Also please see the top right sidebar and place your vote. Thanks!
Showing posts with label speaking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label speaking. Show all posts
Sep 8, 2011
True Womanhood ~ video?
Also please see the top right sidebar and place your vote. Thanks!
Aug 19, 2011
Apr 12, 2011
Unshakeable Trust ~ Enduring Faith
~ Looking forward to meeting some wonderful women of God at Hermitage Hills Baptist Church this week!
I'll be speaking on "A Faith That Endures." This message is my heartbeat. With everything we faced with the diagnosis of brain cancer in our son, Andrew, and with his passing to Heaven, I have been vulnerable and honest in the expression of my pain and grief. And through all of my searching, my questions, my prayers, and my meditation, I've found I must develop a FAITH THAT ENDURES.
And you know what?
God has been so faithful, so kind and so loving that I often feel that I must be His favorite daughter! Amazing, isn't it? But that's our God.
So I'm asking that all of you who have been such a great source of support and encouragement to me would just send up a prayer on my behalf and on the behalf of the women who will hear my message on enduring faith. My message...Andrew's Message...God's Message ~
"I'm talking about the kind of faith in God that is a vehicle by which we arrive at an unshakeable trust that, regardless of the outcome, God is working all things together for my good and for His glory!" ~ from "A Faith that Endures
Apr 5, 2011
Oh Snap(shots)!
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| Weekend in Mayo, FL ~ Weekend Encounter for Women |
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| Pastor Tim & Teresa Hamm and the Dorsey's |
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| Wonderful friends! |
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| 3/5 of us ~ |
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| Avery & me |
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| I am my children's mother. |
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| Dannie & Melanie |
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| I got a smile! |
Mar 10, 2011
Got Fruit?
~ I'm a guest blogger at Roof With A View today. Click on the link to visit and read my post.
I'm working on my notes for the Fruit of the Spirit breakfast May 14th at Gulf Coast Church Family Life Center at 9:30 a.m. (Largo, FL)
And you are all invited. Hey, I'd love to share a cup of coffee with 2 or 200 of you!
In the meantime, I'd love your feedback on "fruit." (Galatians 5:22:23)
"But the fruit of the Spirit is...
While these are virtues produced by the Holy Spirit, and not by the work of our flesh, do you find one or two of them to be more challenging to live out?
Thanks for your input and insight!
I'm working on my notes for the Fruit of the Spirit breakfast May 14th at Gulf Coast Church Family Life Center at 9:30 a.m. (Largo, FL)
And you are all invited. Hey, I'd love to share a cup of coffee with 2 or 200 of you!
In the meantime, I'd love your feedback on "fruit." (Galatians 5:22:23)
"But the fruit of the Spirit is...
- Love
- Joy
- Peace
- Longsuffering
- Goodness
- Kindness
- Faithfulness
- Gentleness
- Self-control
While these are virtues produced by the Holy Spirit, and not by the work of our flesh, do you find one or two of them to be more challenging to live out?
Thanks for your input and insight!
Mar 2, 2011
Spring Fling in TN
Jan 20, 2011
Nashville in April
April ~ If you live in the Nashville area, I'll be speaking at the Hermitage Hills Baptist church in Hermitage, TN. This ladies' event is April 14 @ 6:30 p.m. and is open to the public (ticket required).
May ~ Ladies' Night @ Gulf Coast Church, Largo, FL on May 12 @ 7 p.m. (open event)
June ~ "A Healthier You" @ Philippi Park in Safety Harbor, FL on June 6 @ 6:30 p.m.
I'll be talking about the "therapy" of a routine work-out while my friend, Laurie, covers the nutritional side of health. This is an "open" ladies' event that culminates with a walk "through the park."
If you are in the area and interested in attending any of these events, let me know and I'll get the contact information to you.
Nov 23, 2010
Proverbs 31 Woman 2.0
My New Blog Series ~
Proverbs 31:25 "Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure; she rejoices over the future [the latter day or time to come, knowing that she and her family are in readiness for it]!" ~ Amplified Bible
2.0 version: "Her strength comes from the Lord and His faithfulness envelops her like a robe. In HIM alone, she finds a position of security; she is able to rejoice over the future, knowing she and her WHOLE family are more than ready for it."
Sunday, November 21, 2010, I had the honor of speaking publicly for the first time in my home church since the diagnosis of cancer and Andrew's departure to Heaven.
For those of you who have been following along on this journey with me for the past many months, I hope that you have seen me reveal my heart as honestly as I know how. Truly, the Lord Jesus has been my rescuer, my strength and security over and again. People who have not endured the grief of child loss talk about "closure." There is no closure. There is simply a new kind of patience. Patience to wait until that beautiful morning when the family reunion of all family reunions unfolds! I CAN rejoice in that, and our FAMILY is ready for it.
