Pebbles

Yesterday I had the pleasure of spending time with close friends while our children played together.  Seated at the dining room table, two of us browsed the latest Family Christian Bookstore flyer.  A couple popular books caught our eyes - Beth Moore's "So Long, Insecurity" and Max Lucado's "Fearless".
In passing, we commented on how neither of us felt the need to read either book.

Then, almost on top of each other we chuckled and admitted that probably meant we did need to read them!

Ladies, have you ever experienced that revelation?  You don't think you need help in an area of your life.... to only later discover how patheticaly you are in need of help in that area?
(And has anyone noticed how Beth Moore is particularly proficient at wrenching Truth out of our lying selves?)
Anyhoo -
I think that is a pretty good summary of what the refining process is all about.  We, as Christians, no sooner work through an issue, when another issue raises its ugly head!  I clear one boulder out of my field, only to see five stones.  And once thosee five stones are removed, I notice hundreds of ugly pebbles!  God reveals "issues" I didn't know even existed deep inside of me!
I just can't help but wonder when all this refining will produce purest gold?!


Interactive:
Am I alone in surprise revealings of "pebbles"? 

Spring Break

It is spring break season.  I'm curious.  What are your plans for Spring Break?

I don't really get a spring break. 
Due to family visiting recently, kids being sick, birthdays coming up, and Dan gearing up for an out-of-town work trip -
Well, we've been doing -and will do - lots of "easy days" in homeschool.  So with all those easy days, we aren't going to take an acutal week long spring break.

I was hoping to live vicariously through you :)

So, again, What are your plans for spring break?

Being There

I must confess:  I lifted this title from Marla Taviano's blog.  Am I stopping there?  Nope.  I am in fact lifting this entire post off her blog.  :)
I've never met Marla,  but it is SO evident from her blog that she's a woman striving to follow the Lord in every area of her life.  And she is so real (bonus!)
Anyhoo, I just loved her post Wednesday on "Being There".  
The post comments were also very insightful - like the ones about "being there" for our kids.

Click here to read Marla's "Being There" post.
(Then bookmark her page - she is great)

Interactive -
Is it easy or hard for you to "be there"? 
It's harder for me.  I tend to get caught up in my to-do lists and miss the forrest for the trees :)  :(

Duplicity

Du-plic-i-ty \ n \  1. contradictory doubleness of thought, speech, or action

I might be using this word wrong (it's been known to happen), but I think it fits my life as a Christian.  The Spirit of God screams from within my soul, hoping my ears will hear..... and then prompt lips and limbs into obedience.   The problem?  Somewhere between soulcries and action lies a pesty little thing called human will.
I am two persons living in one body.  My human/sinful self and the Spirit of the Living God.  I claim Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, but it's the "Lord" part I struggle with.  Do I let Him call the shots?  Or do I sever the soul >> action line with human willpower?
At least I am in good company.  Apostle Paul struggled with the same thing. 
(For the life of me, I can not find that verse on "do that which I know I should not do ....."  Can someone post that scripture in comments, please?)

Want an example?
Monday.  Read my Bible  (Why do we call it "my Bible"?  Isn't it "God's Word"?....)  Anyhoo, I was reading God's Word Monday morning and found myself in Romans chapter 12. Great chapter.  In particular, certain phrases stuck out at me.  Phrases like:  "Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought" or "Honor one another above yourselves" and "Do not be conceited".
I was reminded that this blog isn't just about me.  Write2Breal is also about YOU, the readers.  Yes, it is a cyber diary for my thoughts.  Yes, I want it to be real - to let you see the real me.  BUT, who wants to come here and always read Britt's latest thought or Britt's issues (again....).  So, after reading in Romans chapter 12 Monday morning, I endeavored to post about you - my loyal (5?) readers.  I wanted to know what topics you would find interesting to talk about here.  To see where you were at personally, physically, spiritually.
Ironic, isn't it?  I endeavored (Spirit led) to post about you and get off my high horse of selfish thoughts for a bit.  Unfortunately, I checked MSN news before signing on to blogger and what I ended up writing was a personal rant to help myself feel better. (selfishness).  Monday's post did nothing to brighten your day, or lift your spirits, or encourage you in the Lord.  My apologies :)
Duplicity.

Interactive:
What DO you want to talk about?  Anything humorous happen recently?  Any struggles or praises I can join you in prayer over?  (remember, I'm a "regular" blogger at 3x a week now.  I should get your prayer request within a day or two ;)

Big Gov Monday

I don't normally have too much to say politically.
However, today I am sick. 
Gut sick that the Health "reform" bill passed, that is. 

