Direction

So, I've been reminded that this blog is not really about me.  It is about God in my life.  Therefore, I will continue to blog with perhaps a bit more direction.  Each Monday will be a "Bumpy Monday".  These will be previous posts.  Tuesday through Thursday will be new entries.  Friday will be new entries with one of the following topics:  Penguins, Memoirs, or God Moments.  Saturday or Sunday posts will be rare and by the leading of the Spirit only.

Next, I've got to publicize the blog a bit more.  Please refer my blog to your friends.  Tell me about your blog.  I'll read and comment.

(Father God, thank you for being a part of my life.  I praise your name because you are.  In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)

Encouragement - Where does it come from?

Encouragement.  Where does it come from for you?  Where do you get that extra charge to keep going?  In what form does it present itself?  Do you need verbal encouragement or will a simple smile keep you going?  Does it matter if it's someone close to you or a complete stranger that shares it?  When do you need it the most? Do you happen to fail to notice it if it is given during good times?

I started writing this blog four years ago. (http://dailyswim.blogspot.com/2007/08/welcome-to-daily-swim.html) Sometimes it was easy to write on a regular basis.  Sometimes living life distracted me away.  I have no idea how many people read it or if anyone gets anything out of it.  I've prayed that someone would get a blessing from reading it and that it would honor God for His purpose.

Is it time to stop?  Or, is it time to be more vocal about it's existence?  I need some encouragement here.

(Father God, I leave this blog in your hands.  In Jesus name I pray, Amen.)

Traveling Thoughts

This is what happens when I am traveling and thinking at the same time. These are notes that I saved on my cell phone. I've posted them like I thought them. Grammar beware! I think I was planning to expand on the first thought for a blog entry and I may still. And, obviously the second thought is an extension of the first thought, perhaps a bit more poetic. Both entries were made when traveling down Oklahoma Highway 3.

11/24/2009 4:34 PM

Ever notice how each tree is different? They don't have the same number of branches or leaves. They don't grow at the same rate.

5/7/2010 6:50 PM -

Green, everywhere green. Dark green leaves of the oak tree. Medium greens. Light greens of new leaves. Green grass. Dotted with purple vetch and orange Indian paint brush. Light tan topping green wheat-like plants. Multicolor green obscuring tree trunks. Silver maple leaves casting a delicate green hue briefly in the green sea. Dark evergreens. Lacy ferns. Rare and random rocks. Suddenly the sea of green is broken by an expansive blue mirror, cool and inviting. Where are the reds, yellows, and oranges? Where did the shades of grey go? There is no strict contrast of black and white. Green reaching up to the expanse of sky. Curtains of green hanging in gentle waves. Dresses of green dancing across my vision. Short dresses, long dresses, fluffy dresses, slim dresses. Gorgeous array. Waving arms, singing joyous praise.

(Father God, thank you for the blessings of the seasons. Thank you for the simple yet so complex examples of your creation. Thank you for allowing me to see them. Help me to always be aware of the beauty around me. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)

Slack and Stopping Slack

Okay, okay. I've been slack in posting lately. I've been re-thinking what this blog is about and how I want to use it. I am very protective of my privacy but I don't want anyone thinking I'm a fake either. And, I want someone other than myself to read it.

So, I'm searching for that middle ground where I can protect what needs to be protected and share enough to be interesting.

I'm going to concentrate on some devotional type postings for awhile. Tidbits of information, insight, and things that God has pointed out through reading or everyday life. We will see how that goes. Sprinkled in every once in awhile will be some personal news. This is a doable thing.

Now, it's off to regular posting...

(Father God, thank you for our electronic age. I am so amazed by what you have allowed us to learn and the knowledge that you've sent before us on which we build. Technology is a wonderful tool for sharing about you. Please encourage me as I endeavor to use this blog for your glory. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)

Precious Life

I've been reflecting on how precious life is to God.  He thought so much of each life that He became victorious over death so that we could live eternally.  Wow.

Over the past couple of years, I have been exposed to lives that are not easy living.  Each life is a miracle.  Not just because the over come some incredible odds but because God has a purpose for each life.  Ashley is a transplant child.  Vera is a Trisonomy 18 child.  Gwyneth was born very premature.  Each of these has touched my life in a way that I never expected.  My emotions have been pulled and pushed as I've followed each of these lives through a blog.  There have been days when I cried tears of prayers for these and days when tears of joy came unbidden.

As I reflect on all that God has taught me through these lives, I realize that He holds each life precious.  So precious, that He was willing to give His own life in place for them.  He holds the life of babies, mothers, grandfathers, great grandmas, and great-great grandpas precious.  If we ignore the preciousness of infant life, we soon lose track of the importance and preciousness of teenage life, young adults, "middle" aged, and the elderly.  

I've followed these young lifes but obviously I've missed the other stages.  I'm challenged to find a blog that shows precious life at each stage.  Keep an eye on the blogs I follow, there may be some additions over the next few weeks.

(Father God, I thank you for the reminder of how precious life is no matter the stage.  I pray that you will lead me to the blogs that honor you in all.  I thank you for finding my life precious and for making a way that I can know you eternally.  In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)