The link to hear "A Faith that Endures" is here:
http://www.gulfcoastchurch.org/pages.asp?pageid=79901
As you'll hear on the video, as much as I want to honor my son, Andrew, I want MORE to honor my Lord.
Proverbs 31 Woman 2.0
"Because virtue is always in vogue."
Proverbs 31:25 "Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure; she rejoices over the future [the latter day or time to come, knowing that she and her family are in readiness for it]!" ~ Amplified Bible
2.0 version: "Her strength comes from the Lord and His faithfulness envelops her like a robe. In HIM alone, she finds a position of security; she is able to rejoice over the future, knowing she and her WHOLE family are more than ready for it."
Sunday, November 21, 2010, I had the honor of speaking publicly for the first time in my home church since the diagnosis of cancer and Andrew's departure to Heaven.
For those of you who have been following along on this journey with me for the past many months, I hope that you have seen me reveal my heart as honestly as I know how. Truly, the Lord Jesus has been my rescuer, my strength and security over and again. People who have not endured the grief of child loss talk about "closure." There is no closure. There is simply a new kind of patience. Patience to wait until that beautiful morning when the family reunion of all family reunions unfolds! I CAN rejoice in that, and our FAMILY is ready for it.
The link to hear "A Faith that Endures" is here:
http://www.gulfcoastchurch.org/pages.asp?pageid=79901
As you'll hear on the video, as much as I want to honor my son, Andrew, I want MORE to honor my Lord.
Nov 14, 2010
"Uncommon Women" part 3 ~ final thoughts
Final Highlights from "Uncommon Women" ~
So just how does a woman draw upon an uncommon courage in uncommon days?
I believe the answer lies in having an UNCOMMON FAITH.
By uncommon faith, I do not mean to suggest a faith that is attained through some kind of super spiritual manuevers. I simply mean a faith that endures and even develops in the face of.
In the face of desperate circumstances and in the face of disappointing and, perhaps even, dreadful outcomes.
Our faith in God is not a tool for manipulating the outcome we desire. Our faith in God is the vehicle by which we arrive at an unshakeable trust that, regardless of the outcome, God IS working ALL things together for our good.
Mary was a woman of uncommon faith. She carried in her womb a literal promise of God. Mary's body housed and birthed Christ, the Son of the Living God.
When Gabriel delivered his stunning news to Mary, he shouted, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."
And Mary responded, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said."
Above all other mothers, Mary knew without doubt that God had a plan for her son's life. I wonder if, over the course of thirty years, Mary thought as did many others if the Kingdom Jesus came to establish was to be an earthly one.
I imagine her heart swelling with joy as He performs miracle after miracle.
I imagine her sorrow when she hears of His arrest in the Garden of Gethsamane.
I imagine her state of shock as she maintains her vigil at the foot of His cross.
Bleeding, battered and bound by nails, Jesus speaks to His mother, "Here is your son."
And he nods toward the man near her.
"Here is your mother."
I wonder if in that moment Mary's own words thirty three years earlier pricked her heart ~ "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said."
Is this God's plan for her son's life?
I imagine every fiber of Mary's being wanting to scream out, "You are my son. I want you. I want you back."
And in Mary's hours of grief, I imagine that scene between mother and son replaying in her restless mind.
After all, even though Mary had carried the Divine, she was just a woman.
But she was an uncommon woman, living in uncommon times, possessing uncommon courage with uncommon faith.
How can this be?
I believe it is because Mary had something in common with us ~ an UNCOMMON SAVIOR.
Are you in an uncommon time in your life?
Do you need uncommon courage?
Do you need uncommon faith?
Allow me to lead you in prayer.
Dear Abba,
You are the only One who knows what will come tomorrow. You are the only One who knows if the next bend in our road will bring us to uncommon times. As we run our race and persevere in the faith, may we dig deep in You and discover an uncommon courage. May we have a faith that endures--the kind of uncommon faith that's based on fully trusting You with the outcomes in our lives.
May we be uncommon women on the "good days" and on the "not so good days."
And as we approach this season in which we celebrate the miracle of Christ's birth, may our lives become less about us and more about Jesus ~ our UNCOMMON SAVIOR.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.
So just how does a woman draw upon an uncommon courage in uncommon days?
I believe the answer lies in having an UNCOMMON FAITH.
By uncommon faith, I do not mean to suggest a faith that is attained through some kind of super spiritual manuevers. I simply mean a faith that endures and even develops in the face of.
In the face of desperate circumstances and in the face of disappointing and, perhaps even, dreadful outcomes.
Our faith in God is not a tool for manipulating the outcome we desire. Our faith in God is the vehicle by which we arrive at an unshakeable trust that, regardless of the outcome, God IS working ALL things together for our good.