Link here for an article covering the general overview of the newly passed bill.
And if you want a good bed time story, here is the link for the full 2300+ pages :)  http://budget.house.gov/doc-library/FY2010/03.15.2010_reconciliation2010.PDF

There are good ideas and well-meaning motives behind it, I am sure.  But nobody can convince me a 2,300 page bill will work.  It is like putting a huge, pin and needle ridden band-aid over a gaping gash.
Trying to cover everything in one big bill is just going to hurt our country by causing more problems and ignoring others.  A lot of little hidden agendas get hidden in 2300 pages.
One of those sections found in the 2300 pages?  Forcing eveyone to buy insurance.  That's not constitutional!  "Buy product X or we take your money anyway"  Goodbye free market and hello forced market.
And this time it's not just the wealthy paying for the poor situation.  Everyone pays.  Tax increases for middle class on up.  Meanwhile the poor have to fork over money for insurance they already can't afford. 
I might be wrong, but our U.S. version of socialistic healthcare means more hard earned money spent by the working class citizens for the same old benefits.  Looks like most of the changes in this bill are geared towards making it easier (or mandatory) for more people to buy insurance so that the government looks good on paper. The changes should have been focused on helping people.  On increasing the benefits of healthcare for our citizens.  Of using the money we already spend more wisely.
To me, the bill's benefits look like chump change.   (Oh sure - they promise drug companies will start lowering meds costs by 2020 - 10 years away) I don't see any provisions for lower doctor/hospital bills.  Maybe there are.  I haven't gotten through all 2300 pages yet......
Other countries might have socialistic health care that works.  But it seems great because there really are benefits.  Cheap doctor visits.  Cheap meds.

Sorry.  I don't usually rant about politics.  I'm all riled up having just read the article.
And I realize I am not being part of the solution.  (I'm not in politics and have no great ideas of my own - other than trashing the whole medical system and starting completely over. Now that bill might be 2300 pages worthy!)
However, I wasn't trying to be part of the solution here.  Just releasing steam on my blog diary so that I can go back to my every day normal life.  I'd rather rant here than at my kids or in my poor husband's ear after a hard day at work :)
PS - this was not an "anti-Obama" speach.   Just frustrated that politicians can't figure out what the best thing is for the American people!

Friday Findings

Seeing or hearing about people worse off than me helps my perspective.  Keeps me focused on how good I have it.
Enjoy the following list of web links...... and Happy Friday :)

* I thought my goal to workout 3 times a week and lose 15 pounds was rough.  I was wrong.  Check out this woman's lofty goal.

*  Being a Transportation Logistics major, this next article caught my eye.  It also makes me feel better about my house.  At least I don't live in one of these. 
But to be fair, it is amazing what they can be turned into.  Check out these boxcar homes, children. 
(Did I mention I enjoyed The Boxcar Children books when younger?  If only Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny had known their home held such potential!) 
And on a serious note, I think containers are a great solution for affordable and safe housing in places like Haiti or U.S. low income communities. 

* I've felt a bit like a recluse lately.  Not a very good and social friend.  I've even dreamed how wonderful it would be to live like Rachel Denton and get away from it all.  Of course, I would miss my husband, children, and friends - so I won't really do it.  Just a happy place I let my mind wander to occasionaly :)

Have a great weekend!

Meeting a goal

Hello, this is my mid-week posting.  (Wednesday posting goal met - hence the post title)

<<<<<  Mainly, I want to remind you of that little box on the left.  Please click.  It is free and painless :)

In other news,  it was a busy, but good day today.
Woke up very early and dropped my Mom off at the airport.  OK - that part wasn't good  :(
Followed by a breakfast of KrispyKreme with the 3 kiddos.... and then Wal Mart.
Why I thought a Wal Mart run with 3 sleep-deprived, sugar injected kiddos was a good idea, I don't know.  :)   On top of that, I decided to swing by Shopko, as well.  (Third child still needs soccer cleats....)
Anyhoo - Found Plasma Cars at a great price and simply could not pass them up.  Not after all 3 children rode them around Shopko's toy aisles for 20 minutes.  I bought two. (Buy 1 - get one 1/2 off).  Third child can ride our normal 2 wheel scooter while waiting his/her turn.
I digress.
Upon returning home from the airport-donut-WalMart-Shopko run, we crammed in a bit of school.
Which brought us to lunch time.
Then, it was a bea-u-ti-ful day outside.  Perfect for trying out the new plasma scooters.
F.Y.I. -- Lessons in taking turns and sharing are not a great idea when children are sleep deprived. So.....
After nap :) came Mario Brothers Wii.  After Mario Wii came more outside Plasma time.
Quick supper, because my son had cubscouts.   Meanwhile, the girls joined the neighboorhood kiddos roundup located between my house and 3 doors down.
Basically - good day and WHEW - I got the Wednesday post in!!!!  :)
Until Friday,
Britt

