My favorite love song is about a sandwich????

In the movie 27 dresses there is a line that I thought was kind of silly, at least until this morning...

"I feel like I just found out my favorite love song was written about a sandwich."

A light hearted comment to describe a feeling of deep disappointment.

Last night was the primary election. With my father-in-laws candidacy for the US Senate race I feel like I have learned a great deal about government and politics, things that they don't teach you in high school. My political eyes have been opened to things as simple as... many economists say the national debt is nearing the point of no return... currently 13 trillion, adding in unfunded debts it is closer to 30 trillion.

I am encouraged by the turn out at the polls, but at the same time deeply saddened as I realized that many people in my state did not take the time to read about the candidates, those with the most name recognition won. (We expect our elected leaders to read the bills before we vote, so shouldn't we read up on the candidates before we cast our ballots?)

I do not feel bitter in any way that my father-in-law did not make it, He was my choice of course, but there were several other great choices as well. Instead, my state decided to vote in man (a very nice man I must say; I met him on my trip to DC a couple years ago) who have voted to raise the debt ceiling on multiple occasions... not running a campaign saying he is fiscally conservative... hmm. I hate to bring logic in to the equation, but people the math doesn't work out here.

This morning I was feeling quite downtrodden, knowing that historically all great nations have fallen when their leadership got to big for their britches and started making decisions based on money and power.

My devotional encourage me to read through several passages of scripture that we about suffering. A sense of peace came over me while reading these passages, knowing that now matter what happens to this country, I am in good hands and I always will be.

For creation was subject to frustrations, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself would be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. - Romans 8:20

James, heres to you and your joy...

God - I will put on my happy face today, because I know that the fate of this nation is in your hands. I know that my life is in your hands and I know that no matter what craziness the world throws at me, you are always always always with me.

Thank you for that!

Manna from Heaven

I read the account in Exodus today of when Moses interaction with the Israelites after having led them out of Slavery in Egypt. The people started to grumble, as people often do, because they had no food to eat.

It seems so crazy to me, that they go as far as to say that they had it better in slavery because they at least had some food. Manipulation at it's finest right?

God hears them and to show them compassion, to show them His glory, he provides them Manna

They were told not to save it up, some of them did, and it got maggots in it and it started to stink. They were told to collect twice as much on the 6th day because on the 7th day God would rest and they should rest so there would be none, but some of them went out to collect it anyway.

What do I take away from this story that happened a long long time before I was born?

When we do not obey God, something starts to rot and stink... if that is our heart or our mind or our soul or some physical thing I know not. Perhaps it is different in every circumstance of disobedience.

On top of that, if you miss God's blessing the fist time around, it probably won't be there again, at least in that same form.

It is beyond my comprehension that people could live in God's physical presence (A pillar or fire by night and a cloud by day) and receive His blessings daily and not trust him or know Him.

But, I guess our culture does the same thing, we have the Holy Spirit in us, not just by us and we have been given blessings heaped onto blessings and we can't seem to get straight where they actually came from.

Music speaks to my heart like nothing else does, this is the old chorus that is on my heart this morning.

Many men will drink the rain
And turn to thank the clouds
Many men will hear You speak
But they will never turn around

I will not forget You are my God, my King
And with a thankful heart I bring my offering
And my sacrifice is not what You can give
But what I alone can give to you

A grateful heart I give, A thankful prayer I pray,
A wild dance I dance before you
This loud song I sing, A huge bell I ring,
A life of praise I live before You

Many men will pour their gold
And serve a thing that shines
Many men will read your words
But they will never change their minds

Happy Friday.

Ordinary Days

Today was just an ordinary day. Oh, I know God was working miracles all around me, I know that every day is an EXTRAordinary day. What I mean is that today is a day with no big ups and no big downs.

In my team meeting today during our devotional time we discussed Hebrews 12

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

How many hills and valleys do I come across on race. It is so many, that I think to have an ordinary day... running on the flat land... feels so strange.

So many areas of my life fall into the hills and valleys pattern, requiring perseverance until the very end.... My job.... the desire to start a family.... building a marriage that will last.... helping my family through their struggles.

With so many ups and downs in this thing called life, I am grateful that the writer of Hebrews brings me back to what is most important. FIXING THESE WANDERING EYES ON CHRIST!