Mary was a woman of uncommon faith. She carried in her womb a literal promise of God. Mary's body housed and birthed Christ, the Son of the Living God.
When Gabriel delivered his stunning news to Mary, he shouted, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."
And Mary responded, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said."
Above all other mothers, Mary knew without doubt that God had a plan for her son's life. I wonder if, over the course of thirty years, Mary thought as did many others if the Kingdom Jesus came to establish was to be an earthly one.
I imagine her heart swelling with joy as He performs miracle after miracle.
I imagine her sorrow when she hears of His arrest in the Garden of Gethsamane.
I imagine her state of shock as she maintains her vigil at the foot of His cross.
Bleeding, battered and bound by nails, Jesus speaks to His mother, "Here is your son."
And he nods toward the man near her.
"Here is your mother."
I wonder if in that moment Mary's own words thirty three years earlier pricked her heart ~ "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said."
Is this God's plan for her son's life?
I imagine every fiber of Mary's being wanting to scream out, "You are my son. I want you. I want you back."
And in Mary's hours of grief, I imagine that scene between mother and son replaying in her restless mind.
After all, even though Mary had carried the Divine, she was just a woman.
But she was an uncommon woman, living in uncommon times, possessing uncommon courage with uncommon faith.
How can this be?
I believe it is because Mary had something in common with us ~ an UNCOMMON SAVIOR.
Are you in an uncommon time in your life?
Do you need uncommon courage?
Do you need uncommon faith?
Allow me to lead you in prayer.
Dear Abba,
You are the only One who knows what will come tomorrow. You are the only One who knows if the next bend in our road will bring us to uncommon times. As we run our race and persevere in the faith, may we dig deep in You and discover an uncommon courage. May we have a faith that endures--the kind of uncommon faith that's based on fully trusting You with the outcomes in our lives.
May we be uncommon women on the "good days" and on the "not so good days."
And as we approach this season in which we celebrate the miracle of Christ's birth, may our lives become less about us and more about Jesus ~ our UNCOMMON SAVIOR.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.
Nov 13, 2010
"Uncommon Women" part 2
Highlights from "Uncommon Women" ~ (parts 1-2)
"She girds herself with strength and strengthens her arms" Proverbs 31:17.
We cannot see around the next corner, the next bend in the road of our lives. Perhaps your tomorrow will be an ordinary day. Common. But tomorrow someone will face hardship or heartbreak. Tomorrow someone's world will turn upside down and she will wish for an ordinary day ~ for "common times" to return. And perhaps, it is your strength that she will need until her own is renewed.
We never know when we will be called upon to face our worst fears, take up courage, gird ourselves in strength and just keep walking out our faith.
We all hope for and revel in those days of calm, in which the waters of our lives provide for smooth sailing and we are untouched by tragedy and sorrow. But those other days--the days of trial by fire are the ones, that if we are willing, refine us as gold.
It is in those seasons that in our very weakness, the power and strength of Christ Himself manifests in such a way that people do not see you, but Christ IN you ~ that your life becomes less about you and more about Him who purchased you.
Esther was a woman who lived in UNCOMMON TIMES. From an orphan to a queen, she was a nobody who became a somebody ~ a common, ordinary kind of woman whose courage in uncommon times revealed her to be quite extraordinary and uncommon.
Her elder cousin Mordecai's rhetorical question, "Who knows that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" has reverberated through the ages to inspire godly women over and again. (Esther 4:14)
For a real life example of an "uncommon woman," visit Elaine at http://www.peaceforthejourney.com/
In UNCOMMON TIMES, you need UNCOMMON COURAGE.
Deborah and Jael were partnered in a moment in history which required UNCOMMON COURAGE.
In the days of Israel when women in leadership was uncommon, Deborah the prophetess, was a judge and a leader in a battle than ensured 40 years of peace. As she and Barak went forth in battle against the Caananites and their leader Sisera, there was another woman who played a key role. Jael, a tent dweller, welcomed Sisera as he stumbled into her tent asking for a drink and protection as he slept.
Jael, keenly aware of who lay sleeping in her tent, did what she had done many times before ~ a common activity in her nomadic world of tent dwelling. I wonder if her hands shook and her heart beat faster as she picked up a tent peg and drove it hard. Only this time, her target was not the ground, but the head of the enemy ~ from common to uncommon in one hoist of the hammer.
In the post battle song of Barak and Deborah, they praise Jael for her uncommon act of courage. (Judges 5:24 - 27)
Most blessed of all women is Jael,
wife of Heber the Kenite,
most blessed of homemaking women.
He asked for water,
she brought milk;
In a handsome bowl,
she offered cream.
She grabbed a tent peg in her left hand,
with her right hand she seized a hammer.