Daylight Savings Time

I don't understand. 
WHY do they call it Daylight Savings Time?
I certainly feel this morning as if I have lost an hour of sleep :)
Setting my clocks forward an hour Saturday night made it harder to get up early the past couple of days.
Yes, another excuse for Britt to procrastinate daily Quiet Times or regularly scheduled work out videos.
However, more than being physically tired, I am tired of my excuses.
I know that if I give myself little excuses here and there, pretty soon I won't need excuses.
I won't be doing anything at all. 
So, while my Bible reading was short this morning, and it is now 9:30 before I am finished with breakfast and writing this post.... at least those things happened.
Here's to me working in my workout video.... and a shower.... at some point today. 
Have a great day.  I'm slowly getting around to mine.  :)

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday, ladies!
Way to make it to the end of another busy week.  In honor of our great achievement, I shall post a top 9 list of Happy things in my world.  (I didn't want to infringe on the over-done Top-TEN list ;)

Britt's Happy Friday Top 8 list of things to be Happy about

9) This post is the third - yes third - post within 1 week's time.  I made my M-W-F posting goal!
8) It was sunny more than cloudy this week.  (Sunshine = happy Britt)
7) Twice this week I survived the Jillian Michaels Shred workout.... and yes, I feel shredded - as in my muscles are shredded to pieces!
6) I've discovered a new marital goal for Dan and I.  Only 73 years to go!
5) Monday a good friend watched my children so I could have a "me" day. 
4) Discovered Albertson's has quite tasty crab sushi rolls.  Yum :)
3) Remembered I LOVE sushi candied ginger
2) Made good progress this week getting caught up on organizing 2 years worth of digital photos.
1) My Mom arrived for a week long visit late Wednesday evening! Yay!  :)

Now, as a reward for surviving yet another week - Have a great weekend, Ladies!  :)

Life Topic Sentence

I plan on someday soon blogging a mini-series (or 1 really long post ;) on what God is teaching me about standing firm.  However, if I attempted to write it now, the post would be full of run-ons and discombobulated (isn't that a fun word?  I have no idea if I spelled it correctly, but just had to use it!)

So the "stand firm" post is postponed, but I simply must write something today.  I'm really trying to consistently write on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Hmmmm. Third paragraph into this post and I still haven't written a topic sentence.  Huh - Topic Sentence.  I'll go with that.

I think part of my recent problem/s lately is that I have felt discombobulated. (see?  I managed to sneak that word in again!)  I have lots going on (who doesn't), many different relationships to maintain (who doesn't) and juggling several different roles (any Mom out there know what I mean?).  And yet, in all these things, I have lost sight of my one, true purpose.  The topic sentence of my life, if you will.  The main thing that keeps all the other relationsips and activities in focus and on target with the paragraphssssss of my life.

So, without further ado, here is the topic sentence of my life.  (I think.  I'm sure there are English majors who will feel the need to enlighten me what a topic sentence actually is.  But for this post, my definition is a sentence that portrays the main idea of the paragraph/story)

In this story called life, I will endeavor to live each paragraph, each chapter, to the glory of God.

I think that pretty much encompasses it.  No matter the season of life or the situation I find myself in, I need to remember it is not about all the little details, all the appointments.  I don't need to control and coordinate all the little things.  I need to keep the Main thing the Main thing.  Namely, I need to remember God is in control and that if my desire is to bring Him glory, HE will work out the details and order my day.

Now, to actually write that story?  That's the kicker :)

Interactive:
Any other ideas on Life Topic Sentences?  I'm sure there are better worded ones out there.  Let me hear them!

Stand Firm - Speak Truth continually to Our Kids

Growing up, there are two quotes I remember my Mom pounding into my brain.  Well, besides the usual
"chew with your mouth closed" or "work before play", etc....  :)  Did Mom stop spouting these two quotes when I turned 18? 
Oh No.
Somewhere in a college dorm addressed letter, or tucked into an email my Mom inevitably quoted 1 of 2 Bible verses:
1) 3 John 4:  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
or
2) Something about "Standing Firm"
I'm sorry, Mom.  I do not remember the verse you used to back that up.  Perhaps that is because there are so many verses on standing firm to be found in the Bible???  (I tried looking up your specific choice verse, and could not narrow it down) 
OR - perhaps it is because I usually just thought, "yah, yah.  Stand firm.  What a weird piece of advice, Mom."
Yes.  I knew some of the references to standing firm found in the Bible, and that it was important to not be swayed as a boat on the ocean waves.  However, it seemed like kind of "blah" advice.
No,  "go get 'em, tiger" or "be all you can be" or "shoot for the stars" or "you can do anything you set your mind to".
Does anyone see a corelation in the phraes I would have picked for myself?
I am a doer.  A planner.  A control freak.
I would like to believe that if I set my mind and talents to any task, well, then I can achieve it.
If you read my last post, you understand I haven't done a very good job of directing my own life on my own power lately.

