Verse of Note: Matthew 6:22-23 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
Song of Note: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
To begin, you learn something new every day. I do not know why I had such a strong feeling that there was a Bible verse about the eyes being the window to the soul. What I really meant at the end of yesterday's post was a reference to the verse above. The eyes being the lamp of the body. Oh well, you live and you fact check and you learn:)
Our sight is a gift. Vision is amazing. And these eyes are so delicate yet powerful.
This one thing I know for sure. As a part of my Spring cleaning I HAVE to be more mindful of what I am watching. Let's dig deep here....I don't exactly mean the usual things like TV shows and movies (though I do need to be careful....as many a hilarious comedy (my weakness) often sneak in things that are in direct opposition with God's word).
I am talking about the fact that I need to be watching the right things. People. I cannot get so caught up in myself that I forget my purpose, which is to spread God's message. People need me to see them. There are loads of sick, troubled, helpless, angry, confused, sad, lonely, frustrated, mourning, abused people all around me. They have needs and I need to cleanse my eyes so that I can see and serve.
I know what works best for me. When I read my Bible more and take time for Bible study my cloudy, distracted, weak vision is cleared and refreshed. It is not easy to admit that in the past few weeks I had let my vision get cloudy. Being stressed and busy and tired are the keys to waste in my spiritual life.
With the growth of Spring beauty all around me in God's creation, I will open my eyes and allow the light to shine. It is going to expose some dusty areas....because hey that is what light does. But it will also, I pray reflect some strengths:)
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Spring Cleaning of my Spirit
Spring is coming.....I can see it in the gorgeous blue skies. It is right around the corner.....I know because I got a pedicure (the Sabrina sign that open toed shoes are coming!).
However, this Spring I realized more than ever I think, that my soul and spirit need a Spring cleaning. Sabrina the Christian woman/girl was getting kind of sluggish and distracted.
I thank God continually that he is so forgiving.....and yet takes me to the mat when needed. I need both of those parts of him.
You see as I am reading the Bible through chronologically I reread the 10 Commandments the other day. And I was humbled when I realized I was letting graduate school (which I love) sort of start becoming another god in my life. I DID NOT mean for that to happen, but honest reflection tells me it's the truth. And I need to face that truth as a part of the Spring cleaning.
In the last few days I was reminded, I am needed in the Kingdom. God has blessed me with gifts and I need to be using them. They will not grow if I don't. I was reminded that there is love, harmony and praise in meeting with other believers. And I crave that!
So here is the plan.....this week I hope to post some specifics about the cleaning that needs to go on in my life. Tomorrow I will start with cleaning the windows (aka my eyes and what I am watching/noticing). I invite you to come back if you find this topic interesting or maybe have stories to share about how Spring cleaning has brightened your walk of faith.
Bible Verse of note: Exodus 14:14- The Lord shall fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.
Song of note: This is the Air I Breathe
However, this Spring I realized more than ever I think, that my soul and spirit need a Spring cleaning. Sabrina the Christian woman/girl was getting kind of sluggish and distracted.
I thank God continually that he is so forgiving.....and yet takes me to the mat when needed. I need both of those parts of him.
You see as I am reading the Bible through chronologically I reread the 10 Commandments the other day. And I was humbled when I realized I was letting graduate school (which I love) sort of start becoming another god in my life. I DID NOT mean for that to happen, but honest reflection tells me it's the truth. And I need to face that truth as a part of the Spring cleaning.
In the last few days I was reminded, I am needed in the Kingdom. God has blessed me with gifts and I need to be using them. They will not grow if I don't. I was reminded that there is love, harmony and praise in meeting with other believers. And I crave that!
So here is the plan.....this week I hope to post some specifics about the cleaning that needs to go on in my life. Tomorrow I will start with cleaning the windows (aka my eyes and what I am watching/noticing). I invite you to come back if you find this topic interesting or maybe have stories to share about how Spring cleaning has brightened your walk of faith.
Bible Verse of note: Exodus 14:14- The Lord shall fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.
