Heart To Heart

I can't honestly remember who I heard this bit of wisdom from originally, but the thought of it is so strongly in my mind I'm going to try to share it... Know when you're vulnerable.  Be aware of what makes your heart and mind wander - of what makes your texts or social media posts or conversations sound short, abrupt or snarky. Know when you should not make huge decisions, or when the thoughts you are rehearsing in your mind are not TRUTH, even though they might make sense at the moment - or, feel very real. The easy pattern that I'm thinking about right now is - H.A.L.T. If you're feeling that snippy, snarky, stinky attitude creeping in, ask yourself... ~am I H ungry? ~am I A ngry? ~am I L onely? ~am I T ired? These are basic needs that your body, emotions and spirit will be effected by. Of course, you know I'm going to say - "LOOK UP!"  Lean into God, instead of leaning away from Him when you feel stinky.  Let His heart fill your he...

"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16 Last night we had a set aside time for prayer at our church.  Each time we meet it looks different.  This time, the instruction was to pray alone (for the most part).  If someone had a scripture, or particular word or prayer direction they were to go to a microphone and share what was on their heart. After about 30 minutes I found myself walking up to mic.  I could hear the words (in my heart), 'come boldly to the throne' - but it felt like I was standing in front of a judge.  Pleading for friends and family that so need healing in various areas of life.  Immense needs.  Needs only a HUGE God can speak Life into.   And then...I heard myself praying out loud for the young lady (pedestrian) that I hit with my car three weeks ago.  She was cited.  She was injured.   The police say I cou...

What I have learned - by...Jeanette Webber Always read an entire recipe before beginning to cook Always moisturize before waxing Don't be shocked that your fat doesn't go away, it just changes positions There's a distinct possibility that you have inherited your grandmothers chin/lip hair, but cannot  see it without outside help My dream of becoming a professional synchronized swimmer is probably not going to happen  (That's a joke - I'm a terrible swimmer.  But some sports just fascinate me - like synchronized swimming & team kite flying & the olympic sport that involves sweeping the ice and maintaining a lunge position in special shoes that aren't ice skates .... for so long...) Not everyone wears pajamas Skinny jeans (and leggings used as pants) are not complimentary on every body type Always make sure your car is in neutral when you are at a drive through car wash.  When you 'drive through', people look at you weird and your ...

I had what I call a 'stunning' experience this morning during our church service. I've been navigating life with a fractured elbow and some craziness in my wrist.  This morning I had difficulty with really yucky pain striking like lightening from my elbow through my fingers if I tried to hold almost anything.  It was a discouraging situation. As we began to sing together (in church) I reminded myself (and God) that I had promised to worship Him with whatever strength and ability I have.  I lifted one hand and sang as loud as I could because....that's who I want to be...a worshiper out of abundance or sacrifice. We have a special friend in our church family who has a kind of dementia that impacts children.  This friend is large and strong and losing most of what she has learned in her short (teenage) life. She came up and stood by me as we sang.  Then she came over and put her arm around me (gently) and asked what happened to me.  She said that she f...

The Biblical meaning of the word "restoration" is to receive back more than has been lost to the point where the final state is greater than the original condition.  The main point is that someone or something is improved beyond measure.* How I love that.  Really, really love that He restores . I've been praying for a boatload of  wonderful people with broken hearts, broken bodies, broken dreams and promises ... brokenness.  It is incredibly encouraging to me to remember that when the Master heals brokenness, that place of healing is stronger, STRONGER than it ever was before.  The place you and I let Him heal  - restore -   is STRONGER - not forever vulnerable like we tend to live. Yes, there is a process.  Dennis' mom recently had her knee replaced.  Her wholeness not only depended on the surgeon's precision but her cooperation.  She protected the incession for awhile, started exercising and stretching whether it felt good or...

In going through my parents belongings, I found this picture.  (My sister added color - that's what she does to everyone and everything - she makes it beautiful with color and creativity.) This is still me!  I am a 'jeans (that are generally too long - and cute, comfy sweaters - and fun shoes - and 'what is my hair doing? ' - and "look at those mountains... I want to run there" mindset. I know I have frustrated my more together friends with my love of comfy jeans, my love of lipgloss and too little makeup, my tattoo, and my love of cute shoes.  But this little girl is still me. I heard people tell my parents I had a belly laugh, and I still do.  I have embarrassed my friends in restaurants and stores and even once in a funeral when I tried to contain a belly laugh but it came out anyway - kind of through my nose.  Oops. This year (for my birthday) I had this deep urge to write notes to all those who have been such gifts in my life;  I started to w...

We have a dog.  Her name is Noel, and we've had her for about 5 years.  She's a great dog, honestly she is - but lately her level of anxiety (when left alone) has gone through the roof.  It appears she has doggie panic attacks that are very destructive.  It's only been happening during the last few months. We have a friend who is a professional animal trainer who came over to observe and offer suggestions.  She worked with Noel and gave me some instruction.  It seems that I need re-training more than Noel does.  Noel's thought processing needs to be changed, and Jena assures me it will change - if I'm consistent with our new strategy.  I wondered if Noel's age would hinder the process, but Jena insists it won't. Sound at all familiar?   Things you've gone through in the past seem to effect how you respond to the present.  You hear words that weren't actually said.  Or, you make words that were said have meaning that is a long ...