Date Night at the Movies

Date night with the hubby (big spending at a whole $3 for both of us.) The movie was good - a modern day Robin Hood of sorts, but I realized how much my views have changed in recent years when it comes to the wealthy and poor. As long as we live with a 'lack' mentality, we will always have to be robbing Peter to pay Paul, but if we operate out of an 'abundance' mindset, then we can step into a place where there is more than enough for everyone to be wealthy, not just a select few.  I'm still having to confront a lot of my 'poverty' mindsets, but at least I know I'm improving. I actually do believe that there is abundance throughout this earth, there just don't seem to be a whole lot of people out there who know this fact. As for me, 3 John 2 is one of my pet scriptures: "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers." Inner precedes outer. I still have a ways to go in the 'outworking' of this verse, but I'm hopeful. Anyway, I need to go to bed. Night night. :)

'Processing'

I've decided to take a slightly different path with this blog for awhile, mainly because I don't write as much on it as I'd like and so I thought I'd change my tact to see if it produced better results. I found that keeping my posts to just 'peace-related' topics meant I cut out a lot of what was happening in my life if I thought it didn't 'fit' and so often I just wouldn't write at all.

My new approach is going to be a mix of 'photo of the day' and whatever thoughts, revelations, musings, etc. I am currently 'processing.' I know I'm a little late for taking a photo every day of the year as we're well into January, but I thought I'd give it a shot anyway. At least this will get me writing more and will give me a chance to use my new camera I got for Christmas. I officially started yesterday and will do my best to post - at least a photo - every day (fingers crossed!) I'm also hoping that taking a photo every day will stir up my creativity and get me thinking outside the box.

Today's picture is of my journal and a much-needed cup of tea at the end of a long and intense day. I find writing to be really helpful when I want to process my emotions and thoughts and I go through multiple journals every year. The past couple of days I've really been thinking about my heart and how important it is to be able to hear and understand what my heart is saying at any given time. I have discovered that some of the most painful experiences of my life have happened when I have ignored what my heart was saying (especially the Holy Spirit in my heart!) and so I regularly take stock and 'check' myself to see if I'm paying attention to what is going on internally. I've also discovered that our emotions and bodies are good indicators as to whether or not we are in a state of peacefulness. Unfortunately, many of us are not good at taking the 'cues' they send our way and it often takes hitting a brick wall (whether it be a sickness, breakdown, a blow up in relationships, etc) to get us to slow down and take stock. I don't want to get to those points in my life, especially since I truly want to take care of myself and not run from one chaotic scenario to the next. Living in survival mode all the time is not fun, and I much prefer fun. Anyway, I'm heading to my - now lukewarm - cup of tea and my journal to sort through my day's events. See you tomorrow.

A Picture Tells A Thousand Words

This is a photo from worship today. Bethel is recording their latest live CD and we were fortunate to have them do some of their new songs with us in class. I'm not sure if they will use any of the 'takes' they did with us but they were filming nonetheless and the atmosphere was electrified with the Presence of God. I took a few other pictures but as soon as I saw this one, I was like, "This sums up the experience for me, even if it's not a perfect shot." There's something about being in a room full of almost 1,000 other people, all worshiping God with their whole hearts that somehow transcends the English language's capabilities to describe.All I could do at times was just stand there, soaking it all in, left utterly speechless in the experience of His goodness. I pray as you look at this picture, something of this moment captured in film leaps into your heart and allows you to taste and see for yourself.