Short & Sweet

Every week, usually on Wednesday, I post an inspirational picture or quote that I found floating around the internet. It's just something short & something sweet.

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the Road to Your Dreams

Memories are a powerful thing.  They have the power to enable us to do explotes freeing us from every limitation we've ever felt.  But memories also have to the power to cripple us leaving us broken in the shadows of our past.  The past sneaks around in the secluded crevasses of life haunting our every move.

Maybe it haunts you too.  The idle words spoken to injure.

"Oh honey, that's not your gifts."

"That's the most ridiculous idea I've ever heard."

"Well, that may be a good idea, but it will never work.  Where are you going to get the money from?"

"You are so stupid."

You are  ___________________.  Fill in the blank.  We've all heard it before.

But it's vital that you remember, if the vision...if the dream...you carry in your heart is from God they can say whatever they want to about you and your dream.  God's the master of your vision and He's orchestrating its completion.

There are three principles that we find in Moses's life that can really teach us about staying true to our God-given dreams.  The story of Moses is found in Exodus, but most of these points are outlined from Exodus 5 and 6.  If you a chance read those chapters.  But first, let me point these out for you.

1.  When God gives a dream or a vision or a purposes there will be opposition.

It seemed that there is nothing Moses could do that would make the Israelites happy.  When they were in slavery they complained because they were slaves.  When Moses obeyed God, went to Pharaoh, and demanded their freedom, they complained because of the retaliation from Pharaoh.  When they were freed, miraculously,  they complained when they looked behind them to see that the Egyptian army coming after them.   It's almost as if they forgot every work that God had just done to make a way for their escape.

When God parted the Red Sea and they walked across of dry ground, when God caused the Sea to come crashing back down on the Egyptians...when God performed a miracle of deliverance they complained to Moses.

Moses carried the weight of their murmurs very intensely.  The deliverance of the Hebrews was, after all, the dream that God had called Moses to see completed.  No doubt he became discouraged and mad and even violent at one or two times.  It seemed, regardless of how many times Moses told the Israelites that God had freedom for them, they wanted the
knowledge of their slavery more than that unknown of freedom.  So their discouragement bred discouragement and their bondage led to more bondage.

Despite the Hebrews' decision to remain in their slave mentality, Moses still remembered the dream of the Promise Land, and even if the Hebrews were unsure of the need for freedom Moses continued to lead them to their land of promise.  He remained dependent of God in the face of the opposition.  Which brings us to the second point.

2.  When God gives a dream or a vision or a purpose your dependence on Christ and the Holy Spirit must increase.

When it comes to us contending for the dream that God has given us, we must, must, must stay dependent on God.  Whether the force of opposition is natural or supernatural really doesn't matter.  We must sell out and believe that God has given us this dream and He will see it through to the end.

More often than not we expect instant results, but that's not how things work in God's Kingdom.  God intrusts us with a vision.  We are responsible for our obedience to His vision.  He is responsible for the results.  That's a difficult concept to grasp because of our culture, but it's true.

Moses was responsible to go to Pharaoh, say what he was commanded to say, and trust God to move supernaturally for the deliverance of the His people.  Moses was responsible to be the leader--to give the people a direction--to point them to their God.  God was responsible for the rest.

When faced with the Red Sea, Moses was responsible to hold up his staff.  God was responsible to part the water making that dry path they could cross.

When only the supernatural will do your dependence the Supernatural One must be greater.  In our cultural battle, we forget that we serve an all-knowing, all-loving, all-powerful God.  We are none of those things.  When we're standing at the Red Seas in our life it's unlikely that our money or our knowledge or our name dropping or our science will solve any of our problems.  Only God can and that's His responsibility.  We do what we've been asked to do and we are dependent of God to do the rest.

3.  When God gives a dream or a vision or a purpose He will complete it.

We forget that Moses never actually got to lead the Hebrews into the Promise Land.  He messed that up when he got angry and disobeyed a direct order from God.  However, Moses did get to see the Promise Land.  It was the land of his destiny.



At the end of life, I can imagine the thoughts that possibly could have swept over Moses's hopeful mind that maybe--just maybe--he might get to step into this land of promise.  But Moses also knew of God's person.  He knew His sovereignty.  The timing for entry into the Promise Land really stank for Moses, but even though he never entered the Promise Land, God held Himself accountable to His Word and brought them victoriously, miraculously, into the Land of Promise.

Here's the truth.  When working to complete God's plan in your life you will face opposition, you must remain dependent of God, and He will finish His work.  The Bible says in Philippians 1:6 that God will complete the good plan He started in You.  And we know according to 2 Peter 3:9 that God is not slack concerning His promises especially the ones enabling us to reach our ultimate destiny.  Psalm 37:23 says that He orders the steps of the upright in His Word.  We know that God hears the effectual, fervent prayers of His people because in James 5:6 His Word tells us so.

