whom those three words roll easily off my tongue as if it were second nature, and that is my husband and my daughter.

There are many other people in my life whom I love dearly, and I would be heartbroken if anything happened to them, but I don't tell them that I love them.

There are a couple to whom I will say "love you" before we get off the phone or before parting ways, but even that is an effort for me.

It makes me feel so broken. I do love them, and many others, so very much! So why is this so hard for me?

Last night when I got home, I was standing in the kitchen making dinner for my family and thinking about my conversation with John. I couldn't help but think about how I almost told him I loved him but didn't. It was the right thing to say. It was the truth. He probably needed to hear it, and I needed to say it.

My husband tried to reassure me by saying that he was certain that John knows, and I'm sure he does. But that doesn't change the need to hear it. It certainly doesn't change MY need to hear it.

God created each of us to love and be loved. He also created us with a need to be told we are loved.

Go find your loved one's and tell them that you love them. Pick up the phone. Send an email, a handwritten note, whatever. Just do it. They're waiting to hear, and aren't we waiting, too?