Song of note: This is the Air I Breathe
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Instead
I have plenty of school counseling projects I could be doing. There are numerous books lying around my house that need to be read for class. There are taxes and forms and papers that need to be organized.
Do you know what I choose to do instead?
Instead I start planning ahead for my birth month celebrations. There will be more details coming soon I promise:) Instead I make a list of the Florida activities I want Stacey to experience during Spring Break. Instead I book hotel rooms for summer reunions with my girls and The Backstreet Boys. Instead I find rental houses for more reunions with my FSU ladies and Melanie.
It takes all sorts in this life and currently my sort is dealing with attempts at procrastination and daydreams of blissful, fun-filled vacations and adventures.
Welcome to my Wednesday!
Do you know what I choose to do instead?
Instead I start planning ahead for my birth month celebrations. There will be more details coming soon I promise:) Instead I make a list of the Florida activities I want Stacey to experience during Spring Break. Instead I book hotel rooms for summer reunions with my girls and The Backstreet Boys. Instead I find rental houses for more reunions with my FSU ladies and Melanie.
It takes all sorts in this life and currently my sort is dealing with attempts at procrastination and daydreams of blissful, fun-filled vacations and adventures.
Welcome to my Wednesday!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
She can sing no wrong
Rolling in the Deep from You Tube
Someone Like You from You Tube
Monday, February 21, 2011
Here's to Monday:)
“I always give 100% at work:
13% Monday
22% Tuesday
26% Wednesday
35% Thursday
4% Friday”
- Unknown-
I hope it is not going to be that kind of a week;) I found this little funny quote at www.thinkexist.com. It made me smile.....I think it would look good on a T-shirt!
13% Monday
22% Tuesday
26% Wednesday
35% Thursday
4% Friday”
- Unknown-
I hope it is not going to be that kind of a week;) I found this little funny quote at www.thinkexist.com. It made me smile.....I think it would look good on a T-shirt!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
The semester where I was in Athens but not really
Hahahaha....yeah the title of this is how I feel. Yes, I will be in Athens this term and really, all the way up until May 2012.
But.....I feel as if I will also not be in Athens. How is this possible?
Well with a sister in a maybe transition
and a Practicum in the Atlanta area
and Spring Break
and Spring Fever
with Retreats
and maybe Scrapbook Weekends
mixed with the Random things that life will throw in.....
This seems like the semester where I was in Athens but not really!
But.....I feel as if I will also not be in Athens. How is this possible?
Well with a sister in a maybe transition
and a Practicum in the Atlanta area
and Spring Break
and Spring Fever
with Retreats
and maybe Scrapbook Weekends
mixed with the Random things that life will throw in.....
This seems like the semester where I was in Athens but not really!
Friday, February 18, 2011
Say it Loud....
I'm Black and I'm Proud:)
We are well underway into this Black History Month 2011. I could go sooo many places with this. Black history/herstory in Sports, Music, Medicine, Technology, Business, etc.
So instead I will go along the path that feels right to me this evening. It is a path that looks back at ancestors I never knew, yet I love. I will admit, that a part of me hates the Ancestory.com commercials that promise insight into your family tree. A part of me wants to say, having a clear family tree, easily traced by something so simple as a last name is a sort of privilege. I can trace my family back but after awhile the people and places get jumbled and pushed around by slavery, oppression, prejudice and the like.
That to me is why Black History Month is so critical, because if we don't celebrate, we often forget. And I don't ever in my life want to forget the extreme sacrifice paid for my freedom. I share this life I call my own with generations of family who would not have dreamed that my reality was possible. I owe the happy, joyful, hardworking Sabrina that I am, to real blood, sweat, and tears of my family that was.
So maybe writing this has helped because I don't have to hate Ancestory.com. I can be strengthened and renewed by the quiet whispers of long ago that settle in my soul and motivate me to go out there and grasp every single opportunity I can. I can understand that the past is full of pride for some and shame/indifference for others and the real sorrow in the whole thing is when we stop acknowledging that we all have a shared past and a shared future. That the people who can trace their family back 10 generations and the people who can't, need to come together and learn something from each other's experiences.