She hammered Sisera, she smashed his head,
she drove a hole through his temple.
He slumped at her feet. He fell. He sprawled.
He slumped at her feet. He fell.
Slumped. Fallen. Dead.
~ from The Message
When you feel you are at your weakest and unable to make another decision, to take another step, to pray another prayer, you must look beyond your present and into your future where your hope lies and your joy is made full. Look to Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross.
To look beyond what your eyes see in your "present" to what is coming in your future takes courage.
Courage is not always, and perhaps not even often, exhibited in one brave act. When I think of the people I personally know who are courageous, they are the ones who, despite ongoing adversity in one form or another, just keep putting one foot forward making the right decisions day in and day out.
To visit another real life example of an "uncommon woman," meet my friend, Leslie at http://letajoykeepyou.blogspot.com/.
Leslie fully embraces Christ and knows Him in the fellowship of His suffering. She is just one of the many uncommon women who exhibit uncommon courage in uncommon days.
How is this accomplished? I think I know.
(to be continued...)
"She girds herself with strength and strengthens her arms" Proverbs 31:17.
We cannot see around the next corner, the next bend in the road of our lives. Perhaps your tomorrow will be an ordinary day. Common. But tomorrow someone will face hardship or heartbreak. Tomorrow someone's world will turn upside down and she will wish for an ordinary day ~ for "common times" to return. And perhaps, it is your strength that she will need until her own is renewed.
We never know when we will be called upon to face our worst fears, take up courage, gird ourselves in strength and just keep walking out our faith.
We all hope for and revel in those days of calm, in which the waters of our lives provide for smooth sailing and we are untouched by tragedy and sorrow. But those other days--the days of trial by fire are the ones, that if we are willing, refine us as gold.
It is in those seasons that in our very weakness, the power and strength of Christ Himself manifests in such a way that people do not see you, but Christ IN you ~ that your life becomes less about you and more about Him who purchased you.
Esther was a woman who lived in UNCOMMON TIMES. From an orphan to a queen, she was a nobody who became a somebody ~ a common, ordinary kind of woman whose courage in uncommon times revealed her to be quite extraordinary and uncommon.
Her elder cousin Mordecai's rhetorical question, "Who knows that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" has reverberated through the ages to inspire godly women over and again. (Esther 4:14)
For a real life example of an "uncommon woman," visit Elaine at http://www.peaceforthejourney.com/
In UNCOMMON TIMES, you need UNCOMMON COURAGE.
Deborah and Jael were partnered in a moment in history which required UNCOMMON COURAGE.
In the days of Israel when women in leadership was uncommon, Deborah the prophetess, was a judge and a leader in a battle than ensured 40 years of peace. As she and Barak went forth in battle against the Caananites and their leader Sisera, there was another woman who played a key role. Jael, a tent dweller, welcomed Sisera as he stumbled into her tent asking for a drink and protection as he slept.
Jael, keenly aware of who lay sleeping in her tent, did what she had done many times before ~ a common activity in her nomadic world of tent dwelling. I wonder if her hands shook and her heart beat faster as she picked up a tent peg and drove it hard. Only this time, her target was not the ground, but the head of the enemy ~ from common to uncommon in one hoist of the hammer.
In the post battle song of Barak and Deborah, they praise Jael for her uncommon act of courage. (Judges 5:24 - 27)
Most blessed of all women is Jael,
wife of Heber the Kenite,
most blessed of homemaking women.
He asked for water,
she brought milk;
In a handsome bowl,
she offered cream.
She grabbed a tent peg in her left hand,
with her right hand she seized a hammer.
She hammered Sisera, she smashed his head,
she drove a hole through his temple.
He slumped at her feet. He fell. He sprawled.
He slumped at her feet. He fell.
Slumped. Fallen. Dead.
~ from The Message
When you feel you are at your weakest and unable to make another decision, to take another step, to pray another prayer, you must look beyond your present and into your future where your hope lies and your joy is made full. Look to Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross.
To look beyond what your eyes see in your "present" to what is coming in your future takes courage.
Courage is not always, and perhaps not even often, exhibited in one brave act. When I think of the people I personally know who are courageous, they are the ones who, despite ongoing adversity in one form or another, just keep putting one foot forward making the right decisions day in and day out.
Courage does not always roar. Sometime courage is that quiet voice at the end of the day saying I will try again tomorrow. ~ Mary Radmacher
To visit another real life example of an "uncommon woman," meet my friend, Leslie at http://letajoykeepyou.blogspot.com/.
Leslie fully embraces Christ and knows Him in the fellowship of His suffering. She is just one of the many uncommon women who exhibit uncommon courage in uncommon days.
How is this accomplished? I think I know.
(to be continued...)
