something good I came across!

"Throwing Out Goodies - #3736
A Word With You - Your Personal Power
After living most of our lives in a major metropolitan area, we are enjoying some of the benefits now of living near one of America's "top 100" small towns. And there's a real feeling of community around here. One of the times you really feel it is during holiday parades. We've got this classic town square with the county courthouse in the middle, a bandstand, and stores all around the square. So we love to take our grandson and get a front row spot to see all the bands and floats and decorated vehicles as they move around the square in a parade. Of course, the part all the kids - including this kid - like the most is when the people on those floats or in those vehicles start throwing handfuls of candy all over the place. They always seem to have plenty, and to throw out plenty, so plenty of children can walk away with plenty of goodies in their pockets!

Well, I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Throwing Out Goodies."

Those folks tossing goodies all over the place have given me a mental picture of what I'm supposed to be doing all day long as a follower of Jesus Christ - I'm supposed to be throwing spiritual and emotional goodies out everywhere I go, to everyone I'm with. In the words of Jesus as He prepares His disciples to go out and represent Him - "Freely you have received; freely give" (Matthew 10:8 ).

In our word for today from the Word of God, Paul describes us as those who should be giving extravagantly to the people around us. In 2 Corinthians 9:6 , he lays out this principle: "Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." So if you've not been receiving much encouragement, it may be because you haven't been giving much encouragement. If you haven't been receiving financially, maybe it's because you haven't been giving financially. If you haven't been getting much help, it could be because you haven't been giving much help.

Paul goes on to say that "God loves a cheerful giver." The Greek word here for cheerful is the word we get our word "hilarious" from. God loves people who give hilariously. I'm seeing those happy people on those parade floats generously tossing out their goodies. Now how can you afford to keep giving and giving? 2 Corinthians 9:8 - "God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." You can keep giving out to other people because God is always going to give you back more than you gave out. You shovel out, God shovels in, and God has a much bigger shovel.

And what are we giving out ultimately? Grace. Undeserved favor - just like we've received from God. Grace receivers are supposed to become grace givers! Which means you don't treat people as they've treated you or how they deserve to be treated - is that what God did with you? You treat them the way Jesus has treated you! Extravagant grace. Like the people on those parade floats, you are wildly, indiscriminately throwing out grace - forgiving, overlooking offenses, encouraging, being patient with people, being tender with them.

Those who have experienced the amazing grace of God on a daily basis give that grace to everyone around them - you're generous with your time, with your money, with your listening, with your mercy, with your forgiveness. And chances are - right now in your personal world - there's someone desperately in need of some grace from you - maybe someone you've been withholding it from. How can you - after how God has treated you?

Each new morning, get another bag of grace from your loving Savior. And experience the joy of showering people with grace goodies everywhere you go."

lil justin

Me plus you, I'm a tell you one time
Me plus you, I'm a tell you one time
Me plus you, I'm a tell you one time

One Time
One Time

When I met you girl my heart went knock knock
Now them butterflies in my stomach wont stop stop
And even though it's a struggle love is all we got
So we gonna keep keep climbin till the mountain top

Your world is my world
And my fight is your fight
My breath is your breath
And your heart (I got my)

Chorus:

Your my One love
My one heart
My one life for sure
Let me tell you one time (girl I love, girl I love you)
I'm a tell you one time (girl I love, girl I love you)
And I'm a be your one guy
You'll be my #1 girl always makin time for you
I'm'a tell you one time (girl I love, girl I love you)
I'm'a tell you one time (girl I love, girl I love you)

You look so deep
You know that it humbles me
Your by my side and troubles them don't trouble me
Many have called but the chosen is you
Whatever you want shawty I'll give it to you

Your world is my world
And my fight is your fight
My breath is your breath
And your heart (I got my)

Chorus:

Your my One love
My one heart
My one life for sure
Let me tell you one time (girl I love, girl I love you)
I'm a tell you one time (girl I love, girl I love you)
And I'm a be your one guy
You'll be my #1 girl always makin time for you
I'm'a tell you one time (girl I love, girl I love you)
I'm'a tell you one time (girl I love, girl I love you)

