believe it or not

Sharing a post with you today that I wrote on my writing blog. I struggle with knowing how much content from over there to share with you here. It's because I'm crazy and I don't know what I'm doing. Anyway, here's the post. Hope you enjoy it.
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Courtesty of Photobucket

Do you ever feel like Christianity isn’t working for you? Do others seem to flourish spiritually, while you sit idly by, struggling and not feeling the love and security they are obviously in tune to?

I’ve been there for long periods of time in my life. It’s like seeing people sing … without the ability to hear the joyous melody or the soul quenching lyrics. Like watching people eat, while sitting by and only dreaming of how a warm brownie and ice cold vanilla ice cream melt in their mouths. Or being on a ride at the fair. The ride tech does everything in his power to make the little spinny teacup ride as enjoyable as possible, but as I spin around and around, the laughter never spills over. Because I’m so void of joy that the simple pleasures of life are no longer pleasures. They’re annoyances. And it seems as though spiritual life becomes a joy and satisfaction meant for others only.

That’s not how God wants it, of course. He wants us to “taste and see that the Lord is good.” Has he not given us all things richly to enjoy?

In my soul searching, and studying, I’ve come to realize that the missing ingredient to joy is usually belief. Or you might say faith. It’s one thing to read God’ Word and agree with it. It’s another to believe the promises that are clearly laid out.

Does having a double dose of faith mean that all of my life’s circumstances will turn out for the better? Does it mean I’ll never lose a child? Never get sick? That my kids will always make good decisions?

Of course not. But expecting those things (wittingly or unwittingly) will wreak some serious spiritual havoc.

I’m not going to claim that I understand why one person has trials and not another. Or why the jerks of this world seem to get much further than the godly. It truly does not make any sense to me, and it seems as though the evil flourish while the righteous perish at times. But am I going to believe that God is in control, and that all things work together to those that love Him? Will I choose to believe Psalm 1 when it says, “For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish”?

It’s evident to me that true joy and happiness are determined in which belief I choose.

I can believe all things work together for my good. Or not.

I can believe He loves me with an everlasting love. Or not.

I can believe He loves my children more than I do. Or not.

I can believe every hardship placed in my life has a purpose, and He is working. And pruning. And refining my heart. Or not.

I can either be tossed to and fro, like a ship on a stormy sea. Or I can be rooted, grounded, and peaceful …

like a tree

Planted by the rivers of water,

That brings forth its fruit in its season,

Whose leaf also shall not wither;

And whatever he does shall prosper. (Ps. 1:3)

It all depends on what I believe.

Or not.

“Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9:24

goose bumps and air shows

Are you ready for some more pictures!? I hope so! Because we went to an airshow to see the Thunderbirds a few days ago, and I want to share my favorite pics with you.

It's been years since I went to an airshow, and I thought I was in for a day of long waits, wickedly hot weather, and a lot of misery for an hour and a half of sheer terror. Ok, not sheer terror. Sheer excitement? Big, honkin' goose bumps? Maybe all of the above. Because when those planes unexpectedly fly right over my head, I have all sorts of sensations go through me!

Anyway, here are my favorite pics of the day (you may click on any of them to enlarge)....

This is what teenage boys look like approximately two seconds after one has flown overhead. :-D

It was very cloudy, which  made taking photos a bit of a challenge ...

Hewo, wittle piwot. I see you!

Father/Daughter moment here. I love this pic.

 

We got to talk to one of the pilots. JUST KIDDING. This is my guy. I'm sure he's cuter than any of those pilots anyway ...

The rest of these are photos of people I have never seen before in my life. But they were interesting to me, so I snapped away. I know ... I'm a freak.

Little cowboy. Future pilot? Hmm. He'd have to be ok with switching hats.

That's it! If the Thunderbirds or the Blue Angels ever come your way, be sure to go enjoy the show. It's free, just like the goosebumps.

i heart faces - purple!

I am joining I Heart Faces again this week for their photo challenge. The theme is Purple, so we need a human face and the color purple in our photos. Lots of good photos over there this week, so go check them out!

Here's my photo for the week:

simple woman's daybook 7//22/10

Outside My Window... Seems like the sun has been rather elusive lately. Time for it to come out with a vengeance once more!

I am thankful for... God's faithfulness.

From the kitchen... It's pretty darn clean! Lately, I've made brownies, a birthday cake, and blueberry muffins. And lots of dinners of course.

I am wearing... Blue shorts, and a blue t-shirt with an American flag on it. Woopty doo.

I am creating... I'm still on the quilt and the bread cloth (embroidery). Lame, I know.

I am going... to see my Mom and brother's in a few weeks! Woot!

I am reading... The Same Kind of Different As Me, A Lifetime of Wisdom, and The Disciplines of Grace. Too many projects at once!

I am remembering… to shampoo my carpets before school starts. I will do this. I will, I will, I WILL!

I am hoping... Ashlee and Daniel's house sells.

I am hearing... The dryer telling me the clothes are ready, the AC, and clickety click on the keyboard.

On my mind… Next school year, writing, photography, what project I could possibly make and give away  next.

I have noticed… that it's almost nap time. ;)

A Favorite Thing... Words. Music. Making music. Sunshine. Oh sorry, you said "thing."

Around the house... The laundry really is calling my name. And it's rather chilly in here. I pay good money to freeze myself out.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week.... Lunch with my sister-in-law tomorrow!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing ... A few pics, if you don't mind. Love these flowers.

**This post has been part of The Simple Woman's Daybook link up.

yet another photo contest

I couldn't help but also enter I Heart Faces contest this week also, with their theme of "Over My Head" because I knew I had the perfect picture! This was taken last spring (early spring!) during my photo shoot with Jessie and Peter.

They were in their natural state of silly songs with Jessie and Peter (Veggie Tales humor), and started singing the YMCA theme song. Perfect opp for some cute photos!. :)

I love this girl.

I just realized her "M" looks like a heart. Perfect for an I Heart Faces contest! :))

Hop on over to I Heart Faces to join in!

L.E.N.S. challenge

I'm joining in the L.E.N.S challenge this week over at the Home Is Where You Start From blog! I just heard about it, but I have a good picture for their theme, which is bokeh. In layman terms, that  means blurry background. :)

This is the birthday cake that I made for Andrew this week. Honestly, I chose to take the picture of this view because the lettering turned out pretty awful. But we won't talk about that! We'll simply enjoy the colorful candles, with much bokeh in the background.

Be sure to hop on over and check out the other entries. And if you'd like to learn more about bokeh, click here.

(Click to enlarge)

photo shoot

I am finally done with the pictures from the photo shoot with my sister-in-law and her girls. So I thought I'd share a few of my very favorite ones. If I shared them all, we'd be here until midnight tonight. I'm no professional, but it was fun to experiment and, well ... act like I was professional!

I was able to give the pictures to my sister-in-law for her birthday last night, along with a book on quilting. We plan to start having one sewing day a week, where her and I, plus my mom-in-law get together and act like we're professional seamstresses.

And yes, I like to pretend. A lot.

"You're so funny, mom!!"

"Come a lil' closer and I'll sock ya' one!"

Time out? Just kidding ...

The shadows make this a bad picture, but I love it anyway.

I love me some baby toes!

She's so proud of her new braces. I think she looks terrifical.

Sister time ...

The next two pics really show their personalities. Different, but oh so special! ;)

And last, but not least .... I laugh every time I see this!

I hope these at least made you smile today!!!