May this month, more than most, I open my eyes to hear and celebrate the stories all around me. And may I step boldly into my future carrying the spirit of all I hold dear close to my heart.
We are well underway into this Black History Month 2011. I could go sooo many places with this. Black history/herstory in Sports, Music, Medicine, Technology, Business, etc.
So instead I will go along the path that feels right to me this evening. It is a path that looks back at ancestors I never knew, yet I love. I will admit, that a part of me hates the Ancestory.com commercials that promise insight into your family tree. A part of me wants to say, having a clear family tree, easily traced by something so simple as a last name is a sort of privilege. I can trace my family back but after awhile the people and places get jumbled and pushed around by slavery, oppression, prejudice and the like.
That to me is why Black History Month is so critical, because if we don't celebrate, we often forget. And I don't ever in my life want to forget the extreme sacrifice paid for my freedom. I share this life I call my own with generations of family who would not have dreamed that my reality was possible. I owe the happy, joyful, hardworking Sabrina that I am, to real blood, sweat, and tears of my family that was.
So maybe writing this has helped because I don't have to hate Ancestory.com. I can be strengthened and renewed by the quiet whispers of long ago that settle in my soul and motivate me to go out there and grasp every single opportunity I can. I can understand that the past is full of pride for some and shame/indifference for others and the real sorrow in the whole thing is when we stop acknowledging that we all have a shared past and a shared future. That the people who can trace their family back 10 generations and the people who can't, need to come together and learn something from each other's experiences.
May this month, more than most, I open my eyes to hear and celebrate the stories all around me. And may I step boldly into my future carrying the spirit of all I hold dear close to my heart.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
The reward
"If you look deeply into the palm of your hand, you will see your parents and all generations of your ancestors. All of them are alive in this moment. Each is present in your body. You are the continuation of each of these people."
Tich Nhat Hanh
Life is hectic right now. There are SO many things going on in my life. However, I have invited or asked for them all so this is not me complaining...this is more like accepting:)
The reward is coming on Friday. MY FAMILY IS COMING TO GEORGIA! Yeah, I am that excited. I treasure my family more and more throughout the grad school experience.
With my future plans being so up in the air about whether I will end up settling in FL or GA, time with my family is safe and protected.
However, before I get to Friday I have.....
classes
cleaning
interviewing
working
reading
mentoring
meeting
studying
planning
presenting
Tich Nhat Hanh
Life is hectic right now. There are SO many things going on in my life. However, I have invited or asked for them all so this is not me complaining...this is more like accepting:)
The reward is coming on Friday. MY FAMILY IS COMING TO GEORGIA! Yeah, I am that excited. I treasure my family more and more throughout the grad school experience.
With my future plans being so up in the air about whether I will end up settling in FL or GA, time with my family is safe and protected.
However, before I get to Friday I have.....
classes
cleaning
interviewing
working
reading
mentoring
meeting
studying
planning
presenting
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Things I LOVE!- The End
On this day 7, I wanted to share this book that I am loving reading. The Five Love Languages Singles Edition is connecting with me on multiple levels. I even shared it with my sister, and she is gobbling it up too! We NEVER share reading interests so this is saying something.
The whole idea is that life is full of loving relationships...and we reap problems when we don't see that love is expressed in a variety of ways. 5 to be exact, according to the book.
You (pretty much anyone....though there is a version for couples) will really enjoy this book. I am almost ready to bet on it!
Have a fabulous week....my family comes to visit on Friday. I am pumped. The End!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Things I lOVE!- Part 6
On the Lord's Day.....sometimes I like to call it that....rings better than Sunday to my ears:)
Anyway, on this Lord's Day my favorite thing is a small part of the prayer of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. This tragicically, beautiful scene always takes me back powerfully to the sacrifice that was given for me. The raw emotion of Jesus as he talked to his father sheds so much light on his character and his love, and his dedication, and his concerns.
Today and almost everyday some of my favorite words of Jesus....that I borrow ALL the time as I pray are....
Matthew 14:36
"And he said Abba Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not what I will, but what you will."