Nov 12, 2010
A Little More of "Uncommon Women"
I got to speak to some wonderful women last night. For the gathering I prepared a new topic entitled "Uncommon Women."
In "Uncommon Women," the women I honor are those in UNCOMMON TIMES of UNCOMMON COURAGE with UNCOMMON FAITH.
Not only do we have the Biblical examples of women like Deborah, Esther, Mary (mother of Jesus) and Elizabeth, but if you look around, there are plenty of women that you know who are UNCOMMON.
In fact, it may be YOU!
Uncommon Women are:
~ called upon to live out a season that is UNCOMMON and not of their choosing.
~ digging deep to discover an UNCOMMON COURAGE.
~ developing an UNCOMMON FAITH that endures despite adversity.
Highlights from "Uncommon Women" ~
"She girds herself with strength and strengthens her arms" Proverbs 31:17.
We cannot see around the next corner, the next bend in the road of our lives. Perhaps your tomorrow will be an ordinary day. Common. But tomorrow someone will face hardship or heartbreak. Tomorrow someone's world will turn upside down and she will wish for an ordinary day ~ for "common times" to return. And perhaps, it is your strength that she will need until her own is renewed.
We never know when we will be called upon to face our worst fears, take up courage, gird ourselves in strength and just keep walking out our faith.
We all hope for and revel in those days of calm, in which the waters of our lives provide for smooth sailing and we are untouched by tragedy and sorrow. But those other days--the days of trial by fire are the ones, that if we are willing, refine us as gold.
It is in those seasons that in our very weakness, the power and strength of Christ Himself manifests in such a way that people do not see you, but Christ IN you ~ that your life becomes less about you and more about Him who purchased you.
Esther was a woman who lived in UNCOMMON TIMES. From an orphan to a queen, she was a nobody who became a somebody ~ a common, ordinary kind of woman whose courage in uncommon times revealed her to be quite extraordinary and uncommon.
Her elder cousin Mordecai's rhetorical question, "Who knows that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" has reverberated through the ages to inspire godly women over and again.
For a real life example of an "uncommon woman," visit Elaine at http://www.peaceforthejourney.com/
In UNCOMMON TIMES, you need UNCOMMON COURAGE.
Deborah and Jael were partnered in a moment in history which required UNCOMMON COURAGE.
(to be continued...)
In "Uncommon Women," the women I honor are those in UNCOMMON TIMES of UNCOMMON COURAGE with UNCOMMON FAITH.
Not only do we have the Biblical examples of women like Deborah, Esther, Mary (mother of Jesus) and Elizabeth, but if you look around, there are plenty of women that you know who are UNCOMMON.
In fact, it may be YOU!
Uncommon Women are:
~ called upon to live out a season that is UNCOMMON and not of their choosing.
~ digging deep to discover an UNCOMMON COURAGE.
~ developing an UNCOMMON FAITH that endures despite adversity.
Highlights from "Uncommon Women" ~
"She girds herself with strength and strengthens her arms" Proverbs 31:17.
We cannot see around the next corner, the next bend in the road of our lives. Perhaps your tomorrow will be an ordinary day. Common. But tomorrow someone will face hardship or heartbreak. Tomorrow someone's world will turn upside down and she will wish for an ordinary day ~ for "common times" to return. And perhaps, it is your strength that she will need until her own is renewed.
We never know when we will be called upon to face our worst fears, take up courage, gird ourselves in strength and just keep walking out our faith.
We all hope for and revel in those days of calm, in which the waters of our lives provide for smooth sailing and we are untouched by tragedy and sorrow. But those other days--the days of trial by fire are the ones, that if we are willing, refine us as gold.
It is in those seasons that in our very weakness, the power and strength of Christ Himself manifests in such a way that people do not see you, but Christ IN you ~ that your life becomes less about you and more about Him who purchased you.
Esther was a woman who lived in UNCOMMON TIMES. From an orphan to a queen, she was a nobody who became a somebody ~ a common, ordinary kind of woman whose courage in uncommon times revealed her to be quite extraordinary and uncommon.
Her elder cousin Mordecai's rhetorical question, "Who knows that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" has reverberated through the ages to inspire godly women over and again.
For a real life example of an "uncommon woman," visit Elaine at http://www.peaceforthejourney.com/
In UNCOMMON TIMES, you need UNCOMMON COURAGE.
Deborah and Jael were partnered in a moment in history which required UNCOMMON COURAGE.
(to be continued...)
Nov 11, 2010
Uncommon Women
I get to speak to some wonderful women this week. I've prepared a new topic entitled "Uncommon Women."
In "Uncommon Women," the women I honor are those in UNCOMMON TIMES of UNCOMMON COURAGE with UNCOMMON FAITH.
