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The Day I Almost Suffocated at a Women's Conference
Years ago I was in a place of deep depression. I was reading my Bible, maybe more than ever, because I was in such a desperately low place. I was praying daily. I was seeking God. I was not only seeking Him, I was begging Him to help me, to speak to me, to do something that only He could do.
In the midst of this, I was the speaker at a women's conference. I've never stopped working or serving for the past thirty years, even when I've been in a low place. Some people might say, "Well, that's your problem, right there!" I guess one could look at it that way. I just see it that even on my worst days I get up, dress up and show up. And believe me there were plenty of days I didn't feel like doing any one of those three things.
On this particular occasion I was the keynote speaker, but the host of the conference was also speaking in one of the sessions. As I sat there, I experienced something that was common for a women's conference or church service. So …
In the midst of this, I was the speaker at a women's conference. I've never stopped working or serving for the past thirty years, even when I've been in a low place. Some people might say, "Well, that's your problem, right there!" I guess one could look at it that way. I just see it that even on my worst days I get up, dress up and show up. And believe me there were plenty of days I didn't feel like doing any one of those three things.
On this particular occasion I was the keynote speaker, but the host of the conference was also speaking in one of the sessions. As I sat there, I experienced something that was common for a women's conference or church service. So …
Sometimes It Pays to Say Nothing!
Sightseeing for two days led to a craving to do nothing and everything at the same time, yesterday.
Sleeping in.
Staying in jammies.
Reading.
Watching movies.
Cuddling.
And all that's great about spending a quiet day together.
When evening came, Larry said he wanted to try a spot that was featured on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. It's a place called Sherman's with locations in Palm Springs and Palm Desert.
Something hilarious happened soon after we arrived. The server overheard Larry and I having a conversation about the selections on the menu. We were just talking in the same manner that we always do, but she took something more from the conversation. Something we never said! Larry overheard her tell her co-workers, "These people are food critics!" She thought we were there to scope it out and write a story about the place. We decided to say nothing and let them think what they wanted to. You know what they say about assuming. Staying quiet was a great decisi…
Sleeping in.
Staying in jammies.
Reading.
Watching movies.
Cuddling.
And all that's great about spending a quiet day together.
When evening came, Larry said he wanted to try a spot that was featured on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. It's a place called Sherman's with locations in Palm Springs and Palm Desert.
Something hilarious happened soon after we arrived. The server overheard Larry and I having a conversation about the selections on the menu. We were just talking in the same manner that we always do, but she took something more from the conversation. Something we never said! Larry overheard her tell her co-workers, "These people are food critics!" She thought we were there to scope it out and write a story about the place. We decided to say nothing and let them think what they wanted to. You know what they say about assuming. Staying quiet was a great decisi…
3 Things I Learned in the Desert
"You learn something new every day!" I wish I would have coined that phrase but of course I didn't -- it's an old one. Each day I look for opportunities to learn and usually learn more than three things. Yesterday was no exception as Larry and I spent the day at Joshua Tree National Park, taking in the sights.
I had no idea what I was in for. I mean, I knew it was a desert, but oh my lands, it's the mother of all deserts! It's a desert on steroids. The first thing anyone needs to do is get yourself a Big Gulp before you go, because it will take you a minimum of two hours to drive through it. Don't let the word PARK fool you. This thing is the size of the state of Rhode Island. No, I'm not kidding. And it will take you two hours only if you don't stop at any of the exhibits along the way, which of course, we did. Speaking of a big gulp, the first thing I learned is this:
1) If you want to know where you should eat or drink, just watch where the old …
I had no idea what I was in for. I mean, I knew it was a desert, but oh my lands, it's the mother of all deserts! It's a desert on steroids. The first thing anyone needs to do is get yourself a Big Gulp before you go, because it will take you a minimum of two hours to drive through it. Don't let the word PARK fool you. This thing is the size of the state of Rhode Island. No, I'm not kidding. And it will take you two hours only if you don't stop at any of the exhibits along the way, which of course, we did. Speaking of a big gulp, the first thing I learned is this:
1) If you want to know where you should eat or drink, just watch where the old …
3 Things I Learned Today on my Birthday
For sentiment sake, I'm writing a post about my birthday because I'll read it in a few months or years and look back on it fondly. Bloggers love reading our own stuff whether other people do or not. We're actually obsessed with our own words. We love seeing ourselves write as much as some people love hearing themselves talk. It's the thrill of the post.
