TY's MIX•
on July 30th, 2005•
I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 1 Corinthians 3:6 NIV
Time is so precious and so often I’m guilty of packing as much as possible in 24 hours a day. I love designing websites, but even the things God gives us a passion to do, we need to take a break to focus on Him! I overdid it earlier this summer and abruptly took a break. I came back more focused and more protective of my calendar. I’m trying to keep in mind I’m not superwoman! 
I had a very restful Saturday and actually had time to update my site. Sadly, my personal sites stay poorly updated while working on other projects. Revising the pages in my portfolio gave me a chance to see all of the awesome folks God has blessed me to work with over the years. Many of them inspire me. Their emails and long distance phone calls have been welcomed in the late hours at night. I’m especially blessed to have some praying, God-loving clients!
It took me a long time to figure out what to use as a logo and a motto. It came to me last year after being inspired by a beautiful photo of a sunflower (which I use througout the site).
“You plant the seed and …
…we bring your ideas to life!”
If you know anything about a website, there is more involved than just having one. You have to put a lot of work into getting it to make sense and noticed among the millions of websites online. I have several sites online that have truly grown-up over the years. It took some time for them to mature with content and gain a loyal visitor base. Rarely do websites take off as overnight sensations.
God allows people in our lives to plant or water seeds, but the maturing process takes place with Him. It definitely is not an overnight success story, but a lifetime process. Whether you are the one who plants or waters the seeds, take time to monitor your calendar and time. Busyness can be stunting your growth. Keep ample time open for the Master Gardener.
Have a restful Sunday! If you get some surfing time, check out some great websites!
Fiction•
on July 27th, 2005•
Ahhh! The smell. The aroma. The anticipation. Where do I start?
Look at all the rows and rows of bookshelves! A book lover’s paradise!
Yes, I treated myself to a rarity today!
Now I love a cup of coffee and the Starbucks section in Barnes & Noble was talking to my nose. The coffee beans were enticing, but with the weather approaching ninety degrees outside (it reached 100 degress today by the way), I just enjoyed the aroma and kept on stepping towards the first stack of books that caught my eye. Now I had no business eyeing the discount books, because I already have two or three STACKS of unread books waiting for me at home. But I looked anyway. You never know when you find a bargain!
I am an Internet junkie and over the past few years Amazon.com and Christianbook.com have become well-worn bookmarks in my browser. Various publishers have supplied me with books galore to review for them. With books always at my fingertips, I rarely enter a library unless I’m doing research for a project. Physical book stores – whether Barnes & Noble, Waldenbooks or Books-A-Million – visiting these stores is a favorite pastime that beckons me.
Similar to how a sports fan gets ready for the big game, my stride is anticipatory and confident in finding a winning combination for my eyes to behold. Believe me I can spend some time in the bookstore. Patiently I drag my finger across the spine of the books. The titles call to me. Pick me. Pick me. After scanning the table of contents, I quickly flip through the pages. Turning the book over I carefully read the description. Nah! Not this one. Next. Next. Finally, I find the book that beckoned me to the store in the first place. Ok, I exaggerate! But this author may provide some insights to a situation. Better yet, this novel might be good enough to keep me up all night! Off I go to the register.
Oh, but I was good today. The books I have at home will keep me content for a while, but I did find a great one for my sister. I also found a great one for my co-worker.
Hey, an avid book lover is commissioned to pass a good book along! It’s like sharing a good pot of coffee with a friend.
Bible Study•
on July 26th, 2005•
God is so good! This summer I have had the opportunity to facilitate a women’s bible study for the first time. We are currently reading “Your Best Life Now” by Joel Osteen. Joel talks about seven principles in the book, so the study was seven weeks long. We have two more sessions to go. This opportunity has really pulled me out of my comfort zone. I’m used to teaching bible study and Sunday School to children under the age 8.
I happen to be the youngest member in this group, so I’m in awe that they trust me to do this. The ladies have been really encouraging and the turn out has been great even though it’s summer time. I’m looking forward to choosing a study for the fall and count it all joy to have had this experience.
In order to prepare for each session I re-read (I read the book earlier this year) the chapters and wrote discussion questions. The book turned out to be a really great source for discussion about a lot of issues Christians go through. If you are interesting in downloading the discussion questions, I’m including them below. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view them.
Devotions•
on July 24th, 2005•
NIRVANA – An ideal condition of rest, harmony, stability, or joy. (Houghton-Mifflin Dictionary)
My sister and I went to a spa yesterday. My sister found this place on the web called Urban Nirvana. Both of us have been longing for a vacation, but have not figured out where to go or saved the money to go anywhere. We decided to splurge this once on a massage and a facial. We both agreed we should have opted for a longer massage. The facial was not bad either, but there are no noticable differences in my face. I guess my pores were happy for the experience. We will see if a zit makes its way on my face in the next few days. It was nice to feel special and oh so relaxed! I was not that far from home, but I felt like I had traveled miles away.