I can run fast or I can run slow. Up hill or down hill. No matter what, when I have my eyes [That is my everything] focused on Christ I can have joy. The joy that Christ had when he faced death in the most gruesome way known to man.

"I stand and lift up my hands for the joy of the Lord is my strength." - Chris Tomlin

Praising God for an ordinary day today. A place where I can catch my breath before the next hill.

Your Faith Has Made You Well

I have been thinking more about faith today. How it, in it's true form, is so motivating for the one who possesses it.

In the crowd that day there was a woman who for twelve years had been afflicted with hemorrhages. She had spent every penny she had on doctors but not one had been able to help her. She slipped in from behind and touched the edge of Jesus' robe. At that very moment her hemorrhaging stopped. Jesus said, "Who touched me?" When no one stepped forward, Peter said, "But Master, we've got crowds of people on our hands. Dozens have touched you." Jesus insisted, "Someone touched me. I felt power discharging from me." When the woman realized that she couldn't remain hidden, she knelt trembling before him. In front of all the people, she blurted out her story—why she touched him and how at that same moment she was healed. Jesus said, "Daughter, you took a risk trusting me, and now you're healed and whole. Live well, live blessed!" - Luke 8:43-48 The Message

Likely there were others who had touched Jesus that day, brushed up against him in the crowd, but none of the others had the experience that this woman had. Her faith compelled her to reach out and touch Jesus, because she knew he could make her well.

It makes me think of my own situation, how many times have I sought Jesus, but not worked up the courage to really reach out. As Clint and I have gone through the struggles to try to get pregnant, how many times have I ran to other things rather than running to Jesus... So many "cures" I have sought for an ailment that just can't be found. Oh, I talk to Jesus about it all, but I don't think that I have ever approached Jesus about our situation the same way that this woman reached out to him. She was full of confidence, driven to reach him, KNOWING above all if she could touch Him she would be healed.

Father, Spirit, Jesus - I pray that I would have that kind of faith, the kind that would pursue you at all cost, and not just pursue you to hear if you have the answer, but pursue you because I know in my heart and soul that you ARE the answer.

Amen

Faith

I have been thinking a lot about faith lately.

Faith is being certain of what we do not see, yes. But it is also being sure of what we hope for.

After pondering the lives of the faithful mentioned in Hebrews 11 I am struck by the fact that faith always, in every one of those circumstances, requires action.

Faith is not still.

Any faith that does not command the one who holds it is not a real belief. It is a pseudo belief only. - AW Tozer

It also strikes me as crazy that Christ said that if we have faith as small as a mustard seed, that kind of faith would be mountain moving... tree uprooting kind of faith.

So how do I get that mountain moving faith? Is it as simple as listening to God's voice through scripture and those he puts in my life and then start moving? Is it just taking small step after small step leading towards him?

I have always thought of mountain moving faith as big. You just needed a little of it, but when you got it, it was larger than life. I am beginning to wonder if mountain moving faith is really found in the simple things. The feet moving in unfamiliar patterns, one step at a time. Following. Following. Unrelentingly Following Him.

Do you own them or do they own you?

I read a phenomenal book last summer. It was called “Same kind of Different as me”. Picture this:

A wealthy art dealer has taken a homeless man out for coffee. The art dealer sets his keys down on the table. The homeless guy asks if the wealthy man owns something for every one of the keys. Wealthy man supposed he did. Homeless guy asks “Do you own them or do they own you?”

Very thought provoking question…

I had one of those days today… you know, one of those days when your stuff owns you. My Blackberry gave me a permanent error yesterday. How frustrating, so I went without a phone for a few hours until my chip could be transferred into an old phone. Today our IT guy was in the office and assisted in wiping the thing clean of all data and reloading all programs. Though I was in the office until 7pm trying to get the thing rebooted…

Talk about frustrating!

It does raise the question, do I own this wonderful piece of technology… or does it own me? I am not sure I have the answer to that… it did aid in a bad attitude for several hours.

Not sure why I let these momentary troubles get me down. They are so silly and trivial. I was reminded how much I have learned to depend on the blessings that God has given me. I don’t always see their true value, that of a blessing.

How much of my life is spent on maintenance and fixing or repairing things that are broken or have stopped working?