I woke up and got a cup of coffee and read some of Isaiah as well as I Samuel, and some teaching on leadership by John Maxwell. (In my house I have a painting of Jesus on one wall and John Maxwell on the other.) While I was reading my husband brought me breakfast in bed. He's awesome like that. I try to reciprocate in ways that make him happy.
After savoring the breakfast I didn't have to cook, I began checking out the information from the first day of Revelation Wellness. It's a new program I'm trying at the invitation of my friend, Jodi Garvin. I started doing this partly because I believed if Jodi …
I woke up and got a cup of coffee and read some of Isaiah as well as I Samuel, and some teaching on leadership by John Maxwell. (In my house I have a painting of Jesus on one wall and John Maxwell on the other.) While I was reading my husband brought me breakfast in bed. He's awesome like that. I try to reciprocate in ways that make him happy.
After savoring the breakfast I didn't have to cook, I began checking out the information from the first day of Revelation Wellness. It's a new program I'm trying at the invitation of my friend, Jodi Garvin. I started doing this partly because I believed if Jodi …
What is Your Word of the Year?
For a number of years now, I have selected a word for the year as a theme. This year, I was delayed in settling on a word. Evidently I'm not alone. I have talked to several friends who said they didn't have their word of the year by January 1.
After much deliberation, my word for 2017 is grace.
"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12:9
Pastor James McDonald says:
"You never really experience the grace unless you see the need for it—and even that realization comes by grace. The power of Jesus' grace is not fully seen until weakness is fully acknowledged. The moment you are overwhelmed with your absolute helplessness is the moment you are ready to hear Jesus say, I’m all the grace you need."
Without God we'd all be sunk, in general. But there are times in your life …
After much deliberation, my word for 2017 is grace.
"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12:9
Pastor James McDonald says:
"You never really experience the grace unless you see the need for it—and even that realization comes by grace. The power of Jesus' grace is not fully seen until weakness is fully acknowledged. The moment you are overwhelmed with your absolute helplessness is the moment you are ready to hear Jesus say, I’m all the grace you need."
Without God we'd all be sunk, in general. But there are times in your life …
When You Write Something and Experience Loss as a Result
Writing about some things can cause you to lose everything, or nearly everything.
I've written a lot, and I've lost a lot.
I've also gained.
But the losses tend to stick in your mind more with anything. So we avoid loss if possible. It's called "loss aversion" and it's real.
Reading about some issues is rare simply because people are scared out of their mind about what will happen if they write openly about it. If you dare to write about some challenges in a public setting, the consequences can include loss of relationships, job, income, and a lot more.
I'm going through a challenge at this time in my life that is quite common. Although it is normal, I hear it is one of life's greatest challenges. Due to not wanting to experience further loss that what I'm already experiencing, I'm not going to share what the issue is. But I will say this. I've combed through Amazon to find even one book about it. I have surfed the internet. And the…
I've written a lot, and I've lost a lot.
I've also gained.
But the losses tend to stick in your mind more with anything. So we avoid loss if possible. It's called "loss aversion" and it's real.
Reading about some issues is rare simply because people are scared out of their mind about what will happen if they write openly about it. If you dare to write about some challenges in a public setting, the consequences can include loss of relationships, job, income, and a lot more.
I'm going through a challenge at this time in my life that is quite common. Although it is normal, I hear it is one of life's greatest challenges. Due to not wanting to experience further loss that what I'm already experiencing, I'm not going to share what the issue is. But I will say this. I've combed through Amazon to find even one book about it. I have surfed the internet. And the…