Today I had a different type of nirvana experience. First, I actually made it to to the 8:00 am service on time today. I felt really compelled to get moving and not linger in the bed, like I normally do, thus causing myself to be fashionably late. Where does the term fashionably late come from? Late is late!
Anyway, have you ever had one of those days when you knew this Sunday’s church service was going to be different? I mean you knew and were expecting something before you chose what you were going to wear. Going to church is about worshipping God. Arriving in the sanctuary with expectation! Not so much to be blessed, but to experience the presence of God among fellow believers. So often it becomes just something a good Christian should do.
While being treated special yesterday was wonderful, nothing compares to the touch from the Holy Spirit. The Spirit was so overwhelming today, the chaplain didn’t have to preach a sermon. He just let the Spirit have His way. Those type of church services come ever so often and they are always right on time.
Jesus promised us a Comforter. The Holy Spirit comes to comfort and remind us of God truths. When life wears you down, sometimes you can forget and become overwhelmed. While we may go through trials, God intends for us to experience a “condition of rest, harmony, stability, or joy.” We should take the time to seek and pursue those nirvana moments!
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. John 16:7 KJV
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26 NIV
Fiction•
on July 23rd, 2005•
Ok, here are two novels from two first time novelist. I hope you get an opportunity to check them out!
Plenty Good Room
By Cheri Paris Edwards
It’s always refreshing to read a book from a new author, especially one that stands out from the rest. Plenty Good Room by Cheri Paris Edwards is one of those rare Christian novels that offer readers a peak inside the heart and soul of the lost. Readers will get a chance to witness how God truly never leaves or forsake us.
Tamara Britton is a child advocate who leads a quiet, lonely life. In one night her seemingly controlled life changes when fourteen year old Sienna Larson is dropped off at her home. In a matter of days, Tamara’s world is turned upside down after she agrees to let Sienna stay in her home for an unlimited amount of time. Normally a calm, controlled person, Tamara often finds herself being pushed to the edge by Sienna’s rude and endless troubles.
In the midst of her struggling relationship with Sienna, Tamara’s mysterious past slowly comes to light as she searches for a childhood friend. During her search, she learns how to open her heart to relationships. Her openness allows her to create a stable environment and an opportunity to bond with Sienna. Unexpectantly, a romance begins to stir for her with the main suitor being God himself.
Cheri Paris Edwards provides readers an eye-opening look at the disturbing consequences of poverty, drug abuse, child abuse, homelessness, and the juvenile system. Truly foster parents, social workers and childhood advocates have a special role in bringing a sense of security to a lost child. With sadness, some children are totally lost in the system. While they seem to be forgotten, Cheri Paris Edwards shows how God never forgets us. While fictional, Tamara’s story is a testimony that deserves to be read!
Choose Me
By Xenia Ruiz
Walk Worthy Press has really been turning out some good books in 2005! Xenia Ruiz is another debut novelist that offers a very “worthy” read. In Choose Me meet Eva a Puerto Rican, single mother of two college age sons. Eva is a growing Christian who has been celibate for five years. Eva is introduced to Adam who has refrained from intimacy with a woman, but not on purpose. Adam is a cancer survivor who has a new outlook on life.
Hitting it off upon their first few meeting, Adam and Eva decide to pursue a relationship with the understanding that no intimacy will be pursued until marriage. The couple begins to hit a wall as the temptation to pursue a physical relationship increases and becomes more fervent. The tricky part of dealing with the growing physical struggles comes in the fact that neither one wants to get married. Eva and Adams’ struggles threaten to tear them apart and unfortunately tragedy and heartache pushes them both to the edge.
Readers will enjoy the humor and vulnerability of the characters. The cultural richness of the novel is also an added treat as people of a Hispanic background are not often seen in Christian fiction. Tackling such issues as celibacy, forgiveness, racial profiling, adultery, Xenia weaves a tale of two people in love who learn the true art of how to love from the Master Himself.
Bible Study•
on July 20th, 2005•
Over the past two years I have been tremendously blessed by Revive Our Hearts, a women’s ministry under the leadership of Nancy Leigh DeMoss. This week they are talking about the subject of “Brokenness.”
“You see, brokenness is not a feeling. It is not an emotion. It is a choice that I make. It is an act of my will. It’s a lifestyle of agreeing with God about the true condition of my heart and my life as He alone can see it”. — Nancy Leigh DeMoss
I encourage you to check out the audio clips. Each audio clip lasts about 14 minutes. I like to listen to them each day at work. You definitely want to check out the Proud vs Broken People list. It is quite a humbling experience to read through this list. Be blessed!
Nonfiction•
on July 1st, 2005•
How often do we wonder about God’s will in our lives? Jane Kise presents twelve questions about discovering God’s will. Some questions include:
- What if I’m just not sure what to do?
- What can the bible tell me today?
- Can I ever trust my own heart?
- Was that God or just a dream?
- How do I know if something is a sign from God?
- If the going gets tough, did I make a wrong turn?
read more