Shawty right there
She's got everything I need and I'm a tell her one time
One Time, One Time
Give you everything you need down to my last dime
She makes me happy
I know where I'll be
Right by your side cuz she is the one
And girl

Chorus:

You're my One love
My one heart
My one life for sure
Let me tell you one time (girl I love, girl I love you)
I'm a tell you one time (girl I love, girl I love you)
And I'm a be your one guy
You'll be my #1 girl always makin time for you
I'm a me tell you one time (girl I love, girl I love you)
I'm a tell you one time (girl I love, girl I love you)

Me plus you, I'm a tell you one time
Me plus you, I'm a tell you one time
Me plus you, I'm a tell you one time

One Time
One Time

Cherie Carter-Scott:"Anger makes you smaller, while forgiveness forces you to grow beyond what you were."

the heart of life is good

I hate to see you cry
Laying there in that position
There's things you need to hear
So turn off your tears and listen

Pain throws you heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
No, it won't all go the way, it should
But I know the heart of life is good

You know it's nothing new
Bad news never had good timing
But then the circle of your firends
Will defend the silver lining

Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
No, it won't all go the way, it should
But I know the heart of life is good

Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
Fear is a friend who's misunderstood
But I know the heart of life is good

I know it's good

coolest house EVER!

okay if people in my life haven't figured out yet: I LOVE ORANGE! I am on a orange kick, so if you must know, when I stumbled across this photo I FELL IN LOVE (the lower photo)!!! Plus I LOVE zebra and animal prints... My current room is also a brown, orange, and white palette....

... don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you got 'til it's gone...

Sometimes in life it feels like the people you love the most aren't even trying... Is this a personal feeling or is it legitimate? Are they stepping out to meet you half way, or are they stepping on you and using you?

Let me know if you ever figure that out...

kate m. b.

it goes on...

“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.”

―Robert Frost

love is the answer.

"Love is the answer to selfishness because love gives while selfishness takes... Love will be the central theme of my life". The Love Revolution, Joyce Meyer

fall is in the air.

“Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn.”

―Elizabeth Lawrence

A thought of great importance:

David McArthur and Bruce McArthur, The Intelligent Heart:

“Most of us have had moments in childhood when we touched the divine presence. We did not think it extraordinary because it wasn't; it was just a beautiful moment filled with love. In those simple moments our hearts were alive, and we saw the poignant beauty of life vividly with wonder and appreciation”.

kate m. b.

t.swift.

"The way you walk, way you talk, way you say my name

It's beautiful, wonderful,

don't you ever

change"

i think that dress looks nice on you.

i can see a fireside turned blue.

i can feel alot of light in you.

when the world looks back.

when the face looks after that.

i can see alot of light in you.

i can see alot of life in you.

i can see a bed and make it too.

and i think that dress looks nice on you.

i wish this song was written for me.

kate m. b.

i think that dress looks nice on you.

i can see a fireside turned blue.

i can feel alot of light in you.

when the world looks back.

when the face looks after that.

i can see alot of light in you.

i can see alot of life in you.

i can see a bed and make it too.

and i think that dress looks nice on you.

i wish this song was written for me.

kate m. b.

oh. oh. oh.

So many things in life that necessitate change. So many corners that can be continually worked on.

The crux of life is know when to be content on the extent of one’s abilities.

What if I was content with the way I was? What if for one moment I said to myself “You are wonderful!”? Would this be a bad thing? Would this be wrong? I am willing to change, but am I not content because I can not tell myself “job well done”? Amidst all this thinking I am not at rest. I want to find contentment. Want to know I am horrible and mixed up, yet wonderful and beautiful; full of needed changes, but doing the best I am able to do. Where does this balance come from? Will it come?

Confusing...

I asked God to show me the meaning of life. Not just the meaning of life, but the meaning of my life.

I am realizing that there is an extent to my human abilities.

