Goodbye 2009... Hello 2010!

Chris and I took a class taught by Doug Addison called Accelerating into your life's purpose. Out of that came my life's purpose. I've attached one of the reminder cards I created and have posted everywhere. I also use them as bookmarks, a great way to really let my desires soak in. Anyway, all this was inspired by my friend Marty's post. So to end 2009, I am reminding myself of my life's purpose. What a great way to step into 2010.

May 2010 be a year marked by the blessings you receive, live and share. Yvonne

Wordless Wednesday

Taking a moment....

Take a deep breath... let it out, sit back and enjoy...

Faith Building Friday

This is my favorite all time Christmas song, and favorite all time version. Again, the blending of the old and new amazes and inspires me. Enjoy it, may it ring in the Spirit of this holiday:

A Christmas classic...

Dedicated to our military, law enforcement and fire fighters. Thank you...

Wordless Wednesday

For you....

This is my brain... a short tour of what has been passing through of late…

Much has been happening lately, some having to do with the Thanksgiving celebration, some having to do with the upcoming Christmas celebration. While I haven’t been blogging lately, a lot has been passing through my brain.

I’m reading several interesting books at the moment. I’m reading a biography of the band Coldplay. Very much enjoying it, and dipping my toe into their music. Like those of you who are more familiar with their music than I, Yellow has become a favorite. I’m a lyrics girl, but that isn’t what has captured my attention. It’s the sound. I love Chris Martin’s lead vocals and the transparency in his voice. And the riff plucked out by Jonny Buckland is memorable, haunting, soaring and grounding all at the same time.

I’ve been studying Isaiah 22:15-23 and am stunned that God would choose to use someone’s bad situation; the Israelite girl that has been captured in war, but granted much so favor in her mistresses life so that she can suggest that healing would be found in the Prophet who lives in Israel. And the guy, not just any guy, but the guy in charge of the Syrian war machine takes her advice and goes, bearing gifts from his king. And he is healed by God. Why? As “a testimony that God resides in Israel”. That blows my mind, but then I realized that this general almost misses out on his miracle because he is accustomed to being treated a certain way and expects that level of deference from Elisha. But Elisha sends a messenger with his instructions for his healing. The general is actually upset, and leaves. But is calmed down and persuaded by his servants to follow the directions of the Prophet. Once he lets go of his expectations, humbles himself and follows directions, he is healed and his life is changed. So that made me think, what have I missed out on because I had expected it to look a certain way or come at a certain time or from a specific person...

I’ve also been reacquainting myself with Ester and with David and their education in the courts of Persia and Israel. The protocol required to approach the king, or in David’s case, the respect he had for whom God had placed in authority over the land and the people, and how that respect guided him in not killing Saul when he had the chance while Saul was chasing David with the intent to kill him. I have been learning their lessons, and finding places they apply in my life.

And movies…

• I’ve been thinking about the change in Tony Stark as he realizes there is more to life than living for your own pleasure (Ironman).
• Seeing life, balance, joy and love come into a lonely, bitter, hard woman (The proposal). 
• Hearing a new sound released on the earth that conveys so much more than we understand at the present moment (Close encounters of the third kind). 
• Been reminded of our transforming abilities (Transformers and Revenge of the fallen), not just in ourselves but our affect on the situations, circumstances and people we interact with. 
• Witnessing the unconventional choices that lead to victory and bond a group of green cadets into a highly respected team throughout the Federation (Star Trek). 
• Understanding that the concept of an everlasting love is being released to a generation that didn’t have a way to understand the concept (The Twilght series).

Music…

• Smiling and feeling free and light listening to Popcorn (the version recorded by Hot Butter).
• Experiencing the unbound joy in the rendition of Joyful Joyful sung by the St Francis choir (Sister Act 2). 
• Hearing Perry Como swing and encourage with Actuate the positive (Blast from the past).
  
• The underdog champion theme that Rock and roll pt2 carries with it (The replacement players).
• The sheer happiness of youth in Venus and Cruel summer (Bananarama). 
• The breakthrough carried in Whip it (Devo) and Youth of the Nation (POD).

Of being with friends, old and new that pour into me and allow me to pour into them. Being changed by my interaction with them.

Joining my efforts to those of other like minded individuals and seeing the synergistic results come forth.

Hearing and seeing the Lord speak as He chooses to speak. Of choosing to spend my time in His presence. Being encouraged, and changed, in ways I see at that moment, and ways that are hidden from me, when I do.

What's been running through your brain???

Excellence

This was passed on to me... all I could think was "This is excellence in motion..."

Enjoy

Lost in being...

Captured this image a few weeks back, I love the mystery and majesty this candelabra, the candles, the wall color and the lighting have... The way all of that comes together and creates a time and place where I can be lost in being...

Faith Building Friday

Meet Phil... a guy who has inspired me...

Choices and changes…

Somehow I was recently introduced to the Hanna Montana song The climb. It’s from the Hanna Montana movie. I was impressed enough that I ordered the movie from the library. Last night I finally got around to watching it. I have to say I really enjoyed it, on many levels. The story is excellent, it has great values and great music. In short the story is about the choices that Milie/Hanna is making and the choices she needs to make to have the life that she wants.

This week Chris and I had the pleasure of seeing an old friend. He’s just made some decisions, some choices that will affect not just the near future, but also the rest of his life. The decision he needed to make was a difficult one to make but once it was made he walked with a lightness and a freedom that was a joy to see.

And that’s what it’s like when we make the right choice, the right decision. Everything is lighter. We no longer feel like we’re climbing uphill. We are filled with hope.

I enjoyed lunch with a friend who was unsettled about a course of action she had set herself on. She had no peace in the course of action she had decided upon. Once she understood that this decision was one she’d made on her own and would be doing in her own strength, she dropped the plan she’d made, and like my other friend, she began to walk in peace.

In the movie, Milie’s dad hijacks her out of the fast paced glamorous lifestyle of life as Hanna Montana and takes her back home to Tennessee to “detox” her from Hanna Montana. What do you need to detox from? What is causing you to spin in circles. To carry more than you need to, or should be carrying? What choices do you need to make to make your life reflect your highest dreams and expectations??? I’d love to hear…

Wordless Wednesday

Life...

Sorry I’ve posted very little of late… been thinking and writing but not ready to share yet…. Not to mention that a lot is going on, and very little of it to do with Christmas. I’ll be more consistent once the thoughts in my head slow down… Until then…

Wordless Wednesday

Faith Building Friday

The understanding I received from this teaching on Justice by John Paul's has been revolutionary for me...

Wordless Wednesday

Faith Building Friday

Creativity...
Love the music, and love how it was created... May it inspire you...
Birds on The Wires