Not only do we have the Biblical examples of women like Deborah, Esther, Mary (mother of Jesus) and Elizabeth, but if you look around, there are plenty of women that you know who are UNCOMMON.
In fact, it may be YOU!
Uncommon Women are:
~ called upon to live out a season that is UNCOMMON and not of their choosing.
~ digging deep to discover an UNCOMMON COURAGE.
~ developing an UNCOMMON FAITH that endures despite adversity.
How is this possible?
Come back and I'll share more from "Uncommon Women."
In the meantime, the weather here on the west, central coast of Florida is getting a bit cooler so I thought I would do a little online dreaming.
These would be fun to wear!
Have you made any new purchases for fall fashion? Trending fashion I actually like: capes and patterned tights.
In reality, I wore yoga pants to run in yesterday and got too hot. I'm about to head out now and will be in running shorts. 'Got to get my miles in!
Have you been to my running blog ~ http://www.seemymomrun.com/? I asked my sidebar trainer, Meka, a question that ties in with the Essie nail polish. Go see how that relates. And if you are a mom who runs, I sure would like to interview you for See My Mom Run! If you've never been to my running blog, be sure to click on the month of June, scroll to the bottom and see why I started running again.
In "Uncommon Women," the women I honor are those in UNCOMMON TIMES of UNCOMMON COURAGE with UNCOMMON FAITH.
Not only do we have the Biblical examples of women like Deborah, Esther, Mary (mother of Jesus) and Elizabeth, but if you look around, there are plenty of women that you know who are UNCOMMON.
In fact, it may be YOU!
Uncommon Women are:
~ called upon to live out a season that is UNCOMMON and not of their choosing.
~ digging deep to discover an UNCOMMON COURAGE.
~ developing an UNCOMMON FAITH that endures despite adversity.
How is this possible?
Come back and I'll share more from "Uncommon Women."
In the meantime, the weather here on the west, central coast of Florida is getting a bit cooler so I thought I would do a little online dreaming.
These would be fun to wear!
Have you made any new purchases for fall fashion? Trending fashion I actually like: capes and patterned tights.
 |
| Nordstrom |
 |
| Hue Argyle Sweater Tights, $18 |
 |
| Ann Taylor |
 |
| Jessica Simpson Dillard's |
 |
| trendy colors for fall '10 |
Have you been to my running blog ~ http://www.seemymomrun.com/? I asked my sidebar trainer, Meka, a question that ties in with the Essie nail polish. Go see how that relates. And if you are a mom who runs, I sure would like to interview you for See My Mom Run! If you've never been to my running blog, be sure to click on the month of June, scroll to the bottom and see why I started running again.
Aug 26, 2010
What Would You Like To Hear?
Edited to add: (Thank you so much for your feedback. It's helping me. It really is! I'm feeling like a woman inspired. Please continue to add your input.)
In about 3 weeks I will be speaking in front of an audience again for the first time in a year. I was scheduled to speak at a ladies' annual tea in the Baltimore area last September. However our world turned upside down when a year ago this same week in August we received the crushing news that our wonderful youngest son, Andrew, had brain cancer.
At the beginning of this month I asked God to help me (and our family) survive this month. I anticipated there would be some very hard moments, especially as we neared the actual "anniversary" week of the diagnosis.
Flashbacks of hearing the pediatrician give me his opinion of why Andrew had lost the use of the fingers on his left hand feel like a punch in the gut. The doctor had examined Andrew, then sat on his rolling stool at a computer screen. He talked as he scrolled through some information. Then he swore. "Damn!"
And I knew it was bad.
I wanted to shield my beautiful 12 year old son, my baby, from ominous news. On the way from the office to a quickly scheduled mri, we held hands. I remember telling him that everything would be okay and we would find out what we had to do-do it, and no matter what...we were in it together.
I never could have imagined that day, that within 4 months, we would see Andrew's body lying in a casket. The last thing I did, before they asked us to leave the body and drive to the grave site, was to ask for a pair of scissors. My pastor brought me a pair.
I remember the quizzical, somewhat fearful, expressions on the faces around me.
I took the scissors and cut a piece of Andrew's hair. I needed a part of his physical self to keep with me.
I put the hair in a tithing envelope.
When I got home a few hours later, I put the envelope in my jewerly box - the one Andrew picked out for me for Christmas a year before.
And now it's been one year from the diagnosis and 8 months and 11 days from his passing to Heaven.
And in a few weeks I will stand in front of a group of wonderful women. Women who knew the storm we lived through. Women who fasted, prayed and gave a love offering to our family.
And I will speak.
So, I ask you, if you were sitting in that audience on September 18th, what would you want me to talk about?
Are there any questions you would ask me?
Yes, I have prayed. Yes, I have studied. Yes, I have thought about what to say.