God is working out His plan in your life.  You will face opposition, but stay dependent of Him and believe in His sovereign timing.

Linking Up With

Holly Gerth and the God-Sized Dreamers

Titus 2 Tuesdays

Unite the Blogsphere

Heart + Home Link Up

Women Living Well

Into the Word Wednesdays

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I dare you...

source

I have a good friend who also happens to be a licensed counselor.  She is blessed with the gift of truly speaking her mind and I love that about her, but it can be a bit scary sometimes.  I'll never forget the first time she came into my office.  I personally painted most of the artwork in the room because I wanted to make it my own creative outlet.  I do spend countless hours in there creating.

Being quite the artist herself she took the time to admire my work.  Her first comment was, "Oh, this piece is quite dark."

Can you imagine what's going through my mind?  "What does she mean by that?  Is that a good thing?  Does this painting reveal some negative secret about my personality that I don't even know?"

I didn't think the piece was dark.  I actually saw it--felt it--as warm.  In reflection, I might agree with her.  Instantly our mind thinks of dark as ugly.  But is it really?  Or is it in the dark times, in those times of intense trial, when the most beautiful artwork, melodies, lyrics, rhymes, sentences flow from the deepest cisterns of our hearts.

This is a hard lesson to learn.  To believe that their is beauty is pain and to believe that the pain will make us better.

I think that revelation will only happen when we choose to be thankful in the hard times.  I believe that revelation only dawns on our tired, cold hearts when we become thankful in the pain.

Last Saturday I was confronted with this message again during a women's Bible study.  Honestly, it caught me by surprise.  I came to "work" for my mom, but found myself enveloped in the teaching.

We watched this video from Ann Voskamp.  As I watched the video I immediately recognized Ann from a blog I read called A Holy Experience.  As I was watching this I was absolutely confronted with the beauty...with the joy...that comes from pain.  The book is called One Thousand Gifts.  And I've decided to take the challenge.  A challenge that should bring great change and definitely reflection.  A challenge to find 1,000 things, people, life experiences that I'm thankful for.

• I'm thankful for long beautiful walks where the sun lights the path.
• I'm thankful for colors that completely express all emotions.
• I'm thankful for smells as they overwhelm me taking me back to moments, good and bad, that have shaped my life.
• I'm thankful for coffee.  It makes me happy.
• I'm thankful for my mind because even though it's complicated and difficult and misunderstood most of the time, it's still mine.
• I'm thankful for my parents--for their silent and not so silent love, support and strength.
• I'm thankful for bad times because in all their difficulties they help me remember the good.
• I'm thankful to be in a community where there is love and respect.  Perfect?  No, but still a home.
• I'm thankful for the majesty of the ocean.  It's overwhelming and simple as the tide sweeps in and pulls out. Its gravity pulls me to its shore almost begging me to find life in the waves.
• I'm thankful for flying cardinal birds because they remind me of my great-grandfather and the legacy I have to live to.
• I'm thankful that God cares and loves me so deeply that He has written me on the palm of His hand as a constant reminder.

So that was my first day.  I'm sure there will be many more.  And really what a great time to stop and be thankful and to give to praise to whom it is do:  Jesus, the giver of life and the sustainer of my faith.

I've already asked you, Friend, what you are thankful for.  (here)  Many answered, but I think the challenge here is more than just a simple "I'm thankful for..."

The challenge is live a life of gratitude, thankful for the hardships, and choosing joy in pain.  It's definitely difficult, but so much more rewarding than staying in the meer of this nasty, hard life.  And believe me, life will be hard.  It takes work.

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Guest Post from Brit at These Happy Times

I've only barely met Brit from These Happy Times, but I've quickly found that we have much in common.  It always feels good to find those people you would have shared culture with. 

I know you are going to love this lady so be sure to stop by her blog.

Hi. I'm Brit & I blog at These Happy Times.  Sharing on Danette's blog today has me feeling like I'm in high school and I'm hanging out with the cool kids. I just love her blog and am really excited to be over here today. You should know that sharing my heart is the reason I blog. It is impossible for me to not write about what God is doing in my life or how he is working to grow me as a person. Along with this, naturally I tend to write about the two most important men in my life. Noah, our little man who is 2, and Johnny, my sweet husband.

One thing to know about These Happy Times is that I'm pretty honest about life.

 The good. The Bad.

Honestly, sometimes in life we get into a funk. Have you ever been friends with the funk? If you haven't then count yourself lucky. However if you have met the funk you know that it isn't the loveliest place to be. The funk usually means you just feel blah, not yourself, and perhaps life hasn't been too kind. A few weeks ago we found ourselves in the funk. We received difficult news and our home was hit with the flu. Sometimes life is this way. Not everything is wonderful all the time.

