strong language

i get so frustrated with people who don't use "common courtesy"...you know the please's, and thank-you's, the excuse me's and the i'm sorry's.

i was reading a book the other day where one of the characters kept telling the other to "stop saying you're sorry".it sort of made me crazy!! i got what this guy was saying (i'll just let you know...he wasn't gonna be the hero of this story so maybe i was predisposed to think he was being a jerk by telling the heroine to stop apologizing), she had a habit of anytime someone didn't agree with her that she would apologize instead of standing up for herself and what she believed in. well, it goes from there...that's where my thinking started and is actually something that has bothered me for quite some time and it's just now come to the surface.

i am always shocked when someone can walk right past me, someone i know, even have some sort of relationship with, make eye contact but to walk right on by with out speaking. I'm not saying starting a conversation or anything but there's something in speaking to your friend. this happens all the time at work...me and only one other person will be in the hall, walking directly towards each other but for some reason a "hi", "hang in there", "how's it going?", etc. doesn't even cross our minds. (i'm just as guilty here). how hard is it smile, or speak? i know how important it is to me when someone simply acknowledges me and i am sure it is the same in reverse, at least i hope so.

The same goes with saying thank you. i LOVE hearing someone say thank you. thank  you for something small almost means more to me than someone saying thank you because it's expected for something big. saying sorry when you didn't mean to be in their way is just as important for saying you are sorry for letting them down. and please, oh please, say please!!! it's a simple word, one of the first words parent's teach their kids but somewhere it is lost from common vocabulary. i know myself, i get more satisfaction doing something for someone else if they say please and i get better results if i ask please rather than ordering or directing someone to do something.

the bible talks about the words of our mouths in Psalm 19:4: 


Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. (ESV)

i for one am going to make a conscious effort to use this strong language.

for your reading enjoyment

Knowing You Jesus penned by Joel Hunt
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=2177495799588

When Peace Like A River penned by Andrea Hunt
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=465163937131

a day that will live in infamy

today is the 70th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor invasion...an event that changed the world for forever. today is also the 9th birthday of my beautiful niece ashlyn. and today is exactly one year from the day my brother had his leg amputated.

i remember very clearly the emotions i was facing the night before his surgery. i was fearful but standing up in the face of that fear claiming spiritual truths, things i didn't really feel so much as believed. amazingly God allowed me a very peaceful sleep and i woke up refreshed and ready to tackle what ever the day might bring.

joining friends for prayer was the perfect way to start my day and then my friend and i head into the city hoping to be at the hospital by the time joel was out of surgery. we got lost, multiple times, couldn't find parking, encountered very unhelpful people and were winding our ways through a strange hospital when we rounded a corner and there were mom and dad! that day began a new year of so many new things, new trials, new joys, new experiences.

lucy eliene was born in januray and i was told that joel didn't let hobbling around on one leg slow him down. mom said he hopped around carrying the new born "just like any new dad would".

joel quickly began working towards his physical training to rejoin the fire force not even knowing if it would truly become a reality. involved in that was not only learning to be physical fit but to walk again. i can't imagine learning to walk again as an adult.

this picture to the right is joel at the top of the ladder post amputation, with a prosthetic, back at work!

i am at a loss to describe the wonder i have in the majesty and wonder of God's plan. to be present during this amazing journey has been something of a dream. i in no way want to trivialize the trials joel has faced, the struggle, the pain but it is overwhelming to know that Romans 8:28 remains just as true today as it did the day that the apostle paul penned the words.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

watch this video...everyone.

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i choose to be simple minded

last week i became engaged in a high spirited facebook conversation on the subject of the Bible being the truth or simply an interesting read. actually this individual called the Bible a "snooze-fest" that was written very poorly. as you can imagine my defenses came up and i began an all out attack of scriptures backing up my view point. all in all this was a very civilized debate but i began to feel personally attacked. i was told that i was "being lied to by the devil" (the very same devil that this facebooker denies exists). i was told that i am closed minded and simple minded. at first that was offensive to me but i was reminded of Matthew 19:14, "But Jesus said, "Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."" and Matthew 18:13, "and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven."

i choose to believe the bible. i choose to believe that Jesus loves me. i choose to believe that He died for me. i choose to believe that He rose again. i choose to believe that He is returning one day to take me home.

if that makes me "simple minded" than so be it.


Jesus loves me! this I know,
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong;
they are weak but He is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
For the Bible tells me so.

6,927 and counting

i haven't even logged onto this blog in quite awhile and you can imagine my shock when i see that i have a total of 6,927 site views!! seriously? who knew that the words i write could be read by so many!! actually it seems that one of the pictures in one of my posts has been picked up by google images and that's where the hits have come from!! maybe just maybe some of those image hunters are actually reading what i've written.

words and rejoicing

have you ever had one of those moments where you have a ton to say but don't know what to say? that's exactly how i feel right now. maybe my inspiration will come later today.

oh, one quick something...i think i felt a little bit like the father in the prodigal son story in the bible (luke 15:11-32). one that i have been praying, hurting for told me they have come home. contiune praying for this one.