The theme is "A Woman Inspired."
(There is an online conference site with this name but there is no connection between it and the tea.)
In about 3 weeks I will be speaking in front of an audience again for the first time in a year. I was scheduled to speak at a ladies' annual tea in the Baltimore area last September. However our world turned upside down when a year ago this same week in August we received the crushing news that our wonderful youngest son, Andrew, had brain cancer.
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| Andrew and Avery in background ~ just a few weeks before the diagnosis and without any symptoms |
At the beginning of this month I asked God to help me (and our family) survive this month. I anticipated there would be some very hard moments, especially as we neared the actual "anniversary" week of the diagnosis.
Flashbacks of hearing the pediatrician give me his opinion of why Andrew had lost the use of the fingers on his left hand feel like a punch in the gut. The doctor had examined Andrew, then sat on his rolling stool at a computer screen. He talked as he scrolled through some information. Then he swore. "Damn!"
And I knew it was bad.
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| Andrew at Shands (3rd surgery) ~ a visit from Ted |
I wanted to shield my beautiful 12 year old son, my baby, from ominous news. On the way from the office to a quickly scheduled mri, we held hands. I remember telling him that everything would be okay and we would find out what we had to do-do it, and no matter what...we were in it together.
I never could have imagined that day, that within 4 months, we would see Andrew's body lying in a casket. The last thing I did, before they asked us to leave the body and drive to the grave site, was to ask for a pair of scissors. My pastor brought me a pair.
I remember the quizzical, somewhat fearful, expressions on the faces around me.
I took the scissors and cut a piece of Andrew's hair. I needed a part of his physical self to keep with me.
I put the hair in a tithing envelope.
When I got home a few hours later, I put the envelope in my jewerly box - the one Andrew picked out for me for Christmas a year before.
And now it's been one year from the diagnosis and 8 months and 11 days from his passing to Heaven.
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| On spring break vacation with Dad in the pool |
And in a few weeks I will stand in front of a group of wonderful women. Women who knew the storm we lived through. Women who fasted, prayed and gave a love offering to our family.
And I will speak.
So, I ask you, if you were sitting in that audience on September 18th, what would you want me to talk about?
Are there any questions you would ask me?
Yes, I have prayed. Yes, I have studied. Yes, I have thought about what to say.
The theme is "A Woman Inspired."
(There is an online conference site with this name but there is no connection between it and the tea.)
 |
| What a happy day! Mother's Day '09 |
Aug 21, 2010
For I determined to know nothing...
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| Determination This lovely, pink crepe myrtle resides in my neighbor's yard. However a branch has grown through a narrow slat in our fence. The slender branch made its way to bloom on our side of the divide. Lacy petals whisper a dogged determination to branch out and bloom against a weathered barrier ~ its image captured in the juxtaposition of a sunny blue sky and gossamer raindrops barely falling. September 18-19, 2010, I will be branching out to speak in the Baltimore, MD, area. Saturday @ 2:00 Ladies Annual Tea Heritage Community Church Severn, MD Point of Contact: Joan Bowman, Ladies Ministry Director http://www.heritage-cc.org/contact/JoanBowman On Sunday in the morning worship time @ Heritage Community Church, I will take part in the service, as well. http://www.heritagecommchurch.org/  I only now noticed that this picture, taken of me last weekend, is against the same weathered fence as the background of the crepe myrtle - a photo I took today. "And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. And my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God." ~ 1 Corinthinans 2:2-5 |
Jan 18, 2010
Edited/Question to Myself...
Edited to Add: I so appreciate the thoughtfulness which with you offer comforting words to me as you read what I write in my pain and loss. To Rebecca S. ~ I think you have recognized something you relate to in me. Perhaps it is because I am also a pastor's daughter and know very well the "ministry life." It is an unfamiliar place to be in...needing ministry from others. Somehow when Andrew was here and even a couple of weeks after he went to heaven, I had finally gotten to the place where I knew I had to rely on the Body of Christ to meet my needs. For that is most often how God meets our needs...through the hands, words and even checkbooks of His people.
For some reason, now I feel that I should be able to "pull it together" enough to at least act like I am "myself" again. To smile at people, even though the gravity of grief keeps my face in a perpetual grimace. To hold a "normal" conversation as though Andrew were just up the street skateboarding with his friends. To freely lift my hands in praise although my joyful emotions are "strait-jacketed." So I just want to thank you, for coming here to check on me, and to patiently read what I pour out. Just like many of you, writing helps me process my life.
And so...I write. I write with Andrew's pictures leaning against the monitor and with his paintings propped to the side of my desk. And in between writing and "doing life" in this house, I wander through the rooms and I see Andrew everywhere. And I ask God to let me really see Andrew in my dreams at night. And I ask God to let me see HIM and HIS purpose again in my life and in my family's life until we are all reunited on the "upside."