Ah, after a short blogging hiatus, I am back. I had had the opportunity to spend 10 days with family and dear friends! You have to love vacation! Hours of conversation and cuddling with nephews. Amazing food, thanks to our wonderful hosts. Sleeping in,... TOTAL RELAXATION! I love my routines, but it was nice to totally let go for awhile.

I knew it was a successful time of rest because I was ready to be back at work this morning. I really do enjoy my job, but I also really enjoy sleeping in. :)

I love what Elisabeth Elliot has to say about hard work and rest!

Work is a blessing. [YES! A BLESSING!] God has so arranged the world that work is necessary, and He gives us hands and strength to do it. The enjoyment of leisure would be nothing if we had only leisure. It is the joy of work well done that enables us to enjoy rest, just as it is the experiences of hunger and thirst that make food and drink such pleasures. - Discipline: The Glad Surrender

Haahaa. As I look ahead to this week and the catch up work I will have to do, may I broach it with the same spirit as Elisabeth! I guess perhaps that is one of the secrets to finding refreshment and joy in rest... working hard and working well.

It almost makes me wonder if the joy that we find in rest directly parallels our work ethic and the amount that we give on the job, what I mean is... no matter how easy or complicated the job do we, do I, approach it with the same energy and vigor as if to give it my all? Hmm, I will have to add that to the lists of questions to ask God someday,

The Spirit Gives Life :: The Flesh Counts for Nothing

I read that phrase, "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing" this morning and was struck by it. I thought about the constant state of decay that our bodies begin at birth, there is nothing we can do to stop this progression, it is inevitable.

I can spend hundred of dollars on creams, take time to exercise every day... but on my last visit to the nursing home, not a single person there was physically fit and every single one of them had wrinkles. :)

Here in America we spend tons of money and time on our outsides and very little time and money on our insides. Quite ironic really, spending all our efforts to preserve something that has one constant, death. When it comes we know not, but one thing is certain, it will come. Our spirit; our soul, is the thing that can live for ever and what do we give it? 30 minutes in the morning, maybe a few more before bed?

In John Chapter 6 when Jesus shares with his disciples this very thought, that flesh counts for nothing and the Spirit is what gives life, many of them... all but the 12 left him. I got to thinking about today's culture... the bold and the beautiful. The message that what is on the inside is what makes a person is not very popular. When is the last time you saw a commercial or a TV show that had people on it because they were rich in character and had beautiful spirits... We as humans are drawn to what is easy on the eyes, and we trick ourselves into thinking that those things are what are important and that they will last for ever.

This morning as I shower and use my anti-aging face wash and my moisturizer... then get "fixed" for work I will be pondering this:

*How to feed my spirit with the same care I show my physical body... how to find balance.

Why are you down cast, O my soul?

Have you ever just had one of those down in the dumps kind of days? Today was that kind of day for me. Last night I went to bed, knowing again for the 60+ month, that I was not pregnant... It seems like when my hope is the highest, dejection and self loathing hit the hardest.

I got up today, got ready for work, and it seems on these kind of days I try to do everything that screams "I'm not worthy". I didn't put on makeup, just wore jeans and tennis shoes to work (and I am not normally and tennis shoes to work kind of gal).

I also wore my class ring, I realized today, I only where my class ring when I am down on my self. It is not beautiful. In fact, it is rather plain and worn looking. It is not tied to an overly joyful period of my life.

Well, I read through some scripture and went off to work, still feeling dejected.

I am grateful for Oswald Chamber "My Utmost for His Highest"... one of my favorite readings... I have it posted on the bulletin board in my office.

The Discipline of Dejection
But we had hoped... and what is more, it is the third day..." - Luke 24:21

Every fact that the disciples stated was right; but the inferences the drew from those facts were wrong. Anything that savors of dejection spiritually is always wrong. If depression and oppression visit me, I am to blame, God is not, nor is anyone else. Dejection springs from one of two sources - I have either satisfied a lust or I have not. Lust means - I must have it at once. Spiritual lust makes me demand an answer from God, instead of seeking God, who gives the answer. What have I been trusting God would do? And today-the immediate present-is the third day, and He has not done it; therefore I imagine I am justified in being dejected and blaming God. Whenever the insistence is on the point that God answers prayer, we are off track. The meaning of prayer is that we get a hold of God, not the answer.