I forgot to stand firm.  To stand firm in HIS (God's) mighty power.   I forgot to stand firm with the armor of God in place.....and I fell for the devil's schemes.  (Ephesians 6:10,11)

It is kind of ironic that the hoemschool verses I just had my children learn a couple weeks ago were Ephesians 6:10,11 and 6:13-17. 
And this morning, various verses on "stand firm" kept popping out at me.
I think I'm going to reflect on "standing firm" and "resisitng the devil's schemes" the next few quiet times.

Thanks Mom.  Thanks for being wise and pounding Truth into my brain over the years.  I didn't want to hear "stand firm", but it is what I needed to hear - even all these years down the road.

And that reminds me.  As a Mom, I often wonder if the little "darts" of wisdom I try and throw at my children ever stick.  I must remember that God can use those darts to plant seeds of wisdom in my children's hearts.  Seeds that might not grow for years.  And the more darts I throw, the more likely I will hit a bullseye.
Okay, with my aim, I have to throw lots of darts, but you get the picture :)

Here is to standing firm as Moms and continuing to speak Truth to our children!

Gutting a Sick Soul

Do you ever feel as if everything is spinning a bit out of control?   That you can do nothing right?  That everything is against you and you have to wonder if God truly is for you?  Do you ever doubt the effectiveness of prayer or the goodness of God?
That is where I have been lately.  And I can't really put it all on this blog as to everything that is bugging me and getting me down.  But after talking with a couple good friends, pouring my heart out to my wonderful husband (who had to first endure a 2-year-oldish fit from, well, his adult wife). 
Oh - and finally, I was ready to go before my Father in heaven and pour my heart out to Him Who made me.  HE who is outside of time and space.  The creator of everything.  I should have went to God first, but I knew Who would win that rumble.  Puny little, fit-throwing, selfish, prideful me was gonna have to kneel before my God - literally- and beg forgiveness.  Yes, I knew God always waits with loving open arms and forgiveness.  But I wanted to wallow in my anger and self-pity a bit. 
And I wasn't sure if I wanted to keep going on as a "good" Christian.  Being a good Christian is hard work.  It is selfless.  It is patient.  It is generous.  It loves all.  And love bears all things - with a "let God's will be done" mentality.  It's giving up control.  It's admitting (to oneself) that God does know better than my little human mind can comprehend.  It's like a one year old thinking they could beat a grand master in chess.
(I am neither - but I act like the former).
Then God brought to mind the great enemy - Satan.  Who seeks to devour and destroy.  To seek out those whom he can crush, ruin, or at least cripple enough to quit the race.
I don't want to be a quitter.  Not for me.  Not as an example for my children.  Not for my God's Glory.
So finally this morning I got up early and poured out my heart to God.  Not just talking abot it to others, or throwing cursory short prayers heavenward.  Basically I gutted my soul.  I had to.  Putting patches on just wasn't working any more.  The problem/s weren't external.  IT was internal. 
And IT = Pride.
Pride - too proud to admit God is in control and knows best.  Even when I can't see it.
Pride - I can do it all.  On my own human power.
Pride - Don't want to admit I am failing at basic relationships (being a good Mom, wife, friend,etc...) because my relationship with God is self-imposed severed rigth now.
Pride - I am better than others and deserve more.  Why shouldn't I focus on my 'needs'?
Pride - I just questioned God's goodness - and in the process threw a royal temper tantrum.  Will He forgive me?
So - kinda heavy today.  But that is where I've been.  I say been, because, PRAISE GOD, where I am now is on the other side of the great soul gutting.  Confession has been made.
I am forgiven.  I am loved by God.  I am a child of a GOOD God.  I am human and going to fail on my own power. I am (with God's help) re-committed to getting up early to spend time at my Father's feet.  The source of all love, goodness, grace, mercy, and power I need to live this life.

I am, through the blood of Christ, connected to THE I AM.

Praise God from Whom all belssings flow.
Praise Him all creatures here below.