My love & gratitude,
Melanie
~~~~~~~ (photo by Linda Charlene)~~~~~~~~
Question to myself:
Can I learn something from me? I was revisiting my speaking topics a few days ago listed here.
And I wondered, "Can I learn from me?" I developed these speaking topics in preparation of applying to a speaker team. I carefully pulled from subject matter that I had previously taught to women's groups, Life Groups and Wednesday night Bible classes. I reworked, reviewed, researched and wrote.
Just when I was getting everything ready to submit to the speaker organization, 2009 hit! And I do mean hit.
My husband had a traumatic ski accident on Jan. 1, 2009, requring 10 days of hospitalization in CO, skin grafts, hyperbaric treatments and Percoset. I was teaching part time, homeschooling my precious Andrew and all the other things a wife and mother does AND MORE.
Then my husband's pay was cut in half. Then my husband and most of his coworkers were laid off.
THEN ANDREW WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BRAIN CANCER. (I HATE CANCER.)
And now our sweet boy is in Heaven and who knows when we'll see him again. Soon, I hope.
And so back to my question. "Can I learn something from me?"
I still want to be whole-ly His.
And I want to be diligent in keeping my heart.
I am especially concerned about being a resilient woman in the midst of missing Andrew.
So maybe the teacher can teach herself. I know one thing. I will not let the Enemy keep me down. I grieve and I mourn but I know Jesus is here in the middle of my storm. He never left. I have His promise on that. Every morning, reality hits before my feet hit the ground and every morning the reality of Andrew not being here hurts.
I emailed a friend today to tell her about a speaking opportunity I have (with Alisa) in NC in August. I told her this:
I just don’t feel like I have anything to say, except “You need Jesus.”
“Life is sometimes really hard.”
“And in conclusion, you need Jesus.”
I don’t think that would take longer than 10 seconds to say.
I told Jesus a couple of days ago, "If you give me something to say, I will say it. Otherwise I have nothing."
For some reason, now I feel that I should be able to "pull it together" enough to at least act like I am "myself" again. To smile at people, even though the gravity of grief keeps my face in a perpetual grimace. To hold a "normal" conversation as though Andrew were just up the street skateboarding with his friends. To freely lift my hands in praise although my joyful emotions are "strait-jacketed." So I just want to thank you, for coming here to check on me, and to patiently read what I pour out. Just like many of you, writing helps me process my life.
And so...I write. I write with Andrew's pictures leaning against the monitor and with his paintings propped to the side of my desk. And in between writing and "doing life" in this house, I wander through the rooms and I see Andrew everywhere. And I ask God to let me really see Andrew in my dreams at night. And I ask God to let me see HIM and HIS purpose again in my life and in my family's life until we are all reunited on the "upside."
My love & gratitude,
Melanie
~~~~~~~ (photo by Linda Charlene)~~~~~~~~
Question to myself:
Can I learn something from me? I was revisiting my speaking topics a few days ago listed here.
And I wondered, "Can I learn from me?" I developed these speaking topics in preparation of applying to a speaker team. I carefully pulled from subject matter that I had previously taught to women's groups, Life Groups and Wednesday night Bible classes. I reworked, reviewed, researched and wrote.
Just when I was getting everything ready to submit to the speaker organization, 2009 hit! And I do mean hit.
My husband had a traumatic ski accident on Jan. 1, 2009, requring 10 days of hospitalization in CO, skin grafts, hyperbaric treatments and Percoset. I was teaching part time, homeschooling my precious Andrew and all the other things a wife and mother does AND MORE.
Then my husband's pay was cut in half. Then my husband and most of his coworkers were laid off.
THEN ANDREW WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BRAIN CANCER. (I HATE CANCER.)
And now our sweet boy is in Heaven and who knows when we'll see him again. Soon, I hope.
And so back to my question. "Can I learn something from me?"
I still want to be whole-ly His.
And I want to be diligent in keeping my heart.
I am especially concerned about being a resilient woman in the midst of missing Andrew.
So maybe the teacher can teach herself. I know one thing. I will not let the Enemy keep me down. I grieve and I mourn but I know Jesus is here in the middle of my storm. He never left. I have His promise on that. Every morning, reality hits before my feet hit the ground and every morning the reality of Andrew not being here hurts.
I emailed a friend today to tell her about a speaking opportunity I have (with Alisa) in NC in August. I told her this:
I just don’t feel like I have anything to say, except “You need Jesus.”
“Life is sometimes really hard.”
“And in conclusion, you need Jesus.”
I don’t think that would take longer than 10 seconds to say.
I told Jesus a couple of days ago, "If you give me something to say, I will say it. Otherwise I have nothing."
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