I’m going to dwell on these things: whatever is TRUE,
whatever is HONORABLE,
whatever is RIGHT,
whatever is PURE,
whatever is LOVELY,
whatever is GOOD REPUTE,
anything EXCELLENT,
anything WORTHY of PRAISE.
(Phil. 4:8)

Too often I’ve dwelled on what is worthy of complaining about. I don’t see whining on this list! I pray God daily renews my mind in 2010.

Waves may be violent

Dangerous and loud

But out of that frothy rhythm

Comes a timeless peace

Special thanks to my friend Jim for sending this out.

Up for a challenge?  It was suggested we read the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church, better known as the ‘Love Chapter,’ and take out the word LOVE and INSERT YOUR NAME.  After you do this (I dare you!), print this out as a reminder and let me know how you did.  Remember, perfection was reserved for Jesus and there is now therefore NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

1 Cor 13:  4 Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, 6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails;

Sonia is patient,

Sonia  is kind.

Sonia  does not envy,

Sonia  does not boast,

Sonia  is not proud,

Sonia  is not rude.

Sonia  is not self-seeking.

Sonia  is not easily angered.

Sonia  keeps no record of wrongs.

Sonia  does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

Sonia  always protects.

Sonia  always trusts.

Sonia  always hopes.

Sonia  always perseveres.

Sonia  never fails!!!!!!!

I am patient and kind.

I am not jealous.

I do not brag.

I am not proud.

I am not rude.

I am not selfish.

I do not get upset with others.

I do not count up the wrongs that have been done.

I am not happy with evil…

I am happy with the truth.

I PATIENTLY ACCEPT ALL THINGS. (Had to emphasize that for me!)

I always trust.

I always hope.

I always remain strong.

I never end.

This is based on 1 Cor. 4-8a. This is who I want to be: love. Since God is love, I guess I need more God!

Obviously, I must spend a lot of time in the bathroom doing my hair and make-up!

I’ve already listened to three books of the Bible: Romans, Acts, and Matthew. Crazy!!!

No matter how much I try to find time to read, my progress is usually about a half a chapter per month. Hurrah for audio and iPods!

As songs play, I remember high school, college, and most recently Mom’s death…all through the lens of my faith. It’s a walk down a road of growth and struggles, falling and getting back up, failures and victories.

But most of all, listening to these songs reminds me that it’s my faith that has given me strength to stand back up and smile.

WooHoo just came on…I think it’s time to go back to work. WooHoo!

People have self talk, how you feel about yourself when no one else is
around

I wish I would have…
You can change your self talk

Weight according to respect for a person
Good man out of good treasure in his heart does good things

Injunctions that come against us
How you react is up to you
Same thing – opp to overcome or ruin forever
Whatever decision you make a stronghold develops, good or bad

Your script is what you believe in your heart
James 3:13
Earthly wisdom – become devilish
Wisdom from heaven pure, gentle, peaceable

World is suffering – from sin of duplicity
Segregated or integrated life
Whole or divided person?
Segregrated person – Personal relationship – private interpretation

Integrated life – all the time, same all the time

Jesus was lamb and the lion
Prophets and law
Don’t be rigid- God may show up in way don’t expect

What do you believe?
Not what you believe, but what you do about what you believe

Segregated life – we they attitude
Integrated – we attitude, solution makers

Independent or interdependent
Together we can do more

Segregated – under law, obligation, have to
Integrated – freedom, get to

Rock the world

Segregated – external approach – shirt police
Forget what’s going on internally
End up in judgement, appearances
Integrated- what is in your heart that counts

Constant, same person

Guard your heart – be constant in who you are

Authoritarian or servant leader – under law Sunday Christianity
Love Jesus all the time

Doctrine or purpose driven – want to see their heart, God will take
care of doctrine

Armor, shield of faith, affirmations are important, do something
wrong- that’s not like me, next time I’m going to …

Fill yourself up with the word

Put good things in your heart

(notes taken on Sonia’s iPhone. Please exuse any errors or inconsistencies!)

But here’s the dilemma. I simply don’t have enough time to edit all the notes and make them as perfect as I would like them to be and still post them on a timely basis. Not unless I make this my new full-time job.

So here’s what I am considering: if I post a disclaimer about the fact that these notes are not perfect and should not be taken as the “gospel” truth (ha, ha this play on words makes me laugh!), then perhaps it would be useful to people if I went ahead and posted them.

Thoughts, anyone?

The good news is that with God, I have a good life. I’ve been blessed with some really cool writing and marketing opportunities, and Brett’s company is busy with work too. When you have to work hard for every dollar–no steady paycheck or raises–it brings us back to where we should be: dependent on God.

Lately, I’ve been working hard to get into the Word more; I know I need it. But more than just reading, I am working to ponder a verse or two and really get it in me.

I’ve had some difficulties with sickness this summer, so this is a verse that I am constantly reminding myself of: “And the prayer of faith shall save the sick and the Lord shall raise him up.” James 5:15

The other verse I’ve been focusing on today is: “Grace and peace be yours in abundance.” 1 Peter 1:2b