photo © 2010 sean hobson | more info (via: Wylio)
I held my breath as I waited for the sound.
The violent crunch of the lawnmower let me know another flowerbed had met with an abrupt end. I expected to feel sadness as the blades ripped through the patch of purple flowers in our backyard. Instead, an odd sense of relief washed over me. I did not have to worry about keeping them up any more.
When we first moved into our home, I was thrilled with the amazing landscaping. Flowerbed after flowerbed . Neatly trimmed bushes. Brick pavers and loads of fresh mulch.
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Written on
June 7, 2011 by
Deb in
Blog
This is a photo of our backyard freeloader. We named him, Bandit. He has a partner in crime, but since we can’t tell them apart they both share this more than appropriate title.
My picture isn’t very clear, because he works under the cloak of darkness; foraging for any tidbit he can find.
One night, Chloe, our “ferocious Bichon”, spotted him and barked him back into the woods. She was very proud of herself for protecting everyone, but truthfully Bandit was back just a short while later.
Do you ever have days like that? I know I do!
The enemy, the one who likes to lie, steal, and rob us of our joy .
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I’m a self-proclaimed neat freak who is drawn to the messy. 
Yeah, before you say it, I know. I’m a walking dichotomy.
In college, a clean dorm room was a must. Curling iron and hair dryer cords were wrapped and put away. Makeup brushes nestled inside my Caboodle, and dresser drawers were always pushed shut.
Down the hall, I had two friends who were just the opposite. Their dresser was covered with hair rollers and lip-gloss tubes. On the mirror, they wrote with eye pencils. Books and papers were sprinkled on their desks, and yesterday’s clothes could probably be spotted somewhere on the floor.
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Matthew 14:29b-30 Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” (NIV)
In faith, my husband, Jason, and I walked into the storm.
The year 2005 brought change to our lives. With persistence, God tugged both of our hearts to move to Africa even though that was one place I never desired to go. We took a short-term trip to Kenya and Tanzania to understand how it would be to live and teach in Africa. Although the students were wonderful, the glimpse of what we saw included mob justice, street children and poverty.
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photo © 2008 Kajsa Bergman Fällén | more info (via: Wylio)
“Is your room clean?”
My daughter answered my question with an enthusiastic, “Yes, mam.” I smiled and responded that perhaps we should go take a look at her room together. It only took one look to realize we had different definitions of the word clean.
Indeed, all of her stuffed animals were off of the floor. No clothes were carelessly flung here, there, and yonder. And, yes, even the bed was semi-neatly made. So imagine her surprise when I actually had an issue with the tiny scraps of paper and broken bits of toys and crayons all over her bedroom floor.
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This week has been a blur of activity. A whirlwind of busyness. A virtual non-stop list of things and chores to do and accomplish. But you know what? I wouldn’t change a minute of it! Because it is all leading up to something I have been craving for some time now.
Soul food.
The gathering together of like-minded girlfriends who, for all of our vast differences and interests, are forever bonded by years of tried and tested friendship. Years that have brought changes, presented challenges, and caused us to up our game just a few more times than we might have liked.
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A few weeks back, my small group at church was studying the book, Radical. I have a feeling many of you have either heard of or purchased it at some point. One of the many topics we discussed happened to be loving your enemies which comes from the Beatitudes where Jesus is talking to His disciples about how they should live.
Matthew 5:43
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven.
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Written on
May 22, 2011 by
Deb in
Blog
A few years ago, I received an email from a friend which contained a list of funny statements made by little ones. Don’t you just love the funny things they say!
I was especially tickled by one of the statements and remind myself of it often. It read, “And forgive us our trash-baskets as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets.”
Isn’t that great?! What a perfect visual image!
It is often much harder to forgive the trash that is tossed into my life than it is to deal with the trash I make myself. You know what I’m talking about, a little:
- Unkind Word
- Bit of gossip
- Lie
- Snub
- Mess
- ___________
Somehow it’s easier to overlook my own trash, and to think that mine doesn’t stink quite as bad as the other guy’s garbage.
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