Not even for believers. Not even in blog land. 

Guess what? We have the choice to either stay in the funk or to try to put some pep back in our step! Today I thought it would be fun to share how I climb out of the funk get happy! 

After about 4 days in the funk it was just too much. 

So we made the choice to get out of the house & the funk!

That night we had dinner on the living room floor (ordered pizza), we piled into the Durango (my version of a mommy van), and turned some fun music to have a dance party around town! 

My man held my hand tight here & there.

We dropped by the store to grab chocolate & coffee.

Then we hit up all the best stop lights in town to sing way too loudly and danced like crazy! Once we got home we put Noah to bed and danced some more.

So lets review the 4 Steps to get Out of The Funk!

First, make the choice to change your mindset.

Second, eat junk food.

Third, listen to loud music.

Fourth, have a dance party with someone fun! 

Hope this helps the next time you find yourself in the funk. 

I would love to hear from you & hope you come by to say hello!

~Brit

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Color Inspiration: Jewel Tones

I never get tired of these rich colors.  Let their richness inspire you.

 from left to right:

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from left to right

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If you're looking for more inspiration check out these pinterest  boards.

Jewel Tones/Pops of Magenta/Black & White

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standing on the edge

I think we've all been there before.

You know that place...looking out on the edge of eternity.

On the verge of greatness...

On the brink of a miracle...

And then devastation hits and all hope,
all dreams,
all plans seem lost.

Here's the good news.  They're not lost--not by a long shot.

Over the course of this summer, Oklahoma has been lost to drought.  The economic and environmental challenges this drought brought have seemed devastating.  Farmer's are paying as much as $100 for a bail of hay that would have cost $20.

This is not good.  Not good at all.

And then a few weeks ago we were rocked with wildfires that threatened entire towns.  Actually, there were a few towns that were destroyed.  Many homes were lost.  Many business were lost.

But this tragedy did bring some good.  For one, it proved as a source of unity.  Family and friends fought the fires together.  And when the fires were over, the communities came together to provide aid to people who'd lost everything they owned except each other.

But that's not all.  Next year, it is very likely that the crops will be more productive because of the nitrates restored to the ground from the ash.  In fact, my friends' yard is already greener than it's been in years.  The trees are bare, but the grass...it's green and lush and good.

One thing is for certain, God never says that life will be easy.  In fact, He says life will be difficult.  It's going to be hard.  We will have hurt and pain.  Life won't be easy.  But life's outcome, hardship and famine, does not negate God's goodness and faithfulness.

In Romans 8:28 we find a much quoted scripture that I'm afraid is often used incorrectly.  "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."  Looking at the context, Paul flatly tells the church of Rome that they will experience trouble, but ultimately God's perfect love will keep them.

Here's what's remarkable: God's perfect love will keep you too.

If you and your spouse are on the brink of divorce, God's love will keep you.

If you've lost your job and don't see any hope in the market, God's love will keep you.

If you've been rejected by the only person you've really loved, God's perfect love will keep you.

If you feel lonely and sad and cold there's warmth and happiness and joy.  God's perfect love will keep you.

When all hope seems to be lost, never to be recovered, God's perfect love will keep you.

In the meantime, submit to His plan and allow Him to be supreme Lord over your life.  Another difficult step, true, but one that will be most worth it all.

Recently I've come to understand this.  I hate hurt whether that be emotional or physical or even spiritual. But there is beauty in the pain.  There is life in the pain.  Pain helps me to feel real and alive.  And it makes the times that are full of joy and happiness that much sweeter.

Find love today and be inspired to give love today.  There's hope in pain.

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Changing...

Over the last few days I have been overwhelmed with this truth.  It's not enough to want change.  It's not enough to talk about change.  If true change is going to happen, about anything in life, it will only happen after action is taken.

It seems like every picture that makes its way into my timeline and every forwarded email that shows up in my inbox is a heartbreaking story of tragedy or inspiration.  Some ask for money, some encourage an emotional response, but all--all--compel the viewer to make a difference and pass the picture or pictures or email along.  Yet, passing along doesn't change the problem.  Raising awareness doesn't change the problem.  

But action does.

So here's my encouragement to you.  Believe me, this is a project that I'm doing tonight.  Make a list of goals--steps you can take to change your world.  Read that list everyday.  Look for your opportunity to act on that step.  Rather than passing it along do something to change the problem.  

It's your responsibility.  

It's your choice.  

It's your chance to be great and make a difference in the world.    

All My Love for All My Days,

Danette

P.S.  One person can change the world.

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a Note to You, Woman

Printable 

(source)

To the women of the world

     To the ladies of the present

     To the females of tomorrow

Value who you are.

Remember your past, yes, but remember that it is this: your past.  