Why is it hard to find the meaning of my life? Maybe its because I am realizing that there are many meanings to my life. By meanings I mean passions. Passions that are present now, and passions that lay undiscovered... Katherine Anne Porter said, “The real sin against life is to abuse and destroy beauty, even one's own—even more, one's own, for that has been put in our care and we are responsible for its well-being”. I want to achieve this balance: the balance of knowing contentment in one’s heart with who they are, while striving to be more aware of one’s flaws. I want to acknowledge my own greatness. I want to be satisfied with the work and life I am living.

I am looking for someone in life to walk along side of that has this balance. Who is a challenging me, but basks in the awesomeness of me. Why is this so hard to find?

kate m. b.

polish red.

No sleep tonight. I am up and stirring. Stirring in the lights of the computer. Looking for rest. Thinking of many thoughts. Listening to the tunes of my favorite artists. Striving to hear what my Abba is thinking right now. Trying to balance the thoughts of a great thinker vs. the thoughts of someone like me--literally me! I am equipped with books and internet yet still can not find the peace I seek. I am looking for clarity. Seeking it with every fiber of my being. Wanting to hold it in my hand and grasp it for myself.

Thought I had clarity of mind. Thought I had clarity of spirit. Thought I had clarity of heart. Little did I know that tonight in the wee hours of the morning I would be questioning it. I am seeking truth. I am wrestling with thoughts of faith in practice. Knowing I am sick but healed. Knowing I am at peace, yet in unrest. I am crying out to Him to know the thoughts of the Master. I am looking for balance.

It is one of the those seasons of hunger. A season to know what God is thinking. I believe I can know what God is thinking. I believe He is active and present in my life and that my spirit communes with Him. I am communing with Him right now. Praying and seeking His clarity.

It is scary when hunger for the matters of the Spirit begin to fade and burn out in my life. I am so thankful beyond words of expression for that thirst. I feel so lost without it. Like a flame extinguished. I need to be re-lit. I know that I am designed to distinguish truth. To divide right and wrong. To live in a balance of spirituality and reality.

quotable.

"Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us daily". Sally Koch

"A person is only beautiful, when their own beauty, is reflecting on to others". Tara Grady

"Beauty is one of the rare things that do not lead to doubt of God". Jean Anouilh

greet the sun...

In yoga you salute the sun.... This is an odd concept for someone like me.... I think that sounds weird because I do not understand the culture from which it comes from or the religious tones behind it... So, instead of saluting the sun I have decided to greet the "Son". That is my religion and that is my cultural background.

P.S. I love the yoga... I am making it my own!

kate m. b.

the tweets on my twitter can be found @:

http://twitter.com/katemariebe

kate

hold onto whatever you find....

so.. long time since I have been a "writer"... saying this because in the chaos and the craziness of life I have forsaken my bloggin.... BUT it gives a great clarity on things.... so I should blog more...

just got a twitter today....

crazy thing i know nothing about it!

i hate managing all my social networking sites.

kate

"falling in love at a coffee shop".

If you have not heard this song yet, you need to! 

It's so cute, and now I have visions of falling in love at a coffee shop... 

Well, at least one thing that I know I love is: COFFEE... so lame, but guess I have already fallen in love at a coffee shop.

kate m.b.

wee hours of morn.

In the wee hours of morning it seems that my thoughts get really clear. Clarity is something that I don't always have within grasp... but in fleeting moments I am able to see a glimpse of something that looks very clear in my life.  

I am entirely certain that life as I know it is the shortest thing that will ever happen to my spirit.

Weird.

kate.m.b

for the love of god...

Why is it so hard to get stuff done sometimes?  So hard to realize that time is precious and fleeting... That there will only ever  be 24 hours in a day?  

In college, and probably all of life, it seems like no one really cares about wasted time... It’s hard to stay on task and motivated in this type of environment.  In a society that measures worth by material possessions does not care about minutes ticking away...  

A good friend and teacher of mine says these are the seductions of life.  The things that are easily tempting to be the motivation of our lives.  The things that lead us from keeping our hearts centered on godly things.  The things that are eating our time from the really important decisions.  