Anyway, on this Lord's Day my favorite thing is a small part of the prayer of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. This tragicically, beautiful scene always takes me back powerfully to the sacrifice that was given for me. The raw emotion of Jesus as he talked to his father sheds so much light on his character and his love, and his dedication, and his concerns.
Today and almost everyday some of my favorite words of Jesus....that I borrow ALL the time as I pray are....
Matthew 14:36
"And he said Abba Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not what I will, but what you will."
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Things I LOVE!- Part 5
* Note I actually wrote this late last night..but didn't post it until today!*
I am not supposed to still be up! Sigh....however I was rewarded for my "nightowl" ways by stumbling across the absolute, most fabulous, little girls birthday party idea ever!!!
If I had the funds, more creativity, and the child I would be ALL over this party idea. I mean it when I say I adore every single thing about this party!!! I mean my jaw dropped wide open when I saw all the details:)
Thanks to Anj and her blog for the inspiration. May I re-present the Night Owl Party (insert thundering applause).
I am not supposed to still be up! Sigh....however I was rewarded for my "nightowl" ways by stumbling across the absolute, most fabulous, little girls birthday party idea ever!!!
If I had the funds, more creativity, and the child I would be ALL over this party idea. I mean it when I say I adore every single thing about this party!!! I mean my jaw dropped wide open when I saw all the details:)
Thanks to Anj and her blog for the inspiration. May I re-present the Night Owl Party (insert thundering applause).
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Things I LOVE!- Part 4
With the last of my energy I wanted to quickly add a little interesting reading to my LOVE list. I hope by now you have realized that I am inspired by Valentine's Day and the idea (commercial and not) of love. I have a few more LOVES to share and then I will be moving on:)
From my fav., NPR online I present an article from their series of articles hidden world of girls.
From my fav., NPR online I present an article from their series of articles hidden world of girls.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Things I LOVE!- Part 3
Today in Expressive Arts class we did a music therapy activity with this song. We sat in the dark classroom doing nothing but letting these words wash over us. I had never heard it before! It is truly beautiful and I was about to cry then and now as I sit and am fully present with these gorgeous lyrics.
This song brings up the emotionful (my own word) part of Sabrina. The part that I do not listen to too often because life gets busy. And I am usually the practical one. And because being emotionful does not always feel that great. But then again sometimes it does!
However, in the spirit of sharing things I LOVE.....I HAD to share this with you all because it is true and lovely and very touching for me at this present time. Have a great weekend!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Things I LOVE!- Part 2
Even though we've changed and we're all finding our own place in the world, we all know that when the tears fall or the smile spreads across our face, we'll come to each other because no matter where this crazy world takes us, nothing will ever change so much to the point where we're not all still friends.” Unknown
How true is this quote? How perfecfely does it sum up those beautiful, blessed friendships that I am lucky enough to have in my life!? I don't get to see my precious friends as much as I would like....but we are still bonded tight.
There are 7 ladies who are on my fictional bridemaids list. I feel as if that quote could be applied to each and every one!! That is an amazing and humbling thought!!
How true is this quote? How perfecfely does it sum up those beautiful, blessed friendships that I am lucky enough to have in my life!? I don't get to see my precious friends as much as I would like....but we are still bonded tight.
There are 7 ladies who are on my fictional bridemaids list. I feel as if that quote could be applied to each and every one!! That is an amazing and humbling thought!!
Things I LOVE!
"Someday, when I'm awfully low, I will feel a glow just thinking of you, and the way you look tonight." Frank Sinatra
Since I can't escape the Valentine's Day sales pitches....I might as well go along for the ride:)
I LOVE the song lyrics above. Going with that theme. Here is a beautiful glow inspiring look that I could possibly pull off if funds were no problem. Maybe later on I will do a look based in reality;)
dress found here
shoes found here
apple earrings here...get it red shoes, and apple earrings!
add a spritz of this and I would be ready to hit the town
Since I can't escape the Valentine's Day sales pitches....I might as well go along for the ride:)
I LOVE the song lyrics above. Going with that theme. Here is a beautiful glow inspiring look that I could possibly pull off if funds were no problem. Maybe later on I will do a look based in reality;)
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