Learn from it.  

Grow from it.  

Avoid repeating it.  

       But leave it...Leave it all in your past.

Step up

Step out

Step forward

     For yourself

          For those who are paralyzed

               For those left in the bondage of self doubt

You can do this.

Be bold.

Be strong.

Classy.

Loving.

Compassionate.

       Be more than the women of the past.

Have passion and always act in wisdom

Respond always in faith.

Be more, because you are more.

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a trip to the hospital

(source) (source)

One of my favorite things in life is to meet new people and to hear their stories.  Often times, my job leads me to places and events where new people abound.  Instantly I find myself surrounded by new histories and stories rich in character.  And because of my job, I hear stories of heart ache and happiness...the stories that often get left out of your general dinner conversations.  Sometimes as I sit in hospital rooms and living rooms I imagine that I'm actually in a scene from a movie listening to the main character tell the beginning of their life story right before a flashback in the narrative.  I'll never forget the hospital visit to led me to the foot of the bed of a 90 year old woman who was a nurse or something of that sort during World War II.  She lay unconscious as her nurse retold some of her stories.  That was an interesting, if not ironic, occasion.

Yesterday, though,  my job led me to a hospital room where one elderly, faithful member of my congregation sat in bed.    She never complained about her condition and only spoke of God's ability to heal her body.  But as I stood there she began to recount some of the history of our church.  She is one of the few who have been here since the beginning.  Her and her family made an investment in this church and its future and they are still making that investment.

She recounted a conversation that she and her husband had a few weeks ago.

"You remember when Oklahoma had that big lottery a while back?  Well, I asked my husband what he would do with all that money if he won."

I asked, "What'd he say?"

"He said, 'Well, I wouldn't win because I don't believe in gambling, but if I ever had a million dollars I'd first write my tithe check and then I'd ask Pastor Mike what else was needed for the new building and I'd give it to him.'"  She continued, "I asked him if there was any left if I could have a new dress."

To the average reader that may just seem like a retold conversation that happened a few weeks ago between an older couple, but to me it really speaks so loud of the character of this couple.  Conversely, I see the stark differences between my generation and their generation.  It inspires me to long for something that they've got and I need...commitment to the cause of Christ no matter the sacrifice.

If I won a million dollars, yes, I'd my pay my tithe first and my taxes, but then I'd get out of debt and I'd buy a house.  I would do things with the money to make my life and my family's life more comfortable.  I'm sure I'd give money to my church and other charities.  I know I would.  But the bulk of that money would most likely go towards my future and the future of my family.  I suppose that really there's nothing wrong with using the money to make my future and my family's future better, but how is that going to advance God's ultimate purpose in the world?  Ah-hah.  That is what makes it wrong.

I know in my heart that I'm deeply committed to the cause of Christ.  More than I want any single thing, I desperately want to see the lost saved, the believer discipled and the hurting healed.  I want to see God restore His Church to a community of people who have the power of the Holy Spirit working in their lives to see the world radically transformed through His love.  BUT all of that takes a sacrifice.  It takes a sacrifice of time, money, energy.  It takes me sacrificing what I want for what HE wants.

So...I'm probably not going to be able to spend that a million dollars to make my life more comfortable.  In fact, that million dollars is probably going to have to make my life extremely uncomfortable.  I'm probably going to have to use the million dollars to give more to the poor.  I may have to adopt some children.  I may have to be a foster parent.  I may have to sell everything I own and move to Africa.  I may have to invest in the lives of silent trafficked humans of our world.  I may have to.

But it would be worth it.

Sure, my life wouldn't be comfortable.  I'd be doing things and going places that are no where near comfortable, but I'd be happy because there's no better place than the center of God's will.

In Pastor Mike's message from Sunday (that's my pastor) he said, "Pay now so you can play later."  Do the hard work now so you can relax later.  Maybe we could apply this:  Give your life, your all, now so you can receive for an eternity later.

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Pink & Gold Color Inspiration

True, this color combination screams of girliness, princesses, butterflies, & macaroons, but there is also something almost royal of a gold and pastel pink grouping. I especially loved this combination paired with black and gray accents.

I hope you enjoy looking over these pictures and don't forget to stop by the pinterest board for more pink & gold inspiration.

1, 2, 3, 4

5, 6, 7, 8

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Yellow, Green, & Blue

Discovered a color combination this week that I love. (Who are we joking?  I love all colors and most color combinations.  And my fascination with the combinations changes and evolves almost everyday.)  

I found some pins that I think you may enjoy.  The thing about colors, and pins for that matter, is they're are inspirational.  They help formulate creativity in our minds.  

Hope these are inspiring to your creativity!

1, 2, 3, 4

5, 6, 7, 8

For more inspiration you can check out this board.

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