It is so hard to not judge even your own worth by the amount of money in your bank account.  But seeing time and money through the filter of Biblical truth there is a completely different perspective.  A perspective where all things are fleeting and temporal.  A perspective that aligns with the heart of God: money and time are just tools.  

I want to be a “good tool wielder”.  I want to use time and money to build the kingdom of God and not my own pursuits.  Having them and using them wisely.  Learning to see time and money in the lens of Biblical truth.  Not chasing them.    

kate m. b.

time in luv...

Spending time with the one you love is incredible....  After a long period of absence it is refreshing to be surrounded by love and its affects.  It is utterly revitalizing. You are euphoric and elated all in the same snap shot of your life.  

I believe, as I have said before, that I am created to love.... Being with the one I romantically love lifts my spirits.  I am even intensely struck with the power of my own emotions.  Emotions that I did not even know existed, exist in me this weekend.

I have ventured to love.  I am in love.  I love the power of love!  I have been dwelling so much on love lately.  Meditating on it... Thinking of love, Love, the power of love, peace and love, luv, luv, luv.  

Wow.  Deep stuff.  All this love may seem tiresome.... The world proclaims that love is either too easy or too difficult.  But in reality it is a meeting of the two.  God created us to love, therefore it comes natural to human beings.  While, on the opposite end of the spectrum, love is a choice, a verb (as one song from my childhood states).  It is often the most difficult choice that I have to make on a daily basis!

kate m. b.

Oh love.... will I ever understand thee? 

love compels me...

(wrote this last thursday, July 2nd.  I was on vacation and wrote, but did not post:)

Love the hardest and most confounding four letter word ever created....  Even in its etymology!  One dictionary I searched gave nine separate, full-sentence definitions!  

I say this because I started the "Love Dare"  today. 

Day One: don't say anything negative to your spouse.   

I love that name, "Love Dare".  Basically, it is forty days of learning  to love others more.  I don't have a spouse, but the principle of the book is simple: dare you to love more.    

Love God, Love People.... a very popular saying at my private Christian university.  Easier said than done....  In order for that to happen love must be the supreme priority.  I desire love to compel me.  One definition of compel is to "drive forcibly".  This looks like passion, something that pushes and presses you forward.  Love is that motivation, and nothing else.  I am talking about a compelling that can not be ignored.  A force to be reckoned with--that is how I want to love.  I desire with every fiber of my being to love that way... compelled.... daring to love those who are unlovable.  Daring to love if no love is returned.  Loving when the sacrifice is great and without recognitions.  Daring to love the people that I am closest to, even went they annoy the heck out of me!  Daring to love my parents Daring to love an unseen God.  Daring to love Him so much that I even love myself because He is in me.

kate m. b.

encountering the love of God...

How do you encounter the love of God? So many think that the love of God is found  in the miraculous, in the extreme; in the "spiritual fireworks".  Which it is... but I would venture to say that our God is so practical that the Love of God is in something as small as a child's smile... In the cool breeze on a bitterly hot and humid day, the fragrant flowers, the sacrifice of the parent that goes to work to provide for the family... the love of the Father God makes these acts possible.  Things on this earth are good because God is Good.  People are good because God is Good.  

I opened the diary of the beautiful little girl that I babysit for (she wanted me to read what she had written), and on the first page it said, "I love Jesus.  I love God.  I love my Mommy..." Then she added with a sweet smile, "I didn't have room to fit your name, but I love you too".  The love of men, women, or  even a little girl is possible because of the Love God has for us.  

As we cry out for more of the love of God may we be reminded also to ask God to reveal the His love that is spread to us on a daily basis.... If we are observant to see the love that is show by those all around us, would be more content in life.  

The old saying that says,"Count your blessings"... Pause. Count. See. See the blessings.  Observe the blessings.  

Same thing.  Observe the love.  See the love that is in your life.  The love of a spouse.  The love of a sibling.  The love of child.  The love of a Father. 