Oh how I hope to get to this place someday. Each month is another opportunity and each month I fail miserably as I jealously view all the pregnant people around me.

Somehow I need to wrap my brain around the fact that this life and all that it is is not about me... oh how hard it is to write those words!

Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.

March 5, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Mike Landry, (918) 431-4310
randy@alexanderforsenate.org


Alexander to officially file to run for U.S. Senate

Springdale, AR - University of Arkansas Housing Director and former Tea Party Vice-Chairman, Randy Alexander, will file papers to run for the U.S. Senate with the Secretary of State's office on Monday, March 8th at 9:00am. Alexander is seeking the Republican Party nomination in the primary election to be held in May.

"I am not going to Washington looking for bi-partisan solutions, I'm going to Washington looking for a fight," Alexander said. "The people of Arkansas are have had enough of politicians who continue to compromise on core issues like health care and cap-and-trade. I will fight for Arkansans and their freedoms."

Recent polling shows that 60% of Americans believe we are headed in the wrong direction and over 75% of the people disapprove of the job congress is doing. "Sen. Reid and his allies have been put on notice, we're not going to take it anymore. I stand firmly with the majority of Arkansans who believe parliamentary trickery has no place in the U.S. Senate," Alexander added.

About Randy Alexander:
Randy has directed campus housing services for universities for 31 years most recently at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. In 2003 he started Alexander & Associates which that provides housing master planning services to colleges and universities. He has been active in grassroots groups and most recently served as the Vice-Chairman to the Washington Co. Tea Party. Randy and his wife Pat have a grown son and also a daughter who born with spina bifida and passed away at age 24. They live in Springdale, AR and have been active in organizations providing services to people with disabilities. Randy and Pat are active members of Fellowship Bible Church in Rogers.

For more information, visit www.alexanderforsenate.org or call 479-283-5531.
###

Wedding Bells for Tony & Kristina!!!

Clint and I had the pleasure of traveling to Tulsa this weekend to celebrate the wedding of my good friend Kristina to Tony. It has been fun watching Kristina and Tony's relationship grow. I am so happy that they have found someone to spend the rest of their lives with! I had the honor of standing up next to them as they said their vows. (I also had a great time eating some fabulous, mouth watering meals... steak & Cheesecake Factory, shopping with the girls and parading around the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino all decked out in the wedding attire.)

Marriage is a grad thing that is for sure! I know it has its ups and downs, just like anything in life... It is a joy for me to see friends get married. I am so very grateful to have a spouse that takes time to grow me and grow our marriage. I know I have a great capacity to love and I regret to say I do not always take advantage of it... I am truly thankful that I am truly loved! Marriage is work but it also brings great amounts of joy into my life.

"Neither a lofty degree of intelligence nor imagination nor both together go to the making of genius. Love, love, love, that is the soul of genius." ~ Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Here is to love! Love that truly is patient and kind looking out for the best interests of the other... may it be with Kristina and Tony as well as Clint and I for a lifetime!

Busy

This week has been exceptionally busy at work for me. Lots to do, lots to wrap my mind around. I was very thankful for my massage on Tuesday afternoon. I referred a friend to my chiropractic place and I got a free massage. How cool! I didn't even know they were running a referral special.

As I get older I am beginning to appreciate down times just simply to rest. I think that I always took those for granted in the past. You go through life as a child having more play and rest time than work time and somewhere along the path to adulthood it flip-flops and you have more work than rest. I guess it will be a struggle until I finally ingrain in my brain how to balance work and rest.

I think I shall head to bed early tonight.

Austin Airplane Crash

Today a man crashed his airplane into the IRS building in Austin TX. I read his suicide note. They put it on CNN. It is so very sad to me that a man would take his life over how the government is run. Our government needs to change; this is true.

One of my favorite quotes is by Edmund Burke :: "All it takes for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing". Something must be done, and soon. Our government is approaching the point of no return with all their laws and tax codes and codes on top of codes.

But Mr. Airplane man, I don't think setting your house on fire and crashing your plane into an IRS building is the answer. Part of the journey of life is to learn to let go of our need to be in control of everything.

I am learning this slowly; at times my growth is imperceptible; but I am growing none the less.