Who are you holding back?

When I'm speaking to a large group, or writing for a magazine, I feel very comfortable sharing anything. I don't know the people, so I have no fear of rejection. However, knowing that my heart will be revealed to someone close to me is a different situation. Because they knew me back when. It's hard to be a light to folks who knew you in the darkness.

It's the same when friends from the old days want to be my friend on facebook. I wonder who they are expecting, because I'm not the same girl I was at 17. I am a new creation in Christ, and I fear they are looking for someone they won't find. At the same time, I don't know if they too have changed, so I shouldn't be judging them.

How about you? Is there someone in your life who you are quick to judge? Jesus experienced this in his hometown, when he went back.

Mark 6: 1 - 6
Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.

"Where did this man get these things?" they asked. "What's this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him.

Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor." He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their lack of faith.

Because the people in Jesus hometown did not have faith in Jesus, he could not do any miracles there. Jesus, the son of God, was held back because of their lack of faith. How much more are we held back when family and friends don't believe in us?

Today, I encourage you to give your love and support to a family member or childhood friend who isn't the same person they used to be. Why not give them a chance and see? Don't stop their miracles from happening.

Your Hands

I love this song. I love the melody, the lyrics, the voice of the singer. It is really a powerful song and I hope you enjoy it too.

Your Hands, by J.J. Heller




To see other inspiring songs, go over to the meme host, by clicking the button below.

Celebrity Doppelganger

What celebrity do you look like? That's the latest game on Facebook. At first I posted a picture of Victoria Principal. Then my friend Sue J reminded me that of course it is Lynda Carter, Wonder Woman. How could I have forgotten? That's an old joke between us. I was Wonder Woman doing it all.

As a matter of fact, the really old timers over here know my blog used to be called "Wonder Woman Wonders" before it was Chatty Kelly. My tag line was "I'm not Wonder Woman. I used to think I was, running here and there doing everything MYSELF (as my four year old often quips to me "I can do it MYSELF!"). Now I wonder how I did it, and praise God that he is who made me WONDERfully. I've traded in my golden tiara for a Crown of Life, and though I don't have a lasso of truth, I know the Way and the Truth and the Life, Jesus Christ."

Well, that four year old turned six this week. And I've learned a thing or two in two years time. While it's nice to be told you look like Linda Carter, the person I most want to look like is Jesus. I want folks to see past me and my flaws and see His light shining through me.

What celebrity do you think you look like? And what changes can you make in your life so that you look more like Jesus everyday?

Heaven's Door

My blog friend, Krippled Warrior, posted this poem at his blog, and I'm borrowing it for over here. It is both funny and wise, and a great reminder not to judge others. Every saint has a past. Every sinner has a future, in Christ, if they just accept Him.

**

I was shocked, confused, bewildered
As I entered Heaven's door,
Not by the beauty of it all,
Nor the lights or its decor.

But it was the folks in Heaven
Who made me sputter and gasp--
The thieves, the liars, the sinners,
The alcoholics and the trash.

There stood the kid from seventh grade
Who swiped my lunch money twice.
Next to him was my old neighbor
Who never said anything nice.

Herb, who I always thought
Was rotting away in hell,
Was sitting pretty on cloud nine,
Looking incredibly well.

I nudged Jesus, 'What's the deal?
I would love to hear Your take.
How'd all these sinners get up here?
God must've made a mistake.

'And why is everyone so quiet,
So somber - give me a clue.'
'Hush, child,' He said, 'they're all in shock.
No one thought they'd be seeing you.'

**
Have a blessed day!

What I learned on my 10 day Daniel Fast

As I mentioned Friday, I completed 10 days of fasting eating only fruits, veggies, and whole grains and drinking only water. (No coffee!) Only God in me made this possible. I could never do it myself. Here are some things I learned while on the fast.

1. God created us with empty places that can be filled only by him. But instead, we turn to food, facebook, TV or other things. Whether I'm happy, sad, bored, or lonely, I use food to comfort me. I need to be turning to God.

2. I eat unconsciously alot. I graze when making the kids snacks, or eat when I see something that looks good, even when I'm not hungry. Fasting made me analyze every thing I ate, and think before eating it.

3. I am blessed with an abundance of food! Day 1 while I was eating breakfast, I couldn't bring myself to complain, thinking of the people in Haiti who would love to eat my tasteless muesli, and drink my fresh water (with no coffee in it!). This fast was made so much easier by the abundance of fresh fruits and veggies available. It wasn't a hard ship, although it did require a lot of self-denial. (as opposed to self-indulgence.)

4. Frozen grapes taste like candy when you haven't had any sugar in 6 days.

5. I can do anything through Christ who strengthens me!

What can you accomplish through Christ today?

Philippians 4:13 -- I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.

Why Fast?

Last year this time, I read a blogger's post about giving up sugar. My immediate thought was "I could NEVER do that." Some time passed and a second blogger I follow gave up sugar. Again, "I could NEVER do that." But that I time I also thought, "Why couldn't I?"

My day starts with sugar...in my coffee. And ends with sugar...in my ice cream. I love sugar. Chocolate is my friend. And those sweet coffee drinks. MMMmmm!

Soon a couple of friends were doing the Daniel Fast. I love the tag line of this book, which says, "Sometimes you are so hungry that the only way you can be fed is to fast." And so I began contemplating not just giving up sugar, but giving up sugar, all sweeteners including artificial and natural, meat, diary, and EVERYTHING except whole grains, fruits and veggies, and drinking only water. (no coffee!)

As I began reading the Daniel Fast book and meal planning, I became excited. With the help of God, I could give up sugar, and all that other stuff. I set Feb 16 as my start day and decided to fast for 10 days. I did it for a couple of reasons.

1. To show God's power. I couldn't do it. I absolutely could not do it. But God in me could, and that is very exciting!

2. To deny myself. We live in a world of self-indulgence, not self-denial. I pretty much eat anything I want. I wanted to deny myself for God.

On Monday I'll post some things I learned as a result of my fast, but today is the 11th day. The end result?

I did it!!!! GOD DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




Matthew 16:24 -- Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Daniel 1:12 -- {Daniel said} "Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink."

The Power of Prayer

Many of us have heard stories of miraculous healings as a result of feverent prayers. Just as many of us, however, have known or heard of someone who was not healed, who had seemingly just as much prayer support. What then, is the power of prayer? Why should we pray?

Meet me over at Titus 2 in Action to discuss the power of prayer.