May we encounter the Love of God, and through that be able to see that He makes all things good.  

kate m. b.

"So, my very dear friends, don't get thrown off course. Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light. There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle. He brought us to life using the true Word, showing us off as the crown of all his creatures." James 1:16-18

NEW BEDS AND PAINT! WHAT MORE COULD EXCITE A COLLEGE STUDENT?

just a little update on the happenings at the place i call ORU, currently my tulsa home.

kate m.b.

focused blogger.

krap... i let twenty days fly by without blogging or documenting my thoughts.... must blog.... must become a focused blogger.

kate m. b.

focus.

How do you achieve focus in life? all around there is noise... literally and figuratively speaking!  I am attempting to find clarity in my life... of mind, body and spirit.  Focus.  What is my passion?  Where does my money lead? Who are my friends?  Who is my God? Focus. Focus. Focus.  I cannot get enough of it.  One felt, is easily fleeing.  I am focused.  All of a sudden I am not.  Chaos.  I do not want to be lead by chaos.  Must be direct.  Must be driven.  Must be focused....

kate m. b.

I surrender...

"if worship is like perfume, I will pour my praise on you..."

worship is a powerful experience... in the moments of worship I am refreshed, recharged, and my hope is renewed.

So... there are a few people in life that I feel like enter at the exact moment you need them... That is this pretty lady pictured above me... She is everything and anything that anyone could possibly desire in a best friend.  I am elated to say that I plan to keep her in my life... FOREVER!  

birds.

I love to look at birds.  At the Panera near 71st and Lewis, I love to sit on the patio and watch the little sparrows pluck on the crumbs that nearby patrons let fall on the ground.  Whether it is intentional or unintentional, the birds always search for the crumbs so diligently.  I had always known about the Scripture in Matthew 6:25, to not be anxious in anything, because God even provides for the birds of the air.  But the first time I sat on the patio and was captivated by the little sparrows, it was as if this passage of Scripture became real and personal in my life.  

It is definitely the season that I am in as well that lead me to that observation; being at school and having to have faith even for $25 really puts this whole passage in perspective.  Being away from the parent's home rely makes my faith stretch.  I can't rely on them so much... I need to step out on my own.

Since my first day observing the birds at the Panera at 71st and Lewis, I have come to a new appreciation for the passages that interweave nature and the Gospel.  I am thankful, because in the moments that I take the time to observe God's creation I am reminded of the Scriptures that have been written on the tablet of my heart that  have to do with the surrounds I am watching.  

we all have to do what we have to do whether anyone likes it or not...

The most amazing part of life is letting go of those things that are done and embracing the newness that enters each and everyone's life: friends that come and go, experiences that end, and the new ones that open up before us.  

Learning this lesson can often be painful though.

It makes me think of the experiences that the main character of my favorite novel experiences.  

For a while, Jane must leave. She is very hurt and needs time to grow and heal on her own time.  Jane leaves Thornfield and the man she loves to what I would describe as a "dark, tumultuous, but growing experience"... 

This is the most important part of a person's life in my opinion.  To leave the one/ones you love to do what others describe as "finding yourself".  Leaving comfort, work, and happiness seems to many observers foolish.  

I would dare to disagree.... I would say that is the first step towards self actualization. Which is the highest human need in Maslow's hierarchy of needs.  To test and find the potential that one possesses is a powerful and often long process.  I would say that it is not selfish, but needed... Thus, why it is the highest tier of Maslow's needs.  

To get Biblical here, even Paul went into the desert to discover the Revelation of the message that had blinded him on the road of Damascus. 

I think my main focus is that these two people, while one real and the other fictional, both needed to experience.  To live their lives away from the noise and the familiarity.  

These experiences would be the foundation to the great things in their stories that came next, which are the best things in life: PURPOSE and LOVE.

So... I must go into the desert of my wilderness to experience what? myself and the Revelation... 

bloggingisforme

soooo... it has been awhile since I have written and well I have a summer's resolution... that I will blog at least once a week... even if it is one word!